Cream Sweater & a Mustard Scarf

Happy Tuesday Lovelies! I hope everyone is keeping warm and toasty. Here in the Detroit area we were in negative temps all day, not so fun. Luckily, I bribed Kevin to take some photos in advance (when the weather was nicer), so I have an outfit post today. With how cold it's been, I have been living in sweaters, knits, and fleece. This particular combination might be my favorite this year. I would live in this cream sweater if it were socially acceptable, I am totally obsessed. In addition to this cable knit sweater, I found these sweater leggings online and they are so cozy! They have done an excellent job of keeping my stems warm this winter. I tend to gravitate towards neutrals when I know I will be spending my time at home or at a coffee shop doing homework, so this outfit is a perfect example of how I typically dress on Sundays.  

I need to take a moment to gush about this scarf before I return to homework for the evening. First of all, I love this scarf. Seriously, it is beyond perfection. I met Kat on instagram and was introduced to her adorable Etsy shop, Momma Sweet Pea Crochet, where I fell head over heels for her work. She crochet's these infinity blanket scarves in custom colors (choose from basically any color ever), or you can buy from her current inventory for quicker arrival. It's like wearing a blanket all day - so soft and warm. The quality and her prices are amazing too. Make sure to stop by today and order yours; it'll help you survive this treacherous winter, I promise!

sweater: old navy | leggings: white plum boutique | boots: dsw (old) | scarf: c/o momma sweet pea crochet | tank: target

necklace: mint sugar boutique (similar) | bracelets: pave link-very jane (similar), bangles-oldnavy, gold link-jcrew factory | purse: target (similar)

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Plaidly in Love

Hello Lovelies!! It's only the second week of classes and I'm already super busy! I definitely miss the days where the first week of class was designated for essentially attending a ton of classes you thought you might be interested in, taking a week to figure out what you wanted to actually take, and perfecting your schedule. There was no readings, assignments, or homework, just a freebie week to finalized your classes for the semester. Being in my last semester has its downfalls, mostly that its business time right off the bat. Last week was full of lectures, notes, presentations, readings, homework, and projects already, phew! So, this pretty much put the kabosh on me zipping ahead on blog related things and posts this weekend and explains my poor attendance this past week. However, having Monday off for MLK day did have its benefits, we were able to photograph some outfit posts, so the weekend wasn't a complete wash in terms of blogging. 

So what did I do this past weekend? I spent a good amount of time on homework, but also a good amount of time ridding my apartment of the ghosts of last semester still lurking in the shadows. Since I had an incredibly lazy restful Christmas break, I did a poor job of wrapping up last semester and packing it away before this one started. I spend a good chunk of time sorting through papers, filing, cleaning, and organizing my study in preparation for the semester. Sigh. As an OCD person, I feel better just thinking about how much more functional and clutter free the space is. I also picked up some new supplies and feel confident in the room's abilities to get me through the semester. After graduation however, big things will be happening and a giant super make-over will be happening all up in there. So, its good enough for now =)

Okay, enough about my boring weekend, onto something fun: clothes. Today's outfit, which I wore to work this week, features some of my favorite pieces, and since it's still beyond freezing here in the mitten, layers are an absolute must. This dark green knit sweater is one of the best purchases I have made this winter; it's warm without being bulky, is a gorgeous shade of green, and was on sale for 40%; triple score! I didn't have too many items that were green in my closet before this fall, but all that has changed! Maybe it has something to do with emerald being last year's color of the year? Who knows, either way, I am loving this deep saturated tone, which is not only the color of the sweater but also a key color in this plaid shirt. This plaid was also a more recent purchase, entering my wardrobe last fall. The colors of the plaid are beyond perfection and it matches so many cooler hues and neutral colors, so it is easy to mix and match with! Another green purchase this year? These tights. I am a shameless colored tight wearer, and adorn them probably a few times a week (I prefer skirts to pants for work wear). Luckily for me and my preference for rainbow colored stems, Target has had an amazing selection and variety of colored tights this season; I have added quite a few new pairs because of this. =)

At first I though that between the sweater and tights, there might be too much green in this outfit (as if that's a thing!) but I think with the grey skirt and plaid shirt breaking up the green and the fierce neckbling topping it off, the tights work with it. Which brings me to the skirt. Perfect, no? I mean, all you really need to know is that it has pockets and you are sold, right? It was enough for me at least. But in all seriousness this skirt is so comfortable and versatile, I even bought it in black I loved it so much. Although, my love of all things grey has me reaching for this one far more often. 

So what's left to discuss? Oh right, the jewelry! I mean this necklace is bananas, right?? (does anyone even say that still? oh well. I do, apparently) I found Meaghan and her shop Purple Peridot through instagram right before Christmas and boy am I glad I did! In the short time I have been introduced to Purple Peridot, I have purchased 4 pieces for me and several as gifts for Christmas. Her stuff is beyond gorgeous, I have already worn everything I bought at least once, and some, like this one, are even on track to be my new bff's. This necklace and matching earrings are perfect dupes (buy here) of their much more expensive J.Crew counter parts, and the quality is amazing. Definitely check her out! Oh, and did I mention she is like the fastest at shipping around AND has sales weekly?? I'm obsessed. Go be obsessed too!

skirt: jcrew factory | sweater: target | shirt: jcrew factory | heels: payless | purse: target | sunglasses: forever 21

necklace & earrings: purple peridot | crystal bracelet: jcrew factory | bow bangle: old navy | link bracelet: jcrew factory 

Shop this outfit:

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

2014 Closet Remix Challenge

Hi, my name is Ray and I'm a shopaholic. Legit, I'm verging on Confessions of a Shopaholic bad. Nothing makes me happier than the thrill of a new purchase, I love the high I get when I find a great sale item and when playing the mental math game to make my money disappear into glossy shopping bags. Due to my obsessive compulsive tendencies, I can get a little out of control without realizing it and easily overspend, leaving my budget on life support. I even have mood swings depending on whether or not I am able to get the items I actually set out to get, usually after some serious stalking. Both planned and impulse shopping are dangerous for me, because I can always find more things I want (I'm like a bird attracted to anything shiny). I am easily seduced by coupons, sales, and clearance items, part of the thrill of the "game" is the challenge of seeing how far I can stretch my money. In a weird way shopping, for me, isn't always about the clothes or shoes or accessories, but the addiction/compulsion to get more for less. It has gotten a little out of hand, especially with the stress (which exacerbates my compulsions) of the holidays and the end of the semester, I was spending way too much on things I wasn't even sure I needed or even wanted, just because the price of something was amazing. I also feel guilty about not picking something up on super sale, even if I barely have the money to afford it, I feel bad. It's strange to think about. In addition to this compulsion are the mood swings associated with it. Feeling sad, mad, depressed, etc. are all common things I experience if I could not get something I actually want. 

image via

I have become a spending monster and this spending, especially through the holiday season where I mentally justify everything with the promise of money coming in the following year, has left my insides and my bank account empty. I don't need more stuff. I don't want more stuff. In fact, I tend to hate stuff. It means less space with more to clean. So, what's a shopaholic to do? With what do I replace the elated feeling shopping brings me? The answer, thanks to the wonderful @jen_murph on instagram, is the #2014closetremixchallenge. Joining instagram last year has been both a blessing and a curse to a shopaholic like myself. Within it I have found an amazing community of wonderfully kind, stylish, and creative fashionistas, whose friendships and inspiration have meant the world to me this past year. The flip side to meeting and following all of these amazing women, is that it gives me a serious case of the I wants. So many of the things I purchase is because I see them on instagram and immediately need to have them too (I used the hashtag #instagrammademedoit more than I would like to admit last year). I am only human, and as hard as I try, can't help but sometimes compare myself to other bloggers and IG'ers, and can even fall victim to feeling the need to keep up with the Jones' of the blogging and fashion world. But, I also get so much inspiration that I also buy pieces to recreate or give my own spin on outfits I love. The reasons to shop are endless,  right? ;-)

Well, this year I am going to rehab. Participating in the challenge means that on a monthly basis, I will commit to not shopping - no new clothing, shoes, or accessories, and only creating outfits out of the clothing I already have in my closet with the exception of exchanges, returns, and giftcards, or replacing damaged necessities (runs in tights, leaky snow boots, etc.). January is my first month, and so far, so good! I participated in a closet remix challenge last June and had a fun time mixing and matching pieces I had from my closet. The challenge really encourages you to bust out the items in your drawers with tags still on them, dust off things you have forgotten in the back of the closet, and pair unexpected pieces to create fun new outfits, giving a twist on your trusted favorites. This new mental game of mixing and matching the things I already own is new puzzle for my compulsions to grab onto. The satisfaction of making new outfits out of things I have already used in other great outfits provides enough of a high to keep me from shopping, at least for a month or two at a time. I am also going to be more selective with the pieces that I do add this year, sticking to more classic pieces (I don't even own a pair of plain nude heels) and fewer trendy items. 

I have written on here before about getting the most out of my clothing, and this challenge is definitely in line with that goal. I have put together some collages of my favorite pieces that I bought this fall and winter and the multiple ways that I have worn them as inspiration for myself during this challenge, and you too, if you choose to join me! 

Cable Knit Cardigan

Herringbone Vest

 Polka Dot Pencil Skirt

Leopard Loafers

Striped Sweater

Plaid Blanket Scarf

Taupe Ankle Boots

Crystal Sunburst Necklace

As you can probably tell by these collages, I definitely play favorites! All of these pieces highlighted are things I have purchased in the last 4 months and I have tried to get as much wear out of them without feeling like I wear the same thing everyday. Some of these items were bought because of instagram, such as the J.Crew Factory herringbone excursion vest and the Zara plaid blanket scarf. But others were filling a whole in my wardrobe, such as the taupe booties, which were my first pair of booties ever. My hope is that after rehab, every piece that I add to my wardrobe is used as frequently as I wear these favorites. This is also a pretty good representation of my style; comfy, colorful, creative, and all about the details. Being on a remix challenge only pushes my closet creativity further. I hope that this post inspired you to mix-up your closet this month too!

For those you of who are not on a challenge and would like outfit details, please visit their individual posts on my instagram account. Please shop the links below to add my favorites to your closet!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Throwin' Elbows + Zara Scarf Winner

Happy Friday lovelies!! TGIF, indeed. This is one week I am glad is over. As the semester begins its rapid descent to completion, my stress levels increase exponentially. It just seems like there are fewer and fewer hours in a day, which is just compacted by daylight savings. Now don't get me wrong, I cherished my extra hour of sleep last weekend, but to be frank, having it be pitch black before 6 o'clock sucks. Having fewer hours of daylight makes my brain go into overdrive freak-out mode as it believes there are in fact less hours to do things too. Weird how much we associate time with light, or maybe its just me... Is anyone else suffering major panic attacks over not having enough time, and thinking its like 10 pm when its 6 pm? Such an anti-fun mind boggle. Crossing my fingers to adjust soon...gah!

Anyways, my time comprehension issues aside, this week has been biting at frosty temperatures which in turn has caused me to basically live in my warmest and coziest sweaters, cardigans, and knits. I have been getting a lot of inquires on my instagram outfit posts about where I have purchased several of the knits I wore this week. Unfortunately, almost everything my incredibly stylish followers inquire about is old news. I hang on to sweaters for ages and many of these are more than a year or two old. So, after I posted one of my favorite pieces this morning and received so much love over the cardigan featured, a piece that again, is several years old, I was inspired. Not wanting you ladies to miss out, I decided to put together a collection of other pieces currently available. Below are some of the outfits I have posted this week featuring my favorite sweaters.

Today: Grey Grandpa-style Knit Cardigan with Brown Corduroy Elbow Patches 

(Target 2-3 years ago)

looking back at the rest of the week...
Saturday: Over-sized Knit Cardigan in Taupe (outfit details here)

Sunday: Cream Cable Knit Open Front Sweater (Old Navy 2-3 years ago)

Monday: Caramel Cowl Necklace Open Front Knit Cardigan (Target this fall)

Tuesday: Leopard Print Cardigan (outfit details here)

Thursday: Yellow Knit Sweater (outfit details here)

One of my favorite details for fall and winter is elbow patches. I am sure you all love them too, how could you not? ;-) It's such a classic detail, whether its mimicking classic tweed blazer patches I think of a professor wearing while smoking a pipe, pursuing his library, or the soft cardigan patches, adorned by the dad as he plays in the fallen autumn leaves with his kids, this trend is full of styling opportunities from generations of its male counterparts. Since elbow patches are a menswear inspired detail, I'm always compelled to reminisce about my grandfathers, and even my father, when I see them. The nostalgic aspect of the patches is just something I cannot escape. There is just something about elbow patches on sweaters and cardigans that make me feel like I am being wrapped up in their love and protective arms when I wear them, especially in this cardigan, with its muted, masculine tones.

All of my imaginative and emotional impositions on this detail aside (and now that you know how tangent driven my brain is), I also just love the unexpected pop of color and the fun new ways elbow patches are being done today to make a masculine detail a tad more feminine, like the sequined patches on the Old Navy cardi, or the heart shaped patches on the ASOS sweater. Another popular update to this classic style for this season includes leather patches (leather is everywhere right now!). There is also a transition to fastening them on pull-over sweaters in addition to the traditional pieces like cardigans and blazers. Any way you slice it, elbow patches are a must this season! Here are some of my favorite pieces available this year:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

5 / 6 / 7 / 8

9 / 10 / 11 / 12

I must admit that number 8 is by far my favorite. I love the color blocking (the cobalt is fabulous next to the grey) and the chunkiness of the knit, plus is a cardigan! Hello, lover! And, although I am a little cautious about all the leather popping up this season, these leather elbow patches are a phenomenal final touch on it. It's most definitely going on my lust list!

Are you throwin' elbow (patches) this fall?

Will you be adding any of these to your closet?

The last order of business I have before bidding you farewell is to announce the winner of the Zara plaid blanket scarf giveaway! Congrats to Keara L. for winning! I will be emailing you shortly =)

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!