As The Week Winds Down

The sun is shining and there is no humidity in the air ~ it couldn't be a more beautiful day!

My organizing is just about done and mountains of things are ready for the flea market this Sunday.

Someone asked me in where I go and what the process is for selling at the flea market.

I go to a local one and try to arrive around dawn.

You literally just pull your car up to a table (thus the early arrival) and then the owners come around and collect the small fee to have the table for the day.

Easy as pie.

I'm looking forward to having the weekend off  (now that I have EVERY weekend off) to spend with my family.

Fingers crossed the weather holds out so we can do some apple and pumpkin picking!

Happy Weekending Everyone!

sweater: jcrew

denim jacket: gap (i cut the sleeves off)

skirt: ny&co

shoes: enzo angiolini

sunglasses: adrienne vittadini

watch: citizen

bracelet & ring: tiffany's

leopard wrap bracelet: express

What's Old Is New

In The Great Closet/Attic Cleanout of 2011 (it deserves a grand title as it is almost done and I have been at it since Monday!) I discovered a linen dust bag in the very corner of the closet I keep all my handbags in.

Inside of that dust bag was this gem of an Italian leather purse I purchased oh, let's say about a decade ago.

It is made by Guia's a purveyor of fine Italian leather handbags for almost 50 years.

Since it has had minimal usage, it is absolutely pristine.

As I slipped the bag off of it, I knew instantly that the ladylike lines, rich cranberry color and the way it sits just right on my forearm (my favorite spot to carry a bag!) would determine it to be my "IT" bag of this season.

I could pat my decade younger self on the back for making such a wise investment.

On another note, this is what I wore to the grocery today.

It defines everything I am craving right now and have edited my wardrobe down to.

Crisp, clean basics with a little shimmer ( the gold glitter flats), a little utility (the cargo vest) and a subtle pop of red (amazing lip stain from Sephora).

These are the things that still have a home here.

vest & button up: jcrew

jeans & flats: express

handbag: guia's

bracelet: limited

Hindsight Now

I am a firm believer that everything in this modern world is too rushed...Christmas decor all over shops and it isn't even Halloween yet, after Halloween the Christmas music begins in most stores and we still have Thanksgiving to make it through!

  The SS 12 shows are already but a distant memory now and we haven't even started wearing our Fall Winter 11 looks yet!

All of this just leaves my head spinning!

However, if we look to the bright side of it, or if you're just a glass half full type, this jumping the gun nonsense can really pay off.

Now I can zoom over to Style.com and scroll through my favorite designers and get a glimpse of our sartorial future.

As I pack away the spring/summer clothing and sort & purge, I thought I should really take a look at the runway shows for SS 12 and see what items will still be relevant.

My editing will be on point.

There will be bargains on items that may be frugal to purchase for next year.

And as I roam through thrift stores and consignment shops I will have already decided on my needs for next season.

These are my favorite looks from the JCrew SS12 runway.

Seeing the white sequin jacket made me squeal with delight since I already own this amazing vintage one!

What is your take on the future happening in the present?

Knee Deep

My first order of business as I moonlight as a SAHM was to tackle my walk~in attic.

Since last Christmas, I have just been opening the door and shoving stuff in there willy~nilly.

To say it's a mess would be an understatement.

Since one of my greatest fears is that I will be a future guest on Hoarders:Buried Alive, I knew a clean up needed to be my first priority!

Although it was 80 degrees and humid all day and the air conditioning is back on full force, the weatherman promises we'll be in the 50's for the weekend.

So what better time to prepare ourselves and break out all the cozy items I have come to miss so much?

There are hordes of Rubbermaid tubs of fall/winter clothing to be sorted as well as the seasonal swap over of decor.

All lot to handle in one day, and as you can see from the pictures...I have made quite a mess!

Each season, I pull out EVERYTHING and place it in my closets and dressers.

And 75% of it goes unworn because I'm just not into some things.

This time I am purging.

Items to eBay, items to sell at our local flea market...this fall I am craving very classic and tailored looks...blazers and button ups, pencil skirts and no frill dresses.

My inner prepster is taking over!

I am sick to death of ruffles and flounce and spent the evening removing ruffled trim from a great tweed jacket and the very dramatic cascade of flounce from a silk blouse.

The repurposing has made them both feel new and modern.

Clean and simple.

There are items I won't purge because I truly love them and will pack away until next fall when maybe I will be  drawn to wearing them again.

What looks are you most drawn to this fall?

On The 7th Day

I started working on the invitations for our annual Halloween Bash

Aren't they the cutest things ever?

From Martha Stewart Crafts, purchased at Michael's.

Tried a new beer.

Love very hoppy pale ales...and this one's healthy because it's organic, right?

To balance out the healthy beer, I made this Fried Ravioli recipe for the first time.

It was delicious!

Can you believe we have never had Fried Ravioli before???

Then I wrapped up the evening catching up on all my magazine subscriptions.

I am now going through May, June, July and Augusts issues.

Crazy!

How did you spend your 7th day?

Accepting The Inevitable

As the harsh realization that I am slowly becoming blind as a bat sinks in, I have been more adventurous and wearing my glasses in public more often.

I wear them 24/7 in the privacy of my own home, but only wear them out if they "work" with whatever it is I am wearing.

It's funny how different the world looks when your face isn't contorted into some kind of crazy squinting expression as you strain to see.

P.S. Contacts are no good. Touching my eye gives me the willies.

blazer: nicked from my son's closet

shirt: jcrew

glasses: catherine deneuve

Mix It ~ Match It

Pinstripes and plaid?

Yes please!

Big Baubles?

Of course!

jacket & jeans & earrings: express

button up: jcrew

necklace: limited

watch: citizen

bracelet: tiffanys

Wednesday ~ 4 Days & Counting

Life has been a bit of a roller coaster the past week.

I gave 2 weeks notice at work so this is my last week and Saturday is my last official day employed.

There are days when I feel confident that I made the best decision ever~

And then there are the days when The Fear hits and the inner turmoil begins.

Did I make the right decision?

Yes~ I know I did...even hubby agrees...but to leave a healthy salary behind for NOTHING...sheesh...what was I thinking???

I have been on some job interviews and as I sit there with a smile plastered on my face my mind is racing thinking,

"I don't want to do this job anymore!"

"Blah, blah,blah...it will be the same anywhere else I go!"

I'm burnt out.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I was in NYC on Friday talking to an amazing company about a position in NJ, but due to my qualifications, they would want me in Manhattan.

While the thought of working in the city is exciting (wasn't that where I always thought I belonged?), adding what would end up being about 3 hours of commuting a day to my mentally exhausted self is a recipe for disaster.

We discussed relocation options which are also exceptionally appealing especially since there is opportunity in places I adore like Ireland and places I have always wanted to go like Scotland.

But, is uprooting my family the answer right now?

Not sure.

So I'm going to sleep on that one for the time being because I firmly believe that if it is meant for us to relocate    the position will still be there if and when we decide.

What's meant to be shall be.

On another note, I'm proud to say I returned all the things in my previous blog post and then some.

It's amazing how sensible I can be.

Each of these last days surrounded by multitudes of brand new merchandise coming in the door faster than you can say "Credit Card"  is challenging but I have remained strong even though I know I will no longer get 40% or more off of clothing....

And that friends, might be scarier then not earning that paycheck!

;)

The Unexpected

I'm on such an incredible high right now that life almost seems surreal.

There's a part of me that wonders if I will crash to rock bottom when I am sitting with bills in my fists and no way to pay them.

Yet there's a prevailing part of me that realizes if we cut back on the nonsense that drains our wallets this should be pretty seamless.

We are not a family that holds back or denies ourselves... anything if I am to be honest.

When filet mignons looked good at the little gourmet market I love a few weeks back...well, we had them for dinner that very night.

Or how about the many, many nights we arrive home late from work too tired to cook and go out or order food while stuff rots away in the fridge.

Wasteful. And I am ashamed to say it.

I was off today for the Little Miss's 9th Birthday and decided that the first order of business would be to gather up any recent purchases that should be returned.

If I am not working then what do I need these fabulous red wide leg pants for?

They are a bit long and have to be taken up which will cost me more....

And what about the lace pumps I bought over the weekend?

BEFORE I had made my decision.

I would probably look a little weird walking to the school every afternoon in them, eh?

I LOVE this blazer I bought a week or so ago too.

But really?

This green jacket I bought a month or so ago is completely divine and I got such a great deal with coupons...I think I paid only 1/2 of the ticket price, but come on now...I need a new jacket like a need a hole in my head.

Just as I had met my resolve to part with these things I get not only a phone call, but an accompanying email from an international company who wants me to come and interview with them at their offices on 5th Ave. in NYC!

The go~getter I have always been got butterflies and excited thinking, "Maybe the red pants would be FABULOUS for this interview...."

and

"I got such good deals...maybe I should hang onto them..."

Oh, the inner turmoil!

What to do?

What to do?

pants,jacket and shoes: express
jacket: limited

On Top Of The World

Today I did something I never,ever thought I would ever do.

I quit my job.

In two weeks I will be unemployed for the first time since I was 15.

And I can't begin to tell you how awesome it feels.

Over the weekend my husband and I talked about how unhappy I have been at my job for the past year and how burnt out I am.

He agrees that taking a brief sabbatical is absolutely the right decision for myself and our family.

His love and support is more than I can ask for.

Here's to new chapters, reclaiming myself, and most importantly:

To Happiness.

Full Disclosure ~ Where Do We Go From Here?

One of the best parts of blogging is that you are essentially keeping a diary.

As a young girl, I always kept a diary filling it with childish scribes about my latest crushes, my BFF's or the nasty girls at school I detested. 

This blog has been my adult diary of my personal style with highlights of my life added in here and there.

September 1st came and went quietly but it marked the 2 year anniversary of this blog.

I tweeted about the occasion but have had no desire to write much here lately.

In fact, I have little desire to do many of the things I enjoy doing.

Except shop.

Which, when I am unhappy I do in spades.

There.

I said it. 

I am quite unhappy.

No worries, my marriage is solid and my children are great.
 I couldn't adore them all more.

Realistically, that is all that should matter anyway.

What is making me unhappy is how the outside world has been impacting me and getting in the way of the things I most value.

My time and my life.

And so I shop.

It is a momentary thrill, a rush.

Much like what I suppose an addict experiences when they succumb to the siren's song to find their high.

When I feel content, I can bypass gorgeous shop windows and beautifully appointed displays.

I need nothing but the high of happiness.

I know filling my closets with stuff will never fill the void of satisfaction I am seeking.
This blog was created as an effort to stop the madness of buying the "next great thing" which, in my line of work, arrives at the back door daily, and make good use of the things I already have.
All while still indulging my passion for fashion.

Decisions need to be made and risks must be taken.
Excess spending does not fit into the picture of the future I am currently holding.

Of course, I will never be able to cease indulging my love for shopping and "stuff".
I just no longer need to open my closet (s) and see items I bought on whim and wonder why I needed it so bad in the first place.

This fall I compiled myself a list of "must haves" for the upcoming season to keep myself on track.
This leopard clutch was one of them.
As was the red blazer.
Both timeless and completely necessary right now.

A few things linger, like a heeled loafer, and black lace pumps.
And with much remorse I am grieving the stacked heel knee high boots I donated last year because I wasn't "feeling" stacked heels last fall.
But such is the cycle of fashion, and I look forward to getting back to the basics on which this blog was founded and fill my closet with love.
Not impulse.
And in turn, regain everything that is missing in my life right now.

blazer: limited
oxford shirt: jcrew
jeans, heels, clutch and bracelet: express

September 6, 2001

On September 6, 2001 we stood on a cliff in Maine and promised to love each other forever.

10 years later, we have a gorgeous daughter and raised an amazing son. 

I can honestly say there is no one else I would rather spend this life with.

Who knew that the guy I considered to be my brother's  "hot friend" would turn out to be my best friend, partner and soul mate.

Or as I have spent the last 10 years telling you, you are my lobster.

Happy Anniversary Charlie.

I love you with all my heart.