WORN: My Uniform

Get the look:
MinkPink jacket (more options here)
Reformation sweatshirt
Levi's jeans (more here)
Free People boots
Old hat (more winter hats here)
NYX lip color

I never expected my departure from the fashion industry to be quite so... liberating. As much as I loved it, there were so many aspects that I knew were unhealthy for my psyche and over the past several months, I've been sort of swinging back to center. My new schedule lands me in Brooklyn several times per week, which means early mornings, schlepping several bags through several iterations of travel (Uber! Amtrak! Metro! Stairs!), and generally not having the patience to deal with anything that isn't comfortable or requires fussing. And so lately, with the cold air blowing in, these requirements have manifested into jeans, the most fun boots ever, and a cadre of "artfully dishevelled" sweatshirts. Yes, literally jeans and a sweatshirt. I'm basically just a somewhat fancier version of my high school self. And you know what? It's fucking awesome. Yes, there are days when I miss the ease of dressing up, hopping in my car, and being behind my desk in 5 minutes. And there are certainly days when I still do dress up, but I'm no longer putting that unnecessary pressure on myself. And I feel all the more confident for the choice.

I wore this outfit to go to the grocery store in Sunday with Chris. Exciting stuff, right? For us it is. We stopped by our neighborhood coffee shop before heading out, thinking that maybe we'd do some Christmas shopping too (we didn't). Our schedules rarely align these days, so even the simple stuff is celebrated, like actually making a normal run for groceries instead of grabbing things here and there. I just got this Reformation sweatshirt a few weeks ago during their black Friday sale, enticed by how cozy it looked and the text on the front that reminds me of the Suicidal Tendencies font. It has not disappointed, and I've been experimenting with pairing it with dresses and skirts, though I've yet to find a dressier combination that doesn't make me look like an oversized teenager.

WORN: Black Lace-Up Top + Vintage Levi's

I spent most of college shrouded in a sea of black. My uniform? Black turtleneck sweater, skinny jeans, black converse sneakers. It sounds good in theory, but really I was a mess. Ill fitting jeans, because skinnies were hard to come by at the time; pilled thrift store sweater with a ratty tee thrown underneath. Lately I've been rediscovering my love for black, this time in a bit more of an intentional way.

This past weekend, when the weather warmed and the sun finally peeked out, I threw on this top -- a new favorite -- with my best cropped Levi's, a lucky thrift store find from my Pittsburgh days that cost me no more than three bucks. It's serendipitous that this cropped length is now everywhere, making me feel suddenly, if unintentionally, in the know. Also, can we all take a moment to appreciate the glorious magic that classic Levi's imparts on literally anyone's ass? If you ever need a reason to invest in a pair (if you can call $3 an investment... I think you can), this is it. They will make you feel amazing and super powerful. Or at least super confident about your bum.

Get the look: Free People lace-up layering top // Vintage jeans - options here & here // B-Low the Belt... belt // Vintage Coach bag // SUN + GLORY earrings //  Vintage ring

WORN: What to Wear When It's 20 Degrees

I'll tell you what to wear: More than one jacket, that's what. This weekend, winter was all, "hey, remember me?" Rearing it's ugly head with negative temps and some pretty nasty wind. After Chris got out of work on Sunday, we bundled up and made our way to Fishtown Tavern for a little afternoon warm up after spending most of the weekend hibernating. While I can be extremely practical when life calls for it, I've also discovered some tricks for secret winter layering when I want to just wear what I want (i.e. not bulky winter boots). Chris and I work very different schedules -- he often leaves for work at 5:30 am, I come home after I've gone to the gym still wearing my gym clothes -- which means it's surprisingly rare that we actually see each other in anything besides pajamas, his "work clothes" which are basically anything that can get dirty, and gym clothes, so I like to dress up a bit more when we are actually together during daylight hours (a rarity!), just to prove I wear things other than running tights and pajamas. On this day, I layered some SmartWool running socks under my ankle boots (life savers for running and life in general), and doubled up on jackets so I'd still be warm once I took off my winter coat indoors. To add a little interest to what is quickly becoming a uniform (all black), I looped this block-printed scarf from Moorea Seal around my purse and threw these heart sunnies in my bag to shield my eyes from the late afternoon winter sun. It was the perfect look for leaving the house for exactly an hour and half, just long enough to really appreciate the power of a radiator once we got home!

Get the look: Free People coat (similar) // Schott NYC leather jacket (similar) // B-Low The Belt (shop here) // Free People sweater // J. Brand jeans // Frye boots // vintage Coach purse // Ich Cha scarf and heart sunglasses from Moorea Seal // Vintage hat (shop similar)

Edited to note: So now it's 56 degrees? And it was in the negatives two days ago? So confused...

WORN: Goldenrod Vintage Coat

It's funny how clothing can transport you to another time and place. Calling to mind memories both mundane and important. This coat was one of the first vintage pieces I thrifted in Pittsburgh. Before I really got to know many people there -- and even afterwards, if we're being honest -- I spent most weekends alone and would fill the time basically wandering and trying see what I could see, all while hunting out thrift stores. An odd hobby, and maybe not the best use of time, but it garnered some pretty spectacular pieces. Like this coat. Which I believe goes with everything, and is deceptively warm. Perfect for those days when winter decides to show up. Paired with a vintage sweater -- also thrifted in PGH, as a matter of fact -- and the perfect pair of Levi's 501's, I was toasty for a trip to Honey's for breakfast and a wander through Rittenhouse for some window shopping.

Also, those buttons. I'll never turn down a good sparkly 1960s button.

I like to keep things relatively simple on the weekends -- you know, if I'm not in yoga leggings and a sweatshirt (honestly, I think this is what I wear 80% of the time). Usually a casual outfit I wore earlier that week, and simple, comfortable jewelry. I'm loving this little sterling midi ring from The Bluebeard these days, a little piece of texture and a simple compliment to my other jewels.

Get the look: Vintage coat // Vintage sweater  // Levi's 501 CT jeans // Similar black chelsea boots // Vintage Coach bag (same / similar) // 'Pitayaha' midi ring from The Bluebeard //