First, a backstory: Back in 2011 I did a "Dream Outfit" for what I'd wear to the Christmas Tree Farm for our Christmas Tree hunt. It featured a really fun Stella McCartney polar bear sweater, red coat, suede leggings and boots. Being a dream outfit, I never imagined I would own it. However, in 2013 I was able to buy the Stella McCartney sweater from The Outnet for $229 (vs $1145) in their Summer sale and it has been a holiday season staple ever since. I love that it will never really go out of style because it's a statement piece.
Fast forward to this past weekend and visiting Marijane Boutique in Guilford. Lydia works there so I've been meaning to visit for over a year - whoops! Christian and I decided to visit a little farm store in Guilford so I figured it would be smart to kill two birds with one stone and stop by after. The store is on a super cute street on the green and is filled with all types of treasures. As I was going through the coat rack I stumbled upon a holy grail - a Burberry wool coat! It was red and very similar to the coat I used in the dream outfit. I actually think I had this coat on my wish list years ago but never bought it because of the price tag. Based on my research it was either $795 or $995 retail, I snagged it for $230 at Marijane Boutique and it is in perfect condition!
Of course the first thing I paired my new bright red Burberry toggle coat with was the Stella McCartney polar bear sweater! Dreams really do come true, especially for those who wait. 11 years later and I was finally able to pull it off! I don't have a red hat yet, but maybe I'll find one. I decided to break out my beloved Chanel for the occasion. Why not feel super fancy for the day, right?! It's crazy to think that this bag has at least doubled in value since 2012 - yikes!
Coat: Burberry Brit Wool Minstead Duffle Coat In Military Red (Marijane Boutique)
Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney 'Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater' - similar version (The Outnet)
Leggings: old
Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)
Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop
Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture)
Earlier this month we went our our annual camping trip that I've been going on since I was about 7. There were a bunch of years during High School that I didn't go and during College but after that I went with my friends a few years and then Christian and I started going together with my Aunt & Uncle. The past couple years my parents and siblings joined back in too. So it's nice to keep the tradition going!
I shared some of these outfits on Instagram yesterday as part of a partnership with Aetrex, but figured I should share all the outfits photos I have. Camping is obviously not a fashionable vacation so these are super comfortable casual looks.
Also turning this into a mini travel guide of sorts since I'll chat about the activities we took part in on our long weekend.
P.S. Use code MEGAN20 at Aetrex for 20% off a full price pair of shoes through 7/23!
Shopping Outfit: Wore this for our morning trek over to The Vermont Country Store in Weston, VT. A must-do on every trip. We arrived and had lunch at Mildred's Grill, shopped at the Vermont Country Store and then walked across the street to browse the Weston Village Christmas Shop and Weston Village Country Store. Then it was back to the campground!
 |
| Romper: Greylin 'Osten' Romper (Gilt), Bag: Etienne Aigner (thrifted), Sandals: Aetrex 'Janey Sport Slide' (gifted) |
An Evening Walk: One evening we took a little stroll outside the campground to Jamaica Village and did a quick walk around the block. We didn't want to get bit up by mosquitos so we changed to jeans, ha ha. The village has a small grocery store, yoga studio and a couple galleries.
 |
| Tee: A New Day (Target), Jeans: Michael by Michael Kors, Sneakers: Ryka "Belong" Walking Shoe in Plum Red/Burgundy (DSW) |
Swimming at Salmon Hole: The swimming at West River was a little crowded the weekend we went, it was the 4th of July, so we didn't actually do any swimming but I did take a morning walk along the river and stuck my toes in. Can't go camping here without at least touching the water! Back in the day there used to be a spot a little up river where the rocks were placed in such a way that if you sat in the right spot you'd have little waterfalls giving you a nice back massage.
 |
| Bathing Suit: All in Motion Zip-Front Racerback Laser Cut Back One-Piece in Black Floral (Target), Jean Shorts: Madewell, Sandals: Aetrex 'Janey Sport Slide' (gifted), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop |
Hiking up to The Overlook: No trip is complete without a hike on the Overlook Trail. There are two ways to get up here, we usually take the shorter route that has a bit more rock climbing involved and usually takes a half hour. There is a longer trail that has a more gradual uphill walk as well. The campground has other trails but I'm usually too lazy to do the longer ones these days. My new sneakers were very comfy and perfect for the hike.
Fun Fact: This is where Christian proposed to me in 2018, after I was attacked by mosquitos the whole way up, ha ha.
 |
| Tank: American Eagle, Leggings: Fabletics (old), Sports Bra: Fabletics (old), Sneakers: Ryka "Belong" Walking Shoe in Plum Red/Burgundy (DSW) |
Hanging at the Campsite: Our main activity over the weekend was just hanging out at our campsites, chatting, enjoying a fire and eating too much food. I hate getting bug bites on my feet so I sport the super fashionable "socks with sandals" that I would be embarrassed to be seen in outside of camping, ha ha. I also wore this to the Newfane Flea Market where Christian and I splurged on some delicious sausages from A Crooked Barn Charcuterie. Going to have to buy more next time we're in VT, unless the owner adds online shopping before then!
 |
| Top: Fabletics 'Savannah Top' (old) Shorts: Old Navy 'High-Waisted Textured Twill Shorts' in Copper Moon, Sandals: Aetrex 'Janey Sport Slide' (gifted), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop, Socks: Target |
Drive Home & Stop at Retreat Farm: On our drive home we decided to finally stop at Retreat Farm after saying "we should stop here" every other year. Christian bought a bunch of cheese at Grafton Village Cheese before we walked the grounds of the farm and said "hi!" to various animals including a HUGE bull named Carlos. We were there on the Fourth of July so it was not crowded at all, just how I like my activities! Before leaving we grabbed some strawberry and lemon gelato made with local ingredients.
 |
| Tank: American Eagle, Shorts: Old Navy 'High-Waisted Textured Twill Shorts' in Copper Moon, Sandals: Aetrex 'Janey Sport Slide' (gifted), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop |
I bought some new sneakers for going on walks this Summer and for our Disney trip in September. We'll (hopefully) be doing the Wild Africa Trek safari at Animal Kingdom so I'll need some good sneakers for that. We were supposed to do it in May 2020 but Covid ruined that whole trip. Now we'll be doing it for our anniversary, assuming I can get us 2 spots when the 60 day window for booking opens up in July! But back to the shoes - I had a $30 off $49 coupon AND my yearly $10 reward so that brought them to $26, can't beat that!
THE (modified) RULES
- Be mindful of purchases
- Quality over quantity
- Basics are best
MY PROGRESS
Clothes:
- None yet
Basics:
- mīere the label "Frankie" knit sweater in Faded Black ($56.92, $32.15 if we omit shipping)
Shoes:
- None yet
Handbags:
- None yet
Accessories:
- None yet
Activewear/Swimwear:
- *NEW!* Ryka "Belong" Walking Shoe in Plum Red/Burgundy via DSW ($26.58, $79.99 retail)
Gifted from Brands:
- Pearl and Gold Bar Duo Stud Earring - Rose Gold c/o Aurate
- Gold Bar Stud Earrings - Rose Gold c/o Aurate
- Gold Bar Stud Earrings - Yellow Gold c/o Aurate
Spent in April: $26.58
Spent in 2022: $83.50
Wearing my newest sweater acquisition! I mentioned in my February wardrobe update that I finally bought another sweater from my friend Jamie's clothing line - mīere the label. She is currently in between collections/stocking items but keep an eye on her site for when she launches more! This is the Frankie sweater and it is perfectly chunky, slightly oversized and super cozy! I'm sad I will probably only be able to wear it a couple more times before it gets too warm! I'll make up for that next year.
Decided to go for an (almost) monochromatic look for it's first outing as an ode to Jamie. She is the queen of monochromatic looks and simple but chic outfits! I did want to add one element of surprise to the look so I paired it with my bright purple Prada Cahier! I had been trying to rotate through other bags lately because I've really been favoring it. What can I say - I'm still obsessed.
Sweater: mīere the label "Frankie" knit sweater (currently out of stock)
Jeans: Free People 'Jax' Patchwork Jeans
Shoes: BCBGeneration Yerra slip on sneaker (DSW)
Labradorite Necklace: Indulgems (Gilt)
Bag: Purple Prada Cahier in Viola (Rebag via Vestiaire Collective)
I've had a version of this outfit saved as a photo on my phone since 2017 (was one of my options for this trip to the pumpkin patch) and FINALLY wore it. I just never had (what seemed like) the right occasion. This year I decided to wear it for Thanksgiving! In my original idea I had a plain black long sleeve shirt and different black boots but I switched it with a v-neck and over the knee boots. My original boots were more durable for walking around the pumpkin patch but since I'd just be hanging out inside I could switch it up!
It was probably not the smartest choice for a day full of eating, though. The shorts are high waisted and very tight with not much give so they're not great for sitting. Or eating tons of turkey. But, hey, at least I looked good!
Of course it was SUPER cold and windy when we took these photos. So pardon if I look frozen.
Sweater: Everlane 'the cashmere crop v-neck'
Tweed Colorblock Shorts: Proenza Schouler (Roundabout) - buy the matching jacket here
Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)
Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader)
Necklace: Acanthus Jewelry 'Gemma'
I loved this outfit, sadly the pictures do not do it justice. This is nothing against my amazing photographer, I just remember being super uncomfortable and in a rush when taking these because we were near a busy street. (people kept walking in front of me and starring, as non-bloggers do, ha ha. Luckily no one was walking directly on the street behind me.) We had just finished checking out the Annual Scarecrows Along Main in Historic Wethersfield and it was fairly crowded because it was the last weekend before Halloween.
As many of you know, I have social anxiety so taking photos in public is always a huge ordeal for me. Normally we try to do photos away from people, but I really wanted pictures in this outfit and it was getting too dark to go somewhere secluded (plus we went with my Aunt and Uncle and didn't want to take too long for them.)
Just imagine me looking happier and less awkward.
P.S. Did you know cheesy landscape sweaters like this are in style again this year! So glad I bought this a couple years ago when it wasn't as in, even though people said it was weird, ha ha! Goes to show - buy what you love even if other's don't agree, one day they'll be hunting for something just like it! Who wants to buy me this fun Sea New York sweater with sheep!? So cute. Shop some more below!
Sweater: Autumn Cashmere Landscape Intarsia Sweater
Jeans: Everlane high-rise skinny jean in mid-blue
Mules: Franco Sarto 'Dolly' (DSW)
Bag: Madewell Medium Slim Saddle Bag in Croc c/o Shopbop
