The past two weekends I've had some good quality time with Layla! 2 weekends ago a friend came over and wanted to see her so I stole her from my cousin for a sleepover. Then this past weekend my cousin was going to a wedding so I took her overnight again. She also got to hang out at my parents' house for a bit. All the field trips!

She always enjoys coming down the road to our house because she can run around our backyard smelling all the new smells. On the way to my parents' house for a labor day get together we made a pit stop for outfit photos and a quick sniff for Layla. She was dragging me all over the place hunting for who knows what. Dogs are so funny.

 

I rarely wear this kimono for outfit photos because it just doesn't photograph that well, but I think these came out pretty good.  Whenever I wear this, which sadly isn't very often, I'm reminded of the infamous Extreme Cheapskates episode I filmed with Lydia in 2014. It still amazes me how people think shows like that are real. Spoiler: they are not. 90% is fabricated. They approached Lydia to highlight her "thriftiness" and then made up pretty much every segment of the show to make her look like a crazy person. 

Kimono: Sonnetts Design - Rhode Island (Goodwill Outlet)

Bodysuit: Who What Wear x Target

Jeans: Current/Elliott skinny jean in Love Destroyed

Espadrilles: Sam Edelman 'Lars' (Net-a-Porter)

Sunglasses: Chanel

 

 

UPDATE: I should never pre-write these a week before the month is over. I made a couple purchases in last few days. One hasn't arrived yet so I'll include it next month.

I made a DSW purchase with a bunch of store credits and coupons. I bought a pair of purple suede Sam Edelman sandals which will hopefully replace my current pair that is slowly disintegrating (they're SUPER old.) Sadly they don't make the exact same style anymore but this one is similar.  I also bough a cute pair of black flats to take advantage of a 25% off 2 pairs deal and wound up essentially getting those free after my $10 and 2 $5 credits. My purchase also got me a free backpack so I think I did pretty well.

UPDATE 2: I decided to add this to October since it arrived on November 1st! As I was preparing a blog post for a wedding look I wore, I came across a dress I've been wanting since 2012 (the blog proof) for $32 on eBay. I followed it and the next day the seller sent an offer of $25 for it, so I HAD to get it after texting a couple friends for the nudge I needed - aka confirmation that it was a good purchase. I can't remember the retail price from 2012 but I would say it was at least $500.  Unfortunately I found out that Edun went out of business last year, which is such a shame because it was a sustainable brand and promoted artists in Africa. Now I'll cherish my 3 pieces more (and maybe buy some more secondhand if I see anything good)

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Is there anything better than finding a dress (or anything) you’ve wanted for 7.5 years for only $25?! I think not. Gotta love @ebayfashion for amazing finds! Found this @edun dress for wayyy under its original retail price. #ebayfinds #ebaysteals #edun #secondhand #foundonebay Shop more Edun including this same dress! http://liketk.it/2Gqd2 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKunder100

A post shared by Megan | Closet Fashionista (@closet_fashion) on Nov 1, 2019 at 11:13am PDT

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Original Copy:

I made it through October without shopping! It helps that I had 3 super busy weekends at the beginning of the month so I couldn't really shop in store. I also had less extra money this month thanks to taking half of September off for my honeymoon. (the perils of freelancing and not having paid vacation!) I've been pretty good at resisting online shopping too. I just fill up carts and then abandon them to get the shopping bug out. Anyone else do that or is it just me?

I'm hoping to keep this up through the end of the year, but we'll see if any of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales get me! Or Net-a-Porter's Winter sale...always dangerous when that pops up! I will have some Shopbop money coming in soon thanks to my temporary partnership with them but am not sure if I'll wait until the few months is over to buy something big, or just a few things here and there.

THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS

Clothes:

1. Autumn Cashmere Landscape Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, Christmas + ad money)
2. Sandro burgundy double breasted blazer ($36 via Roundabout Resale, retail ~$500)
3. Massimo Dutti white wool blazer ($19 via Roundabout Resale, retail $130-$250)
4. Rag & Bone 'Jackie' purple leather trimmed wool jacket ($32 via Roundabout, retail $495)
5. eight sixty floral camisole dress ($7 via eBay, used ad money)
6. Joie 'Johnesha' black polka dot tiered dress ($39.99 via Marshalls, $398 retail)
7. *NEW!* Edun red printed silk dress ($25 via eBay, $500+ retail)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
2. J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
3. J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)
4. AG Jeans 'The Evan' pleated linen pant, Sulfur Harvest Olive ($39 @ Marshalls, $178 retail) 
5. Splendid Arabesque Cargo Short in Antique Military Olive ($29.99 via Marshalls, $108 retail)

Shoes:

1. Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money) 
2. Lanvin Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)  
3. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Apteros' in Crosta Wine ($158 in Athens, used ad money)
4. Ancient Greek Sandals X Gas Bijoux 'Stephanie Charms' in Natural/Red Charms ($254 in Santorini, used ad money)
5. *NEW!* Sam Edelman 'Gigi' ($12.49 via DSW)
6. *NEW!* Restricted Memo Flat ($12.49 via DSW)

Accessories:

1. Mini Leather Bag (25€ in Italy, used ad money)
2. Olive Leaf + Branch + Pearl Necklace ($50 in Santorini, used ad money)
3. *NEW!* DSW Backpack (free with purchase)

Gifted from Brands:

1. Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
   

Total spent in October: $49.98

Total spent in 2019: $245.46

This is one of my oldest dresses. It's from back when I considered American Eagle expensive and would debate purchases there for house while my friends were buying whatever they pleased. My how times have changed, now I can spend $40 on a dress and not blink an eye - although I still question myself, haha! I've had it for at least 12 years and I think it's only been on the blog 3 times (here, here and here...oh wait, one more!)

It's something I throw on when it's hot and I don't know what to wear. A nice plus is I don't have to wear a bra with it. Always a plus in Summer! AND it has pockets, can't beat that! I guess I never think to take photos in it because it's so old. It's definitely faded over the years but still looks pretty darn good.

Dress: American Eagle (similar), Espadrilles: Sam Edelman 'Lars' (Net-a-Porter), Bag:: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Perfect Purse ostrich-effect PVC' (Net-a-Porter), Necklace: BubuRuby, Sunglasses: Gucci

A couple weekends ago, on a lovely 90° Sunday, I went to the CT Blogger Babes Bohemian Festival at Bear's Smokehouse in New Haven. The second Lydia and I went inside we made a beeline for the Rebel Hair Salon braid bar. I asked for a couple braids that went into a ponytail so my hair would be out of the way in the crazy heat.  After getting our boho hair we walked around to check out the various vendors. Local stores like Erin Deluca Jewelry, Vintanthromodern and Kiyomi Beauty brought a selection of products for us to shop. I'm in a spending freeze for the next couple months so I just browsed.

After shopping it was time for flower crowns which I declined to make because mine would have been horrible in comparison with everyone else's, haha. Following that it was time for some really good barbecue! The pulled pork was delicious and my favorite item was a bacon covered meatball. I made sure to take a BUNCH home in a to go box for Christian (I still ate more of them, ha ha.) I was a horrible blogger and barely took any pictures at the event. I'll add a link to photos if/when the CT Blogger Babes post them!

On to the outfit! I took the bohemian theme as an opportunity to wear my newly altered jumpsuit! After 2 years of not wearing this jumpsuit I finally had my mom remove the sleeves for me! SOOOO much better. I only wore it once, for a few hours, in Positano. I found it for $30 on clearance at Anthropologie and bought it with that Italy trip in mind. Sadly it just felt too over the top for me because of the sleeves so I never wore it again. Now it has a new life as a beautiful sleeveless jumpsuit!


Rosewood Jumpsuit: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent (Anthropologie), Sandals: Sam Edelman 'Ginnie' c/o ThredUp, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Ozzie Square Baby Aiden' (Shopbop), Sunglasses: Chanel

I wore this a couple weekends ago to a blogger Happy Hour at Fork & Fire in Farmington, CT. They have recently changed their name from 4Eat&Drink but is still owned and run by the same team. Manager Jesse explain the appetizer options while Danny made us delicious cocktails. I tried the Spring Blossom which features gin and strawberry.  I particularly enjoyed the BLT Flatbread, wings and pita chips. What can I say, I’m a simple gal who loves her bread.

The event was super fun and we were the only ones in the restaurant so we were free to do crazy blogger things like rearrange tables to get the best shot of the food. So much easier than when you have other restaurant goers disturbed by photo taking; or just staring because they're confused.

I wore my fun firework print Marc Jacobs dress for the occasion and Lydia and I stopped by a local historical society afterward for photos.

P.S. You may also notice some weird circles on my back. I was going to photoshop them out but was too lazy. I went to my Aunt's for a massage before the event and had her do some cupping because my back was hurting more than usual that day. Cupping makes it feel so much better! IF you're in the Wethersfield area be sure to check her out for massage, cupping and energy work! (We're currently revamping her site because this one was made way back when I was in college in 2009.)

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Dancing Lights' tiered ruffle dress, Espadrilles: Sam Edelman 'Lars' (Net-a-Porter), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout), Sunglasses: Gucci
 



See photos below. Food shown:

• Marinated Olives with garlic, citrus and rosemary
• House-made Hummus with everything bagel spice, local farm veggies and flatbread crisps
• Korean BBQ Wings with honey sriracha glaze and tuxedo sesame seeds
• “BLT” Flatbread with smoked bacon, fontina cheese, tomato jam, picked red onion and baby arugula
• Slow-Roasted Adobo-Spiced Pork Sliders with green cabbage slaw, house pickles and chipotle aioli
• Kale Caesar Salad with house dressing, toasted garlic breadcrumbs, parmigiana reggiano and a crispy egg
• Hanger Steak Frites with shishito pepper chimichurri

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In need of a Happy Hour fix tonight? Check out @forkandfirect in Farmington (name just changed from 4 Eat & Drink) for some tasty treats and drinks! I went over the weekend and we had Manager Jesse explain the appetizer options while Danny made delicious cocktails. I tried the Spring Blossom which features gin and strawberry. Also shown: - Marinated Olives with garlic, citrus and rosemary - House-made Hummus with everything bagel spice, local farm veggies and flatbread crisps - Korean BBQ Wings with honey sriracha glaze and tuxedo sesame seeds - “BLT” Flatbread with smoked bacon, fontina cheese, tomato jam, picked red onion and baby arugula - Slow-Roasted Adobo-Spiced Pork Sliders with green cabbage slaw, house pickles and chipotle aioli - Kale Caesar Salad with house dressing, toasted garlic breadcrumbs, parmigiana reggiano and a crispy egg - Hanger Steak Frites with shishito pepper chimichurri I particularly enjoyed the BLT Flatbread, wings and pita chips (what can I say, I’m a simple gal who loves her bread) Happy Hour is Tuesday - Friday from 4-6pm! Thanks Jesse, Danny and @chefjasonwelch! . . . . . . . #cthappyhour #cteatsout #cteats #foodie #ctfoodie #ctfood #foodfeed #ctbites #feastagram #happyhour #connecticut #ctblogger #cocktail #ctrestaurants #ctfoodlovers #forkandfirect

A post shared by Megan (@closet_fashion) on Jul 2, 2019 at 9:09am PDT