On Monday I shared the details of the LIQUID GOLD event I attended at Red Bee's Honey House Barn with Connecticut Blogger Babes. Now here's what I wore to keep warm while learning all about honey! We were indoors for the event but it was held in a barn so we had to make sure to dress warmly. I doubled up on sweaters (with a bodysuit underneath) and wore tights under my jeans to stay extra warm. I topped it off with the cute hat I bought in London earlier this year and my trusty Winter boots.

Cardigan: Burberry Brit (Net-a-Porter), Sweater: Banjo + Matilda 'Trinket' sweater (The Outnet), Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Boots: Grandma's,  Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout Resale), Hat: bought in London

It's been a while since we've had a throwback outfit. I blame my trip to Florida and the holidays. But here we are with an outfit from over 5 years ago. This blazer was one of my first designer "splurges" on eBay. I think I paid less than $30 for it back in 2010. I added in my Gucci aviators and dark purple Chloé Faye to update the look a bit. But everything else is the same.

Tee: Zara, Blazer: Moschino Cheap & Chic (eBay), Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Heels: Alexander Wang 'Freja' (The Outnet), Scarf: Yarnz c/o NET-A-PORTER, Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci


The Original:

Here's another one of my Christmas gifts, a nice big red sweater. I was definitely in need of more color in my closet and this red fits the bill! I wore this on New Years Eve to go out for Indian food with my brother, his girlfriend and my boyfriend. Then we spent the rest of the day/evening lounging.

Sweater: Everlane 'Wool-Cashmere Square Crew', Jeans: J Brand 811 Photo Ready Mid-Rise Skinny (Gilt), Boots: Cordani (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Gucci

 

This past Sunday I attended a really fun event at Red Bee Honey with the Connecticut Bloggers Collective. The event, LIQUID GOLD: A Taste + Test Wellness Bar, featured Red Bee honey and handcrafted skincare. Lydia and I headed Red Bee's Honey House Barn in Weston, Connecticut on Sunday morning to join beekeeper, author and honey sommelier, Marina Marchese on a journey into the fascinating world of bees. She discussed the many uses of honey and bee products for health and beauty. Marina has perfected the art of honey tasting, transferring the skills of the wine sommelier to the artisanal honey tasting table.


I attended a VIP preview before the main event started to try out 5 limited harvest honeys perfectly paired with cheeses and food. I skipped the cheese since I'm not a fan, but I was really excited to try out all the different types of honey since I pretty much know nothing about it. Learning new things should be one of my goals for 2018. It's fascinating how the honey flavor changes based on what flowers the bees visit while making it. That should be self-explanatory but it's something most people don't even think about.

We tried out the following honey flavors: 

• Orange Blossom honey - floral, fruity and rich in vitamin C 
• Blueberry Blossom honey - fruity and a good source of antioxidants 
• Buckwheat honey - robust and a good source of iron 
• Creamy Clover honey - delicious notes of cinnamon 
• Gold leaf honeycomb - raw honey with amazing benefits

My favorites were orange, blueberry and clover. Each honey was paired with something to bring out it's unique flavor notes. Here's what we paired with each:

Creamy Clover honey with coconut shavings and bee pollen. This was one of my favorite combinations. I bought some of the clover honey to take home!

Blueberry blossom honey with brie cheese. (I didn't try this with the cheese but the honey alone is delicious!) I almost bought some but decided on another instead.

Buckwheat honey with dark chocolate and almond. This was surprisingly delicious! When we first smelled this before tasting I didn't think I would like it, but when paired with the chocolate it was amazing.

Gold leaf honeycomb with a cracker. This honey was still on the comb so if you ate that part there was a nice bit of crunch. This was another favorite of mine, just so simple

Orange blossom honey with goat cheese and fresh rosemary. This was another one I had alone since I don't like cheese. You could really taste the orange in this honey which I found very interesting. I bought a small jar of this along with the clover honey. Not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I know it will be delicious!

After the VIP preview we joined the rest of the bloggers upstairs at a taste and test wellness bar where the honey we had just tested was out for everyone to taste. We were also able to test out some of Red Bee's honey-based beauty products. While we were mingling, tasting and testing we sipped on a honey elixir made with chamomile tea and a teeny bit of alcohol.

The Workerbee Rescue Balm was SUPER hydrating, perfect for dry winter skin. I really liked the Honeybee Butter Balm, it goes on very smooth and not oily at all. I also got to take home some Red Bee lip balm. A perfect goodie bag item because I am ADDICTED to chapstick. My lips are always super dry. I got the lavender flavor which is very subtle and you can even taste a bit of honey.




Thank you so much to Red Bee and Marina for having us and teaching us the importance of bees!

I can't believe this is my last wardrobe update of the year! That went by so fast! I spent a little bit less this year compared to last year, if we don't count my Chloé Faye splurge (which I saved for each month.) I spent a LOT less if we don't count my Gucci sunglasses (the money for that came out of my vacation account, not regular spending *wink wink*)

I didn't buy anything this month but I did add some new items to my wardrobe thanks to Christmas gifts! My mom got me two sweaters and a pair of jeans from Everlane.

P.S. If you want to learn more about how I manage my money, head over to this post: {opinion} How I Handle Personal Finance!



THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted swimsuit via Net-a-Porter ($45, $150 retail,  Xmas $$)
2. G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $7.5 w/coupon, $99 retail) 
3. G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $21 w/coupon, $69 retail)  
4. Disney Mickey tee ($10 at Target)
5. Who What Wear x Target Sleeveless Floral Dress ($30) 
6. Uniqlo Mickey Mouse sweatshirt ($30) 
7. Proenza Schouler tweed colorblock shorts via Roundabout ($57, $1680 retail)
8. Vintage Havana Floral Embroidered Sweater via Pearls & Plaid ($50, used gift card) 
9. Context Three-Quarter Bell Sleeve sweater via Lord & Taylor ($20, retail $68, used renters insurance refund)
10. J.Crew Cardigan sweater with cosmic embroidery ($39, retail $110, used gift card)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Xmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped jeans via Net-a-Porter ($98, $245 retail, Xmas $$)
3. Who What Wear x Target bodysuit ($14, $20 retail) 
4. FRAME Ribbed wool & cashmere-blend sweater via Net-a-Porter ($104, $325 retail,  advertising $$) 
5. Alice + Olivia blue striped cashmere sweater via Roundabout ($25, $368? retail)
6. Everlane "Square Tee" in Burgundy ($18) 
7. Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue ($68)
8. Everlane "The Cotton Tee" in Rose ($15, used renters insurance credit)
9. Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck" in Black ($100, $62 after insurance credit) 
10. Everlane "The Mid-Rise Skinny Jean" in black (Christmas gift)
11. Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Oversized Cable Turtleneck" in Surplus (Christmas gift)
12. Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Square Crew" in Crimson (Christmas gift)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here/here ($146,  $850 retail)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, advertising $$) 
3. BCBGeneration 'Beverly' mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $110 retail)  
4. Impo 'Omega' boot (or Onnie, can't tell) via DSW ($12, $112 retail - in black) 
5. Vince 'Mason' in pony fig via DSW ($23, $275+ retail) 
6. Nicholas Kirkwood suede prism pumps via Net-a-Porter sale ($250, $625 retail) 
7. Sam Edelman Lars slub satin espadrille slide via Net-a-Porter sale ($36, $90 retail)
8. Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules via T.J. Maxx ($20, retail $60?, used gift card) 
9. BCBGeneragion Yerra slip on sneaker (birthday gift, $79 retail)
10. Kelly & Katie Amour mule (birthday gift, $50 retail)

Bags:

1. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
2. Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail) 
3. Louis Vuitton 'Epi Sac D'Epaule' via HauteTrader ($0, retail $1600?)

 
Accessories:

1. Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?)  
2. Mejuri Loop Earrings by Jamie! ($55)
3. Gucci aviator sunglasses ($300, bought in Rome)
4. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with discount, used advertising $$) 
5. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with discount, used advertising $$)

Gifted from Brands:

1. IRO Faxy Cropped Jean via Gilt c/o Wikibuy (retail $285)
2. Banana Republic Peplum Sweater c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing
3. Banana Republic Cherry Blossom 'Ryan' Pant c/o Banana Republic Factory
4. Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple c/o Banana Republic Factory
5. Banana Republic ruffle sleeve top in teal c/o Banana Republic Factory
6. Banana Republic linen shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory 
7. Diane von Furstenberg Fanny dress (also here) c/o HauteTrader 
8. Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress  c/o HauteTrader 

Total spent in December: $0

Total spent in 2017:  $1253 - $953 not counting the sunglasses*
Total spent including Chloe Faye: $2,753 - $2,453 not counting sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $3136 - $2836 not counting sunglasses

*the money for the sunglasses came out of my vacations savings account rather than "regular" money

I got this really comfy Everlane sweater for Christmas and decided to wear it to Grandma's for our Christmas day celebrations. I dressed it up a bit with these burgundy velvet pants so the outfit felt a bit more holiday.  Perfect for a day of relaxing and eating tons of tasty food.

Sweater: Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Oversized Cable Turtleneck" in Surplus (Christmas gift), Pants: Elie Tahari 'Shea Velvet Pants' (Shopbop), Leopard Pumps: Jimmy Choo (Roundabout)