That Colorado Life: Patagonia Jackets

By the end of my first winter in Colorado, I was sprinting across the parking lot at my school in the early mornings without a jacket when it was going to be in the 60s, but my first winter was a fluke. Subsequent winters have proved to be more "typical." It's why I traded in my Subaru Impreza for a Nissan Rogue - with all the snow especially in my neck of the woods, I needed more clearance.

I also needed a good jacket - one that can keep me warm, look stylish, and work with the crazy Colorado temperature swings. And work for outdoor activities as well.

J.Crew January 2020 Sale Picks

J.Crew is having a big weekend sale, and some of the things I've had my eye on along with classic staples like the tissue turtlenecks and investment pieces like the Regent and sweater blazers are on sale!

These are the things I have my eye on for the future, since I am still committing to No Shop January (and window shopping is always fun, as well as styling new outfits):

(one) • (two) • (three) • (four) • (five) • (six)

One: Hooded Sweatshirt - this color just makes me so happy, I love the combination. One of my color weaknesses is definitely an orangey-red coral and this pop against the stripes is fun and classic at the same time (and while it is also in navy, I am drawn to the marine stripe). 

Two: Bell Sleeve top - I love me a good bell sleeve with a textured top and this hits all the checkboxes for me (though I would have to try it on and see how the length works). 

Three: Striped Boyfriend Sweater - I have figured out that for me, anything that is labeled as "Boyfriend" is falls into the "loose but tailored" category for me and isn't so form fitting, which is what I like. 

Four: Leopard print leggings! This would be so fun with a Dudley Stephens Park Slope or Cobble Hill Fleece. I also really like the camo too. It's a fresh change from black leggings - I'm curious to see how they are fit wise. I am glad they are high-rise! 

Five and Six: These slim-wide legs look awesome because they are a welcome departure and change from skinny jeans all the time. I am trying to diversify my pants selection, and definitely plan to try these on. They would go great with Tippi sweaters. 

With these out, it makes me definitely look forward to J.Crew in the Spring! 

No Shop January: Camel, Camel, Camel

I know it is technically the third week of January, but since I was off from school until January 6, I am calling this Week 2 of No Shop January since I plan my outfits more for work.

After last week's hiccup I am definitely staying away from the big weekend sale that J.Crew is having (but I do have some picks and a wishlist, so stay tuned!).

This week's theme, if there was one, was definitely "Things I Have Not Worn In Ages." Another theme is "camel, camel, and more camel":

Monday:

Tried something new with my classroom selfies - taking one in the "fluffy chair!" Its the Button Chair from World Market (similar) - when Mel and I got new armchairs for our living room, I decided to bring this to school and make a cozy corner. Sweater is from J.Crew Factory; I haven't worn the sweater all season, so took the opportunity to layer it with the chambray shirt, which is a great length for the sweater. Jeans are Madewell (on sale! Size down one size), Chelsea Boots Nisolo (definitely size up). I felt like using my Faure Le Page tote bag this week so changed up my work bag. 

Wednesday: 

This is a J.Crew outfit from head to toe! I love cuffing the sleeves of my blazers - this one is the  classic Regent Blazer, which I love and part of the weekend sale but again, have not worn it all fall or winter for some reason.

Tissue turtlenecks are becoming such a staple in my wardrobe! This one is in Cerise, and I also have Navy and the stripe (tip: size up in the printed tissue turtlenecks - the SA at my local J.Crew said its something about it being multi-colored that makes it snug compared to the solid ones, which are TTS). 

This outfit was inspired by Caitlin of Lemonade Press who talked about adding pops of color during the winter months - the coral red of the turtleneck definitely does the trick and brightens up a dreary day. I am wearing these with the lace pants, which is one of the best purchases I made in 2019. I think I could have sized down to a 10 even (I am a 12/14). They are so comfy and chic - even my principal commented, "Cool pants!" 

Friday: 

 This sweater is from LLBean - I love that it's oversized and still tailored and again, camel! It is currently sold out - I got this in November 2016 and have since seen it come back in subsequent winter seasons. Talbots has several sweater ponchos similar to this (and on sale), and I LOVE this one from Ann Taylor in the Rich Camel (again!) which after discount is on sale for $30!

I have ignored this sweater for the stupidest reason: the pilling. This sweater does have pills but I remembered at the last minute that I have a sweater stone so took it to the sweater and it looks so much better! I need to depill the whole thing but it was enough at 5:30 in the morning to get me through the day. I might even wear this sweater again with a tissue turtleneck layered underneath to change it up.

While I was aiming to go for things I have not worn in awhile, the camel color theme was definitely as surprise! Well, maybe not, ha - it definitely highlights what is the second most common color in my wardrobe after navy. Are there any colors that are predominant in your wardrobe or are constantly drawn to?

Make it with Michaels: Classic Chinoiserie Style on a Budget

Michaels just came out with their Spring decor lines and one in particular caught my eye! The Indigo collection is blue and white and I am obsessed. What's great is that it makes this style of decor - that classic, preppy look with a bit of a modern twist that is popular these days - accessible and affordable!

Loving these cachepots, and the pricepoint is great. 

What's on My Nightstand: Dear Girls

Finished a few books recently! I am currently 3 out of 50 on my Goodreads Challenge for 2020. Here is an update: 

Why I Walked Away from Goyard (and Love Fauré Le Page)

Still chugging along with No Shop January here, despite a small hiccup. Mel and I are talking about summer travel, so it might mean that I will have to extend No Shop January to the Spring to save money for the summer.

No Shop January is teaching me to hold off on that impulse and love what I have in the closet before I run out to get another sweater of the same style (or that fourth tissue turtleneck, when three are perfectly fine).

On the other side of the spectrum, there are times when you want to save your money for a really big item, say to celebrate a milestone, or to get an investment piece. For me, that's luxury French bags. It sounds silly, but I call them Fancy French Bags (FFBs). I love the dedication to quality, the craftsmanship and the heritage behind it.

Console Table Styling

Earlier this week, I talked about how I repurposed some holiday decor to make a new floral arrangement. That arrangement was put together casually, but was intentional as a whole, for the console table that Mel built for me.

No Shop January: Style Update Week 1

I have a confession to make.

During the 75FLASH sale at J.Crew yesterday, I made a purchase. I bought the Beaded Clasp sweater.

But that was it. I was tempted by other things since the prices are so good, but I stuck to what was on my list.

No Shop January Update: Repurposing Decor

All the holiday decor is gone along with this amazing garland I made, and the house felt really empty after we packed it all up! My DIY hands were twitchy as well.

Thanks to Facebook Marketplace, Mel finally acquired the one tool he was eyeing: a table saw. I saw it as an opportunity to make a console/sofa table for our living room, particularly to house my mother's vintage Christmas village.

Mel did make the console table and it fit perfectly under the gallery wall that is between the living and the dining room - the problem was what to do after it once all the decorations were gone. The table was naked!

Holiday Recap: Use Your Fine China

These past two weeks of Winter Break were such a blur! I cannot believe it is the New Year already. I talked the other day about what my theme for the New Year is, but still thinking back to the fun we had over the holidays.

Two out of the three siblings-in-law (and my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who is awesome) came and we had a ski trip planned; since we planned on going up to the mountains for a ski trip on Christmas day, we had Christmas Eve dinner the night before and opened presents then.

I set the table earlier in the day, using the ginger jars for inspiration. Using my ginger jars as part of the holiday decor was so much fun this season, so I definitely wanted to continue that trend, and also use our fine china.

What's On My Nightstand: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Current "To Read" stack. I really like borrowing books from my local library.

This year as part of my New Year's theme of "Commitment," I want to commit to reading fifty books this year as part of the 2020 Goodreads challenge. It's also appropriate that I post today about what's on my nightstand since Day 3 of Emily Ley's 30 Day Simplicity challenge is "to put two things that make you happy on your nightstand."

Maria 2020: Commitment

Happy New Year everyone!

Everyone is posting about their intents and resolutions and non-resolutions on Instagram, but there is also another thing that people talk about in regards to the new year: themes. Pick a word, and use that as your theme for the year.

As a teacher I am all about S.M.A.R.T. goals, but that is because I only have a specific period of time - ten months - with my kids. Timelines and deadlines when it comes to my personal goals have always been my downfall and I never really accomplish my resolutions. Last year, I even tried to break it down month by month and make smaller goals, but that failed spectacularly.

This year, I am definitely going to try the word as theme tactic. This year, my word is: