Wear, Wash & Repeat

Head to Toe: Dress, Kensie; Blazer, H&M; Booties, Target; Necklace, J. Crew.

Believe it or not, the sun in the background of these shots is rising. Kudos, please, as it's not too often I get any early-bird related worms. I love the versatility of this dress, a Christmas present from Mackenzie's mom. I wore it out last weekend for dinner and drinks with my girlfriends (with a leather jacket instead of the blazer) and then again to work that Monday. It's also adorable with bare legs, which I hope will be seen again by March...Realistically, May, but one can hope.

Photos by CRL

Frozen

Head to Toe: Blouse, Loft; Sweater, The Limited; Cords, J. Crew; Boots, Frye.

Dear blog readers: Please understand the lengths I go through to impart my daily fashion choices, mundane to off-beat, upon the world. I do things like stand coatless in 15 degree weather in picturesque places while random passers by give me funny looks. I don't blame them; I mean why would anyone stand by a frozen river with no coat?

Speaking of things we do for our blogs, did you notice the tiny layout change? Yup, that's my name next to my face in the corner, just in case you were wondering who I am. Can I give some serious props to my blog designer, Joyce of Joyful Outfits? She has a new website, Alcyonen Blog Design, where you can shop ready-made templates and personal blog design, from single page elements to a total overhaul. If you're shopping for a new look, I completely recommend Joyce. She worked with me to develop an individualized layout that reflects the core of my blog, and me! Plus she has some of the best layering and pattern-mixing skills of any fashion blogger out there. I admit, I'm a fangirl.

Photodiary: The Berkshires

Head to Toe: Sweatshirt, Forever 21; Button-down, Marshall's; Jeans, Gap; Hat, American Apparel; Boots, Call It Spring; Necklace, J. Crew.

Hey fashionistas! I hope it was a nice weekend for all, and I want to say THANKS for all of the birthday love on my last post. I kept the celebration going this weekend on a getaway with the hubby to the Berkshires. We spent a very chilly Friday on the ski slopes, then headed to a B&B a few towns over in Lenox, Mass for a delicious dinner and some relaxation. The town was adorably New England and beautifully dressed in fresh snow. Though I can't wait to be sunbathing on the beach, it's getaways like this that remind me of the magic of winter. On that note, I'm going to cozy up for the night with Lucky, Cosmo and Marie Claire (and maybe a nice glass of wine as well).

Snow Day Birthday

Head to Toe: Flannel, PacSun; Sweater, Thrifted; Hat, American Apparel; Coat, New York & Company; Cords, Thrifted; Boots, Hunter.

Amidst another strike of the polar vortex, I turned 24 yesterday. Though it's no milestone, I feel a little bit more like a legitimate human being as I near a quarter of a century. I celebrated with Mackenzie, his parents and mine in last night's snow storm (which I was dressed in anticipation of in these photos), and it was great to spend time with everyone despite the weather. The hubby and I are continuing the fun this weekend when we go for an overnight near our favorite ski resort. With a high of fifteen degrees, I'm not sure how long we'll last on the slopes, but fireside hot cocoa doesn't sounds like a bad second.

All Gold Everything

Head to Toe: Cardi, Urban Outfitters; Scarf, Steve Madden; Leggings, VS Pink; Booties, Target; Bag, Michael Kors.

If you haven't guessed, I'm standing next to my big news in the photo below. I officially made my first big-girl purchase, a 2014 Jeep Wrangler (just in time for my 24th birthday TOMORROW). The Jeep's been my dream car since I got my license, and it looks like Mother Nature is providing me with a hefty helping of the white stuff tomorrow so I can test out my 4-wheel drive. It was outfit serendipity when my leggings kind of matched for her maiden commute last week. On that token, a personal shoutout to Victoria's Secret for making these babies. They are seriously sweats disguised as pants you can wear to work. Does life get any better than that?

 Photo Credit: CTL

Pink Lady

Head to Toe: Dress, Guess; Coat, New York & Company; Booties, Target; Blazer, H&M; Scarf, Steve Madden.

I'm keeping it short and sweet tonight as I have lots to spill in my next post...One of my favorite pre-spring trends is pale pink, which I winterized here by pairing with all black. After a week of wearing anything stretchy masked in the form of office wear, it felt great to take on the work day in dressier form (insert inspiring Coco Chanel quote). Goodnight!

Photo Credit: CTL

A Vintage Make

Head to Toe: Skirt, Vintage; Booties, Target; Necklace, J.Crew; Folio, Amazon

Happy Friday! I had a jam-packed but rewarding week, and I can't say I've been minding the mild weather (note the bare legs and peep toes). I love this magenta skirt; it's a Goodwill find with original tags that I believe to be from the late 80s or early 90s (I did my research on vintage clothing and found this article to be really helpful). Though the skirt's a size six, it's a suck-it-in-all-day fit on my usually size zero frame. But despite its shrunken stature, I feel like it was made for me, even if before I was made...

Photos by Mackenzie

High Heels High Hopes

Head to Toe: Hat, Urban outfitters; Top, H&M; Jacket, Target; Jeans, Gap; Booties, Target.

Hey fashionistas, hope it was a fabulous Monday! Since I was finally feeling better Saturday, I hit the town for a well-deserved girl's night. I was in a glam mood so I went for a downtown look, finished with extensions and red lipstick. Overall a success, but note to self: heavy lipstick and nose blowing do not work with one another. 

Photos by CTL, selfie by me :)

Sick Day Survival Guide

Happy cold and flu season! (Read: heavy sarcasm.) I'm finally starting to feel like myself again from the cold that knocked me on my butt last week. It was enough of a struggle to get out of bed, let alone get dressed and take pictures, so in lieu of an outfit post, I give you the New England Romance "Sick Day Survival Guide."

Wear

One of my favorite sick day looks is a pair of cozy sweats tucked into thick socks. It's  the appropriate balance of warmth, cuteness and IDGAF attitude. And if you must leave the house to stock up on more meds, or worse, to grab work from the office, hide your matted mane under an ironic beanie.

Skincare

Keep dry skin moisturized with a luxurious lotion. I like this stress relief one by Aveeno, which has a lavender scent with serious therapeutic qualities (that is, if you can smell through your stuffed nose). Moisturize lips with EOS lip balm. Directions: apply liberally every 26.2 seconds, or as desired. And this revitalizing eye roll on has a cooling effect which does wonders for the look and feel of puffy eyes. 

Entertainment

While you're awake, catch up on movies and reading. In my queue: Safe Haven, Olympus Has Fallen and Revenge. On my magazine stand: Lucky, BHG, Cosmo and Marie Claire. I also just started reading The Shoemaker's Wife on my Kindle.

Sustenance

I love Target's Archer Farms soups: microwave and done. And when I'm feeling under the weather, I chug Naked juice by the gallon for tons of delicious vitamins. Last, Emergen-C, Emergen-C, Emergen-C. 
Get well soon!