When I am considering a new piece of jewelry, I sometimes put it to a little test known as

"would this look good with a plain grey t-shirt?"  

If the answer is yes, then it will probably go with everything else in my wardrobe and is a worthy buy.  

If the answer is no, then it is probably too precious for me and I should walk away.

The Erin Considine Danu necklace passes with flying colors.

The One That Got Away

I had originally planned to spend my Sunday drinking coffee, reading the news, and admiring my new brutalist credenza. As a little background, I have had my eye on this particular Lane credenza for a couple of years now.  I have seen ones listed for upwards of $1000, so I nearly fainted when a seller in Milwaukee offered the credenza, matching side table, and mirror for a mere $200.  Naturally, I jumped.

Unfortunately I came to my senses yesterday morning.  I already have a perfectly good mid-century credenza.  My brutalist credenza "needed work," the nature or degree of which I conveniently failed to ask about during my frenzied emailing and calling with the seller.  I have absolutely no space to store it during the refinishing process or until I could sell the old credenza, nor do I have time to take on either of those tasks.  Plus it was a whole foot and a half longer than my current credenza, meaning that this hulking mass of wood would basically take up an entire wall.  Oh and did I mention that weighs nearly a ton, every pound of which my friend Jen and I would have to carry up my icy porch and then up the curved steps to the 2nd floor?  Plus, if there is one thing my living room doesn't need, it's more geometric pattern. 

So I told the seller I would have to cancel.  I know that even though it was a good deal doesn't mean it was a good deal for me right now....but it hurts so bad.  Ugh, it's like I passed some kind of maturity test or something.

This Is How We Do It In The Chi

I wish I could show you adorable pictures of me frolicking in a winter wonderland, but alas, Chicago in the winter is no wonderland and I wouldn't be caught dead frolicking.  On any given night or weekend, you will find me wearing some variation* on my utilitarian winter uniform:

Sweater so enormous that it could fit two (this has been proven) - check!

Heavy duty snow boots- check!

Skinny jeans so that at least ONE body part does not look like it belongs to a Wooly Mammoth- check!

How could I forget? Massive parka- check!

One more thing!  Boyfriend's hat- check!

 

Listen, it's not all that cute but it gets it done.

VKOO Cambridge Cardigan
 Madewell Skinny Skinny Jeans
Sorel for J. Crew Boots (sold out online but the SA told me there are quite a few in stores and believe me, they are worth tracking down)

Aritzia Parka

*By "some variation" I mean that I wear this exact sweater every day.

Diva

She's never been one to shy away from the spotlight, but Biscuit's ego has been out of control since she got back from the groomer's.  Based on her newfound posing skills I'd guess she is hoping to be "discovered."

Moment of Weakness

Last week I fell finally prey to the endless after Christmas sales and neverending discounts upon discounts.  First, I ordered this cream chevron cowl sweater from ADAM.  Although the price was great ($125 down from $395), I couldn't believe that I'd bought yet another chunky, oversized knit.

The second I put it on I could not believe I ever doubted the purchase.  It is easily the softest, most beautiful knit I have ever owned.  Naturally I took to my blog to rave about it, only to find that the ADAM line closed entirely after it lost funding!  I really hadn't paid attention to ADAM before and am disappointed that such a great, high quality line couldn't make it.* 

That same day, I also succumbed to the charms of the Madewell cape I've had my eye on all season.   I couldn't believe my luck when I found it on Shopbop for $75!  When it arrived, however, it was rumpled, unflattering, and the material was nothing special... like most of the J. Crew/Madewell clothes I've tried over the past year.  

If that isn't a reminder to shop at small, independent designers over retail chains, I don't know what is. 

*Speaking of, I heard from a good source that Foley + Corinna will be shutting down soon! Nooooo!

Yup, I'm Gonna Need This

James Perse Side Split Tank Dress

Also, is it just me or do we have a blouson trend a-brewing?

For Shame, West Elm. For Shame.

  Here we have the Skinny LaMinx Flatware Napkins.  Since I have been looking at them longingly for several years now, I'd say I have it on pretty good authority that they were in existence well before....

THESE shameless ripoffs!

Now, I love West Elm as much as the next gal (if not more, based on a casual survey of my apartment), so it pains me to say this, but really, West Elm? REALLY?

I Wish I Was Here: Tulum, Mexico

I briefly mentioned that I just spent a week in Tulum. My friends and I rented a house in town and arrived just in time to ring in the new year by jumping into our pool. While having 7 of us in a house threatened to get a little Real World: Tulum (if not Lord of the Flies) we not only made it out alive but had a great time.  We rented bikes and rode to the beach, swam in a cenote, checked out the Mayan ruins, drank micheladas, and ate our weight in ceviche. 

After a week trudging through Chicago's slush and snow, I'd like nothing more than to head right back down there.

I'd spend the day walking on the beach

and then head back to the house

have drinks by the pool

maybe we'd head up to the roof for the sunset

and then I'd jump off the balcony into the plunge pool.

Not too bad, eh?

It Would Be Really Dumb

to spend an extra $60 for a pair of Converse high-tops solely because they have an adorable googly-eyed creature on the side... right?
 

Comme des Garcons Play High-Tops, $105

Etsy Finds

It could be my week in hippie-beachy Tulum talking, but I think Maslinda's leather fringe necklaces and kourelou rug bags are seriously great.