Apple of My Eye! Plus, Spending Freeze

Sometimes when I think about my blog, I have to ask Very Important questions. For example, why do I always tilt my head to the side when I have my picture taken? And how come I can't keep my eyes open? The mysteries endure...

Anyway. This skirt is awesome. It's super soft, and I love the apple print. Plus, it's not to heavy, but it is lined, so it works for all seasons. Yay! I used to have a great love of apples, but now I'm allergic (I know, it's weird, but trust me that it's a thing) so this is as close as I can get most days.

Yup, eyes closed again. But look, pockets!
Let's try again in the mirror...

In other news, do you ever open your closet, see soooo much clothing, and then still feel like you have nothing to wear? That's me many mornings, I am embarrassed to say, despite the fact that I have way more clothing than any person could ever need. So, partly inspired by my friend Amy, and partly due to the fact that I am sort of ashamed by the number of things in my closet, I have imposed a spending freeze on myself. It's not that I'm spending money I don't have-- I am way too anal for that-- but instead, that I have decided that I should spend some time getting reacquainted with what I already have to figure out what I actually wear. So from May 1 until at least July 1, I will not buy any new clothing.

I know that going to two months without buying new clothing is not a long time for most people. However, it is on the longer side for me, although not unheard of, and it might be extended beyond that. I just felt like 8ish weeks was a good starting point, because it felt long enough to be substantial, but short enough that I wasn't likely to slip up. Here are the rules:

1. No new clothes, accessories or shoes.
2. Exceptions are made for things I actually need. For example, non-flannel pajamas pants and new running shoes. Because a new knee costs a lot more than new sneakers.
3. I am allowed to exchange things. There are a few things I ordered a long time ago from Boden that haven't come yet. I do not have to send them back, and if I choose to, I am allowed to exchange, but not for more than the cost of the original item.
4. I am allowed to keep getting my Stitch Fix. Mostly because it's fun, and also because I still have account credit. Finally, they tend to send me unusual pieces to add to my wardrobe, which means it's not like what I often do, which is buying versions of the same things over and over.

So far, things are going well, although it's only been a couple of weeks. I did buy one thing before this had been formalized, but since I made my declaration, I have stuck to my rules. I can already tell I'm getting a better sense of what I wear and what I don't, and I'm therefore planning to list some things to sell this week, which will give me more space. I'm mostly writing about this here to keep myself accountable, but also to hear from you-- what do you feel like you have too much of? Have you ever tried a freeze before? How did it turn out for you?

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt, Jones New York shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Gap Factory jean jacket (similar here), Toms shoes

A Sunday in the Garden

One of my favorite movies is You've Got Mail. I know, not the most sophisticated fare, but in addition to being a great sappy love story, the sort of thing for which I am a sucker, it is also a love song for New York, and especially for my neighborhood, the Upper West Side. I remember going to soccer camp in high school and meeting girls from rural New Jersey and Pennsylvania who were amazed to learn that I actually lived in Manhattan. "Wait," one of them asked me. "You're from New York? Are you a prostitute? Have you ever been stabbed?" Umm, not exactly. Instead, to me, even after all of these years, New York continues to be one of the most magical places in the world. (As John Updike said, "The true New Yorker believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding." Sorry, I sound like a snob. Ok, I know that it is unlikely I will be able to afford to live here forever. So just grant me my happy spring New York, okay?)

 My love of New York is never stronger than it is in the springtime, especially after a particularly horrid winter like the one we had. My parents were generous enough to buy me a new camera for my birthday, so my sister Sarah and I took it to the Conservatory Garden and North Woods in Central Park to try it out. If you've never been to the Conservatory Garden, you are totally missing out. It's on the East Side, with an entrance on 5th at 104th street. It's actually three gardens in one-- an Italian one, an English lawn garden and, my personal favorite, the French garden. We spent most of our time in the French garden, but overall spent a glorious hour or so wandering around, taking pictures, smelling the flowers, and reveling in the beautiful spring day.

Look at me, so happy under the Magnolia

And in case I didn't convince you about New York's glorious beauty, a few of the shots I took with my new toy:

Finally, I've been hearing from a number of you about how much you're enjoying the blog. I'm so glad! Keep reading, and always feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments, or by emailing me here!

What did you do on your glorious Sunday?

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (bought during the mid-season sale because who has $68 to spend on a jersey skirt?), Jones New York shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Toms shoes (similar here), Gap Factory jean jacket (similar here)

Happy One Monthaversary!

Guys, the blog is one month old today! Can you believe it? They grow up so fast...

Today was one of those perfect New York days. Sometimes, in the winter, when it's endlessly cold and there are disgusting piles of black snow at every curb and slush puddles at every corner, I understand why people would want to live elsewhere. But then spring comes and it's a mystery to me again.

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and everyone is in a good mood. That is why the kind gentlemen who I asked to take my picture in the park not only obliged, but both staged mini-photo shoots with me. These pictures are the fruits of their labors. 

Look! Real flowers! Spring!

In honor of the weather, I decided to wear my skirt with trees on it. This skirt and I had quite a saga, with three rounds of buying and returning. I loved the print, fabric and pockets, but the shape was a little weird, which made it hard for me to figure out how to wear it. When it went on crazy sale, I ordered it again. This time, I went down a size and ordered it in the long length, which worked much better. The shape seems more natural as a high waisted full skirt. It's still not the most flattering thing I own, but it's fun enough that I wear it anyway.

New glasses! Thanks Warby Parker!

 Today also marked the debut of my new glasses. I have a few pairs, since I wear them every day, and I ordered these from Warby Parker a few months ago. There were some problems with my prescription and other such things so the process took much longer than expected, but I have to commend Warby Parker for having excellent customer service.

Me, chilling with Eleanor Roosevelt. Obviously.

That's all from here for now. I hope you're all enjoying reading the blog as much as I'm enjoying writing it. If you have questions, comments, or things you want me to write about, leave a note in the comments or email me here!

What's your favorite spring activity? What about your favorite spring outfit?

P.S. My aunt sent me this cool Buzzfeed about style charts. If you're into charts like I am, check it out here.

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt, Gap Factory denim jacket (similar here), Cable and Gauge shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Sperry for J. Crew boat shoes (similar here), super old cross body bag (similar here)