I always had this idea in my head of what a "rainy days" outfit would look like when I shared one here. I definitely had more of an Atlantic Pacific aesthetic in mind, with lots of color and maybe a coordinating boots and jacket set. The reality is though that my life - and wardrobe - don't look like that. So here's what rainy days actually look in my world: light, packable rain jacket in a color that won't show dirt, and water resistant leather boots. And because warm rainy days equals humid, an equally lightweight t-shirt that won't make me hate my life.

1) When the weather is determined to flip flop between Winter and Spring it's best just to go with it and hope that your allergies forgive you later.

2) Sometimes you get through an entire set of photos before you get home and realize that your spiffy camera decided that the parked car behind you was *actually* the reason for each shot and focused accordingly. So no bother squinting, except for that last shot all of these really are just that bit soft focus. FML.

Today's outfit is a bit of a funny one. When I first pulled all the pieces together I felt a little too "dressed up" for a Sunday, but after a few minutes of thinking about it I realized that if these are just pieces I have in my wardrobe, lying around to be worn, then I'm not dressing up. I'm just dressing as me.

Now this very coordinated approach might be some of the best I can do dressing as me, hahaha, but it's not special just because of that fact.  It's hard sometimes to push back against DC's kind of rigid sense of style, and my own recently developed love of athleisure, but this was a look I felt cool in, and was comfortable to wear, so I'm proud to share it.

In solidarity with what feels like 90% of the internet, brown and brown tones have definitely taken the spotlight in my new purchases. I'm not sure how much neutral as a whole is taking over my wardrobe, but I do really like the look of mixing them together, so looks like today's brown and black make my heart happy.

Also funnily enough this combines two different pieces of Nordstrom Blogger collaborations - the sweater is from Chriselle Lim's collection, and the cami underneath from Blair's Halogen collection. I'd wear one without the other, but I have to admit that together it's become one of my favorite looks.

I realize that I just did all that ranting about how I didn't feel happy with my closet, but shockingly, I think purging it so aggressively has helped. I feel like it wasn't totally dissimilar from one of Style Bee's 10x10s, because now what I'm looking at are only the items that I like, and when I pair them in new ways, there are less options to get distracted/dissatisfied by. Case in point, I went to NY for my birthday weekend and brought one pair of jeans. One pair that I felt totally happy with the entire time (except for that moment right before the bus ride back when I realized how bloated I felt hahaha).

Maybe there does come a point for people (some people) where all the extra stuff cluttering up your closet is more of a detriment than a help. I even took some of the summer/spring stuff out to store in a suitcase, and that's by someone who isn't limited by closet space - I just didn't want to see it anymore.

I don't know friends, we'll see how things continue, but I am starting to feel a bit better, which since 2018 has been a huge dumpster fire, is a relief.

This post is a bit of a project in options, since I just recently purchased this blouse from the Atlantic Pacific x Halogen collection. Trying it on in store I could mostly see what I wanted to do with it, but I also hadn't bought such a brightly patterned piece - outside of a dress - in a long time. Thankfully these vintage trousers I picked up over the summer are turning into a wardrobe workhorse, and pair so well with pretty much everything. The gray blazer (also second hand, this time from Poshmark) I threw over it at the last minute (this was almost pictured with a leather jacket) and the look felt finished to me. The super high rise pants and long length blazer balance each other out nicely in my opinion, while the subtle tweed textures plays well with the floral print.

The cost of this outfit post is at least $68, since that's the estimated cost to repair the LCD screen that broke when the wind knocked my tripod back (+ shipping). I'm pretty salty about this, but I'm going to try and find joy in the fact that this outfit, which took me longer than I'd like to admit to put together, makes me very happy.

I'm having a hard time with my wardrobe lately, I'm continuing to feel like less and less of it fits the person I want to be while also finding nothing else out there in the stores to replace it with, but today, this sweater/jeans/loafer combo feels very much like me.

You know, despite the f*cking cost I'm going to have to bear to share it.

When you feel like you're in the midst of a Winter that will never end, one of the things the Internet tells you to try is seasonally appropriate outfits in brighter colors. Guess what? I might love this outfit but I'm STILL REALLY SICK OF THE COLD. I'm even getting bored of myself at this point, which is why I made my way down to the Tidal Basin where there aren't really any Cherry Blossoms but plenty of tourists to stare at the weirdo person taking pictures of herself.

And, as much as I love the overall look, I'm not sure OTK boots like this are for me. I'm not sure if it's because I went the affordable option (no regrets!) but these always end up as something I have to fidget with constantly, and that is not my life.

So, this trench (or coat, or whatever else you want to call it). I actually bought it from ASOS years ago, after stalking the Everlane Swing Trench - which is a beautiful piece and responsibly made,  so if it's in your budget I recommend the original. BUT, originally what drove me to look for a replacement is that I just wasn't positive Everlane's version would fit me. I'm still not in fact (in less they want up to an XL), because a Large that covers sizes 8-10 is just not a large in my book.

I guess all that is to say never forget to take a little look around the internet if you love something - you might be able to find a version that's made just for you :).

In case you don't follow me on Instagram, I spent this past weekend in NY and it was freaking fabulous (it even snowed!). I focused less on pictures and more on video snippets, so I'll let you know when those are up :).

Oh and if you were wondering, I wore the exact same outfit both days, switching out the shirt I wore underneath my sweater to keep things fresh. Those leggings made 4+ hour bus rides much more pleasant.

In case you think I spend all my time in fit and flare dress or skirts, this is a pretty common look for me as the heat rises - easy walking shorts with a breezy top that covers my arms (I'm terrible at remembering to put sunscreen on any exposed skin).