I've now worn this pink dress + pink jacket combo for the third time this season on this blog (see previous two outfits here) -- and even more often in real life! When an outfit works, why mess with a good thing? As always, I switched up the accessories for a different look. Today's features two companions, piglets named Rosa and Scarlett drawn by the talented Catherine Rayner in a collaboration with Strathberry for Chinese New Year. Absolutely. Adorable. When not in use, I display the purse like a piece of art -- it's the first thing I see when I walk into my closet. For those who celebrate, Happy New Year!

I re-discovered this plaid jacket a few weeks back when I moved into the new closet. It had been hidden in a garment bag for... years?! months!? Sad to say, it was one of those out of sight, out of mind situations. I think one of the reasons this jacket slips the mind is because of the pattern. Solid colors are so much easier to mix and match with outfits, whereas patterned items often end up needing to be the statement piece.

See past outfits with this jacket: 1) with a fur stole, 2) with a chambray shirt, 3) with ankle boots, 4) pattern mixing, and 5) soft pastels (my favorite of them all!)

There are some outfits where a color palette just works. The last time I wore this black sweater + leopard midi skirt combo (both items on sale!), I accessorized with more black and camel. This time around, I went with accessories that are shades in-between, in the brown family. Dark neutrals are just the perfect complement.

Unlike the last outfit (definitely an out-of-the-box experiment), today's look is totally all me -- or rather how I see myself. I'm comfortable, in casual attire, and have mastered the art of mixing high-end with low. When an outfit resonates with you, it's meant to be worn multiple times throughout a season. For me, that means turning regular weekdays into casual Fridays. <Runs and hides from upper management>

*** Sale alert: My favorite white blazer (okay, only white blazer) has been re-stocked in almost all sizes and is on final sale for $47.99 with code MUSTSHOP! See my outfits here. I'm wearing size 0, my usual J.Crew outerwear size. ***

Most people would probably assume that I have Valentine's Day on my mind when I wore this outfit recently. It's funny because DH and I are probably the biggest Scrooges when it comes to celebrating holidays/special occasions. I can't remember the last time we exchanged gifts... not over Christmas, not on our anniversary, and not on Valentine's Day. I guess I just have a fondness for pink and red?

Pss... I lied. I said I would put these boots away last week, but didn't. So out they come for one more wear this season. For real this time!

Sale alert: Take 50% off + free shipping (no minimum) at Ann Taylor with code WOW50. Some exclusions apply.

Closet favorites include:
- Estate shimmer necklace - $49 w/code (outfits: here, here, here)
- Modern classic skinny hinge bangle - $14 w/code (outfits: here, here)
- Silk blouse - $49 w/code (TTS - wearing sz 00 / outfits: here, here)
- Pearlized stone statement necklace - $59 w/code (outfits: here, here, here)
- Pave cabochon stretch bracelet - $14.75 w/code (outfits: here, here)

I went a bit stripe crazy and ordered these to try: striped cascade ruffle front top ($34.50), striped perfect stretch cotton sleeveless shirt ($34.75), striped perfect button down shirt ($79.50 - excluded from sale).

Also, take 50% off + free shipping (no minimum) at LOFT with code CYBER50.

Closet favorites include:
- Sunwashed tee - $9.75 (outfits: wearing sz XS in grey here, here / sz S in yellow here)
- Super skinny jeans in deconstructed garden blue - $39.75 (TTS, sized up for looser fit - wearing sz 25 / outfits: here, here, here)
- Vaughn t-strap sandals - $14.75 (TTS, wearing sz 6 / outfits: here)
- Modern skinny jeans - $34.75 - $39.75 (old review here / outfit: here)
- Modern straight jeans - $29.75 - $34.75 (believe it used to be called the modern slim / outfits: here, here, here)


These boots may have been a late season purchase, but I feel I've worn them an inordinate amount of times, so much so that I can now easily justify the cost. I wore them one last time on an unusually chilly day this past week before putting them away for good until the fall. Boots, you will be missed.