Review: The Tory Burch 'Brita' Riding Boot--A failed romance

One item I didn't talk about in the Economist article last Friday, was the part where the article notes that people return at least a quarter of the clothes that they order on-line.  I kind of chuckled because I DEFINITELY contribute to that statistic.*  The most recent example of this was the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale:  Of the three pairs of shoes, two bags, dress, and two camis I ordered, I've returned four items . . . a whopping 50% and I'm considering returning one more item.  Yeah, if Nordstrom decides to discontinue their free shipping/free returns policy because it is no longer financially feasible, I might be partially to blame.

One big problem with ordering stuff on-line, of course, is that in the virtual world, it's hard to tell that that nice cream blouse is actually see through or that those bags won't fit all of your books or that J.Crew suddenly changed their sizing again . . . As fun as it is to browse things on-line, it's not until you see it in person that you can really tell if it's going to work for you.  (err, note to all the Manti T'eo's out there, this also holds true for on-line relationships) That's what happened with the Tory Burch riding boots I ordered.

Disclaimer: This is a very, very sad story.  I suggest having tissues on hand or at the very least playing this song in the background.

Once upon a time, in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale of 2012, I fell in love with the Tory Burch riding boots.  They were everything I had been looking for: smooth polished leather, a gorgeous cognac color,  just the right touch of sophistication.  BUT, I waited too long to order them and they ran out of my size.    Heartbroken and a little desperate, I settled on a cheaper alternative.  Like most rebound relationships they quickly fell apart and I was back to square one.  So, imagine how I felt when I was browsing the Nordstrom Preview Sale last month and there they were.  In all their glorious, cognac-y, shiny leathery glory.  And, this time they were going to be mine . . .

Only, (and guys this is hard for me to share) . . . they didn't work out.  Apparently, if you're short and buying boots, you have to pay close attention to the shaft length (the length from the heel to the top of the boot).  Well, to make a long story short, the Tory Burch boots have a shaft length of 17 inches and the length from my heel to my knee is about 16.5 inches.  You can see the problem.

No matter what I did, the back of the boot kept knocking into the back of my knee in a really uncomfortable way and I couldn't really sit down while wearing them.  I loved them so, so, so much but for the price I couldn't settle on something that was less than perfect.  Not being able to sit down was a big downer.  Also, the boot itself kind of made my foot look disproportionately large.  I think I should have paid attention to the reviews and gone down half a size but the boots still would have been too tall for me.

I think if you're a little taller than I am and really want to invest in a good pair of boots, these would be amazing.  Then you can come visit me and I can tear them off your dead body drool over them some more.  Now excuse me while I go research leg lengthening surgeries and troll the internets for a petite alternative.

Monday Funday: Boozy Sodas and Goodbyes

(pizza from & Pizza, Boozy Blueberry Sodas at Buffalo Bergen)

How was your weekend?  Ours involved boozy sodas at Buffalo Bergen in Union Market, browsing for olives at A Litteri, and a surprise going away party.  I walked into Brixton Saturday night, thinking I was just going to grab a quiet drink with Cindy, only to find a room full of my nearest and dearest in DC.  It was AMAZING.  I felt so, so loved.  And, it was a little bittersweet.  It's hard to believe I'm going to be saying goodbye to so many wonderful people in just a couple of weeks.  DC has been such a big part of my life and the community I have here is going to be hard to replace.  On a side note, the staff at Brixton was amazing.  If you're ever looking for a spot to host a private event, I'd highly recommend them!

* * *

Due to all the fun times I didn't get a chance to blog over the weekend.  (Ok, let's be honest, I just discovered the West Wing and might have spent all day Sunday eating chinese food and watching the first season.)  But, technically it's still Monday, so here's the weekend wrap-up:

• I reviewed two bags from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 
• Another installment in "Drink This. Read This", where I got to talk about gin (again) and get all nerdy with the Economist's article on on-line shopping.  
• And! if you missed it, here's last week's wrap-up

Plus, check back later for more reviews from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

Drink This, Read This

This week my friend Cindy and I took a Gin and Tonic class through Living Social.  If you're in DC and you like gin, I highly recommend taking the class.  It was led by Nicole, who mixes up amazing tonics at her bar the Gin Joint in DC.  We learned a lot about gin (did you know that for a long time it was associated with loose women and general degeneracy? apparently, some things don't change).  We also got to make our own tonic, which was surprisingly simple (especially given that they measured everything out for us) and really, really fun.  Cindy and I decided to infuse our tonic with fresh thyme, cardamom, black pepper corns, and star anise.  We took one sip of it and knew we had to come back to my place and mix it with Ransom's Old Tom Gin.  Not to pat ourselves on the back but it was out of this world (ok, yes we are patting ourselves on the back).

Anyway, in case you don't feel like making your own tonic (or I've drank all of mine before you can come over and sample it), this gin is also really nice with regular tonic (my preference is the naturally light tonic from Fever Tree because it's not too sweet).   Mix two parts gin with one part tonic and garnish with an orange peel.  

* * *

If you're not too busy searching twitter for "Carlos Danger", you might want to check out this article from last week's Economist  article called "The Emporium Strikes Back" about the challenges traditional off-line retailers are facing from on-line competitors.  I'm a big fan of on-line shopping especially with things like Amazon prime and as more and more stores offer free shipping and free returns.  It's a lot more convenient (especially where I work in DC, which until recently has been a shopping desert) and I love that you can read other customers' reviews before you purchase.  Plus, with on-line clothes orders,  I can try things on in the comfort of my own home, where no shopkeeper will see and judge if I need a larger size.  And, let's not lie, getting a package delivered makes kinda makes it feel like it's your birthday. 

But the article notes that the most successful retailers are those that are becoming "omnichannel"--operating in both the virtual and the physical retail worlds.  I thought it was fascinating that they use Warby Parker as an example, since they started as an on-line only company but have since decided to open physical store locations.  I mean, this is a company that ships you glasses to try on for free and they still had trouble convincing people to buy from an on-line only store.  I will say, that as much as I love Amazon, I do really like that if I order something from Nordstrom and decide to return or exchange it, I can just go to one of their physical stores and take care of it right away.  

The article also notes that one disadvantage to on-line clothes shopping is the high number of returns, which I'm definitely guilty of (as evidenced by the two bags I just returned). I'm really curious if stores get better at providing information that will allow me to tell if an item will fit me before I order it . . . It's going to be exciting to see if we all end up shopping with avatars in the near future.

So, what do you think? Do you prefer shopping on-line or in person? And are you more likely to shop from retailers that provide both options? 

**In case you're not familiar with Ransom's Old Tom Gin, it uses a different distilling process and is amber colored.  It's a much sweeter gin and, to me, has a lot of citrus and spice in it, which is why it went really nicely with our tonic.  It was described to me as a "whiskey drinker's gin".  If whiskey tasted like this, I'd be much more inclined to drink it . . . 

Bag Review: Kate Spade 'Jeanne' Satchel vs. the Vince Camuto 'Max'

As I mentioned, I was quite excited for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I had some pretty specific items that I was looking for. At the top of the list was a new bag for grad school.  These were my criteria:

• Size: Needs to be able to fit a laptop, textbooks/notebooks, as well as all my normal purse essentials (chargers, coffee mug, lunch, wallet, etc).  Also, I'd prefer a bag with a cross body strap.
• Professional looking: Needs to allow me to move seamlessly between the professional school worlds
• Sturdy: I am looking at this is a bit of an investment so I want it to last
• Material: Leather
• And, finally, it must be:

I mean, a bag has to have a bit of style, right?

* * *

There were two bags that jumped out at me from the Nordstrom sale.  And, I decided to order them both so that I could compare them in person. (free shipping and free returns versus having to navigate the masses at Pentagon City . . . It was an easy decision)

    

                                 Vince Camuto 'Max' Satchel

 

Kate Spade 'Hancock Park - Jeanne' Satchel

So how did they measure up?

Style (aka zazziness): First off, both are beautiful bags. The picture above doesn't do the Kate Spade justice. In person, it's a gorgeous, soft pewter. The Vince Camuto is pretty true to the picture but less boxy. The camel color of the body and the maroon flap contrast really nicely. So on "zazziness" both win.

Professional Looking: The Vince Camuto has a fun preppy vibe that I think suits my personal style a little more, but the Kate Spade feels a little more elegant and refined—stopping just short of the "ladies who lunch” category.  I could definitely see carrying both to interviews but, on professionalism, I think the Kate Spade has the slight advantage.

Sturdiness/Material: Both bags are leather, but the Kate Spade is definitely of a higher quality. The leather is really soft and supple. It also has those nice little "feet" on the bottom of the bag so it's not resting directly on the ground. That said, the Vince Camuto has a much sturdier shape. I put a few books in each bag and the Kate Spade immediately started sagging on the bottom, while the Vince Camuto held its shape. The Vince Camuto's strap also felt a little stronger.

Size: Turns out, I have a little bit of trouble visualizing dimensions.  I thought, based on the measurements that either bag would work for school, but, when they arrived, I quickly realized that they were both too small.  Here’s a photo of the bags with my laptop and two textbooks in them (the Vince Camuto is on top):

As you can see, not alot of room.  I truly wish I could be one of those women who can carry a cute, small bag and look flawless all day.  But that’s just not me.  My entire life is in my purse. Seriously, if a zombie apocalypse happens, I would have no problem surviving (not to mention a heavy purse makes a great weapon if you’re ever attacked.  And, yes, I’ve actually considered these scenarios).  So I know that I need a big bag for school—something that won’t just fit my school supplies, but probably a coffee mug, snacks (girl gotta eat!), wallet, zombie survival kit (ok that one’s a joke), toiletries, etc. So, the grad school bag search continues.  Maybe I should just consider a rolling suitcase? 

A couple of last notes on the size: On paper, the two bags are practically the same, though the Kate Spade is not as deep. However, the Kate Spade tapers up a little at the top, which makes it slightly less roomy inside.  The Vince Camuto’s square shape and sturdier construction means it can hold a little more.  Bottom line, if you were looking for a bag for work or you carry fewer items than I do, either of these bags would be great.

Monday Funday

(Tiny taquitos waiting to be fried, Sake bombs and Katayuki noodles at Nooshi) 

Don't these summer weekends just fly by?  Ours was filled with fun, food, and hanging out with  friends.  Mr. C had one of his guys scotch nights on Saturday.  Really, it's just turned into an excuse for me to cook a bunch of appetizers and then go out with my girlfriends while the boys down scotch and talk about Rambo III (who are we kidding, they probably put on Katie Perry and have a dance party).  

My friend Cindy came over to help me cook and we decided to get really ambitious with the food this time.  We made mini chicken taquitos, turkey scallion meatballs (make these immediately, Smitten Kitchen never fails), green bean tempura, and a host of other things.  It was a ton of fun but we learned that planning a party menu where everything has to be fried at the last minute was not the smartest decision.  Standing over a fryer in the middle of a heat wave was just idiotic. Lesson, learned. 

* * *

In case you're missing the weekend too . . . here's a recap of last week's posts:

• Back to School: Realizing that going to grad school is going to impact this closet project
• Drink this, Read This: My favorite cocktail + some of the creepier ways stores are monitoring your behavior. 

Also, check back later in the week for reviews of some of my purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! 

Drink this. Read This

Holy heat wave folks.  It's like DC has been turned into one giant sauna (complete with gross, sweaty old men).  There's something weather that like this that just screams gin drinks to me.  And, while some might turn to palomas, or lighter drinks . . . I like my gin drinks strong, dark, and bitter (sort of like my personality).  After traveling to Italy last spring, I fell in love with the Negroni, a Gin and Compari concoction.  Mr. C, our friend, Leo, and I would sit in the main square in Sienna, sipping negroni after negroni and solving all the world's problems.  Then, when we were in New York a few weeks ago, I had one of the best Negroni's I've ever experienced at the Hour Glass Tavern's Betti Bar.  The bartender there used Hendricks Gin and the strong juniper flavor really complemented the Campari.  The best part about Negroni?  It's super easy to make:

Combine equal parts of Gin, Campari, and Sweet Vermouth and garnish with a lemon twist.  If you want it to be a littler sweeter, increase the sweet vermouth.  If you want it to be more bitter, add more Campari.  Drink. Enjoy. Repeat.

One warning, this is not your mama's wine cooler (though my mama was a scotch and soda type of gal . . . explains a lot about my taste in liquor).  It's pretty potent and also only for true Gin lovers since the juniper-flavor is pretty strong.

* * *

While you're sipping on one of these, or the beverage of your choice, you might want to check out this article from the New York Times on the steps that some stores, like Nordstrom are taking to capture data on consumers' shopping patterns, including tracking shoppers via their cell phone signals.

Apparently, some shoppers were weirded out and Nordstrom stopped the program, but it raises some interesting questions.

Probably unsurprisingly, I really like the idea of capturing data on consumers to figure out how to better reach them or how to personalize their shopping experience.  I mean, if a store could figure out that I am much more likely to leave a section of the store if the sales people come up and talk to me . . . that would make my shopping experience a lot more pleasant.  That said, the idea of using video cameras to determine what I was looking at and my mood, kind of weirds me out.  This is kind of silly given that I live in DC and sort of assume that there are street cameras everywhere . . . but still.

The New York Times pointed out that the data Nordstrom was gathering wasn't that different from the type of data that e-commerce sites track. Yet, somehow we're a lot more comfortable with our actions being tracked on the internet, than we are with someone monitoring us in a store. Perhaps it's because we still feel some sense of anonymity when we're browsing on-line.

I also wonder if it's hard for us, as consumers, to see how we benefit from a store capturing our information.  Interestingly, the article pointed out that people seemed a lot more open to stores gathering their information when they were offered some sort of "perk" in return.

Are you ok with a store tracking your movements using your cell phone?  Or using video cameras to determine what you're looking at and, even your mood?

If you're interested in this story, the New York Times had two more articles on the topic:

• Rules of In-Store Surveillance
• You and Your Cell Phone (on Candid Camera)

Back to School

uhhh, so remember that closet project I'm working on? The one where I analyze everything I own and try to optimize my purchases?  Yeah . . . once again, I've gotten side tracked.  Honestly, it's just been a lot more fun to day dream about my new NYC apartment and distract myself with the Nordstrom anniversary sale than to think strategically about my wardrobe.  Let's just blame it on the fact that I am probably just a little delirious from this heat.

Over the next three months, my lifestyle (and consequently what I define as functional) is going to change a lot.  For one thing, I'm going to be unemployed for pretty much the first time ever since graduating college (initiate panic mode), which has already had an impact on my shopping habits.   I'm also going to be moving to a city where people dress really differently than they do in DC (probably less seersucker and bow ties).  And, I'm going to be a full-time student.

All of this means that I'm going to have to adjust my closet "model".  My original, very rough "model" only had three criteria:

Point 2 is still applicable.  After all, I'm moving to New York, not the Artic circle.  Point 3 still applies as well since that gets at the idea of utility.  But, numero uno definitely needs to change.

Instead of sitting in an office everyday, I'm going to be in classes, study groups, and (hopefully) going to interviews.  My wardrobe will need to get me through all of that and transition to after-school networking events and happy hours.  Somehow I don't think my undergrad uniform of jeans, heels, and a polo (don't judge, I was in a sorority), will cut it.  But, on the other hand, I'm not sure I'll be needing a closet full of traditional office-wear either.

As you might imagine, this makes shopping and analyzing my wardrobe a little tricky right now.  But, as anyone who's worked with data probably knows, vague goals and changing priorities are not uncommon.  So, in the meantime what's a shopaholic girl to do? How do I put together a "back to school" wardrobe? And what do I own now that will make the transition?

Monday Funday: Weekend Wrap-up

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I finally kicked whatever bug I had, which was good because we actually had a pretty busy weekend planned.  It involved beer and swachos (I know, again), a good friend visiting from out of town, and a wedding shower (where I got to play with babies! ).  After being sick for a week, I can't tell you how amazing it was to eat some real food.

I also finished reading Lean In.  A friend invited me to her book club meeting this week and I was pretty excited to learn that this was the book they picked for July.  I'd been wanting to read it for a while, but to be honest, I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it.  I don't know if it's just where I am in life right now, but a lot of her points really resonated with me.  After the book club meeting, I'd like to do a more in depth review.

* * *

And, some blog posts to combat the Monday blues!

• Our 4th of July in the District
• Sales--friends or foes? (Plus my picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale)
• The return of the skort and other scary fashion from the interwebs. (Ironically, after I linked to that skort, I saw at least three people wearing it out on Friday night.  Believe me, it's not better in person)

Friday Frivolity: Bad Fashion

Being sick for a week has given me a lot of time to browse the internets.  After all, one cannot live by Nordstrom sales alone . . . I saw a lot of things I liked, but there were a couple of items that were horrendous enough to distract me from my lifetime movie marathon. 

First off, the return of the Skort.

Zara "Mini Skort"

I am generally careful making fun of trends.  Along with almost every other woman in America, I once swore that I'd never wear skinny jeans.  (Don't judge it was 2006).  But the skort . . .  it's an item of clothing that can't make up its mind . . .  Is it dressy? Is it casual? Why would a grown woman do this to herself?  I think we can all agree that this trend should stay buried in our middle school year books, along with scrunchies and crimped hair.  However, if you're looking for a chastity belt, I think this will work quite well.  (P.S. I think this would be just as hideous as a skirt, but the fact that it's a skort only adds insult to injury).

Then, there was this . . . 

Dax Jacket

Is it a deconstructed peplum? Is it a maternity piece? Why is she wearing it with shorts?!?!?! Soooo, many questions. 

And then there was this:

Faux Leather Track Pants

WTF.  That's all.   Could we have made the harem pants even more unflattering?  Yes, we can, in leather.

Now, excuse me while I go nurse my chamomile tea and try to remind myself that there is good fashion out there.  Have a good weekend!

Shopping Confessions: Navigating Sales

I was going to do a different post this week but a stomach virus that's knocked me out for the last few days got in the way.  I'll spare you all the gory details, but one of the few things that cheered me up (aside from Mr. C bringing me gatorade and ginger ale.  He's a keeper), was getting an email from Nordstrom reminding me that I qualified for early access to their anniversary sale.

Not going to lie I have been looking forward to this sale for quite a while.  This is where Nordstrom rolls out a lot of items for the fall/winter season and the markdowns are usually pretty fabulous.   Now, I may have a slight weakness for a good sale.  But, in the past, I've often let my love of a good deal lead me to buy things that I didn't really need or love, just 'cause they were a good price.  It's one of the reason I ended up with a closet full of clothes that I don't like to wear or that aren't practical for my lifestyle.   I'm staring at you, wool dress shorts.  What was I thinking that it would work for business casual?

My first instinct when I realized that sales weren't the BFFs I'd always thought they were, was just to avoid them all together.  A cold break-up.  But, who am I kidding, that didn't last a hot minute.  Instead, I find it's MUCH more productive to come up with a list of the things that I'm looking for.  That way, if I see an item from the list, that's on sale, I can pounce on it without any buyers guilt.  It also helps me ignore all the shiny pretty things calling my name.  Not on the list? Get behind thee behind me silky maxi-dress siren!

Of course, it's not fool proof, but that's what free shipping and free returns are for, right?.

So, what are the items I'm looking for right now?

Number 1 on my list is a bag for grad school.  I'm pretty picky.  It has to be large and sturdy enough to carry around my laptop and any school supplies (Do kids these days even carry books anymore?), but also professional enough to take to interviews.  Here are a couple of the current contenders:

Vince Camuto

 

Kate Spade

I'm also in the market for a new pair of boots.  I bought a cheap pair last year and they didn't hold up well at all, so I've been thinking of investing in something nice that will (hopefully) last.

This Tory Burch pair is kind of the ideal but the shaft might be too long for my short legs (err, that's what she said)

Less of a priority, but also on my list are a pair of booties.  I want something that I could throw on to toughen up a girly dress (ideally, with some sort of leather motorcycle jacket that I don't yet own.  Hmmm, something else to add to the list).  

Sam Edelman

Joe's Saki Bootie

Clark's Rosepoint Dew Bootie

* * *

So, those are my top items for the anniversary sale.  Of course, if a few shiny pretty things make their way into my wardrobe, please don't judge.   What about you? Do you have a strategy for shopping sales or do you just wing it?

4th of July in the District

I hope everyone had a lovely 4th of July!  We had a low key day that involved beer and swachos (pulled pork nachos) at American Ice Co, trying Churchkey's homemade "fireball style" whisky (surprisingly easy.  I'm going to try it myself and  I'll report back with how it turns out), and ending the night by clambering on top of a friend's roof and catching the fireworks.  We may or may not have burst into an impromptu (and out of key) rendition of the Star Spangled Banner . . .

Beer, whiskey, and fireworks.  The perfect way to spend what might be my last 4th of July in the District.  Though I hope you all are having an easier time than I am transitioning back to the work week.

* * *

On another note, did anyone else catch some of the 4th of July sales that went on this weekend?  Zara and Massimo Dutti were both having huge sales and I picked up a couple of items that I'd been looking for for a while, including a new trench coat.

I've been a little bored with all the stores I normally shop at (Banana Republic, J. Crew, etc) and I'm also trying to push myself style-wise so I'm trying to branch out a little bit.  I know Zara might not seem like that big of a risk, but baby steps, baby steps ;)

* * *

Also, I decided that posting weekend re-caps on Saturdays wasn't really working for me.  I like this blogging thing, but I think we'd all rather be brunching than scrolling facebook and blogs. So, I'm going to try posting the recaps on Mondays.*  So, if you missed them, here are last week's posts:

• Our big NYC move
• How to pack for a weekend of apartment hunting in New York.  There's nothing like deciding to put all your stuff in Mr. C's suit bag to cut down on how much you pack.  On the plus side, I didn't have to carry a bag all weekend . . . sneaky, I know. 

*Let's be honest.  Most Saturday mornings Mr. C and I sit around drinking espresso, easting soft boiled eggs, and listening to music.  Spontaneous dancing optional. 

Apartment Hunting in NYC

Living in DC, I am used to having to schmooze, charm, and finagle your way into the landlord's good graces so that he/she will deign to rent to you.  I also know something about paying a lot for small spaces.  Or sacrificing comfort (such as slightly lower ceilings in our current place) for location.  That said, New York is a whole other ball game. 

First, there are brokers fees (where you can't rent the apartment without paying someone up to 15% of the annual rent just for the privilege of signing a lease).  There are the bait and switch scams: You see a nice apartment and then find out it's unavailable BUT, the rat infested postage stamp is free for the same amount.  And, of course, there's the whole size issue . . . I'm still flabbergasted by how people live in some of those spaces.  But, of course, it's all worth it to live in the greatest city in the world, right? Right.

I knew that the apartment-finding process was probably going to be frustrating and tedious.  And, I wanted to make sure that I brought the right things to get me through the weekend.  We were going to be on our feet for most of the day, while we explored neighborhoods.  So, comfort was key.  But, we knew we would be meeting up with friends for dinner so we needed to look semi-presentable.  To top it all off, we were trying to pack light since we knew that we might be carrying all of our stuff with us if we went to see apartments on our last day (which actually happened).

This is what we fit into one suit bag and a tote:

(the striped dress I own is actually this one and I highly recommend it)

P.S. we did end up finding the PERFECT apartment at the last minute.  Literally, we saw the apartment at 11, signed all the paperwork by 12 and still managed to navigate our way through the Pride parade in time to make our 1 o'clock bus.  We were a sweaty mess but at least we looked cute :) )

New York State of Mind

So if you haven't guessed (or if I was so excited I already told you) . . . I have some pretty big news (sorry, Mom, no, I'm not pregnant).

We are moving!!!! 

To New York!!!!*

Why, might you ask? Because we're a little bit crazy I'm enrolling in a full-time MBA program.  I'm pretty excited, giddy, and a little freaked out.  I've lived in DC for nearly 7 years and I know I'm going to miss it.  But, this is the right move for me, professionally, and I've always wanted to live in New York.  

This is from when we were recovering from apartment hunting on Saturday with Micheladas (for me) and beer (for Mr. C) on the rooftop bar at Pod 39.  Mr. C must have been exhausted because somehow I managed to convince him that it wasn't at all hipstery (also I was obsessed with that girl's green dress)

People definitely dress differently in New York.  And, it's not just because it made me re-think the mullet dress style or because I didn't see a single woman wearing tennis shoes with a suit there.  If you do this and I know you, I'm sorry . . . but please stop.  There are way too many comfortable, cute commuting shoes out there for you to go out in public like that.

Walking around, I was struck by how much variety there was.**  It seems that in DC every one has the same litany of J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and so on, and so on. . . (not judging, I'm definitely guilty of this!)  . . . It was refreshing and inspiring to see people of all ages dressing in such a wide variety of styles.  It's also forced me to think (I know, more thinking) about what this will mean for project.  Obviously, I'll still need a semi professional wardrobe for interviews, etc.   But moving to a new city and becoming a student is going to change what a "functional" wardrobe means, for me, and I have a feeling New York is going to have a pretty big impact on my personal style (err, hopefully it will give me one)

* * *

• Anyone have any tips for navigating a big life change like this?  
• How did you adapt your wardrobe without breaking the bank?

*Well, I'm moving first and Mr. C is going to (hopefully) follow in by the end of the year.  

**Though, funny story, Mr. C was wearing his new favorite combo of a chambray shirt and red pants and we ran into another couple where the guy was wearing the exact same thing.  So, not everyone is unique in New York ;-)