New Year's Day in NYC

I decided that in 2017 I was going to make an effort to shop my closet. I have a lot of beautiful things that often sit for years until I wear them. Part of the reason is that my size goes up and down, and part of it is that I just have a lot of stuff. My family was already in the car waiting for me when I threw this ensemble together. My inspiration usually stems from a single piece - in this case my $1,895 Vera Wang wool coat that I scored at the sample sale for $100.

A bunch of these pieces are actually sample sale scores and were taken out for the first time. I've been on the fence about this Tamara Mellon grommeted bag for a while but it was just what this outfit needed. Looking this outfit over, it's probably a little less fun than I'd like. Next time (if I have more than 5 minutes to get dressed LOL) I'd probably wear a higher heel or a shorter dress (as the proportions feel off for me) and add a few more accessories. I guess you can say that this is how I do basic.

From head to toe:

• Hat: H&M, sale rack, $1
• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free with $60 rewards (RV $295)
• Jacket: Vera Wang Collection, sample sale, $100 (RV $1,895)
• Sweater: J Crew Cashmere, thrift store, $8
• Dress: Tobi midi dress, gifted (it's paper thin but a good layer)
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $15
• Bag: Tamara Mellon Speed Date, sample sale, $250 (RV $2,195)
• Boots: Rebecca Minkoff Sari, sample sale, $25 (RV $495)

In case you missed it - note the different color chains on the gloves. Sometime you get a great deal at a sample sale because of a tiny flaw. I honestly didn't notice it until the designer pointed it out but one chain is silver and the other is gunmetal. All I know is there are super warm, cashmere lined leather gloves - and I needed something for the times I didn't want to wear my favorite gold studded leather gloves (seen here).

Just wanted to add that this is what my hair looks like when I roll out of bed. I didn't have time to put in beach waves so I just used a little dry shampoo (Right now I'm using Suave from Target - I like it better than some fancy ones I've tried) and ran out the door.

Linking up my look for you to shop here:

Thank you to my 11 year old son Keva who was this round's photographer. Kids are amazing photographers because they don't get embarrassed easily, take direction, and are willing to lie down on a City street to help you get the shot (or at least mine do). I'm a lucky momma. I've already started to put together a post on photography tips - for the blogger who doesn't use a professional photographer. While someday I aspire to having someone follow me around and take gorgeous shots of me - for now all I have are my kids and some basic editing skills.

Every New Year's Day for the past several years, I've headed to the American Girl Store with the kids and their matching dolls to meet their new girl of the year. They always have activities and freebies so if you're a mom on a budget this is the day to visit that otherwise really expensive store. I wouldn't say I've never spent a penny in the store but most of our 50+ AG dolls and accessories have been thrifted. Ava brought her doll Saige with her and wore the matching dress that we found in the thrift store for $5. Most of my kids clothing is thrifted - thou her boots were just a penny at Nordstrom Rack :)

I just got her these super cute purple glasses at Zenni for less than $40 on Black Friday when they had 20% off the site. I've always been a Zenni fan - they have glasses starting at just $6.95 plus $4.95 shipping. I often place an order for my several family members to take advantage of the flat rate shipping LOL. Ava has a strong prescription but with insurance I still have to pay $50 OOP - these were cheaper and are better quality then the ones she just got from Target. I still have to share my new oversized green glasses with you - so fun!

The kids have a pasttime of sitting on top of the car while waiting for me to shoot. Ava is usually the first one on the car.

Ella has been sick for the past couple weeks and will hopefully go back to school tomorrow. This was shot right before she started to stay home  - you can already see in her face that something was off. Nothing is more difficult than taking pics of a sick kid, but Ella is a pro at this point and she pushed thru to get a few snaps. I should mention that Ella had a sleepover the night before and I forgot to bring her matching doll dress when I picked her up. Oops.

Ella is wearing a leather bomber jacket that is easily 30+ years old. It was given to my brothers as a hand me down a bajillion years ago - and my aunt who gave it to them had it handed to her before that. Classic and quality seriously last forever. She stole my furry fingerless Carolina Amato gloves and my new favorite Be Mine NYC hat, and is wearing Justice jeans and her favorite Nina Kids Carmyn boots (which are now on sale at Nordstrom).

She's been sleeping in braids recently - it gives her these fun, crazy waves. So cute, right?

I'm still a little sick too but at least I'm semi-functional. My husband got us tickets to Florida for the kids winter break next week so at least we have some sun and fun to look forward to.

On the sample sale front, nothing too exciting to report. I hope you guys went to Rachel Zoe this week like I suggested. They had $40 gowns - and some of those retail for $500-1,000 easy. Junk Food has a sale today and tomorrow with $5 tees but I personally have not been there to vouch for it. Ivy Kirzhner also has a sale with shoes for $50-120 this weekend which is good but not amazing. I also heard that Bergdorf Goodman will have an extra 20% off their sale merchandise starting Friday (thru the weekend) so if you're in the City, it's worth checking out.

JUNK FOOD
January 11-12, W 1-5 Th 11-5
525 Seventh Avenue (38-39 Streets) Suite 308

IVY KIRZHNER 
January 13-16, F-Sat 11-8 Sun 12-6 M 11-8
750 Greenwich Street

Happy shopping! If anyone has any suggestions for activities near Ft. Lauderdale I'd love to hear them - kid or shopping related :)

XO
Michelle

PS Last call to enter my Rebecca Minkoff Insta giveaway - I'm choosing a winner this weekend! Enter here!

Justice Style with My Little Brand Ambassador :)

Hey guys! Sorry I've been MIA but things have been crazy with all the Jewish holidays. I shot these pics with Ella a few weeks ago with our new Justice swag and wanted to share. In case you missed it, Ella is now a #girlswithheart brand ambassador for Justice. They sent a huge box of goodies as well as a new phone and a $100 gift card. She put together this look and paired it with a pair of Sketchers that I scored for a penny at Nordstrom Rack.

My little bargainista scored the red plaid top (last seen here) and jeans for $20 each and the top was free with purchase. She's been living in that plaid shirt - it's so versatile! She found the fringed purse on the sale rack for $3.50. I have a feeling that gift card is gonna last us a while LOL.

Until now she only ever had any Justice pieces from the thrift store. They actually fit her tiny frame perfectly. She's 9.5 years old but wearing a size 7. It's been a while since she had a pair of jeans fit this well.

I'm linking up her look should you want to shop her style. I totally dressed like this in high school (well with jeanskirts instead of jeans) so it cracks me up to see her like this. On second thought, she's way cooler than I ever was.

Ella had her first Justice personal appearance as a Girls With Heart ambassador for their Super Saturday Halloween event. It was pretty last minute - going forward I'll give you a heads up for the next event so you can come meet us. She handed out positivity cards to other shoppers and they had a cute selfie booth set up. My super cute niece Betty came along and did backflips all over the store LOL. Ella now has her own Instagram @missellasophie - check it out to see a few more pics and videos of the event.

Ava is completely obsessed with Baby Alive right now and had to bring one along. She's been begging me to start a YouTube channel for her dolls...we'll see...

Thank goodness the Jewish holidays are almost over. Unfortunately they do not end before the Rebecca Minkoff and Oscar de la Renta sample sales begin this Monday and Tuesday respectively! Ugh. The holiday of Succot finally ends Tuesday night so I'll be shopping bright and early Wednesday morning. I'll be missing both previews which totally kills me. Last sale Oscar had sample shoes that blew out for $75 at VIP and Minkoff always has the best stuff first day. Luckily I'll be there to shop markdowns.

REBECCA MINKOFF
October 24-29
M 11-8 T-F 10-8 Sat 10-5
260 Sample Sales
260 Fifth Avenue (28-29 Streets)

OSCAR DE LA RENTA 
October 25-30
T 10-7 W-Sat 11-7 Sun 11-4
260 Sample Sale
151 Wooster Street (Houston-Prince)

Happy holiday for everyone celebrating and be sure to say hello if you see me shopping later this week!

XO
Shoppinggal