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!

My final 4! Check out my new Rebecca Minkoff sample sale bags :)

I know you really want to see my blog sale already, but first things first - here are my keepers!

Of the four bags I kept, my favorite is hands down the $345 Fiona bucket bag. These were never even put into production so there are only a few samples floating around. It's missing the top handle but I'm perfectly fine with just the crossbody strap. I actually don't have any other bucket bags in my collection so this baby is the perfect addition to my closet.

I wore it yesterday with my thrifted J Crew flats and Kendra Scott Alex earrings in cobalt cat's eye. I love that Rocksbox lets you create a wishlist - I saw the Kendra Scott Lee earrings in cobalt and I lusted after them for weeks but I guess they were super popular. My stylist finally sent me these instead and I have to say that blue does not disappoint.

Thanks to my local fans who have signed up I have enough referral money to buy them if I want to keep them - thanks guys! If you want to try Rocksbox (think Rent the Runway for jewelry) just use code "shoppinggalxoxo" to get your first month free :)

Today I took my Perry for a spin and I have to say I LOVE the size and organization. The pocket placement is perfect and I'm going to be on the hunt for another :) I've always wanted the Givenchy Antigona and I'd say this is a great substitute. Mine is a little smooshed so it's less structured than I'd like but at the sample table you take what you can get LOL.

This is the Givenchy Antigona in a similar color. It retails for over $2000 for a similar sized bag. I still kinda want one but it's not gonna happen unless I find one for a magic price.

You already saw this side saddle bag on Insta and my last post but I'm gonna talk about it anyway. I really needed a brown bag and this one fit the bill :) It was a Saks exclusive from a few years back and it retailed for $795!

Stock pic.

Last but not least is my $795 Hypno Stud Nikki, also from that Saks exclusive collection. It's a smidge heavy from all the studs and hardware but Nikkis are my first RM love. When I was just starting to loose weight and feel better about myself I treated myself to a red Nikki that I scored at the Saks outlet. It was beautiful and it made me feel like myself again. It was that bag that reminded me of my love of fashion (and accessories!) and I'd say that was a huge turning point for me.

When I was in mommy-baby mode I focused on my kids and what they wore, their strollers and toys, but that bag made me wake up and start focusing on me again. That was probably the most I've ever spent on any of my Minkoffs (and by now I easily have a couple dozen LOL) and even though it's pretty worn I just don't have the heart to toss it. I know I have a bunch of black designer bags but I'm sure I can make room for this Nikki :)

And then there were shoes :)

You know I love a good fringe. So when I spotted these $250 Faith flats, I knew I had to take them home. Wore them today and they're so comfortable and fun. Couldn't stop looking at my feet.

So all I can say is I told you so. I told you to go. I shared the Gilt voucher. I hope some of you local gals listened. I'd love to hear about what you found :) When Shira and I were editing our bags someone came over and told me - "I think you won the sample sale." The thing is we barely made a dent in that sample table and they replenished that table all day. I can only imagine what we missed! I picked up a few bags requested by clients and a few more that I thought you guys might like. I took everything that I could lug home via subway and bus. I think I sprained my shoulders but it was so worth it!

Stay tuned for my next blog sale TOMORROW!

XOXO
-Shoppinggal