Black and White Bows

Every year or so, around this time I tend to slip into seasonal depression. Everything outside is brown and dead from the harsh winter weather and the days are so short. Typically, we will have a trip planned for the winter to escape the inevitable everlasting New England cold, but because we already have a few trips planned for this summer and fall we wanted to take some time to organize ourselves at home, meaning I have definitely hit my mental wall with the cold weather.

Dressing and finding inspiration during this time of the year is equally as frustrating as most clothing brands and designers have transitioned into their Resort Collections or spring time inventories. Beautiful pastels and florals are now welcoming warm weather, but spring in New England seems so far away. Although, the weather isn’t quite ready for all those lovely patterns I have found that the prettiest feminine details can be seen in the most darling bows. Being my favorite detail in an outfit there is rarely ever a time where I will pass up a piece of clothing that has a bow on it. Any color, any pattern, any material, I just can’t resist and these were no exception! 

The ASOS New Look Coat, is one of three that I now own. They make for a great transition coat as they aren’t the heaviest. I am under the Sézane spell! The sweaters, tops, jackets, dresses, pants are so dreamy! Buying them all clearly wasn’t an option (haha) so I picked some of favorites, one being the Lady Shirt. A stunning silk shirt with a silk tie that I tied into a bow! At only 5’1’’  finding that perfect pant/jean fit is always a struggle, but lately I have been having the best luck at Loft and paired these pants with the Sézane Lady top to add some contrast. The Loft Petite Velvet Flare Crop Jeans are a perfect fit and are the first pair of cropped pants that I own that actually fall at the right length. As a compliment to the Velvet Flare Crop I slid into these Keds X Kate Spade New York Velvet Bow sneaker. 

While you wait to transition your wardrobe and if you aren’t flying south to escape the cold you can always add a feminine touch to your outfit with a bow. 

A Textured Look

Happy Wednesday, everyone! The beginning of the week started out a little rough as I was fighting off a cold, but things are looking up and I’m feeling much better today! 

The forecast in Connecticut has been a bit all over the place, snow one day and then temperatures in the 50’s the next. I blame the temperature inconsistency for my cold (summer can you hurry up??), but the glimpse at warm weather has left and today has brought with it some snow. Hopefully, it won’t be a complete blizzard. 

Anyway, lets talk fashion and how to stay warm and comfortable while dressing up! This winter season I have played around a lot with texture by mixing and matching fabrics, leathers and furs. Adding these pieces can help dress up an outfit and add depth, which I love! Black on black doesn’t look as flat when you use a different texture piece for each item. In fact, it often times allows the color to pop, one of the things I love most about this outfit! 

I paired this fur jacket with a ribbed sweater, leather skirt and tights and leather booties. In an effort to stay warm, my tights are a little thicker than a regular pair. Im always a little warmer in a skirt and tights in comparison to a pair of jeans. Cold denim always has me feeling bitterly cold. The fur and leather complemented each other so well and both kept me warm for a day outside. The best thing about these pieces is they can be worn with so many other outfits and are so versatile in color for winter. To shop my look see below. 

Overall State of Mind - Blogaversary

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

As I’m sure most of you know, especially from the abundance of posts this past week, Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday and not because I have someone to share it with, but because I absolutely love, love! Picture waking up to snow on Christmas morning and the excitement you’d feel, that’s me weeks before Valentine’s Day taking out all of my heart shaped decorations, determining how much red and pink is too much (is there really such a thing???) and making a list of romantic films to watch in order to count down till the special day has arrived! At this point, I could see how you may be thinking, “Wow….” and I don’t blame you, Valentine’s Day as a favorite holiday is pretty unusual, but there is a good reason behind this I promise and maybe if Valentine’s Day isn’t your favorite you might just change your mind.

Despite popular belief, Valentine’s Day isn’t only possible to celebrate if you have a significant other, which may be hard to believe considering that the cards that flood supermarket isles are for your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend. Valentine’s Day is about love, any type of love. Love for your spouse, love for your family, love for your friends (queue all the Galentine’s Day parties!) and most importantly, love for yourself (spa day, anyone?), really, in all seriousness, Valentine’s Day doesn’t only have to be celebrated if you have someone else to share it with. Self-care Sunday is a totally real thing, why can’t Valentine’s Day mean the same thing, hell, make it a Valentines self-love week! Take the day (or week, I’m always a fan of extending holidays, birthdays, vacations) and pamper yourself, do something you love but somehow struggle the find the time for during the busy work week or watch your favorite movie. The options are truly endless, which brings me to all of you.

Capsule New England had it’s very first blog post published last year on Valentine’s Day. Fitting, of course, considering it’s my favorite day, but also important because writing that first post wasn’t to gain any followers or become Instagram famous, it was solely for me. Honestly, I didn’t think anyone would even really read it and was nervous what people might think if I were to start this new chapter. There is no doubt in my mind that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made and what is so amazing about it is I made it for myself. I am passionate about fashion, about being bold and when Valentine’s Day crept closer I kept thinking I need to do this for me, loving yourself is just as important as loving someone else and this was so important to me, so here we are. My heart is so full as I celebrate Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of Capsule New England, today. I couldn’t be more grateful and appreciative of this place I’m in, grateful and thankful for all of you! Every double tap, inspiring, thoughtful, kind comment, every thought out message has truly meant so much to me. Thank you for all of your kind words and for following along on this crazy journey of mine. My wish for all of you today, is that you take a moment to really see how special each and every one of you are and to do something you love. There is no better time than now!

Happy Valentines Day loves and thank you, truly, thank you! 

xo 

Victoria 

The countdown has begun, two days until Valentine’s Day! Beautiful bouquets and savory chocolates are just around the corner, but if you still haven’t found that perfect gift for your man I have a few recommendations below! Amazon Prime is always my go-to for last minute gifts and if you order tonight it will be here just in time for Valentines Day! 

Below you will find links to bring you directly to Amazon!

AMAZON PRIME LINKS
1. Bose Black SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

2. Herschel Novel Duffle

3. Bey-Berk Humidor

4. Yeti Rambler

5. The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Kit 

6. Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones 

Loving this Sweater

Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow earlier this month, predicting an earlier spring! Taking this news, as if this cute little ground hog meant spring would be arriving tomorrow, I instantly got excited for warmer weather, but sweater weather is sticking around a bit longer ladies! I know, I know I sound like a meteorologist when I say this, but there is a possibility for snow tomorrow! The weather is always changing in New England so I feel like its only appropriate to keep all my readers up to speed because last Tuesday it was an unexpected 70 degrees and I was literally stripping in my car the numerous layers I packed myself in that morning. Obviously this means that spring is on hold, silly me getting ahead of myself! 

Since winter is here to stay a little bit longer there is no better way to stay festive and cozy this week than this adorable red and white heart sweater for Valentines Day! The ‘Trudy’ Heart Pattern Sweater from Goodnight Macaroon has been one of my favorite Valentines Day purchases! This cutie, is a one size fits all and comes in both red and white (the white is just as cute as the red and would be amazing with denim!). Having never purchased anything that was one size fits all, I do believe the fit is great for me, but I every body is different and it may be a different fit for you. My advice, is it doesn’t hurt to try it out because you can always return it, and this is definitely worth it! Making a bold statement I paired it with white corduroy pants (petite friends, they are worth every penny, they are the perfect fit!), red flats and a red coat. Love month can only mean dressing in your best reds and this is definitely a favorite. 

Hope you all stay warm tomorrow! Snow storms make no better excuse than to stay in curled up in bed and online shop, get a head start and shop below! Oh, I almost forgot, my jacket, pants and flats are all under $50 and my sweater is under $100!

xo, 

Victoria

Valentine’s Day is a week away, can you believe it?! There isn’t a single year that it doesn’t creep up on me and this year it has snuck up incredibly fast. There are times where I would like to think that I am on top of things, so on top of my things that I already have all of my gifts for my Galentine’s Day brunch this weekend at my house wrapped with pink and red glittered wrapping paper or a heartfelt present for my husband ordered and on its way to our home, but the truth is I am always so last minute when it comes to picking out gifts. I’m not sure if its the pressure of picking out the perfect surprise that keeps me procrastinating, but there is no doubt that I have yet to pick out a few small things for my mom, best friends and husband. In an effort to save you from the last minute gift search and to help myself brainstorm I wanted to share a few gift ideas here for your girlfriends, best friends, or to treat yourself this Valentines Day! 

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats By Jan-Philipp Sendker

Love month is finally here, friends! Love letters, heart shaped everything, the brightest feminine colors a girl could fill her closet with (eeek - I am just jumping with excitement!)! If it wasn’t already obvious, Valentine’s Day is my absolute favorite and not only because I have someone to share it with, but because I just absolutely love, love! February 1^st marks the beginning of a month, yes a MONTH (even after the holiday! haha), of all things love related, which is only fitting that this month’s book pick be a romance novel.

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats was absolutely riveting and left me with a full heart and open mind. The captivating story of a young boys journey through a world of unspeakable hardship examines the power of everlasting love in its ability to triumph over fear. Jan-Philipp Sendker challenges your perceptions of life and death through the eyes of Julia Win, a young women in search for the truth behind her father’s disappearance. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is a book written from the heart, for the heart! There is no doubt in my mind that it leave you with a smile on your face and a new perception on the many different types of love we give and receive.

Hope you all find time in your busy schedules to either listen or flip through a few pages of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats! To follow along this month you can click the links below and even if you aren’t a Mystic local, remember to show your local bookstores some love this month and pick up a copy there! Remember to also follow along this week on my Instastories for some of my favorite quotes and more information about the author! 

x Victoria 

Follow Along:

     1. Follow these links to order your copy on Audible or Amazon.

     2. Local’s should venture to Bank Square Books in Mystic or Savoy in Westerly.