Vineyard Vines 2014 Holiday Collection

Vineyard Vines products are always top notch. Not only is their saying ‘Everyday should feel this good’ but it seems to also be ‘every time we put out a new collection Erin goes broke”. The 2014 Holiday collection is no exception. Since I check their website weekly for new items, as soon as the Holiday collection came out I fell in love.

Fair isle prints, cashmere, fleece and tartan fill this collection and make it complete. Now last year, I became obsessed with a wool Fair Isle printed scarf completed with lobsters that I received as a Christmas gift from my parents. This year, anchors replace the lobsters making this scarf earn a spot on my Christmas list. If you love something, buy it in every color, right? (Or every print in my case.)

The one thing that was really the icing on the cake for me was the abundance of tartan. I’m OBSESSED with tartan. It has been a pattern made for the preppies of the world that seems to be given to us by God himself. Yes, its that good.

The tartan ankle pants completed with a bow near the ankles actually sold old before I could even type in my credit card number into the check out on the website. Have no fear, instead of tartan pants; I purchased a tartan strapless dress.

After receiving this dress in the mail, I decided that Shep and Ian have really outdone themselves. My obsession with Vineyard Vines got even worse (if that’s even possible) after I got this dress.

Of course the men’s collection is just as good as the women’s with cashmere ¾ zip jackets that can be paired perfectly with any of their Murray shirts and the right tie/bowtie.

This combo with cords looks so classically prep, you’ll be the best dressed at any holiday party you got to.

Once again Vineyard Vines has baffled me with yet another perfect collection to add to my closet. I know I’m already going to have to start saving my money for the spring collection. 

Ordering Online

Homecoming was exactly a week and a day away, I still had no dress. The only logical thing to do was order something online (except not because what if it didn't fit or I hated the length or it was totally the wrong color). Something I'd never seen in person before, never tried on before, but fallen completely in love with. 

I grabbed a tape measure and measured myself accordingly. I was between sizes. Picking up the phone, I dialed Vineyard Vines number, which is where the dress is from. 

I talked to Craig who I told my measurements and he told me exactly what to do. This all happened Monday. I ordered the dress that night, (along with a few other items that had been sitting in my wish list long enough). 

The dress came Wednesday. I anxiously opened the box and there it was. It was completely perfect. I loved it even more in person.

 But then came the moment of truth. I had to try it on. I unzipped it and stepped in and zipped it up, and it fit PERFECTLY. I don't think I'd ever been so happy about something fitting me, now I just can't wait to wear it! 

Tartan

It comes in blazers, pants, pajamas, scarves, stockings. To me, tartan is the print of holiday season. You can find it virtually being tied into everything making that item a little more festive for the holiday season. 

This year especially I've seen a number of wool tartan pants that I've fallen in love with. Along with sport jackets for men in this festive print. That sport jacket paired with red or green cords would look good enough to put on a Christmas card! 

Vineyard Vines came out with a strapless dress made of tartan that is so classically preppy and timeless.  I plan on wearing this dress to a ballet and banquet as well as Christmas Eve. Paired with navy tights and flats, a red sweater tied around my neck will complete this look perfectly.
Tartan is classically known as a holiday print and I know I will be seeing a ton of it this holiday season.

I Actually Saved Money?

I like the big glass double doors that are opened for me. I like the overpriced clothes. I like the pretentious attitudes of the people who work at the stores I shop at and how we instantly bond when I decide to purchase one of their items, as if we have this special bond because we both will dish out $300.00 for a pair of ballet flats. I like that they offer me Diet Coke when I try things on. Not only do I love what they have to offer but; I love the attitudes of these stores, the atmosphere.

So you can see how when I walked into TjMaxx (easily since the doors were mechanic) I was bewildered at the low prices and polyester pants (I’m still cringing, ew). The fluorescent lighting made me look washed out and when I went to try something on, the woman handed me a number, not a Diet Coke, as if I was some commoner.

Then I started to look, really dig deep (like really deep) in those hangers of label-less clothes. I felt something that was far from polyester. It was WOOL. I pulled out the garment, barley containing my excitement. I looked at the tag, as I always do, to see a little pink whale, my favorite brand, Vineyard Vines. It was almost too good to be true, and it got even better. This red, white and navy wool fair-isle printed sweater that was originally $225.00 was now only $80.00! I couldn’t even remember the last time I spent less than $100 on any piece of clothing I own.

Sure the sweater was from last years Christmas collection, but like any good Vineyard Vines item, the style is timeless. I couldn’t even believe it was still there, people really don’t know a good deal when they see it.

            I triumphantly walked to the register and paid for my sweater in all cash, I didn’t even need a few credit cards to split up the price!

            My first experience at TjMaxx was definitely a success. Even though I didn’t get a Diet Coke (yes I have a Diet Coke problem) and no doors were held open for me, I saved money, which was actually a good feeling. I’m excited to go back and see what I can find next. 

Vermont Weekend Essentials

Get ready to hop in the car for 3 1/2 hours with your loud family and annoying dog, because were going to the cabin! A weekend trip to Vermont is nothing but fun, but I dread the car ride more than anything in the whole world. Don't get me wrong I love my family and my dog but that long in a car is pushing it. Since your probably going to have to turn around and go home about 3x because someone forgot a pillow, toothpaste or phone, make sure your packed and ready to go so you can just sleep the whole ride. These are my Vermont essentials;

Vineyard Vines Shep shirt

L.L.Bean boots

Wool socks

Leggings

Black watch plaid flannel

Columbia/Patagonia fleece pullovers

A quilted vest

Hats 

Gloves 

Mittens

A plaid scarf

Ear muffs

Fair isle wool sweater

Corduroys

Hunter boots

Fisherman sweater

Ski's and ski gear

UGG moccasins

Fuzzy socks

The First Step into Winter

Its November, that means L.L.Bean boots and wool socks, Vineyard Vines pullovers and leggings, and  mittens and scarves. The snow is going to start falling soon here in New England, and my weekends are going to consist of trips up to my cabin in Vermont for skiing and family time.
There is nothing I love more than pumpkin cookies and hot apple cider by the big fireplace there (Yes apple cider. It is WAY too early for peppermint Starbucks, let me enjoy my pumpkin).
With Thanksgiving right around the corner its time to break out the cords and fisherman sweaters. You can put the fleece inserts into your favorite boots, and start layering up. Its going to go from no coat to no CHOICE but a coat.
So don't let your toes turn blue, and keep your hands toasty, its about to be winter in New England. 

One of Those Days

It's rainy and dreary and you keep hitting the snooze button. You finally pull yourself away from the comfort of your bed and the only thoughts in your head are negative ones. We all have these days.

Your hair feels messier than most days, you can't get your makeup done the way you want it and your clothes aren't falling how you expected them to. Let's add humidity into the mix and now your skin is on it's own personal vacation, sweat leaking from your pores and your hair feels like string cheese.

7 outfit changes later and you're now walking to the bus. It begins to pour RIGHT when you get to the end of the street, drenching you from head to toe, good thing I left my umbrella at home and wore my pea coat that doesn't have a hood.

Sliding into school on slippery wet tile floors, you roll your eyes at the sight of people; you don’t think you’ll be able to deal with human interaction today. Leaving your headphones in so you don’t have to talk to people, you feel like your skating all the way down to your locker. When the bell finally rings, you know it’s going to be your worst day ever.

   But hey, at least your 7^th outfit of the day is cute. 

Sweater: Loft// Skirt: Loft// Tights: Loft// Boots: Hunter// Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters