where to buy
HELMUT cocoon leggings | from last year – on sale at Barney’s, but not sure they’re still in stock
Madewell oversized shirt | I’m wearing a size small
Inhabit NY cardigan | pretty old – same style in yellow on sale at Inhabit for $95 – $20 with code TIMELESS
Dieppa Restrepo “the penny” loafers | gray leather version on sale for $180 at Far Fetch
Alexander Wang Rockie bag with matte black hardware (gift from Azalea) | get yours for 25% off with code GRECHEN25 (first orders only)
It’s cold here (REALLY – it’s hardly been above freezing since last Thursday). But the sun is finally out, so I thought I’d take a chance and wear shoes today instead of boots. Although I’m entirely comfortable with my Rag & Bone boots now; I wore them to run errands and meet a friend for lunch yesterday and felt great in them the whole time. Today, I’m going to Costco, selling some books and may duck into Nordstrom. And we’re now also officially in the middle of packing, so I feel like more casual attire is in order. Everything is cluttered, and I’m surrounded by boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap. Which means my life is generally in chaos, and I need to at least be completely “grounded” in terms of my attire; now is definitely not the time for heels or color 
Speaking of that, how do you dress during times of “stress” when you still have to be “presentable?” Do you revert back to your tried & true pieces? or wear your “special” pieces; the ones that brighten your mood? Obviously, I revert back to my simplest, most comfortable items…
Oh, and this is the last week of photos with this “backdrop”! I hope you enjoy…I know I will miss the scenery from my patio/office window. The Dallas-area is VERY different!
where to buy
!iT Collective Taylor stretch ankle skinny jeans (gift for review) | sold out, similar pair available at Nordstrom
Everlane Ryan tank
Inhabit ny cashmere sweater (gift for review – last year) | on sale now in navy & black at Inhabit NY for $156 after TIMELESS code for $20 off
Rag & Bone Harrow booties | size up one size
Admonish custom leather tote
Okay. So I might have finally got the hang of ankle boots. First, they finally feel all stretched out and soft, so they’re very comfortable to wear. Second, I have accepted that I will NEVER look like a Shopbop model wearing ankle boots, so there’s that. And that’s okay.
On to the jeans. Unfortunately the style I’m wearing is sold out at Nordstrom, but this other pair is nearly identical, just without the distressing. !iT collective was kind enough to send me a pair to try out, and I’ve definitely been trying them out!! I’ve worn them countless times since I received them a few weeks ago and am always impressed at how great they feel and hold me in. They are more of a legging jean on me, so I always make sure my ass is covered with a long tank or cardigan. I’m wearing a size 29, and I could have sized down if I wanted them to be even more snug around my waist/hips, but then they’d be WAAY too tight on my legs. They’re not exactly ankle-length on me; they’re full-length, but I haven’t washed them yet (I wash my jeans about every 5-6 wears…), so they may shrink up a bit in the length. Although the washing instructions recommend dry cleaning. These could stand to shrink just a teeny bit though, so I’ll probably wash them and hang to dry.
Overall, I’m pleased with the jeans (they’re made in the US) and will definitely try a different style next time I’m at Nordstrom. The price point is PERFECT at just under $100 also, so I highly recommend them.
Oh, and check out this picture from just about a year ago when I proclaimed I “can’t do ankle boots” – how long I’ve come sort-of…
1 Coach Hattie bootie | $179 at Coach
2 Isabel Marant Dicker Booties | $650 at Net-a-Porter
3 Rachel Comey Mars | $398 at Shopbop
4 Swedish Hasbeens | on sale for $99 at Urban Outfitters in 7.5
5 Marais USA beatle booties | $140 at Marais USA
6 Sam Edelman Petty booties | $130 at Shopbop
7 tn_29_homage ankle booties | $269 at Gravity Pope
8 Annie Bing ankle boots | $499 at Annie Bing
Based on all of your comments on my ankle boots posts the last two days, I’ve compiled a list of some of YOUR favorite ankle boots (I think I included all/most of them!!). I loved doing this – I think I’ll make this a regular feature – what do you think?
Anyway, thanks so much for all your suggestions, I know they helped me (I think I just need to get the RC mars booties – they’re on sale in brown croc at Shopbop for $199 and try them before anything else), and hopefully they helped anyone else who’s struggling to find a good pair of ankle boots. If I missed any, or if you have any other suggestions, please include them in the comments – as well as sizing/styling suggestions. We love those 
**edited 12/9/2013 – based on comments I added in the ACNE pistol boot to the “boutique” below (couldn’t edit the image above!) – there are some suede versions on sale at SSENSE and you can use code GRECHEN25 at Azalea SF for 25% off a pair of Pistol booties there (if you haven’t ordered from them before)
Have a great weekend!!
Here are some more favorites, and where to buy:
where to buy
J Brand Lovestory jeans
James Perse long sleeve tee
Inhabit NY cashmere sweater (gift a million years ago )
Rag & Bone Harrow Booties
I wasn’t going to post an outfit today because it’s Thursday (I try not to post outfits every day…unless you guys want me to start doing that?), and I was just going to mention a few beauty/makeup products I’m loving right now. But I was playing around in my closet – I do that a lot – after yesterday’s post about my ankle booties and wanted to try them on with my Lovestory flared jeans and see if I liked the outfit any better, or the jeans better with the boots as opposed to clogs. I’m not sure I do. What do you think?
I did wear the boots last night to an event at Madewell and happy hour with a friend, so quite a bit of walking was involved – and I survived. I can’t say I wasn’t ready to get them off my feet afterwards, but they weren’t terrible to walk in and my feet didn’t hurt. It was just weird, you know? Especially given that I don’t wear heels. Ever. But I definitely see that I can wear these on occasion without wanting to cut my feet off.
So…I’m getting comfortable with wearing ankle boots more often, but I definitely don’t need another pair right now. Although after yesterday’s post and all of your comments about YOUR favorite ankle booties, I’m tempted!! I think I’ll put together a post tomorrow with some of your favorites, do you have any to add that you didn’t mention yesterday?
(oh, and what a difference a day makes!! last night it was 80 degrees, right now, about 38. The weather here is crazy.)
