Free At Last

You know what I love? A versatile outfit like this one. This outfit is perfect for taking your last exam of the year (comfortable and unfussy). It’s perfect for having celebratory margaritas (just a little wild and fun). It’s perfect for Christmas shopping (warm and (again) comfortable). And it’s perfect for going out for a pizza and wine date (cute but not too dressy). I know this outfit is perfect for these things because I actually did all these things in this outfit. That’s right – I am DONE with exams, and man does it feel good to be back in the real world!

But back to versatility. Here are a few other ways I’ve worn some of these pieces before…

It’s the Real Life Remix…

similar Dress* (on sale) // Cardigan // similar Boots // Earrings // Sunglasses* // Lips “Romantic”

*Dress purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M; sunglasses provided courtesy of Solo Eyewear.

Dinner Date Fail

OK, here’s what happened:

I wore this top and skirt to work, then came home and switched out my shoes and bag so I looked a little spiffier to go out to dinner. Typically we don’t do fancy dinners on week nights, but we had some accomplishments to celebrate (more about that soon), so we decided to go to the Melting Pot. We showed up at 6:30 (without a reservation because it was Tuesday), and they said they didn’t have a table until EIGHT FREAKING THIRTY. The best part? The restaurant was SILENT. There was no one there. So apparently the Melting Pot has one single waiter.

Obviously, I was a bit perturbed. I mean when you have it in your head that you’re about to eat a delicious bowl of melted cheese, it’s hard to wrap your brain around eating something else. We ended up going for Italian at Puccini’s. Don’t get me wrong – their food is delicious. But the servers wear khaki shorts and lime green t-shirts, so I was just a smidgeon overdressed. Oh well. As Kristin pointed out: “Babe, you’re overdressed for life.”

Skirt (on sale for $8!) // similar Shoes (on sale) // similar Clutch (on sale) // Watch (on sale) // similar Bracelet

Thanksgiving Date

I’ve done just about every kind of Thanksgiving:

I’ve had plenty of traditional turkey dinners at home with immediate and extended family, where I watched (a) my mom freak out about cooking and/or (b) my grandpa fall asleep on the couch in front of a football game.

One year, I went to New York and saw the Macy’s parade and had dinner with some people I had never met before who very generously let me and my friend come over to their tiny apartment.

I’ve had dinner with Kristin’s very large extended family, which, like the Macy’s parade, involves a large cast of characters. I’ve had Thanksgiving at the beach, which included sipping champagne while watching the waves (that was a particularly good one). Last year, I went to a potluck “Friendsgiving.”

That brings us up to date…to this year, when I added yet another variation of Turkey Day to my repertoire: a Thanksgiving date of dinner and a movie! I spent all day with the person I’m most thankful for (I know…gag). We made breakfast and ate it in bed while watching the parade (the Macy’s one, not her family), then got gussied up and went to see a movie, and finished the night with dinner at Cooper’s Hawk Winery (we took pumpkin pie cheesecake to go and I even shared a little of it). So there you have it: a fabulously uncomplicated and fun Thanksgiving, and a great excuse for this outfit. Now, if anyone can think of something new for me to do next year, let me know! Thanks.

Also, don’t think I forgot today is Cyber Monday. Since this blog is more about  my style and my random nonsensical thoughts than it is about shopping tips, I decided not to do a special post for sales alerts. However, I will be posting links with sales and promo codes on the Sarah’s Real Life Facebook page and on Twitter, so you can follow along there if you’d like!

Dress: Target

Belt: J. Crew (similar on sale)

Shoes: Victoria’s Secret, old (similar)

Bag: old (similar)

Sunglasses: Target

Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin’…You’ll get to see what I wear next Thanksgiving and every day in between!