who wore what – Peculiar Porter

11 Winter Outfits to Get Inspiration From

Published on March 29, 2018March 29, 2018 by PeculiarPorter5 Comments

I have some very exciting news… the ground is finally thawed and there is no snow to be seen! That’s right…. spring is finally here. I decided to do a little recap on my “winter” outfits just in case you missed something or if you wanted to read one of my lovely posts. As a blogger, it is so hard to take pictures in the winter because it is always so cold and if you’re too layered you look like a stuffed cabbage. Thus, most of these outfits are secretly worn with another jacket on top of them… I won’t tell if you won’t!

Remember during New Years where the temperature wouldn’t get above zero? Well, I certainly remember begging Robert to take pictures of this outfit in the fridged cold. We actually ran to a van to bring us to the Skytop Lodge. Check out how you can layer to your advantage in my post “The Ultimate Styling Tricks to Staying Warm in Below Zero Weather“.

My commute to work is still an hour long but I’m thriving thanks to the tips and tricks found in this post. Check out my favorite podcasts and radio stations to listen to so that I don’t go crazy. P.S. I can’t tell if I’m getting better or worse at driving as the weeks go on…

After coming back to my hometown, I found myself doing the exact same things over and over again. I’ve been trying to find new places to go near my hometown (like this art gallery) and decided to write a few tips on how to find these new places in your own hometown. Check out this post here. (Also, this vest is my absolute favorite thing to wear in the cold winter).

After I graduated, I applied to over 100 different jobs and went on some crazy interviews. After doing all the hoops and jumps, I ended up with a job that will really help my future. Check out more about what finding a job after college is like by reading this post.

This post is definitely perfect for this upcoming season because I show how you can transition some of your favorite winter clothes into your spring outfits. Check out this post here. Also, thumbs up to embroidered pants… I cannot get enough of them.

This was one of those weird days in February where it was warm enough to take my jacket off for a split second. Sadly, the next week the weather dropped to fridged temperatures and I need more than a light jacket. If you’re like me, I get pretty bummed around mid-February and it lasts usually throughout March (the worst of all months). It is usually because of days like this one where I thought it would finally get warm and sunny out. Check out how I combat my winter blues by reading this post.

New England Date Ideas During in the Winter

I’m obsessed with this feminine dress from Urban Outfitters. Something about the sleeves was really calling my name. Since Rob and I have been doing a lot of weird activities for date night, I decided to make a list of date ideas for the cold, winter months. Check out those ideas here. One of my favorite dates so far was going to this aquarium in Norkwalk, Connecticut.

The pink blazer that does all the talking is this one right here. If you don’t already have a blazer in your closet it is time you invest in one. They can add so much to an outfit and they’re a staple that will never go out of fashion. Check out more of my reasons why you need a pink blazer here.

I watched the True Cost on Netflix and it changed my entire perspective on the fashion world. Since watching this documentary, I’ve been thinking more and more about what I’m consuming and if it is really benefiting my life and others. I admit, I’m a self-declared shopaholic so it has been hard but I’m really trying to follow my tips found here. If you read any of these posts it should definitely be this one. Plus, if you really have enough time you should definitely watch the True Cost. I cannot recommend it more.

Wrap me up like a big burrito all spring long. I love wrap dresses almost as much as I love burritos… and that is saying something. Check out how to style the wrap dress this spring by clicking here. Plus, the best part about wearing wrap dresses is that you can wear them a thousand different ways. I plan on doing a 10×10 challenge in the month of April so stay tuned for that.

Following up with trying to think more about how I’m consuming, I bought these adorable white jeans from Everlane. In this post, I talk about how much work goes into one pair of jeans and how we need to rethink the way we buy our denim. You’d be surprised by how much denim effects our environment.

What was your favorite post or outfit? Let me know in the comments down below.

P.S. Happy Spring!

As always,

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A Day in My Shoes: Thursday Uptown Boot Review

Published on March 13, 2018March 13, 2018 by PeculiarPorter4 Comments

If you’re not already aware, I’m an Instagram fanatic. I love the pictures, the advertisements, and mostly the Instastories. I can spend hours watching my favorite bloggers do mini haul videos, talk about their day, and videos of them traveling. (My favorite blogger’s Instastories are Emma from Emma’s Edition, Mallory from Mallory on the Moon, and Juliette from Juliettiful).

A few months ago when I was scrolling on my feed, I found an advertisement for Thursday Boot Co. and their amazing Instagram. These sleek shoes have a buttery leather texture, a smooth finish, and they have the cutest styles. I couldn’t love a boot more. I decided to flip through their website and I was quickly distraught because I love every single shoe. How could I pick just one? I ended up deciding to get the Uptown boot in black because my suede booties from J.Crew couldn’t handle this rainy-snowy, New England weather.

Order a size up in the Uptown Boot.

When they finally arrived, I was super excited and literally couldn’t wait to slide my foot inside the adorable boot. Sadly, the pair I ordered was just a smidge too small so I had to send them back. The process was incredibly easy. I simply printed out a packing slip and sent it back to the warehouse. They then sent me my new pair of boots (in a size up) a week later.

After looking at the reviews, I probably should have known to order a size up. I’m almost always a 7.5 shoe in everything and I never listen to reviews because my foot always ends up fitting. This was definitely the one exception so make sure you order a size up!

Thursday Boot Co cares about the people who are making the boots.

Thursday boots are made in New York City, Arkansas, and Lyon. Thursday Boots believe in fair labor and environmental conservation. Once a quarter, each manufacturing factory is visited in person to ensure that there is appropriate labor, operational maintenance, and that the waste management protocol is being followed. Since the leather industry is constantly bombarded with unfair labor and environmental practices, it is so refreshing to find a company that cares about the repercussions of working with leather.

What is the quality of the leather and boot?

I am pigeon toed which means I pretty much ruin all of the shoes I own. What it really means is that my big toes face one another and constantly rub against each other. This often makes the side of my shoes wear out. Instead of constantly trying to get around the fact that my feet are destructive little animals, I decided to opt for a shoe that I knew would withstand such torture. Thankfully, these durable leather boots are perfect for the job. The buttery leather is made of such a durable leather that has been able to withstand my awkward toes.

Not only are they durable enough to withstand my devilish toes, but Thursday owns up the process of making leather. Leather can be a very taxing material because it requires tons of chemicals and waters that often affect the areas surrounding. Thursday only works with tanneries that can provide traceable material records and receive high marks from the Leather Working Group for environmental practices and chemical management. By creating this promise they’re changing the standard for other companies.

Also, the boots are handmade! Each pair of boots goes through over 80 different steps before you get a pair. Talk about hard work and commitment to make the best shoe.

Would I buy another pair?

Oh, heck yes. I’ve already been eyeing the Duchess Chelsea Boot in black. This boot would be perfect for Sunday errands, touring big cities, and going pumpkin picking in the fall. I would also totally get this boot in the brown because I’ve actually never owned a brown boot! I could see myself rocking it in the spring with all my lighter colors.

Why the Uptown boot?

They literally go with everything! I could dress them up with a bold dress or style them down with jeans. I can wear these boots to anything! I personally love throwing on little socks and scrunching them down to create a really relaxed look. Here are just four ways I decided to style them:

With socks at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut

With a girly blazer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas

With a flirty dress at Terrain Garden Café in Weston, Connecticut

Lastly, with a bold dress that will be on the blog very soon…

So how would you style these adorable little booties? Have you ever heard of Thursday Boot co? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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(This was not sponsored by Thursday Boot Co… I’m just in love with their boots)

What Finding a Job After College is Really Like

Published on January 18, 2018January 22, 2018 by PeculiarPorter15 Comments

Right now, I’m currently typing up this blog post waiting for my airplane to Houston, Texas… talk about a girl boss, am I right? I’ll be in Texas for a little under five hours for a printer convention and then flying back as soon as the convention is over. Houston in 24 hours really hit a new definition.

It’s been about eight months since I graduated college. It feels like yesterday I was cramming in all nighters, going out on Thursdays, and trying to figure out what to wear to the next themed party. Man, do I miss college. Since I graduated, I’ve surprisingly done a lot. I ended up getting a job that fits in what I eventually want to do, traveled to two new states (Virginia and now Texas), and wrote more blog content than I ever did during school. Since many seniors are just starting their last semester (shedding a tear for you), I decided to write a blog post about my journey to landing a job.

Shirt ($15 and comes in four colors) |Jeans |Similar Shoes | Similar Bag | Similar Vest

Apply, apply, and apply again.

After college, it was pretty hard getting into the groove of things. There is this immense pressure of finding a job right after you graduate. I applied to almost a hundred different jobs looking for something that would eventually help me land a job in fashion. I applied on LinkedIn, Job Recruiter, and Zip Recruiter. Whatever job site I could get my hands on, I applied to. It took me two months and almost a hundred different cover letters for me to get the job I have now. I highly recommend using LinkedIn and Zip Recruiter.

Sure, they may be interviewing you but make sure the company is a right fit for you.

I ended up going on three different interviews and they were all very different from one another. One of my interviews was at a marketing firm in Stratford, Connecticut. It took me two hours to get there and the interview only lasted 15 minutes. The second interview was an interview from the pit of hell. The interview process lasted two days and the second day was an eight-hour day filled with no breaks, no lunch, and they made me drive a stranger to a random job site. After the eight-hour day, I knew I really didn’t want the job. The woman offered me the job and I awkwardly turned it down. She was very upset, but I knew if I took that job I wouldn’t be happy. Plus, the interview process was like that then they would probably have treated me worse when I had the job. If I had to do it again, I would have left the job interview earlier once I knew in my gut it wasn’t the job for me.

The third job interview was for the job I have now. I went through a series of phone calls and in person interviews before I was offered the job. The head of the company interviewed me on the phone for an hour and he sold the company to me. He was so friendly and passionate about the company that I knew I wanted to work there. Plus, he laughed at my lame jokes.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice in order to get experience or the job you want.

If you’ve been reading my blog during this adult-transitioning period, you’re probably aware that I commute an hour to and from work each day. Sure, that may seem cruel and unusual punishment to some, but to me it was a sacrifice I needed to make in order to get the experience from this job. Sacrifices you need to make may mean taking an unpaid internship (my brother did this and was offered a full time job from it), working a lower income job in a company you want to work for, or even moving to a far place. If you need to make the same commute sacrifice like I did, make sure you read this post and this post. It’ll save your sanity.

If you don’t know what you want to do, try out different positions.

We’re often directed to go to college to find out what we want to do, but sometimes you really don’t know what you want to do and that’s okay. I changed my major four different times. I wanted to be a teacher and then the other three times I wanted (and still want) to work for a company that knows what it is like to be excited with fabrics. What really helped me realize that I didn’t want to be a teacher was taking a summer job as a camp counselor I realized running fifteen screaming children wasn’t the job for me (shout out to the fearless teachers out there). Sometimes you need to act the part of the job to realize it’s definitely not the job for you.

If you’re lost in what career you want, write down everything you find important in a career.

Since I had a difficult time figuring out what I wanted to do, I wrote down everything I wanted in a career. I want a job where I can be creative, work with others, make a difference, work with social media, possibly travel, and eventually work with fashion or textiles. Once I wrote down all of the different things I wanted out of my job I then mapped out what kind of skills I needed in order to achieve all of those things. Do I need more experience with social media? Do I know enough influencers do work in public relations? The more I thought about it the more questions I had. This is a great way to start mapping our your career if you don’t know where to go after you graduate.

It’s okay to set big dreams as long as you know how you’re going to work your way towards that goal.

I’m a dreamer. I don’t stop short of thinking of all the possibilities life has to offer and neither should you. You want to write for a magazine or online publications? You can do it. You want to start a company and become your own boss? You can do it. You want to become a travel agent and travel the world? You can do it. As long as you’re willing to put in the time, sacrifices, and commitment to landing your dream job you can do it. That may mean getting experience at other jobs and working your way up to that goal. It may mean working longer nights than you thought were possible. It may even mean giving up an opportunity to go somewhere with friends in order to focus on that goal. If you’re willing to make these sacrifices and work towards that goal you can achieve anything.

From one college grad to another, you got this.

If you already have graduated college what was it like finding a job? Do you have any tips for recent grads or someone still finding a job they love? If you’re still in college or starting college, what is your dream job?

As always,

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How to Get Out of Your Fashion Rut

Published on September 19, 2017October 12, 2017 by PeculiarPorter18 Comments

Hello my lovely readers! I never can quite tell if The start of fall begins the day after Labor Day or the actual scientific date (September 22). Regardless, fall is upon us. As I say often, fall is my favorite season because it means I can stack on more layers and try new outfits. A win-win in my book.

I do admit, this outfit is pretty daring for me. After falling in love with the adorable studded detail, I decided to purchase this rebellious jacket from Marshall’s. I’m not someone who typically wears edgy jackets, but I couldn’t pass up a fun jacket like this one. Plus, it’s similar to my favorite black suede jacket.

Sometimes I fall into this rut where I seem to always be levitating to the same outfits. Usually it is a classic white tee, a colored pant, and a fun necklace. It’s my go to outfit but sometimes it gets a little boring. That is why I came up with a few ideas to shake me out of my fashion coma.

Tip one: Try taking a risk once or twice a month.

This is a tip that is pretty hard to follow myself. Taking a risk can be terrifying especially when it comes to expressing yourself. In order to keep things fresh, I aim to switch up my style once or twice a month. This may include trying something funky with my hair, wearing a bold lip, or trying an article of clothing that I normally wouldn’t reach for. It can be so easy to get into the same routine so this helps me add some pizzaz into my daily life.

I admit, sometimes trying new things fails drastically. But even when it does fail, it’s a great learning opportunity. I’ve tried new hairstyles where I can tell people are raising eyebrows at at me all day. I’ve tried outfits that I know are a little crazy, but I have fun dressing up for the day. Taking life too serious is something we all do too much of. Sometimes it’s fun to look a little crazy.

Tip two: Add a new texture or silhouette to your wardrobe.

We live in a life filled with an exaggerated list of textiles and silhouettes. Try spicing things up with unexpected texture combinations or silhouettes you would normally steer clear of. These little changes can do a drastic 360° to your current wardrobe. Plus, you get to be out of your shell for once.

Tip three: Worry less what people think and care more what you think.

Hate that new trend? Great! Don’t buy it. Sometimes I feel as if people just buy fashion pieces because they’re in style. Don’t let that change your mind. If you hate mules don’t buy them because they’re in style. Don’t let the masses change your mind. I’m guilty of trying to love rompers, but ultimately hating them… I mean it’s impossible to go the bathroom in those things! So I’ve try to steer clear of them because I know I’ll never be a fan. So if you’re not loving a trend then don’t feel like you have to try and love it.

Tip four: Don’t under estimate the power of a fun pattern or a witty graphic tee.

Funny graphic tees are my weakness. They’re so great to tie over a bold pattern dress or colored pants. These two things are my kryptonite. With that said, if you really want to update your look invest or slowly develop a wardrobe with these two things in it. They can add so much to any look without lifting a finger and you can mix and match the items to create wingless outfit options. Now, to others this same tip might be having a classic button down or solid blazer. Each person has their “item” that they know makes their style what it is. Graphic tees and fun patterns are mine. What is yours?

Regardless of how you update your style, make sure it reflects who you are. What are your tips and tricks to getting out of a fashion rut? Are you excited for fall as much as me? Let me know in the comments down below!

As always,

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