Book of the Month- November

Happy November! I love starting my month off with a box of books, this month had so many amazing books to choose from that I had to pick three.

If you aren't familiar Book of the Month is a monthly subscription box that sends you a book of your choice each month.  I learned about it through a facebook ad, because I am s sucker. They have a variety of judges who pick a new book that they love.  Each month also has a guest judge; Anthony Bourdain was this month's guest judge. I love his show Parts Unknown so I had to get his recommendation.  The best part of this service is the price! When you buy a new hardcover book and Barnes and Noble you can expect to pay $30 or more per book. With BOTM you pay $14.99 a month and you can add two more books for $10 each. So I have three books for the price that I would pay for one book at a big retailer.

It is great to get recommendations for new books that I might not have tried out before. It is like an introvert's book club. Where I have a limited selection of 5 people's favorite new book and they pitch their choice to you. I was really sold on the books this round. I know with all of the holidays upcoming I will need some reinforcements to get me through all of the holiday stress.

Here is what I got:
Nicotine- Nell Smith. "Reading a good book offers the rush of a good smoke at half the price of a carton of cigarettes, and with none of the associated health risks"

The Trespasser- Tana French. "An intricately-plotted thriller and a love letter to strong-willed women."

A Gambler's Anatomy- Jonathan Lethem. "I’ve worked with geniuses, scoundrels and scumbags, and have said it before, but it bears repeating: I’ve seen some shit. "

Book of the Moth is also really great about sending freebies, which I love! This month they sent me an awesome magnet. It is going on my fridge right now!

So if you are jealous of my box and want one of your own Click this Link 

Tradlands Discount Code!

Hello to all of you!

I am so excited to announce that I am partnering with Tradlands to bring you an awesome discount! Sweet Petite readers can get $25 off their purchase of $100 or more ( not hard to do on Tradlands). Simply use code sweetpetite at this Link. 

I am a little obsessed with these button up shirts, I own four shirts and wear them almost constantly. They live at the front of my closet waiting for me each and every day.

Let me tell you about the only 3 shirts you will ever need:

The Waverly- A charcoal grey chambray is my go to when I transition; Fall to Winter, Night to Day, and Work to Play.

"You work hard, plain and simple. And with great work comes great rewards. Introducing the Waverly, our softest oxford shirt for women in our line. Designed for women who depend on the highest quality shirts, the Waverly is your go to button-up. Soft black oxford cloth comfortable enough for a days work that transitions easily into the dinner party you are hosting with friends."

 This Fall I have been living in the Arapahoe! As soon as this soft, thick flannel arrived on my doorstep it has barely had time to hit the hanger I wear it so often. i love that it is warm enough to wear for outdoor brunch on a weekend and breathable enough to wear for a casual hike.

"This heavyweight brushed flannel keeps you exceptionally warm as you enjoy the sun, snow, and mountains. After your last run cozy up to the fire at the ski lodge and enjoy a hot chocolate or Fat Tire to end a perfect day."

The Elms:

This is the quintessential white oxford. Unlike many of it competitors the thick sturdy material allows me to wear any colored bra underneath. Black, pink, blue no problem. It is tailored like they took my measurements and made it just for me. It is long in the back and fitted, but not clingy. I what button up has endless style options. I like it with black pants and a sweater for the office and light jeans and clogs on the weekend. Impossible to go wrong in this shirt!

So which Tradlands shirt will you start your collection with? Tell me in the comments and don't forget to use my code sweetpetite for $25 off!

Tradlands Arapahoe Flannel

I have been waiting for this flannel with so much excitement

Being from the Pacific Northwest, and being of the Sapphic inclination, I have clearly been destined to own a lot of flannel and a lot of plaid in my life. I own probably a dozen flannel shirts. Most of which I have lovingly collected from vintage stores, Goodwill, and garage sales. Not a single one really fits me, most are men's shirts that either dwarf my 5'2" frame or are too small in the hips or boobs to button correctly. That is why the Tradlands Arapahoe Flannel is an absolute dream! To find a shirt that is so well fitted and so comfortable and warm is simply amazing.


Just like all of their other button down shirts these are handmade in the USA. They pay their workers a fair wage and use quality materials that will last. Each of their shirts is an investment. I know that $167 might seem like a splurge, but keeping in mind the length of time you can wear a timeless classic like this,  years and years and years, Style it any number of ways, and be confident that this shirt is going to be around to see you through all those times. Mens wear is "trendy" right now, but a classic shirt that fits you well will never go out of style. Wear it all Fall with Jeans and all Winter under a sweater. It  carries into Spring worn open over a sleeveless tee, and with shorts for those cool beach nights in the summer. I travel a lot, both for my job and for pleasure, having clothing that packs well and is easy to style, in the office and out and about is so important. As I work towards a more minimal closet having timeless pieces that match a lot of things will keep me from chasing trends. Timeless is always in style.

My favorite way to wear this shirt is over a pair of girlfriend jeans. Double cuff ( or if you are short like me triple cuff) and then pair this look with some open lace brogues. I like the look best without socks, so I wear some of those little footies. 

I also have tucked this shirt into a pencil skirt and worn it with some chelsea boots, for a more professional look! and with skinny black jeans and my Birkenstock clogs for when I just can't be bothered.

Believe me, this is the Flannel that you need in your life!
To get $25 off your first order, use this link: http://fbuy.me/exfny Thanks for reading!

Ivory Clasp Review October

It arrived! Getting things by mail might be 50% of why I love subscription boxes. If you don't already know, Ivory Clasp is a monthly or bi monthly subscription box. They are fairly new on the scene but you have probably seen their facebook or instagram ads. in a nutshell, it is $45/month and they send you a new handbag, valued at at least $100, most valued at $120. The handbag is to keep. This is the 3rd bag of I have received from them. Ivory Clasp is not going to send you a coach bag for $45, what they are going to do is introduce you to a variety of brands and styles that are all in season and on trend.  Last month I got a red splendid tote and I have been carrying that beautiful bag ever since! It is gorgeous. It is not a bag I would have looked for or known about without this service, and I get to introduce myself to this brand at less than half of the price. Sweet Petite readers can get 20% off their order with code: WELUVAUDREY

Somethings to keep in mind: 

• These are new bags, no knock-offs and you get to keep them.
• They are in season, or for the upcoming season
• You do not get to choose which bag you receive each month, it is based on a style profile quiz that you take when you sign up. This also means if you and a friend both sign up you won't necessarily get the same bag. 
• You can choose monthly or bi monthly and your card is charged accordingly.

So why are these pricier bag going to you for cheap? Well often it has to do with minimum order quantity for a company. Stores like Nordstrom and Macy's will order a small quantity for each store. this keeps a bag exclusive. The total order to the manufacturer might need to be increased in order to get the best price. The extra, "overstocked" bags can be sent to a retailer like Ivory Clasp. This puts their product into new hands. As well as introduces a company to the right kind of customer, you. You are their target. Ivory Clasp doesn't and can't tell you who they are in partnership with because they are required to keep it a secret. These brands want to be seen as high end, and luxury. They don't want to be associated with a discount brand. This is supposed to be a gateway bag. One leads to more.

Ivory Clasp is a new company and it was founded by dudes, which is probably why some of the finer details are only now coming into play. The presentation of this box as compared to earlier boxes has some nicer touches. The tissue paper and the ivory clasp sticker. I am a sucker for the details and glad that they added them in. Ok, Here is the bag I received:

It can be found easily by Googling the company, it is the first result. The name and price on the website match the tag, $118 retail. For anyone concerned, bag and company are legit! Sorry about the Facebook bubble I was chatting with my Mom about this as well. :)

   

 Everything about the bag is as advertised. Coloring, shape, zippers, everything is in great working order and packaged to keep it safe during shipping.

I know what you are thinking, snakeskin? Is that still a thing? Actually, yes. It is coming back around, Louboutin has a $3,000 snake skin bag in its Fall Line and Coach and Michael Kors are also sporting snakeskin this season. Ivory Clasp is not sending you a trend after it has happened they are sending it to you as it is happening.  The bag is vegan leather, but unlike the Austin and York bag, that smelled like plastic, and created a lot of complaints, this one feels nice and is odor free. It is roomy and a great shape and size for office wear. Also there is something just great about saying the bag is python, without actually harming any animals.

I have a pretty minimalist, the look you see in these photos is basically my M.O. for a work week. Button down shirt and black pants, pair it with some basic heels, or ankle boots and run out the door. I like a bag with a pop or a zing. I don't shop a ton, so having something that isn't basic, that i know my friends don't have is a great thing for me. I really do love this service and look forward to having a bag at my door each month.

I am doing my Taylor Swift hand in the above photo, did you notice?

Here is how I styled the bag today! Having something new and fun makes me want to try harder! I thought the gun metal ankle boots and the silk trimmed blazer were great compliments to the bag!

The last thing I really want to stress is the customer service. I feel like I should buy Rachel Tish in customer service a drink for all the help she has given me. If you need something tell them, they want you to love this service. The over the shoulder strap on my bag from last month broke, and they tucked a new one with my order this time. Their notes are sweet and personal and i really appreciate the care that goes into each order.

So are you ready to sign up? Use code WELUVAUDREY to get 20% off your order and check out Ivory Clasp at http://www.ivoryclasp.com/

Book of the Month October

God I love Book of the Month! It comes every month to my door and is a little bundle of joy just waiting for me. Like every month you hop onto their website on the 1st of the month and they have a selection of brand new, up and coming novels. You choose your monthly selection and it ships for free. Monthly cost is $14.99, half the price of a new hardcover book at Barnes and Noble. Additionally you can add up to two extra books for $10 each. I love to read and I love a bargain, so this service is right up my alley!

They send cute little extras all the time! So far I have sunglasses, a tote bag, a wine coozie, and this month a tiny box of after book mints! Each book comes with a little note card that has some details about why the judge loved the book they chose. I seem to on the same wavelength as Liberty Hardy. This month I chose Good as Gone by Amy Gentry. From the description it is a mystery within a mystery. It is about a family with a daughter who goes missing and years later a woman who says she is the daughter appears on their doorstep. We begin to wonder if she really is who she says she it. I am only just a little ways in, but so far I am loving it! [Update] I just finished this book, and let me tell you, add this to your reading list. It is dark at times and emotional, but such a good read that kept me guessing is she or isn't she until the very end. Trigger Warning for sexual assault.

This month's quote is by John Green, "Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood." As always I wholly recommend that if you are reader you sign up! For 30% off your first order and a free tote of your own use this link: https://www.mybotm.com/6vyuc5b9tzm8ia4i

Warby Parker Glasses Review

After my Warby Parker at home try on I found a perfect pair! I am still so excited about the price of these glasses. $95! I want to call Ossip the boutique I went and laugh.  Here is the pair I decided on.

These are the Laurel Peacock. I have been wearing them for about two weeks and they are great. I have gotten tons of compliments, and I think they are really on trend. The only thing about them is that the lens are plastic, not glass, and so they get dirty more easily than my previous lens. That being said I don't mind having to wipe them clean and the plastic is more scratch resistant. I could have upgraded the lens to a better quality lens, but I wear contacts too. If I wore my glasses 24/7 then I would have gone with the better lens.

They came in the mail in perfect little box. Inside with a cute card that said "thanks so much" was a dark grey cardboard box. I will absolutely save that box and repurpose it. The glasses cam in a white hard shell case with turquoise lining. I love that they included a soft cloth bag, it will be great for travel to ensure they don't get bumped or scratched. I want to see how these hold up but as of right now I am a big Warby Parker fan.

A Day in Chicago

Sometimes work just gets you down and you need to take a vacation, of course that is not always possible and I used most of my vacation days going to Paris for 2 weeks this summer. So when the Fall weather is too nice to stand and work is feeling endless, I take a sick day, a day for mental health. I try very hard not to be sick so I can take a day here and there for myself. I think it also makes me less likely to be sick for real.  I live only 2 hours from the Windy City, so I hoped in my trusty Subaru and hit the road!

The drive to Chicago from Indiana is actually very pretty. Once you get out of the miles of construction the road is pretty empty and and there are tons of windmills. I think they look like an alien garden or some other worldly landing zone. I love Chicago and if you are just going for the day there are tons of things to see and do. I was going by myself so I planned my day around a trip to the Art Institute. It is a gorgeous museum and whatever you are interested in there is something for you. I like to dress the part for a day in the city and for some reason this means wearing bright lipstick. I have no idea why but to me it feels very fashion forward and is not a look I wear to work.  What do you think?

I am also wearing dark girlfriend jeans and my Tradlands chambray. This is literally my favorite shirt to do anything in. It is so comfortable and was easy to wear and perfect for the weather that is chilly in the morning and warms up during the evening.  

Once you arrive at Art Institute I recommend using Panda Park to reserve a spot in a garage. It is usually about $30 to park in downtown Chicago, especially as close to the magnificent mile as I was, but I found a spot for $14 for all day parking using Panda Park. I was only a block for the Art Institute and I felt safe leaving my car in the garage. I still have my college student ID so I used that to pay the student price. I would love to live in a city like Chicago one day and have a membership to a big art museum like this one.  There is a lot to see here so I suggest making a plan.

I always grab a guide so that I can see the floor plan and map of exhibits, on the back are the featured pieces. I definitely did not have the stamina to do the whole museum today so I wanted to pick and choose the areas that I was most excited to see. I wanted to check out the impressionists, modern wing and the contemporary collection. If you have time, always swing by the special exhibits, some amazing collections go through this museum. 

Heading in it is easy to be led astray one time I went to the restroom and ended up spending an hour and half walking around the miniatures. So always feel free to throw out your plan or let it guide you. 

When you first walk in you might be reminded of Ferris Buller's day off. This is the museum where they filmed him and Sloane and Cameron in front of famous paintings. 

There are many famous pieces that you will recognize there. The one above is Van Gogh's self portrait and the one below I am sure you will recognize as well. Yup just casually standing in front of a Van Gogh. 

 There is also an amazing Andy Warhol display that is different from the last time I was there. I love his work and how much fun he makes of society and capitalism. Pop art is also just fun to look at. There are so many colors and shapes and the composition of the work just makes me smile. Every area of the Art Institute is just so seamlessly curated and gorgeous. I feel like each room is set up in just the perfect way to ensure that nothing is missed!

Heading on over to the Modern Wing. I saw my favorite of the day. This woman walking her dog all made out of shells. How strange right? How Odd? But also fun and interesting. I always spend time in the modern wing because it is the only place to find work by women. The fine art world was always dominated by men and their point of view. It is really only in Modern art that we really get to see the female view point. Only here that we get to see her side of the story.

I thought I would just casually throw in some Picasso because why not!

 After walking around and staring at all the amazing art, you will be tired and hungry. You may have only been in one part of the museum and even that can work up an appetite. I reccomend staying in the Art Institute and going to their great lunch spot. The cafe can be accessed from the first floor, go through the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine wing towards the Chagall windows. If you aren't too distracted by the beautiful blues of that window take the stairs down to the lower level and you will find their gourmet cafeteria style cafe.

I always go for the soup and sandwich combo. Here I am enjoying a roasted turkey sandwich with tarragon, cranberries and havarti.  The soup that day was sweet potato puree with plantain chips and pork belly. I always get some of those cinnamon donuts too, they are so good! I recommend trying to get a seat outside if the weather is nice. The fountain makes a great back drop to lunch.

After lunch I go over to the special exhibit. I like to save it for last, after I am refreshed from lunch.

It was by an artist that I wasn't familiar with and detailed his life work from print making to painting to sculpture and film. I liked a quote of his they posted, "Every citizen is a student and every student should make art." It is hard not feel inspired to make something of your own after a day here. 

 

I know it is so touristy but I always love going to the bean! If you leave through the modern wing and take a right it will put you just steps away from Millennium park and a quick walk to the bean. It is fine, go, always go to the bean. Bonus if you are there on a weekday there will be only a handful of people and it is easy to get a selfie that isn't totally crowded.

Lastly a trip to the Art Institute is never complete without ending the day with afternoon tea. They have tea service from 2:30-4:30 and it is just to die for. I wanted to do a full tea service but I was still full from lunch, so I grabbed a table for one and ordered tea and some savories. Never be afraid to go out to eat alone. It is freeing and fun and there isn't a single person judging you.

They have about 30 teas to choose from and it was a hard decision. I ended up going with Russian Caravan, a black tea with sweet and spicy aromas and a strong bold flavor. Don't be fooled by the tiny teapot either, they bring you more hot water for endless refills as much tea as you can drink! I love the purple flowers on the tea pot and the little plate of sugars and lemons. 

My picture of the plate of savories isn't very good I'm afraid but I was in too big of a hurry to take another one. I loved the smoked salmon one the most, but they were all very good. I even liked the egg salad one which surprised me.

Bonus there is a Trader Joes not 5 minutes from the Tea Room so I went and stocked up. You just have to love Trader Joes! I got everything I needed for my tea party this weekend and enough wine and cheese to survive the week!