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Buying a House: What I Wore

Life has slammed into high gear all of a sudden and everything seems to be happening at once. We’ve been steadily looking at houses to buy and last week we finally pulled the trigger. Renting a house for a year is long enough for us and we needed to put down some roots.

jennifer connolly of a well styled life wearing leopard cardigan

It’s not the be-all and end-all of homes for us but it’s pretty, has a private yard and most importantly, is close to our grandson. We signed all the documents on Thursday then went out to celebrate at a fabulous little Italian restaurant. Here’s what I wore.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing leopard print cardigan, black pants, tortoise print earrings and alligator textured Brahminn handbag
leopard cardigan | black pants | tortoise earrings | handbag | sandals | sunglasses

My outfit is a combination of textures and pattern in neutrals which always feel right for me. The pieces fit high/low price points and can be customized for most budgets. Yes, my pants are longer than I like. I changed my shoes at the last minute because my feet were killing me. #bunions

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing leopard cardigan with dark sunglasses
leopard cardigan | black pants | tortoise earrings | handbag | sunglasses

I adore leopard and wear it as a neutral in my wardrobe. Its color and pattern look similar to tortoise …which I’ve had my eye on for several months. I’m not talking about the stuff made from real tortoise shells, but the acetate and resin look-alikes. I wanted to see if I could work tortoise into my wardrobe so I made the huge investment of $12.99 for these hoops from Target. It turns out they coordinate with lots of things in my closet. I’m wearing them more than I anticipated so have my eye out for other pieces.

leopard cardigan from Nordstrom
leopard cardigan | earrings | sunglasses

I love the way tortoise coordinates with my leopard cardigan, without matching. I skipped a necklace because it would be overkill so close to the prints. My bracelet has a funny story. It’s a long faux pearl necklace I bought for a flapper costume over 30 years ago. I seldom get rid of accessories because they don’t take up much space and can always be repurposed. I simply wrapped it around my wrist several times then pulled the last loop over my handleopard and black outfit on Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life

This handbag picks up the warmer tones in the leopard print and tortoise. I couldn’t wear this color near my face but it works perfectly in a handbag. I love the texture of the Brahmin bags. The leather is terrific quality and this classic shape will be in style forever.

Classic tortoise is brown with yellow or orange tones…none of which are my best colors. It turns out there are tons of options available in other colors so I’ll keep my eye out for them as well.

We take possession of our new house on Tuesday and leave for our riverboat cruise on Sunday. #frustrating. Rather than stress out, I’m working on things at the same time. What I don’t pack for my cruise is being packed in a box.Jennifer Connolly standing in front of a wing mural

*Update- the sandals I’m wearing are hands down, the most comfortable pair I own. We talked about how to wear sports sandals here and I’m happy to report that brands are getting your message. Eileen Fisher is experimenting with color coordinated soles for their popular sport sandal. I was so excited to see this I ordered them right away.

Do you wear tortoise pattern?

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

 

35 Comments

  1. Hi Jennifer – new subscriber here. Buying a new home is usually very stressful – songlad you are able to have a holiday before settling into your new nest. Such a wonderful opportunity to daydream about putting your personal stamp on the new property and making it your own. Many blessings from New Zealand

    1. Welcome Susi! I’m so glad you’re here. This vacation is actually at the perfect time.

  2. You look so great! This is one of my favorite looks for you.

  3. Congretulation , seems you find a dream home again. And …you look gorgeous in that outfit and I like your
    handbag. b.tw, I always have a second pair of shoes (ballerinas) in my bag in case my feet starting to hurt.

    1. Iā€™m starting to leave a pair in my car. Even shoes I know to be comfy can hurt in odd ways.

  4. Congratulations on the purchase of your new home. Wonderful that you have such a short time to take possession – sad about the cruise being so close but you will have rest of your life to move into the home. I love what you said about the house not being perfect but main point is being near your grandson – our priorities do change don’t they when we have a grandchild – we won’t move for the same reason -not that we live in their pockets but couldnt bear not to be involved in her day to day life. Have a great time on your cruise. PS I do like your outfit and those earrings – you are lucky to find such pieces as in Australia there isn’t that much animal print around but I do have a lovely watch with a tortoiseshell band that is commented on whenever I wear it.

    1. Thanks Joy. Priorities are everything at this point. Thanks for being here.

  5. Congratulations, Jennifer! You look very chic in your leopard cardie and black slacks. I, too, have a long faux pearl necklace that I have wrapped around my wrist and worn as a bracelet. Loving your hair right now!

  6. Congratulations! I hope we get to see new house pics! You look great in your celebratory outfit!

  7. You look great and happy. I am surprised that the sandals with the ankle wrap are comfortable. I have admired the style but have hesitated to try them.

  8. Congratulations Jennifer! Enjoy your new house and especially your grandson.

    Eileen

  9. Congratulations on you new purchase, and being so close to your grandson is an added bonus. Life has a way of keeping us on our toes – no? I hope you do a post on the river cruise, I’m anxious to hear all about it.

    1. Thanks Cyndi. If I have internet I will blog about it. If not, I will share after.

  10. Congratulations on your new house! I love your outfit! I also love wearing leopard print sweaters or jackets. Moving and cruising all in the same week? Wow, I admire your energy! The house can wait… enjoy the cruise! Iā€™ve been wanting to ask you if you have any remedy for black pants when they start showing faded color at the seams after washing and wearing them for a time?

    1. Thanks Alice. I’m just putting one foot in front of the other šŸ™‚ When black loses its color, there’s not much you can do but replace them.

    2. For Alice – You must really love those pants! Is there enough fabric in the pants leg to allow for the inside seam to be taken in a little? If not, use a permanent black marker pen to colour the fade. (Sometimes it is the sewing thread used in the manufacture of the garment which fades and in that event marker pen is a great remedy!) Black grosgrain ribbon – narrow or wide, sewn the length of the outside seams will not only extend the life of your black pants, but add a touch of elegance. If the pants are more casual, a white stripe is very sporty and always on point.

  11. So happy for you that you found the perfect house! Is it in a retirement community or did you find them to not be as great as they sound?

    I LOVE Brahmin purses! Great choice! I may even buy those earrings!

    I am sorry I have been absent but itā€™s the end of the school year here in Texas and I am seamped! Plus we are getting ready for my husbandā€™s back surgery to implant rods along his spine to help him stand up straight, so my life is as crazy as yours is right now!

    1. Oh my, Linda! I’m sending best wishes for your husband’s surgery. Take care of yourself as you care for him. xx

  12. Congratulations on your new home! Iā€™m curious … Did you end up liking and staying in the senior community where you were renting?

  13. Christina Kuehn says:

    Congratulations!?My sincere hope is that you only know health and happiness in your new home.

  14. I love everything you are wearing head to toe! Smart idea for the pearls. I rarely ditch accessories either.
    Congratulations on the new house! So exciting! After the last two years trying to sell and buy in a hot then slow market, I did both within a month and close: 1. End of June 2. End of July. Now I need an apartment for mid-week. Crazy! No house is perfect but we will make it our own. Relax and enjoy the cruise!

    1. You look great, and your smile adds to the outfit. Congrats!
      I like the length of the leopard cardigan. Some of my cardigans are too short and leave a t-shirt gap.

  15. I have a leopard sweater so similar to that. I wear it all the time. Looks great on you. I’m going to look for tortoise shell earrings, very chic! Congratulations on your new home. We are about a year away from moving. Dreading it!

  16. I also liked the resin jewlry that looks like tortoise shell this season, and found some cute hoop earrings at Loft that are very different from anything I usually wear, but have enjoyed the look. You look great in this outfit!

  17. We are about three weeks behind you in closing on our new house. We took almost a year to get our house ready to put on the market. Sold it in one week to a couple that wanted a seven week closing period. The last four weeks have felt like four months. We have been living with a ,minimum of our belongings since February. The rest is in storage. Iā€™m afraid if I had a cruise coming up right after we closed, I would cancel it. Iā€™m so eager to get into our house and get settled after the last year that I wouldnā€™t put off the move for anything, even something as wonderful as a cruise.

    As always, you look beautiful. Leopard and tortoise shell are not patterns that I wear. I wear more solids than anything else, followed by vertical stripes and small florals; oh, and a few dots. That is just what I feel comfortable in.

    Enjoy your cruise and congratulations on the new house.

    Hugs, Phylly

    1. Thanks! Iā€™ve often wished we had purchased trip insurance, but this will be good for us. Itā€™s been on our bucket list for a long time and Iā€™m really hoping to enjoy it.

  18. You look very nice in your outfit! Love the earrings but tortoise just disappears with my dark hair. I wear a lot of silver or gtold for that reason. Congrats on the new house and have fun on our cruise! I want to hear all about the cruise when you return.

    1. Thanks Linda. I hear itā€™s very rainy over there so Iā€™m adjusting my wardrobe

  19. Jennifer, cute idea with the pearls.ill go wear some today!
    I have awful feet problems and am wearing some sketcher flats recently. They are fabric and thought a pointed toe are soo comfortable. They are an alternative to Sneakers!
    Also, your hair is so great recently! Color and cut!

    1. Thank you Shari! My hair always feels like a work in progress šŸ™‚ Sketchers are very comfy. I have 3 pair.

  20. Outfit is elgongating and slimming, love i!
    Congrats on home purchase, must be A relief.

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