I’ve been on quite the tear recently. It’s the time of year when I start to get excited about clothes again after basically wearing some variation of a black dress and sandals for months on end. Summer’s far from over, but in August I can at least start thinking about the end of summer.

I know it’s not August yet,, but it’s close enough, especially since THIS August will bring my 50th birthday. Time to spoil myself.

I ordered a bunch of things from Gudrun Sjoden. Some have already been tried and returned (the swingy tank, which was gorgeous and fit perfectly, but so thin that the fabric already had tears in it when it arrived, and the lacy sweater, which seemed like something my mother-in-law would wear). The embroidered blouse (which does not include an orange ribbon as pictured) is already in my closet. Everything else is still on the way.

The Peruvian Connection sweater vest was another try and return. The color just wasn’t quite right with my wardrobe and it didn’t work with anything besides my jeans.

And the pièce de resistance: the One Hundred Stars velvet duster arrives this weekend. I saw it on Pinterest and fell in love. Fingers crossed it fits. The sizing is iffy for me.

I still have a couple of things on my wishlist, so I may not be done yet.