When: March 2024 // Weather: not spring yet // Real life: office I put these photos on Instagram per usual, then thought to myself: Damn. I LOVE this outfit. Like I really love it. This should go on the blog. That way, when all the social media platforms are outlawed or implode, I can still look back on this random day in March 2024 when I felt cool. I bought these Anine Bing leather (real leather) pants secondhand on The RealReal. They weren’t exactly cheap, but according to my girl math calculations, they were an amazing deal compared to brand new. Turns out they were such a good deal beca ..read more

When: August 13, 2023 // Weather: hot // Real life: birthday excursion to the art museum and fancy dinner If I’m only going to post on this blog 2 or 3 times a year, might as well make it count right? LOOK AT THIS FABULOUS SET. I WORE IT ON MY BIRTHDAY. I’ve also worn the pieces separately multiple times, but the set is a statement to be made by a Bday Queen. Just for fun, I searched the Sarah’s Real Life archives and found my birthday ‘fit from the year I started this blog (2012). BEHOLD little long-haired, 27-year-old Sarah rocking her Anthro mini skirt and beaded wedges. Would I wear th ..read more

When: May 20, 2022 // Weather: hot // Real life: dinner date & a musical These shoes are basically Tevas with fake pearls stuck on. They cost too much and they’re ridiculous and I don’t care. Over the past couple years I’ve done a better job at not buying too many random “statement” pieces that I may not want to wear in a year. You know, be less wasteful, buy for the long term, save the earth, etc. But on the other hand, life is short and these silly sandals make me happy. And you never know…maybe I’ll still be wearing these when I’m 80. Christy Dawn dress (sustainable brand) // Ariz ..read more

When: Sept. 4, 2021 // Weather: warm and rainy // Real life: attending the BUTTER art show Full disclosure: I did not eat at the Garage Food Hall, but I was walking by while accidentally dressed like a fancy mechanic, and it was too great an opportunity to pass up. I don’t have any plans for Halloween, but looking at these photos, I realize all I need is a red bandana and I’m ready to be Rosie the Riveter! Honestly I may do that, if only to channel that Rosie energy into my life (couldn’t hurt). Able Jumpsuit (sustainable brand) // Sezane Belt (sustainable brand) // secondhand Michael Kor ..read more

When: July 20, 2021 // Weather: 70s // Real life: vacationing in Maine I highly recommend starting a blog if only so you have an excuse to relive your vacations and pretend temporarily that you’re still on them. I also highly recommend visiting the beaches of southern Maine! This was our first time there but hopefully not the last. People will warn you that the water is cold and the traffic is bad – both of these things are true but they shouldn’t deter you from going. I’ll also warn you that if you go during the summer it’s not the most budget-friendly locale, but if you can swing it, yo ..read more

When: July 19, 2021 // Weather: 70 and cloudy // Real life: vacationing in Ogunquit, ME I TOOK A VACATION! I went somewhere new, sat by the ocean, ate, drank, and only opened my laptop once in a whole week. It was glorious. If you follow me on Instagram (which you should because my captions are snappy and I never do those annoying reels), you already know all about our trip to Maine to celebrate our 10th anniversary. This was my get-up on our first full day exploring Ogunquit and soaking up the gorgeous views (not this parking lot…I mean pahking lot) despite the clouds. I highly recommend ..read more

When: Sept. 23, 2022 // Weather: 60s // Real life: date night (Mexican food + musical) Behold, miracle of all Indiana miracles: The last day of summer was in the 90s, the first day of fall was in the 60s, and it’s been cool and sunny pretty much every day since. Fall is my favorite season (other than Awards Season) and it usually lasts about 3 days, sandwiched between a humid hellhole and a frozen tundra. Don’t worry, the planet is still warming and we’re all doomed, but right now it’s a good time to be alive, especially if you’re a fan of light layers. You know what I loved about wearing ..read more

When: May 20, 2022 // Weather: hot // Real life: dinner date & a musical These shoes are basically Tevas with fake pearls stuck on. They cost too much and they’re ridiculous and I don’t care. Over the past couple years I’ve done a better job at not buying too many random “statement” pieces that I may not want to wear in a year. You know, be less wasteful, buy for the long term, save the earth, etc. But on the other hand, life is short and these silly sandals make me happy. And you never know…maybe I’ll still be wearing these when I’m 80. Christy Dawn dress (sustainable brand) // Ariz ..read more

When: Sunday, April 10, 2022 // Weather: 60s // Real life: Sunday Funday at the art museum + cocktails and dinner Many moons ago when I was a brand new college grad entering the work force, I used to buy lots of tweed and other “mature” looking clothes because I desperately wanted to look older and not like the wee baby 22-year-old idiot I was. Youth is wasted on the young, as they say. 22-year-old me would have worn a jacket like this one (but an H&M version because I made $8/hour) with a pencil skirt and heels because that’s what serious, grown-up, working women wear. Right? I was b ..read more

When: Saturday, March 5, 2022 // Weather: SPRINGY! // Real life: Trader Joe’s and other Saturday things OH HEY. Unintentional 3-month blog hiatus is officially over. I can’t believe I used to take outdoor photos nearly every day, even in frigid weather, for years. Ah, to be young again. Maybe it’s lack of interest, maybe it’s old(er) age, maybe it’s having a job that is much better suited to my skills than blogging and pays me enough that I don’t feel the need to blog for “shopping money” but… I feel zero guilt for not doing the blog thing all winter! Then again, it was also kinda fun t ..read more