Recent Outfits

I've been MIA lately due to being under the weather, but with the help of antibiotics, I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. I normally don't blog this late in the afternoon, especially on a Friday but I got the itch. When I first started blogging, I'd do it as many or as little as I pleased, and sometimes I miss that freedom rather than it being so scheduled. I know a regular routine makes sense for readership, but for now, I'm breaking the rules.

These are all outfits that I've worn in the past couple of weeks and have posted to my Instagram account. I've linked to items that are still available, and they are all great basics that I mix and match. You've seen them before, many many times in most cases so I hope this is helpful. I'm enjoying posting these!

Wearing //

Loft Cardigan

Express Cami

Topshop Flats

Michael Kors Bag

Wearing //

Express jeans

Essie Nails

Wearing //

Express Cami

Wearing //

Nordstrom Jacket, similar here

The last outfit is probably my favorite! I don't own many scarves. In fact, I can count on one hand how many I have now but this infinity scarf from the Missoni for Target collaboration is the one I always reach for.

I hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend! I'm extremely excited about mine. See you next week!

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The Party

Wearing //

Kenzie blazer, similar here

Zara cami, similar

Loft skirt, similar

Zara pumps, similar

Express bracelet, similar

Banana clutch, still want this

Francesca's necklace, love this

Beauty //

Lips NYX soft matte lip cream in Prague

This unfortunately will always live in my memory as the Christmas party that never happened. Well, it happened alright. It happened without me, and I'm happy to report that I got to see it live in action via my best friend's snapchat Saturday night. So I was there in spirit! All the while, sitting on my couch with my dog and husband, nursing a sore throat that has now morphed into a full fledged cold, possibly sinus infection. This season has been rough on my body. But anyway, back to the party. My best friend loves to entertain, and her attention to detail makes her a wonderful hostess. I was looking forward to a fun celebration. I even got my hair done that afternoon, but as soon as I got home from taking these photos, I plopped onto my bed and just couldn't muster up the energy to make it back out. What a downer. I've had great (non-static) curls ever since, and they have been wasted on lying around in sweats, a box of kleenex at my side. We always seem to come down with something at the worst times, don't we? Although I guess there's never a good time to get sick. I'm hoping that I can redeem myself this weekend, when I actually do go to another party. I can't waste another opportunity to get dolled up.

How was your weekend? Are you guys staying healthy this season?

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The Blues

~ I forgot my sunglasses ~

Wearing //

Loft softened chambray shirt, similar here and here on sale

Express jean leggings

Zara kitten heels, similar

Michael Kors bag

Stella & Dot necklace and bracelet

(Don't forget to use Noelle Engel as your hostess ;)

Beauty //

Make up for ever HD Ultra foundation

MAC twig lipstick

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. I used to love Christmas because it was really the only chance I had to see my extended family. My mother would go all out, working like a mad woman to ensure the perfect decorations, lights, and presents. But after my parents got divorced when I was eighteen, family stopped coming around. We isolated ourselves from people, and I spent most holidays going to friends' houses who were gracious enough to let me join and be a part of their families. Now that I have my in-laws, it's wonderful to be included in their traditions. I'm extremely grateful, but there's still this little ache in my heart because I haven't spent a single Christmas with my own family since I was a teenager. With the work that I do with foster children, I see how this otherwise happy time affects them as well. They long to feel normal. They don't care about gifts like a lot of well-adjusted kids do. All they want is to be reunited with their parents, and unfortunately, that's not a possibility for obvious, heartbreaking reasons.

I don't mean to write such a sad post, especially when it's attached to an outfit I wore but I know I'm not alone in this. Plenty of people experience the holiday blues, more than we probably imagine. In the hustle and bustle of putting together fun looks to wear to parties, gift guides filled with pretty things to buy, and traditions to carry out, I just hope we can be aware that not everyone thinks this is the most wonderful time of the year. For some, it really isn't. I hope for most of you reading this though, you are having a great end to 2015. I am trying my best :)

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