The Monthly Edit // Jan. 2020

"Own The Day"

I'm thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed my monthly edit posts, so I will definitely keep bringing them to you at the end of each month! They're probably my favorite to put together, and I've actually learned a lot about myself in the last year by documenting the things I do, places I go, and even the more mundane aspects of my life. Even if you don't blog, I seriously recommend writing a few things down each month that stood out for you -  it's a great way to put things into perspective, reflect on any areas where you need improvement, or to simply take note of things you are currently grateful for.

I keep hearing people say that January has felt like a lifetime and I sort of agree. After the buzz of the holidays wears off, January can feel like one big hangover. But it's also nice to get back to reality and into a more positive mindset. I was fairly productive this month, and I didn't even put any pressure on myself. I'll take that as a win! Now let me see what else January had in store:

I didn't go on any cleanses or special diet, and I didn't do dry January (although I commend those who did). Instead, Nate and I went to one of our absolute favorite places to eat dinner. I met my friend Gina there before the holidays, and I wanted to go back so badly that we stopped in earlier in the month after the beach.

The nut-crusted baked brie is to die for

I got my balayage freshened up. I always like to start a new year with a solid trip to the salon. I'm going back in a couple days to get a healthy trim as well. My hair gets so heavy that I need some longer layers.

I bought a few things from the Anthropologie sale, including my new day planner that I'm loving! It's a great medium size, and I believe it was under $12.00 after the sale. And really, I need to see those three small words - no, not "I love you" but "own the day" - every damn day.

Other Things of Note:

1. I'm turning the awkward loft space we have in our home into a little office. I bought a small desk and am working on getting a couple pieces to complete the room. I usually blog, write, read, and listen to music in our bedroom but I want a space that's more practical for getting things done. It's hard to do that on the bed or floor of our room! It's also just terrible for my posture. I've also been wanting to take more daily outfit and product photos and the loft has the best lighting in the house. I can't wait until it comes together.

2. Nate secured an office/shop space for his business, and I could not be happier for him! To see his dream become a reality has been inspiring to say the least.

3. Unfortunately, Nettie hasn't had such a fun time. She's been dehydrated and sickly for the past few days, but thankfully she's on medication and is starting to resemble her fun-loving self slowly but surely. We still don't know what the trouble was, but the vet said probably something she ate that didn't sit well.

4. My beautiful lash extensions are no more. Well, mostly. I'm letting them grow and fall out and I have a couple stragglers leftover that makes me look a bit crazed but we're going with it. I bought a new tube of mascara for the first time since August and let me tell you...I'm not impressed.

5. We received a generous gift from my in-laws for Christmas, an air fryer. I must admit, I had no clue what an air fryer was, but now I'm singing its praises. I haven't used our regular oven once this year! It's amazing just how useful it is, and I've been pinning different recipes to try. Let me know if you have one too!

How did January treat you? Please share in the comments, and have a happy weekend!

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The Ultimate Moto Jacket For Petites

When it comes to my Winter wardrobe, there's nothing I love wearing more than a great suede jacket. I remember seeing photos of my mom wearing a fabulous fringed camel jacket in the 1970's, and ever since then, it's basically been a goal of mine to recreate similar outfits. My mom's even more petite than I am, standing at 4 foot 9, but she looked miles taller in her suede jackets (and platforms). I'm definitely more conservative in my dressing than she was, but the one thing that always stood out to me was how beautifully tailored her jackets looked. It can be challenging to find things off the rack that are suitable for petites, but this moto jacket I bought a couple years ago remains one of my favorites for that very reason.

Wearing // Moto jacket (comes in a few colors) and some on sale, Express shirt, Wit & Wisdom jeans, Similar leopard scarf, Similar booties, Gorjana necklace

This moto jacket is from BlankNYC and I bought it during the Nordstrom anniversary sale. As soon as I saw the rich vibrant carmel color, I knew I wanted it to be mine. Warm copper tones are so beautiful in the colder months to mix in with other neutrals. However, I was super skeptical that the jacket would fit correctly. Usually arms are too long, shoulders too droopy, and the overall look is just "off". I sized up one and the fit was surprisingly spot on. It's a rare occurrence, so trust me when I tell you my reaction was a little bit giddy! My number one tip for fellow petites: look for jackets that hit at the top of the hips for a flattering silhouette that makes legs appear longer. For curvy petites, this also creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
Unfortunately this exact shade is sold out, but it comes in other neutrals that would look equally gorgeous on. It's a heavier weight, which makes it perfect for cold evenings and nights. Plus, it provides just the right amount of edge to any look.

Do you like moto jackets, and if so, what's your favorite way to wear one?

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My Everyday Winter Outfit Formula

I don't know about you guys, but once we reach the middle of a current season, I always begin feeling a little bored with my everyday outfit choices. It doesn't matter if it's mid-Winter or mid-Summer - after awhile, options narrow and I lose all sense of creativity. In the past, I would start browsing online for more clothes to fill the void, but now I (mostly) stick to the pieces in my existing wardrobe. This is the perfect time where having a simple formula for getting dressed is so helpful. It may not be the most exciting, but if the goal is to look put-together, then having a formula is an easy solution.

Wearing // Revolve sweater (Similar options here & here), Wit & Wisdom jeans, Madewell booties (Similar here)

My everyday Winter outfit formula works well with our warmer climate, but you could easily make this appropriate for yours by adding a coat, scarf, and different boots. I can't pretend to know what a real heavy duty Winter is like because I have no experience with that! But this has truly been my go-to look for the last couple of weeks and I've been wearing some variation of a pullover sweater + ankle jeans + these fabulous cognac booties more often than not. I rotate between four or five cozy pullovers that serve as the focal point since the rest of the outfit is so basic. I've had this particular sweater since last year, but there are so many beautiful options at every price point right now. These ankle length jeans and the cut of the boots work really nicely. I don't have to worry about any bunching or riding and no need to try and tuck the jeans into the boots! I used to love that look but now the trend has steered towards straight leg or looser fitting jeans that skim the ankles. It's actually quite flattering so I'm a big fan. 

What about you, do you have an everyday outfit formula? I swear it's the way to go!

Linking up with On The Daily Express & Straight A Style

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Bringing Back Mental Health & More Personal Posts

"I don't have any sweeping changes in mind for 2020. I'm just not giving into the pressure. Every January we are inundated with articles and ads about losing weight and getting fit, creating positive habits in our daily routines, drinking more water, setting new goals. Realistically, we should be doing these things year-round, constantly re-evaluating."

I wrote that last week, and I meant every word. However...

After doing some much needed blog evaluation, I've decided I'm committing myself to writing more about a few topics I really care about again. I used to sprinkle them in more frequently, but I inadvertently took a step back. I want to keep this space fun and lighthearted, but there's no reason I can't get (a little) more personal to break up my usual style and beauty content. We are multi-dimensional, complicated, interesting people and I want to reflect that here.

I also want to re-share or update some of my older, more personal posts that are still relevant to how I'm feeling today. One of the things that sometimes frustrates me as a blogger is how posts can get lost in the shuffle. We take the time to write and publish them, then quickly move on to the next. That's perfectly okay, even necessary most of the time, but some might require a second look.

The posts below were published in 2018 and 2017, and I feel like they make sense to post again as we keep going forward into the new year.


Finding My Balance With Social Media:
As I mentioned in my May updates, I took a couple weeks off from social media in an effort to disconnect from all the noise. I never realized how consumed I had truly become. I took time off from Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (although I rarely check in there anyway). At first it was difficult. I felt completely out of the loop, not just with other bloggers but even with my own friends. In some ways, I almost felt I was being rude if I didn't invest my time to check in with people. But after the first couple of days, I started to feel better about the disconnect. I texted my friends instead of liking their pictures, I became more present in my daily rituals, and I used the time I spent mindlessly scrolling to work on other things I had been putting off. It was absolutely a great way to put things into perspective. I needed to find my balance.

It's not just social media either, it's technology in general. I never feel like I can completely disconnect and as someone who used to really value privacy, this lead to a ridiculous amount of worry about not returning a text quickly enough, or not immediately checking an email. It morphed into a vicious cycle.

This is of course the reality we live in now. I just think it's important to take little breaks from all the noise. Instead of scrolling through Instagram, I'm using that time to write. Not just for this blog, but also for my own clarity. I've never been good at articulating my thoughts, but writing them down is a way for me to release everything. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially before bedtime so that your mind is clear at the end of the day.

I'm not saying that I can cut out social media altogether, nor do I think other people should either. It's a great tool, and I love connecting with people. But. there should be some balance for those of us who feel negatively affected by its overuse.  Posting a little less frequently seems to be working for me at the moment, and I'm using my time more wisely. I hope you guys have found your balance as well.


The Power Of Habit:
I've always been a creature of habit. As a kid, I ate the same breakfast every morning before school. I'll listen to the same songs over and over in the car until my passenger gives me the side eye. I'll want to go to the same restaurants to eat. Heck, I even like taking vacations to the same destinations.

There's nothing wrong with being a creature of habit. I think most habits are convenient for people, and they make sense for that person's lifestyle. But I do think that there's a huge difference between good habits that keep me on the right track and bad habits that just keep me stuck. I go with what feels comfortable for me, and I realized this Summer that I wasn't allowing myself the risk/reward that comes with trying new things and possibly creating new and better habits for myself.

One example is in exercise. I hit a wall and wasn't working out at all. I was beginning to not only see the result of that on the outside, but I was feeling sluggish and knew that my insides couldn't be much healthier. I had coffee with a friend about a month and a half ago, and she suggested that I try yoga. I was nervous about taking it, but I signed up that very same day and didn't think twice. Until of course the time came to actually go to the class, and then I had a little mental breakdown. I texted Gina and Caryl, and they were the push I needed to just go! So I went, and you know what? I actually like yoga. It's all about being in tune not only with your body, but with your mind and that's something I have desperately needed for ages. So while I'm not quite doing handstands and only last week could do downward dog without tumbling to my butt, I feel like I've created a new positive habit that really didn't require too much scary change. And I've been feeling good again.

I should mention that I read The Power of Habit, and that was the catalyst for some new habits. I highly recommend it, although it is rather slow and reads like a textbook at times. Another habit I've created for myself is taking a few minutes each morning to mentally prepare for the day. You know, like a little pep talk. I create a mental checklist of my goals for the day, and tell myself some positive affirmations to keep me calm and grounded. I never used to do this, at least not regularly. I would just hop right out of bed, get into my car, and immediately join the rat race better known as life. It felt like a race, and now I can see why I was always so frazzled.

Small changes can lead to big changes, and that's the one takeaway I hope you'll remember. You don't have to give in to the pressures of drastically changing something, you can start with baby steps and still feel like you're heading in the right direction. So much of our daily lives is born out of habit and routine. The tiniest shift can make a huge impact. Don't set yourself up for failure by taking on too much at once.

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If there are any topics you'd like to discuss, please feel free to let me know! I'll still mostly stick to the fun and frivolous, but I'm open to writing about a whole host of other things too. You can expect to see these once a month.

Happy Wednesday!

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Petite Trench Coat For A Classic Look

Southern California experienced a fairly cold and rainy Fall, and that weather has carried over into Winter and the new year. I seriously love it! When you live in a warmer climate like I do, you relish any chance you get to wear something different than you're normally able to. I've been reaching for this trench coat pretty regularly, especially on days where it rains off and on. I bought it specifically for our trip to the east coast, but it has served me well ever since. Paired with classic ballet flats, the look is functional yet chic.

Wearing // Express trench coat & shirt (underneath), LOFT jeans, Similar bag, Chanel flats

You just can't go wrong with a tailored trench coat. I think most people wear them in Spring, but they can work year-round depending on where you live. It really is one of the most polished pieces you will ever own. I used to have one in a more classic style and in a traditional khaki color, but I sadly had to part ways when it no longer fit. Back in early Fall, I set out on a mission to find a decent replacement. I try to shop for petite outerwear when I can, and luckily Express came through. They have a more limited petite section than some stores do, but they also have some great staples that are extremely versatile. Although this isn't the color I had in mind, I'm really happy with it. The large zippered pockets keep my hands warm, and the length of the sleeves are perfect. I love wearing this coat with jeans, but I've also worn it over my black faux leather leggings and it definitely elevated the overall look. It would be gorgeous over a dress for a more formal occasion. The styling options are endless.

I'm really drawn to classic pieces in Winter...how would you describe your Winter style?

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New Year, Same Me?

In the last few days of 2019, I spent most of my waking hours lost in thought. In between fun outings that included a day trip up into the snow covered San Bernardino mountains, dancing with my in-laws at an outdoor concert, and generally enjoying the stasis between Christmas and New Years, I couldn't help but reflect on the decade that shaped my life.

Here are some quick highlights:

2010: I graduated with a BA in Human Development from Cal State San Marcos
          (First in my family to attend college)

2011: I moved in with my boyfriend of a few years and he proposed during a birthday trip in Las Vegas
          (I had no intentions of ever getting married after my parents divorced)

2013: We got married and bought our first condo
          (We ultimately sold the condo, a regret we now have. It could have served as extra income)

2016: I quit my job of 6 years without any real plan
          (The anxiety was too much, but I miss working with the kids)

2019: Nate started a business, a dream he's had since he was a teen
          (A huge risk, and only time will tell what happens next)

In between the highlights, there were plenty of lows as well. Even in looking at my list now, it seems rather lackluster on the page. So much of life is routine, and milestones become rare as you move along in adulthood. All we can hope for is to keep advancing, improving, and evolving. Time has a mysterious way of propelling us forward, even when we feel stuck. I have felt stuck more often than not, but something I've definitely learned in the last decade is we are never truly standing still. Life goes on.

I don't have any sweeping changes in mind for 2020. I'm just not giving into the pressure. Every January we are inundated with articles and ads about losing weight and getting fit, creating positive habits in our daily routines, drinking more water, setting new goals. Realistically, we should be doing these things year-round, constantly re-evaluating. So what is it about a new year that makes us want to do and be better versions of ourselves? Psychologically speaking, I think it's all about the perception of beginning a new year with a blank slate, starting over on January 1. It's a powerful force, one that fills us with hope and promise. Even if you feel like you're doing well in your life, there's always room for improvement. If you're not content and had a tough year, the wanting of transformation is even stronger. I get it, I really do. I'm all for making positive changes, and I do believe that we have the power to change what we want to. The problem I have is that in the past, I focused on trying to reinvent myself. "Oh if I do x, y, and z, then I'll finally be successful and happy!" Instead of improving myself, I really just started turning away from myself - trying to act in ways that weren't me. Looking back, I think it actually hurt me. I want to become more of myself, not less. I want to be proud of the person I see in the mirror.

As for this blog, I'd really just like more interaction with you. It's always been my favorite part about this community, but I'll admit that I haven't been as engaged as I used to be and I'd like to correct that. I'll begin by replying to every single comment I receive, something I neglected to do last year. If there's ever anything I can improve on, don't hesitate to let me know. I spend a lot of my days alone, and hearing from you always brightens my outlook and helps me feel less lonely. I hope this year is wonderful for all of us.

One week has already gone by in 2020. What will the rest hold?

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