Happy Friday!! This one is especially sweet because I'm taking a mental health day from work. Now, with no daycare it's really a mental health four hour break, but you know, better than nothing! I don't know about y'all, but this whole parenting and working full time thing is hard. There are basically no breaks in the day, and it gets to be a lot. So I'm definitely relishing in my little break today.
I spent the morning with Mia and went for a loooooong walk, and now I'm planning on spending my four hours off laying in bed watching the new season of Nailed It and reading The Blue Bistro, which is my current no-thinking needed read. Anyone else having a hard time concentrating on harder books right now?
I also FINALLY managed to put together a post about Mia's birthday party that was only, you know, a month ago now. I have it scheduled for Monday, so be sure to come back then!!
In case you're in a shopping mood, here are my finds for the week. I actually ordered the jeans from Madewell yesterday, they currently have a ton of their jeans on sale for $75!
I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.
So about that March budget. Yikes. Things have really fallen off the rails! Between all the sales but also not being able to go to stores to return stuff, I'm kind of at a loss here! Usually I'm really good at tracking my purchases and have a private Pinterest board with all of my purchases for the month all lined up all nice and neat with what I spent on each item. Yeah, I really have no idea now. Were there more things than this? Probably yes. Will I be keeping all of this? Guessing no, I'll definitely change my mind about something (and probably decide to keep something else that's currently in my "to return" pile).
Here's what I bought in March:
Sam Edelman Elva Mules - originally $130, on sale $110.50 (on way better sale now!!). I realized Sam Edelman shoes are my favorites (every pair is so comfortable!!) so I seek them out now when Shopbop and Nordstrom have big sales. I'm definitely pairing these with cutoffs and jeans as soon as the weather improves! J.Crew camisole - originally $49.50, on sale $29.70. Whenever I get dressed up to go out (or heck, even try to find something to wear with a blazer or cardigan!) I always wish I had more camisoles in my closet. I never want to buy spaghetti straps since they'll show my bra straps (no waaaaaay I'm strapping these girls into a strapless bra if I don't have to anymore!!) but I finally realized that if I'm wearing the tank under something, spaghetti straps are fine! Definitely size up in this if you have a larger chest to get the right drape. Wore this for our at-home date night on Saturday! LOFT Pointelle Sweater (purchased in black AND white cause I'm cray ;) - $59.50, on sale $35.70 x2 = $71.40 (currently 50% off though!). I got these at the end of February and they are my new favorite things, I've been wearing them back to back to back. You'll need a nude cami to go underneath as they are completely see through. But I really love them, with the balloon sleeves and mockneck they feel very chic and now. I wore it here. Steve Madden Sandals - originally $99.95, on sale $74.96. I saw these and HAD to have them. It looks like they're selling out so I'd snag them fast if they're on your wishlist. The heel is a tinge higher than I like these days, but I'm currently in the process of getting rid of all of my old super high heeled sandals that I literally can't walk in anymore so these could fill a nice hole in my closet. They definitely wouldn't be for everyday chasing a toddler, but more for date nights and hanging with my girlfriends. I got the camel color, which is a pretty good match for my skin tone (nude / disappearing sandals are super in right now) but they come in five colors. Gorjana Evil Eye Bracelet - originally $65, on sale $55.25, used gift card $0 (on better sale now!). This was a birthday gift to myself! I never buy myself "expensive" jewelry (which for me is anything over $30) but decided to treat myself with this cute little bracelet. I'm loving that evil eyes are all over jewelry right now! I've been putting this when I work from home and it brings me so much joy! You can sort of see it here. Sam Edelman Danee Sandals - originally $150, on sale $127.50 (also on better sale now!). Another pair of Sam Edelman shoes that are oh so cute and will hopefully fill another hole in my closet! These are definitely date night / wedding shoes. Old Navy Quarter Zip Sweatshirt - originally $29.99, on sale + used rewards $12.99. I literally am not sure what possessed me to buy this. The brown color is not so cute (why didn't I just get black?!) and I definitely wouldn't keep it if we weren't in quarantine. The tall size isn't quite long enough in the sleeves for me either. But, with all of the sweatshirts I've been wearing lately I felt like I needed another in the rotation. So I put it on, pulled off the tag, and here we are. Old Navy Braided Mules - originally $29.99, on sale + used rewards $12.99. Another budget buy I'm not sure I would recommend. As far as comfort goes, these don't hold a candle to the (quite similar) Sam Edelman pair I bought above. They're fine, so if you're feet aren't so picky I think they'll work for you. I haven't worn these out of the house yet because #socialdistancing so I can't really judge them too harshly yet, and they are pretty cute (especially for the price). But if it were normal times, I probably would have returned them. Caslon Boyfriend Shorts - originally $58.00, on sale $43.50. These are super comfy (go a size up for a slouchier fit!) and will be perfect for this momma who likes to go on lots of long summer walks but doesn't particularly want to deal with chub rub anymore.
Total spent: $483.54
That actually wasn't as bad as I was thinking!! I mean, it's bad, but I was worried things were going to top out closer to $600 with all of those shoes. Luckily I didn't spend much in January or February so things will balance out.
I'm currently on the hunt for jeans in a more interesting shape than skinny (I have these on the brain, but I'm worried the 9.5" inseam on the tall sizes will be too much on me) plus some fun warm weather clothes. If you saw my Loft sale post from the weekend, I did already order this dress, this sweater, and this kimono. I'm going to try to be a little more intentional in April though, and (hopefully) spend a little less.
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It's kind of a tricky time we're in. Are you shopping, or no?
I'm still on the shopping train, but I'm being much more particular than usual, knowing that I may not be able to return things or that charges will sit on my credit cards for a while until I am able to make returns. I just can't help myself really, the sales have been insane.
At Loft right now, it's 50% off everything with free shipping, including Sneak Peak items that NEVER go on sale. I had to hold myself back because all of the spring stuff is so cute. I ended up ordering the floral Lilly-lookalike dress (the cut is so flattering, I have a similar one from 2017 here. Size down, I'm in a medium!), the striped sweater, the knit kimono, and the wide leg sweats. These things are SO freaking soft, like the softest things ever (I also have their sweatshirts) and I'm really looking forward to having a pair of lounge pants where it doesn't matter that they're too short for me. I also was just laughing with Jeff that apparently the gaucho pants that were so popular in like 2006/2007 are back, just rebranded as wide leg crops now. They were super popular at my college for two years, girls would wear them to the gym, with a sorority tee for class, or dressed up with heels and a tank to go to the bars. I'm clearly v pro their return.
Here are all of my picks:
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Happy Friday! Phew, what a week, am I right?! Definitely looking forward to not trying to work a full day everyday while also taking care of Mia this weekend.
I'm still sharing "finds" here, because hey, we could all use something fun to look at right now! But I wanted to provide a caveat. If you're shopping online right now, make sure you check the return policy in case you're in an area where you can't go to stores or the post office to make returns (especially from places like Amazon!). There's nothing worse than being stuck with an item that isn't quite right for you!
That being said, I'm still doing lots of online shopping from Nordstrom - their return policy is incredible!! Basically you can return anything, anytime, no questions. I right now have an arsenal of dresses I ordered for a friend's wedding so I could try options at home and have no issues with returns.
Like many of you I'm sure, we had our daycare announce on Friday that they'd be closed through the end of the month. Jeff and I are both working from home, so we're trying to balance watching Mia and staying on top of our jobs. Luckily I work for the best company ever, so instead of focusing on how many hours I'm working, they've been encouraging me to take the time I need with Mia and still take breaks for my mental health.
I'm also very grateful that Mia is still at an age where we don't have to plan activities or worry about being bored. The only games we need to play are "chase" and "hand things back and forth," and Mia is perfectly happy to walk in circles around the couch for half an hour straight. To stay sane, we've also been going for walks every day for some fresh air and a change in scenery.
Okay okay, enough rambling about our current situation - I know you've been hearing about it enough!
Let's talk about the outfit.
The sweater
I had been really wanting to try the whole "cardigan as a sweater" trend (groundbreaking I know) and decided to hop in with this inexpensive version from Old Navy. I've seen a ton of these sweaters around, but a lot of them are super cropped or really low cut, neither of which really flies with my body type. I ordered this twice to get the right size, and ended up in a tall large. It fit perfectly, that is, until I accidentally put it in the dryer. Noooo! Now I would say it fits more like a regular large. So my suggestion would be to get the tall size even if you don't usually wear talls, because it will likely shrink.
The jeans
I'm back on a light-wash jean kick now that spring is peaking its head out! I bought this pair last year and am still very in on them. They are a slightly higher rise than I usually prefer, so these are definitely not a "comfy lounge" kind of jean, more of a "change into sweatpants as soon as you walk in the door" jean. This pair is obviously old, but here's a similar one. It had bothered me all last year that this pair was a little too wide and long at the ankle, so I actually took some scissors to them and now am much happier with them! If you want to cut the ankles of your jeans, I suggest looking in a mirror and marking the length you want.
The jacket
I'm still so excited every year when it warms up enough to put this jacket back in rotation. You may remember that I specifically classify my jackets by temperature, and I would say this one works from about 50 degrees to 65. J.Crew has been really going in on sales this past year, so definitely don't pay full price. I'd wait until you see it at least 40% off. I got a tall xl in this coat, and it's slightly oversized but in a good way - I love that the sleeves are long enough for me to give a little roll! Touches like rolling your sleeves (or a front tuck on your top) make your outfit look more intentional.
The sneakers
These are, by far, my favorite sneakers that I've owned as an adult. My feet just keep getting pickier and pickier in terms of what they find comfortable, and a lot of sneakers end up rubbing my ankles weird or the tongue is uncomfortable. Not these! The whole shoe is like a sock, with a stretchy, soft piece that goes all around your foot and laces on the outside. No tongue! I also love the little leather details, it makes them look slightly elevated over your average sneaker.
I hope you have a great Wednesday, enjoy your social distancing and stay healthy!!
I've worked from home exclusively for the past two years for my corporate job, and it honestly took a bit of an adjustment period. With so many people being asked to work from home right now thanks to coronavirus, I thought I'd share my top four tips for working from home:
1. Find a routine to start and end your work days
Working from home can very easily take up your whole day if you let it. It's easy to roll out of bed and start working (or just grab your laptop and start working from bed!), but that isn't healthy for you, mentally or physically. Because of Mia, I have to get up and take her to daycare every day before I start working, and it really helps me separate my leisure time from my working time. If you don't have a kid or a pet, figure out a reason to leave the house, whether it's grabbing coffee or just going out for a quick walk. Head out at the end of your day too when your workday is over to help clear your mind.
2. Work where you want, but take video calls in a professional setting
I get it, you're at home and you work just as well from your couch as you do from a desk. Heck, I'm writing this while reclined on the couch! But, if your job requires taking video calls, head over to an actual table for the call. It just isn't professional to turn on your video camera if you have your laptop balanced on your lap, and it honestly changes my opinions about coworkers if they appear unprofessional over video chat. Let's not even start about the guy who took a call laying in his bed last week (cringe!). While we're on the subject of video chats, try to choose a location that doesn't have a lot of background noise (you know, so not out on your front porch) and that has decent lighting so people can actually see you.
3. Get fully ready for your day before you sit down to work
I certainly hope you're at least brushing your teeth before you start your work from home day, but my recommendation is to fully get ready before sitting down at your laptop. Take a shower, do your hair, put on makeup, and pick out an outfit you'd wear into the office. I spent a good deal of my pregnancy working from home in my pajamas, or thinking I'd wait until my lunch break to shower. It really did affect my workday, and made me feel less focused and less productive. It's all about getting in the right mindset to work from home.
4. Put blocks on your calendar to eat
People seem to fall into one of two camps when they work from home. Either they snack on basically everything they can find, or they forget to eat. I usually fall into the forgetting to eat club, which is pretty incredible considering how much I like food. I just will get in a zone and want to finish "just one more thing" and then before I know it, it's 3pm and I'm HANGRY. Whether you're trying to control snacking or need a reminder to step away from your desk, put blocks on your calendar for breakfast, lunch, or a coffee break. That way you'll have boundaries as to when you're allowed to eat, or have that time carved out to step away from your computer.
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I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.
Whew, and goodbye February!! I know a lot of people hate February because it's cold and gray and whatever, I always enjoy it between Valentine's Day, my birthday, and now getting ready for Mia's birthday! Her due date was in February but she decided to wait until March to make an appearance (much to 41 weeks pregnant Kristina's chagrin). Her party is this weekend though, and I spent the past month thinking about and prepping it so it was a major part of February.
Also a major part of February? PINK! Ha, apparently Valentine's Day really affected me this year. Here's everything I bought this month:
LOFT Boyfriend Blazer: originally $130, on sale + used rewards $67.71, used giftcard $47.71. I've actually been looking for a pink blazer since I saw a friend of a friend wearing one out to dinner like literally three years ago at this point. I ordered this one thinking it would definitely go back, but in person it's so cute! Perfectly relaxed but not oversized, with cropped sleeves that make it feel modern and cool. I dressed it up here for a meeting downtown with our financial planners, but I also am planning to pair it with a white tee and distressed jeans for a cool mix of dressy and casual. J.Crew Pointelle Sweater: originally $69.50, on sale $41.70. I've been all about finding sweaters with interesting textures lately, and this one fits the bill. Really pretty but a bit more pink in person, and the stitching is very open so you have to wear a nude cami underneath. This is great for warmer winter days or will be nice for transitioning into spring. I wore it here. Lesa Michele Baguette Ring: $42.00, used gift card $0. Okay so this is kind of funny, but I saw Natasha on an episode of The Bachelor rocking a rainbow baguette ring and immediately started googling to find something similar. I ended up finding this pretty pink/purple ombré instead of a rainbow and it is so gorgeous in person. I don't usually wear any rings but my wedding / engagement rings, but for this stunner I'm definitely willing to make an exception. LOFT Striped Sweater: originally $59.50, on sale + used rewards $30.99, used gift card $0. I saw this sweater when it was in the LOFT Sneak Preview section months ago and stalked their new arrivals forever waiting for it to show up so I could get it on sale. It looks so much higher-end than it is, the details on it make it feel designer and fashion-y. You can see me wearing it here. R.Vivimos Bohemian Maxi Dress: $31.99. Okay so this is a bit of an Amazon wildcard. It's by the same company that made the "Amazon Nightgown" dress that was so popular last summer. I wanted to try that one, but knew the silhouette wouldn't work on my body. When I saw this one was available, I decided to give it a try. Does it fit? Yesish. Is it flattering? Yesish. I will say that the fabric is really pretty in person and doesn't feel cheap. If I had come across this dress in stores I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I decided I'd rather keep it than bother figuring out how to return it. I'll definitely wear it over the summer, but it wasn't the best buy. (I actually have a different pattern that is no longer available - mine is more white with blue flowers.) Old Navy Cardigan Sweater: originally $44.99, on sale $42.00, used giftcard $12.00. I'd been wanting to try the "cardigan as a sweater" trend for a while, so I decided to try this Old Navy sweater with a gift card I realized I hadn't used from Christmas 2018!! I really like the style, it's low cut without showing too much and is an easy way to try out the trend. I originally bought a regular XL, and returned it for a tall large. Then I washed it and wasn't thinking and threw it in the dryer, so now it fits like a regular medium haha. So you can definitely size down, and be careful about washing/drying. I wore it here. Old Navy Boyfriend Blazer: originally $49.99, on clearance $6.47, used gift card $0. When I was in the store returning the first iteration of the cardigan, I spotted this blazer. There was only one in the store and it happened to be a large tall - it was like fate! It is so cute, and it's a stretchy fabric so it's comfortable too. I wore it here.
Total Spent: $133.40
Okay, so that total is obviously skewed a bit because there were a lot of gift cards involved, but I'm feeling pretty good about it ;) For next month, I'm on the hunt for a dress to wear to a friend's bachelorette party, some new jeans in a non-skinny fit, and some summer clothes for a few trips we're planning.
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