Goodbye 2017

I almost didn't get this post up. I know I haven't been around much these past few months, and while I wish I could blame it on the weather (though single digit temps don't help) it really just comes down to me, and the low I've been going through.

It's not easy to talk about the low points, especially in this space, where there is an imagined pressure to only ever be positive. I don't talk about my depression or anxiety, and when self doubt is addressed, it's usually in the self-deprecating-but-trying-to-be-funny kind of way.

Normally in this post I would look though all the posts of this past year and choose my favorites for each month. My best outfits, fun places visited, good times that make me smile. But when I looked back at 2017 I felt like all I saw were fake smiles hiding discomfort and uncertainty.

Back in September Sean and I broke up, and I've since moved back in with my parents as I can't afford anywhere else. After living together for two years I told him I wanted to get engaged, he told me he did not. So I'm back at square one and have been taking a break from trying to smile even though I'm sad. 

I forgot I'd normally be posting my closet additions for the month today, and while I wish I could say I was good this month and didn't buy anything, that is quite to the contrary. I followed the classic holiday shopping rule of buying a gift and then also getting something for myself. I started with the cozy Loft sweater, then some satin pants from Ann Taylor (half off and free shipping is hard to ignore). Furry loafers at Target, a pair of earrings from Mejuri, and to top it off, $60 blue and white ornaments from Williams Sonoma.

I kind of want to say 'good riddance' to 2017 but I suppose the year wasn't all bad. Certainly not the year I'd wanted or hoped for, but at the end of the day, it was the year I created.

I don't know what 2018 will bring for me or for the blog. Maybe I'll start being more honest instead of only sharing the positive, but hopefully from here things can only go up. 

Friday Five Under $50: Self Care

With Christmas fast approaching, and the list of things to get done seeming to only get longer, it's all too easy to fall into bad habits of staying up too late and over extending. Taking out some time for self care is important, and I think it's okay to treat yourself to a little indulgence. I've been wanting to try out the Sunday Riley cleanser for a while because of its rave reviews, but have been worried about falling into a $45 face wash habit - right now I feel like the $10 I spend on my drugstore brand is already a lot!

I'd also love to try out the Shhhowercap, as someone who doesn't wash their hair everyday, I'd love one that isn't going to get gross and mildew after a few wears, but again, that feels truly like a splurge.

This weekend I plan on giving myself time for a DIY manicure, and I'm booking a facial for next week - I know I haven't wrapped a single gift, still need to finish up my shopping, and have a lot of baking I'd like to do, but I also don't want to lose sight of what is important about the holidays, and let self-imposed demands come before spending time with family and friends or taking care of myself.

Get Happy Body Wash, $20 at Plant Apothecary 
Satin Kimono, $19 at H&M
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser, $45 at Sephora

Essential Oil Diffuser, $48 at Ellia
Shhhowercap, $43 at Neiman Marcus

Dryel - from Delicates to Denim

This post is written in partnership with Dryel, I was selected to be a brand ambassador for them, but as always, all my views and opinions are my own.

This past month I set a goal for myself, stop letting the chair in my bedroom become piled with clothes in the limbo state of clean enough to wear again, but not clean enough to hang in the closet.

I know 'the chair' is a pretty universal problem, and chair prevention requires constant vigilance. If I come home too late in the evening, clothes are destined for the chair. If I'm having outfit indecision and the rejects end up on the chair, then I forget what was actually clean and what was 'chair clean', and the pile continues to grow. When it comes to denim, I'm of the mindset that it shouldn't really be washed, and as such, it becomes my biggest chair offender.

When I resolved to putting an end to 'the chair', I knew I had a secret weapon, Dryel. I've been a brand ambassador for them this past year, and have come to appreciate how quickly and easily I can refresh my clothes, from my jeans to my delicate knits, without worrying about any shrinking, stretching, or fading. Coming in 2018 Dryel is releasing a brand new formula and starter kit with a scent that lasts even longer, and they've given the official okay to using it with silk and rayon (though to be honest, I had been before and never had any issue).

Now at the end of the day, before I have a chance to let my clothes reach the chair, I pop them in my Dryel bag. After just a 15 minute tumble they are refreshed and deemed ready to be rehung in the closet. If I want to give them a more deep clean, I'll leave them for the full 30 minutes.

Dryel makes my life easier. I love knowing that the lace dress I wore to a wedding isn't going to hang around for months before I remember to bring it to the dry cleaner, and I no longer have to feel skeeved out by wearing jeans that have never seen the inside of a washing machine.

No Time Other Than the Present

In the winter, there is rarely a perfect time for photos. They are taken when a sliver of an opportunity presents itself. The daylight hours are limited, and even as the minutes of sunlight do trickle back, it won't be noticeable for months. So in between errands with a wrinkled blouse, photos are taken, otherwise they won't be taken at all, and another week without posting might go by.

As you can see, all that snow didn't last, but the weathermen are promising a lot more this winter...

      

The Rundown
Blush Silk Blouse Max Studio via TJMaxx similar
Black Jeans Old Navy
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on eBay
Willis Bag Vintage Coach thrifted similar
Grey Cobblestone Cardigan c/o Cabi similar
Necklace "Scottie" LuxbyUK
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels

and

Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday

Snow Bird

Over the weekend we had our first snowfall of the season, and a pretty good one at that! We'd already been planning on getting our tree, and the snow just made the tree farm a little more magical. It also meant we did not take forever deciding which tree we wanted!

A little snow birdie told me this sweater is 40% off at Loft right now, so go scoop it up! I'm wearing a small, so you can see it's definitely meant to have an oversized fit. I kind of wish I'd gotten the extra small, but it is nice to have a super cozy sweater. This was one of the items that made it's way into my cart on Black Friday - I'd spotted it in the store a week prior and just knew I had to have it. I have the biggest weakness for white sweaters.

I can't believe Christmas is just two weeks from today! I still have so much shopping to do, including the gift for my extended family's grab bag. It's not easy to think of a gift that would be good for a guy or a girl age ranging from 26 to 66 and fitting in with a theme of 'warm and cozy'... I wish we'd just do secret santa!

       

The Rundown

Snow Bird Sweater Lou & Grey
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway

Brown Boots "Mullin Spice" Clarks via eBay

Pom Pom Hat Gap similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday