One of my blog-related goals for this year is to share more of myself here – I tend to stick to topics that are safe (like fashion & beauty) because, if I’m being honest, anything deeper feels a bit vulnerable and scary. And, in the past, I’ve learned that when I share details about my personal life, I also open myself up for criticism…which is never easy to handle. But I don’t want my own fears to get in the way of making meaningful connections – so I’ve resolved to expand my content & be more real with you all. In that spirit, here are a few things on my mind lately:
Anticipating – my next hair appointment is in a few weeks, which is a good thing because I’m long overdue for a trim. I’m debating chopping it short for the spring because I’ve been wanting a change (this is my inspiration). Of course, my husband is trying to talk me out of it because he likes my hair long – anyone else have this problem?
Struggling – I finally went back to the gym this week after a way-too-long hiatus and, truth be told, it has not been enjoyable. I know that eventually I’ll start to have more energy & my stamina will improve, but right now everything hurts and I feel so out of shape. My 3-pronged approach for alleviating sore muscles is Epsom Salt baths, Biofreeze & foam rolling (so painful, but so necessary).
Listening – we took our kids to see The Greatest Showman a few weeks ago and I have basically had the soundtrack on repeat ever since. I grew up watching old musicals, so nothing gives me more joy than to see them making a comeback. I’ve also had so much fun helping my daughter with her lines and songs for their school spring musical…although I hate that she has rehearsals three nights a week – I feel like I barely get to see her!
Obsessing – after I saw how good our sun room looked once it was redecorated, I instantly wanted to redo the whole house. We can’t afford to buy new furniture, so I’ve been making small updates here & there and we also have a painter coming soon to repaint our main living area. I’m on the hunt for a soft gray or light neutral paint color, so if you have suggestions, please send them my way!
Buying – as I’ve mentioned before, I’m focusing on easy transitional pieces that I can wear both now & later, like this chenille sweater (the softest knit on the planet!) and this tweed skirt (will wear in spring with a silk camisole, denim jacket & flat sandals). So thankful that we are having nice enough weather to be able to wear some of these pieces already!
What I’m wearing:
Blank NYC Jacket (also here; similar for less here), Liz Claiborne Sweater, LOFT Skirt,
BCBGeneration Booties (similar here or here), Zara Clutch (similar here or here),
Similar Earrings, Charming Charlie Choker, Nails: Essie Cocktail Bling
Steals Under $30
Weekly Top Finds
Weekly Top Finds
Give Bracelets Giveaway ~ CLOSED
This is a great look. Really love your furry bag – so cute.
– http://www.majaharder.com | https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/maja-harder-18257183
Paint color – Benjamin Moore Gray Owl – love it!
Thank you so much – will check it out!
BM- Revere Pewter and Edgecomb Grey are two of the most popular neutrals. If you want slightly less color, have them lighten it 10-15%. Also, you don’t have to buy BM. Most other brands (less expensive) have the formulas to mix it.
Go for the cut. It will look darling on you. I only wish I had enough texture to my hair to do it. Hair envy!
Thank you for the recommendations – I will look into those!
I recently used Benjamin Moore Collingwood. Its warm gray.
Thank you – will check it out! Benjamin Moore seems to be a popular brand!
You are looking very Chanel muse like in this outfit! Love your skirt and clutch.
https://lartoffashion.com/touches-of-red/
I love your posts. I don’t always have time to comment but I read your posts every time I log in to facebook. My opinion on the haircut (for what it’s worth), Love the hairstyle you showed, but I think it’s a little too early to get a spring cut. I would maybe wait till March, but you have to do what makes you feel good! And if that means upsetting your husband- well, he will be ok. I can totally relate to husbands preferring longer hair. Mine does too. He says you have your “later years” to go short. My husband doesn’t like my hair now because I started to embrace my gray hair. My hairdresser added highlights to my hair to help disguise the gray growing in. (Patience has never been one of my strong traits!) She did a good job and I get lots of compliments but I’m not sure I like it now that the natural color had grown about 3 inches!
As for working out, I did fantastic at the beginning of the school year- mid August, was going pretty much every weekday morning (felt good to get it done early), but I fell off the wagon at the end of October and just couldn’t seem to motivate myself to get up early and go- sleep is so precious! and I was trading sleep for exercise! I get anywhere from 5.5 to 6.5 hours of sleep a night and when I was working out in the morning I was getting even less than that.
I love the outfit- looks great on you!!! I want to see that movie! I love musicals as well and I’m so excited for your daughter to embrace the arts! The arts are dying where we live and we are struggling to keep our little theater open!
Have a great day!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment – this made my day! I agree with you that it might be a little early to chop my hair, so maybe I’ll wait until late spring/early summer for a big cut. My mom also started letting her natural gray show through & I think it’s beautiful – I plan to do the same!
I was also doing great with working out all summer and then we took a trip in September and life got crazy and I’m just now getting back on track! I totally understand about the sleep issue – I hate waking up early to exercise!
Super cute outfit! My husband always tries to talk me out of cutting my hair short too, but once I do it he likes it (or says he does at least ha!)
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is a beautiful, versatile light gray and looks good in any room!
You’re the second one to recommend that color so I will definitely look it up!
This is such a cute outfit. I love the skirt! I also think the shorter haircut would look great on you. I took off exercising during the holidays and have finally started again. It is so hard the first few weeks, but I keep telling myself after that it will be so much better!
https://www.dressedinfaith.com
Yes, I did the same – I didn’t workout at all when my parents were here and now it’s hard to get back into that routine!
I LOVE this look! The skirt, jacket, sweater are all so pretty. We just saw the movie The Greatest Showman as well and loved it. It seems to be growing in popularity by word of mouth.
love love love this look
xx
https://www.closettostreet.com/
Kimberly, I love your idea of slowly revamping rooms with your decor. It would be great if you can share some of your inspirations… it’s my plan to slowly go through each of our rooms as well. We used Behr Gray Cloth as our neutral and it’s really beautiful. It brightens up the common areas and allows you to use many different colors in the décor!
Of course! I have pinned quite a few things to my For The Home board on Pinterest (link below) – and I just looked up that paint color…it’s perfect!
https://www.pinterest.com/ppfgirl/for-the-home/
Very nice ensemble! Love the jacket!
Benjamin Moore Grey Owl, also I just did the lob and I love it – hub is hating but its so low maintenance I don’t care!
Haha – they can just deal with it!!
I enjoyed your post. It’s interesting to read more than just fashion advice. I’m thinking about ordering one of the SheIn brand tweed jackets. Since I won’t wear it often, it’s hard to justify spending too much, but I do wonder about the quality for the price.
Originally, there were very mixed reviews about their site, but I’ve heard from other blogger friends that the quality control has gotten better over time. That being said, I do think that you get what you pay for, so I wouldn’t expect it to be the same as an Ann Taylor jacket.
Great post! It’s enjoyable to read more “personal” stuff!!! I say GO FOR THE HAIRCUT!! It’s not like it’s ultra short!! And would so cute on you!
A great neutral gray I have always loved and recommended is Revere Pewter from Benjamin Moore! Such an awesome neutral and goes with so much!!
Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
https://thegoldlipstick.com/
Love all your posts! Go for the haircut – it will be beautiful on you and it’s not that short. Also, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is a fave of mine recommended by my daughter who’s an interior designer – their paint is pricier but so worth it. Have a great day!
Such a great post, thanks for sharing! I’m loving the textured sweater and suede jacket combo!! Not to mention, that furry bag is amazing!
xx, Merritt
The Style Scribe
I don’t usually take time to comment on blogs either, but I read a number of them faithfully, and the one thing that keeps me coming back to your is that you are very “real” to me. I like that you are budget minded. It’s very clear that money is no object for some of the bloggers I read, and while I love to see their picks, I like that I can actually afford to buy the pieces you showcase. Also, I think one of the problems with social media is that all most people ever see is the picture perfect side of people’s lives that they choose to show. I’ve read that some people who spend a lot of time on social media actually suffer from depression because they feel they can’t live up. Realistically, most people’s lives are far from perfect, and I like that you show your vulnerable side. You share your ups and downs and I appreciate that. Keep up the good work! You are so beautiful that I’m sure your husband will love your hair even short. You can always grow it back if you decide you like it better that way. I’m considering taking the same step, and that is what I’ve been telling myself. 🙂 Cheers!
This comment meant the world to me – thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I definitely want to show more of the ups and downs because I wouldn’t want anyone to look at my life through the lens of social media & think that it is perfect. But I do struggle with sharing more of my day to day because I am so focused on my work & my family!
I love how relatable and real you’ve always been, it’s what kept me reading year after year. You of course are beautiful and always impeccably styled but you come across as a real person, mom, wife and friend which is always refreshing.
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Thank you so much, Heidi – that means a lot coming from another blogger that I admire & respect!
I think you would look adorable in the bob. Thanks for sharing about your family – I like the connection you build with your audience.
Thank you so much, Lois! My hair is appointment is next Tuesday and I am so ready to chop it off!!