My Favorite Things: Fashion Favorites

I've decided to follow Jeanne Oliver's lead and share some of my favorite things on this blog.  Right now I'm in the midst of some heavy academic writing so I need a light and fun topic to blog about! 

Plus, if you are like me, you are always on the lookout for a tried and true product and are interested in knowing what items others like to use.  So today, I'll start by sharing my fashion favorites.

Recently, a friend gave me a lovely compliment, telling me that she admired how confident I was in my unique style.  Her words really made me feel good and got me thinking about my "style".  Honestly, I haven't thought much about it, but when I look in my closet, I see some definite trends.

One of the key things I've learned over the years is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to look good.  Also, accessories can go a long way in taking an outfit to the next level.  For instance, I'm a huge fan of large, statement pieces of jewelry.  

One of my news year's goals was to refocus and only buy clothing items that I love.  Love meaning that it fits well and I love how it looks.  Even though it's only the end of January, I've already passed on a few items because they didn't fit the bill....hello Anthropologie sale rack!  As long as I stick to this motto, I tend to make good choices and buy items that I wear over and over again.  

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite items:

Thanks to my best friend, I recently discovered the Artist jeans from American Eagle.  Yes, that's right, American Eagle.  No, I'm not 15 and I don't normally shop at American Eagle, but these jeans are a sneaky little secret!  They are seriously the best, most comfortable jeans I've worn in a long time.  They actually have a decent rise on them.  They are stretchy but don't lose their shape (a major pet peeve of mine).  They also come in long lengths, which is a must for me.  They are quite flattering and best of all, they're fairly cheap.  I've paid some big bucks for jeans in the past and these are just as good as the more expensive ones.  I have actually traded in my yoga pants because of these jeans.  Seriously.  I now get dressed almost every day....

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I'm a big fan of tunic style tops.  They are comfortable, flattering and can easily be dressed up or down.  Sometimes I also wear shorter dresses as a top worn over jeans.

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I recently ordered these hand warmers from this Etsy shop.  I love them!  My hands are always cold, so these keep them toasty while allowing me to still use my fingers.  When I'm leaving my house, I'm usually carrying multiple bags, my keys, and a squirming 18 month-old.  Gloves seem to just get in the way, but these hand warmers allow me to hold onto everything.  Another plus is that I can use my phone while wearing them.

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I love boots.  This past fall, I purchased these cognac riding boots and I wear them almost every day.  I don't do heels so these boots are perfect.  

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I also love my cowgirl boots.  You can't help but feel a little sassy when wearing a pair of cowgirl boots!  I have this pair.  They run a little taller than normal, which is good because I'm tall and regular cowgirl boots usually hit at the widest part of my calf....not a good look!

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In the warmer months, long skirts and dresses are staples for me.  I have rather athletic legs, which I don't necessarily like to show, so long skirts and dresses are high on my list.  

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As I mentioned previously, I'm a fan of accessories, always wearing jewelry and scarves.  I think accessories are a really easy way to make an outfit unique.

This time of year, I wear a scarf almost every day.

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I LOVE jewelry.  I'm pretty sure I get my love of jewelry from my mom!  She and I share the same style and we love to wear big, bold pieces.  I have a preference for long earrings, chunky pendants, large rings, and cuff bracelets.  And I'm particularly drawn to turquoise and amber pieces.  I do have a few rules when it comes to accessories though, and I try not to wear too many at once.  For instance, if I'm wearing long earrings or a scarf, I usually skip the necklace.  

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I also love detailed clothing.  I'm drawn to items that have embroidery, beading, or lace.  I like to wear color and I'm not afraid of patterns.  

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Large bags are another staple accessory for me.  Again, I love patterns and details.

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When it comes to fashion, I don't think too much of it.  I simply buy and wear what I love.  Although I'm mostly pretty thrifty, I'll occasionally splurge on a really unique item.  In many ways, I see clothing as a way to express myself so I try to avoid trends and stay true to what makes me feel good.

For more of my fashion favorites, you can check out my style board on Pinterest.

Grateful Monday

To start my week, here are five things I'm grateful for:

• Lazy weekends at home with my boys.  Though I love to travel to visit friends and family, sometimes it's just nice to stay home.
• In a few weeks we'll be headed to Florida to see my parents.  I love the anticipation.  It's so nice to have something to look forward to.
• That I am not alone in preparing this conference paper that I'm currently writing!  Otherwise I would be completely overwhelmed.
• Liam's kisses.  I just love how he walks up to me and gives me a kiss and says, "muah"!  It's simply the best.
• And last but certainly not least, I'm so very very grateful for my mother.  Today is her birthday.  She is truly one of the most beautiful, amazing women I know, and I honestly don't know what I would do without her.  

Happy birthday mom!  You are such a wonderful mother and grandma.  We are so lucky!

They've been together for 40 years!  

Liam was only a few weeks old.  She took such good care of us after he was born!

They are such buddies. 

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Lately...

The new year started off slowly but things are starting to pick up.  Here is what we've been up to lately...

I'm in love with Downton Abbey.  We rented seasons 1 and 2 over our winter break and finished just in time to catch the start of season 3.  Now, my Sunday nights are reserved for this delightful show.  I'm a huge fan of period shows.  I'm a sucker for the costumes.  

Liam and I watch this video multiple times a day.  We love it, and he does this cute thing where he drums his hands in the air and makes the sign for "stronger".  I can't get enough of it.

My sister-in-law gave me this candle for Christmas.  It has this amazing sweet, woody smell. I burn it every evening.

I starting shredding again last week.  After months of running, I wanted to give my knees a break and mix things up a bit.  When I did the 30 Day Shred in June, I lost 9.5 inches in 30 days! This definitely works, but you have to do it every day.  But its only 27 minutes which makes it completely doable.  We are going to Florida for a week next month so I'm using that as motivation!

I have also been juicing in an attempt to keep us healthy this winter season.  I usually throw an apple, an orange, half a cucumber, two cups of spinach, some ginger, and flax seed into a blender.  Sometimes I add a banana.  This mixture will last me a couple of days, giving two large glasses full.  I think it's delicious, and the best part is that Liam likes it too.  Now, if only I could get my husband on board.....

This is Liam's favorite book and has been for awhile.  We read this book every night before bedtime.  It's a beautiful book with a beautiful message.  

I just finished reading this book.  It's got some powerful messages about the food choices that we make.  It's not a diet book but more of an exploration into the emotional and spiritual side of eating.  I wouldn't say it was transformational, but I have marked several passages that resonate with me.  One of my favorite quotes reads, "Spiritual hunger can never be solved on the physical level."

I usually drink chamomile tea in the evenings, but I recently discovered this.  It's a nice alternative.  It tastes good, and I love that it's loose leaf.

Liam and I attended story time at our library for the first time last week.  Liam loved it, and I enjoyed chatting with the other moms.  This is definitely going to become a regular part of our week.  I'm finding that as he gets older, we need to get out of the house more and this is an excellent morning outing.

This week I'm back to school, which means that we are getting back into some semblance of a routine.  As much as I love having a break, I also love having a little structure in my life!

What about you?  What have you been up to lately?

Grateful Monday

To start my week, here are five things I'm grateful for today:

• This weekend we met up with friends at their lake house.  It was a lovely visit, and oh so relaxing!  I think I read more magazines in one weekend than I have in the past six months. 
• My neighbor who watches our dog when we are out of town.  It's so convenient and easy.  
• That I get to stay home with Liam three days a week.  I truly treasure those days and feel so blessed to be with him.
• My girlfriends from college have all settled on a weekend in April for a girls' trip.  It has been a very long time since we have all been together.
• My semester starts this week....which means that I'm about to begin my very last class where I will write my dissertation proposal.  I am so ready!

Here's a little glimpse of our lake weekend.  Liam thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Grateful Monday

To start the week off, here are five things I'm grateful for today:

• That we have all remained healthy during this cold and flu season.  It seems that so many people I know have been sick. 
• Our new playroom.  On Saturday we reorganized our basement and created a play space for Liam.  It's nice to have another area for him to play and somewhere besides our living room to keep his toys!
• Hot tea.  Every evening Andrew and I enjoy a cup of hot, herbal tea.  Just a little thing to make this chilly season a bit more tolerable.
• Liam and I enjoyed a nice visit with my parents for a few days last week before they headed to Florida.  I just love our time spent at home with them. 
• The few warm days we had last week were a treat.  Liam and I took advantage by playing at the park.  Days where I can get this little guy outside are such a treat!

Have a wonderful week!

Intention

So here it is January 10th and I'm still trying to adjust to the idea of 2013.  I feel like 2012 ended in a whirlwind, and I think I'm still recovering!

For the past 10 days, I've been reflecting on the past year....writing in my journal, trying to figure out how to invest my energy as this new year begins.  I'm not necessarily big on New Year's resolutions, but I do like to begin the year with some goals and intentions.

Here is my list for 2013, in no particular order:

• Use fewer paper towels.  I'm quite ashamed to say that I have a paper towel addiction.   It's not a very "green" habit.  If I spill something, I automatically reach for a paper towel.  I really do care about our environment and don't want to be wasteful so I feel that I need to change this. I've recently purchased new dish cloths and cloth napkins and have started using those instead of paper towels.  So far so good.
• Stop forgetting my reusable bags when I go to the store.  I have several reusable bags, but sometimes I don't remember them.  Every time I walk out of a store with a plastic bag, I feel terrible!  So....I've loaded my trunk up with them and every time I make a shopping list, I'm adding a note to myself to remember the bags.
• Write in my journal more often.  Recently, I've started journaling again.  I find that on the days I journal, I feel good.  Really good.  It's like therapy and meditation wrapped up in one.  I'm not going to try to do it every day. I know I need to be realistic, but I'm aiming for at least several times a week.
• Take time to read books beyond school work.  As a graduate student, this one is tough.  Most of my extra time is spent reading journal articles and scholarly books, but  I miss reading for pleasure.  So, even if it's just 5 or 10 minutes before bed, I'm going to try to indulge my love of reading a little more.
• Continue my exercise commitment.  I have exercised on a regular basis for most of my adult life.  After having Liam, however, I found it difficult to find the time.  This past summer I made it a priority again and I saw some real results from my efforts.  I always feel better when I exercise so I plan to keep at it.  I think of it as taking time to nurture myself.
• Be present as a mother.  It can be difficult in this day and age to be truly present as a parent, and I work, very deliberately, at being present while I'm with Liam.  I want to continue making this a priority.
• Only buy clothing and items for my home that I love.  I made this same goal a few years ago and it served me very well.  I need to refocus on this a bit.  Every time I go to make a clothing purchase, I ask myself if I love the item.  If I don't love it, then it goes back on the rack.  This helps keep me from spending money on items just because they are on sale and also helps cut down on excess.
• Submit a dissertation proposal, begin my research and submit an article or two.  Graduate school has been going well and I want to continue the momentum that began in 2012.
• Play more and worry less, live in the present, be grateful, and choose happiness.  Last year, my word for the year was positivity.  I tried to spend the year choosing to be happy, to think positive, to be thankful and to believe in the best. I want to continue living with these in focus because I have found that they really do make a difference in my daily life and my sense of contentment.  

For 2013, I have chosen the word intention to guide me.  

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I want to mother my son and nurture my marriage with intention.  I want to use my time intentionally. I want to work hard towards the intention of finishing my PhD.  

I don't want to just show up but rather, I want to make things happen.  I want to be fully present each and every day, living my life with intention.  

I have high hopes for 2013.  It's exciting to imagine the wonderful things this year may bring.

Today I'm linking up with Edie over at Life{in}Grace as she talks about using our time more purposefully.  Please visit her beautiful blog and check out her link up!

Goodbye 2012

At the start of a new year, I like to spend some time reflecting on the previous year.  I love to look back and remember the highlights, the challenges, the successes, and the failures.  I also like to look forward, to set new goals, make new promises, and challenge myself to be a better person.  I love having a blank slate in front of me, the excitement of the unknown and what's to come.

As I look back on 2012, here are some of the year's highlights:

• In January, I started this blog!
• We took our annual trip to Florida in February and stayed with my parents for a week on the beach.  I highly recommend a beach trip in February.  It was bliss!  
• In May, we celebrated my sister-in-law's beautiful wedding.
• We took our annual Memorial Day canoe trip to the Eleven Point river.
• In June, I said goodbye to my full-time job.  The decision was a bit scary, but it has proven to be one of the best things I've ever done.
• In July, we went to the River Romp music festival.
• In August, we celebrated Liam's first birthday.  In fact, this entire year was filled with milestones for Liam as he learned to crawl, walk, run, climb, laugh, and talk.  He grew teeth, learned to eat solid foods and to drink from a sippy cup.  Each and every day, he grew into his own, little person and it was brilliant to watch.
• In August, I also started my new job as a graduate assistant, and I love it.  I love the flexibility, the task of researching and writing, and the fact that I'm constantly learning.
• In September, Andrew and I traveled to Colorado to spend a long weekend in the mountains and to see Further at Red Rocks.
• In October, I spent the month writing my comprehensive exams.
• In October, I also ran a 10 mile trail run, followed by a 5 mile trail run in November.
• In November, I received a CADRE Fellowship from NSF.  
• I made my first pie.
• In December, I passed the oral portion of my comprehensive exams.  It was a huge milestone!
• In December, I also cut 7 inches off my hair.  It was on a whim, and at first, I was filled with regret, but now, I love it.  Its still long, but much more manageable.
• I started writing in a real journal again on a regular basis.
• I became diligent about exercising this year and have fallen into a consistent 3-4 days a week of running.  
• Because of that, I lost 35 pounds, finally shedding the baby weight and a little extra.
• I finally found some work/life balance.  
• My husband and I grew together as we settled into parenthood.
• I found my confidence as a mother.  After quitting my job, I felt like I could breathe again.  A lightness returned to my life and I found myself really being present with Liam.   I soaked up our days together, nurturing myself as I nurtured him, and I felt that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Once again, we had a year filled with love and light and so many blessings.  I continue to be so grateful for all that I have and for the amazing people in my life.  I can only hope that 2013 continues to bring us such joy.

Thank you 2012!    

xoxo

M