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Currently #26

Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday. We are at the end of another month, I donā€™t know about you, but February has flown by for me. The good news is that we are slowly but surely, making our way through winter and springtime is getting closer too. Hereā€™s a look at what Iā€™ve been up to this past month. 

What Iā€™m up to: Outside of work, Iā€™ve been enjoying time at home, staying cozy and doing lots of cooking, from soups, and baking cookies for Valentineā€™s Day. I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl with family and celebrating Valentineā€™s Day. This past month has been a mix of a little bit of everything.

I made homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
I also made homemade Margarita Chicken Soup from one of my favorite bloggers, Mix and Match Mama!

What Iā€™m wearing:  All. The. Layers. It has been cold, so I have been wearing lots of long sleeve dresses for work or blazers with pants. On days off, Iā€™ve been going for more of the comfortable route with leggings or jeans and then sweaters. Hereā€™s a simple look I wore around Valentineā€™s Day, I kept it simple with black leggings and a baggy sweater, both from Aerie. I kept my jewelry also simple, wearing pink earrings and delicate necklace and pink bow to tie it all together. 

Staying cozy and inside most of the month of February.

What Iā€™m reading:  I finished Beach Read by Emily Henry at the end of January, it was a fun read to take my mind off of snow and onto summery days. Iā€™m currently re-reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I love reading it again. I am always finding new things that I missed when Iā€™ve read it in the past.

What Iā€™m Watching: All of the Olympics. I love that thereā€™s something always on to watch. Even if itā€™s for a few minutes, you can find a new sport to get excited about. Iā€™ve also been watching Downton Abbey and Iā€™ve been loving it. Itā€™s so easy to get lost in the show and watch episode to episode. I just started season 2 and Iā€™m obsessed. 

What Iā€™m Loving:Ā Iā€™ve been loving all the heart shaped and Valentineā€™s Day dĆ©cor for the past month. Iā€™m also loving the fact of hibernating, if you will. Itā€™s nice to have a lighter calendar with not as much things going on during the winter. Itā€™s been good to give myself extra breathing room by not having a jam packed schedule.

Valentine’s Day spread at home.
There’s nothing like celebrating love.

What Inspires Me: Iā€™ve been inspired by doing my baking and cooking at home. I did a lot of cooking at the start of 2021 and I want to get back into more cooking and trying new recipes this year.

Baking cookies for the holidays was a bright spot this past month.

What I accomplished: Iā€™ve really enjoying the slow and steady month. Itā€™s been nice to hang out at home more and have a more low-key month. There are times when Iā€™m super busy and slammed so itā€™s nice to have some calmer months thrown in there. 

My pup Milton and I staying warm and inside this past month.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I enjoyed a ā€œMe Dateā€! I took some time for a self-care spa night at home and it was just what I needed before the start of a busy week. Iā€™m always looking for ways to carve even a few minutes of downtime for myself outside of the busy day to day lives. It doesnā€™t have to be a big event, but just making some extra time for yourself once a month or week by doing something small will make a big difference.

Goals for the New Month:  I want to get outside more and get some fresh air and exercise as hopefully the weather gets warmer. Iā€™ve tried to get outside this past month but the bitter cold temperatures makes it a bit tricky to enjoy a walk in single digits. I got out ice skating a few times and I’m hoping to do it more in the next month.

I got to ice skate for a story for work and loved every moment.

Thatā€™s a look into my life this past month. Thereā€™s nothing too exciting, lots of time at home with family. Iā€™ve been reading and watching shows and cooking on days off. Iā€™m really loving where Iā€™m at right now in life. Now that Iā€™ve shared about my past month, tell me about yours! Howā€™s your month been?

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Fabulous living

Getting Through the Winter Slump

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a wonderful Valentineā€™s or Galentineā€™s Day! Now that we have made it through the holidayā€™s of the month, my mind is on the next seasonā€¦hello Spring! Just kiddingā€¦well kind of.

I love that I can live In a place with all four seasons, but sometimes, the cold and snow can seem never ending, especially when itā€™s May and you still have a chance of snow on Motherā€™s Day. As much as I love the winter months and winter activities, I have found myself in a bit of a winter slump. 

Here’s just a little look at all the snow

At the start of the year, I found myself really tired with winter and it just got started. We kept getting hit with snow and cold weather, Covid-19 cases were high around my area and it seemed like we would never see warmer weather. 

If you felt like this at all then you know what Iā€™m talking about. Iā€™m used to the cold and snow and gray clouds, but sometimes, the lack of sunshine really gets to you.

We got hit with two big snow storms in a month. Here’s a look at the snow.

I decided that wishing it was spring wouldnā€™t be productive so I did my best to change my mindset and find little things that brought joy and warmth to my days and make them a little less gray.

Hereā€™s what worked for me and if you are feeling this way, then maybe they will work for you.

I found the simple joys in the days and really leaned into them, like savoring my cup of tea in the morning with my candle lit. Instead of rushing through my morning routine of making a cup of tea, reading and doing a word search, I did my best to savor it and enjoy it and take pleasure in those simple joys. 

Starting my days slower and savoring them definitely helped.
I also enjoyed cozy days off enjoying my favorite hobbies. Here’s what I’m currently reading.

I also found that moving and exercise helped my mood. I go to the gym during weekday mornings, but I carved more time to get some exercise, whether itā€™s a 15 minute yoga session at the end of the day or even a walk to get the mail, moving my body and getting fresh air made a big difference.

Enjoying the outdoors helped too…I enjoyed skating.
And cross country skiing…just make sure you are all bundled up!

I also decided to brighten my wardrobe and have some fun with it. Even though it is winter, I have been wearing brighter colors and fun jewelry to brighten up my outfits. Even if itā€™s swapping in a pair of hoops for a pair of studs, itā€™s little things like that that can just make you smile. 

I also gave myself things to look forward to, whether it was a dinner date with a friend, making plans to see a new movie, or a mini day trip. Making plans for the future gives you something to look forward to and it shows you the importance of looking for the positives.

Making a winter bucket list gives you ideas for fun things to do while making the most of the weather! Here’s mine!

While the cold and winter may seem to last forever, we know that it will end but the snow mounds do make it hard to look past. 

By always looking for the positives or simple moments of joy certainly makes a big difference. Also, by reminding ourselves to take it one day at time helps too. 

What things do you do to make it through the winter slump?

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #129

LOTD

Hey hey everyone! 

Happy Thursday! I canā€™t believe the holidays are quickly approaching. Halloween was just a few weeks ago, Thanksgiving is in a few weeks and then we are into the Christmas season. Have you started your Christmas shopping? I know, I have not. I have some ideas but havenā€™t started the shopping yet. That will come soon enough. The one thing that comes with the holidays are all the holiday parties, whether itā€™s through work or school or friends, nothing brings people together than a party.

Todayā€™s outfit is perfect as we get ready for the cold weather. I have recently been wearing a lot of blacks and grays, I think this is due to the gray and cloudy weather I have been experiencing. This outfit would be perfect if you are running errands or out and about. Pieces of this outfit could even be used for a holiday party. Letā€™s get to the details.Ā 

I LOVE this black turtleneck sweater, I adore it so much that I have one in pink too. It is warm, made from good material, and can be dressed up or down, wear it with jeans, leggings, dress pants or even a skirt, there are truly so many options. I opted to wear this black turtleneck from GAP with a pair of houndstooth leggings.Ā 

I got these leggings from Old Navy, I love the houndstooth print. It reminds of a classy and European style. I have worn this leggings with a red blazer for a dressier holiday look and heels, which worked great. But for todayā€™s look I went for a simple look of the leggings with the sweater.Ā 

Lastly, I opted for my high black boots. I love the heel and how they tie my whole outfit together. I got these boots from Marshalls last year and they are holding up great for year two!

This outfit feels very wintery to me. I love the darker colors for the darker weather, but I also like how it feels very warm and cozy too. How are you prepping your wardrobe for the colder weather?

Have a wonderful weekend!!