Hello, my loves! Well, I suppose it’s official, the holidays are over and it’s time to reset our minds to the New Year. Honestly, I am a huge Christmas junkie and it’s tough for me to see all of the pretty lights gone, and holiday music ceased. In order to replace the need for joyful tunes, I turn to my Pandora stations like Jack Johnson and Ingrid Michaelson in order to get me feeling more summery and warm up my naturally hibernated state. January can be kind of an awkward time of year considering there’s not really anything exciting going on to wean us off the hustle and bustle of the previous months. However, maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. The pace of the last two months have been so fast, honestly it is nice to have some occasional quiet time. It is a good time for us to evaluate ourselves, see what we need, and what we don’t. A year has so many possibilities, and it really does feel like a new start.
Just like seeing from a birds eye view; the New Year gives me new perspective and the chance to look
back at everything I’ve done in hindsight so that I can reset my goals and thoughts in order to get me to where I want to be in the coming year. Also, I like to appreciate the success of last year, and acknowledge how blessed I have been. It’s so funny how plans can change, at the beginning of last year I was focused on several different things that aren’t such a priority to me now.
It’s crazy to me that right now, the things that fill my mind with passion and inspiration are things that weren’t even a passing thought for me last year. Obviously not everything has changed, but a lot sure has- and that’s why I like to trust the process of life. Every day I make thousands of decisions, and even though some of them feel extremely insubstantial, they are all minor adjustments in the steering wheel leading me to where I will go next. Even though my passions and ethics will help make my decisions, I can never fully plan where I will be in the future… and that is something I am actually learning to love.
Each year I go through a similar thought process… I have dreams, goals, thoughts, and I indulge my imagination as it tends to run wild as I see what I want to achieve in the coming year. But as I live in day to day life, sometimes when I don’t see all the things I want unfolding in front of me I can get discouraged. I can think, why am I really trying for this? It probably won’t happen like I imagine it will. And I’m right… it won’t happen like I imagined it would. It will probably happen in a completely different way- and it will affect me in ways I couldn’t have imagined yet. Just because the ideals I had in my head aren’t playing out like a script I’d written up, doesn’t mean that amazing things aren’t happening.
I have found that as long as I keep trying, and keep my heart and mind open to possibilities, I feel my life heading down a fulfilled road verses when I am only looking for what I am expecting. I think that rolling with the unexpected has power, because I know that I do not, and never will have complete control over what goes on in my life. It’s a much better use of my time if I just keep my mind open to new possibilities, and don’t give up when I get discouraged… because things are or aren’t happening for a reason.
With all this talk of the New Year, it’s easy to think that everything is new and modern, but as the X-Files reboot shows us, the nineties are back and hotter than ever! Tubular. In almost every clothing shop I go into, so much of the inventory is straight up nineties. Chokers, velvet, retro floral prints, opalescent finishes on anything beauty related; and honestly I’m loving all of it. The outfit I chose is a pretty uptown, yet retro style with a velvet bodycon dress, and an antique floral wrap dress over top. Not to mention the over-the-knee black suede boots that I’m in love with. I feel like I should be attending the high school from Clueless at this stage… haha, as if!
The 90s were a time of infinite possibility, and this year I want to capture that same spirit. My dad has always said, your chances of winning may be one in a million, but your chances of winning if you don’t try are one in zero. This coming year, I want to be tenacious- that means to be persistent or strong-willed. I want to keep going, keep fighting for what I want, and remember that inspiration and discouragement are selective. There will always be two sides, but I get to choose what to focus on :)
xx Hailey
Okay, quick side note that I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Eve- I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas filled with lots of love and amazing memories! I kind of wish the holidays would last all year round, but at the same time I have to admit I am looking forward to a slower pace in the coming weeks. Aside from that, the end of the year is my favorite time to reflect, and be grateful for everything I’ve learned and experienced in the last 12 months. I have gained so many memories, new relationships, new skills, new passions, and so much more.
It’s so exciting to look back and see how many new things a year has the possibility of bringing; it gives me so much to look forward to. Even though this year feels like it has gone by insanely quick, when I look back at last January I realize how much I have changed and my surroundings have changed.
Even though not every moment was pure bliss, I get to look back at the last year with happiness, because in hindsight I learned so many incredible things, and I am so grateful for everything that has transpired (even if I didn’t quite feel that way at the time). Time has that splendid superpower of helping us to see what’s important; letting us remember our favorite memories and semi romanticizing the past… assisting us in seeing that life really is beautiful, we just need to make the effort to capture that beauty and appreciate it.
I do really like the thought process behind a New Year’s resolution, showing us that we can achieve anything if we put our mind to it. However, I think that every day has new possibilities. I believe that it’s better to take things one day at a time instead of trying not to mess up for a whole year. Hopefully we can learn to not judge ourselves when we don’t always stick to the plan, but to just keep moving forward. I don’t know about you, but I need my occasional couch + movie + ice cream day to keep me sane.
So here is my favorite outfit choice for New Years Eve- it’s comfortable and festive, perfect for a night like tonight. I love how it is so uncomplicated, yet comes across so much more complex. Just being a fairly simple shirt and skirt, it achieves such a glamorous look. I think that whatever shoes you pair with this would determine how dressy or casual you would like to go. I feel so poised when I wear this outfit, and that’s the most important thing- to feel good in what you wear. I think that the dome shape of the skirt, plus a tight turtleneck is extremely flattering, and a look like this is timeless. Plus, in my book a red lip is always a good idea.
I am so inspired for the New Year, and if I have learned one thing this year it’s that circumstances can change drastically- even if you didn’t think they would. I know that at the beginning of the year, I didn’t think certain things were possible. But as I tried to accomplish them, I was shocked that more and more things kept happening that I had dreamed of for so long but didn’t know I would achieve. If you put in the effort and choose to focus on the bright side, you are in control of your own happiness. This is our year, so let’s have an awesome time and seize every moment.
Cheers to 2016! :)
xx Hailey
Hi everyone! Life has been moving very fast lately, and it’s so nice just to sit down and write. Right now I have my kitty sleeping next to me, and all of the Christmas lights on in the background- I have to say that even though December came so insanely quick, it is so magical and I feel like I am finally settling in. It’s crazy that there is not even ten days till Christmas… I feel like when I was little the Christmas season lasted for an entire year, kind of like it would never end. I’m sure that’s partially because I didn’t want it to; but now I have to occasionally remind myself to slow down and embrace the spirit of the season before it passes me by. I guess that’s kind of the adjustment we make by moving from childhood into adulthood, is that things don’t come quite so effortlessly when so many other things can be on my mind- I suppose that’s why I think living in the moment is so critical.
Regardless of the fact that Christmas has snuck up on me from behind, I have been really having a great month and I am totally excited that it's winter (after all it is my favorite time of the year). Although where I live we almost always get snow by this point, and I think the fact that we haven’t gotten a decent snowfall is messing with my internal calendar. I love winter for all of the obvious reasons of course; I feel like because we have to race inside everywhere we go, it helps us to appreciate the indoors- aka- the people who surround us there. I know that, for me, the juxtaposition of this time of year is that I tend to feel even cozier when it’s freezing and wet outside.
We all know that slipping into sweats and piling on the layers will definitely help to keep us warm… but it may not always keep us looking our best. I wanted to put together an outfit that would be comfy and stylish at the same time. This look is pretty business-friendly, but it would be great for a party or really any occasion where you want to dress up but don’t necessarily want the chilly commitment of a skirt. The reason I find this look so versatile is because you can be wearing staple pieces underneath, but adding a statement coat dresses up the whole look. I know that in winter I tend to stick to my favorite pieces, and then find something that can change it up to put over top.
Even though this coat is very vibrant, wearing it with muted colors helps make it very wearable for any occasion. I’m not gonna lie, I got so many compliments while wearing this coat- I think that in winter it’s nice to bring back some life in how we style ourselves.. It’s kind of like our own personal sunshine that brings light to us and those around us. Plus it was so warm that even in 30 something degree weather I wasn’t rushing to get inside! I hope you guys are having an amazing Christmas season and that you get to take time to truly enjoy it. :) xx Hailey
Hello Lovelies!
Cups of tea, leaf crunching, baths and sweaters have been my best friends for a couple of weeks now and I’m loving it. I have to admit that my urban side has been showing itself a lot more lately. I’ve grown up in a town that is surrounded by rural land, but about 20 minutes away is a decent sized city… loving both, I have always wondered whether or not I am a country or city girl at heart. I have to say today (and most days) I am channeling my city side. I am normally drawn to very feminine, blousy items but I have definitely been switching it up lately and working to get myself out of my comfort zone- and I have been thoroughly enjoying it.
Also starting a new trend for myself is booties. Yes, it took me a very long time to hop on this bandwagon- but I have to report that I am also pleasantly surprised. They have been my go-to shoe ever since I got them; especially because I am ready for boots and my cozy ones are not quite weather appropriate yet. Being quite petite, they are also a way to get casual height which is really convenient for every-day attire.
These pants have been a fall staple as well for me because of the neutral olive tone that helps to add dimension to any outfit- and of course spices it up from the usual jean. They are super comfy and feel like pajamas, which is probably one of the main characteristics that I love about them. As far as the fringed kimono goes- it’s the perfect layered look for the colder days. Definitely adding to the urban vibe of this look, it is extremely wearable and even though it’s not as warm as a coat, it will add for some heat in the fall season. I can guarantee that it will make you look and feel fashionable whenever you wear it. :)
xx Hailey
