What I Wore 1.24.26

The last week of January dressing went so well! I may not have loved every single outfit, but I was pleased with how my looks came together. Mixing colors, textures, and new pieces were the theme of week (really, the theme I strive for every week). I pulled out some well loved pieces that haven't seen the light of day in quite awhile. I am guilty of reaching for newer pieces or ones that I've style fairly well in the past. It was nice to dust off a few pieces that I wore to death years ago, but haven't found their way back. Accessories were a bit try this week as well. Monday's necklace stack was quite fabulous if I do say so myself. And I do. I even added a belt to an outfit! 

Heading into February, I have a few thoughts. My budget isn't going to really allow for apparel, so I'm going to continue shopping my closet and creating new outfits. The insanely cold weather did hinder a lot of outfits (thermal layers), so I think it will be a lot more fun in February since it won't be as cold. I want to continue bringing out my accessories. Trying to add more will help me realize what I am lacking. January dressing felt intentional in the best way. I tried to not think too hard and Pinterest was my best friend. I want to continue being inspired by other outfits, but I want to challenge myself to be inspired by art, books, random color combinations in the wild. Anything and everything. 

There is a look on Pinterest that I love. It's a butter yellow vest, striped shirt, and leopard pants. This is my best version of that look. I was so comfortable and warm! And yes, I'm wearing my thermals underneath. Shop the look here.

This look was all about warmth. I'm wearing my thermals under my jeans (honestly shocked it all fit). I took this on and off as the day progressed. I wore a pair of pajamas most of the day. But to take the dogs out, I needed real clothes. Shop the look here.

Okay, yes. I did wear this sweater last Friday. But it's a good sweater! I was excited to play with some accessories with this look. Instead of my usual headband, I used two barrettes. I layered quite a few necklaces! It really makes an otherwise very simple outfit pop. I'm really digging the blue and plum together too. Shop the look here.

It was still pretty cold and I wanted to wear a miniskirt. I haven't worn this thrifted J. Crew shirt is a long time and I'm glad I brought it out to play! It is a favorite and was such a big score for me. Shop the look here.

Such a good outfit! As someone who has shied away from accessories, I'm really trying to add more to my outfits. Adding the belt to this blazer helped cinch the look and adds another element of interest. Shop the look here.

I was outside a lot this day and needed all the layers. I am also fairly grateful to this snow for giving my Bean boots a new life. I hadn't worn them in so long! I do like this outfit, but I felt incredibly bulky with all the layers. Shop the look here. 

Two outfits in one Friday! I'm ready to be back on that game for sure. The first look was something new I tried with that plaid top. It's one of my harder to style pieces and I think this came together pretty well. As I keep playing with different silhouettes, I have to keep in mind that it's not all going to work the same. I changed into something a little more elevated, but still comfy for a dinner party. Nap dresses are always a win.

What I Wore 1.17.26

Another week, another outfit roundup! It was absolutely frigid most days. I did not want to leave the apartment for anything. And I barely did. Mostly to let the dogs out for a pee. It's just really annoying when it's too cold to function. I want to take walks. I want to go to a café or restaurant for lunch or dinner. I want to feel the sunshine on my face. But this cold will just knock you right in the teeth. And it's not going to be any better next week.

This week was chock full of experimenting and putting things together like I have never done before. I wouldn't say there were misses, but I didn't love everything entirely. But I do believe it's important to keep pushing those boundaries. I'm still having a lot of fun and I might continue into a No Spend February (meaning no clothing purchases). It really does push me into thinking about what I already own versus what I could buy to make it "better". I am excited to thrift come February though, so I might allow that. Nothing New February might be a better title. 

I finally wore these pants without the matching vest! Another try at a casual outfit. To which my friend said, "That's your lounging outfit?" Yes, it is! I would have liked to go for a denim jeans look, but my jeans are not super comfy to wear all day on the couch. That's my goal for this year: to find two pairs of jeans that fit properly and feel like a good casual option. Shop the look here.

Another pajama Sunday. I recently updated my pajamas a bit and it feels so fresh! I hadn't updated my collection since 2020. It was time. I really love how girly this set is with the ruffle collar and bows. Shop the look here.

Still unsure about this outfit. I have a thermal set underneath and I just felt really bulky. I'm trying to take that out of my brain (I don't need or have to look thin), but it still gets to me. I think it is really fun though. Shop the look here.

Not sure about this as an outfit. I wanted to try something different and I'm not 100% sure it landed where I wanted it to land. It is another frigid day and I'm wearing my thermal pants under this. I feel like it's just missing something. Maybe another layer. I would have liked to add another print. Shop the look here.

Apparently all I wear are neck scarves. I do have a ton that don't get to see the light of day. And this particular one is from London. I don't hate it! It's an easy add to any outfit to make it pop. I think I'd like this outfit a lot more if I wasn't wearing black fleece tights, but alas. I think it's quite fun though! Shop the look here.

This might be my favorite look from the week. Sometimes I forget how much I love my mini skirts. And of course, this green is amazing. The little print mixing with the peek-a-boo color and plaid was very fun. Shop the look here.

As I am writing this, I just realized I did try this mustard yellow and cornflower blue mixing this week. But I like this outfit a lot more. I feel very Snow White. I did try adding pops of red (shoes and headband), but it all felt like too much. Maybe a red lip would look cute. Shop the look here.

Notes + Favorites #3

This past week and weekend were fraught. With everything happening, this didn't quite make it out when I would have liked, but I'm just going to push it out today. 

Call your Senators about the ICE funding bill! Emily Amick has a great script that is really easy to use. I made my calls this morning.

We had a huge snowstorm blow through and I've been stuck inside (along with everyone in the Midwest). Thankfully, we did not lose power, but the dogs (mainly Oswin) are iffy on the going outside part. Indianapolis is in a Travel Warning Advisory, so we are in for the time being. I did finish Murder in the Marais and started another book. That makes 8 books completed so far in January! Not too shabby. 

My No Spend January has still been going well. I am anxious to thrift a bit. I love ThredUp and have been saving pieces into my favorites. Most of them will sell out, but I'm hoping to snag a few. I'm also trying to make my algorithm better so it shows me pieces I will actually want. I'm desperate to get into a Goodwill and some antique malls as well. It feels good to hold off though. I really don't need anything. And I'm looking into a kind of No Spend February that is maybe more of a No New Things February.

What I'm Reading: The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss and Murder in the Marais by Cara Black

Word of the Week: bibliomania /bib-li-o-ma-ni-a/ extreme love for collecting books

Tips on arranging your desk.

I've weaned myself off of TikTok, but haven't deleted the app. This will probably change my mind.

Why we're all obsessed with the 2016 trend.

This style challenge from Julia Berolzheimer is refreshing.

Are books becoming obsolete? This Substack piece gives hope.

As I age closer to 40, I am thinking more and more about my health and how I can protect myself. 

I do love a kitchen lamp.

Mix + Match

I work from home most days now. And I still get dressed for the office. Maybe one day this will change (I don't see that happening, but never say never). I can't help it. I love getting dressed. I love putting outfits together. And just because they might not see the outside of my apartment (or neighborhood), doesn't mean I should just resolve to wearing pajamas or loungewear. I feel quite firmly on this. 

That being said, sometimes you (I mean me) just need to get out in a cool outfit and be in public. I love walking to a café or restaurant to do my work. This clears my brain a bit and gives me that home/work separation that one can feel when working from home. Do I go out to see if I can get compliments on my outfits? No. But also yes. Being around people is fun (even though my introverted self would say otherwise). Seeing what other people are wearing is fun. And yes, having my outfit complimented is also fun. 

This outfit I was particularly proud of because it felt so fresh and so me. I've had these pieces for awhile now (except maybe the scarf and shoes) and I've never done this pairing before. I have been really inspired by menswear inspired looks lately. But I don't want my outfit to just be menswear. I crave femininity in my outfits. Instead of your usual button up, I did a short sleeve with a slight puff. I added a pretty silk scarf secured with a ring instead of a knotted tie. Instead of loafers, I did chunky Mary Janes and sheer polka dot socks. It still feels very tailored and put together, but has a little something else that makes it stand out (to me). I very obviously had to take it for a spin in public. I mean it's perfectly matched with this green sofa!

 

Saying Goodbye to The Apothecary

I had started and stopped this post many times, but I think now is a good of a time as any to finish that thought. 

I said goodbye to my first and only place that was truly mine at the beginning of September 2025. Okay, technically, I said goodbye on October 13th, but I had mostly moved out by that first week of September. Meaning I had stopped sleeping at The Apothecary. 

For three gorgeous years, I lived and loved in this space. I decorated it exactly as I wanted. It was full of girly fun, plants, and my favorite things. I screamed, laughed, cried, danced, wrote, and dreamed in this place. I hosted many girls' nights that I will remember and cherish forever. I fell back in love with myself and in love with my partner here. I healed here. I don't like to admit this because it sounds awful, but I felt like I actually lived a life here. 

Before my divorce, I lived somewhere I couldn't see as mine. It wasn't decorated well. It was too big. It was in the middle of nowhere. Hosting wasn't an option. I was isolated and felt alone. In The Apothecary, I was actually alone, but didn't feel alone. It was located in a fairly central location, close to my friends. I covered up as much wall space as I possibly could and added so much color, especially pink. I had people over as much as often as possible. I wanted to be here even when boredom started to creep in (and if I didn't, I could just walk to Upland). 

I learned how to make a home. And I am forever grateful that I had (and took) this opportunity for myself. It feels impossible these days to be able to live alone. Rents are sky high (this was overly priced if I do say so myself). Square footage keeps shrinking. Locations are either amazing or awful. If you have the chance to make a space all yours, I highly recommend you take it. There is nothing quite like it.

All that said, I am so excited to for my next adventure at Foxglove Flat (more to come). Decorating a new space with my partner, hosting friends and family, and creating a new place to call home. It's all very exciting.