Instinct

When I put on this outfit, I was doubtful. I wasn't sure if it was flattering or a hot mess, if it was angelic or stupid, or if it was a fashion score or an epic fail. To tell you the truth, I'm still not sure, but I can tell you that after going with my gut and looking at these pictures now, I'm glad I decided on this bold outfit, rather than some of the safer versions I had on before my little photo shoot. It just goes to show, style is only a matter of instinct. 

Band of Gypsies Maxi | Similar Cheekies

Don't Stop Me Now

My mom has a pair of ridiculous, old-school white Reebok sneakers that she wears around the house when she's needing motivation to clean up and get things done. She calls them her "magic shoes". I won't lie; she endured years of ridicule from me because of these shoes. But I think I get it now - My Jeffrey Campbell lace ups make me feel powerful, like I can't and won't be stopped! They're my magic shoes, and I can't believe I didn't realize what that term meant until now. With that information, my message today for you all is this; wear your magic shoes. No matter how tall, how obnoxious, how expensive or inexpensive, or how ridiculous. Life is too short to wear anything less than what makes you feel unstoppable. 

Side note: I'm really excited about all my recent blog changes, including a new blog title and layout! I hope you enjoy the changes as well. Thanks for sticking with me. <3

Truly Madly Deeply Moon Dreams Tee | Minimal Lace Up Heel | BDG Twig High Rise Jean | Galloon Lace Halter Bra | H&M Hat

Good Omen

Omen; a sign of prophetic significance. 

I personally believe in this sort of thing. My mom always told me growing up that there are messages for us everywhere, if we're willing to listen. Because of this little nugget that was imbedded into my little brain, I've always tried to be acutely aware of the universe's messages for me. Lately, I feel like I've been getting a lot of them. There's something extremely gratifying and reassuring about letting yourself believe the universe is on your side; that it is a presence at all. I won't share the larger issues in my life where I've received my omens, or 'little messages' as I call them, but I thought I would share a smaller, sillier one with you all. I bought this sweater for a couple of reasons...
A. I needed a really cozy turtleneck. (Note: "needed" is a relative term, always, when discussing my spending habits.)
And B. When I saw this one, though it was a little pricier than I had hoped, I had to buy it. It's called the Dylan Tweedy Turtle neck. As you know if you've been a follower of my blog for a while, or my Instagram, I am a huge Bob Dylan fan. So is my dad; my parents even named my brother Dylan. Of course this sweater was meant to be in my life. There's no other explanation! I must own it, the universe wills it so!

At least, that's what I'm choosing to believe.

FP. Dylan Tweedy Pullover | BDG Jeans (Similar Here)

Mean

 Sometimes when we take pictures, Eric tells me to "look mean". I don't know why it feels so good to look mean sometimes. Being mean doesn't feel good, at least not to me, but there's something about a look of boredom and disdain that is satisfying when it comes to taking pictures. I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to give yourself permission to do what you want. It's a really empowering feeling that I feel like a lot of us, especially women (Yeah, I'm generalizing, so what?), deal with on a regular basis. It's been one of my resolutions to do more of what I want, to say more of what I want, and to look how I want, and so far it's been going really well. I feel really good about it. It sounds obvious until you're at a point in your life when you realize it's not how you've been living, but there's a lot of power in allowing yourself to be who you want to be.

Brandy Melville Franka Turtleneck Tank | Urban Outfitters Blazer (Similar Here) | BDG Twig High Rise Jean | Frye Veronica Chelsea Boot

Fun Money

Brandy Melville is one of my favorite places to head when I have some extra fun money in my budget. You can get so much bang for your buck there! I bought this top with the upcoming summer months in mind, but was too excited not to wear it, despite the weather still being a bit chilly. (I don't really mind or notice when it comes to taking pictures!) I can think of so many ways to style this little striped crop top - I love it when you can find a piece that's fun but still simple enough to work into your wardrobe fairly easily.

What's your go-to place to shop when you have some extra money to spend? 

Joanne Tank | BDG Corduroy Shorts | BP. Faux Leather Jacket | Steve Madden Gilte Bootie | FP. Caravel Thigh Hi

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

 Happy New Years! I know I'm a little late. I took a much needed break from the pressures of blogging/social media in general, and can honestly say it was really rejuvenating. Going back home for the holidays definitely helped; I always feel more grounded when I'm able to spend a little time in Alaska. I feel like it reminds me of who I am, which helps me understand what I want, and I guess blogging is no exception.

My New Years resolutions list is a mile long -- But there are a few things that pertain to blogging that I thought I would share with you. The biggest resolution is to wear what I want. I feel like with so many blogs out there, it's easy to let your own tastes and aesthetic be swayed by what is working for others. It's my goal to stay more true to what I like, and what I would want to wear regardless of whether or not I'm going to share it with the world or not. When people trust themselves, it tends to create more meaningful and genuine content, and of course, that's the goal. Secondly, I really need to stop beating myself up if I don't feel like blogging my outfit. I feel like blogging is sort of like a form of self employment, and that can cause us to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Part of my New Years resolutions for blogging is to put less pressure on success, and more positive pressure on simply creating a blog that I love and have fun with. 

What are your New Years resolutions?

Veronica Chelsea Frye Boot | BP. Boucle Pullover | Sparkle & Fade Lace Dress (Similar Here) | KUT From the Kloth Denim Jacket

War Paint

 You all may have been wondering where I've been. Or you may not have been wondering at all. But in case you were wondering, I've been nowhere. I have no grand experience or exceptional excuse for my absence on the internet. I've been thinking of clever little excuses all day; things I could tell whoever is reading in order to make my lack of blog posts seemingly more understanding.

But I got nothing. Though that may not be an exceptional, or even a clever excuse, I'm not going to lie to you, internet, because you only lie to me sometimes. I've been in a terrible funk the last few weeks, only it's one of those funks that makes you feel like you've been in it your whole life, just at varying degrees. I'm sure that's not true... Actually, I'm not sure, but that's what people keep telling me.

The truth is internet, I couldn't stand the idea of you for a while. I'm still not entirely sure if this is a good idea. I feel like my funk was brought on by some artificial desire to be something or someone, and it was like a tornado or whirlwind or some other natural disaster that causes a serious funk, and I just got swept up in it and kind of forgot where I was. And though, I'm still not entirely sure, I can tell you without doubt that trying hard is exhausting after a while, and sometimes you need to give yourself time to be in a funk. You need to stay in bed some days. You need to coyly ask your lover or best friend to stay in there with you, for good company and shared silence. You need to cry for no reason sometimes. You need to not cry at all and wonder why you're not crying. You need to feel all this. I'm not entirely sure why, but I hopefully have a lot of time left on this earth to keep attempting to figure it out. Until then, I can tell you that a new haircut helps, dressing up pretty helps, and sometimes not getting out of pajamas helps, too. Red lipstick can feel like war paint and no makeup can feel just the same, and good songs help just as much as bad songs, depending on your mood. So if you don't feel like taking blog pictures today - Just don't. And don't beat yourself up about it, and don't go on Instagram and look at all the other bloggers going on without a visible care in the world and then judge yourself for not feeling like a million bucks. Just do what feels right.

I'm sorry if I'm not making much sense, but I just sort of promised myself I would start making more sense to myself, and if that means this blog turns out more like a diary with a few pretty pictures thrown in here and there, that's okay with me. I hope it's okay with you too. And I hope you're having a beautiful existence today, and may whatever degree of funk you're in be short lived.

BDG Carina Oversized T-Shirt Dress | Tonal Scrunch Over-The-Knee Sock | Thread & Supply Double Breasted Pea Coat | Jeffrey Campbell Minimal Lace Up Heel