Bless it all, Sales, Cardigans, & Butter Boards
Issue 9
Hello, my darlings. Happy Thursday, we are here, things are happening, bless it all.
If I had a motto for life at the moment, it would probably be more of a great big clash of noise than anything. A cacophony of hope. A collapse of pillows and blankets as I fall into a nap. A million words and ideas and not nearly enough time.
While I knew momentum for this newsletter and my ‘personal brand’ (trust me, that makes me shudder more than anyone else but I have no idea what else to call it) would take time, I didn’t plan on it hitting its’ stride right in the middle of my peak busy season for photography. Lord have mercy on this brain of mine because I am practically buzzing despite zero caffeine.
The fridge is full of random ingredients that keep getting tossed into bowls and being called dinner (Anything can be a bowl, y’all). I find myself charging through the store when running errands because everything feels fast and I forget that charging through any building isn’t normal behavior. We’re barely hanging on by a thread, and yet, I’m so happy. Scared, for sure. Overwhelmed most of the time. But happy too.
Last week I found a notebook full of scribbled business ideas and ambitions. It was from a workshop I was a part of back in January 2020, and it reeks of hope and uncertainty. The main thread throughout: I wanted to be writing, styling, connecting with more people about the things I cared about, and doing more than photography. I wanted to be doing exactly what I now find myself doing.
Bless, it makes this woman teary.
If we hang out together on Instagram, you may have seen in stories yesterday a few questions and very generous comments about the uptick in styling chat and this newsletter. It was all very kind. And it also made me laugh because I am not natural and videoing myself is not normal or easy. I have so much self-doubt and battle a lot of thoughts about what I’m doing being trivial and embarrassing. And there’s a very solid chance that I will fall flat on my face with every single new thing I try, or at least be very bad at it at first.
But I think back to almost three years ago when I wanted to do exactly this, and I think 2020 me would be proud. And also really overwhelmed (in the best way) by all of you. Thank you for being here and encouraging me. And thank you for indulging my sappy moment.
Let’s dive into some sales, a styling question, and the best links of the week, shall we?
The Start of Sale Season:
We are headed into sales season and it can be a little overwhelming. A few things to remember:
Just because it is on sale doesn’t mean it is right for your closet. I keep a running list in the notes app on my phone of pieces that I’d like to add to my wardrobe in the future. This is a great sounding board during sales season and helps keep the FOMO of a sale at bay. If it isn’t on the wish list, it probably doesn’t need to be in my cart.
Check your return windows. We’re getting to the time of you where they are starting to be extended, but make sure you look into that first.
This is the best time of year to invest in something you’ve been thinking about for a while. Things like coats, a classic pair of riding boots, and sweaters that will be worn for years to come are often more marked down and available than at any other time of the year. But be mindful of trendy pieces or looks that might not be in line with your personal style. If you’re curious about trying a new look, start at a lower investment from High Street stores like H&M, Mango, and Zara. Or check a thrift store or consignment sites like Poshmark or The Real Real first.
Now that we’ve touched base on that, one of my personal favorite European High Street stores is running a 30% off everything sale with the code “EXTRA30”. Mango is my go-to for basics, trousers, coats, and jeans. Here are my current picks:
Styling Q&A:
Question: This week’s styling question comes from Kaitlin who has a brand new tiny human and is headed on her first work trip since they arrived. She’s looking for work-appropriate sweaters that are nursing-friendly and help her feel put together in what can be a crazy season of life.
Answer: Nothing says ‘nursing friendly’ like a cardigan! And there are so many out there. If you cringed a little at the word ‘cardigan’ and got instant flashbacks to holidays and Sundays wearing a scratchy sweater with insanely tiny buttons that made you match the older ladies at Church and your grandmother, these are not those cardigans.
When thinking about how to style a cardigan, experiment with the fit of a certain piece and try wearing it open, all the way buttoned, just one button, etc. If it’s a shorter sweater, a boxier fit will look fresh and it will look great french tucked into a pair of tailored trousers. For longer sweaters that hit below your hip, try wearing them over a pair of dark-wash jeans or slim-cut pants with a pair of comfortable pumps or pointed-toe ballet flats. If you want to modernize your look, try leaving a few of the bottom buttons undone and pair with a relaxed silhouette - boyfriend jeans or wide-legged pants are great options.
Here’s What Has Delighted Me This Week:
The best version of myself exists in a French cafe, dipping a buttery croissant into a cappuccino. I’m always trying to get into that French cafe sort of mind, and this playlist helps tremendously.
Seth & I cannot get enough of this White Chicken Chili. Absolutely the best. It is a little spicy (easy to adjust to your taste), creamy, healthy, simple, and quick to throw together. Any recipe that recommends rotisserie chicken is an immediate win in my book.
This band is currently on repeat in our house (Start with this song & this song).
This article on Wellness was fascinating.
You may have seen the newest board trend on TikTok - butter boards. I have many thoughts - “why?”, being the biggest of them. And it turns out they’re actually quite gross.
Today was day four of my 30 Fall Outfits series. I’m getting to know my tripod very well, making awkward eye contact with the neighbors while filming, and Hudson, the dog, has made quite a few guest appearances. It’s a great time!