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Showing posts from 2020

Hey All You Cool Cats and Kittens

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Okay, so we finally jumped in and binge watched  Tiger King .  I want thank Carole Baskin (who definitely killed her husband) for reigniting my love of animal prints.  I've always been a big fan of leopard print, but I just recently snagged this leopard print puff sleeve fleece sweatshirt from Express.  I love this shirt because it's comfy for working from home and dressy enough for video meetings with students and parents.  I paired it with the Kinsley necklace from Park Lane and my Spanx faux leather leggings. I've talked about my Spanx faux leather leggings before, but I'm going to talk about them again because I cannot get over how comfortable they are and how well they've held up after so many wears and washes.  Normally, I would never spend close to $100 on a pair of pants (and I didn't on these; they were a gift from my husband), but I can honestly say that I will be buying a new pair for myself when these are too worn.  They fit like a glov...

Alex Erinn Try-On Haul

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I want to share several pieces with you that I discovered while shopping a new online boutique called Alex Erinn.  What I love about this boutique is that they're always receiving new inventory and staying on top of the trends.  When I was approached by Alexandra, the owner of the boutique, and asked to check out some of their pieces at a discount, I was thrilled!  Below are a few of my favorites.  You can check out the full boutique here , and save 15% on your order with code rachael15. The first is this lace peplum blouse.  I've been trying to find one of these shirts for a long time, and finally found one that fits!  What makes this blouse different from others I've tried is amount of  movement it allows.  The lace sleeves are not restricting, and the bodice is lined with a satiny material that is super soft.  I also adore this particular top because I can still wear a normal bra.  The stitching on the shoulders is thick enough ...

Cozy Joggers

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 Another day, another jogger.  I am living in joggers lately like a #quaranqueen, and these have got to be the softest pair I've found.  Yes, the pattern is a little out there, but the pants were less than $15.00 on Amazon and I'm about go order a second pair (there are more than 30 colors and patterns).  Plus, they have pockets!!  They are a juniors fit, so if you prefer your pants on the looser side, I would size up. I'm also wearing one of my favorite long-sleeve tees.  This one is from Ross, so there's no way to share a link to shop it.  Instead, I linked a similar style "Bee Kind" crew-neck lounge shirt from Amazon.  It comes in black, pink, green, and yellow in a long sleeve style, or you can choose from additional colors if you opt for short sleeves. I took some self-care time today sipping on Fizz (B-vitamin energy drink) and reading  The Most Fun We Ever Had  by Claire Lombardo for my virtual book club next week.  T...

Finding Balance

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How are you finding ways to stay balanced and practice self-care?  I’m a Type A personality, and am used to having my day mapped out minute by minute with a color coded to-do list (thank you, Passion Planner!).  Even while working on a modified schedule from home, I write out each day’s to-do’s and often feel like I’m rushing from one task to the next. Today, I reminded myself that it’s okay to slow down.  It’s okay to prioritize yourself.  It’s okay to take a pause, acknowledge that things are hard right now, and breathe into the discomfort.  It’s okay to make space for the small things that bring you joy for no reason other than that they make you feel good. I've been reading Super Attractor , by Gabby Bernstein, and it's been a great reminder that when we focus on the positives and actively seek what feels good, we open ourselves up to welcoming more joy into our lives.  So, take the time to do yoga, read a book, journal, call a friend, have a danc...

Fierce Comfort

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It's a beautiful day in Chicago and I'm getting ready to don my mask and run some errands.  I had a quick protein shake and am about to head out but I wanted to quickly share one of my favorite tops with you since it's on sale for $9.99 today!  Today, I'm wearing a a Miselon twisted knot leopard print shirt.  It's honestly one of the softest shirts I own.  I love that it has a dressy look but is comfortable enough to lounge in.  I also like the knotted front because it gives the shirt some shape and accents your waistline.  The back is long enough to pair with leggings since it just covers your butt.  This shirt comes in 8 different colors/patterns, and I just ordered another one for myself! I'm also wearing my Spanx faux-leather leggings in a medium (usually, I wear a small).  I ordered up a size because they are snug by nature but I like a little extra wiggle room.  I love these because super stretchy and soft on the inside, and conce...

Sunday Home Workout

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Do something each day that makes you feel good.  That can be as small as reading a book for 15 minutes, repeating a daily affirmation, going for a walk, or singing a song.  On Sundays for me, it's working out with my hubby.  For precautionary sake, they finally closed the small gym in our apartment complex.  So, Ryan and I did our best to get through our routine using dumbbells, resistance bands, and our body weight.  I included a few of our favorite exercises below. For today's workout, I wore one of my favorite outfits.  I'm wearing seamless, cropped leggings from Gymshark.  I love the eyelet detail on these (both breathable and cute).  I also appreciate that they are squat-proof, higher-waisted, and move with you.  They're available in more than 10 colors in cropped or full-length styles. I'm also wearing a crop-top/sports bra from Forever 21.  I'm a big fan of the crisscross back.  Forever 21 has a ton of low, medium,...

Bold Spring Blouse by LEANI

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If you know me well, you know that I love neutrals.  Everything from my wardrobe, to my apartment, to my dishware are neutral colors like black, gray, or tan.  Occasionally, I try to step outside of the box and that's what I did when I ordered this bold, red balloon sleeve top from LEANI.  This reminds me of the peasant tops I used to wear as a teen, but with a more contemporary upgrade.  This blouse is very comfortable and could be great for work or a night out with the girls.  It does run wide, but I don't mind that when it's paired with skinny jeans.  You could also tuck in the front of the shirt for a more slimming look.  The shirt is available in burgundy (pictured), black, or green. I paired the top with one of my favorite pairs of GUESS jeans.  I discovered these jeans on a rainy day while on vacation in Florida with my husband when he suggested we check out the luxury outlet mall.  I had never bought a pair of GUESS jeans before, ...

Funky Sweatshirts - A Great Transitional Piece

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Retail therapy is a real thing and somebody needs to cut me off!  Wait, is there too much of a good thing?  Honestly, though, I'm obsessed with these Romwe casual sweatshirts.  They're primarily polyester, so they're great for transitioning into spring (not heavy fleece like you'd want in the winter months).  They're also versatile and can be dressed to suit your needs.  Right now, I like to sport this shirt with yoga pants as I'm working from home, but once we're able to get back outside I can't wait to throw it on with some distressed denim shorts or jeans.  These tops are perfect for a cozy day/night in, or a night out with friends.  You can dress the shirt up by pairing it with a sparkly necklace like the one I'm wearing from Banana Republic Factory. The sweatshirts are a juniors fit and hit just at your hips.  If you like your sweatshirts to be on the looser side, I'd size up.  The arms have plenty of wiggle room, but the torso i...

Fun Fit Finds

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 I don't know about you, but I'm still working on developing routines that help me to stay balanced while being socially distant.  I start each day with positive affirmations (check out the Spirit Junkie app by Gabby Bernstein), some physical activity, getting showered and dressed, and then drafting and sticking to my work schedule.  Each day, I end by journaling about three things I am grateful for.  These range from the fact that I actually put on makeup, to opting to skip the ice cream after lunch or being able to snuggle up at the end of the day with my hubby and cats.  What routines are you developing to maintain a sense of normalcy? For my workout, I always start with 5 minutes of light cardio to get my blood pumping and heart rate going.  I either start on the elliptical, stationary bike, or treadmill.  Then, I focus on a target muscle group (like my legs, glutes, or arms) and end with abs (planks for the win!).  My favorite exercise l...

Sunday Vibes - Loungewear

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Sundays have got me in lounge clothes, slightly caffeinated, enjoying a little me time (aka Netflix or reading).  For me, Sundays are the one day of the week that I'm not running full speed ahead from one to-do to the next.  Sundays are also the day when I feel the most tired; probably because I finally allow myself to slow down.  So, I'm surviving by sipping on Arbonne's Energy Fizz Sticks in citrus flavor and my husband is setting up his new Lattissima Pro Nespresso  (much to my chagrin).  We've been back and forth on whether or not to invest in a Nespresso for months, and temporarily working from home has left my hubby with enough time to do some research and take the leap.  I'll report back soon with reviews.  For those of you who have one, comment with your tips for us newbies! While relaxing around the house, I'm loving lounging in my comfiest leggings and cozy sweatshirt.  The leggings come in several different, funky patterns, are b...

Cozy Florals

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I LOVE getting dressed up when I go to work.  Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to rethink my daily sense of style, and has got me seeking more cozy options.  So, I did a little retail therapy on Amazon.  Over the next several days, I'll be sharing some of my favorites. My first favorite is this casual floral print long sleeve pullover lightweight sweatshirt from ROMWE.  The material is more blouse-like than a sweatshirt (no fleece), so it's great for spring.  It allows me to feel dressy while still being comfy on the couch in my yoga pants with my laptop.  This pullover comes in more than 30 patterns and colors (check out the options below)!  Leave a comment with which color you would choose for yourself. In these pictures, I'm also wearing one of my comfiest pairs of leggings from 90 Degree by Reflex.  They are buttery soft and have withstood more than a year's use.  These are my go-to's for lounging and...