24/7 365 Style

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...

 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...

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...

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...

I’d never been someone who was interested in exercising.  I stayed active by dancing, going to Zumba, or chasing students around the classroom. The idea of going to the gym filled me with anxiety, and when I did go I felt like I didn't belong and didn’t know what I was doing. In September, I committed to making a change and overcoming these feelings of self-doubt.  I took a leap and started working with a personal trainer.  While this has had its ups and downs, I can honestly say this decision has changed my life.  I’m still working on building my confidence and keeping up with my fitness goals, but I’m thankful to have the support and guidance of my trainer, husband, and fierce friends. You can’t overcome your fears without tackling them head on. It’s not always easy, and I often rely on others to give me the push I need, but I am starting to enjoy working out, am making it a habit, and I’m feeling good, too.  If there’s a change you’re wanting to make, t...

I love wearing makeup (eye shadow is da bomb, and yes, I am a 90's kid!), but I always seem to neglect my lips.  When I bought the " Ready in Five " makeup kit from Arbonne and saw that it included a lip gloss, I took the chance to try something new.  I'm always a fan of neutrals, so I opted for the Hazel gloss. After trying it out, I'm loving the muted glow from this product!  I typically don't like lip gloss because it goes on tacky and wears off quickly, but I've found that this isn't the case with this particular product.  I can also feel good about wearing it because it's gluten free, paraben free, and free from synthetic dyes...Yay, no toxins!  It's also on-sale right now for $26 instead of $40.  Check it out while colors are still in stock!  If you give it a try, comment here with your favorite color 😄 Also, when thinking about lip gloss, I can't pass up the opportunity to revel in the magic that is Lil Mama.  Fair warning:  Yo...

The beautiful island of Burano in the Northern Venetian Lagoon. If you're like me, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has got you working from home.  Those who know me know I NEVER wear my hair up, but working from home has me feeling less motivated to go through the process of styling my hair everyday. Exploring Palatine Hill after touring the Colosseum with The Roman Guys. This summer, prior to a trip to Italy with my husband, Ryan, I was searching for something that would allow me to feel more comfortable and confident with my hair up since I knew we'd be spending long days outside in the sweltering summer sun.  My hair is very fine and layered, so putting it in a ponytail always left me with flyaways or small portions of my hair falling down.  I did a quick Amazon search for hair accessories, and found the DRESHOW 6 Pack Headbands for $9.99.  I figured, "Why not give it a try?!" I can honestly say that I love these handbands and rarely go out with my ...

I hope everyone is staying happy and healthy.  In the midst of all the craziness going on in the world, I'm doing something a little crazy myself to reconnect with my passions and share healthy living with others.  Many of you know that I have a passion for skincare and cosmetics, so I've decided to make this a business venture.  I've joined the team at Arbonne, which is a health and wellness company with products ranging from skincare to makeup to nutrition and more!  Everything is super earth friendly, great for self-care, and safe for humans.  Yay, toxin free! You are invited to join me VIRTUALLY to celebrate the launch of my new business!  Choose between 3 dates @ times: THIS SATURDAY, March 21 @ 2pm - 3pm  or  TUESDAY, March 24 @ 12pm - 1pm  or  WEDNESDAY, March 25 @ 8pm - 9pm RSVP on Facebook . Join me on Zoom! at https://zoom.us/j/7878114297 I'd so appreciate you tuning in so I can learn to talk about this awesome ...

It's been more than two years since Ryan and I got married, but I'm just now getting around to writing our wedding story.  It's amazing all the things you can accomplish while "social distancing" due to the coronavirus crisis around the world.  I hope you all are staying healthy and finding ways to appreciate the solitude. Ryan and I wed on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront, also known as Batman's penthouse.  It was a foggy, rainy day, and we spent the morning getting ready with our loved ones in our separate suites.  Eliora, my stylist from We Only Do Pretty, helped to calm my nerves while feeling anxious about the rain and how it might affect our day.  My close friend, Loretta, beautified my bridesmaids, and then we all practiced our group dance to "Tearin' Up My Heart," which we learned during my bachelorette party at Duet Dance Studio (talk about an amazing time!).  I'll never forget the joy and l...

It was 10 years ago when I first started blogging.  Since then, I've graduated from college, moved to Chicago, earned a Master's degree in Education, got married, and started my career as a teaching artist.  Since then, I've also experienced one of the most difficult times in my life.  While I will open up about it more sometime soon, I'm not quite ready to share the full details of my experience.  What's important to share is that following a personal loss, I was forced to confront many feelings and desires I had neglected.  Through support from friends, counselors, and books ( Happier Now   by Nataly Kogan and Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein), I reflected on my emotional and physical health, and what I can control to move forward in my life in a positive way. With that, I'm choosing to return to blogging.  I'm choosing to return to a life focused on positivity, self-care, and wellness.  I'm choosing to share my journey with you, and ...