Winter is in full swing; let’s embrace everything about it and learn to style some great sleek winter looks. Winter is my favorite season and I am excited to share this sleek winter look in partnership with Corkys Footwear.
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This September I decided to branch out a bit from my usual content. I had many requests for practical and useful styling advice and so each week throughout the month I will do a Fall Fashion Finds post. These posts are intended to inspire and provide quick and easy advice. I hope you find it helpful… and if there is something specific you want to see let me know. My goal is always to deliver meaningful and useful content.
Any fashionista knows that booties are an absolute must have this fall season. Throwing on a cute bootie can take a boring t-shirt and jeans to stylish outfit wearable for any occasion. They are the most versatile shoe and a main staple in a well equipped fall closet. While I do tend to splurge on my shoes you do not need to spend a fortune to keep your look updated and trendy. All of the booties here are under $150 and many are under $100.
Click on any product you like for shopping details- all the pictures are linked!
shop: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten
a few tips on purchasing:
Most of these run TTS (true to size) however I have found that Sam Edelman run a bit narrow so order one size up. Also, Sorels and Sperrys only come in whole sizes so order one size up as you would normally wear a thicker sock with these types of boots, Also, most of what is linked is from Zappos and Nordstrom as both stores have great, if not free, shipping rates and shipping times. Furthermore, both offer free returns.
Bootie Breakdown:
This season I am loving the flat/low heels as I am finding it more realistic and practical for life. They are easy to throw on with denim, skirts, dresses or even shorts (f your location is summer year round). So many of the styles also incorporate perforation which adds the best detailing and change to a simple bootie.
Here are a few of my favorite flat/low heel booties
Adding a block heel bootie to your closet is a must; especially if you are a working lady! They are classic, clean, sophisticated and trendy. I love how easy they are to transition from day to night and how a block heel elevates a normal outfit to classy and elegant.
Here are my favorite block heel booties
As a mountain mama and Colorado native I tend to gravitate towards weather friendly shoes. I typically buy a new pair of boots for the winter season and this year is no different. Below are great picks for warm and dry feet all season long!
A few weather friendly bootie finds
Whether you are more casual or like to dress up, booties are perfect for you. They are essential for the mom on-the-go or the busy professional lady. I love so many of these and my shopping cart keeps getting filled up. These picks are just the tip of the iceberg so let me know if you find some you love- I get so excited about new finds!!
Let me know what you want to see next week!!!
With love,
shop the post:
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Choices and Instincts… who decides???
Recently I have been having an ongoing conversation about the freedom of choice and the idea of who determines our path in life. There are so many beliefs carried by many different people that is there really one right answer??
The conversation stems from a situation where a dear and cherished friend of mine has been faced with some very challenging life choices. As someone who grew up in a very strict faith and in adulthood committed and chose her faith over anything – she is now bound by the values and morals of her guiding religion. Only now what? And what about people who have been raised with freedom of faith? What binds us and drives us? As I have friends on both sides I am lucky enough to get to engage in close and honest conversations on both sides. How is our life determined? At what point, does love or life take precedent over prescribed beliefs and values? Is there a healthy mix of both??
The reality is there is no roadmap for life- at least not one that I have seen. I believe in the power of choice and I understand that is not the same for everyone. I believe my destiny is not determined but rather I can choose, alter, guide and steer my life towards a destiny. The twists and turns at each corner remind me that I have the freedom to choose and for that I am grateful. Human instinct is such an incredibly strong force and I have learned that when I trust my instinct I come out on the other side happy. Trust me, I do not have it all figure out- in fact I have very little figured out but I am learning to trust my instinct more. I am learning to remember that life is not planned and that sometimes detouring off course can have amazing outcomes. Thinking about my friend who followed her heart – her instinct- I am hopeful that after the hurt and pain is gone she will embrace her choice to follow her instinct.
Photos: Jenna Sparks
shop the look: denim // top // booties // earrings // tote // brALETTE
Choosing my outfit is like choosing my destiny- I get to decide and I get to mix and match. Enter this open back flowy top which is a little bit off the path for me. Oh, and I choose to wear white denim year-round: talk about veering off course! Ha. I have had my eye on this top for a while but always felt it was a little out of character for me but I decided to just go for it and I am so glad I did!! I L O V E it. I wore it here with a lace bralette and love the free-flowing nature and the openness of the back. It is perfect for spring days as it is still long sleeve to add some warmth but the open back makes it perfect for those warm spring days.
White denim. Let’s not be scared to wear it all year round. Embrace it, wear it, love it. These new skinnies were a part of the “Operation Update my Denim” that you may have read about in this post. I was so excited to get back to the US and start buying up some essential staples and these were first, maybe second, on the list. I will wear them all season- all year!!! I may add a pair of distressed like <these> or <these> to the line-up shorty but for now I am loving these babies.
New location = new booties. Again, really capitalizing on the weather and indulging in all the perforated styles. These were a great purchase and will carry me right on through to flip-flop and sandal weather.
TWO DIFFERENT PATHS.
I consider myself to be an open and transparent person and therefore I am willing to write and share my wonderings, to share my values and beliefs. The fact that my heart and instinct would lead me down one path and there are people, whom I consider very dear friends, have been lead down a different path is encouraging as it reminds me about the power of choice. It keeps me on my toes and allows me the opportunity to both expand my knowledge and open my perspective to something different. Furthermore, the fact that conversations don’t turn into judgement is a reminder of the power of humanity and positive intent. Connecting with others and engaging in discussions about real things- including religion and choice- is what I live for. I am not a superficial person. I want to talk about deep things- I want to talk about life. Thanks for allowing me the freedom and space to do so here. Thank you for supporting and being open minded to differences in opinions.
With Love,
Shop all the items here with one click- I try to ensure everything is in stock and update if needed!
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Reflection brings change or so they say.
As we have been unpacking and settling back into Denver I have been trying to spend a lot of time reflecting on the last seventeen months… but I can’t seem to find my mirror. Both figuratively and literally.
When you look in a mirror what do you see looking back? Is it too superficial to see the physical features of your face or body or clothes looking back and if so, why?? Where did the stigma of caring what you look like become so negative? I personally spend a great deal of time in front of the mirror- styling outfits, testing out beauty products and experimenting with new hair and make-up trends- so when I look in the mirror I see the physical aspects. Except, recently, when I look in the mirror I see myself blankly staring back. Despite the new makeup and hair or styling the perfect outfit I have been lacking the other reflection. Something has been missing.
Oh, that’s right MY MIRROR.
Luckily for those around me I found my mirror and have been doing some serious reflecting.
Photos: Jenna Sparks
shop the look: denim // top // booties // bag // watch
As you know I gravitate towards neutrals and mainly grays. whites and black so when I saw this bold patterned top I was surprised how much I loved it. The bold pattern paired perfectly with these patchwork denim as all the blue tones swirled together. This bold top is the perfect lightweight top for spring, perfect color combination for any skin tones and the flowy nature makes it flattering on anyone!! It is currently on sale so make sure to get it before they are all gone. These denim were part of the “operation update my denim” upon my return from London. I simply love them and the are well under $100. This brand, Articles of Society, is fast becoming my go-to for all things denim (sizing note- order a size down as they typically run big).
After “Operation Denim Update” was complete I embarked on a mission to find some new springish booties And since I am no longer walking 5-7 miles in the rain (sometimes) I am taking full advantage of these laser cut/perforated ones. Love love love the color of these new babies as they will transition well into spring. They are a low enough heel that I can chase Declan around in them but still feel a bit more polished than a trainer. They come in several other colors and some non-laser cut.
mirror mirror
Once my mirror found its way home (it was on loan while we were away) I have been able to really think about and processes the changes. I have been able to start to pinpoint why there has been a blank stare when I look in the mirror.
I made a lot of assumptions before I left London on how this transition would be and I am beginning to realize that making assumptions about a situation that is completely new does not, usually, set me up for success. And I as I reflect on this I am reminded that this path of life is not laid out for me- that I am the one who decides what to make of each day- I am the one who can choose to change that blank stare- if I don’t like something then I need to change it.
With Love,
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Happy Tuesday Lovelies!
My family has always been the single most important thing to me. And this weekend I was reminded of this. As I sit and write the laughter of three children playing, my mom bustling in the kitchen and the sweet sounds of my brother playing the piano fill me with a sense of peace and calmness. Since our move back to Colorado I have not felt very grounded, I have been struggling to connect with my new (former) home and each day I yearn to return to London. I kept waiting for something to help me feel more connected, I was seeking happiness that did not seem available- I guess all I needed was to head “home” for the weekend.
One of the things I have always said, despite my living in London ,is Colorado will always be my home- the place I come to when I feel lost- the place my family lives and the place I always thought I wanted to raise my family…. luckily all those things are still true but it has taken me a while to believe them again.
This weekend when Declan and I arrived in the mountains to my childhood home- it began to snow. Not just a little dusting but giant giant flakes- the kind you can catch on your tongue, the kind that leaves your hair wet and covers your jacket in white. I began to feel “at home”. It was the beginning of what proved itself to be the perfect homecoming.
Photos: Zoe Griffin Photo
SHOP THE LOOK: DENIM // SWEATER <SIMILAR> // BOOTIES // TOTE
The weather has been crazy the last few weeks and typically I would be living in heavy sweaters this <similar> fabulous winter white cable knit and these soft comfortable distressed skinnies! If I was only allowed to wear one pair of distressed jeans for the rest of the season I would choose these without hesitation. I really feel Top Shop has come a long way in their denim and I am super in love with these babies. This exact sweater is no long available –one because it was a London sale purchase and two because it is sold out on line– but I have linked several very very <similar> <similar> ones. This exact sweater was perfect for the extremely cold day and the perfect winter white color makes it an excellent choice. I would love to wear this with white skinnies as I love to pair similar neutrals of different tones- this sweater is perfect for that.
These booties have about 500 miles on them due them being the absolute perfect bootie. They are so comfortable and I have yet to find a pair that competes. The suede has worn in perfectly and now has that weathered aged look that I strive for. Given these are a bit on the pricey side I have linked several others including several on sale- a classic neutral bootie is a must have- make sure you grab a pair ASAP <similar> <similar> <similar>
homecoming
Throughout the rest of the weekend I was brought back to my childhood as I watched my son sled in the backyard, warm up next to the fire place, help plow the snow and grow to love the mountains. As I think back to the memories I have of this house I am anxious to allow my new family to build those same memories. Those that fill this house are more than just people to me- they are the memories that ground me, they are the reason I am continuously inspired, they are the unconditional love I feel each day- they are my family. And I am finally starting to feel reconnected to my life here. The mountains are my happy place and this weekend I was genuinely happy- a feeling I haven’t felt since I left London three weeks ago. My family proved to me again that there is nothing more important nor stronger than those bonds.
With Love,
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Its THURSDAY— that means the weekend starts today… well officially tomorrow…. okay actually in two days!
Either way I hope you have had a great week. Anything fantastic happen????
As the title would suggest I wanted to share some of the lessons learned while living abroad and this edition will be those silly daily things that took some getting used to. I mean, I have a whole list of deep and meaningful lessons learned but for today lets keep it light! Recently, I spoke a bit about some of the fashion difference between London and Denver in this post and so much of that applies to the lessons learned.
I learned lessons in fashion habits, in grocery shopping, in social norms, in trash collection, in restaurant services, in ordering wine, doing laundry and how to transport myself around the city.
Photos: Victoria Metaxas
shop the look: Denim // top // booties // clutch // bracelet <similar> // jacket <similar>
Gingham…. a new favorite… and ever popular! I stumbled upon this top, a bit by accident, but thrilled I did. It is a dream to wear and I love the pattern. I have bee known to love stripes but I think gingham is taking over! The three-quarter sleeves guarantee its transition into the spring. It runs a bit large so order down from your typical size (especially for the smaller busted ladies). I paired it with the classic British black denim. These new jeans are great as they are long enough to be worn with heels but can be rolled for a cute bootie and are much softer than some of my others. There is a bit of stretch in them making them perfect for work where you sit a lot! The bracelet was a gift many years ago but I have linked several others <similar> <similar>. This long pendant should look familiar from this post <here> but I obviously have it on repeat. I love how long it hangs! Every fashion forward close needs a classic black leather jacket and this one, while several years old, has been an absolute staple! I have linked several <similar> <similar>. Snag one up ASAP.
Now to quick of list of learnings!
- Grocery shopping is done online- otherwise I have to carry everything home in a bag or on my back- online!
- Wine comes in different sizes here- I can get 125ml, 250ml or a bottle -always order the 250ml (why not??).
- Hunter Boots are worn on the commons/park for walking your dog- not as a fashionable boot. They are for mucking.
- There are very few dryers around London- most people have a washer only- and if you have a dryer like we do it take 6.5 hours to complete a wash and dry cycle and I do not transfer the clothes- it is one machine- a washer/dryer combo.
- You do not tip at a restaurant or a bar and if you choose to it is only 12.5%. It is certainly not expected.
- Neighbors are not your friends- it is weird to smile at people walking down the street – not because everyone is grumpy but because everyone is on their own agenda and that is just social norm.
- On trash collection day all the trash must be inside a large black plastic bag and must be placed on the sidewalk by 6am… there is no machine dumping trash cans- it is all done by hand.
- Getting around the city without a car is really easy in London- there are plenty of options- bus, train, tube, light-rail- and some days I may find myself on all them…. until there is a strike and NOTHING is running- no public transport. I stay home those days. Ha.
While the lesson are wide and varied I am ever thankful that I had the opportunity to experience an entirely new culture and lifestyle!
Thank you for continuing along this journey with me-
With Love,
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