Tag Archives: inspiration

Feb27

Spring Cleaning Surprise

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Spring Cleaning Surprise

Howdy! I got home from work way earlier than normal on Monday and had three or so hours to kill before Johnny’s shift was over. I’m not really sure why, but out of nowhere, I got a strong desire to clean. I’ll be perfectly honest with you, it can be very difficult for me to find the motivation to clean outside of necessary chores. Feeling mentally and physically exhausted just seems to be the norm for me as of late and it sucks. It’s not like I don’t want to clean but the energy to do so is nowhere to be found. So, when this overwhelming urge hit me to clean, I went for it!

I decided to tackle one room before clocking in again to work from home and that was mine and Johnny’s bedroom. I cleared up any trash, did several loads of laundry, and organized the closet. I also was able to put Johnny’s clothes in some semblance of order because he needs a freaking dresser lol. As I was doing that, I found an incredible surprise: One of my FAVORITE tank tops that I thought I left in the Poconos when we went on vacation a few years prior. I looked everywhere in my apartment for it and came up empty so leaving it behind seemed like the most reasonable explanation. I guess I didn’t look everywhere, though.

After finally having found my black Rachel Zoe tank top, I was elated. The motivation to clean was there and I was rewarded for it. In fact, after this find, I found myself looking forward to tackling my office next! I genuinely thought that the cherry on top was being reunited with my beloved tank top. However, the cherry on top came after the bedroom was clean as a whistle. I had open access to an outlet again and I was eager to put a new Bath & Body Works wallflower into my Halloween plugin. The room looked so fresh and good that I decided to accentuate it with a Fiji White Sands wallflower. The spotless room combined with the crisp, beachy scent made me so happy!

I guess the moral of the story is, that if you are lacking motivation for a deep cleaning session – it really is okay. However, my first hand experience is that you will start feeling fantastic as you go through the process. Even if it is one room or one task at a time, you are accomplishing something that needs to be done and that is rewarding. There is no need to beat yourself up if you don’t have the energy to clean. Do what you can, revel in your success, and you are on your way to forming a good habit.

I really am proud of myself for getting an early start on my spring cleaning and giving the apartment the love it deserves doesn’t feel nearly as overwhelming. In fact, it is a welcome change of pace!

What is on your spring cleaning agenda? Have you found anything recently that you thought you lost? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan31

5 Reasons To Move To Edinburgh

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5 Reasons To Move To Edinburgh

There’s no shortage of great cities in the UK. Brighton has a lovely charm, Bristol has a bohemian feel, and cities like Manchester and Liverpool very much have their own identities. And then, of course, there’s London, which is rightly regarded as one of the best cities in the world. People looking to move north of the border will find much to love, too. Glasgow’s identity is even more distinct than Liverpool’s, while Abderdeen’s cosmopolitan feel contrasts well with its wild surroundings.

But there’s nowhere quite like Edinburgh, a city that is highly sought after by people looking for all the convenience of living in a city without the “big city” feel. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons people choose to move to the Scottish capital:

It’s Easy to Get Around:

Don’t like having to drive everywhere? Then Edinburgh will be just right. This highly walkable city makes it easy to get virtually everywhere on foot. Whether you’re going for a meal, to the shops, or even to the city’s main tourist attractions, you’ll find that you can get there using your legs — and what’s more, you’ll have great views to accompany you on your journey, too.

It’s Picturesque:

And we mean, really picturesque. There’s a reason why tourists who visit Edinburgh fall immediately in love with the city. After all, it’s hard not to be enamored when there’s just so much charm to be found wherever you look. From cobbled streets to centuries-old buildings, it feels like a place right out of the movies or books. And actually, that shouldn’t come as a surprise — many iconic, famous stories have drawn inspiration from the city; you can even go on a Harry Potter tour of the city.

There Are Properties Available:

Edinburgh is a much-visited city, and there are plenty of Airbnbs and hotels available. But what about actually living there? Well, there’s good news on that front. As you can see by visiting https://www.estateagencyedinburgh.co.uk/properties, Edinburgh’s property market offers excellent homes at reasonable prices. And because the city is so compact, you’ll find that it’s possible to get just about everywhere regardless of where you live.

There’s a Strong Job Market:

Moving to Edinburgh with the intention of finding a job? You’re in luck — Edinburgh has one of the best job markets in the country, with many different types of industries having a big presence in the city. While you can’t expect to simply turn up and land the job of your dreams, you’ll find that the city rewards the professionally-focused.

It’s Well-Connected:

You’ll love spending your weekends exploring all the attractions and events that Edinburgh has to offer, but should you decide that you’re ready for a weekend away, then you’ll have plenty of options available. Edinburgh’s train station connects with all parts of Scotland and England, while the city’s airport offers low-cost flights to Europe and beyond. And when you come back, you’ll have beautiful Edinburgh waiting for you.

Need a change of scenery? Edinburgh might be just the place for you!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan31

Valentine’s Day Gift Inspo

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Valentine’s Day Gift Inspo

Hello!! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so a gift guide is in order! I wouldn’t say that V-Day is a big deal to me because Johnny and I are constantly going on dates and surprising each other with random gifts. However, that’s not to say that it isn’t nice to celebrate the day together and we are going to see our favorite musical, Hadestown, for the occasion. I can’t wait!! Let’s explore some gifting inspiration to make your V-Day with your main squeeze even more special:

The Classics:

Listen, I say this Every. Year. for Valentine’s Day but it is always worth repeating: You literally cannot go wrong by gifting the classics to your SO. We’re talking chocolates, roses, a fancy bottle of booze, romantic dinner out, and items to pamper with like massage oils or the fixings for an ultra luxe bubble bath. People often view V-Day as a way to spoil your partner and there is a reason why all of these gifts are classic staples – they provide the perfect opportunity to spoil someone. Simple and perfectly sweet is never a bad idea!

For Fun:

Whenever Johnny and I are watching one of “our” shows and a character is wearing a novelty T-shirt that we like, we will look it up and purchase two so we can match. We have several matching T-shirt sets and no one knows what they’re from when we wear them, but we do! In fact, I am using this V-Day as an opportunity to get us a couple of funny shirts from the show Community. If you have a running joke or tradition with your SO, use it to your advantage! Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating your relationship so work with what is special to the both of you together. It could be a board game for your next evening in, crafting or renovation supplies if you are a DIY duo – whatever it is, your partner will immediately understand why you got it and that is a beautiful thing. ❤

Stepping Out:

Chances are that if your big date is seeing a performance, you already have tickets. If the move is a dinner out, then let this serve as a friendly reminder to make those reservations ASAP! A night on the town in lieu of a gift is a very popular way to go and for good reason – you can only have so much stuff. This is exactly why Johnny and I are seeing a musical! When you are out, try breaking free from your norms to enhance the celebratory atmosphere. Get that bottle of wine with dinner. Yes, please for dessert! Or grab a nightcap or snack after seeing a show so you can chat away about the experience. There are so many little things that can make the shift from a standard date night to a Valentine’s Day date night! Be spontaneous, be in the moment, and see where the evening will take you.

Staying In:

Sometimes, the most meaningful and romantic way to celebrate the big day is just staying in. Johnny and I have definitely done this before for V-Day. We watched our favorite movies, DoorDashed a feast, ate like kings, and had So. Much. FUN. How can you plan a special day from the comfort of your own home? Breakfast in bed is always a good place to start! Maybe you will get the supplies for a “paint night” in. How about baking and decorating delicious chocolate cake or cookies? You could spend the afternoon putting a puzzle together – anything goes! You can plan activities together or take turns on what you are going to do next. Then, get dressed up or stay dressed down for a candlelit meal that you prepared together or from your favorite eatery. *Chef’s kiss* Talk about a perfect day!

The most important thing of all on Valentine’s Day is that you are both having an amazing time together. Be sweet, be adventurous, and make it your best V-Day yet!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What was the best V-Day you ever had? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

Fun Valentine’s Day Crafts For The Kiddos

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Fun Valentine’s Day Crafts For The Kiddos

Hello!! Is it just me or has January felt like an entire year? Lol, every time I look at the date, I assume it’s the fifteenth or something yet here we are nearing the end of the month! And, of course, this means that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I am so excited to celebrate with Johnny by seeing our all time favorite musical, Hadestown, in Akron. I also plan on having a Valentine’s Day craft party with my three niece girl squad, which is going to be a total blast! I’m arranging to do a few of the following with them and thought I would send some inspiration your way too:

Hand & Feet Hearts:

First and foremost, I am sure that my girls would love to make a special Valentine’s Day card for their parents. I am going to get some construction paper as well as pink, red, and white paint. They can make their cards however they would like, but I thought it would be really cute to make some hand and foot print hearts. If your kiddo isn’t opposed to messy hands or the sensation of cold paint on their feet, this is such a sweet and simple way to make a memorable keepsake. My big girls will probably want to do their own thing, but I just know they would be happy to help their new baby sister make some hand prints for her first craft!

Pipe Cleaner Bouquets:

When it comes to crafting with the girl squad, it is all about easy projects that are relatively quick to complete. Pipe cleaners are always a good option because even if they don’t make anything at all, they are still fun to play with! Whether you are making hearts, flowers, or even animals with the pipe cleaners, it is an opportunity to let creativity shine. If you are going the bouquet route, you might even want to pick up a a vase to paint or decorate with tissue paper and make your pipe cleaner flowers look like the real deal.

Picture Frames:

My best girls really enjoy looking through photo albums and seeing pictures displayed throughout the home. One of their options is going to be picking out their favorite picture of themselves and painting a wooden picture frame to house it in. This is a perfect gift for parents to display on their desk or on the mantle and gives the kiddos the chance to see their handiwork front and center.

Sweets & Treats:

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a sugar rush! My big girls are the best helpers for cookie and cupcake decorating and are always so proud of what they baked with their mom. If they would prefer to bake on our craft day, we will make a trip to the grocery store so they can pick out whatever sprinkles, frosting, and cut outs that they like. Then, they can have homemade Valentine’s Day treats that they designed for their parents and grandparents. Chocolate making is also a fabulous activity for littles and something different from the norm. Should they want to go this route, we will be making a trip to my in laws house instead of the grocery store! My mother-in-law is an amazing chocolateer and has molds and chocolate wafers for days to come in with the assist. ❤

Every holiday is infinitely more fun when I have three little minis to celebrate with. I can’t wait for our crafting jubilee!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What are some other ideas for V-Day crafts? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec19

Working With Mental Illness

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Working With Mental Illness

Hello!! It is no secret that your girl suffers from her fair share of mental illness. I have PTSD and depression and it can be exhausting to deal with. And, unfortunately, the adulting world doesn’t stand still despite difficult days that feature a “flare up”. I work hard to continue improving upon my situation, but I also use a few pro tips that I have cultivated over the years to make thing easier on myself. With these tools, my days feel more tolerable and I am able to achieve success in my jobs. Let’s discuss:

Have A Schedule:

In terms of my mental illness, my schedule means everything to me. My schedule brings me a lot of comfort because even if the day goes a little haywire, I still have a general idea of what is going to happen next. I try to go to bed, wake up, eat, and take breaks at the same time every day and not only do I keep things running like a fine tuned machine, but I feel less anxiety throughout the work day. Of course, on the weekend, I revel in not having anything to do. But, Monday through Friday – my schedule is god.

Eat Something:

Between the medication I’m on and the light buzz of butterflies that is constantly fluttering around in my stomach, my appetite is sometimes not there. I used to follow the rule of not eating if I’m not hungry, but that rule sucks because a few hours later I feel miserable and starving. If you aren’t feeling hungry at your normal mealtimes, try to have just a little something anyways. A light snack can help stimulate your appetite so you can work your way up to a proper meal. Your body and mind need the fuel from food, so eat!

Go Easy On Yourself:

The anxious mind might be telling you to work, work, work, and god help you if you stop: Even if you are feeling off. If you are having a bad day, be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to take breaks, self soothe, and return to the task at hand with a clearer head. There’s no gold star for pushing yourself through mental turmoil until you reach a breaking point. Listen to what your mind and body are telling you and respond accordingly. It can also be helpful to talk to yourself like you’re talking to a best friend. You would never tell your BFF that their need for a mental health break isn’t valid.

Avoid People Pleasing:

From one people pleaser to another, there comes a point when you have got to put yourself first. I have personally found that I tend to feel very resentful when I am catering to everyone other than me and that is a terrible way to feel. Part of looking out for you comes with saying “no” to what you don’t want to do – whatever reason that might be. You also have to be firm with your no because that establishes boundaries. This is not to say that you should just not help anyone ever. But, if you feel like you are spiraling and taking on way too much, you need to provide some leniency to your schedule.

Like anyone who is dealing with mental illness on top of all that adulting entails, I have my good and bad days. However, my days definitely feel more stable with the above advice!

Do you give yourself mental health breaks? How do you prioritize your mental health? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec16

The Art Of The Side Hustle

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The Art Of The Side Hustle

Hello!! I like to consider myself the Queen of the Side Hustle. For as long as I can remember, I have always been working a multitude of jobs in a variety of different fields. It keeps my life interesting and it makes the work days fun because I am almost always doing something that I enjoy. Over the years, I have accumulated several pro tips that I still utilize to this day. Let’s discuss some of them further and see where your side hustle can take you:

Patience Is A Virtue:

Good things take time and this definitely applies to your side hustle. Chances are high that you are not going to have a lucrative business over night no matter how awesome it would be! If you are chomping at the bit to quit your day job, hold off and keep doing your best. Use your downtime to really focus on your hustle and don’t make decisions for it lightly. It could end up costing you precious time and money. Slow and steady is the way to go when your hustle is growing.

Spread The Word:

Once you have a business model, website, and services that you are one thousand percent happy with, start spreading the word! The last thing you want is to start advertising if you are still working out the kinks as it can doom your business from the jump. Every customer can be a repeat customer if they are satisfied. Use social media, community bulletins, and good old fashioned word of mouth marketing. Encourage your friends and family to review and recommend you too. People are creating new businesses all of the time so adjust your marketing strategy to keep your hustle front and center. And remember, the worst someone can do is say no, so it’s always, always worth mentioning your hustle whenever and wherever you can!

Keep Your Chin Up:

It is so easy to be discouraged when your hustle isn’t taking off the way you want it to. Always keep your chin up and look on the bright side because you will never know where your hustle can take you if you throw in the towel when things are tough. Rather than get bogged down with where your business is lacking, celebrate victories instead! Every order or appointment booked is a HUGE success because people chose you instead of looking elsewhere. A small victory is better than no victory so don’t be too hard on yourself. And, when you achieve your goals, you will be thanking yourself for sticking with it.

Manage Your Time Wisely:

One job is exhausting as is so manage your time wisely when it comes to your hustle and know when to call it a day. This is honestly something that I need to remind myself constantly because there is always something to do between my various hustles. My new rule of thumb is that as soon as I get home for the day, I am done working. You deserve to relax and nothing is worth your own peace of mind. As your hustle grows, you can evaluate where you can cut back on your day job. Until then, allow yourself the rest you need because anything less can make you feel resentful of your new project.

Remember…

The whole point of a side hustle is to do something you enjoy, make a little extra scratch, and have fun. Look at this as a new adventure instead of a full fledged business because businesses are subject to fail. Adventures are just that: An adventure and you don’t know where it will take you. And, sometimes during adventures, you need to make adjustments. If your hustle isn’t doing what you want it to do, change your model up! There is no rule stating you can’t and it could make all the difference. If inspiration strikes, go for it and see where your adventure leads you next!

Your side hustle has all of the potential in the world to be successful. Enjoy the process, don’t rush it, and if at first you don’t succeed: Try and try again!

Do you have a side hustle? Whose side hustle do you love to support? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Holiday Gift Brainstorm

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Holiday Gift Brainstorm

Hello! The winter holiday season is fast approaching. For those last minute shoppers, this is no big deal. However, it definitely feels like crunch time for the people that like to get their shopping done early. I fall under the latter category and have been diligently pecking away at my to buy for list. I have to admit that I have been feeling pretty uninspired during my shopping so let’s do a Holiday Gift Brainstorm! Then, we can all sit back and enjoy the holiday season stress free:

Gifts of Experience:

One of the most popular options for gift giving falls under Gifts of Experience. This is a great way to go if you are shopping for someone who has everything! Experience gifts could be anything from movie tickets to a pottery class or a few sessions at a yoga studio. The point is for your giftee to try something new or, perhaps, learn more about their favorite hobby. Gifts of Experience are nice for adults and children alike. If you have some kiddos to shop for, ask their parents if something like swim lessons, sports camp, or an art class would be a doable option. The last thing you want to give parents is more work so bonus points if you will be the transportation!

Just Ask:

While on the subject of asking people about gifts, there really is something to be said for asking in advance about what your giftees would like. This eliminates the potential for them not liking what you purchased and you can give them what they actually want or need. For example, families with small children might appreciate supplies like diapers, formula, or clothing as opposed to even more toys! Pet owners (like myself) could prefer a Chewy gift card over something for themselves. If you don’t ask, you will have no idea. If you are still wanting an element of surprise, try talking to someone close to your giftee for the inside scoop.

Favor Gifts:

The best prezzie of all could be taking something off of your giftee’s plate, which brings us to Favor Gifts. Maybe you will clean their house a few times, volunteer to be a date night babysitter, or even pay for their next oil change. These gifts are designed to make an aspect of adulting easier and we could all use a little less stress. I know I would be thrilled if my gift was a cleaning session at my apartment! 😀

Homemade:

There is no rule stating that you have to be an Etsy shop level crafter to give a homemade gift. Although, if you are, then that’s great too! Knitted scarves, socks, or baby booties will be welcome gifts during the winter. How about a photo collage? Maybe a mini portrait of your giftee or their beloved pet? You could put all of the dry ingredients for soup or cookies in a Mason jar, seal it with a bow, and call it a day. Or if you have a giftee that would like to learn your craft, offer a couple tutorial sessions and get them some of the basic essentials needed for a beginner level. And, as a bonus, you will have quality time together.

The best part of the holiday season is sharing it with the ones you love. No one’s saying the gifts aren’t nice, though! 😀 Happy shopping!

How is your holiday shopping going? Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov11

Take It Easier

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Take It Easier

Hello!! The recent election and upcoming holiday season has definitely been causing stress to many, myself included. This time of year often feels like a whirlwind – between wrapping up the calendar year strong at work, shopping for holiday gifts, adjusting to the time change, and attempting to squeeze time in for yourself too. It’s a lot. In fact, I was literally just thinking about how overwhelmed I feel which inspired this post. I came to the conclusion that I need to at least try to Take It Easier and am utilizing the following methods:

There are only 24 hours in a day:

One thing that I really struggle with is making time for every single other person and exclude myself. I spend so much time in my own head mentally trying to rearrange my calendar to accommodate to everyone and so be it if I fall by the wayside. The biggest change I have been trying to make is reminding myself constantly that there are only 24 hours in the day. I can’t create more time no matter how much mental Tetris I play with my schedule. With this reminder, I think I have been a lot better about saying no to extra shifts or demands that I am too exhausted to meet. This has been difficult because I am a complete and total people pleaser but I can only do so much and that is okay.

Still give your all:

I saw a quote on Facebook that I really liked. It went something or other like this: “If you only had 50% to give today, you still gave it your all”. I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point. Some days, it is just impossible to be firing at 100%. It’s human, so normal, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. As long as you are doing the absolute best you can regardless of being at 100% or not, you still did your best that day – even if you weren’t feeling it.

Utilize your breaks:

I don’t know about all of you, but I am very guilty of eating breakfast or lunch while working. Sometimes it’s a necessary evil and you can’t do anything about it. However, if you can, you should utilize your breaks every day because that is what they’re intended for – giving yourself a break. As often as I can throughout the week, I give myself twenty minutes for breakfast and for lunch. During that time, I will watch an episode of Degrassi and get back at it afterwards. I always return to work feeling refreshed from having a little breather. Remember that some days, you might need to give yourself more breaks if you are feeling burnt out and that’s okay too. For example, if I have a particularly long day at the computer, I will break a few times to do some Tai Chi and work out the kinks from sitting in an uncomfortable chair lol.

Facing negativity:

When you stop spreading yourself so thin, you might face negativity from the people who benefited from it. In the past handful of weeks alone, I have certainly had several guilt trips and it has sucked. I legit felt SO bad about it to the point of almost adding things back into my schedule and running myself ragged. Don’t do this!! If you succumb to guilt trips, you are going to be right back where you started. It might be hard, but be firm when you say no. It will leave no possibility for interpretation and will introduce people to whatever new normal you are trying to create for yourself. If you are getting any guff from anyone, then they might not have your best interests at heart. And, remember, you never, ever have to justify or explain when you’re doing what’s best for you.

I have been trying to decrease my stress and increase time for me these past few weeks and it has been really… stressful lol. The hardest part has definitely been the guilt trips. As I adjust to my new normal, I will continue to use my new mantras and mindset and keep moving forward. It’s the best thing for me and that’s the best!

Would you consider yourself to be a people pleaser? What changes have you made in your life to decrease stress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Reduce Stress With These Kitchen Upgrades

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Reduce Stress With These Kitchen Upgrades

Renovating the areas you use the most is an exciting process. It means you can add the things you need and make your life much easier. The kitchen is the most used room in the home, and there are numerous upgrades you can do to make it the most loved room in the home too. Like the following:

A Pipe and Plumbing Refit:

Ripping out an old kitchen comes with many opportunities. Of course, you can design the kitchen you want. But you also have the specific advantage of being able to have the piping and plumbing inspected. What would be the point of a brand new kitchen built around old and failing pipes? Reliable plumbing services will work with you to have your pipes installed and running as smoothly as possible. This gives you massive peace of mind to move forward with the plan.

Finalize the Kitchen Design:

It can be a dream come true to design your own kitchen, especially if you love to cook. However, it isn’t cheap, so you may want to consider the budget you have to work with. Whether it is large or small, there still needs to be a plan. A finalized design means there is little chance of something going wrong. Yet it will also keep you within budget and cultivate a healthy relationship with contractors. Most also offer 3D designs today, so you can design exactly what you want together.

Electrical Kitchen Upgrades:

Even if you don’t cook much, modern kitchens are a gathering space for the family when designed in a specific way, such as open-plan. It can also be a relaxing area for adults to take five and catch up on the day’s events. But with modernity comes the need for power. The average family home has around eleven kitchen appliances, not including mobile devices. So consider USB sockets in your new kitchen.

How You Will Use the Space:

A modern kitchen isn’t only used for cooking. Today, the modern kitchen space is multi-functional and used for gathering families. Yet, the main reason for a new kitchen is indeed for cooking. And we all cook in different ways. Think about how you use the space and you can design a new kitchen around your needs. For example, you can have pan racks and knife strips placed where you need them. This helps protect your expensive set of Globals for smooth food preparation!

The Storage Space You Will Need:

Even when you redesign a kitchen, you are still going to be working with limited space. With everything you might need, such as spice racks, pan space, and utensils, it helps to think about storage. You can work with your contractor on the design of the cabinet work, adding in extras as you go. Modern cabinets come with tiers for efficient use of space, lighting features, and even under-cupboard storage such as wine glass holders and utensil hooks.

Create your dream kitchen with the tips above and enjoy your new, remodeled space!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep14

Collegiate Chic OOTD

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Collegiate Chic OOTD

Howdy!! This past Monday, I had an exciting day at work. I visited Kent State University with my boss, Tim, to assist with a presentation to the Principles of Marketing class. We had a blast and it was a joy to interact with all of the students. For the occasion, I wanted to put together a Collegiate Chic OOTD that was professional, but offered that extra dose of Lil Red flare. Unfortunately, I had to leave before Johnny was home from work so he couldn’t take pictures for me. I didn’t want to fiddle around with my tripod and a timer so I figured some mirror pictures would suffice. Never mind the bunny hutch that makes a guest appearance! Check it out:

IMG_8573IMG_8559IMG_8560IMG_8578

Who? What? Wear?

Houndstooth Knit Blazer: Joie, TJMaxx

Navy Blue Skater Skirt: This was a hand me down from a colleague!

Knee Socks: Target

Heeled Oxfords: Lulu Hun, ModCloth

The earrings were a gift from Johnny’s mom!

Sometimes, outfits come to me in a vision and that was very much the case for my Collegiate Chic OOTD. I knew exactly what I wanted and it turned out exactly how I wanted and it was so very satisfying! This look began with the gorgeous knit blazer by Joie. I loved the classic double breasted shape and the houndstooth pattern gave the studious vibe that I was going for. While the shape of the blazer is quite traditional, the color palette is an interesting take on houndstooth and that was the main selling point for me. It gave the quirky aesthetic I needed to do a school inspired look Lil Red’s way.

Obvi before adding the blazer, the base of the outfit needed to be addressed! Aside from the periwinkle pop in the blazer, the remaining colors were fully neutral. Meaning that I could pair it with any other neutral hue and it would form a cohesive look. I chose navy as my neutral and put on a navy blue crop top underneath the blazer and a skater skirt to match. The skirt paired with the blazer offered a modern take on stuffy school uniforms and I felt like the coolest kid on campus because of it.

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. To drive the updated uniform motif home, I slipped on some heather grey knee highs. Remember, you can always add another neutral to the mix without negatively effecting the rest of the outfit. And, of course, what is a fresher take on a school uniform than a pair of heeled oxfords? Peep how the tawny shade in the heels matched perfectly to the blazer! Last but not least, I chose a lovely pair of earrings that my mother-in-law gifted me and I was ready to take on a school day my way.

My Collegiate Chic OOTD was such fun to style and even more fun to wear. I was so inspired by the idea of modernizing a school uniform and it ended up being one of my favorite looks in recent past!

Did you have to wear uniforms to school? What were they like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah