Feel Good Friday
Happy Friday!!
what we've been up to...
Seriously how pretty is this view?! So thankful for warm fall evenings spent walking & listening to study cds for my counseling exam. Yes, I'm that girl walking around with a walkman portable cd player...
The past couple of weeks I’ve been really thankful for social media. It is seriously so cool to be able to meet + connect with people from all over & talk about similar interests — from school counseling to great clothing finds! But one of the downsides is that people are constantly trying to maintain a particular “appearance” or “reputation” or “aesthetic”.
One of the reasons why I started this blog was to have an outlet to express myself — my thoughts on beauty + clothing, but also my heart as a school counselor. & one of my main goals was / is to stay real. To who I am & what I’m feeling. So let’s get real.
I’m stressed.
Like to the max.
Like probably the most stressed I’ve ever been in my entire life kind of stressed.
I’m currently in my first year as a school counselor (what a doozy, I know!) & I’m also still in grad school full time. This past week I submitted my application to take my CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam) & I also began studying for it. I’m overwhelmed in every aspect & earlier this week it felt way too heavy & I kind of lost it. I cried it out & went through every worst-case-scenario option (because it feels like there’s a lot of them). I had a very restless night followed by the weirdest dreams (it was pretty much a nightmare of all of my biggest fears combined). But then I woke up & went to school & saw sweet middle school smiling eyes (thanks to masks & rona) & I felt better.
So now I’m telling myself what I tell my students everyday: take a deep breath & only worry about today.
I’m not posting this looking for sympathy or pity, just wanting to remind y’all that it’s really easy to look from the outside & assume that someone’s life is perfect just because that’s what they choose to show on social media.
In case you missed it, this week I shared a delicious (& healthier) cookie recipe from a dear friend! You can find that post here.
friday favs...
My hands have been so dry lately from all of the extra washing I've been doing. A teacher at my school recommended this lotion to me & it's pretty much been life changing! My hands are like velvet-y smooth & they feel so moisturized!
One of my favorite tees from last fall is this leopard pumpkin tee! Who knew that orange & pink could look so good together? Such a soft t-shirt & fits true to size. I love that it looks great with black jeans & a denim jacket, or with leggings & a cardigan -- so nice to be able to dress it up or down!
above picture details linked here:leopard pumpkin tee / black jeans / grey slip-on shoes / deep purple fingernail polish (shade is called "double take") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Y'all know I love me some leopard. I found this sweatshirt when I was placing an order from Abercrombie & Fitch for some jeans (one of the pairs I'm wearing in this pic) & had to snag it. I love that the pattern is kind of like a mix of leopard & polka dots... it's just really subtle & different than other leopard prints I own. Super soft & fits true to size!
above picture details linked here:leopard sweatshirt / black raw hem jeans / Steve Madden tan suede mules / tan leather apple watch band / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / red fingernail polish (shade is called “red carpet reddy”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
mini amazon haul...
I recently got in a whole bunch of stuff from Amazon, so I thought it would be fun to share it all together in a "mini haul" section for today! Keep scrolling to see some super cute stuff... from biker shorts to the perfect dress for fall!
When biker shorts first started to be 'a thing' I remember telling my mom, "I don't care how popular those get, they are hideous & I'll never wear them".
a few months later...
Here we are. I'm currently in biker shorts + eating crow. However, I'm not completely sold on them. Don't get me wrong, they are comfy as heck & I can totally see myself lounging around the house in them or even wearing them on a Saturday when I'm cleaning the house & doing Walmart grocery pick up. BUT. I just don't feel confident in them. I'm all for women wearing whatever they want to wear as long as they feel comfortable & confident. I know that's when I feel best about myself! So for now, I think I'll stick with my lounge pants & leggings, but if you're looking for some biker shorts to try, these are great! Incredibly soft & have a pocket on the side. I actually sized up one size in these & I would highly recommend that to all of you!
above picture details linked here:purple side vent long sleeve / black biker shorts / sports bra / hair crimper / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "prim & proper") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / red toenail polish (shade is called “red carpet reddy”) / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
My school's colors are red, black & white so I love that I'll be able to wear this cute colorblock sweater & be cozy, but also be showing school spirit at the same time! This sweater is so stinking soft & cozy & warm & perfect for fall. I went with my normal size & as you can see, it definitely fits oversized, but I really like it! It looks so cute with leggings & flats, but would look cute with booties as well. It comes in 17 other colors & is less than $35!
above picture details linked here:red, black + white colorblock sweater / light wash jeans / black seamless leggings / black mules / hair crimper / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "prim & proper") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Loving all the colors lately! This colorful striped sweater is great. It's very long so it could be worn with leggings, but the main darker stripe is navy. Here I paired it with a light jean & my favorite new light colored booties. I just love this whole outfit!
above picture details linked here:colorful striped sweater / light wash jeans / light booties / hair crimper / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "prim & proper") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Such a versatile top -- it looks darling with dark jeans, too! Also, don't you love how masks are the new accessory? lol
above picture details linked here:tan leopard mask / colorful striped sweater / dark wash jeans / light booties / deep purple fingernail polish (shade is called "double take") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Okay stop whatever you're doing right now & go order this colorblock turtleneck!! For real. Y'all need this. The material feels like this top should be priced in the 50s or 60s, but it's only $35. I love the cowl neck -- I love wearing a cute pony when I have big turtle necks going on. I love all the colors. I love the length. I just love it. & you should too. Go get it!!!
above picture details linked here:olive green, white + grey colorblock turtleneck sweater / black raw hem jeans / brown booties / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / red fingernail polish (shade is called “red carpet reddy”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Of course, more leopard lol. I was straight up shocked when I pulled this sweater out of the bag -- it is one of the softest sweaters I've ever owned in my whole life. Like so soft & comfy & cozy that when you get home from work you DON'T want to take it off! That's the type of clothing I need in my life! The enlarged leopard print is really fun & it's not too overwhelming since it's just split up into one section on the chest & sleeves. I would say it fits a bit oversized in length (including the sleeves), but personally, that's how I like my clothing to fit.
above picture details linked here:white + leopard colorblock sweater / black pixie pants / black mules / hair crimper / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "prim & proper") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
Y'all this dress is the definition of fall! The variety of patterns mixed with the variety of fall colors is just perfect. The top of the dress has functioning buttons so it is breastfeeding friendly (thinking of two of my bestie girls who just had babies!) as well as a functional drawstring right under the bust area so you can cinch it as tight as you'd like to show off more of your figure. I chose to wear it with some black mules here, but it would look absolutely darling with any color of booties & a cardigan or denim jacket. I couldn't love this dress more!
If you have fall family pictures coming up (or just need a cute dress for fall because same here), this dress would be perfect!
above picture details linked here:floral maxi dress / black mules / hair crimper / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "") / tan leather apple watch band / black + gold bracelet set / cream + ivory bracelet set / blue fingernail polish (shade is called "prim & proper") / trestique lip glaze (color is called “english rose”) / favorite comfy padded bra / white marble loopy phone case (get 10% off using code smalltown10!)
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I'm heading home this weekend to hang with the fam & I am SO excited about it! I've spent so much time studying lately that I just can't wait for some down time. We have some fun things planned that I'm really looking forward to! Homecoming football game, an arts & crafts fair & an afternoon at the local pumpkin patch! Add in my mom's home cooking & a couple nights by the fire & I know it's just going to fill my soul!!
What are your plans for the weekend? Drop them below in the comments, or feel free to message us on Facebook or Instagram! We’d love to hear what you’re all up to. We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
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