breaking in boots: OBGYN mishap, outfits & holiday fun
5-4-3-2-1: outfits, loves, gift ideas, styling & a happy photo!
There’s nothing like the power of a good outfit. I was thrilled when my Tecova boots arrived on Saturday— obsessively tracked and immediately worn.
Monday was the day of their debut. Denim ready, boots prepped, I was ready to line dance through the hallways at work. Size? Perfect. Height? Stunning. Material? 100/10. Praise rolled in and I truly relished in it.
Until a notification slipped through my “reduced notifications” setting: OBGYN Appointment 3pm. NO!
Now you may be asking, who cares? Heck, look at how fabulous Alex DiCapo Patel looked at her dentist appointment! But I knew that getting these boots off was going to be a challenge since they weren’t fully broken in.
I stepped into the room, and the nurse asked me to take off my shoes and hop on the scale. Five minutes later, after wrestling my boots off, I was sweating through a full workout.
And of course, my adorable frilly socks had absorbed some of the boot color. Brown splotches everywhere. Panic set in.
The doctor came in and asked if I had anything I wanted to talk about before the exam. I blurted out before she could finish, “Yes! These socks are not dirty—I am breaking in new boots!” She laughed. 😅
As the appointment came to an end, I mentally cued the Rocky theme. I dipped my sock into the boot, ready for a forceful pull. One big breath… PULL. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot up the right side of my lower back. Y’all, I pulled my back just trying to put my boots on.
At home, the Four-Shirted-Husband™ (a former U.S. Marine) effortlessly helped me get them off. A few days later, my back has thankfully improved.
Let us remember: fashion can be painful… literally. Sometimes the boots win, your back loses, and your socks carry the evidence. But hey, at least you look and feel amazing while struggling.
P.S. - This may be too long for your inbox. Click “View entire message” at the bottom of this e-mail or read the entire post here!
What’s Inside: Here’s our gameplan for today’s post - a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, you know the drill!
👗5 recent outfits
💗4 senses to savor
🎁3 easy gift ideas
👕2 outfits styled
🐾1 happy photo
1. Monday was the day of the boots and doctor visit gone wild!
I paired my Madewell PVJ’s with the boots and liked the level of baggy vs. skinny.
2. Western Wednesday continued the theme.
A substitute teacher made an incredible observation that my cellphone case matched my flats.
3. I absolutely loved wearing this thin button-up fully buttoned.
With some western flair and silver accessories (as did the gals at my hair salon).
Little leopard action paired with black and dark denim.
I mostly wore the sweater draped on my shoulders throughout the day.
The answer to the question below is IMMEDIATE YES.
Wore this fit on Fun Friday and I can confirm, the boots made Friday more fun.
Let’s explore the past week via 4 out of the 5 senses.
I decided to skip touch because right about now I’m not tryna touch anything but hand sanitizer, hot water & some soap.
👁️1. BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK
How cute is the idea of a blind date book gift? I’ve seen it twice now on Substack Notes and love this gift idea. The example photo is courtesy of an amazing writer, keepitkassual!
My pal OFELIA also wrote beautifully about this in her post on gifting with intention.
🎵2. CRASH OUT SONGS
I’ve been deep in my Spotify Wrapped era (huge flex that my listening age is 73). Apparently I have three completely random crashout songs with an unhinged amount of playtime.
Not Ready To Make Nice - The Chicks
Bullet With Butterfly Wings - The Smashing Pumpkins
You Oughta Know - Alanis Morisette
🍰3. S’MORES DESSERT
This week I made a quick, easy s’mores dessert I can’t stop re-making—like a campfire dessert, sans the campfire! Here’s the recipe card.
👃🏻4. NEST CLEMENTINE PERFUME
I got this sample scent with a Sephora purchase, and I love walking around all day smelling like a creamsicle. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of the ice cream man, or maybe it’s my old pregnancy-era hyperfixation with oranges. (I am not pregnant.)
I love a good presentation when it comes to gift giving. Whether it’s aggressive cellophane, a velvet bow, or a sprig of spruce, I’m in. These are my three favorite gifts—for a hostess, a random aunt, or any last-minute addition that makes you panic. Here are three go-to gift formulas I swear by:
1. A GOOD OLD BOTTLE OF WINE
2. OLIVE OIL & A CUTTING BOARD COMBO
BOARD + OLIVE OIL + DISH TOWEL + RIBBON + CARD
3. EVERYONE LOVES A CANDLE
(except my Mom who has informed everyone to NOT get her a candle)
CANDLE + SNUFFER + FILLER + RIBBON
OPTIONAL: gift card (inspo video to see it in live action)
For further reading on fun gift ideas please check out Xue’s amazing post, The gift guide for when you need to impress (not express)
Two ways to wear a black slip skirt—let’s make it festive! Perfect for anywhere you want a little holiday magic.
LOOK 1
LOOK 2
Every year, I take our family Christmas photo myself. It is easily the day I sweat the most all year. Two kids, an agitated Four-Shirted-Husband™ & two German Shepherds make it no easy task. Humans mostly cooperated, except my husband, who stared out the window in 15 of 17 shots.
However, the pups were not cooperating this year. Their arch-nemesis, the UPS man, stopped by; a dog and its owner had the audacity to walk past our lawn; and full canine panic ensued when the camera made a clicking noise.
So we did an impromptu photo shoot & the results were incredible!
💬YOUR TURN!
Have you ever injured yourself for fashion?
What’s your current crash out song?
What’s your go-to last-minute gift that never fails?
That’s all for this week! As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my work — your support means the absolute world to me!
If this made you smile, hit the heart, re-stack it, or share it—those tiny taps make a HUGE difference. 🫶🏻
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I need more info and tips on the DIY family and dogs Christmas shoot! I’m sorry you threw out your back with the new shoes! I strained my pelvic floor by trying to kick off my blundstones a few days ago. Note to self to sit and carefully put on(and off) all winter boots. I love the silver earrings you’re wearing in both outfits. Simple but unique shapes.
lol i am cackling...i literally can't wear my tall boots unless i know my husband will be around to help me take them off. like how do we do these things to ourselves?! love all of the weekly outfits - you wear such variety every week, it inspires me. as a work from home girl i easily get in a rut wearing the same outfits!