real life, real outfits, real small victories
5-4-3-2-1: outfits, life, & everything in between
A 5-4-3-2-1 countdown makes me think of so many things in my life. First, my old behavior management system as a rookie teacher in Memphis, TN—students had five seconds to quiet down by the time I hit one. Then, there’s trying the same tactic on my own kids to get them to comply with a simple request:
Me: “Time to leave the playground.”
Child #1: Collapses dramatically.
Me: Counts down. 5-4-3-2-1…1
Child #1: Unmoved.
Cue me manhandling them *safely*. Usually, I had them tucked under my arm like a REALLY heavy football. Or walking home with their hand in mine, death grip engaged (we will have NO RUNNERS on my watch). All the while, I’d wonder how I ended up with three herniated discs and the inability to turn my head from side to side 11 years later.
This 5-4-3-2-1 will look a little different today. I’m grateful I no longer have to use this tactic with my children as they are mostly compliant2. Lately, I’ve been in a bit of a creative funk as I mentioned in my post from last week. Back-to-school chaos, kids adjusting, back-to-school nights, school germs everywhere (literally, we are ALL getting sick right now)—and the overwhelm is real.
When life gets hectic, I crave concrete. At my kids’ school, we just switched to a new elementary math curriculum. Conceptually, it’s great. In all fairness it took me a week of kicking and screaming (like the gif above) to even be able to type that out without destroying my keyboard. However, it’s abstract. Full of discussion, collaboration, and inquiry.
As a very literal person who gets easily overstimulated by constant social interaction, and as a parent to literal kids who emulate their mother, the new curriculum feels a bit terrifying. It reminds me of that one college class of eight students where I was forced to speak on the deep nuances of the history of warfare—a topic at the time I knew very little about. I needed the information spoon-fed to me to supplement the readings I had done before class. Instead, I was pushed to learn through discussion & cold calling (when the Professor calls on you randomly) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on a Thursday, after a full day of student teaching. A perfect recipe for anxiety.
The reality is, some weeks I want to dive headfirst into the rabbit hole of inquiry. I want to debate my husband (or any human in my orbit) on every single political topic in the book (while citing specific articles and sections of the U.S. Constitution in my fits of passion3). I want to philosophize about the “why” behind things and the deeper meanings of what I care about—from clothing and style to parenthood, and everything in between—but, this week is not that week for me. This week is for concrete. Simple. Achievable. No heavy lifting required.
So, this post? I’m breaking it down in a 5-4-3-2-1 format. It’ll be a recurring series—how often, you ask? I honestly have no clue4, but I’m excited to roll it out. No tantruming toddlers included—thank goodness.
Here’s the breakdown of this post:
5 outfits I’ve worn recently
4 things I’m currently loving
3 looks from my closet/Indyx I want to wear soon
2 moments of inspiration
1 happy photo
Let the countdown begin…
Here are five easy looks I wore to work last week… You might notice my outfits gradually shift from polished to more casual as the week goes on. Honestly, that might be a fair metaphor for how I’m feeling, too.
I went into Walgreens after work wearing this Monday outfit and learned something important: anytime I need a pick-me-up, I should wear a silk scarf to Walgreens. From random shoppers to the pharmacist, everyone was loving this look! It reminded me of the power of paying someone (or a random stranger) a compliment when you notice something you admire—tell them you like their hair, their shirt, their outfit, anything! BE THAT PERSON!
These are the same linen barrel pants from last week except in a flax color. I bought them in multiple colors (I KNOW, I KNOW) - but they are going to get good use for work, I promise! This was a “fallification” of a look that Libby McCurrach and I rocked this summer!
This was my outfit as the teacher for Back to School Night! It’s an old dress from J.Crew that I have been wearing for years. My four-shirted-husband inquired to see if I “hulked out” and ripped off the sleeves on this dress. I was not amused.
The day after a late-night meeting, parents called for the closest thing to pajamas I could wear to work. Priscila Smith inspired me to snag these pants a month ago. My coworker even complimented me: “I see what you’re doing there—dressing up track pants with a blazer!” YOU BET I DID.
Friday is always a more casual dress day. I’m still dealing with blisters from last week’s loafer-gate, so the boat shoes were a super comfortable choice. Had a big discussion with my colleagues about Levi’s being “back”…or did they ever really leave? I love these 501’s big time. Scored this rugby polo at Target in the Men’s section over the summer.
Here are some recent things that I am loving right now…
BROWN SUEDE ANKLE BOOT - I scooped these up from Madewell during a recent sale and I cannot wait to wear them. I sized down a 1/2 size from my usual. I love that the top of the boot is tight to the ankle so they can work under my straight leg denim.
RED SATIN PANTS - Anything similar to pajama pants that can be dressed up to wear to work are A-OKAY in my book. Dana encouraged me to get these Donni-dupe red cropped satin pants from Gap (they are so cute!) and I have multiple pairs of these J.Crew satin pants that I wear to work.
CROPPED BARN JACKET - I love the classic style of barn jackets, and J.Crew’s current ones are so good. I’m especially loving the cropped look. I scored a J.Crew cropped barn jacket secondhand on Depop for half the current price (TAGS WERE STILL ON IT!!)—and highly recommend hunting one down, too! Here is a similar one available second hand in a size medium!
SWEATER VEST + TEE + SCARF COMBO - It’s no secret I love wearing silk scarves (bonus if they have an animal on their pattern). I love the way silk scarves are looking specifically paired with a vest + t-shirt.
Here are three looks I’ve made with things I own in MY closet on Indyx that I am excited to wear in my near future!
The inspo for the next one originated from a note posted by the one and only, Stephanie Johnson of The Green Apple. Just swapped the black pants for a Canadian tuxedo vibe.
PS- if you want to follow me on Indyx click here! I’d love for you to style my closet if you are interested! Sigrid Djernæs of Sigrid’s Wardrobe Reflections just put together some amazing looks for me that I can’t wait to wear.
I loved listening to Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez) on Mel Robbins’ podcast episode Reset Your Mind & Soul: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Overwhelming. Everything he shared spoke so deeply to me and brought a sense of calm, inspiration, and a reassuring “everything is going to be okay.” I’ve since started listening to his book Lighter on audiobook while getting ready and driving to work in the morning—it’s been such a helpful way to set the tone and start the day on a positive, uplifting note.
I loved this from Yung Pueblo’s Instagram account. I just recently subscribed to his Substack—late to the party, but happy to be here.
My rescue German Shepherd, Macaroni5, really doesn’t know what to do with all this new fame from his sleepy-time photo in my last post. He’s getting recognized more on walks—thanks to his newfound fame (and not just his aggressive window-barking)—and is now motivated to sprint up our stairs instead of hobbling (he’s an old man with bad hips).
First, here is his rescue organization located in East Texas, Lonestar Transport Dogs. Front and center is Miss Brenda who helped pair us with our dog, Macaroni.
And second is a dopamine-filled canine capture of our handsome little devil…
That’s a wrap for this week! Phew—thanks for making it all the way to the bottom. While on the treadmill today, I realized I sort of ripped off James Clear’s Atomic Habits 3-2-1 newsletter format (3 ideas, 2 quotes, 1 question). I’ll link his work here if you’d like to check it out. He’s not exactly sharing outfits and styling tips - so I hope he’d approve of this newsletter.
5 seconds of grace, 4 sips of espresso, 3 herniated discs, 2 *mostly* compliant kids,
and 1 Macaroni still snoring xo,
✨ If this made you smile, tap the heart, re-stack, or share with a friend! Follow me on Instagram @rambling.in.style, and if the spirit moves you, buy me a coffee to keep the fun going.
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I think you’re supposed to count down starting at 3, but I gave my kids two (unnecessary) seconds of grace each time.
Their teachers may argue the word *mostly* is extremely generous in this context.
When I start citing specific articles and sections of the Constitution, that’s how you know I’m fired up. If I start dropping SCOTUS cases…You’re done for.
I made this “vol. 1” just in case it does reoccur. TBD. I don’t do well with commitments (I always find a way to let people down, lol).
My son named him Macaroni when we got him. My son was 5. Questionable decision allowing the 5-year-old to name the dog, but here we are.
Your cheeky humor has me rolling on the floor laughing every week. The way you write is as if we are sitting down for coffee together. Conversational with a wink.
Love this new series and can’t wait for the next one.
The way you write content is just so perfect for my brain! The perfect mix of inspo, authenticity, and humor. I also have a rescue pup (who looks like a German shepherd, but is actually a husky/bulldog mix) and now I’m even more certain we’re kindred spirits! ❤️ thank you so much for the shout out as well. I love the idea of the pop of red with all denim!! Xx