outfits, life lessons, mood boosters & tiny wins
5-4-3-2-1: what I wore, what I learned, what I love, what lifts me, & one happy snap
I’ve written and deleted this intro probably sixteen times already. I spent all of last week whining that I had nothing to write about and pretending I’m a modern-day Shakespeare with writer’s block.
Over the weekend, the Four-Shirted Husband pulled a hero move and took the kids out into the world, giving me time to unapologetically do nothing. It was glorious. Within an hour, I found myself opening my iPhone’s Notes app and jotting down countless thoughts and ideas. The creative juices were flowing. My Notes app, as you know, is one continuous scroll of pandemonium: recipes, nameless phone numbers, an old Tylenol schedule, and a random date. Seriously, though, WHAT HAPPENED ON 8/6? Truly a case for the FBI.
It makes sense why your most creative and glorious moments happen when the world quiets down. Sometimes, when you’re in the shower singing Life of a Show Girl as a 37-year-old mom of two who is anything but a showgirl, creativity shows up.
No joke, it’s actually called “The Shower Effect.” Your brain stays lightly busy with the task at hand, leaving room to cook up brilliant ideas… but not so idle that you start hyperfixating on someone saying “Hello” and panic-replying, “Good, thanks!”
I used to fear being alone. I thought it was scary to sit with my thoughts for too long. Now, I cherish it, and I’m excited to share all the new things with you!
This week was very much a “No Heavy Lifting Required” kind of week. These are the weeks when my head’s just above water. But lucky for you, it means you’re getting a yard sale of fun and excitement.
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 notes to self
💗3 things I irrationally love.
🌞2 mood boosters
📷1 happy polaroid
🎁Surprise Goodie
Here are five outfits I wore this week. I’m so proud of myself for completing another full month on Indyx and only having two Did Not Get Dressed Days (DNGD)!
Favorite look of the week, hands down. It has to be the red + burgundy color combination I’ve been loving lately. The whole look felt very me and very “cool.”
I scooped up these boots during the end of winter sales last year. This “suede” blazer is about to be an absolute workhorse in my closet. Plus it’s vegan which means no animals were harmed in the creation of this gem. PHEW. Ya girl can’t even go to a zoo.
Yes, I did this on purpose. Loving the Canadian tuxedo moment—an outfit with GLOBAL IMPACT. Little pops of color break it up nicely, and the gold statement earrings make it feel less rancher, more fancy.
A while back, Danielle suggested wearing a colored sock. I finally took her advice! These are the red socks she recommended—perfectly thin and bright. I paired them with a secondhand Ralph Lauren shirt. Bonus: the sweater doubled as a scarf.
I love the way the navy button down and black contrast with the light blue denim in this one! For all things about high/low contrast dressing - please see my girl Kelly Williams in this fantastic post!
Here are four notes to myself—and anyone else who might need them this week! Think of this as my unsolicited advice and lessons learned (or things I’m still working on).
Kindness isn’t transactional.
After listening to Jay Shetty, I realized love and kindness aren’t transactional. You don’t need to receive them back in the same way you gave them. Love & kindness move in circles, not straight lines - what you put out comes back, just not always from the same people in the same way. Instead of focusing on who isn’t showing up, notice the love that already is.
It’s okay to actually *have* regrets.
I was reading regrets can actually be healthy —they can fuel action and change. I was just talking to my 10-year-old about a regret I have from middle school. I used to see a classmate sitting alone every day, and I never had the courage to ask him to sit with us or simply sit with him. Now, we have conversations about inclusivity - a daily reminder that small actions really do matter.
Make your own kind of music!
Group costumes are all the rage, and I love seeing all the creative ideas kids come up with for Halloween. My son dressed up as WWE wrestler, Seth “Freakin” Rollins (?) for Halloween completely on his own. I loved that for him.1 Shame on me for all the years of not dressing up on Halloween because I don’t have a “group” to do it with.
“Joy delayed is joy denied.”
I read this Substack post a few weeks ago and literally shared it with everyone I know. A reminder that life doesn’t honor our personal timelines - wear the fun outfit, send the text, book the trip if you can! The post says, “Let joy become your default, not your reward.”
These aren’t things I’m wishing for — they are instead things I own IRL and absolutely adore.
Label Maker - One of my amazing subscribers, Rabina, DM’d me after my recent organizational meltdown. She suggested using clear bins with labels so everyone knows where things go—and can actually help clean up. So far, it’s going great… until I decided to have fun and toss things in the “wrong” bins. My ultra-rigid kids lost their minds, scolded me, and treated it like a crime against humanity.
Inez Burgundy Boots* - I honestly can’t stop wearing them. I spend eight hours per day sashaying around the classroom teaching and still feel ridiculously comfortable. (Other options if these are out of your budget: 1, 2, 3 …and my very stylish co-worker snagged these similar ones)
Smashbox Makeup Palette - When I want to geek out on makeup I usually go to Jennifer Klee, Kaye Bassey or not an influencer - all three always share the best recs. Just like my toxic trait of reading a book halfway and quitting, I do the same with makeup. This is the first makeup palette I’ve ever bought that I can’t quit and am literally hitting pan on. SOMEONE SEND ME A TROPHY.
And then I saw this note by Anna Eleri Hart and remembered why she is my people:
Here are two things that helped boost my mood this week.
Afternoon Matcha - I’ve been enjoying my new little 3pm routine: some afternoon ceremonial matcha with whole milk and honey. I don’t know what it’s doing for me health-wise, but it’s gotta be better than another triple shot of espresso late in the afternoon.
Baking - Recently, my Four-Shirted-Husband had the audacity to offer to make dinner and take this task off my plate. Usually, that would be an absolute yes. But instead, I had a little meltdown about wanting to make it myself. As someone who struggles to fully complete tasks, there’s something about baking or cooking where I have to follow a recipe, and I always finish (or endure the serenades of “I’m Hungry”). It makes me feel super accomplished.
Also, S/O to Aunt Lisa for this delicious apple crisp recipe2 that I made & didn’t poison the family or burn down the house.
I asked for a Polaroid camera for Valentine’s Day last year. It’s only taken me nine months, but I finally opened it. The reason I was delaying? I hate reading directions. After six “easy” steps, I snapped my first family photo on my daughter’s birthday and even have a cute little album to store them.
We recently had a massive hard drive scare, which reminded me how important it is to PRINT OUT YOUR PHOTOS. What are you all doing for this? Any tips? I’m all ears.
There’s nothing I love more than a goodie bag, so I figured—why not flex my graphic design skills and give you a little take-home treat? We’re a BIG BINGO family over here. I hope you enjoy it… and play along with me!
As always, thank you for being here. Your time, support and kindness mean the absolute world to me.
ICYMI I appeared on my first podcast with Maureen McLennon Welton!
👂🏻Auditory learners - listen here
👁️Visual learners - watch here
I told myself I wouldn’t listen—I get secondhand embarrassment of myself (is that even a thing?). But I did, on my ride to work. And wow… I WAS REALLY PROUD OF MYSELF. Celebrate your wins, folks!
PSA in case you are like me & typically do not know the day, the month or even the year3 — TODAY IS ELECTION DAY — get out and vote. Local elections are critical to democracy.
Wishing you literally the BEST WEEK EVER! xo,
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The only problem with this WWE phase is my Four-Shirted-Husband keeps referring to me as “Mom Cena” instead of John Cena. 🙄
I actually pulled Aunt Lisa’s recipe from a binder of recipe cards I have from my wedding shower circa 2013.
It’s true. Sometimes I have to google my birthday to see how old I am. That can’t be normal.
The shower effect is so real! I always think of my best ideas there, and then promptly forgot them as soon as I step out of the shower. I really appreciate your callout about kindness not being transactional - it's a great reminder that what you put out into the world comes back to you in different ways. A resounding yes to voting in every single election. Love all of your outfits, the red and burgundy look is my favorite, too.
Listen, I'm a big fan but throwing items in the "wrong bin" is a bridge too far! I'm Team Kids on this one. No, but seriously, what a jam-packed post and I love your train of thought writing style. It's so real and relatable and comical. You have a gift :)