holiday crash outs, outfits & one really good cake
5-4-3-2-1: outfits, styled looks, non-shoppables, splurges & giving back
The older I get, the more I understand Clark Griswold’s crash out in Christmas Vacation. A crash out is really just an adult-size toddler meltdown and nothing sends me into one faster than the holiday season.
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Over the years, a few truly iconic antecedents have pushed me straight into a full holiday crash out — including, but not limited to, the following…
1. We put up our Christmas tree only to realize a large portion of the lights wouldn’t turn on… the date was December 10th. Ordered a new one, but misread the height—it only reached my shoulders. Let’s just say, returning a tree purchased online is an experience!
2. When a wreath is hung 25 feet up at the top of my house…out of reach… and it hasn’t been properly fluffed
3. Realizing I didn’t buy holiday plates, cups, or utensils on December 23 as the Christmas Eve hostess (with the least-est). Even Jeff Bezos couldn’t save me.
4. Seeing my Four-Shirted-Husband’s™ light display and realizing there’s a full gap between the roofline and where the lights actually start. He claimed he couldn’t get that close because of the “eLeCtRiCaL WiRes,” but sacrifices must be made.
5. Realizing one set of twinkly lights is warm white while the rest are bright white.
6. Putting all the ornaments on the tree only to realize I forgot to put the beaded garland on first.
7. When I FINALLY neatly wrap a present that punctures in transit.
8. Receiving the school activity calendar with 14 days of themed dress-up shenanigans that I will inevitably forget, let my children down over, and add to the list of things they’ll unpack in therapy in 20 years.
After all that over the years, it’s a miracle I’m still standing and getting dressed. And I truly, toxicly, stand my ground re: my crash outs. I sometimes argue in my mind that I should’ve done more, actually. Now, where’s the Tylenol?
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 outfits styled
🫶🏻3 non-shoppables
💵2 no-regret purchases
⭐1 small act that counts
Dreary Monday morning saved by this sweater vest. Pairing it with a scarf brought a little joy.
A Gen-Z student literally hunted me down after class just to compliment my boots! I’d paired a sleek black blazer with a t-shirt and denim, and apparently, it was a hit.
Favorite of the week! I am really enjoying these stirrup leggings (see next outfit as well)! I was nervous to pair them with a more masculine loafer, but I LOVED the look. Hair tucked into the sweater, chefs kiss!
THIS is what I wore to the living room on Thanksgiving. Paired the stirrup leggings with a brown wrap sweater and a ballet flat. My 87-year-old grandma was also looking chic in her ballet flats! TWINSIES 🥹
Walking into the hockey game in NYC, I felt a little like Macklemore in the Thrift Shop music video, and honestly, I didn’t hate it.1 I was all about the faux fur coat and hooded sweatshirt combo. Anytime I get to whip out my OG Speedy bag from the ’00s, it feels like a personal victory.
Here are four outfits styled straight from my closet—about 90% of what you see is something I actually own and love. All purchased with my own moolah.
It’s a double win: you get real outfits, and I get to plan ahead and avoid my classic “lying on the bed dramatically claiming I have nothing to wear” meltdown.
NOTE: A ^ means it’s something I don’t personally own.
LOOK 1
This is a look I’d wear to grab coffee with a friend at a local cafe, run some upscale errands, or even to work, tbh.
LOOK 2
This will absolutely be a go-to festive look in my arsenal. As of right now, I have zero holiday parties on the horizon, but it’s definitely a strong contender for a Christmas Eve living-room look.
Noelia Santana paired sequin skirts with western boots in her post, The Lazy Guide To Party Outfits - and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the combo.
LOOK 3
The second I put on a fur, my aura gets so unhinged I forget I’m a pushing-40 mom from suburban America. However, I DO NOT CARE! It’s faux-fur-energy szn! This coat is everything I hoped for and more, snaps to GAP!
LOOK 4
I’d rock this look for an elevated evening out at our favorite local date-night spot, with its eight-course tasting menu, mocktails, and moody ambiance. No fear: my iPhone flashlight will be at the ready so I can properly read the menu.
NYC TRIP
We took a quick trip to NYC a few days ago to see a hockey game at MSG. It was my alma mater, which is always fun. You know what was even more fun? The band played “My Friends Over You” by New Found Glory. My husband and I sang every word, much to the mortification of our kids and Gen Z neighbors.
NYC is crazier than a Trader Joe’s parking lot on a Saturday morning, which usually makes me grinchy about taking the trip. But I love the holiday feels, good eats, and watching grown men whack each other with sticks while gliding on ice. Best part: spending time with my family in the city I love.
LAZY DAYS
My kids love more when we have a “chill day.” These are days where we have no plans, hang out at home, and no one leaves their pajamas for a full 24 hours. These little “do-nothing” days are so critical for our well-being.
LET THEM EAT CAKE
My daughter is OBSESSED with the show, Is It Cake? on Netflix. So naturally on Black Friday when I probably “should’ve” been scrolling deals I made a homemade chocolate cake with my mini. I mean, Is there anything sweeter than a kid trying to crack an egg into a bowl? TBH, it’s all fun and games until there’s a shell in your batter.
What will we make next!? Stay tuned. My daughter insists our next cake will be a double-extra-chocolaty experience, which saddens my gut microbiome (no one pregames harder with Pepcid than me).
Two recent purchases that I love so much I might even consider a “NO REGRETS” tattoo. But I’m too scared of commitment and still have zero tattoos.
This was it! THE Black Friday SPLURGE! I was absolutely influenced by OFELIA in this post. AND THEN, as I was researching sizing I found her ridiculously helpful TikTok video here! These boots rarely go on sale, so I happily snagged them (a to me, love me gift!).
Plus, my most recent hyperfixation is 100% cowboy boots tucked into jeans & a blazer…
Alexa, play Should’ve Been A Cowboy. I’m having a real fringe moment lately. I loved this fringe cardigan because it can be easily dressed up for a night out or down with sweats. It is definitely a cropped fit, so keep that in mind!
Today happens to be Giving Tuesday. A day to celebrate generosity after the capitalist hustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Today is all about giving back— whether that’s a charity, volunteer work, or supporting a cause you care about.
Do your thing and help make the world a better place in whatever way feels right!
🗨️Talk to me! What should my mini baker and I whip up next? And while we’re here… what are your holiday crash out triggers and how are we coping?
Alright! That’s all for this week. As always, THANK YOU for being here.
May your deals be smart, your stirrup leggings stretchy, & your kitchen experiments mostly edible xo,
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The look felt very Libby McCurrach (am I now officially a fan girl?) from Katelyn Cnossen’s iconic post, If You Catch a Substacker at a Sporting Event.
OMG !!! It's wild that a video I made 2 years ago was also reference for sizing for you?!? How freaking cool and a testament that just because something doesn't blow up in the moment doesn't mean it's not helpful to someone in the future. I'm so excited to be twinning with you and literally am going to run to show my husband your article and tell him about this.
I got the email from my kids school yesterday that the last two weeks of school are all spirit days. For an hour I turned into a troll-grinch-Scrooge and then I finally calmed down. Honestly whoever picks these things should be pelted with snowballs.