Personal Style as Personal Expression

blazer-J.Crew(similar here), shirt-Anthropologie(similar here), pants-Uniqlo(similar here), flats-Gap

I'll readily admit that I don't really feel like myself without my personal style. Lately my style has been wavering (at least in my own estimation) as my body is still transitioning/settling after having baby #2. Not being able to fit into my clothes, especially workwear, has given my self esteem quite a blow, which you can read more about here. Also, what the F is happening with my hair?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I only feel good about myself when I look a certain way. OR, that I need to look a certain way in order to have self worth. What I'm saying that I'm currently in the midst of negotiating a new sense of myself(what with motherhood and getting older in general) and how I want/can reflect/express that in my personal style.

Speaking of which, this OOTD is yet another iteration of my go-to personal uniform--cropped pant, patterned button-down, blazer, and flats. I've had the trousers and blazer for awhile, but this embroidered shirt and these flats are new additions to my wardrobe. I really enjoy the contrast of the business-like blazer and windowpane pants, with the more causal southwestern-inspired pattern of the shirt. Plus the embroidery adds an unexpected texture--which come to think of it, is an accurate description of where I am right now, style-wise and life-wise--negotiating the unexpected textures!

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Two Things

First: Isabel Marant's collocation for H&M debuts today in select stores AND online at noon, so you may want to get up on that. Here are a few looks I'm lusting after. Hello mixed patterns! Love the oversized coat and the detail on these jeans. Patterned blazer, cropped colorful trousers, yes please! Of course, I cannot partake in this collection with my Year Of No Shopping, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. So get ready to go by noon because I'm sure this noise will sell out fast. Number Two: I'm thinking about a new haircut. Something along the lines of Tilda Swinton . What do we think? I'm not going to go blond, but I like the shorter/buzzed sides and back with length on the top. Mr. Keller is hesitant, he thinks it's too masculine, but I'm kind of in the mood to go a bit edgy and I've had the same cut now for two-ish years... FYI: Tilda Swinton is my spirit animal!

Nasty Gal

Since the weather has been horrible I've been consoling myself with online shopping. And have made my first purchase with Nasty Gal : Lacy Chiffon Blouse Yuma Studded Blouse Alva Knit Dotted Stud Blouse Apparently I'm having a button-up shirt craving. I think all three of these shirts could work with the sweater, which is an alternative to your basic pull-over and may be a bit too edgy for work. But, I'm thinking a conservative wool trousers would nicely balance it out. And in writing this I've come to the realization that my work "uniform" for the rest of the winter will focus on mixing edgy pieces, (or items with unexpected details) with conservative basics. That might not always actually happen, but it's a good starting off point in planning a week's office wear. Okay, enough of my pontificating, go check out the sale over at Nasty Gal there are some great deals to be had.

40 Year Old Cottagecore

dress-Anthropologie(more options here ), sunnies- DIFF Eyewear , necklace- Benevolence LA , bag-- Shiraleah , sandals- Born I first became aware of Cottagecore earlier this summer and found it to be an aesthetic I can appreciate and find aspirational , but was not necessarily a style that aligned with my wheelhouse. Well as I've been growing my hair during covid quarantine and having picked up this dress as seen here , I felt that I was ready to tackle #cottagecore here on my 40th birthday!!! Yep, that's right today I turn 40 (but I don't look it). And while it's been a year like no other, I feel excited for my next year, decade, chapter of my life. I think it's fair to say I'm done having babies and ready to move on from the chaos of very little children to the chaos of big kids. I no longer feel like I have something to proof in my work, writing, sense of self. I'm just going to enjoy and be grateful for the many blessings of family, friends, health, a

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