I'm sitting at a very festive coffee shop in my hometown, chai latte in hand, and it almost feels like I'm the main character of a post-Christmas Hallmark movie—whose decided that there's no better time to start blogging again than the second day of the new year. Ah 2022, what are we going to do. So many possibilities of what the new year could bring. Every season I always feel a sense of pressure to make necessary resets: whether it be taking down all of the Christmas decorations asap, re-organizing my closet, limiting my social media use, investing in a new hobby, muting toxic people—the whole lot.
What I have forgotten to do is reflect on what I have actually accomplished this past year amidst the worrying and curiosity over what could come. I graduated college, I got my first job, I travelled more than I thought I would, I started powerlifting, I met some pretty stellar folks, and besides the icky mucky bumps here and there, 2021 served me well.
I will say that I am ready for change, not so much Chicago winter, but you can only ask for so much right? I do have a couple of goals I would like to keep in mind throughout the year and things I am looking forward to. In addition, I need to treat each day with optimism and openness for the possibility of change and growth—not letting some stale or stagnant days be wasted and making the most out of every opportunity to live a bit more mindfully this year.
Moving On and Moving Out
A goal that has been pushed off my radar since I moved back home during Covid is when I would officially move out. I made it a point to do everything in my power to find a job and get on my feet after college before moving back into the city. I've romanticized the idea of what living on my own would be like. Granted, I don't want to live alone but having the power to finally have my own space, closer to the city I love, and where I can begin a new chapter is all so enchanting to me. I don't think it will be anytime in the next couple of months, but this year is definitely the year. Thankfully, my sisters and my best friend have all volunteered to go apartment hunting with me, so I would be open to sharing that process with you all later on. One big step and it will happen very, very soon—I know it.
Fostering Momentous Motivation
With the idea of moving, which is already a huge moment of change, I already know that there is still a lot of newness and experiences I have yet to have. With winter rolling back around and the Omicron variant lurking, I don't want to sink back into the comfort bubble again—whether it be repeating the same workouts at the gym (or from home), not turning my camera on during work calls, or just hunkering down because "it's too cold out".
There was a time when I used to be so vigilant and proactive about reaching for things like applying for a new executive role in a club or applying for study abroad, no matter how uncomfortable or strenuous the process was. I tell some of my friends who are finishing up college that I genuinely miss learning and having benchmarks to master: like speaking to people fluently in Spanish, the ambition I used to have when I was drafting and re-drafting my resume, the adrenaline rush I used to get before I would meet a new student to tutor. I didn't realize it then, but I was cultivating a routine that I would yearn for the rest of my life. I want to be constantly productive, proactive with my goals, and reclaim that motivation I had when I would crank out twelve page papers on the Yellowstone River in the library. I miss that Natalie, but she is back and more ready to take on whatever may come her way.
Choosing People Who Choose Me
This year brought forth a new realization of how I prioritize and care about my relationships—platonic or romantic. I've been able to experience different relations with people, more than I thought I would this year. I needed the connection and I craved it to a point where I didn't even recognize myself because I truly came out of my shell this summer. People come and go, yes, but I like to think that I try to lead every interaction knowing that I put in the effort to connect, listen, and learn something new from everyone I meet. No matter how long they stay. I want to invest my time, energy, love, and compassion with people who want to be around me.
Investing in Me-Time
Sure I've been a bit of a social butterfly this year, but with that came a lot of worrying and dwelling about other people. A lot of what I yearn for, like a newfound motivation for example, came at a time when I was fully content and driven to work on myself when nobody else was really in the picture. It ebbs and flows at different points in my life of course, but I always find that when I'm doing the things I love (like writing), I am focused and am feeding my soul what it really needs! I want to make more conscious decisions when it comes to investing in what I need and what will help me best succeed.
I am embracing the new year with grace, knowing that each and every day will be different and I have to also give myself grace when I need to slow things down and reflect. Rather than setting a template for how I want 2022 to look, I'll always go back to what my dad urges me to remember: to take it day by day.
I am ready for more laughs, more wine nights, experiencing jaw dropping views, surprising myself by reaching new heights, and maybe learning how to actually cook in the process—give or take.
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
My fashion goals lately have been to achieve optimal coziness but with a flare of course. Feeling or looking cozy is not synonymous with dressing too casual. I think you can be cozy on nights out, it just depends on how you accessorize. I've always loved warm browns, creams, and neutrals—add a bit of leather and fur and you've got the perfect getup for either a night by the fire or grabbing drinks at a Christmas pub. We've had some nippy evenings in the city as well, so I've been dressing to prepare for wintery commutes lately.
Layers, layers, layers...
I am a firm believer in anything (faux) furry and cozy, and if you're looking for that perfect cozy gift to give, the Columbia Lodge Sherpa Pullover is what comfy dreams were made of. The right amount of warmth and fleece to not be over-bearing or make you sweat. I usually layer it with a turtleneck long-sleeve underneath and it has convenient pockets for your phone, keys, etc. for winter strolls.
I'm also addicted to turtlenecks and cowl necks, but one article of clothing I've never worn is a turtleneck tank top? I was taking a peruse in Zara the other day and thought this knit top would be a great layer to have, especially when I go into the office and don't want to be sweating bullets all day with a big chunky sweater.
It also is just way more flattering and slimming than a big knit sweater, but I can imagine it pairing nicely with these ultra cool 90s inspired fleece lined leather pants. I hopped on the trend and I am obsessed. You'd think they'd be the most uncomfortable pants ever, but I can assure you the fleece on the inside makes it feel like you're walking through clouds.
Leather moments...
Always love a leather moment, and many of my classic looks are completed with a leather jacket, boots, or purse. Especially with all of that fur, it's a good textural balance and is also just really functional and easy to pair leather with whatever I'm wearing like denim or leggings. My key staple as of late have been my brown leather, fur-lined Dr. Martens Chelsea Boots. I've always goo-ed over these, especially because they're not like the regular combat boots and I will be honest, I haven't taken them off since last December. I just gravitate for them as any going out shoe as opposed to sneakers.
Everyone I know says they take super long to break in, but I was good to go the first day after wearing them. Maybe the fur provides an extra barrier of cushion or my feet just molded to them, but I haven't had a single blister!
For my bag lately, I've been carrying around my Longchamp Le Pilage shoulder bag for when I'm not working from home and decide to take work to a local coffeeshop. I can just throw my laptop, charger, planner, phone, wallet, and maybe an extra hair clip or water bottle into it—zip it up—and feel confident knowing no one is going to reach in and take anything out. I don't know how people walk around the city with open tote bags—makes for an easy target if you ask me.
I top the look off with a pom pom hat, maybe some shades, and can never forget my apple watch these days. My favorite feature is just being able to limit my notifications by just seeing who has texted me on my watch and not having to fully dig into my purse only to find I need to update my phone to the most recent version. Who would have known another piece of technology would actually make me more present than I was without it?
So, that's my cozy capsule! I'm not ready for another polar vortex, but if I have to be—I'll do it in style I guess. What are your key cozy essentials this winter?
I often find it satisfying when I finally use up products or can switch out my peachy summer blushes for my winter berry ones. As much as I miss being tan and having that sun-kissed glow, it's refreshing to have a bit of a beauty switcheroo and pull out the products I wouldn't be using as much. With that said, I've been on a rollercoaster with my skin lately—I've been suffering from a bad case of mask-ne. So, with all of the holiday festivities, I've been reluctant to put on a full face, so here are the products I gravitate towards when I'm trying my best to keep it simple and clean.
Neutrogena Clean Full Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream- When covering up blemishes and my uneven skin, I was always using products that would just sit on top of my face and I knew that the moment I took it off, another zit would form because it would just clog all of my pores. Until recently, I knew I had to use makeup that was safe and clean for my acne prone skin, so I went back to the tried and true—Neutrogena. Not only does this CC cream cover blemishes and even out redness, it's formulated with niacinamides which won't clog pores or make acne worse. It's not cakey and doesn't leave a flakey looking texture either! Would highly recommend for acne prone skin.
Bare Minerals barePRO Performance Wear Powder- Oil or shine is no match for this powder. I can usually even wear it without any other foundation. It blurs the appearance of pores and is very long lasting. I bring this compact with me for quick touch-ups, but I usually never have to because its staying power is so good!
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow- Don't get me wrong, I love my Nars Laguna, but in the winter time, I'm usually looking for a bronzer that has a little less gold to it. I've only heard great things about Charlotte Tilbury's bronzer and I'm pleased that it has a creamy and soft consistency. I've been using highlighters a lot more recently for an added touch of sparkle.
Glossier Boy Brow- Taming my brows seems like a constant, I can't leave the house without fixing them. So, the boy brow is the perfect brow filler and gel all in one without leaving my brows feeling sticky.
Diorshow Mascara- I don't think I will go back to using any other mascara because the Diorshow is the perfect curling and lengthening mascara I've used in a long time. No clumps, no spider eyes, just complete butterfly wings and the perfect amount of volume. I can't ask for more!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y- RiRi knew what she was doing when she created this. I haven't ever been a fan of lipgloss until I tried this out from a sample kit and was hooked. The butteriest and creamiest, long lasting lip gloss. The perfect shade of blush pink and it won't have you smacking your lips.
A nice setlist of products going into the holidays, sensitive skin-friendly and the perfect touch of shimmer for any outing. Do you switch up your products for the seasons?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons