Monday Motivation

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and for those of you who braved Black Friday shopping this year, I hope you found everything you were looking for.

We had Thanksgiving at my grandparents' house for the first time since Hurricane Michael destroyed their home in 2018. It was also our first big holiday without PawPaw. It was familiar yet so very different. It was our usual bunch, family that we see on a regular basis (half of us work or live together). We divvied up the cooking and everyone brought what they make best. After we ate, we took our traditional walk down to the lake and nearly melted it was so hot.

About mid-afternoon, Alexis and I went back home to celebrate my birthday with Chris. He had to work the night before Thanksgiving so he slept while we went to Granny's. We grilled lemon pepper pork chops, squash and zucchini wrapped in tin foil, and bread. I had a baked potato and Alexis and Chris had sweet potatoes. We were going to have a fire and roast marshmallows, but it rained.

We did not do any Black Friday shopping, even online, but I did start making my lists. I'll do a lot of my shopping next week. As much of a last-minute shopper as I usually am, I'll probably be ordering more gifts than I usually do so I can't wait this year.

We ate with Chris's parents Friday night. He went hunting on Saturday, and Alexis and I had a movie day. It rained on Sunday, so we stayed in. I got caught up on laundry and made sure all of Alexis's stuff was ready for school. I also got some writing done, which is something I haven't dedicated time to in awhile.

This week I'll be shifting my focus to the January issue. December deadlines are always a little earlier, so I'll be busier at the beginning of the month than the end.

Have a great week!

Real Outfit Roundup

It would by my luck that the time for another Real Outfit Roundup would be the week of Thanksgiving. It's technically supposed to post on Black Friday, but let's be real - ain't none of y'all reading blogs after today this week. So you get two posts in one day! Plus, it makes sense to do this one before Black Friday since it features a few new pieces that are on sale, and who knows? You might even find some inspiration for what to wear to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Here we go!

Sizing info: I'm 5'5" and weigh around 150 lbs. I wear size 6/8 or medium in most tops and dresses, size 6 in most bottoms, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains some affiliate links.

This short-sleeved henley is such a great basic. I also have the olive green, heather, and a blue/white stripe. Unfortunately, it's pretty closed to being sold out online, but I was in my local store this morning looking for my mom a pair of jeans and they had quite a few. You've seen quite a lot of these boyfriend jeans, and for good reason. They are by far my most comfortable pair of jeans, and I'm really enjoying my break from skinny jeans. My boots are old but surprisingly still available in all sizes online. These were one of my most favorite purchases last year. They're a nice casual boot option that almost feels like sneakers, and they're comfortable to walk in all day.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Target (exact - wearing size 7)

This is definitely a basic outfit, but leopard print never feels basic, ya know? This particular shirt comes in 11 different prints, including a camo and snakeskin option. It's super soft and has the right amount of stretch. I sized up so it would be a little slouchier. My sneakers are from earlier this year and have proven to work better for fall than summer. The faux suede like I have is almost sold out online but I'm linking to a canvas option that's really similar.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Amazon (exact - wearing L in leopard01)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 7, canvas option)

Belt: Amazon (exact - wearing L)

I don't usually share workout clothes with you, but I actually kept this on all day. Obviously I didn't wear my knockoff Uggs during my workout, but I didn't get a picture with my tennis shoes, and I actually only put the boots on to run up to the gas station and then to pick Alexis up from school. Both my leggings and sweatshirt are from Fabletics. I splurge on a set from them a few times a year because the quality really is good. I wear a medium in all their stuff. My boots are over 10 years old, and the store I got them from back in college doesn't exist anymore, so I linked to a pair that looks similar.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Fabletics (exact - wearing M)

Leggings: Fabletics (similar)

Boots: old (similar)

I did not keep this on all day, but I did want to share it with you because I absolutely LOVE this set. I ordered it earlier this month because I wanted a long-sleeve top to wear on my morning walk/jog when it's cold out. I love how breathable the material is, and these are hands down my favorite pair of leggings I've gotten from Fabletics. I ordered this as a three-piece outfit and it came with this grey fleece coat which is way nicer than I expected. My sneakers are from Walmart, and they're okay but it won't be long before I get a nicer pair. They took forever to break in and I still feel like they're a little too loose around my ankles.

Outfit Details

Top, Leggings & Coat: Fabletics (exact - wearing M in all 3)

Sneakers: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

You guys know I love a good dress, and this is a really good dress. It's the perfect amount of flowy. It comes in 33 different colors and patterns, and you can get short sleeve, long sleeve, or sleeveless.

You guys remember seeing my rant about these sneakers on Instagram? For those who missed it, let me catch you up. I ordered these knockoffs at the recommendation of a blog I follow. When they arrived, they had the word WHITE in big black letters across the back of both heels. After waiting about a month to get them, I was pretty upset, but then my friend recommended covering it up with glitter to match the stars. So I got me some modge podge and fine silver glitter and voila! However, I won't be linking to the shoes in this post because I won't recommend them.

Outfit Details

Dress: Amazon (exact - wearing M in polka dot navy)

I almost feel like there's too many shades of gray-to-black in this outfit. I think if my jeans were more solid black, it would seem more cohesive. Oh well. You don't win them all. This sweater is one of my favorites. It's really soft and a nice length. It's pretty thick but not itchy, and I like how loose the sleeves are. I know I've talked about these jeans before, but they're so stretchy! The length is an inch or two longer than I need, so to make them work better with the booties I scrunched them around my knees a little bit. They didn't look right rolled.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact - wearing M in pink)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

I feel like I may need to get some more boyfriend jeans so that it doesn't look like I only own one pair of jeans this winter... but seriously, this pair is so good. And they go with pretty much every top in my closet. This sweater is one of my favorites. It's a few years old, and honestly I can't find anything that really comes close to it in terms of color pattern, but I'm linking to some that have a similar vibe below.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Aeropostale (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

Belt: Amazon (exact - wearing L)

See what I mean about the jeans? Actually, this is a different pair from a few years ago. They're long since unavailable so I'll be linking to my current favorites once again. Anyway, let's talk about this jacket. Moto jackets are a great style for completing an outfit, and grey is a good in-between neutral. It's lined but not thick, so it won't provide a lot of warmth. It's slightly fitted and hits right at my waist. It came with a belt around the bottom but it was too long so I just took it off.

Outfit Details

Jacket: Lulu's (exact - wearing M)

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing M)

Jeans: ShoeDazzle (similar)

So many shades of gray in one outfit, but I think the overall effect is pleasing. I will say that my t-shirt did not cooperate for most of the day, but I let it slide because I liked that it had enough red to blend with my pants and enough of a differentiation in the gray tone to not blend into my jacket. Speaking of my pants, I talked about them a couple weeks ago. I've washed them since then and wanted to update you on the fact that they did shrink a little, but they've got enough stretch that it hasn't been a problem.

Outfit Details

Jacket: Lulu's (exact - wearing M)

Shirt: Aeropostale (similar)

Pants: Kohl's (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Target (exact - wearing size 7)

In hindsight, the white sneakers really don't work with this outfit. But they were comfortable for the one quick trip I made while wearing them, and the rest of the day I spent in slippers. Let's talk about this sweater. It's as close to a camo sweater as I'm going to get, ha. It's slouchy but not tunic length like the picture suggests. Maybe if I'd gone up to a large? Anyway, it's soft and a nice thickness. It came shrink-wrapped so it was really wrinkled, but I ran it through the steam refresh in our dryer and that did the trick. My jeans have a little lace-up detailing on the hems. They're a few years old, so I linked to the closest match I could find.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact - wearing M in army green)

Jeans: JCPenney (similar)

Sorry for the slightly blurry pic. I didn't realize it was out of focus until today. Guess I moved before the shutter finished doing its thing. Anyway, this tunic length long-sleeve tee is amazing. It's thick, soft, and stretchy. And it's actually the length that's advertised, so I can wear it with leggings if I get brave enough (and it doesn't shrink). It comes in more than 20 color combos.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Amazon (exact - wearing M in 01-white)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

That's all I have for you guys this go 'round. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving, no matter how you've chosen to celebrate. And if you decide to brave Black Friday, please do your part to help slow the spread of COVID19 and wear a mask. See you next week!

10 Books on my TBR List Right Now

I've been between books for a few days, which is rare for me. I've got more than 100 book samples on my Kindle right now, but I can't seem to settle on anything, despite reading the first few chapters of at least a dozen books (probably more). So while I'm still waffling around on what to read next, I thought I would share ten books I've added to my TBR list recently. I feel like there's a pretty solid offering with some fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and mystery. There's even a holiday-themed on in there. As with everything on my TBR list, there's no real timeline of when I'll get around to reading any of these, but that's not really the point with this post. So let's dive in.

10 Books on My TBR List Right Now

The Spoken Mage - This is book one of the Voices of Power series. I've had this five-book series on my radar for awhile, but I've been hesitant to start it for some reason. It's about a girl who unexpectedly discovers she has never before seen mage powers and is sent to an academy to learn how to use them.

Love in Exile - A young Muslim woman convinces her parents to allow her to pursue her education. While away at school, she falls in love with a Christian man, and not surprisingly neither of their families approves of the relationship.

The Wicked Deep - Every summer, three witches who were sentenced to death steal the bodies of weak-hearted girls to seek their revenge by luring boys to their deaths. The locals have accepted their town's fate until one summer when new boy comes to town and gets involved with a local girl.

Golden Poppies - Jordan Wallace, a teacher in segregated Chicago, is the son of a former slave. When his mother is on her deathbed, his mother's friend and wife of the former plantation owner travels to see her along with her daughter, Sadie. But the families' reunion is rife with personal and political challenges.

Once Night Falls - A historical novel about the extraordinary acts of ordinary people living in Nazi-occupied Germany.

Spellbreaker - This is by the author of one of my favorite magical series, The Paper Magician, so I had to add it to my list. Elsie has natural magic but because she's unlicensed, her gift is a crime. When an elite magic user catches her breaking an enchantment, Elsie strikes a bargain with him to stay out of jail. As she learns more about her powers and new partner, Elsie finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery.

Murder by Midnight - While visiting Druiminn Castle in Scotland, Alice Beckman finds herself on the heels of a murderer after the host is killed and another guest is revealed as an unscrupulous jewel thief. A mysterious local legend could hold the key to unraveling everything.

Someday in Paris - Zara and Leon meet during a power outage in a French museum, never seeing the other's faces. Nine years later, they meet again at a charity ball but don't recognize each other. Over two decades, Zara and Leon fall in love over and over, but will they ever find a way to be together?

Sorry I Missed You - Mackenzie, Sunna, and Maude are roommates with only one thing in common - they've each been ghosted by an important person in their lives: sister, best friend, fiancé. When a barely legible letter arrives hinting at answers, each girl assumes it's meant for her. The trio decides to stake out the coffee shop named in the letter and form a kinship, but as they learn more about each other more questions arise.

The Seventh Bride - Rhea, the daughter of a miller, is forced to agree to marry the sinister Lord Crevan. He demands Rhea visit his remote manner before the wedding, where she discovers that Crevan has not only been married six times before but all of his past wives are imprisoned in his enchanted castle. Determined not to be next, Rhea agrees to a complete a series of magical tasks to gain her freedom.

3 Basic Booties for Fall & How to Wear Them

The best part of fall and winter is hands down the boots. I have a slight obsession with ankle boots and pretty much wear them year-round. I have at least two dozen pair (I know, I know), but for my daily casual style I tend to stick with the same three pair: brown, black, and taupe. And yes, they are the exact same boot in a different color.

If pressed to whittle down my collection to just a handful, these three would be the ones I would keep. If you're wondering why I, the queen of patterns and unexpected add-ons, would choose to keep the three plainest pair of ankle boots I own, I don't blame you. So let me tell you what makes them the obvious choice.

• They've got a classic cut that will never go out of style.
• The block heels are just high enough to extend my leg line but not so high they're uncomfortable.
• They are at once understated and elegant, especially the black pair.
• Between the taupe, brown, and black, I have a pair of boots that go with literally everything in my closet.

This is the second year that I've had these particular pairs of ankle boots, so they're no longer available. They came from Old Navy and are pretty good quality for the price. I've rounded up five similar options for you guys below (two with lower heels since I know not everybody likes to add to their height). Most of them come in at least two color options. Just click on the pictures to see them.

 

So now that I've told you why you need some basic booties, let's talk about how to wear them. To be honest, I really don't have any rules per se that I follow when putting together an outfit with ankle boots, but I can give you a few guidelines to help you create a look that feels more put together.

Don't pull the hem of your skinny jeans down over the boot shaft. They're called ankle boots for a reason, so show some skin. It doesn't have to be much, just a sliver will do, but having that separation between the boot shaft and the hem of your jeans makes a huge difference. Check out this post for some suggestions on how to roll your skinny jeans. The same ideas work with boyfriend jeans, as well.

If you insist on your ankles not showing, try a pair of bootcut jeans instead. If you really want that skinny look, try jeggings or leggings and tuck them into the shaft of the boot. Make sure they're tight and long enough so you don't get bunching around your ankles. Don't like either of those suggestions? Grab a cute pair of crew socks (or a pair of thicker socks that you can scrunch up) to cover any exposed ankle.

Skirt and dress length does not matter. If you're concerned with showing a lot of bare leg, wear tights!

Those are really the only "rules" I stick to with my ankle booties. If you're still not sure, this is a great resource for how to decide what booties to wear with different bottoms. It's very thorough and covers everything from skinny jeans to non-skinny jeans, skirts and dresses, and even workwear.

Now, on to some outfit ideas from yours truly. A lot of these outfits are old (read: last year) since it really hasn't been that cold here yet...and I've been wearing my sneakers more than my boots since we've been sticking closer to home than usual. If you've got questions about any of the items shown, shoot me a message and I'll share the link or something similar!

*This post contains some affiliate links.

Monday Motivation

I can't believe Thanksgiving, and my birthday, are here already. November has gotten away from me, and definitely not in a fun way, at least where work is concerned.

Last week, like the rest of the month, was frustrating from a work perspective. Ever since COVID first started really impacting our area, I've been dreading the end of the year. November and December are always slower, but add in all the uncertainty and its been glacial. And with the way the holiday falls this year (late) I've lost about half a week.

Alexis is out of school all this week, which will make the few days I do work more difficult. Five year olds are very hands on.

We don't have big Thanksgiving plans. It's our first without my grandfather, so that's pretty significant. He passed in February but it's really started to sink in now that we're getting into the main family holidays. We'll eat lunch with close family, and then come home to celebrate my birthday.

Speaking of my birthday, my mom and I changed our yearly tradition. Neither of us is comfortable going to a movie theater yet. But I had planned on getting helix piercings and convinced her to get hers done as well. We got them done over the weekend, along with a nice breakfast and a little shopping. It almost felt normal, except for the masks.

We put up our Christmas tree on Sunday, the first time I've ever put it up before Thanksgiving, but after the year we've had I needed the mood lifter.

I won't have a lot of content for you this week since it's Thanksgiving and my birthday. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and that you find plenty to be thankful for this year.

All I Want for Christmas: The 2020 Working Mom Gift Guide

It's hard to believe but the holiday season is here, and after a pretty dismal 2020 I feel like we all could use as much peace and joy as possible as we close out the year. Gift giving is absolutely my love language. Even though I'm a notorious last-minute shopper, I put a lot of thought into the gifts I give my loved ones. And I put a lot of thought into the only holiday gift guide I bring back year after year: The Working Mom Gift Guide.

This year's gifts are all about making mom feel good, whether she's heading into an office or working from home. I looked for things that would make brighten up her office, reduce stress, keep her cozy, and simplify daily tasks. All but one of the items on this year's list of ideas are things that I would be happy to find under the tree this year, and I hope this guide helps you find the perfect gift for the working mom in your life.

25 gifts for Working Moms all under $100

1. One Line a Day 5 Year Memory Book - This is such a unique concept for a journal. Each page has an entry for five consecutive years so you can revisit your previous thoughts.

2. Bad Girls Throughout History - Learn about 100 women who changed the world in this beautifully illustrated book that's perfect for a bookcase, nightstand, or coffee table.

3. Smart Notebook - This thing is seriously cool, and I will own one by the end of this year, even if I have to buy it for myself. You can upload handwritten notes to cloud services like Dropbox or iCloud via an app, and you can clear the whole thing out by microwaving it for just 15 seconds.

4. Library Books Pen Holder - Pretty and functional, this wooden pen holder is a definite upgrade from a coffee cup.

5. Desktop Organizer - It's like a little bookshelf for your desk! Comes in four finishes.

6. Pretty Printed Ergonomic Mouse Pad - Choose from 23 designs!

7. Heated Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager - Every desk chair should come equipped with one of these bad boys.

8. Essential Oils Diffuser - Mood lighting optional.

9. Crystal Bonsai Tree - This gem-encrusted Bonsai tree is supposed to bring the recipient good luck, wealth and prosperity. Plus, it's really pretty.

10. Succulent Garden Stand - A little low-maintenance greenery for mom's desk. These owls are too cute (succulents not included).

11. Comfy Throw - Everybody needs a desk blanket, and this faux fur throw is just the ticket.

12. Cozy Socks - These are perfect for a day at home but can also be worn with shoes. These in particular come in groups of five and you can choose from 10 colors/patterns.

13. Stylish Slippers - Keep mom's feet happy with these faux-fur lined memory foam slippers. Comes in nine colors.

14. Cozy PJs - Perfect for lounging.

15. Chunky Grandpa Sweater - It's like wearing a hug.

16. Bath Bombs - After the craziness of 2020, mom deserves a spa day...at home, of course. These bath bombs are organic and all natural.

17. Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer - I have not personally tried this hair tool (curly hair, remember?), but it is highly recommended by a lot of people I know.

18. Nail Dryer - I would probably paint my nails more if I owned one of these. It even has a handle for easy carrying.

19. Microdermabrasion & Pore Extraction Skin Resurfacing System - Help mom keep her skin in tip-top shape for all those video meetings.

20. Coffee Mug Warmer - This claims to warm up that forgotten cup of cold coffee in two minutes or less.

21. Electric Ice Cream Maker - Make staying home a little bit sweeter. Don't forget the sprinkles!

22. Pantry Essentials - Give mom's kitchen essentials a fancy upgrade with this all-inclusive set. (Hint: I really want this)

23. Family Wall Art - 2020 has definitely been the year of the family, seeing as we've all been stuck in the house together for months. Commemorate it with something pretty for your wall!

24. Storage Baskets - A pretty way to keep blankets, pillows, etc. organized.

25. Pretty Picture Frame - Add in a favorite photo and you can't go wrong.

Meatball Pasta Bake

I am a sucker for a good pasta bake, especially if I don't have to cook the pasta first. This dump and bake meatball pasta dish was a big hit at dinner, and bonus for all you lactose-intolerant folks - it can be made without cheese if needed.

In less than an hour, you can have a warm, gooey, comfort meal on the table for your family, and I guarantee this will be kid-approved. Let's get to the recipe!

Ingredients

• 12 oz. Rotini Pasta
• 24 oz. Marinara/Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
• 16 oz. Fully-Cooked Beef Meatballs
• 3 Cups Water
• 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a 9x13 baking dish, mix together dry pasta, sauce, meatballs, and water. Meatballs should be completely thawed.
3. Bake for 35 minutes without the cheese. 
4. Remove from oven. Top with cheese and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until cheese has started bubbling.

Bon apetit!

My Favorite Products for Sensitive Skin

It's Tuesday, so you know what that means! It's time to review some of my favorite products for you guys. This week I'll be focusing on products made specifically for sensitive skin.

I've lived with sensitive skin for as long as I can remember. My grandfather smoked pipes and those little cigarillos when I was young, and every time we would visit I would come home with these massive itchy acne-like bumps on my face, neck and shoulders (really any exposed skin) that were actually hives. When I started wearing makeup, I learned quickly which brands to stay away from, and I'm very cautious when it comes to lotions and perfumes, and don't even get me started on shaving - it's a real pain, literally.

If you find yourself in the same boat as me when it comes to skin troubles, this post is definitely for you as I'll be sharing my Favorite Products for Sensitive Skin.

Alright, so full disclosure. I tend to buy all my beauty products at Walgreens, Target, or Walmart, but I'm linking to everything via Amazon where I have an affiliate account. That means if you click one of my links and then order something I could earn a commission but at no extra cost to you.

There's no real structure to this post. I'm going to start with products I use in the shower and then go from there. But before we get started, a little disclaimer. I am not a dermatologist, nor do I profess any dermatological knowledge. The products I'm reviewing are those that work best for me. If you do have sensitive skin and want to try something new, I recommend you speak with your own dermatologist and proceed with caution.

Alright, here we go.

Aveno Skin Relief Fragrance Free Bodywash - This is my number one go-to body wash. It helps keep my skin moisturized without irritating it. It should be noted that I do not use a loofah or sponge, as those tend to be too rough for me. I prefer to just use my hands. I also like the Stress Relief bodywash, but the fragrance is a little strong so you may want to be cautious of that.

Aveno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser - When literally anything can lead to a breakout, having a reliable face wash is paramount. Now that I'm in my 30s, all my old favorites weren't really jiving with my hormones; they were all too harsh. So I swapped to this. It's really gentle but keeps my skin clear.

St. Ives Acne Control Scrub - On the (thankfully) rare occasions that I do have a bad breakout and need a little more oomph out of my cleanser, I reach for the St. Ives. I like that it scrubs away the dry skin that tends to be left behind after a breakout, and it's great for keeping pores cleared out around my nose and chin.

Skintimate 2-in-1 Shave Cream & Skin Conditioner - I don't shave very often because the after effects never very pleasant, but this particular shave lotion has helped reduce the post-shave issues when I do.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - This is hands down the best moisturizer I've ever used. It's gentle enough I can use it on my face, and it lasts for about three days.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask - I don't use this very often, but when I do have a particularly bad (read: painful) flare-up this helps speed up the healing process. I do not use it like a mask. I only apply it in a thin layer to my problem places. Usually, the flare up is less red and painful by the next morning or end of the day, depending on when I use it.

Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Concealer - This concealer treats while it covers without overdrying. My shade is fair.

Neutrogrena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup - This has been my go-to foundation for years. It runs about $12 a bottle. It's smooth and has a buildable coverage. It's also not oily and the salicylic acid helps prevent any pop-ups if I get sweaty. My shade is natural ivory.

Aveno Clear Complexion Daily Cleanser Pads - To be fair, I typically prefer to remove my makeup with warm water, but these pads are really nice. They create a nice lather and you can choose to use either the smooth or exfoliating side. You do have to rinse your face after using them.

Well, there you have it. My eight most-used products that don't irritate my ridiculously sensitive skin. If you have any questions about anything on this list or any other sensitive skin products, don't hesitate to drop me a line and I'll do my best to answer.

Have a great day!

Monday Motivation

November is flying by. I can't believe Thanksgiving and my birthday are next week.

Last week was weird thanks to the holiday. Because schools were closed on Wednesday, it was essentially like having two Mondays in one week. Despite that, I feel like I got a lot accomplished last week so that I can really focus on my December sales this week. It's been sluggish so far to say the least, which I was expecting but doesn't make it any better.

I think my shoulder is almost fully healed. I still haven't figured out what I did to injure it in the first place. I spent pretty much all of Monday working at my desk and had a knot near my right shoulder blade that night. Chris worked it out for me but then I woke up in the middle of the night in terrible pain. By the time Tuesday morning rolled around, I couldn't raise my right arm or turn my head to either side without almost crying. Chris worked on it pretty much every night - there were at least three knots. It's not 100% but I can move without wincing.

Alexis spent part of the weekend with Chris's parents. On Saturday I had a 'virtual date' with my best friend who lives in NYC. We used to celebrate our birthdays together (hers is on Tuesday) back in college and it's something I miss greatly. Chris and I ran a few errands, and then on Sunday we got caught up on chores and laundry and had dinner with Chris's parents.

There were way more people not wearing masks this weekend than I've been seeing, even just from last weekend. It was pretty disheartening, especially considering cases are on the rise here. Walmart was particularly uncomfortable.

I hope you all are keeping safe and healthy, and that you have a good week!

8 Casual Fall Outfits to Copy Right Now

How has it already been two weeks since my last roundup of things I wore in real life? A lot has happened since then, namely Halloween and that pesky little time change, and I definitely did not take pictures of every outfit between now and then. Oops.

I have been putting more effort into my outfits over the past couple of weeks. We had a few cooler days that gave me the chance to break out the layers, which was a nice change. These are all pretty casual in nature, but I feel like that's pretty par for the course these days. Anyway, here are 8 Casual Fall Outfits You Can Copy Right Now.

Sizing note: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 150-155 lbs depending on the day, with a more athletic build. I typically wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in pants and skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (old - similar)

We'll start with the Monday after Halloween. It was actually pretty chilly that day. Other than school drop-off and pick-up and coordinating the delivery of my November magazines, I didn't leave my office. My to-do list was a mile long. I mean, I probably ran up to the gas station for a Mountain Dew at some point.

Anyway, these black jeans are just the plain mid-rise skinny jeans by Old Navy. They're not quite as tight as the RockStar ones, and I haven't had any issue with fading. I've had them for a couple of years now. My sweater is from Target and is super soft. It comes in a bunch of other colors, too.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jacket: Nordstrom (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (old - similar)

This is what I wore to vote. I felt a little like a badass standing there in line with all the other typically-dressed southerners. It was really cold that morning, in the low 40s - our coldest temps so far this season. After I voted, I headed out for a day of magazine distribution.

These faded black button-fly jeans are also from Old Navy. They're mid-rise and ridiculously soft and stretchy. I was legitimately surprised at how comfortable they are. My shirt is the cream version of the short-sleeved henley t-shirt I talked about in a previous post. Such a good layering piece. My Topshop leather jacket kept me nice and toasty. And my boots are a few years old, but there are lots of good options for combat boots this year.

Outfit Details

Dress/Tunic: Amazon (exact - wearing size M in AW-5)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (old - similar)

I'm trying to remember if I went anywhere specific this day. I don't have anything written on my calendar, but I feel like I went to the post office to check my box. It was another nippy day, and I had been waiting for the chance to wear this sweater dress/tunic.

This really may be the softest piece of clothing I own. I love how it's got enough color variation that I can wear it with black and brown accessories. The buttons on the side are not functional and the hemline is slightly asymmetrical; the side with the buttons is longer. I'm pretty short so this works as a dress, but for taller people it may be more of a tunic length.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Pants: Kohl's (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

I decided I needed another pair of colored pants for the cooler months. You know, for when I get tired of jeans. I've got a nice pair of maroon slacks but they're really not practical for my casual days. Then I came across these twill pants by one of my favorite clothing brands, and they were on sale, so I did a one-click buy.

The fit is curvy straight, which makes them not quite so snug around my hips and thighs. They are a little longer so I cuffed them. If they'd had petite sizing, I would have gotten it. I have so many plans for these pants, but because it was another cool day I decided to throw on this spotted sweatshirt. I had some errands to run so I kept things comfy with my black sneakers.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar)

Belt: Amazon (exact - wearing size L)

Shoes: Academy (old - similar)

Flash forward to Saturday - I have no idea what I wore on Friday. I promised I would take Alexis to Target, so I did a curl refresh on my hair, threw on my favorite boyfriend jeans (which are sadly no longer in stock), grabbed the green version of that short-sleeved henley t-shirt, finally wore my new belt, and finished things off with my trusty leopard slip-on sneakers. A slightly elevated basic outfit perfect for a day spent doing mom things.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jacket: Old Navy (old - similar)

Jeans: JCPenney (old - similar options)

Boots: Old Navy (old - similar)

Skipping ahead to Tuesday. I had another massive to-do list on Monday and wore a basic t-shirt and jeans that I didn't take a picture of. I injured my shoulder somehow (no idea) and could barely lift my arm or turn my head on Tuesday, so I stayed in comfy clothes with a heating pad pretty much all morning while I worked. After lunch, I decided to style some outfits with white jeans and kept this one one for the rest of the day, although I did lose the jacket because we hit the low 80s and I swapped the booties for white sneakers.

Outfit Details

Dress: Walmart (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (old - similar)

That brings us to Veterans Day. Alexis's school was closed so she was home with me, and we had a 'disguise the turkey' project to do. Not surprisingly, we ended up being out of a key part of the project and had to run up to our neighborhood Dollar General. We ended up picking up some stuff for supper while we were there so it was a productive trip.

This dress has been a favorite for me this year. The tiered bottom elevates it from a simple t-shirt dress, and the wedge sneakers were a nice break from my low-tops.

Outfit Details

Shirt: JCPenney (old - similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Yesterday I wasn't really planning on putting together an outfit, but then I remembered I needed to go to the post office to mail out a couple of larger envelopes. When I got there, the post office was closed with no explanation so it was a wasted trip, but then I decided not to waste my good hair day and treated myself to Panera for lunch.

My shirt is from last year, but I just now learned the trick to tying a symmetrical knot so that's pretty exciting. I'm not sure if I really like the sneakers with these jeans. They're maybe an inch or two longer than what I normally wear so there's not as much separation between pant and shoe, and the raw hem makes them harder to roll. I guess I could have rolled them, but they're also really stretchy and pretty snug so I don't think it would look that great. I'll have to experiment with them.

Well, that's all for now folks. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you back here next week!