Today is a very special day
I am boop and trick or treat safe so feel free to boop or trick or treat for candies, memes, and cakes.
On Halloween morning they woke to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors.
🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃
Buy This, Buy That, "Less than a coffee now!" It seems like every time we're on social media, we're bombarded with products, fashion trends, advertisements, and new "aesthetics" that, conveniently for drop shippers and fast fashion empires, require us to buy a whole new wardrobe and interior design scheme. So, here are my top 10 tips for breaking the cycle.
Figure out who you are. Rather than the you the advertising algorithms tell you that you are.
Go through your current closet, jewelry box, vanity, and decor. Keep what makes you happy, and toss, sell, or donate what doesn't anymore. Yes, this includes those impulse dopamine-seeking purchases and the "little treats."
Make a list of things you realistically do in your day-to-day life that may need closet supplementation from what a standard "capsule" wardrobe would offer you. Church clothes? Sport-specific clothing? Officewear? Do you do a lot of formal events that require attire for certain dress codes? Do you do date night and girl's night outfits? For example: I need dependable workwear for after-hours farm calls so I keep about 5 items in my wardrobe that fit that function. I also keep a bit more workout clothing than some would since I work out 6 days a week.
In the same vein as number 3, are there places where you can increase cross-over between categories in your wardrobe? For example, choosing well-fitted tees that can be worn as under-scrubs and as casual tops around town?
Figure out if there are colors and shades that you look best in/feel the most confident in. There isn't a need to do the one-size-fits-all color analysis that TikTok and Instagram are constantly trying to sell you on reels based on the seasons. Figure out which colors you are complimented the most in, that you feel the best in, and that inspire the most positivity for you. Narrow it down to 4 or 5 colors for both colors and neutrals (blacks, grays, whites, nudes). I did 2-3 colors per season, plus my standard neutrals.
Figure out your style. Personally, I tend to have a fashion that draws inspiration from American traditional, southern prep, English country attire, and the fashions of foxhunting. Think Orvis, LL Bean, Cordings, Dubarry, Talbots, Tory Burch, Ted Baker, and Lily Pulitzer. In decor, I tend to be drawn toward colonial era antiques, leather upholstery, campaign furniture, heavy fabric drapes, ox tongue wood finishes over cherry, oil paintings, black marble, gray field stone, and polished brass. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I found it by perusing fashions, furniture, decor, even TV and movies for things I adored.
Quality over Quantity: This is a big one. Rather than buying a new outfit every time I wanted to do something, or buying each cute accessory I saw and wanted to buy on impulse, I started getting really picky about the materials and workmanship in the things I purchased. Cheap may look good for a brief time, but it fades quickly. The things I buy now need to fit well, be of good material, be tailorable, have finished seams and edges, and be of substantial enough material that I trust that it will last me 2-10 years depending on the item, with some items being things I intend to only buy once in the cases of jewelry and scarves.
Cool off: This product looks like it would solve XYZ problem for me! Will it? Put it on a wish list and save it for later. If you still think it's going to revolutionize your life a month later, work it into the budget.
Quit buying from TikTok Shop, the majority of the stuff on there is drop-shipped junk made to capitalize on a quick trend, which is also part of why there's always pressure added to the pitch "before it sells out" "For less than the price of a coffee" "While the sale is on" if a product can be sold for $9 when it's usually $100, the deal is too good to be true, and the product won't last. Same goes for Shien and Forever 21 if I'm honest.
Focus on 1-2 items per season, an accessory, a cute top or a fun dress. Reducing my consumption to replacement levels plus 1 or 2 items has drastically cut my spending on fashion and decor. I also check second-hand stores first.
I went ahead and included some inspiration boards for you, one with pretty typical accessories for me, one to help better visualize my fashion sense, and then 2 palettes, my colors and my neutrals. I hope you all liked this, I'll also be doing a breakdown of my jewelry, vanity, and closet here soon.
Love,
It’s honestly traumatizing and my heart goes out to anyone who’s experienced this
Weekly Date Night
I'm pet sitting for my "Bonus Parents" (the parents of one of my oldest friends) this week in a lovely 1700s farm house and had permission from them to bring BoyToy over for date night this week. We cuddled into the couch after chatting about the features of the house we'd like in our own future farmette and watched the Lord of The Rings extended editions. As it got colder in the evening, we snuggled in with my dogs and the dog I'm dog sitting and built a fire in the great room. It was absolutely lovely. We got takeout barbecue from the honkytonk we met at and just generally had a great time having a lazy night in with the dogs.
PA Rennisance Faire was so much fun this weekend. There was a ton of thought and design put into the shows and storyline. BoyToy and I had tons of fun goofing off together and trying out new swords, eating turkey legs, jerkeys, kettle corn, and pickles. We ended up not drinking this year (which is admittedly a bit unusual for both of us) and instead opted for lemonades and waters. My POTS did act up with the warm weather, but between Phobos and BoyToy helping me manage it, it didn't put too much of a damper on the day. We didn't get a ton of photos, mostly just too caught up in it all. Overall, a very very good day, and "One of the best dates I've ever been on" according to BoyToy.
You can also call or text 988 to connect you to local mental health resources and crisis counselors. It will connect to local, then regional, then the national backup centers in the USA. 988 can also route you to the Veteran's Crisis Line, Spanish Language Crisis Lines, and other resources. You can find out more about the 988 process on your State or County's health department websites.
Boy Toy and I are headed to renfaire now okay bye!
CAROLINA HERRERA Fall/Winter RTW 2024 if you want to support this blog consider donating to:ko-fi.com/fashionrunways
Pay as you can Plan C Pill Protocols from $5, with future use pill protocols for $250. It's election season in the Post-Roe era. Pass it on for your sisters.
My spoiled and mischievous house cat is currently sleeping only while he has awoken me, and then every time I drift back to sleep, he grabs my hairline and then runs around the bed like a mad man.
He feels neither guilt nor shame for his actions despite being a complete freeloader.
i was meant to be someones spoiled and mischievous house cat
Pay as you can Plan C Pill Protocols from $5, with future use pill protocols for $250. It's election season in the Post-Roe era. Pass it on for your sisters.
It's Tech Week and Doc's Dog got into the tech week brownies so I'm stuck on Clevor Baby Sitting Duties
It's Tech Week! Feed your veterinary support staff, send them a nice little note, and as always, be kind to your vet staff.
“A Cat and a lowercase cat”
(via)
"If I'm going to be a partner in a law firm by the time I'm 30, I'm going to need a boyfriend who's not such a complete bonehead."
~Elle Woods Legally Blonde
It's Tech Week! Feed your veterinary support staff, send them a nice little note, and as always, be kind to your vet staff.
It's Tech Week! Feed your veterinary support staff, send them a nice little note, and as always, be kind to your vet staff.
Use a beauty and skincare tracker.
Write down a weekly plan date.
Keep track of your life and habit goals.
Use a gratitude journal to boost your positivity.
Start planning your trips in advance.
Create an online wish list.
Stay physically active and work out.
Write an effective resume.
Create a list of books to read.
upgrade your life by taking note of the objects you use most and slowly replace them with the most beautiful and high-quality versions of those things you can find.
How to Romanticize Every School Moment Like a True It Girl
Here’s the secret: school isn’t just about textbooks and deadlines. It's your runway, your story, your stepping stone to greatness. Here’s how to turn even the most mundane school day into something magical, stylish, and *completely* iconic.
Waking up early isn't punishment—it's the moment the world is yours before anyone else wakes up. Prep the night before, set your favorite playlist, and let the morning sun kiss your skin. A silk robe, a cappuccino in hand, and a moment to journal or meditate? That’s *main character* energy. 🌅
The "I just rolled out of bed" look is cute, but nothing beats stepping into class looking polished. Lay out your outfit the night before—think blazers, structured skirts, or those high-waisted jeans that make you feel *unstoppable*. Own the hallways like they’re your runway. 💃🏼
Instead of rushing through that study session, make it an experience. Light a candle, pour yourself a fancy latte, and treat studying like a cozy coffee shop moment. Bonus: add your *fave* playlist in the background and find a cute study spot with a view. 🪴
Classes aren’t just for sitting there—they’re your stage. Be the person who raises their hand with that killer question or insightful comment. Sit at the front, stay organized with your sleek planner, and use the cutest stationery. Confidence is everything. ✏️📓
Make studying enjoyable with timed sessions (hello, Pomodoro Technique) and aesthetic notes. Find your vibe—whether it’s a window seat or your favorite cozy corner. Hydrate, treat yourself to a little snack, and romanticize every highlight and flashcard. 🍓📖
Turning small habits into rituals is *everything*. Treat yourself to a calming skincare routine after a long day, keep your desk tidy with flowers or decor that makes you happy, and wind down with a good book before bed. Make everyday routines feel like luxurious rituals. 🕯️✨
Finished an assignment? Nailed that test? Celebrate *every* win. Take yourself out for a little treat, order in something indulgent, or enjoy a relaxing evening with a bubble bath. You *deserve* it. Life’s too short not to savor every victory. 🎉💖
✨ Own your day, romanticize the moments, and make even the toughest school days feel like a dream. ✨ You’ve got this, babe.