Author Archives: Karen
Yellow Plaid Shacket




| OUTFIT DETAILS |
Yellow Plaid Coat | c/o Ivory Sweater | Dark Blue Jeans | Similar Black Booties | Stud Earrings
Have you heard of the shacket fashion trend? It has the look of a plaid shirt but the warm and cozy of a jacket, aka shirt jacket, aka shacket. My yellow plaid shacket is a sherpa material which makes it soooo warm and cozy! My lifestyle has leaned more to the casual side this season, so I decided to embrace this casual winter trend.
If you have a closet full of peacoats or dressier style coats, this jacket might be the perfect casual coat to add to your mix. We love sitting outside in the evenings and taking the dogs on long walks, and this casual coat is perfect for those activities. The bold yellow print makes it a statement jacket as well. Solid colors like black, ivory, or white will be the perfect under layer. I opted for my ivory sweater because it’s a perfect warm layer for a cold day outside.
This jacket has shades of brown in the plaid and the buttons. For shoe options, you could make both black and brown work as well as both booties and boots.
What do you think? Are you ready to try the shacket trend?
Don’t FORGET to fill out my annual reader survey too! CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY



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Hello 2021! | My Goal Setting Process




| OUTFIT DETAILS |
c/o Long Sleeve Blue Blouse | c/o Jacquard Midi Skirt | Similar Heels | Gold Earrings | c/o Bead Bracelet
Hello 2021!! Like for many of you, 2020 was a crazy roller coaster of year filled with plenty of ups and downs. The year started with Covid canceling my social life and finding me confined to my small one bedroom apartment, then lead to the purchase of my amazing home. At the end of summer, I hit another low when my father unexpectedly passed away. But, I ended the year on the high of getting engaged. After of year of extreme highs and lows, I was excited to get away for a bit by spending the last week of 2020 in a small town in Northeast Texas visiting some of Steve’s family. I took a break from blogging, focused on being in the present moment, and came home ready to kickstart a new year.
I usually spend New Year’s Day laying out my goals for the year, setting up my blog calendar, and brainstorming new ideas and posts. Since we were out of town, I decided to wait until my first 3-day weekend of the year. I spent most of yesterday thinking up lots of new content ideas and starting my yearly goals.
GOAL SETTING PROCESS
I love love love setting goals! I make yearly and monthly goals which help me stay on track, stay motivated, and keep me moving forward. My goal setting process is pretty simple. I’m sharing it below in case you are looking to set yourself up for success this year. I usually do this process twice – once for my personal goals and one for my blog goals.
- SET 3-5 ATTAINABLE YEARLY GOALS AND 1-2 BIG DREAM GOALS
I think about what I hope to accomplish this year and set a few goals that I know with a little work and determination that I can achieve by the end of the year. I also like to set one or two big dream goals. These are items that I’m okay if I don’t achieve, but I want to work towards with my baby goals. - SET 3-5 ACTIONABLE GOALS EACH MONTH TO HELP REACH ATTAINABLE YEARLY GOALS
At the start of each month, I write down a few goals for each month that I would like to focus on and that are actionable. I make them simple, easy, and short. I usually keep them posted somewhere visible like on the fridge, bathroom mirror or at my desk. These goals are things that will put me on track to achieving some of my yearly goals.For example, if my yearly goal is to improve overall health, a monthly goal might be to eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The next month, my goal might be to do yoga 3 times a week. My hope is that the goal I set month one becomes a healthy habit, and I add to it each month. By the end of the year, I will have built 12 new healthy habits that will improve my overall health. - SET1-2 ACTIONABLE GOALS EACH MONTH TO HELP REACH BIG DREAM GOALS
I use the same idea as in step 2 with these goals being steps moving me towards those big dream goals. - REVISIT AND REVISE MONTHLY AND YEARLY GOALS AS NEEDED
My goals for the year may change as the year progresses and life changes. I like to keep the option open to mix things up if needed. This doesn’t mean cancel a goal because it’s hard or not going how I want it too. It just means I give myself the flexibility to be adaptable to the changing circumstances of life.
If you are looking to set some new goals for 2021, I hope this process will help you out! With my blog goals in mind, I’m including a quick reader survey below. One of my goals this year is to grow and expand the topics covered on the blog. This is where you can help me out by letting me know what you want to see more of, what you love, and other things that help me plan out my content for the year. I really appreciate you taking the time to fill out the survey!





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What I Wore December

Happy New Year! I thought December would be a slow month with the lack of holiday parties, but it still managed to be a little busy. Steve and I spent the last week of 2020 out in the country visiting with some of his family. We haven’t been able to spend much time with them since they live out of town, so it was amazing spending a full week with them. For those looking closely at my December outfit pics, Steve and I are also engaged. Another fun and fabulous thing that happened in December. More details coming soon.
I filled my outfits this month with lots of jeans, sweaters, and long sleeve tops. I also hit my 100th ride on my peloton bike. The peloton bike and app was one of my favorite purchases and finds of 2020. I’ve enjoyed the variety of classes on the app and the flexibility of working out on my schedule.
Keep scrolling for your winter outfit inspiration and a look at what I wore in December.

gray star print sweater | distressed jeans | booties | lace bralette

yellow sweater | distressed jeans | white mules

long cardigan | white cami | blue jeans | booties | c/o gold necklace

pearl button cardigan | white cami | skinny jeans | tan loafers | bracelet | c/o necklace

snakeskin wrap blouse | black skinny jeans | brown heels | necklace | earrings | similar purse

zebra print top | black jeans | black boots

black floral print top | jeans | bracelet | earrings

red plaid top | blue jeans | similar mules | necklace | bracelet

black floral print top | blue jeans | lace up booties | sunglasses

CELEBRATING MY 100TH PELOTON RIDE!
black tank top | black leggings | sports bra | water bottle
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Petite Style Guide: Cropped Sweaters

Being 5’3, I am always looking for tips and tricks to look a little bit taller. These tricks usually involve choosing items that create the look of longer legs. Cropped sweaters popularity grew this year, and I realized these short sweaters help with my long leg illusion. I started adding all the cropped sweaters to my closet.
While the cropped sweater helps with the illusion, other styling tricks like high waisted jeans and showing a little ankle also help add to the illusion. Check out the different outfits below to see my petite style guide for cropped sweaters.

yellow cropped sweater | distressed jeans | booties
This cropped yellow sweater above was a great find. It’s fitted with stretch, so it feel super comfy. The cut of the crop hits perfectly at the top of high waisted denim. The higher waist of these jeans extends the look of the legs creating a long look, great for us petite gals or anyone wanting to have the legs for days look.
Quick Note on this sweater: The color is a mix between lime green and yellow leaning more towards yellow.

pink sweater | hight waisted jeans | booties | earrings | c/o bead bracelets
If you want a slightly longer crop to go just past a waist band, this pink sweater is good option. It also a little bit more volume and cozy fit. It still a shorter sweater, can be more comfy being a bit longer, and has that same great long leg effect.
Another petite styling trick, show some ankle. I usually feel a little taller in pics when I’m showing just a hint of ankle. A quick cuff on your jeans will do the trick.

yellow sweater | high waisted jeans | black boots
If you love wearing tall boots, a shorter sweater is the perfect pairing! A long tunic sweater and my boots can sometimes my feel stumpy and my frame overwhelmed depending on the sweater length and volume. The shorter sweater leaves plenty of jean showing to help with the long leg illusion.
If you do a longer sweater and boot combo, I opt for a boot with a heel to give more overall height or do a front tuck of the sweater to show a bit more leg. If you are looking for ideas for over the knee boots, check out my post here on styling OTK boots when you are on the shorter side.

pink sweater | bootcut jeans | brown heels | earrings | c/o bead bracelets
All three previous looks showcased high waisted jeans which are perfect for the leg illusion that we are trying to achieve. However, mid-rise jeans can work just as well. Make sure your sweater will at least graze the top of your jeans so no skin shows in between.
I already have a few more cropped sweater coming in, so I can keep this petite styling trick working in my wardrobe all winter long. Since most of my jeans are mid-rise, I’m opting for more sweaters like the pink one that will work with multiple jean rises.
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