a lovely living

Once in a while I come across a piece of clothing and immediately wonder what I ever did without it in my closet! I recently purchased this sleeveless, terry jumpsuit from Everlane (currently on sale and available in a few colors) and loved it at first sight. The best part is likely the level of comfort it offers for lounging, traveling or day to day wear. It’s perfect for warmer months when all you’d need is a pair of sneakers or sandals, but this jumpsuit can be a great piece to grab all year long. I was brainstorming all the ways that I could put it to use and wanted to share what I came up with. These ideas would work with almost any jumpsuit you may already own, so take a look and see what you may be able to piece together form your own wardrobe!

One of the most obvious ways to style a jumpsuit would be to toss on a jean jacket and sneakers. Such an easy, laid back look for weekend errands. This jacket in particular is my favorite denim jacket that I’ve ever owned. It was worth the investment to get that perfect, relaxed fit without feeling too oversized. Not to mention fantastic quality that will last me countless years.

This is a look you can achieve by layering a shirt or shacket over top of the jumpsuit. I love this particular shirt because it can be worn either as a shirt or a jacket as it’s more of a heavy weight piece. Great to have during the winter to spring months to layer with.

The great thing about jumpsuits is that you can also treat them like sweatpants, yet you still have a cohesive feel and an added layer underneath. Layering a sweater or sweatshirt over top creates a completely different look. Just be sure to find one that falls around your natural waist, otherwise it could look odd.

I’m not going to attempt to call this a business casual look, because I think this particular jumpsuit is still a bit too casual for that. However, there are certainly other jumpsuits out there where this could be accomplished. By layering a casual blazer on top and tossing on some loafers you’re at the very least stepping it up to casual chic level!

One final look that’s perfect for the chilly weather many of us are experiencing involves wearing a cozy fleece jacket with the jumpsuit. Adding a comfy pair of sneakers immediately creates an on-the-go look that’s comfortable yet pulled together.

I hope these looks provide some inspiration and allow you to dig around in your own closet to create a look you may not have previously thought about pulling together! Have a great week!

Once Christmas passes, I find myself removing all the bright and cheerful decor and returning my home to a relatively neutral and light color palette. In some ways I miss the vibrance that disappears, but at the same time I appreciate the calmness that comes. My outfits in some ways tend to follow suit. Although I will still be wearing cheerful colors, I also appreciate the soft, pretty neutrals to break it up a bit. I can’t tell you how much I’ve worn this cocoon coat in the color Sandstone. It’s such a beautiful neutral that pairs with most of my everyday outfits and the fit is roomy yet sleek at the same time. I can’t recommend it enough! I wore it over top of some subtle pinks and loved the combo. I’ve had the scarf for years, but I’ve linked some others for you below. They’re not only fun, but practical for our cold winters. This light-weight sweater is so beautiful. It’s a recent purchase that I’ve worn a handful of times already. It can easily be styled for work or date night and will be perfect when we transition into spring as well.

This year I’m focusing on making my shopping more intentional, honing in on pieces that I love, are great quality, and I won’t be ready to retire after a season or two, so I’ll do my best to share similar pieces when exact items aren’t available. My intentions are always to inspire looks (whether in your home or with your outfits) and not encourage purchasing just for the sake of purchasing. It’s always worth a look to see what you already have and love (in your home and closet) and may be able to transform into a whole new look you may not have thought about before!

Outfit Details: Coat / Sweater / Bodysuit (see similar options below) / Jeans (see more options below) / Scarf (see similar options below) / Sunglasses / Boots (see similar options below)

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Happy 2022, guys! I just looked back and realized that my last post was over a month ago and at one time, that would have driven me crazy. I used to strive for strict consistency in many facets of my life, and while consistency is still something that I thrive on, I’m learning to be able to let some balls drop when needed. After living through a period of major shutdowns, it seemed as though many of us were ready to jump back into life….and for the most part, we have. But I also look back at the simplicity and lack of pressure during that time and wonder how I can blend that with the chaos of life moving forward?

Along these same lines, I’ve had discussions with a handful of people who have shared with me that ‘you seem to manage your time well, how do you do it?‘ Well, my response is that I do not in fact feel like I manage time all that well. I’m sure many of you can relate to this feeling. The feeling of having too many balls to juggle and not knowing how to prioritize them well. I can’t count the number of things that compete for attention throughout our days; emails, texts, phone calls, school, work, projects, bible time, books, social media, kids, spouses, appointments, sports, kids activities, volunteer opportunities, prayer time, food prep, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry…..to name a few, lol. Some days it can get the best of me. That overwhelming feeling rushes over me and then my husband and kids get the not so lovely side of me. It can be downright ugly.

Do I have this all figured out and a quick, painless, streamlined answer for you? Nope, I’m sorry. But I can share some tools I utilize to help keep myself in check. It’s a progress over perfection motto, because I fail time and again, but all I (we) can do is, get back up and move forward, one imperfect step at a time. One thing that I have learned is to let go of tasks that can wait. As I mentioned, this is the first post I’ve shared in a month, but I’m the only one putting that pressure on myself. What was more important over the past month than prepping a blog post, was spending time with my family….cooking, baking, snuggling and watching movies together, visiting with our family and playing games. Adding a self-induced timeline was only adding a stress that didn’t need to exist. On the flip side, there are certainly more time-pressing matters we all need to respond to. Lists are my best friend. I have been keeping more detailed lists lately than I typically do, and they have been more helpful than I can tell you. I keep lists for everything and I write down even the smallest task like ‘text back so-and-so’ or ‘schedule this appointment’. Although it may not be urgent, something simple like that can easily slip my mind if I don’t jot it down. I keep a running tab of appointments that need made, things that need ordered, groceries that need to be shopped for. I find my mind can breath if I move a task from my head to ‘paper’. Then as I’m able, I’ll check those tasks off and feel like I’m making some forward progress.

When it comes to things I strive to get into my daily routine, this is where consistency is key for me. From things as simple as using a water bottle to track my water intake, to setting aside time first thing in the morning for my bible and a workout. Those tend to be my foundation for a good day. I feel set up for success, regardless of how much I tackle after that. Oh, I should add for myself at least, make your bed! That is number one, everyday. If I know my bed isn’t made, my brain refuses to function! If it’s helpful, find a friend that will help keep you accountable for the non-negotiables in your life…those tough love friends are invaluable.

That felt like a lot to unload, but for whatever reason, I felt led to share. I think it bottles down to, don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is full of pressures and sometimes some things need to give a little. And that’s ok. Life is hard and wonderful, and you’re doing an amazing job. Maybe we all commit to showing more grace this year, to ourselves and everyone around us. Here’s to a great 2022 and all it may bring!

Outfit Details: coat / shirt (similar) / vest / jeans / boots / hat