Red Jacket (sold out, but similar here) // Jeans // Alpi Boots

Hello, holidays! It’s the one time of the year where I am happy to wear anything red, sequined and sparkly (okay…maybe I feel that way regardless of the season, but even more so when it’s December). My usual red jacket becomes my “holiday” jacket, everything with sparkles is finally totally appropriate to wear, and a plaid headband seems like a good choice. Everyone seems to be in good spirits (despite the fact that it’s 30 degrees everyday in Chicago) and there’s nothing more exciting than spotting the holiday train (and better yet, hopping on it!) on the way to work.

And besides attempting to feel merry and bright, it’s also been a little – mehhhhhhh around here. And I’m not the only one to feel this way. Every time I chat with a friend to ask how they’re doing (how they’re really doing), everyone seems to be feeling equal parts stressed and in a funk. I assumed mercury was in retrograde, but unfortunately that’s not true – so not sure what our excuse is…

Don’t get me wrong, the holidays are wonderful – and I’m thankful for a time of year to reflect on the past 12 months as well as the people I’m super grateful for in my life. But at the same time, the holidays are also hard for a lot of people for many different reasons – whether it’s feeling lonely or missing someone you love. While it’s nice to have holiday parties, cookie exchanges and presents galore, it’s also a time of year to remember that not everyone is as merry and bright as the holidays are made out to be.  This past weekend, I was totally in a funk – the holidays blues definitely got to me more than they have in the past. I felt equal parts kinda lonely, and then guilty for feeling so lonely (it’s the holidays after all!), and cooped myself up most of the weekend catching up on Netflix and trying to lay low. The holidays are lovely, but it’s a little underwhelming baking cookies and buying a Christmas tree for one, so I typically avoid going all out on holiday festivities (which is equal parts practical and sad).

Luckily (?), I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, and I ended up getting together with a few friends who were equally wanting to get into the Christmas spirit (without the commitment of a whole tree!). To get out of our funk, we went to the Christkindle market in Gallagher Way (right next to Wrigley), drank all the Gluhwein and hit up a holiday bar at Hush Money in Hotel Zachary to get into a festive mood. Even though we were all in our own mini holiday funks, it was good to go outside and have a reason to get festive, and try our darnedest to feel a little more sparkly than before. And I’m thankful for amazing friends who were willing to do all the holiday things I wasn’t quite feeling on my own (but ended up being a blast when you have a few amazing girlfriends in tow!). One thing that always makes me not so excited about winter is how insanely cold it gets in Chicago – even on days when it’s not snowing. I picked up these leather sherpa boots from M. Gemi (the Alpi!) that I’d been eyeing when they had a few returns in my size a few weeks ago. I’d been getting hit with very compelling Instagram ads, and I finally bit the bullet after wanting them for over a year. Turns out they’re just as warm, cozy and magical as I’d thought they would be – and they at least make the Chicago cold a little more bearable. If you see them in your size available, they’re an amazing Christmas gift for yourself or someone you love! They run true to size, I’m an 8 and I bought a 38.5 and they fit perfectly! xx