Overalls (Sold out, but similar options here, here and here!) // Mules // Striped Shirt (similar) // Leather Tote

Hey there friends, it’s been a minute! I’ve been feeling extra behind the past few weeks, but I’m slowly creeping back from out of my email hole to say hello!

I don’t know if it’s the changing of the seasons, or just work being more crazy than usual (it’s usually pretty crazy though…), but I’ve been feeling a lot more behind than usual. Knowing that the holidays are right around the corner is also making me feel slightly panicky too – both because I’m usually the world’s worst holiday procrastinator (I’m the queen of last minute gifts, whoops!), but also because there’s just so much I want to do and get done before the holidays officially hit. It’s such a wonderful and magical time of year, but it’s also one of the most stressful – so I’m trying to remind myself to be kind to myself in the process too.   Despite work and life being crazy, I’ve been trying to make a more concerted effort to allow myself to let go a bit more than I have in the past. I’ve come to realize over the past few years that I’m a typical workaholic, so much so that work comes first most of the time, then relationships, then blogging, and then myself (in that specific order). My day job is amazing and wonderful in so many ways – but it would also take up all 24 hours of my day if I let it. There’s always a to do list that can’t be conquered, emails that I can’t get to at the end of the day, and I can’t shake the feeling that I could always be doing more. Plus when you throw having a blog in the mix too (especially one where you feel like you could always be doing so much more!), there’s this feeling that you’re never doing enough – or as much as you wish you were.

But recently, I’ve been trying to take a step back -both to give myself better mental clarity to be present at work, but also to be kinder to myself for the things I can’t always do (and reminding myself that I can’t say yes to everything – even though it’s usually my first instinct). I’ve been trying to leave work at a decent time, only answering urgent emails late at night, allowing myself unread emails before going to bed, and generally trying to give myself a little more TLC and balance. For most people, they’d probably be like, “Oh yeah, duh – of course that’s what you should do!”, but for me it’s honestly a challenge to allow myself to let things go a little bit.  And while it’s hard to do, it’s something I have to practice – especially before the crazy of the holidays hits, and I’m suddenly stressed about gift buying, coordinating travel schedules, gearing up for 2020 planning, and attempting to be a whole, happy human throughout it at all. Trying to remind myself to not panic, breathe, and take every day one step at a time. We’re all trying our best – you just need to remind yourself that sometimes your best means taking care of yourself too. Okay, end rant – should probably talk about this little outfit since this post has turned a bit into a rant (that’s how I roll sometimes!). But overalls are totally magical and I’ve been looking for a flattering pair for awhile now. I found these Frame flare ones at Nordstrom Rack while I was waiting for traffic to slow down after visiting my grandpa in the Chicago burbs, and they’ve quickly become one of my favorite things to wear to work (hallelujah for a fairly lax dress code!). They came super long and I ended up getting them hemmed at a local tailor in Lincoln Park – and it was honestly one of the best, more affordable ways to make any pair of jeans fit like a glove. I always thought tailoring was for fancy old people, but it turns out it’s the best use of $16 I’ve maybe ever had. Okay, that’s a terrible overstatement, but you get that idea 😉