Oversized Everlane Blazer // Just Black Denim Jeans // Gucci Loafers // Cuyana Silk Tank // Gucci Purse (secondhand – but similar here)

I would say that the first image of this post is by far the most accurate – which is me usually attempting to balance a million things at one (typically pretty poorly, and managing to lose my keys or phone in the process). The rest of the photos where I look like I have my life together are definitely the least accurate 😉

But happy happy Monday, friends! How was everyone’s weekend? Or last month really? It’s been a minute since I’ve been back on the blog to say hello – but I’m back, at least for a little bit!

The weather is finally starting to feel like fall around Chicago, even though the trees are still a little green (i.e. all the photos in this post, ha!). You’d think that by October we’d be in full fall mode like some other parts of the country, but it’s still pretty pretty and green despite a very cold and rainy weekend. I planned a little fall get together for work on Friday afternoon (we carved pumpkins which I haven’t done in years and it was so fun!), had a goodbye party for friends who are moving out of state, and celebrated a friend/co-workers birthday downtown, followed by an impromptu date night at Duck Duck Goat (one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago!). I spent today cleaning my condo and seeing my first show post-pandemic, which was David Sedaris reading essays from his new book up in Evanston. My friend Pranay and I may have been the youngest people there (and maybe the only non-NPR donors), but we laughed until we cried and had a lovely time feeling like life was a little back to normal.

It was nice to completely unplug for a few days from work after a few stressful weeks and feel a little more recharged for a new week. Definitely not feeling prepared, but at least feeling a bit more refreshed which is half the battle! Now that it’s officially fall, I’m getting excited to bust out my favorite sweaters, blue jeans and loafers once again – as well as add a few new pieces to my collection. Rather than stock up on fast fashion, I’m trying to be more conscious about the piece I invest in – and also am adding more second-hand pieces to the mix whenever possible.

I added this beautiful oversized Everlane blazer to my closet and I basically pop it on every time I leave the house during the fall. It’s so cozy, and goes perfectly with a pair of casual jeans and a tank top, a graphic t-shirt, or even a dress too! I shared a few of my favorite ways to style an oversized blazer here if you’re looking for even more inspiration too.

And speaking of jeans – I absolutely love my jeans from Just Black Denim, which has quickly become my favorite place for stretchy and stylish denim jeans. Most of their pairs are under $100, and they have an awesome mix of styles and fit for every shape. I get the most compliments on this pair, but I’ll be sharing a few more I’ve tested out and loved in the next few weeks too.

I’ve also been trying to find more opportunities to buy secondhand items (especially ones that tend to be more expensive than I usually feel comfortable paying full price for), so when I spotted this bamboo Gucci purse on Everything But the House (an online auction house app), I bid on it and was SO excited when I won! I paid about half of what I was seeing it go for online, and I’ve been using it all fall so far. It’s the perfect size for running errands around the city, and it has tons of pockets to keep myself organized (or at least attempt to keep myself organized…)

I hope you all have a nice week and find some time to relax! I’m excited for some new posts to share in the next few weeks, and getting back in the swing of blogging again – just in time for the holidays! Hopefully I can keep it up – but if you have anything you want to see more of, let me know! xx