Friday, December 27, 2019

Currently Loving .163

style on a budget, mom style, currently loving, casual style, what to buy for winter, fall fashion
Happy Friday! I hope you had a great Christmas! We have been soaking in lots of family time and lots of great food. We are currently continuing our Christmas festivities in South Carolina with Josh's dad. We are hoping to squeeze in a visit to the beach and to downtown Charleston while we are here!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of Currently Loving! I did some online browsing on our road trip yesterday and found so many things I loved. Even better, most of the items that I'm sharing this week are also on sale! After Christmas sales are always my favorite to shop.


Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. S N E A K E R S | These sneakers are my first purchase for myself this month. I focused all of my spending this month on gifts for Christmas. I really needed a new pair of sneakers for the gym so I put a gift card to use and got these shoes (plus a sports bra and tank). I do HIIT workouts at least three days a week so I was looking for a great shoe for training and these had great reviews. I also really loved this color combo! I can't wait to put these to good use at the YMCA!


2. T O P | I always love good, comfortable basics in my closet. I also forgot how good GAP is for finding closet staples! They have so many great, budget friendly pieces, like this top.


3. P U R S E | This purse is on my wish list! It's such a fun little bag and I rarely meet an animal print that I don't like. So cute!


4. S T R I P E D  S H I R T | I recently had to toss out an old striped shirt (another closet essential) so I've been hunting for a new one. I really love the style and fit of this one!


5. S W E A T S H I R T | I'm currently loving and living in sweatshirts plus leggings as often as possible. This one has a great length and comes in lots of great colors. This shade of rose is my favorite! P.S. It's also on sale for under $20!


6. H E A D B A N D | I am still loving headbands and these from H&M are my very favorite budget friendly ones. My oldest daughter and I share my ever growing collection of headbands!


7. J A C K E T | Can you have too many denim jackets?! I hope not because I think I need to add this one to my closet. I really love the wash and the distressing! Plus it's on sale right now.


8. E A R R I N G S | These earrings are my most worn pair that I own! I've owned them for over a year and I still reach for them pretty much every single day. I have sensitive ears and I can wear them all day without any discomfort. Also, I'll be giving away a pair of them over on Instagram today!


Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a great weekend!

Friday, December 20, 2019

Currently Loving .162

currently loving, style on a budget, madewell, winter style, what to wear for winter, north carolina blogger, nc blogger
Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! Yesterday was my last day of work for 2019. I'm very excited about the days off ahead (goodbye alarm clock for the next weeks) and of course, Christmas! 

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I have literally not purchased a single item for myself in the month of December since I have been so focused on Christmas shopping. But, I do have quite a few items on my personal wish list! I didn't really mean to have a no shop December but honestly, I didn't really need anything at all.

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Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. S K I R T | I have a skirt in a similar color and style as this one. I absolutely love it! This one would be adorable paired with a cozy sweater and ankle boots. But, it would also be perfect in the warmer weather too. I love versatile pieces!



2. B R A C E L E T | Bracelets are probably my most purchased jewelry item. I absolutely love to stack them and I always have at least six bracelets on every single day. This one is so beautiful and would be the perfect addition to my stack!



3. M U L E S | These mules have been on my wish list for over a year and they are on sale! I bought a cheaper pair in this style from a different brand and they just didn't last. I really need to invest in these mules! This color goes with everything!



4. S W E A T S H I R T | Give me all of the cozy sweatshirts this season! I am all about comfort and being warm. This sweatshirt is even better because it's made out of recycled water bottles. This is definitely on my wish list!



5. T O T E | I just added this great tote to my cart! It's perfect for throwing in your purse to prepare for a shopping trip. I love to take my own reusable bags with me to thrift stores and they are perfect for your Aldi or farmers market runs! This one is under $10!



6. P U R S E | If you are looking for the perfect crossbody, this is it. The color goes with absolutely everything, it's a great size (not too big or too small), and the leather is high quality. I saw this bag in store and loved it!



7. J E A N S | I've shared these jeans before but they are definitely worth sharing once again! I literally wear them at least three times a week. They are so soft and so comfortable! The fit is true to size. Such a flattering pair of jeans!



8. S H I R T | This flannel is the same style as my favorite one that I recently purchased and can't stop wearing. The one that has pockets! This one has different colored stripes and I love the fun colors. I sized up one size to wear it with leggings and it does draw up a little in the wash because it's made of 100% cotton. Such a soft, cozy shirt that you will want to wear all of the time!



Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Just Add a Sweater

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

Hey y'all! Has anyone else been counting down to the weekend since last weekend?! It's been a fun week but a busy week and I just really need time to decompress. To just do nothing. I'm incredibly thankful for a couple weeks off  for the holidays, to relax and just enjoy time with my family. Honestly, that might be my most favorite gift this season. Rest. 

Today, I'm sharing this outfit that I put together when I was running really late for church recently. My kids are never late to school. I made it to work on time everyday. But for some reason, Sunday mornings are a major struggled at the Soto house. We are almost late for church every single week! The task of getting everyone ready and to church by 9am is nearly impossible. I thought when my kids got older, we would be faster but nope. Everyone needs mama to pick out an outfit for them and fix their hair (well, Josh doesn't need help with his hair but he does need help with his outfit). I'm usually the last one ready and I'm running out of the door at 8:56am. Thankfully, we live just two minutes from our church... otherwise we would never make it to the early service.

I say all of that to say, I literally threw this outfit on at 8:50am and just was hoped it worked. This is when having a closet filled with neutrals works majorly in my favor. When I purchased this dress, it was definitely a splurge for me but I was determined to get a lot of wear out of it and make it work throughout the year. Throwing a cozy sweater on top and adding ankle boots warmed up the dress instantly. I also added a denim jacket on top but ditched it later when it warmed up. Adding a sweater on top of your favorite spring/summer dresses helps to extend the wear of the items in your closet. I also recently wore a maxi skirt from the spring with a sweater and boots to get more use out of it as well! Just add a sweater. I feel so much  better about investing in pieces like this dress or my skirt when I get wear them in multiple seasons! Clothes aren't meant to be disposable; get creative!

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

style on a budget, winter outfit ideas, madewell, mom style, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, what to buy for winter

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T:


Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Instagram Roundup .193

mom style, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, fall fashion, winter outfit ideas, casual style
Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well! Mine has already been busy with a Christmas party on Monday and Tuesday night. I already think I need a Christmas food detox and the celebrations are just beginning, lol. Speaking of Christmas, I was listening to a podcast yesterday that was discussing the perfect gifts to give certain Enneagram types. They had men and women from each type sharing what their ideal gifts would be and I totally resonated with the guests that were also Enneagram ones! They shared that ones prefer practical gifts and things that they actually need. They also either want you to stick to specific list or give a meaningful gift card to a place that they really love to shop at. One of them also said they really appreciated when someone gave them money to help them save for something they have been really wanting. Y'all, this is all so me. I don't really care for surprises. I want gifts that I need and I actually bought my own gift this year to save my husband some time (I got the AirPods from this blog post). I even walked him through Anthropologie over the weekend and told him specifically which items I wanted in my stocking, haha. Also, please don't make me open gifts in front of anyone. I think that is the absolute worst! I like to open things on my own so I can regulate my reaction to the gift... especially if it's not something on my list. I had never really thought about how much our Ennneagram number is related to gift giving and receiving! I also really love to give people meaningful gifts that I know that have been wanting or gift cards so that they can use it for something they really love! What kind of gifts do you love?!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly Instagram Roundup, including my outfits from last week. Our weather has been so weird here. It's in the 30s and raining, sunny and 70, and then freezing again. I have to intentionally check the weather every single morning to make sure we are dressed appropriately! We are either freezing or sweating here in North Carolina!

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I always feel 100% sassier when I throw on a moto jacket and probably even more so when I pair it with a leopard top!


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My better half. <3 p="">


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Give me all of the sparkle this season!


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This is my favorite flannel... and it has pockets. What could be better than a cozy top that has pockets?! I love it!


mom style, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, fall fashion, winter outfit ideas, casual style

I wore this festive and cozy look to a Christmas party last week. This top is one of my all-time favorites! So flattering and fun.


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Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!

Friday, December 13, 2019

Currently Loving | Gift Edition .161

style on a budget, currently loving, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, christmas gift guide, gift ideas for women
Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week! I have been so busy that this week absolutely flew by for me. In case you missed, yesterday I shared my personal tips for a more productive day. I have such a bad habit of telling people "I don't have time" when in reality, I make time for the things that I really want to do. I'm trying to be better about how I use my time so that I'm using it wisely. But, I could still absolutely use maybe an extra few hours in the day! Anyone else?!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving but this week's roundup is a little different because it's all about gifts. With Christmas very quickly approaching, maybe this list will give you some inspiration for gifts for yourself or others to save you some time. All of these picks are items that I already love or they are on my own personal wish list for Christmas!

style on a budget, currently loving, nc blogger, north carolina blogger, christmas gift guide, gift ideas for women

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?! 

1. M U G | I have the pink version of this mug (which they no longer make, at least right now). I got it as a gift for Valentine's Day last year and it's one of my most used gifts of all time. I use it every single morning! I fill it up with coffee, add one or two coffee cubes (coffee that's just been frozen in ice cube trays), and my coffee is the perfect temperature for hours. This is the perfect gift for the coffee drinking woman in your life!



2. E A R R I N G S | I have been a big fan of Kendra Scott jewelry for awhile for several reasons. The quality is amazing, the styles are always beautiful, the company gives back to those in need, and they stand behind their products. Anytime I have had any issues with anything I have purchased, they are quick to resolve the issue for me. My girls are also big fans of Kendra Scott jewelry and already own necklaces they they designed themselves at the Color Bar. They wanted earrings so I order a pair of these earrings for each of them (they are ages nine and seven). I liked the simplicity of this design and thought they would be great for any age. They also come in silver and rose gold, as well. I think they would make a great gift for anyone!



3. C A R D  C A S E | I am loving this cute card case! A card case is the perfect companion for your small crossbody bags that you can't find your regular wallet inside of. The leopard print on this is so fun! This would be a fun way to give someone a gift card this season as well.



4. P E R F U M E | I think perfume can be super hard to gift to someone, however, I think this is a really great option if you are wanting to gift perfume. I started wearing this scent over a year ago and I have never gotten so many compliments on a fragrance in my entire life! It's not overwhelming at all. I think the fragrance is kind of hard to describe... it's kind of floral, it's kind of musky, but most all of all, I'd describe it as pleasant and clean (if that makes any sense at all). I love it! I know I will have another bottle of this fragrance in my stocking this Christmas!



5. C A N D L E | I have yet to meet anyone who didn't love the scent of this volcano candle! It smells amazing and it's really the only kind of candle I purchase (except for Scent Workshop, of course). These candles make such great gifts!



6. S L I P P E R S | Fuzzy, leopard print slippers?! Yes, please! These fun slippers would make anyone who loves leopard just as much as I do, very happy on Christmas morning.



7. B A G | My first and favorite Madewell purchase is such a great gift item! It's the perfect size and so versatile because it can be worn several different ways. Also, this leather just gets better and better with time! This is definitely my favorite bag.



8. E A R P H O N E S | I have had AirPods on my wish list for awhile now and honestly, I've already bought them for myself for Christmas and thrown them in my stocking because I wanted them that much, lol. I am so excited to finally have a pair of wireless earphones!



Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Tips For a More Productive Day

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Happy Thursday! I kind of giggled at myself when I first even considered putting together this post for y'all. I can be quite the procrastinator... hence why it took me over a week to even begin working on this post. However, you can be productive even when you are a procrastinator. It just takes some self discipline and probably a couple cups of coffee, lol. But seriously, today, I'm going to share some of my personal tips for a more productive day. Some of these things I just started doing very recently and some of them I have been doing for awhile. My schedule and daily task list might not look like yours but I hope that maybe even one thing could be applied to your daily life to help you have a more productive day! Who doesn't love feeling accomplished?!

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W A K E  U P  B E F O R E  Y O U  H A V E  T O

I'm going to share my best tip first. Wake up before you have to. This is probably one of the hardest things that I have been doing in order to have a more productive day and it's probably the one the that I would say has given me the most results. I am so terribly guilty of saying "I don't have time" but in reality, I do have time, just maybe not the time I really want to use. I also must mention that I am not a morning person. Waking up is rough and I would much rather sleep in. I do not like an alarm clock. But,  I decided to give it a try. I set my alarm for one hour and 20 minutes before I had to get out of bed. The key for me is to get up as quick as possible and not to hit snooze. If I hit snooze, even just once, I probably won't commit to waking up and I'll fall back to sleep. Most days, I just stay in my bedroom to get some work done so I have to turn on the light and open the curtains to help me wake up. The first couple of days went really well and I got so much done. During this time, I work on blog posts, answer e-mails, and read my devotionals. Bonus: the house is perfectly quiet and free from distractions. This little bit of extra time in the morning has really made such a big difference in getting my day started and I have found the rest of the day is much more productive because I started off less stressed out. But, it does take self discipline to set that alarm every night!

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F O L L O W  A  R O U T I N E

Routines don't just work for children, they work for adults too. It takes some time to establish a routine but when you do, you can be so much more productive. Like I mentioned above, I'm not a morning person. Getting going in the morning can be a major struggle for me so I find myself getting easily distracted by tasks that I don't really even need to do at that time or I find myself literally doing nothing if I don't have a set routine to follow. This is my personal morning routine:

1. Open the curtains. It's amazing what a little light will do for your mood.

2. Brush my teeth. 

3. Wash my face and moisturize my skin.

4. Make my bed. This one has been one of the best additions to my morning routine! It's amazing how it can help you feel productive. I literally feel like much less of a hot mess when I take two minutes to make my bed each morning.

5. Put the laundry in the dryer because I always start a load before bed each night. You can read more about my tips for doing laundry in this post.

After these five steps, I really feel like I can start the day and I always feel accomplished when my teeth are brushed, my face is clean, my bed is made, and laundry is in progress. Figure out what five things you could do as soon as you wake up that would help get your day started on the right track. I feel like we set ourselves up for a successful day by starting the day off well. The rest of my day is very routine oriented as well but it just may vary day by day because of my work schedule, exercise, volunteering, and other tasks that I have to do. It's never too late to create a new routine!

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G E T  D R E S S E D  E V E R Y  D A Y

Yes, I know everyone has clothing on their body every single day but that's not the same as getting dressed. I've been a stay at home mom and it's so incredibly tempting to just stay in your pajamas or switch out to an old t-shirt and yoga pants for the day. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to be comfortable but I am not a bit productive in my pajamas. For me, pajamas equal relaxation so the thoughts of checking things off of my to-do list just don't cross my mind when I am wearing my most comfortable clothing. I just want to sit and do nothing. So, even if it's just jeans and white tee or leggings (see, they are still comfortable) and a sweater, try getting dressed everyday and see how it affects your level of productivity. Also, I know not everyone wears makeup but I put makeup on every single morning, even when I'm going to the gym. It makes me feel more put together and ready to tackle the day. Hair is another story, y'all. My hair gets put in a top knot almost every single morning because I'm usually heading to the gym. But, I always at least try to brush my hair. For me, when I look put together, I'm going to also feel much more put together.

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U S E  P A P E R  A N D  P E N  L I S T S

In the world of all things technology, I have all sorts of ways to create lists and be more productive in the palm of my hand. But, there's just nothing like making a list on paper and crossing things off with a pen. It's just so satisfying! I find myself actually remembering to complete tasks when they are on an actual paper list than when they are on my phone. When I get on my phone to find a list, I almost always get distracted by a social media notification or a text message. Paper and pen lists are the way to go for some old fashioned productivity! 

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M E E T  W I T H  J E S U S  A N D  M O V E  Y O U R  B O DY

I read an Instagram post by Jennie Allen yesterday and she suggested doing these two things every single day. Meeting with Jesus and moving your body every single day are two things that make me a more productive and joyful person overall. Set you alarm, meet with Jesus, get into a good routine, move your body (even if it's just a quick 15 minutes walk; going to the gym everyday isn't necessarily feasible for everyone), and I hope that helps you have a more productive day!

 Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T:

S H I R T | I sized up one size for an oversized fit
J E A N S | similar