NYE Look: Classic versus Funky

It's almost the new year, everyone!


I don't know about y'all, but I am more than ready to dive into a new year with new opportunities. I know God's got an awesome plan in store, and I am more than eager to see it unfold.

In terms of my New Year's Eve look, I'm currently torn between two different ideas in my closet - one classic and feminine, the other bold and funky. Typically, I tend to gravitate toward a more feminine look, but hey! New year = new taste in clothes, maybe? Check out the two looks below:

Classic: 
I am an absolute sucker for two things: Full, high waisted skirts, and anything with a bow on it. This outfit incorporates both of my obsessions! I love the feeling of a twirly, flirty skirt to rock for special occasions, and I have a feeling that I'll be using this little beauty for more than just new year celebrations. I added a sequin peter pan top and a red lip for a little sparkle to match.

Sequin Peter Pan Top - Gap - Similar Style here

Full Polka Dotted Skirt - Forever 21 - Check it out here

Bow Pumps - Lauren Conrad for Kohls -Similar style here

Funky

For my second NYE look, I chose something a bit more flirty. This outfit is bound to turn heads for its bright and sparkly pieces! Pretty much every item in this look I've had for the longest time. The hot pink blazer paired with a flashy, gold skirt sounds like a perfect recipe for a fun New Year's Eve outfit. With a bold pink lip to match, this look is definitely a contender for celebrations this week! 

Pink Blazer - Old - Similar Style here

Gold Sequin Mini Skirt - Forever 21 - Similar Style here

Sheer Cream Top - Old - Similar Style here

Layered Necklaces - Charming Charlie's - Similar Style here

Little Black Booties - Old - Similar Style here

Decisions, Decisions...

 

Cozy Christmas

Happy Saturday, everyone!


How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was lovely, but busy, busy, BUSY! Since Kyle and I just got married, we are still getting adjusted to sharing Christmas with both of our families. Traditions changed in a lot of ways, but we (and our families, thankfully) took it in stride and still had a great time! For Christmas day celebrations, I was beyond over getting dressed up for parties. For my look that day, I chose something that was both stylish and comfortable. It worked like a charm and I got lots of compliments (while feeling like I was still in my pajamas!)

One of my favorite things about this outfit is that the core pieces are mostly stuff I've had for years! I love taking an old piece of clothing and totally transforming it by adding unique layers. The red sweater I borrowed stole from my mom's closet, the tunic I bought for my first "big kid job" at age 17, and the flats I spotted at a consignment shop back in college. Kyle always calls me a hoarder for never getting rid of my old clothes,  but this is exactly why I keep them!

Red sweater - vintage 

Patterned Tunic - oldie but goodie

Woven Necklace - similar style here

Faux Leather Leggings - similar style here

Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats - Peep them here

Kate Spade Cedar Street Color Block shoulder bag - Similar style here

Hope everyone had a relaxing, fun holiday!

Debunking Myths about Anxiety

I have an anxiety disorder.  

I cringe as I type this, because I know most people outside of my inner circle are unaware. I struggle everyday with maintaining peace in my own mind, and often times, I fail.  It affects every part of my life – my job, my relationships, my own happiness. Although a very large part of me wants to keep this a secret, my heart urges me to share my story in hopes that someone can relate.

I’ve suffered from anxious thoughts most of my life. In elementary school, for example, I was in a constant state of paranoia about someone breaking into my home and killing me. No amount of rationalization would calm my fear, and I spent many of my nights curled up in between my parents as a result. This continued for a few years. It carried on to my school work, where I regularly found myself in tears from not being able to fully understand a math assignment. In my freshman year of high school, I came head to head with depression. I disconnected from life entirely. I talked to no one, spent most of my free time sleeping to get away from my own thoughts, and my passions dwindled significantly. I hid it from my family because I couldn't bear to admit that I was hurting so badly; I didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me. Though it got better after a year of silent suffering, my anxiety stayed with me well into adulthood.  For a long time, I just tried to deal with it; I wanted to overcome it without the help of doctors and medication. Although this sufficed for a while, I soon found myself slowly sinking back into a depressive state. That, combined with an increased number of panic attacks, pushed me to finally see a doctor.

If you have a loved one who struggles with anxiety, you should know a few things:

Anxiety holds no prejudices

I grew up in a wonderful, supportive environment. In high school, I was a varsity cheerleader with plenty of friends and a long term boyfriend. I made good grades throughout college, participated in extracurriculars, and went out with friends on the weekends. Do I sound like your typical mental illness candidate? No? That’s because there is no set “type.” Anyone can suffer from anxiety and depression, even if they seem happy and outgoing.  I feel like it’s a common misconception that people who have lots of friends couldn’t possibly be suffering from any mental illness. Guys, it’s absolutely a myth and something that has been accepted for far too long in modern culture.  This can happen to anyone.

Anxiety doesn't just affect the mind 

Having an anxiety disorder is exhausting, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, this isn’t resolved simply by telling someone to “calm down.” When I’m having a panic attack, every bit of my mind and body is involved: I have trouble breathing, my head is killing me, my stomach drops.  “Calming down” often feels out of my realm of possibilities. Thinking this is something that a person has complete control over is entirely incorrect and will often cause tension between you and the person who is suffering.

"Why are you stressed?" is a question I often can't answer 

A lot of the time, I can’t tell you why I feel overwhelmed. I can’t explain why my heart is pounding, why I feel like bursting into tears for seemingly no reason, or why I feel like I might faint. My body has reacted to the “fight or flight” signal that is going off in my head. Much of the time, I have no control over when that signal goes off and even more often, I’m unsure of how to stop it.

Blind Support always helps

Most people don’t understand what loved ones with anxiety disorders endure on a daily basis. How could they? They know what it feels like to be stressed out about a project at work or to worry about a bill; they don’t know how it feels to be in a constant state of worry and fear. While it often feels frustrating and impossible to understand, I urge you to stand by your loved one. Believe me, they’re even more frustrated than you are. Even just a tight hug and a simple reminder that they are loved makes all the difference in the world.

Thanks for reading,

Seasoned Saturdays

Happy FriYAY, ladies!

Can you believe Christmas is less than a week away? I feel like this season has completely flown by! This particular Friday is more exciting than most, because after today I get two weeks off from work. Being in the education field really has its perks ;)

This past weekend, Kyle and I went out for a fun day date. Honestly though, our idea of a "fun date" is a little different than most. We explore our town, go look at vacant houses to get ideas for our own home, and run a few errands. We have the best time doing absolutely nothing, and that's one of the things I love most about our relationship!

For my look that afternoon, I wanted something both comfy and season appropriate. I've been itching to break out my red tights for the holiday season, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity!

Blouse - Old Navy - similar style here

Skirt - Forever 21 - peep them here

Tights - Forever 21 - peep them here

Purse - Kate Spade - similar style here

Boots - G.H. Bass - similar style here

Earrings - Charming Charlies - similiar style here

Happy Holidays!

Give Thanks

So I know that November is the signature month to express your thankfulness, but as 2014 comes to a close, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with appreciation in the here and NOW!

Working with high school students (many who experience stuff that I couldn't even fathom), really teaches you to appreciate the life you've been given. When I think about my husband, my family, my best friends, and my life in general, my problems start to get smaller and smaller. You know what I mean?

Here are the things I am most thankful for this season:

My Husband (who has the patience of Gandhi - seriously).
Anyone who has spent more than twenty minutes in the same room with me can tell you that I am a handful. I'm moody, I have high expectations, and I feel the need to be treated like a princess at all times. Essentially, I'm a brat. Despite all of this, my husband chooses to love me unconditionally and treat me like I'm made of gold. He supports all my wild endeavors, hugs me tight on my bad days, and maintains patience when I spend hours in Ulta. Can you say dream guy?

Another Christmas with my Gran
My grandmother is the most independent woman I have ever met. She was widowed at a young age and never remarried, and I always admired her ability to take care of herself without any man present. As she grows older, unfortunately, Gran has developed dementia. She's losing that independent streak; really, she's losing herself. It's tough for anyone to watch, but I try to hold on to who she was before all this stuff started happening. In my mind, she's still this sassy, independent, outspoken, can't walk into a store without leaving with five new friends, type of woman who I am so blessed to have in my life for another Christmas.

My Best Friends
You know those people who say it's better to have a few great friends rather than a ton of acquaintances? I totally abide by that. My two best friends, Kerri & Hannah, have been in my life since middle school. We've gone through just about everything together - break ups, cheerleading, church, college, engagements, marriage, "big girl jobs," and more. And despite me moving to a completely different state, our periods are still in sync. SO BAM, BESTIES. (Yes, I just went there).

All the Old Ornaments on my Christmas Tree
Growing up, my mom insisted that I pick out an ornament for myself every Christmas. She took me to Hallmark, brought me to the ornament section, and instructed me to find the best one in the store. I never really understood her antics, to be honest. What was the deal with her obsession with ornaments? When it came time to move into my own house, she boxed up all the ornaments I had chosen over the years and gave them to me. Now, for my first Christmas as a full fledged adult, my Christmas tree is adorned with all these wonderful decorations - some that I chose when I was only five years old. Looking at those ornaments is my own way of looking back at the old Bailey - when I was five, thirteen, eighteen, etc. It's a beautiful tradition in my family and something I fully intend to do with my own children someday.

My Crazy-Wacky-Loving Family
I know a lot of people say this, but y'all, I really do have an awesome family. They are hilarious, loving, thoughtful, and just all around amazing people. Despite moving four hours away, my mom and dad make it a priority to keep up with my life, and it means a lot to have their support in everything I do. I always look forward to our Christmas traditions together, and even though they're being tweaked a little this year, I'm still so excited to spend time with everyone! This past year, I was fortunate enough to become a part of a second family - the Sansings. They accepted me and loved on me from the first moment I met them and have made me feel nothing but welcomed ever since. You always hear about horror stories where the husband's family doesn't get along with the wife, and I got the exact opposite. How awesome is that?!

What are you thankful for this season?

Peace, Love and Peppermint Mocha,

Christmas Party Recap

'Tis the season for festive parties, y'all!

Since my husband and I moved into our new home back in February, we were well overdue for a big family get together. What better time to do it than at Christmas?! We decked the house in head to toe holiday decorations (including a giant Santa in front of our home -- no shame), and made the house come alive with twinkly lights and a beautiful tree to match.

Rather than stress about preparing every item of food for the evening AND making the house spotless, we decided to do a potluck instead. Each family brought one food item, whether that be a big salad or a banana pudding dessert (YUM). It made life so much easier for us and helped us to enjoy the process of preparing our first party so much more. Our menu was as follows:



Appetizers:

Shrimp Cocktail

Chips and Sausage Picante Dip

Asian Salad



Entree:

Brown Sugar & Honey glazed Ham (made by my wonderful husband!)



Sides:

My mom's famous green beans (seriously, y'all, they're good)

Broccoli Casserole

Crockpot Mac & Cheese



Desserts:

Banana Pudding

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peppermint Bark




For after dinner entertainment, we decided to play the White Elephant game, where each person brought a wrapped fifteen dollar gift to trade at the party. We had some pretty interesting stuff! I made a "movie night" gift which included three movies (obviously), a couple bags of popcorn, and a bunch of candy. I won a ton of lottery tickets stuffed inside a Christmas coloring book, haha!

We had an amazing night! Here's to many more parties in the future!



XOXO, Bailey

Imma Take your Grandma's Style...

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

It's only 10:46 a.m. as I'm typing this, but already, it's been a great day. I got a full eight hours of sleep, I had time to grab a venti iced caramel macchiato before work, and my entire house smells like peppermint, just in time for Christmas. It's the little things that bring great JOY!

On Sunday, I decided to style one of my grandma's blouses that had been abandoned in her closet for a few years (or decades). Vintage clothing has always been something that I've gravitated towards, and I am 100% willing to dig through a heap of old clothes to find that "diamond in the rough" that I can rock with my style today. I adore a quality structured blouse that you can dress up or down, and this top completely surpasses my expectations! Plus, the pleated front and the buttons on the back definitely add an air of sophistication.

 what's not to love? 

Props to Gran for having great taste in clothes!

 

 

 

 

No forreal, ask your grandma, can I have her hand me downs?

 

Until next time...

 

XOXO, Bailey