Cute and girly for Valentine's Day!

You guys know I love purple, but honestly, pink has been my favorite color for like the past six months. Literally, every top I’ve bought has been a shade of blush or mauve. I’m not sure where this came from, but I ain’t mad at it! (I always liked pink, but I never felt like it looked “good” on me, as a pale redhead. Now, I just don’t care! 😂🤷🏼‍♀️) This love of pink also means that I have a lot of perfect lewks for Valentine’s Day! Yeah, I’m single AF, but who even cares? Valentine’s Day is also my dad’s birthday, so we celebrate it for that reason, and singledom takes a backseat anyway. And the Valentine’s Day decor is perfect for a girly girl like me. Pink, purple, hearts, and glitter?! Sign me up! 😍

I recently spotted this top on Amazon and had serious heart eyes. How adorable is that scalloped hem? I will say that it’s advertised as a sweatshirt, but it’s definitely not. It’s more like just a long-sleeved top. I also sized up because reviews said it ran a bit short, and yeah, sizing up was the way to go!

The links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through!

Top: Amazon

Leggings: Amazon

Boots: Keds

Headband: Forever 21 (about a million years ago!)

I’ve raved about these leggings before—they’re thick and soft, they have pockets, and they’re full-length without being too long, which is an actual miracle. (I’m 5’3”, which is not tall but also not especially short, so why are leggings so often long on me?) Together with the scallop-hem top, they make for a cute and comfy Valentine’s look! 💖

Linking up with Mica and Lisa!

Ooh, you make me live

Do you guys find that music helps you with things like anxiety and depression? Because it helps me TONS! Especially the band I’m going to talk about in this post: her majesty, QUEEN!

I always enjoyed Queen, but seeing Bohemian Rhapsody last November has put me on a yearlong Queen deep-dive. Knowing that, my bffl got me this Queen shirt for my birthday! (It’s extra exciting because Pops saw Queen live in 1975!)

When I put together this outfit, I used the same recipe from this post: cozy sweater + leggings (not that you can see them lol) + cute necklace! This is the second super soft chenille sweater I’ve bought this fall, and I’m equally obsessed with it and want to wear it every day of my life. I completed the look with my Virgo necklace, in honor of Freddie also being a Virgo! (#nerdalert)

Sweater: Marshalls

Tee: gift from my bffl

Necklace: Lucky Feather

Here are a few songs that have been in very heavy rotation over the past year. I must say that although I am generally anti-live recordings, Queen has SO.MUCH.ENERGY live that I can’t get enough.

Radio Gaga

(even my one friend who is very meh on Queen loves “Radio Gaga” haha)

Sheer Heart Attack

Bonus: Hot Pants Freddie and Monochrome Blue Deaky!

I Want to Break Free

(Such a freaking mood, and also penned by bassist John Deacon, aka my favorite member of Queen!)

Dragon Attack

This was my JAM for dealing with holiday stress last year! And it has a bass solo! *swoon*

Bohemian Rhapsody

My first favorite Queen song. I put it on a mix the summer before seventh grade, and the rest is history!

Plus, because there’s so much going on in Queen recordings, there’s tons of stripped down versions on YouTube, so you can really hear some interesting stuff that you never noticed before!

Buuuut despite my deep-dive and the tons of new-to-me Queen songs that I now love, my favorite is still “You’re My Best Friend” haha! The more things change…

What is your anti-anxiety music?

Linking up with Mica and Lisa!

Sweater weather

It’s been awhile since I did an outfit post on here, and I miss it! So buckle up for a few of my favorite things: jewelry, comfy clothes, soap operas (😂), and fall! (Sadly, the trees in our yard never seem to get the fall wonderland memo.)

For this outfit, I used a simple recipe: coziest darn sweater (seriously, it’s a blanket with sleeves) + the leggings I want to be buried in + cute necklace. Done and done! Bonus that the sweater is this gorgeous mauve shade, which is in the purple family, right? Another one of my other favorite things! 💜

Sweater: TJ Maxx but I can’t find it online 😞

Tank: Gap thrifted in 2011 😱

Leggings (affiliate link)

Necklace (c/o)

I actually got to do a collab with oNecklace for this post! Meaning I got to pick out a necklace from their many, many cute styles and, me being me, I turned to soaps for inspiration! 😂 I always loved the dainty initial necklace that Kristina wore to the Julexis wedding on General Hospital, so I picked out a similar-looking one for my very own!

(Bonus that it also helped save her sister from being taken hostage! God love ya soaps, never change.)

I went with the Choker Name Necklace, but instead of doing my initials (I’m not really an initial gal), I did my first name in rose gold plating. Didn’t it turn out so cute?! It’s dainty and lovely, and the rose gold is totally me. I’m seriously in love! Thank you, oNecklace!

By the way, this is my FIRST EVER brand collab! 😮 That’s not to say that working with brands is the be-all, end-all, but just to acknowledge that it’s something new for me—which is a big freaking deal because I tend to stick with what’s familiar so as to avoid anxiety. This year, I have felt especially paralyzed by my anxiety, so I’m proud of myself for doing something outside of my comfort zone. And now my necklace has another heart-warming meaning, as it serves as a reminder of rebellion against limiting beliefs and fear.

Stick with the things you’re passionate about because you just never know where they might take you… and what lessons that experience might gift-wrap for you. ❤️

What are your go-to cozy fall pieces? Do you also use TV shows for fashion inspo?

Linking up with Mica and Lisa!

Outfits of the month (August 2017)

You know, I used to post more than just H54F. But for whatever reason, this year, I just haven't been able to motivate myself to blog much.

For instance, I've enjoyed documenting my daily outfits on here for the past two Augusts, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to get myself to edit and post pictures in weekly batches, as I had in the past.

Enter Instagram.

I was actually energized at the thought of posting my outfits on there every day (rather than letting the pictures pile up), so I decided to do that instead. Sometimes, you just need to find an alternative, instead trying to force yourself to do something you're not super interested in (which usually ends in not doing it at all).

An unforseen bonus to using IG was being able to talk to y'all in real time! I so loved seeing all of your likes and comments, and getting to talk about clothes and girly things on work days! (I have two coworkers, and they're both dudes, sooo...)

Here are a few of my favorite outfits from August! My job doesn't have a dress code, so most of my outfits consisted of jeans or leggings plus tees. Nothing too exciting. But the Lindsay kimono helped me to break up the monotony! 

Lindsay kimono: LulaRoe by Dre Lydon (2017) | Tank: Gap (thrifted 2011) | Jeans: Gap (2014) | Sandals: Target (2017) | Belt: Loft (2014) | Necklace: Stella & Dot (Poshmark 2017)

I would never normally pair a kimono with dressy shorts, but I LOVED this look! I felt so sassy in SoCal!

Lindsay kimono: LulaRoe by Dre Lydon (2017) | Tank: Gap (thrifted 2011) | Shorts: Sans Souci (thrifted 2017) | Sandals: Target (2017)

I love a boxy shirt and skinny jeans, and this thrifted Aerie tee has been one of my faves lately!

Tee: Aerie (thrifted 2017) | Sandals: Target (2017) | Crossbody: Francesca's (2017)

I wouldn't normally pay $55 for, well, any clothing item, but this Carly is so cute and comfy! I just love it! (Accessorizing with an earhat optional.)

Carly dress: LulaRoe by Serena McCullough (2017) | Sandals: Target (2017)

Carly dress: LulaRoe by Serena McCullough (2017) | Sneakers: DSW (2016) | Longchamp Le Pliage: eBay (2015)

I tend to wear things I love to death, and this romper from 2015 is still a summertime staple. Such a great, comfy piece! (Also, one of my friends recently suggested wearing a bralette under a romper, to avoid that pesky bathroom nudity issue, which is GENIUS.)

Romper: Old Navy (2015) | Sandals: White Mountain (2015) | Sunglasses: Kate Spade (2012)

Linking up with Laura for Confident Twosday!

What I Wore Wednesday: August 24-31

Wednesday, August 24

A doctor's appointment at 8 AM is a good reason to wear cute shoes, right? ;)

Top: Gap (March 2016--sold out now)

Tank: Nordstrom Rack (March 2016)

Jeans: Articles of Society (thrifted; 2014)

Flats: Indigo Rd. (April 2016--sold out now)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Thursday, August 25

I just want to say that this is A LOT of color mixing for me! #sad

Top: Hollister (thrifted; 2015)

Jeggings: Target (January 2016)

Sneakers: Converse (2010)

Necklace: Chloe + Isabel (2015)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Friday, August 26

Tee: Wear Liberty (2014)

Leggings: Victoria's Secret (2014)

Sneakers: Reebok (2015)

Necklace: Forever 21 (June 2016)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Saturday August 27

Headed to the airport for my flight to Chicago!

Top: Target (2013)

Tank: Target (2015)

Leggings: Athleta (2015)

Sneakers: Reebok (2015)

Necklace: Chloe + Isabel (2016)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Duffle Bag: Target (2015)

Sunday, August 28

Happy birthday to me!! As Timmi and I were sneakily taking pictures in between downtown Chicago flower pots (true story), members of a group of like 30 identically-dressed college athlete bros kept walking by nbd.

Tee: Old Navy (with Timmi's donut design added!)

Leggings: Target (July 2016)

Sneakers: Reebok (2015)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Monday, August 29

My dad was like, "Whoa, where was this picture taken?!" And I was like, "Oh, at Timmi's apartment." LOL JK it's at the lovely Garfield Park Conservatory! We were all dolled up for post-flower-creeping afternoon tea.

Top: thrifted (2015)

Skirt: MNG by Mango (thrifted; 2014)

Sandals: White Mountain (2015)

Necklace: Loft (2104)

Bag: Hobo (June 2016)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Tuesday, August 30

Here it is: the lovely tunic that Timmi made me! I love impressionist paintings, and that's basically the pattern of the material, in all of my favorite colors! 

Timmi posed me with the paintings she had in mind when she chose the pattern! 

Tunic: made by Timmi!

Belt: borrowed from Timmi (lol)

Leggings: Target (to be included in September 2016 budget, but I can't seem to find them online)

Sandals: White Mountain (2015)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

Here's the tunic in less horrible lighting! Yes, I tried it on immediately, over my clothes, on Saturday. Mieze was also very excited about it. 🐶

Wednesday, August 31

My flight home got in at 12:30 AM, so I seriously had no effs left to give when dressing for work. Which made me brave enough to wear a dress and Chucks! (I had totally forgotten about this dress in my closet, and it is sooo comfy. You might remember it from this post.)

Don't mind the chair that I forgot to move out the background in my zombie-like state!

Dress: Modcloth (2015--sold out now)

Belt: Loft (2014)

Sneakers: Converse (2010)

Watch: Target (2015)

Bracelet: Lokai

Nail Polish: Zoya, "Stevie"

So Outfit Documentation August is a wrap!! Here's what I wore:

25 Tops (includes layers like tanks and cardigans)

13 Bottoms

10 Accessories

5 Pairs of Shoes

4 Dresses/Rompers

That seems like a good amount of the items in my closet! I know I would have mixed in more skirts and dresses if I didn't have physical therapy, or the need to wear sneakers most of the time. I also know that there are a bunch of items (mostly tops) in my closet that I repeatedly skipped over, like, "Ugh, I don't want to wear that," so maybe it's time to part with those pieces...

Since I also took daily outfit pictures last August, it's been really interesting to see that I wore 13 of the same articles of clothing this time around. I guess I've made some wise purchases, ha!