|

|

Insta Recap #5

born is the king

Good morning! Today is the first Sunday of Advent. I love this time of year, but this has been quite the week of ups and downs. Thanksgiving was lovely, we got our tree yesterday, and we’ve started our Christmas decorating. I hope to wrap it up this afternoon so we can enjoy our home for the rest of the season. I don’t enjoy the decorating part of things, but I enjoy the end result so I try to push through and get it done as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been all warm fuzzies around here. We had a death in the family this week, a kind and generous man taken from his family too soon. I know this world is not our final home, and I take comfort in that, but my heart aches for those who are missing him so terribly right now.

While we go about our shopping and baking and decorating, there are people all around us who are missing loved ones or experience suffering in a myriad of ways. I’m trying to treasure the small, sacred moments and not sweat the unimportant things.

So here’s my week in a nutshell… or, um… an Insta Recap.

A lot of the items I’m wearing below are on sale right now, due to the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, so if you’ve had your eye on something, this is a great time to take the plunge! Or, you know, shop for holiday gifts. Whichever!

I posted this top down selfie on Sunday before leaving for church last Sunday. It’s that sweater dress I styled 3 ways. This time I wore it with a denim jacket and riding boots.

sweater dress

Cozystitch Sweater Dress $89 + 40% off with code BF40 | Similar Denim Jacket $49 + 40% off with code BF40 | Frye Phillip Harness Tall boots in Whiskey $357 (other color options here) | Alex and Ani Bangles | Tory Burch Leather Wrap Bracelet | similar hoop earrings | Kate Spade sunnies | scarf (old)

Another top down selfie — this is what I wore the day I met my friend for lunch and shopping. It was chilly, but I didn’t want to wear a coat, so I bundled up in layers and a blanket scarf.

scarf

Modcloth Fall Night Long Scarf $24 | J.Crew Quilted Down Vest $120 + 40% off with code HOLIDAY | Cable Chunky Turtleneck $99 + 40% off with code HOLIDAY | similar riding boots $112 | olive cargo skinnies via Stitch Fix | Alex and Ani Bangles | peridot ring (old)

When I got to the Tanger Outlets, our first stop was coffee. Duh!

starbucks - 1

I posted this photo to direct my Instagram followers here to the blog where I posted these outfit details. I love this shot. I get tired of seeing my neighborhood in all of my outfit pictures.

otk boots - 1

similar animal print infinity scarf $38 | chambray tunic $59 +40% off with code BF40 | ponte leggings $60 (budget option, $27) | OTK boots on sale for $149 (budget option, $89 + 10% off with code CYBER) | my Stella & Dot Maylee Ring $29, Renegade Cluster Bracelet $59, Artisan Stretch Bracelets $49, Ally Double Wrap Bracelet $39

On Tuesday, I had my nails done in this festive CND Pretty Poison: a sparkly evergreen color. It worked for Thanksgiving, and I’m hoping it will last until Friday night when we go to my husband’s work holiday party.

shellac

I took this top down shot on Wednesday morning. The kids didn’t have school, and I enjoyed a lazy morning in my cozy marled cardigan and my new Abeo slippers. These genuine shearling lined slippers have the comfort of UGGs and the support of custom orthotics. They are AMAZING if you have finicky feet. Plus, CUTE!

coffee

Easy Marl Cardigan ON SALE for $21.59 | long-sleeve scoop neck tee (6 colors) $18 | Avocado Path of Life Expandable Necklace c/o Alex and Ani | DL1961 Florence skinnies ON SALE for $124.60 | Halifax Slippers c/o Abeo $99

By the way, it’s not pictured above, as I added it later, but that Cross Stitch Infinity Scarf from my post yesterday is back in stock and only $12 at Nordstrom through tomorrow, 11/30!!!

On Thursday, I was up bright and early for a Turkey Trot 5K. My time was 28:54!!!! So excited. I’m getting closer to my old PR!!

Turkey Trot 2015

turkey trot

This is what I ended up wearing to Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws — a cable knit tunic with skinny jeans and my brown riding boots. I debated my OTK boots, but I’m glad I settled on this. I was comfortable and felt put together without being over-the-top.

tunic - 1

Cable Knit Tunic Sweater $49 | DL1961 Florence Skinnies $124.60 | Frye Phillip Harness Tall boots in Whiskey $357 (other color options here) | Sea Glass Uncharted Voyage Wrap and Sea Glass Odyssey Beaded Bangle c/o Alex and Ani | My Stella & Dot Veda Split Ring $29 | snakeskin satchel (ebay)

Last night we took The Colebrookdale Railroad out to this little tree farm to get our Christmas tree. It was fun! The picture’s grainy because it was getting dark, but I love this shot of all of us. I’m holding my family tight right now and treasuring these small moments.

tree farm

What I Wore: J.Crew Quilted Down Vest $120 + 40% off with code HOLIDAY | red cowl neck sweater (old) | DL1961 Emma skinnies $ON SALE for $117 | Hunter Original High Gloss Boots $150

On Friday, we started decorating for Christmas, and I posted this picture of our mantle last night.

mantle

It’s missing a tree, but we’ll find it, I’m sure, when we get out the rest of our decorations. I kind of like it this way, actually. It reminds me that nothing is perfect in this life, but that doesn’t have to steal our joy.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

Have a blessed Sunday.

Join The Conversation

20 Responses

  1. Very sorry for your family’s loss. Loss is always difficult, but definitely seems magnified during the holidays. Praying for some comfort for you guys right now!

  2. So sorry for your loss…we are never ready to let a loved one go. Prayers and hugs for his family… You’re right, nothing is perfect in this life but just wait until the next one.

  3. Hi JoLynne,
    Thanks for the great updates! I love that Cozystitch dress, what size is yours? I’m on shorter side 5′ 2 and wondering if I should order petite.

  4. Thanks for that scripture – I think I’ll put that in my office to remind me to really appreciate things this holiday season. Love the sweater dress with the jean jacket (I’ll wear that tomorrow!) – but where’s the snowflakes on the Starbucks cup? (Just kidding!). So sorry for your loss, even as believers it’s okay to be sad for what we’ve lost. Have a great week, Jo-Lynne!

    1. I know! How dare they remove snowflakes, an obvious symbol of Advent, from the red cups this time of year!? Snort. Craziness. I do love those red cups though. SO festive.

      Thanks for your kind words. xo

  5. Jo-Lynne, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. The promise of a perfect life in Heaven does help, but death right around a joyful holiday does put a damper on things.
    I did have a blessed Sunday. I paid my mom an unexpected visit at her assisted living facility. She was so surprised and we had a wonderful time reminiscing and laughing. Precious memories!

    God bless!

  6. I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss – grief and shock is hard enough anytime let alone during the holiday season when everyone is “supposed” to be happy. xxx

    I love your insta recaps….and in this one my favourite shot is the one of the sweater dress – ADORE this outfit – the best since your Famous Fall Mustard Cardigan Combo!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *