The Classic Brunette

Thursday, February 13, 2020

My Most Recent Purchases

Happy February! I took a mild break from spending in January (one of my resolutions) but I broke it this month...badly. I just saw too many great things that I couldn't pass up! But don't worry, after this I'm back to my saving ways 😉 Sometimes you just have to treat yourself a few (or 7) times haha.

Sherpa Pullover

I know bloggers use the word obsessed all the time, but I truly am obsessed with this oversized sherpa sweater. It's so so soft and the color I purchased is a perfect neutral. You can see it on me here! I ordered the Large which is my typical size and it was still a little oversized which was exactly what I was hoping for. The material is light weight, but warm enough to be worn as a shirt on a nice but breezy day, and as a jacket on days where it's a little colder!

Pink Dress

After I bought this I realized it was worn by Mykenna on the Bachelor this season but in blue! (Anyone else watching this season and just think Peter keeps making dumb decisions?) I love how feminine the cut of the dress is. I've found that although I LOVE flowy sleeves like this, they can sometimes be a little too much, but I don't find that the case here. The sleeves are the perfect length and you can even tuck them in to give more of a balloon effect if that's something you like!

Leopard Sneakers

Now to be clear, these aren't the exact sneakers I purchased. I searched and searched, but I couldn't find the ones I bought anywhere online! However, I would say these are about 90% the same visually and are from the same designer. If you're looking for the ones I bought I would try searching your local Nordstrom Rack. I was in the market for a new pair of sneakers, saw these leopard ones and despite having a closet full of leopard shoes decided to buy them anyway 😂It would only be an issue if I didn't wear all my leopard shoes, but I promise I do!

Huda Nude Light Palette

I love love love this palette. You all know that I love all things pink, and this palette has some beautiful nude pink shadows that highlight my skin perfectly. Huda has three versions of this nude palette to work with multiple skin tones and each has nine gorgeous shades. I've been wearing the middle cream colored shade almost every day, but am going to pull out the glitter ones for Valentines Day weekend!

Smock Waist Top

I actually bought this top in two colors: the brown and the blue prints. I'm still waiting for these to come in the mail, but from the reviews these tops are super flattering and comfortable! I'll update when these come in!

YSL Lipstick

The shade I bought is #44 Nude Lavalliere and it's the best pinkish nude color. It's slightly lighter than my natural lip color and it has a high shine finish which is something I personally love. If I'm wearing a lipstick I either want lots of shine or a solid matte. YSL is a bit of a splurge for lip colors, but if I'm wearing something almost every day I want it to be good quality and long lasting, which I don't have to worry about with this brand.

Leopard State Letter Sweatshirt

Okay I saved the one I'm most excited about for last! I bought a TX sweatshirt, but I also bought a CA t-shirt because I couldn't decide which state I wanted to represent, haha! In a way these remind me of sorority letters which I wore constantly in college. I don't wear my letters much anymore for a number of reasons, but mostly because I think once you're out of school no one "gets it" when you're wearing your letters. I wear them occasionally because they're comfortable, but they certainly aren't considered the most fashionable. These give me that nostalgic feeling while being more modern and trendy!

So yes, I hugely broke my no spend 2020 to buy all of these things, but I think they're worth it! Have you purchased anything recently that you're obsessed with:?

Thursday, January 9, 2020

9 Ways I Grew In 2019

2019 was a HUGE year of growth for me. In some ways it was just another year, but in many ways I learned so much about myself. I've experienced a lot these past twelve months and I wanted to share a few things that this year has taught me, ways I have grown as a person, and events that have changed my perspective on life. Maybe some of these can relate to you as well!

Move To Dallas

Of course this made the list! Dallas has had such an impact on me. It's my first solo move and I'm hours from family and most friends. Although I've made great friends here, it's still very hard when the people I'm closest to aren't with me. However, Texas has also been amazing in so many ways. Like I said I've made awesome friends, and I've also love this city! There's so much to do here and in so many ways I feel like I'm meant to live here. Every time I move I learn more about myself, and this move was no exception. I think the biggest lesson I've learned here is that even though I am very independent by nature, it doesn't mean I'm not prone to loneliness. (Thank you therapy for helping me deal with that one!)

Therapy

Just like in 2018 I made huge strides in therapy this year! Last year was the first time I had ever gone to therapy, and although it was a great move in the right direction, the kind of therapy I was in wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I did cognitive behavioral therapy, but what I needed was more of a discussion based therapy. So when I got to Dallas it was important to me to find a therapist who would essentially be a sounding board for my thoughts. Luckily I found just that! My current therapist has really been one of the best things to happen to me in 2019. She's shared insights about me just from listening to me talk about my thoughts, and I've learned an incredible amount about how to deal with life when it doesn't go as planned.

Love Life

Don't get too excited y'all, I have no news to spill 😂. But this year has been a crazy one for me. I've run into a few promising guys, made some friends, and avoided some creeps. I actually went on more dates this year than I ever have, and although nothing too serious has come out of it, I'm proud of how much I've put myself out there. Getting back into dating has also made me more aware of what kind of guy and relationship I want. Hopefully 2020 has some good love vibes in store for me!

Vulnerability

Oooo this year has been a doozy for vulnerability! I've always been one to keep my feelings to myself, but this year I've been testing the waters with being vulnerable. This has mostly been related to my love life, since vulnerability comes along with that territory. When I was first making the decision to be this open, I was actually having breakdowns with how much these emotions were taking a toll on me. Once I opened up I felt a weight off my shoulders, but making that choice was so so difficult! It's still nerve-wracking to be so open, but despite it leaving me open to get hurt, it also has led to wonderful heart-felt connections and conversations.

Adopting Nina

Oh my little girl! I love Nina with my whole heart, but she is absolutely a handful. She's still a crazy kitten, but her personality is definitely STRONG. She loves to scream, loves to attack feet, and will eat (almost) anything you put in front of her. But with all her craziness, she's also a cuddle-bug who is the biggest momma's girl. Though she tests my patience a lot, I love her so so much. She's taught me how to be a better pet parent, and has also helped me be a more responsible person.

Mental Health Is An Ongoing Process

As I said earlier, I made great strides in my mental health last year. But 2019 was the year I fully grasped what it's like to be working on your mental health. Just because I'm in therapy and on medication doesn't mean I'm 100% every day. I have so many good days, but the bad days come right along with them. Every day I have to remind myself that it's normal and okay to have ups and downs (thanks therapy!) and that it's up to me to work on bringing up my mood.

Being Myself

Okay, I know this one seems silly, but that advice older people are always giving about being yourself 100% is actually solid. I thought it was ridiculous for so long, especially because I thought I was being myself. 2019 was the year that I realized I was diluting who I was because I was afraid people weren't actually going to like me (once again, thanks therapy! 😂) Once I slowly pushed that fear to the side I saw people were more open to getting to know me and I was much more at ease getting to know others too. Life is SO much easier once you give in to being you and not caring what other people think of you.

Travel

This past year was amazing amazing AMAZING for travel. Since I was in middle school I had dreamed of going to Greece, and it finally happened! It was everything I had dreamed of and more, and I can't wait to eventually go back. Traveling always brings growth, and this trip was no exception. I love exploring other countries, cultures, and customs, and it makes me feel like I get to connect with humankind a little more. I also traveled to a few other places this year, but my cruise trip was superior to them all!

Finance

Oh money, how thou aren't my friend. This year has been a little rough with spending. I got a little out of control, but it's time to real that in! The growth in this department is that I have realized I haven't been as responsible as I need to be. I had my year of fun, but 2020 is all about SAVING and being financially savvy!

What are some ways that you grew in 2019?

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide Under $20

I realize I already wrote a stocking stuffer post a few weeks back, but this one is a little different so hear me out! These are specifically for the girly girl in your life AND if you're looking to stick to a budget. All of these gifts are under $20, but many are actually under $10! I think the perfect stocking stuffer is on the more affordable side, otherwise it might as well just be a regular gift under the tree, right? I also think stocking stuffers are a great chance to provide some things that are necessary including cozy socks, a new phone case, or even some new underwear, ha! You can shop all the items with the links above, but I'll also be sharing some details of my fave items below.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Sentimental Jewelry With James Avery

As many of you know, I love it when my jewelry carries a personal meaning. I believe that the most beautiful pieces come with a story, and that's exactly what James Avery believes as well. This family owned company is all about creating those sentimental pieces that celebrate the things that you hold close:love, family, faith, friendship. Things that also happen to coincide with Christmas! So what better way to enjoy the holiday with some timeless and unique pieces that allow you to share your story. With these being my first James Avery pieces, I wanted to make sure I chose items that really spoke to me. Keep reading to see how these rings hold meaning!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Pink Glam Christmas Decor

It's almost Christmas! These past few months have absolutely flown by, but if it means the holidays get to come faster I'm okay with it. I've had my decorations up since the beginning of November, but I know not everyone goes as holiday crazy as I do. These photos have been sitting on my computer for a few weeks now, but now I think it's the perfect time to share my decor! Thanksgiving has passed, so now it's all Christmas all the time! My decor is definitely a representation of my regular style, AKA pink, gold, and glam. But I also wanted to have a 'classic Christmas' feel as well, let me know if you think I hit the mark!

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Stocking Stuffers For Everyone On Your List

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.com. As always, all opinions are my own! Thank you for supporting the brands that support The Classic Brunette!

I swear these past few months have just flown by! How is it already almost Thanksgiving? Although I love Thanksgiving with all my heart, there's no doubt that Christmas is my favorite holiday. The only thing that truly stresses me out this season (besides running into people I don't remember/don't remember me from high school 😬😂) is finding great gifts for people. I'm one of those people who regularly has to ask my friends exactly what they want for the holiday, and if they really don't know I get them a gift card. Not necessarily a bad thing, and I've been getting better over the years. But I'd love to be one of those people who always finds the perfect gift without asking. The worst of the gifts? Stocking stuffers. But luckily I've got a number of gifts in this post that can work in the stocking or under the tree.

Monday, November 11, 2019

15 Ways To Fight Seasonal Depression

It's that time of year folks! The most wonderful time of the year (Thanksgiving! Christmas! New Year!) can also come with some unfortunate feelings as well. That's right, I'm talking about seasonal depression. STAY WITH ME FOR A SEC, this post is NOT going to get mopey or sad or anything that will put you into an emotional state. We're going to focus on all things happy and how you can keep up that happiness throughout these next few months. If you aren't sure what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is, I'll let you google that right now....

For those that are lazy and want the VERY short version, it's when some people react negatively and show signs of depression during the fall and winter. Now that that's out of the way, let's move on to the 15 ways to try to avoid those depression moods!