amazon finds: February!

 I'm back with another Amazon Finds post for you today! It's been a while since I've featured some of my favorite Amazon buys so I'm excited to share this batch with you. You can see all my past Amazon Finds posts here if you want MORE. I've said it before but I'm pretty picky about Amazon finds so when I share something here know that I LOVE it and highly recommend it. I know it can be tough to wade through what's quality or not on Amazon and I hope this helps, even if it's just a little bit. Let's take a look at this month's finds...

This month's Amazon Finds...

This fitted ribbed sweater top is a piece I've been looking for lately. I just wanted a simple fitted black top. It's 50/50 a sweater and a top, like a thin sweater. I love it paired with wide leg denim for a fresh silhouette for 2023. It runs a bit big, if you are between sizes you could consider going down a size. I went with my usual size small. (shown with jeans, I'm in my bigger size, and mules)

I've owned this boxy chunky knit cotton sweater for a while and when I was cleaning out my closet over the holiday break I found it wedged behind two other sweaters. It was a very pleasant surprise since this sweater is so soft and cozy and ALL COTTON! I went up a size for a more oversized fit, I'm in a size medium. There are a lot of color options too! (shown with jeans, I'm in my bigger size, and birks)

This reversible quilted fleece coat is a real find! It's quilted on one side and fleece on the other and it's fully reversible with buttons. It's quite warm and great for layering with sweaters for cold winter days. I'm in my usual size small, it runs a little big so you could go down a size too.

This black hooded sweatshirt is a dupe for a more expensive brand and it really is so nice in person! I originally ordered it in a size small and it was a touch too small for me, so I gave that one to my daughter and reordered this one in medium. It's super soft especially after washing it and I love it over workout outfits or just around the house. (shown with leggings, true to size, and sneakers, true to size)

Recent Amazon Bestsellers...

This all cotton sweater, I went up a size.

I just LOVE these leggings. True to size.

One of my most worn, most loved striped sweaters.

fitness finds for less with Walmart!

 This post is sponsored by Walmart and ShopStyle Collective. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

I'm not much of a "new year, new me" type of person although I love the fresh start feel of the new year. It feels like fall in some ways when the kids go back to school, like everything gets a little restart. And while I don't make fitness goals ever for the new year, my motto is that there is honestly nothing better to do this time of year anyway - so why not get back into a workout routine or amp up your current workout routine?!?!  January is such a blah month... might as well be doing something good for yourself! 

New clothing for work outs ALWAYS puts some extra pep in my step and I found some really fun pieces from Walmart that I am loving for hitting the gym this winter! If you need to stock up on basics these joggers are a great material (not too thick, not too thin!) and if you want something new and fun try these ribbed leggings that are super comfortable and stretchy. Both this puffer coat and this fleece jacket are the perfect extra layer for to and from the gym or outdoor walks, errands or running around with the kids on an athleisure day. Getting to the gym in the winter is NOT easy... but you can at least look good (and save money) doing it with Walmart.

You always get FREE & FAST SHIPPING with Walmart on orders over $35 so it's always a great time to shop!

Shop the look: ribbed leggings (true to size), puffer coat (I went up a size for an oversized fit), sneakers (runs big, size down a full size), black tank (runs small, I went up a size)

Shop the look: joggers (run big, I went down a size to XS), sneakers (runs big, size down a full size), cream fleece jacket (true to size)

transitional staples for your closet with Banana Republic Factory!

 This post is sponsored by Banana Republic Factory and ShopStyle Collective. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

I'm slowly starting to think about my spring wardrobe even though we are very much in the depths of winter... but hey, I like to plan! And really, what is more fun than planning for spring during these long and dark days? Now is the perfect time to start adding a few spring or warm weather travel pieces to your closet to prep for spring and Banana Republic Factory has a HUGE promotion going on this weekend!

From the perfect spring dresses like this t-shirt dress or this tie waist dress (I just bought this one for myself!) to more transitional pieces like this cable knit sweater or collared sweatshirt, Banana Republic Factory has the perfect spring and pre-spring pieces for your closet. This beautiful blouse or leather tote are great year round and they also have some great sleeveless tops like this striped top for layering with blazers or cardigans now and wearing on their own later. 

I love that Banana Republic Factory has beautiful closet staples that you will depend on for multiple seasons at budget-friendly prices. And for this weekend only you can get 50% off everything + an extra 20% off your purchase. Bonus: An extra 60% off clearance! This promotion ends January 17, 2023. Here are my top picks... there are so many good pieces here! Happy shopping! 

top row, from left: t-shirt dress, black twill tie waist dress, utility midi shirt dress, cable knit sweater

middle row, from left: leather tote, oversized cotton shirt, collared sweatshirt, smocked-neck blouse in green khaki

bottom row, from left: link chain bracelet, split neck green khaki dress,  navy twist back tank, striped tie-waist sleeveless top

under $100 finds for January!

If you closet is needing some fresh updates for the New Year without breaking the bank I have a great roundup today! From classic wardrobe staples to a few fun spring-like pieces that you can wear now, everything here is versatile and practical and also under $100!

pink cotton fisherman sweater, chambray shirt, sneakers, flare jeans, striped tote, trench coat, 'tres bien' sweatshirt, striped cotton poplin shirt, cable knit cardigan, mock neck sweater, stripe sweater, weekender bag, heart necklace

my tips for cleaning out your closet!

 

I did a HUGE closet clean out during the week between Christmas and New Years and it felt SO good. I usually do big clean outs about 2 times a year and smaller clean outs maybe 3-4 times a year. My closet is decent sized but it's not huge so space is at a premium and also when my closet gets messy or unorganized I tend to forget the items I own and love and just pull for the same things over and over or feel like I need new clothes when I really don't. For me, cleaning out my closet is an activity I really enjoy. Mostly because I know the end product will make me feel more creative when I choose outfits and remind me that I have plenty to wear and that I do really love my closet. It brings creativity and contentedness to the forefront.

I posted this photo of my sweaters organized by color (or by neutral hue, you might say) and lots of you had questions on how to start the process of cleaning out your closet and how to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. It can be a daunting process and I while I do enjoy it, I always have to be in a certain mood for it too (mostly my mood is: fed up with the mess and disorganization).

Deciding what to keep and what to either give away to friends, donate or sell is a personal decision. I can't tell you what to keep and what not to keep and I would never say "this style is OUT - throw it all away!" Style is so personal and it's all about what makes you feel your best and your most confident. So in the end you will have to decide for yourself. But these are some of the "rules" I go by...

How to decide what items to get rid of in my closet:

- Items that don't fit, if you are in a life transition like pregnancy or weight loss or gain (both are TOTALLY natural during a woman's life, even just a few pounds can drastically change how clothes fit) and you need/want to keep items that don't fit then I suggest storing them elsewhere so you can see what fits NOW in your closet. It makes getting dressed so much easier. If you are still thinking you might fit in those jeans from high school or the like, they should go. I think looking to the future with clothes is better than looking back. Focus on the items that fit you now, that you love now.

- Items that I haven't worn from previous seasons, if you are looking at a pile of summer stuff you didn't wear at all last summer... it's time for them to go! (again barring any type of major life change like pregnancy, etc) If I didn't love it last summer, it's unlikely I will grow fond of it between now and the next warm weather season. Same goes for cold weather season... if I didn't love it last winter, then its unlikely it will become a piece I run to this winter.

- Items that I don't look forward to wearing for the upcoming season, spring and summer are up next and some of my warm weather pieces from previous seasons I am either sick of or they just got worn to death and are looking rough from a lot of wash cycles. In addition, there are always the pesky items I "thought" I would wear but didn't. Sometimes I feel a little shameful about it, but in the end, those items are out for me... I want to focus on places I need to fill in for the new season and items I am excited to repeat this coming spring/summer.

- Items that don't feel like "me", this one might be more difficult to describe but there may be a sweater that is just gorgeous but I never really wear it because it just doesn't "feel" right. It's okay to say, this isn't for me and move on. It's easy to get attached to items because we paid money for them or because they mean something more than just their physical properties. But if it's taking up space, it needs to be something I love.

As far as organization goes, this is generally how I organize my closet:

- sweaters folded, as shown above.

- tops are all on hangers long sleeve on one side, organized by color and short sleeve/sleeveless on the other side also organized by color. 

- lightweight jackets and sweatshirts also share a hanging rod, also organized by type and color

- jeans I hang from s hooks on hanging rod too (you can see that in this post!)

How I handle off season items in my closet:

- Seasonless items like jeans, tops, shoes stay out all year.

- Some items like jackets/blazers and some seasonless sweaters (cotton and some lightweight cashmere) also stay out all year.

- Items that are super season-specific like boots, sandals, shorts, etc get packed away in fabric storage boxes and put on the top shelf of my closet depending on the season. Underbed storage or even big plastic tubs put in the basement work for this too. We happen to have tall ceilings so I use the vertical space since I can't reach it easily to access daily.

Let's get to some of your questions about organizing your closet...

Q. What to fold/hang, by color or type of item?

A. I like to fold sweaters (and sometimes jeans too) and hang tops and blazers and sweatshirts and jackets. I organized tops by style, then by color. So button up tops are together by color and tank tops are together by color, for example. It depends on how your own closet is laid out, but this is how I prefer it. 

Q. Where to sell or donate?

A. I usually donate to Goodwill, give/sell to friends and sell on ThredUp. Keep in mind reselling clothes is NOT lucrative, you will make a very small amount on reselling clothes so to avoid disappointment, don't get your hopes up.

Q. No shelves, how to store sweaters?

A. Search it up on Pinterest! There are some cool tricks for using hangers to hang sweaters without getting bumps in the shoulders. I will say that I LOVE a shelf for sweaters... I've been known to rip out hanging bars in past closets and buy a free standing shelf to put in a closet before!

Q. Do you keep sweaters out all year or pack some away?

A. Super season specific sweaters get packed away in the off season. So for example I have a few very light cotton or linen sweaters that are packed away until spring. Come spring, all the heavier wool and cashmere sweaters get packed away in their place. Some cotton and light cashmere sweaters stay out all year.

Q. How to not feel overwhelmed and know what to get rid of?

A. I clean out my closet a lot so I have a pretty good confidence in my ability to do it. But if you are new at it or haven't done it in a long time it can be SUPER overwhelming! I get it! I think it's most overwhelming because people worry they will "regret" getting rid of something. This is a trick I've used before and I find it very helpful... if you are feeling worried that you might get rid of something and regret it then just store it somewhere else for now. So do your big closet clean out and take everything you are going to give away and just put it in a big storage tub out of sight (make it very out of sight, like the depths of your storage room). Then wait. Wait 3 months or even a year - then go through it again and see if you missed anything in there. If not... send it on to friends or donate it.

Q. Do you wash sweaters or dry clean?

A. I follow the instructions on the tags. Anything with wool or cashmere can NOT be washed, even hand wash can be tricky, with a very few minor exceptions. Those items go to the dry cleaner. I also love products like this to refresh sweaters between wears. Or wear a cami or t-shirt underneath to keep them cleaner longer. I don't think sweaters need to be washed after every wear unless there is a spill. Sweaters that are cotton or other washable materials get washed in the washer on delicate and hung or laid flat to dry.

Q. Parting with something that cost money (or still has tags on) but you know you will never wear it again?

A. This can be very difficult and here is my take on it, I'll speak to my own goals for my closet here. Keeping in mind that I want my closet to inspire easy outfits the second I step in - it can be difficult to make outfits when there is a lot of "noise" or unused, unliked items in there. I want to step in and know that everything fits and everything is something I love. There is a phrase my husband uses that I love and it's "addition by subtraction" - sometimes taking things out of your closet make the closet a better place. For instance, we had these half dead plants in our landscaping and I couldn't think for the life of me what to replace them with, so I left them there. One day my husband dug them up and threw them in the woods. Addition by subtraction. Sure the landscaping had a small open spot now, but at least it wasn't filled with half dead plants. It actually looked so much better - and it wasn't at all the gaping hole I thought it would be.

Wish the item well in it's next life and move on... :)

I hope this post was helpful for you! The New Year is a GREAT time to clean out your closet and start fresh for 2023. It can be difficult to feel inspired by my closet in the dead of winter, so I hope this will help making getting dressed a little easier and more fun for these dark cold days!

on my radar: January 2023!

I just LOVE the fresh start of a new year... it's so cheesy, but I do. It gives me such a good reset mentally especially after a nice long break for the holidays. I'm excited for all that 2023 holds, but also... for the fun new clothes too! I'll be honest! I'm looking forward to spring styles, new trends and fun new inspiration and I love to find inspiration in clothing. Today I'm rounding up some new finds that are inspiring me this new year... I hope they inspire you too!

suede bucket bag, bucket style bags are going to be a big trend this year and I love a tote and a bucket bag is like half a tote ;) so I am really into this trend! This suede option is gorgeous!

striped sweater, the striped sweater had a big resurgence in popularity this past fall. It's always been a classic and this one is here to stay during the winter and into spring. It's so easy to wear!

black checked coat, winter has me craving all the beautiful coats! This tight check pattern is so chic and is giving off major 'cool French girl' vibes.

brown cotton ribbed sweater, new year, same me. I just LOVE a good sweater. Especially a cotton sweater lately. The fabric is seasonless and so easy and comfortable to wear.

split hem jeans, a fun take on the classic skinny jeans! These split hem jeans are SO fun! It's also another way to ease into longer hemlines, which will also be making a comeback this year. I love an ankle crop, but I'm open to trying new things too.

pebbled leather tote, this tote just screams "New Year" to me. Simple and streamlined, beautiful and practical.  Everything I crave for my closet.

shearing lined Birkenstock clog, I might break down and buy these. I just love my Boston clogs so much and these would be perfect "house shoes" - and I would wear them out as long as there is no snow too!

straight leg jeans, these seem to be the style everyone is talking about these days. They have been in my cart for a few weeks!

heart bracelet, anything and everything with a heart, please. Especially near Valentines day!

sherpa toggle coat, I saw something similar on Shea from McGee & Co on her new Netflix show (it's so good and her outfit are SO good!) and I can't stop thinking about it. It's in my cart!

new in neutral!

If you are looking for a closet refresh this New Year, then I have some gorgeous neutrals to inspire you today! Cozy and super versatile pieces that fit the January mood just perfectly! I was recently perusing some of the new arrivals at H&M and found SO many gorgeous pieces that my January closet will LOVE and of course, all on budget too. 

Today's outfits are inspired by some really fun and affordable pieces from H&M that I think you will love too! Let's take a look at the outfits!

(above) Athleisure is definitely a vibe I am digging into for January. This oversized sweater is perfect over a workout tank and leggings for a chic just from the gym look (or actually coming from the gym!). This spring the sweater will transition perfectly to warmer weather or a spring break swim cover up. So it's super versatile!

Shop the look: lace up pointelle knit sweater, black leggings, sports bra, sneakers, hat, crossbody bag

(above) The satchel, loafers, turtleneck and blazer combo are giving me major 90s vibes in the best way possible. I love these simple neutrals all paired together for retro yet very modern look. 

Shop the look: black blazer, black/white stripe turtleneck, jeans, black mules, satchel bag, earrings

(above) Cozy layers are an everyday necessity for winter and a striped sweater and quilted jacket are perfectly of-the-moment and practical too. You can't beat that type of combo!

Shop the look: striped sweater, black jeans, sneakers, quilted coat, sherpa tote, necklace

the best of 2022!

 Happy New Year friends! It's been great to take an extended break here on the blog for the holidays but now I am rejuvenated and ready to jump back into posting here and all that 2023 has to offer! It's going to be a good year, I can feel it! We have some big changes and transitions coming up for our family this year and I'm excited for all the possibility in the New Year. 

Today I'm rounding up alllllll the favorites from the previous year... from the most popular Amazon items I've featured to my favorite denim for the year, to your favorites (the bestsellers!) and finally some of my top picks for athleisure from the past year (which was a #1 reader request).

If you are looking to start the new year with adding some really great basics to your shopping cart, this will be a great post for inspiration. Since all of these are tried and true and vetted favorites!

(above) The best of Amazon... These were the top sellers from Amazon for 2022. You all LOVED these awesome finds and so do I! I'm SUPER picky when it comes to Amazon finds. So consider these the BEST of the BEST. I promise!

simple t-shirt (I love these in black and white, they run small, size up!), coin necklace (this is perfectly oversized like many designer options, but a great price!) cable knit sweater (slightly cropped, so I went up a size, 100% cotton!), button front top (I went with my usual size small, it runs slightly oversized, so chic!), racerback tank (these are a great staple and true to size), leggings (the hype is real, these are SO soft, wash great and are perfect for low impact or lounging, true to size), boxy beige sweater (100% cotton, perfectly draped, I went up a size for a roomier fit), stripe sweater (runs small, I went up a size for a roomier fit, it's a bestseller for 2 years now! It's SO good.)

If you want MORE Amazon finds, be sure to check out my Amazon archives here!

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(above) This round up features all the bestsellers from the year across multiple retailers. These were the items YOU all shopped the most. Since this list spans over an entire year, I had to sadly leave out items that are now sold out. So all these items are still stoppable for you.

black jeans (runs small, I go with my bigger size for this brand), cable knit sweater (true to size), leather loafers, distressed denim (runs small, I go with my bigger size for this brand), suede loafers, blue jeans (runs small, I go with my bigger size for this brand), Ugg boots, crossbody bag, white jeans (I go with my smaller size for this style), quilted jacket (runs big, I went down a size)

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(above) Next up... let's chat denim! I'm in denim about 99% of the time and these were my favorite pairs from 2022. There is really something for everyone here, especially if you are looking to make the jump to newer styles from skinny jeans, all of these styles are super approachable.

top row, from left: black cropped boot (I go with my bigger size), dark blue cropped boot (I go with my bigger size), high rise straight (I go with my smaller size, I cut the hems myself), straight leg (I go with my bigger size), wide leg (I go with my bigger size)

bottom row, from left: straight leg chewed hem (I go with my bigger size), cropped boot (I go with my smaller size), straight leg distressed (Budget friendly! I go with my bigger size), white straight leg (I go with my smaller size)

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(above) As requested by you all a big round up of all my favorite athleisure pieces for the year. These are favorites for walks, some for tennis and workouts and some for just around the house on a lounge day or running errands. 

half zip ribbed sweatshirt (runs big, I sized down), long line sports bra/tank combo (true to size), turtleneck top (true to size), crossbody bag, joggers (I got down a size), racerback tank (true to size), sneakers, quilted jacket (runs a touch big, but I went with my usual size), half zip fleece (true to size), socks (nice and thick!), leggings (true to size), half zip hoodie (runs small, I went up a size)

amazon finds: December!

It's time for another Amazon round up... I try to do one of these a month to chat about recent Amazon finds.  I'm super picky and not every find is a slam dunk for me, so I hope you can really trust these reviews because not everything makes the cut. You can find past Amazon finds here if you want to see past favorites. And if you are still shopping for loved ones... I have to say the insulated cup and the leggings here would make great gifts for so many on your list!

This month's finds....

The best white button front top I've found, ever. Crispy but comfy and perfectly oversized. I love it with jeans untucked or tucked and it would work as a swim cover up this summer too. I went with my usual size small.

This slip skirt. Great for parties or date nights it's a great style staple for your closet. I went with my true size small. It fits great and has a comfy elastic waist. 

I was skeptical about these leggings that are touted as good as Lululemon or Athleta. But I've given them a really good test run and have owned them for 3 months and I do love them. Soft and stretchy and not super prone to attracting dog hair (IYKYK). I LOVE them. They are true to size, I ordered my usual size small in 25" length.

This insulated tumbler. It's $25, comes in a ton of colors and works just as good as YETI. Seriously! It comes with a straw top or a "coffee" style top. I'm obsessed. These would make great gifts too!

Honorable mention...

Kind of random, but I just bought this laundry detergent in Magnolia Bergamot Cedar and I'm in LOVE. The scent is very high end and nice and just a LITTLE goes a long way, which is great since we do a ton of laundry with teens.

Last month's bestsellers:

This boxy cotton sweater. I love it SO much and there are tons of color options. I went up a size to medium for a more oversized fit.

This oversized coin necklace. I get so many compliments on it and it looks designer-y for under $20.

These mules. They are comfortable.  They are SO cute and they elevate any look. I've worn them to holiday parties, for date nights or just for everyday wear. They work with dresses OR jeans. Truly a wardrobe work horse.

This sweater has been a top seller for several months. It's soft (no itch!) and so chic and goes with everything. I went up a size to medium... you will not be disappointed in this cutie!

holiday pjs!

 If you haven't snagged some holiday pjs yet, now is the time! They are selling fast. Christmas Eve isn't the same without a new pair of pjs in our family. From cozy plaids and sherpa robes to the classics like navy tipped poplin pjs, there is something here for everyone. Personally, I wouldn't mind one of each! 

red plaid pj set, mixed plaid shorts set, red/white striped, white sherpa robe, navy with hearts pjs set, navy/white stripe pjs, navy/white tipped pj set, slippers, black t-shirt pjs, cozy season sweatshirt,  red plaid blanket

winter basics

When the weather turns cold and gloomy and I realized we are facing this for the next 5 months, I am always thankful for the solid basics in my closet.  For the colder months I am always trying to strike that perfect balance between cute and warm... it's not always easy and there are definitely times when you just have to throw cute out the window! But I find that having warm coats, cozy soft sweaters and some great scarves and mittens help keep the cold at bay while hopefully looking presentable (except for dog walks, I usually look like the abominable snowman for those, cuteness is straight out the window!). Today I pulled together some really gorgeous basics that make facing the harsh winter days a little easier and more stylish! Hopefully...

cream cable knit sweater, camel sweater, oversized black sweater, Demi boot jeans, black sweater blazer, black puffer coat, ribbed scarf, cable knit hat, beige belted coat, beige laced boots, sneakers, black jeans, mittens

holiday family memories with Shutterfly!

 This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

Creating our yearly Christmas card is one of my favorite holiday traditions. Some years we go super casual and just snap a quick family selfie and other years we go all out with a professional photographer. This year with limited time that the four of us all are together and available we went with a photoshoot somewhere in between by taking a tripod and my phone camera to the woods to get our 2022 holiday family photo.  The point being: it can be fancy or not, but you will never regret taking the time to all be in one place at one time and to snap a photo to remember this year and this moment with your family. I have every Christmas card we have ever sent since my son was born (18 years ago!) and I just LOVE looking through them each year. They give me goosebumps and to be honest make me a little teary eyed. Some years it took major bribing to get the kids to smile and well, sometimes it still takes some bribing to get the teens to smile too! But it's always so worth it.

Today I am partnering with Shutterfly to share our families Christmas card for 2022. Shutterfly makes it easy (and fun!) to share your family memories from 2022 with all your friends and loved ones this season. The Shutterfly website is so easy to use - choose a holiday card design, upload your photos and voila! They even offer return address labels, pre-addressed envelopes and tons of fun add ons like colorful envelope inserts and personalization to make your cards unique and special. 

Right now you can use code: SHOPSTYLEGOOD for an extra 5% off your Shutterfly order and get to designing your holiday memories this year with just a few clicks!