Mid-Week Yap Sesh
Ralph Lauren Christmas round-up, the book I'm currently reading, a luxury hotel I can get you big savings at, and the future of my style influencing career ... xx
Hey friends! This past weekend was filled to the brim and with the small bit of time I set aside to get a few work things done … I prioritized the November Lookbook instead of the usual weekly newsletter. Hopefully that was the right choice, ha! Hope you’re loving the inspiration there so far!
But, since I still like doing a weekly newsletter, and because I bookmarked so many things to mention in it, I thought I’d share a mid-week catch-up. I might not be able to cover everything because I am ferociously writing this before going to get Louie but I’ll cover the rest in Sunday’s newsletter! Alright, let’s go!
A Link List To Love
This section of the newsletter is quickly becoming my favorite to curate. It’s a way for me to share little bits and bobs that have stood out to me over the week and connect with you on! Hope you like this one as I feel like there were so many things I bookmarked:
+ Anyone else do a deep dive on Jennifer Aniston’s new boyfriend when she hard-launched him? Me too. We gotta make sure our girl is with a good one and, wow … he seems like a winner!
+ Was it ever a question that Jonathan Bailey would be named Sexiest Man Alive? The answer is no. Well done, PEOPLE.
+ Did you guys catch the Wicked Special this past weekend? Ugh, my heart! I was definitely choked up hearing their version of For Good.
+ As a Beckham family fan, I was happy to see the King knighted David Beckham last week in Windsor.
+ Shocked to say I am kind of into this baggy jeans tucked into suede boots trend.
+ I just got some Flamingo Estate candles in the mail and … wow, incredible! Great gift for your bestie or a great friend who loves to host.
+ One of the properties I have on my list to visit in 2026 is The Dunlin in South Carolina, an Auberge property just outside of Charleston. I just got some intel that they are offering major discounts right now and, when you book with me, you’ll be treated like royalty with VIP perks. Message me here and we’ll get you booked.
+ Love this sweater and skirt set for the holidays! So affordable and cute.
+ Just picked up this book by Brianna Wiest & knew it was going to everything I need to hear on the brink of stepping into a new career
+ I just got this fun Christmas tree quilt to go on Louie’s bed. I couldn’t resist the price. Pairing it with these LandsEnd sheets. I’m not sure they’re going to match but … going to give it a go & see anyway.
+ Did everyone else also feel like this was a year of shedding or was it just me? From a numerology perspective, I am in a personal year 9 [the last number before it goes back to 1 so it signifies completion, shedding what’s old, etc] so maybe that’s why but I am ready for the Year of the Horse. You guys know I love my astrology and numerology hah
+ How gorgeous is this jewelry and keepsake box? More gifts for her HERE.
+ Did you catch The Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer? It debuted today, Anne Hathaways birthday .. so fun!
+ This post was so incredibly comforting to me.
+ Any other mama’s with ADHD feel like this tracks completely. Makes me feel less crazy…
Fancy A Ralph Lauren Christmas?
I don’t know what it is but, there’s a part of me that’s like … is it really a Ralph Lauren Christmas that we are all craving or is it just simply a traditional Christmas? For so many years, more modern trends have been at the forefront and, I think for a lot of us, we just want to go back to a Home Alone-esque Christmas, ha. Anyone else with me on this? Although, I do agree … Ralph Lauren does that traditional red and green Christmas oh-so-well.
Okay okay, I digress … let me share a little round-up of ultra-traditional Christmas pieces that have stood out to me as I’ve been perusing my favorite sites this season.
silver frame // deep red ruffle apron // ralph’s coffee beverage server // bow tree topper // deep red pillow covers // gorgeous red floral crockery [I may put this on my Christmas list, tbh!] // red velvet bow garland // linen advent calendar // deep red taper candlesticks // balsam diffuser // navy & crimson plaid teddy bear wrapping // decorative bells
or … simply shop it all [and more] HERE
Update: ByHeart Formula
From what I understand, the investigation is still ongoing and the advice to dispose of all of your ByHeart formula continues to be the advice that still stands. I honestly feel so bad for ByHeart because their product hasn’t even been proven to be the cause of the 15 cases [out of the 83] of infant botulism. I really respect that, even though it could cost them their entire business, they are airing on the side of caution for the safety of little ones. I feel like that says so much about the people behind the company. I really hope, obviously, that all the babies affected are okay and regain their health because, wow, I just can’t imagine. Nothing is as scary as a little one that isn’t well.
We decided to switch to Bobbie and, so far, he is tolerating it well. I had a few of you ask how he’s tolerating the new formula we chose so, wanted to give you an update there! I’ll keep you updated on if anything changes but so far, it seems like a really good switch for us. They’re currently offering a bit of a deal on new customers’ first order — which is nice considering a lot of their new customers just had to throw a lot of formula, and money, away — so be sure to take a look if you’re in the market for a new formula: if you order a 2 can starter bundle, you get half off the price + free probiotic drops.
In full transparency, I was approached by Bobbie a few weeks ago when I saw and complimented their Cardi B campaign to try their product and I politely declined because we have been loving ByHeart. With the current advice being what it is, I decided to buy Bobbie for ourselves so, we purchased two cans ourselves. They then reached again and kindly offered to send us a complimentary can so, I agreed. I share all of this because, I never want you to think that I am promoting a company because I purchased something for free, especially something like baby formula. I personally did a lot of research on both ByHeart and Bobbie and both honestly checked out in my book about equal. So, just my two cents there!
New Holiday Looks Incoming
For the first time ALL YEAR, I shot some outfit looks with the photographer that originally took my outfit photos back in 2013, Miguel. It was so fun shooting with him again. It’s crazy the journey that that endeavor put me on — everyone thought I was so weird to take photos of my outfits and share them on Instagram and the entire internet but, had I not ignored all of that … I wouldn’t have some of the most important blessings in my life or discovered my deepest passions. It’s proof that you should never play it safe and do the thing that everyone thinks you should do because it’s the responsible thing to do. Bet on yourself and do the scary thing. I still have quite a few scary things I can foresee me doing in the future to get to the dream life me and John both envision for our family but, I won’t let fear get in the way.
Okay, so back to shooting … I shot six looks and I’m so excited to share them with you all very soon. It was kind of bittersweet shooting today because, next year, I am committed to leaving behind how I’ve done business since I started my LLC back in 2014, venturing into a whole new industry and service suite as my main focus and, along with it, a whole new operational system. I am both terrified and excited and, as much as I’ve loved focusing on helping you all create a wardrobe you’ve loved over the years, it is time for me to not just talk the talk but walk the walk. Since I started traveling a lot back in 2016/2017, I’ve preached how much more valuable experiences are than things and I pumped for my business to start really reflecting that.
My goal moving forward is to only prioritize shooting looks when I travel because, honestly, that’s when I love it the most and feel really lit up by the idea of it. And, although I’ve always been quite discerning with the paid partnerships I enter into, I am going to be even moreso now as I won’t have the capacity to fulfill as many as I have in the past with my focus on my travel clients.
BUT, I am incredibly grateful to have some incredible partners this holiday season. I am loving the pieces I have purchased and been gifted from them recently & can’t wait to share them all with you in the coming weeks. They’re all going to be offering some incredible discounts and deals so I’m looking forward to providing some great outfit inspiration and discounts for you to enjoy. Many of the items I styled today are pieces that I personally see myself wearing in multiple ways and will likely style for y’all again and again so, stay tuned!
Festive Finds At Target
We didn’t bring loads of holiday decor over from the UK so I’m definitely in the market for some festive decorative finds. I likely won’t be spending too much this year but it was fun to round up things I’d like to buy if I could. I rounded up green finds and red finds that I’ve recently spotted at Target … you can find the red ones over on my ShopMy.
Head to my ShopMy to shop all of these goodies and see the red round-up!
Alright, friends! Thanks for letting me check-in with you mid-week! Hope your week has gone well! I know the weather has been a bit crazy in most places. Hope I’m annoying when I say I’ve been loving it here in Florida — it’s been beautiful, sunny and cold. I wish it was like this more often!
Chat with you over on IG tomorrow! xo.