Style Diary — Grey, Black, a Sale, & Some Thoughts

Happy Friday friends! I am so happy it's Friday! This week has been a rough one. Aside from being away all weekend, I got sick, which left me feeling very behind and slightly overwhelmed. I even took off of work Monday, but that didn't seem to help. I sat on our couch feeling too guilty over the mounds of work I had to do to go sleep, yet too nauseous to move around or think clearly enough to write emails and actually get work done. I was really frustrated. Not only because I couldn't be productive, but because I couldn't just rest. (I'm starting to realize that I don't do a very good job of separating work from rest and having balance there... Even when R & I are watching a show together before going to bed at night, I'm usually editing pictures, responding to emails, or trying to skim an informative article...need to work on that!!) I continued to be annoyed the past few days when I would wake up not feeling great, thinking about how much I had to do and how not feeling well was going to get in the way of that. I even started to feel really bad about myself, thinking I was a bad wife for being grumpy and not cooking much, a bad pianist/accompanist for not practicing enough, a bad friend for not keeping in touch better, a bad style blogger for eating junk food and not working out or sleeping enough. (and then my face consequently exploding in zits. yay.).... I could go on.

I got more grumpy and depressed as the week went on, until I was doing some much-needed Bible and Spurgeon reading yesterday. I finally started to realize that not being/being able to be productive should not have made me feel so frustrated or bad about myself. And it finally clicked why it had: I was finding my worth, or at least part of it, in being productive. In our society, being busy or productive is glorified. Gosh, I almost feel like I have to say 'busy' when someone asks 'how are you' or 'how's life', because if I'm not busy, then what am I doing with my life?? Not enough, obviously! But that's not the case. While yes, it's so good, and good for you, to work hard and do great things and be the best you can, for others, God, yourself, your career... But it's also extremely important to take time to rest, enjoy the blessings in life, and invest in yourself & others. I don't need to be productive to matter, to be acceptable, to be lovable, to deserve rest. In fact, we don't need to be anything to deserve those things. While being productive may give me peace of mind that I checked some things off my list, it certainly can't give me peace with myself or peace in my soul. Only being right with myself and right with God can do that.

I don't often get very personal here, as this space is supposed to be for style tips, finds, inspiration, ect. And I understand that some people come here for just that, not because they care about my week or life at all. And that's totally fine! But I wanted to share a little bit more this week, in case it might touch or encourage someone who is feeling like they're not enough or they need to be something to have value. <3

Now, onto this outfit... I am just in love with this sweater and these boots! Continuing with the theme of self-reflection, but on a lighter note, I'm starting to realize how much grey I own, and how much I like the color! Especially with black and/or blush! (insert heart eyesssss) I got both the sweater and boots at the Lord & Taylor sale last week, and somehow, I've already worn them a couple of times since (teaching has turned me into such an outfit repeater!! but it's great! my Tuesday students have no idea what I wore on Monday! ;) ). The sweater is so soft and comfy, and the boots are the perfect height with just the right amount of roominess around your ankles! And they are 25% off as part of the Lord & Taylor Friends & Family Sale, which is going till October 24th. Also, I already wrote more in a post about NY&Co's jeans/jeggings, but seriously they're great. Just the fact that their petite length is short enough for me is enough to make me fall in love! Not to mention that they're super comfy and almost always on sale.

Also, how chic are these sunnies!? I love the style and how they're all silver!!! And I am obsessed with these marble earrings! Both are from Ilymix.com and are under $20. And to top it off, you can use code 'Laurelle20' for an extra 20% off!! They also have some great blanket scarves and other marble jewelry that I'm eyeing up!

I hope you enjoyed today's post, even though it was a bit longer than usual! I'd love to hear your thoughts; if you liked it being longer/deeper or not, if you can relate, or even just have tips on maintaining that work/life balance! :) Everything is linked below; along with 2 product sliders- one with other options for creating this look and another with some of my favorites from the L&T sale!

xx,

JordanLaurelle