Lilies & Lace

09/18/2021

Which outfit for a casual, very humid and slightly stormy weekend?

I have started transitioning into my fall color pallet and currently enjoying greens and grays.

What’s your favorite weekend style?

Whatever your plans are, hoping you find some productivity, pleasure and peace in your weekend!

09/06/2021

Well I’m here.

I made it back.

I did not intend to take a 3 month break. There were so many times I thought of posting my summer packing tips, a cute outfit I had on or the items I bought to transition back to work.

But I needed a pause - time to just be in the moment, to focus the extra minutes I could scrounge on schoolwork, exercise, reading, family and friends.

I gave myself the grace to remember a pause, a reset, an “I’ll try again later” is OK.

There are so many times in our life we need to hit “pause”. Whether it’s our eating habits, exercise or a relationship. Sometimes walking away for a bit is the exact remedy we need to evaluate and realign to come back fresh and anew.

I am so glad you’re still here to continue our journey for intentional fashion, mindful living and a positive slice of life in this crazy, unpredictable world.

Happy Labor Day Friends!

08/31/2021

06/05/2021

I recently listened to a podcast about beauty vs body positivity (love her)

The podcast did not discuss these one against the other but as more of a synchronous unit. I LOVED this concept and it got me thinking of my own interpretation of beauty and my (very long) journey towards body positivity.

Here are my thoughts:

✨ We feel positive about our bodies when we nurture them through exercise, mindful eating (not diets) and rest. In turn, we feel beautiful. No matter how busy you are there is an opportunity to make and take time for all.

✨ We feel beautiful when we wear clothes that match our personal style (not trend), favorite color (not seasonal feature) and perfect fit (not size). In turn, we feel positive about how our bodies feel in the style we desire.

✨ We feel positive about our bodies when we let go of all the imperfections we see in ourselves and focus on the features that make us radiate. In turn, we are beautiful because we are confident.

Finally, talk up (not about) other woman. More importantly let this be the positive dialogue we instill in our young girls💗 Compliment not just appearance but the qualities we admire: intelligence, creativity, grit, kindness, compassion and resilience (there are so many more).

So this weekend, whether it’s doing an extra yoga session, adding a new staple item that you love to your closet (I’m working on a bathing suit/cover-up combo) or meeting up with the friends that make you smile brighter, do something to focus entirely on your body-positive, beautiful self.

Have an exceptional one friends ✨

05/30/2021

Messy hair and don’t care!

Special cheers to all the educators out there! Cheers to all the teachers, staff, administrators who showed up adjusted and did what your students needed. Find time to celebrate persevering through all this year has required of you and the people who have endured along with you.

As normalcy returns, this month has been a whirlwind of birthdays, recitals, tournaments, due dates and celebrations.

If I’m being honest “keeping it simple” was not an option and these past few weeks have not lent themselves minimizing much of anything and noticeably I have fallen short on devotion to blogging time.

It’s in moments like these that we need to practice grace with ourselves.

Remembering. . .

✨ It’s ok to take a time-out from one thing because others NEED your attention

✨ It’s ok to get the rest you NEED instead of burning the candle on both ends

✨It’s ok that maybe your closet, your home, your intentions for simplicity are paused because your work, your children, your body NEEDS your energy.

Practice grace for what has passed and start anew when your ready.

Hoping your weekend is full with the excitement of a renewed energy!

05/19/2021

AND ✅

I have officially evaluated my ENTIRE workdrobe!

This navy jacket is my last questionable piece:

It appears to be a simple staple but in reality the eyelets make it difficult to match with a lot of things and I struggled to come up with an outfit this morning, but managed to pull it together 😉

There’s satisfaction in knowing I truly enjoy all the clothes in my workdrobe and am excited to cycle back through them, only replacing as needed.

Whether it be our workdrobes or weekend wear (dresses up next on Wednesdays) simplistic fashion is about what you want out of it. It is not a one size fits all.

Undeniably, when only items you love are organized in your closet, you save time in your day and feel self-assured in your style.

For more workdrobe advice, check out my blog 9 to 5 series https://liliesandlace11.wixsite.com/website/post/the-9-to-5-series-part-1-the-rule

Keep slaying it friends 😎

05/17/2021

I actually felt more espresso-ish this AM . . .

Maybe it was the beautiful weekend weather?

Maybe it was the fresh pot of coffee the hubby had brewing when I woke up?

Maybe it’s the 20 minute yoga session I snuck in before work?

Maybe it’s the visible light at the end of the tunnel we have all been traveling through this past year?

Whatever the stimulant, I’m starting the week with an accelerated zest and chose today’s outfit to reflect my s***k.

Black: always
Pink top: bright, cute, comfy
Animal print heels: perfecto 👌

Let your closet be an expression of you and only keep/purchase clothes that personify the style you desire.

What style do you desire? What do you want the world to see?

Know it.

Dream it.

Be it.

Have a sensational week friends ✨

https://liliesandlace11.wixsite.com/website

05/12/2021

Want to love your closet?

Tip #1-100 eliminate clutter.

For all of you purging along with me, you are most likely gaining momentum getting rid of any clothes that no longer have purpose or make you feel beautiful. You should be exposing and keeping only items that contribute to the style you desire.

Since I transitioned fully into my spring wardrobe, I’ve tossed 16 items AND this past month only purchased two (hat and jacket to complete the spring capsule - see blog post in bio).

In our closets, as in many aspects of our lives, when we can see what we truly enjoy, it makes us reflect on what you really need, which is often a lot less than we thought.

That is the minimalism journey I am on and so glad your here with me.

Appreciating all the feedback on Wear it or Toss it Wednesday and hoping you are joining in the fun!

(Links to jacket, hat and sandals in Spring Capsule blog post in bio)

Hoping your day is filled with little accomplishments that make a big difference!

05/09/2021

There are not enough emotional adjectives to express what being a mother is like or the gratitude we have for our own, so I will share one minor thought, one micro, yet significant way motherhood changed my interpretation of myself:

I wasted a significant amount of time in my late teens and twenties preoccupied with a body image that was blurred, thwarted and often self-loathed.

Becoming a mother changed all of that.

As I watched my body morph during pregnancy, I vowed that when I had that opportunity to be “normal” again I would be more gracious with accepting my God-given physique.

It’s not always easy, but I hope the dialogue I have with myself now is the one my daughter hears. A voice saying, “start with the beauty from within and own confidently every ounce of perfect imperfection out.”

Happy Day to all the beautiful mamas out there!

05/07/2021

Need closet inspiration?

Bored with your clothes?

Don’t know what to wear next?

When I hit a closet slump or indecisiveness prevails - I like to play a game called “wear the rainbow” 🌈

Since my closet is already categorized and color coded (tips on this in blog post linked in bio) I just pick the category I’m struggling with (work👆) and wear through the rainbow of colors.

This strategy stops me from the impulsive “I have nothing to wear” buy, sparks my style creativity and adds a little color to my world.

Which outfit is your fav?

Like, share and tag your most colorful friend below and try a few colors together this weekend.

As always shine bright friends ☀️💦🌈

05/05/2021

What do you do when you’ve had an item for a really long time?

It’s an item you like, still good quality but literally have had it in the closet rotation for YEARS? (Shout out to for your fashionable, quality products)

Ideas:

1. Wear it on Wednesday and see what the court of public opinion (or at least your fashion bestie) say - two compliments in at work and I’m convinced the top is a keeper.

2. Re-rank it. . . What’s that? When we re-rank items in our closet, we decide to change its purpose. Maybe your favorite date night top re-ranks as acceptable work wear (see above) OR maybe the sundress that has exhausted your social escapades re-ranks to a chic beach cover-up. Re-ranking changes the items purpose, not it’s value ❤️ (more to come on this concept)

3. Realize you have similar items that you like better (not the case here) and if you do . . . let . . . it . . . go.

What other closet evaluation strategies do you use?

Tag your favorite fashion friend in comments so you can follow together 👯‍♀️

Gracias and Buenas Dias Amigas!

05/04/2021

Is it really Monday?

Monday night now for that matter.

Last week was filled with lots of events and celebrations. All good, just not a lot of time left for blogging.

I had at least three posts I intended to share, including my favorite capsule outfit BUT life got the better of me.

You know what, I’m at peace with it.

Time moves quickly: it doesn’t wait, slow down or pause. It demands we embrace the significant moments when we can and don’t apologize for how we dedicate that time.

Im glad to be back in black on this Monday leading with grace, acceptance and gratitude for a weekend full of memories.

Lots of blogging to come.

Have a memorable one friends ✨