SWEATER ROUND UP...before they're gone!

Between my more serious posts about breast cancer awareness and freezing my eggs, I’m squeezing in a fun, light one. Sizes and colors are going fast… here we go! Y’ALL - all sweaters are $35 or under!!

I’m wearing a small. It looks tight around my waist, but it’s not. I’m holding it up here; there’s some room there. This is so soft and comes in 4 colors and is $35!! (Might be even lower today??) I’m contemplating the black, too. Or white! But this blush is a favorite color of mine. I put this up on stories asking if looked too much like a “mom style!” Well, I AM a mom, so… I guess it works. Wearing them here with my Leopard Rothys. No secret how much I’ve loved these (washable, comfortable and made of recycled materials!). Really love the slightly puffy sleeves cause they balance out my hips (see close up photo below). Every time I show this cross body wallet/phone case, I get asked about it. So, linking it today. It’s $21 and has held up perfectly (with abuse!) for over 18 months.

This sweater is under $30! Sooo soft. It comes in several colors and color-blocks. As of this morning, this color was gone, but is coming back in stock. I like the yellow and peachy-pink, too. BUT they have THIS COLOR in the turtleneck for $29!! Look how pretty below!

These two below are ONLY $20! I added one of them to get to free shipping in my target cart. I’ve worn them both a few times now. Very comfortable and soft. Not itchy, which I was concerned about. The leopard print looks exactly like the Rachel Parcel one (more expensive)! I am showing you below.

I love grey! Variations of grey (maybe not 50 shades;) but we can start with two!

And last one above is on Amazon Prime. I LOVE this affordable turtleneck and adding it to my PRIME DAY cart tonight. Also looking at the Instapot. Who has one? Do I really need it? I used to do a ton of slow cooking, but lost my slow cooker in the divorce. Oh well… I could get this one for $79 on prime day, I think. Thoughts?

xoxo

AAJ

Winter Solstice and US

Y’all… it’s been fun putting up some posts and getting your comments about holiday traditions, shopping and baking (more to come, too), but I want to address something on a serious note. Today seems like a good day because it’s Winter Solstice. Today is the shortest day of sunlight and longest night of darkness; a rebirth of the sun. After posting about going through a divorce, I received a lot of private DMs. I did get back to some of you, but comments kept coming. I thought I would write to each of you right here. 

First of all, I’m grateful you all are sharing. The holidays are so wonderfully chaotic for some, and for others can be brutally lonely and overwhelmingly emotional. I think what is the hardest for some of you (based on what I’m reading) is that this is not the holiday we THOUGHT we would have. The unmet expectations are translating as failure and disappointment in our minds. Although our feelings are valid, they are not always accurate. Feelings are not facts. 

This note is for those of you that told me you find yourselves suddenly single parents this holiday. Being a single parent is never how we imagined life, but here we are. And we will be okay. 

To the one that told me she didn’t know if she could survive this transition of divorce this Christmas, you will. I promise, you will. This season of heartache will pass. For all of us.

To the single mommies out there trying to scrape up money for Christmas, blessings to you.
Let’s not forget all our children really need is us. Our attention. Our love. 

To those of you that are suffering health wise or have loved ones not well, let’s pray for strength and healing. 

And to those of you that have opened up about missing loved ones, my heart aches for you. 

For those of you that were hoping so deeply to have a child of your own this holiday, I understand.

To all of you that told me you are in a relationship you know you need to leave immediately, yet feel you cannot, I understand that, too.

I don’t have the answers. I do pray and talk to God. I’ve had to shift my perspective. I was holding on to “what could have been.” It’s best to let that go. Grieve what could have been, then focus on “what is” and focus on the next step to being YOUR best self and being the best mommy/daddy.  What can WE do today to make tomorrow better? I wrote about how cathartic workouts are for me and encourage you all to find the time. I 110% believe that and know that, but I’ve let life get in the way recently and it’s hard to stay on schedule right now. Let’s all just be gentle with ourselves today. On the darkest night of the year, the lights will shine the brightest. Tomorrow, the sun will surely come up. And it will stay out longer giving us a sense of renewal and regeneration.

As the saying goes, scars have the power to remind us that our past is real. Whether your relationship or situation gave you physical scars or emotional scars or (like me) both, remember that those scars are landmarks in time. And you will one day look at those scars, as I will too, and see how they have faded. You will see how far you’ve come.

I know it’s not comfortable to comment publicly on instagram, so DM is easier. I’m brainstorming on how to connect all of us in a way that feels safe and supportive. I love this blog, but it’s not one location … there are different blog posts where people comment and it’s not possible to read all the comments as a community at once.

Find the joy in life today if you can. My little boy is playing in his room with his Nana and Papa. My heart is full. For those hurting today, consider yourself hugged and this bouquet of flowers is for you. You are not alone. We can turn our tragedy into treasure together.

Rare Moments (and leopard prints)

Hi! Jotting down a few lines before I head out for the day. After seeing how crazy fast the green sweater is selling out I posted about earlier this week. I wanted to share some of my favorite sweaters before they starts to sell out, too. I have received the DMs about the green sweater. I will let y'all know as soon as I hear it's been restocked. Fingers crossed. 

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This cardigan sweater caught my eye. So glad I snagged it. I love the color scheme and the way the blue pops. I paired it with jeans, a white tee and boots for a casual look, but it could easily be dressed up, too. I'm wearing the same earrings I wore earlier in the week...the delicate threaded hoops for only $28.

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side note: I just read in the comments this sweater is already selling out (!). I added this note:

Ugh! How did it sell so fast? When I posted this they had EVERY size. Ok.... first of all, I just checked my sweater. It's a 2. I saw that it looks like it runs small, but in my opinion, I liked the size I got (and I usually wear a 2-4, sometimes 6!). But, since it's more of a cardigan, I think there's some wiggle room there in sizing.
Great thing is there are free returns!! I also found it HERE  (free shipping both ways). It comes in tall and petite on that website.
BTW- (giving a lot of info here) that site works best with chrome. Safari sometimes does't work well. (you could cut and paste to put in chrome if need be).

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Joel and I had a very rare moment without kids to say goodbye before he left for work. It looks so posed, but it was actually real, or at least started out that way discussing schedules for the next few days. Life gets busy before the holidays!

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I had just given him this new messenger bag that doubles as a diaper bag for dads. He loves it. For those moms that would like a gift for dad this holiday--- this is a great one from Petunia Pickle Bottom. His laptop fits perfectly (along with all his other stuff he totes around, too). 

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all photos by @Ographr

Got a lot going on today... what's up with you guys? Have a great Thursday!

OPEN BACK SHIRTS AND OVERSIZED SCARVES...great gift ideas!

If you've been following my blog lately, you'd know how much I love pieces with a surprise element. For instance, this comfy, long sleeve tee has the open back that adds interest and something unique, but feels modest enough to still be classy. For $35, it makes a great gift, too.  It's also longer in the back so I feel comfortable wearing my go-to leggings (which are actually called GO-TO leggings! I'm not the only one that relies on them- read the reviews HERE!).  I'm also wearing one of the items that I'm adding to my holiday gift guide. THIS SCARF is SOOOO soft and scrumptious. It comes in several colors & patterns and makes an awesome gift (no one would guess it's only $25). For nursing moms, there's nothing better than having a scarf nearby if need be. 

For a little bit of bling, I added these blush colored earrings from Baublebar. The clutch (only $25) has been another staple of mine lately (See post HERE); there's a fun leopard print lining inside, too. I'm working on the holiday gift guide, so stay tuned! And, I added some of my favorite, affordable scarves below- so happy shopping, and happy Saturday! 

xo ASHLEY