winter essentials

I hope you're all keeping warm!  I'm longing for the weekend when I don't have to get changed out of my cozy PJ's or a soft cable knit and boots.
I can't wait to snuggle up with my book and have no where to be.  How is it we just had two holidays and I'm already ready for a vacation!?  Anyone else with me?

These are the days that I reach for my "old trusties", the closet favorites, staples even.  
I made the resolution last year to upgrade my wardrobe; investing in quality over quantity.  I went through my closet this weekend to do a purge and discovered I only have one item to get rid of - success.  I now love and adore nearly my entire closet.  There are, of course, pieces that I own that don't get as much love as they deserve, but I still couldn't part with them as I do wear them!  

Are you finding you're wearing the same ole thing over and over?  Is it a winter thing?

meow statement

coat, jeans and booties - old navy 

similar coat style here, here

Back to the grind big time this week.  The first full week of work and dance class starts (weather permitting).  It's also my first week back to 100% paleo lifestyle and going to the gym.   Hopefully the weather permits that as well.  

I'm linking up today for the Trend Spin with Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas and their guest host The Parlor Girl.  

Coats is the game, so I pulled out my favorite leopard print car coat.  Using this as the statement and interest piece of my outfit I tailored it a bit with a chunky belt.   

Next week is scarves - feel free join! 

time to remix

coat - h&m // sweater - gap // jeans - gap // shoes - old navy // necklace - old navy

Today I'm linking up with Fizz and Frosting and Living in Yellow for Mix it Mondays.  A linkup for remixing is perfect for me this time of year (and maybe you, too!) since I'm not shopping (dum, dum dahmmmmm).   

Although this sweater is new, you've seen that h&m coat here, and here. 

You've also seen these jeans here (pre hole in the knee and ass) and here

Since said holes have arrived I try to keep the wearing to the weekends.  A trip to the tailor is soon to come because I cannot part with these babies.  

This sweater is so luxurious at a price I couldn't pass up (pre shopping ban, of course) while Gap was having their big winter sale plus an additional 40% off.   The cut is perfection and the fabric being a cotton cashmere blend, luscious.   You will be seeing a few new pieces that I purchased in December but I will be taking part in the infamous #2014closetremixchallenge join the party on Instagram!

Or, see how I mix it up here each week! 

weekend inspiration

image sources found on my Style Inspiration Pinterest Board

On Saturday's I want to share with you my favorite pins from the week.  Looks I'm inspired by, or would like to recreate out of my own pieces.   

These three looks are definitely re-creatable for me.  Let's break them down; 

1. Chunky sweater and midi skirt.  Hmm, I have a midi dress that I could easily put a sweater over, boom.

2.  Leather moto, graphic tee, torn jeans.   I'm a little sad I didn't scoop that J.Crew shirt up while it was on sale, in my size and pre-shopping freeze.  This look is super easy to recreate! 

3. I've been pinning different ways to wear my tutu skirt I purchased for my 30th bash.  A full a-line goes great dressed down with a striped tee and denim jacket.  

You may be seeing a few of these looks around here soon! 

...

Sometimes I'm only a weekend blog reader, too.  Here's what you may have missed around here... 

Monday I shared with you a snip-it of my 30th birthday bash!

Tuesday I recapped my favorite looks from 2013

Wednesday we spoke about resolutions and plans I have for AT40BF in 2014

Thursday I shared a story from my college days

Friday I shared how I throw together healthy meals and an at home workout

healthy and safe weekend!

*NEW FEATURE* fitness friday!

Who made a resolution to get to the gym more often or be a healthier version of you? This weekly feature is for you!   I wanted to show you how easy it is to not only get in a great workout at home with minimal equipment and a recipe to go along with it.   Since we are just coming off of the Holidays the "recipe" isn't really all that impressive, but I don't really do fancy all that often.  I just try to change it up so that I don't get tired of the same ole chicken dish or what not.    I wanted to share all things I make with you, though.  Just because this dish isn't glamorous doesn't mean it isn't quick, easy, inexpensive and healthy! 

This Chair Workout I found on Pinterest is great for you busy mom's, students, anybody! 

I typically always have veggies, a white onion, garlic and some kind of meat to sauté together.  

I use sunflower oil because it's inexpensive and natural.  Vegetable Oil is typically soy which doesn't fall under my Paleo Diet restrictions so I tend to stay away from it.  If you switched to this you wouldn't even taste a difference.  I use it for sautéing and for salad dressings.

Depending on how many people you have eating with you dice your white onion and sauté in the sunflower oil. 

While the onions are cooking I cut up the broccoli, cauliflower and a clove of garlic.  Again, the quantity depends on how many you have eating with you.   I'm usually eating alone or with one other, so I don't make very much at a time. 

A rotissary chicken is a great way to keep quick meat/protein in the fridge.  My grocery store charges about $5-$6 and I usually get a few meals out of it.  I use these for soup, salad, and to toss into veggies. 

I diced the chicken breast and tossed it into the pan with my veggies to heat it. 

I usually add one turn on the grinder of salt and two turns of pepper

Once all the veggies are cooked to your liking and chicken is heated plate your food and enjoy!  I added a garnish of salsa for a little added flavor and spice!

Enjoy!

old friends | new times

sweater - american eagle (old) // chambray - old navy // tee - target // necklace - old navy // jeans - old navy // boots - sorel

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful New Year's!  I woke up in my parents house yesterday after a fab night in with friends and family.  It was so, so nice to have a relaxing New Year's Eve for once and not a crazy chaotic mess.  Although, those are fun too! 

I joined a gym this past week so I took a gander over there and got a workout in.  I am going to start lifting a little bit more again, I miss it.  Yes, I was once a gym rat and enjoy a good deadlift.  

After lunch yesterday I ventured out in the cold to meet an old and dear friend.  My lovely Anna-Banana was in town and I haven't seen her in well, too long.  It was a blast from the past and felt like we could pick up where we left off.  Her and I went to college together for vocal performance.  I don't know if you know anything about music majors, but they pretty much like to drink Blue Whales and play obscure instruments at 3am.  Or, at least that's what we did.   Some of the best times in my life were with that lady and I'm so happy we've gotten back in touch.  

Do you ever lose touch with people and then wish you hadn't?  

Hope you have a thoughtful Thursday!

twenty fourteen

coat - h&m // sweater - old navy // cords - old navy // boots - american eagle // bag - michael kors

read more. 

save more. 

learn more. 

That is my resolution.   This and along with the things I have planned for my tiny space on the internet, I'd like to commit to sharing more with you.   To take the time to tell you more stories of my insane life, it's quite funny!  Since the holidays have begun I've been quite lazy about my presence here and that is changing.  I rather love this little space, the friends I've made and the style journey I'm on.   

Here is some of what I have planned:

Linking up on Mondays for a remix challenge - I'm a huge fan of remixing one's own closet and in an effort to keep with resolution numero dos and save more money, I will be attempting to "not shop" (I know I've said this before) until  spring.  Now let's think about this; I don't need anything until the snow melts and it's time to bust out the spring wear.  

I want to feature more Paleo and Healthy Recipes; this is tough because I often "whip" up things with what I have in my house, they turn out great and I've not taken any photos of the process.    I want to try to share more of these with you.  A healthy lifestyle is easy given the tools.  

This will also lead into the new weekly feature "Fitness Friday" this will replace the weekend workouts and I'm a sucker for a good alliteration.  I will feature a workout and a recipe.  

The Happiest of New Year's to you all!  Thank you for stopping by and reading and commenting daily!  

Cheers to 2014!