Faux Fur Vest & Moto Jacket: 4 Tips For Choosing/Using A Word Of The Year

Last week I shared with you my two focus words for the year…

THE STORY

…I didn’t go into detail in regard to how I was applying the words (intentional and discover) to my life because I plan on them being a sort of all-encompassing theme for the year if that makes sense.

I realize that we are only 8 days into the new year, but so far using the words as my guide, I’ve made some pretty positive changes in several areas. The changes weren’t forced like I typically felt going the resolution route; they were more organic and hence more meaningful.

It started small, and in a most unusual place…my underwear drawer…hey, a girl’s gotta start somewhere right? While putting away laundry it occurred to me that my drawer had way too many of those underwear; you all know what I’m talking about, those ratty old beater pairs that you keep around “just in case”. Just in case of what I do not know, but regardless, there they were eating up valuable real estate in my drawer. So I threw every single pair of them away. Why not have a drawer full of the nice underwear that I love as opposed to back ups that were beyond hope? Seriously girls, there’s no such thing as vintage panties. The same thing applied to the sock drawer…the makeup case…and the Christmas ornaments. Anything that I didn’t love, that I was holding onto out of habit or some weird unspoken reason in my head…out it went.

I made a point to spend quality time with a few of my girlfriends. We talked, we laughed, we enjoyed each other’s company. Every single day I write a few things in my planner/journal about my day, and I am so loving writing again. I’ve been making the bed and straightening up the house each day so that it doesn’t pile up on me. I scheduled a professional photo shoot for my birthday in March. And here’s the one big balls to wall thing that I did…I reserved and paid for a condo in Key West for a family vacation with my husband and kids this Summer! You guys, that one is huge; we have not been on a proper vacation since 2008. And that is primarily because like I said in last week’s post, I have been living my life haphazardly. I’ve merely been existing, and that quite simply, is no longer good enough.

If you have thought about trying a word of the year and were perhaps unsure of how that would work, allow me to give you some advice based on my experience…

1. Choose the word(s) very carefully. Choose a word based on changes that you would like to see in your life. Choose a word that matters to you…a word that resonates on a deeper level.
2. Then spend time with the word in your head; think about the ways it might guide you to where you want to go.
3. Write/post the word in places that you will see it often. My words are written in a number of places in my planner. I even got all fancy and used stickers in my planner spelling the words out on the inside cover. I also have quote stickers throughout my planner that are based on my words. I take just a minute each day to look through them.
4. Put your word into practice in an organic, not forced, way. Allow your word to just flow naturally into your daily activities and it will guide you in the direction that you need to go.

Like I said last week, a word of the year might not be for everyone and that’s perfectly okay. You might be thinking it’s all mumbo jumbo and that’s okay too. It works for me and that’s what’s important to me. But if it’s something that you think might help you to get yourself on the right track, then what are you waiting for? Give it a try, you’ve got nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.

THE OUTFIT

This months Ageless Style Link Up theme comes from my friend Jennie…“Faux Fur” was her styling idea of choice and I couldn’t have been happier. I love me some faux fur in the Winter as evidenced by my pink fur coat, my fur trimmed denim jacket, my fur trimmed puffer coat, and my leopard print faux fur which I just realized (and I’m not sure how this is even a thing) has never made the blog. You can be sure I’ll remedy that right directly.

Anyhow, I didn’t want to take the easy route with this prompt so I thought outside of the box and layered my outerwear; faux fur vest over moto jacket. If you’ve never tried that you should; layering your outerwear not only provides additional warmth, but it really ups the style factor of whatever you’re wearing.

The rest of the look is comprised of even more layers. A black thermal button down layered over a lace cami…over the knee boots layered over skinny jeans…it’s like layer-palooza around here. Layering is one of the easiest tricks to add a little spark to an everyday look. Layering can be done all year ’round, but for those of us in the colder regions it’s especially useful in the Fall and Winter.

THE TIP

In the Winter our outerwear is not only what we wear the most, but it’s also oftentimes the only thing that others see in regard to our outfit. That being the case, have fun with your outerwear. Layer denim jackets over chunky cardigans, fur vests over jackets or coats or maybe a try a denim jacket layered under one of your lighter weight Winter coats.

THE LINKUPS

Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas… BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND LINK UP WITH MYSELF AND MY LOVELY CO-HOSTS FOR THIS MONTHS AGELESS STYLE LINK UP!!

Vest: Kohls (Similar);  Jacket: Blank NYC (Similar);  Boots: Amazon;  Jeans: JCPenney (Similar);  Top: JCPenney;  Cami: Nasty Gal