Only Looking Up

I think all of us this year have felt at some point like it’s not worth it to get ready for the day. A lot of people experienced working at home for the first time or just being at home more in general… and so I think we all went through a slump of PJs-all-day, no makeup, hair in a bun, etc. But if we don’t break out of that eventually, it can do some serious damage to our motivation and life outlook. So I want to be your personal Edna Mode for a second and just say, "Pull yourself togetha!"

When you’re just in your home, dressing for your day can lift your mood and make you feel more prepared. It’s just like the psychology behind making your bed; it can be a small way you tell yourself that you’ve got this.

Instead of staying in PJs (or sweats, or any combination thereof), pick out a pair of pants that are still comfortable. Match it with a cute top and some shoes that elevate your knees while sitting down at a desk. You can skip the makeup if you like, but a bonus is to spritz on perfume. You’ll be aware that you got ready for the day and that you smell amazing.

This is the magic to making work-from-home work for you. A 2012 study called this "enclothed cognition," where clothing such as a lab coat can be connected to a new outlook such as feeling more intelligent. The study noted that wearing specific pieces of clothing can influence a person’s psychological well being.

For those wearing masks when you go out, you’ll be showing less of your facial expressions and your makeup. Your outfit will speak more toward your self expression than ever before. And while I’ve kept my distance, I feel more bonded with strangers and friends because clothing can be a conversation piece (albeit a muffled one).

If you're spending less time with coworkers or people you know, this can be a great season to find your personal style without feeling any judgment. You can figure out which styles of clothing work for you and find your personal self expression, or just figure out how clothing can fit your frame properly.

Take photos of yourself in the clothes you already own, and reassess what matches YOU while dressing for YOURSELF. If you feel comfortable enough in wearing something around your house, then you’ll hardly notice that you’re wearing it out in public.

BTW- I did this personally. I wanted to figure out my personal style, so I posted a photo of my outfit every day. Even if I would have kept those photos just for reference on my phone, it gave me self awareness and dedicated time to assess how I want to dress myself.

IDK about you, but I hate being caught wearing my PJs past noon. Instead, part of why I get dressed is:

1. to keep my marriage hot! (I went there, folks)
2. to be that chic neighbor next door walking to the mailbox (it's the new catwalk)
3. to wave hi to the food delivery person (the hero of 2020)

These interactions still mean something, and getting dressed is a form of manners. As life gets more push-button-easy and we come in contact with fewer people, I hope that we don’t drift into apathy of just existing half asleep still wearing our sweats all day. What if instead we paid this attention to ourselves? How would that self respect ripple through our community and push into a healthier outlook?

My dream is this: fight the drift, squeeze every ounce of joy and fulfillment out of this life, and be ready for your day with a renewed sense of energy and confidence. And it all starts with getting ready in the morning.

xo, Bethany

These are the brands I have on my wishlist for the upcoming season. Some of them I have shopped from in the past that I want to revisit, while other are on my radar.

1:04 // Brand 1: Apparel https://rstyle.me/+I8PqRgOPedkWhJWnEJkb9A

- Tee I purchased from them, XS https://rstyle.me/+P0OHi7SqSCf7pM5nkEuHQg

2:28 // Brand 2: Shoes https://rstyle.me/+88XiKAJ0Xy7CrVAkLT4a8Q

- Sandal: https://rstyle.me/+R-D9L69zl1FYbjekUIuDFQ

- Boot: https://rstyle.me/+yN8NqYESmWnb9NHKj8eZSg

- Mule: https://rstyle.me/+8fKb6_SVn5qwVFUnpqtcuw

- (Similar Brand) Nisolo: https://rstyle.me/+8GlKoLUgGQcIz-gNHl559Q

4:35 // Brand 3: Beauty https://rstyle.me/+l4v3eBM1U1tl1B51nMQ71w

- Eyeshadow: https://rstyle.me/+PHXVCXidYDCUVMNgaTHG1A

- Lip & Cheek duo: https://rstyle.me/+KHRS3v_9zQtaT3wk5GrNbw

6:16 // Brand 4: Home (Splurge) http://bit.ly/luxury-linens-BN

- (Similar/Cheaper Brand): Parachute Home https://rstyle.me/+nmrVswhqGw7PAA8rvks83A

- (Similar/Cheaper Brand): Brooklinen https://rstyle.me/+iCBD2njel77VxRqE8b2yCA 

8:26 // Brand 5: Fitness https://rstyle.me/+uGVIVZ-KswCrO8g62lPGdQ

 - (Mentioned) Brittany Bathgate's channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSU1QnAmx4F1wA4cf2PSYg

- (Similar Brand) Girlfriend Collective: https://rstyle.me/+ZiC5XgqlFt1_8n7DdY2MFg

10:32 // Bonus! http://bit.ly/cgd-planners 

// Socials //

MY PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/only-looking-up/id1450961584

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  

LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dearlybethany

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany 

*Nothing about this video podcast is sponsored, and no pieces were gifted for the sake of this post. When you shop some of these items, you are supporting this channel by using affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this channel! 

// Music from Musicbed //

Musicbed Membership for Creators (get a 30-day free trial with my link): http://share.mscbd.fm/dearlybethany 

I started over on my personal style a little over 2 years ago. Before that I didn’t have anything to wear that I felt confident in or that matched. I felt like it was holding me back as a petite woman in a design field. I started over with a basic color scheme and really a capsule of just the most basic items I needed to survive that season. Each item was made with fair-trade practices and quality in mind, so I spent more on those initial pieces that I ever had spent before. I had to tell myself that I’m paying for quality and craftsmanship, and I felt pride in what they made. I took care of those pieces and I still have most of them today.

I started taking my OOTD photo every day on Instagram for a full year, and since then I’ve developed a closet that works together well. EVERYTHING matches. I no longer have cheaply made jewelry or fabrics that just fell apart on me anyway, and I did that with intention. So even though naturally I’ve expanded my collection over time, I’m never flippantly buying things that I’m going to throw away.

So 5 fashion Items I’ve started investing in:

1. High Quality Fabrics
2. Gold or Brass Jewelry
3. Higher-end Lingerie
4. Versatile Shoes
5. High Quality Purses and Bags

These investments are almost all accessories. Invest in daily higher-end items that people won’t get sick of seeing you in. If you will be interacting with many of the same people every day, then I would avoid wearing anything easily recognizable like “Oh you’re wearing the polka-dotted hoodie with the bunny ears again”. 

Investing in the right parts of your closet is important. Hopefully this is a good direction if you’re not sure where to begin. Hopefully it helps you find the best return on your wardrobe investment.

Zack joined me for the podcast today to help announce some big news in our lives. We also give very unqualified advice on relationships. :)

I love big comfy outfits, but as a petite I wanted to put together a video on how to wear oversized clothing and still have outfits that look chic... because in reality we can end up looking like a sack of potatoes if we don't follow certain guidelines. I hope these secrets and tips help with your style journey. :)

// Favorite shops for finding oversized clothing //

Free People: https://rstyle.me/n/dffej2ccmfp

Sezane: https://rstyle.me/n/dffekpccmfp

Need Supply: https://rstyle.me/n/dffek8ccmfp

Everlane: https://rstyle.me/n/dffemiccmfp

The Dreslyn: https://rstyle.me/n/dffemtccmfp

// Products Mentioned //

Boots, Sezane Size 37 (I’m usually a 36) https://rstyle.me/n/defwq6ccmfp

Doc Martens Size 6 https://rstyle.me/n/dex2zsccmfp 

Jeans, Flared, Free People Size 26: https://rstyle.me/n/de87n4ccmfp 

// Some great articles on oversized clothing //

http://harperandharley.com/2016/07/the-trick-to-wearing-oversized-clothing/

https://www.purewow.com/fashion/oversized-clothing-tips-for-petite-women

http://www.thesilksneaker.com/petite-spring-outfit-ideas/

http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2015/10/how-petites-can-wear-oversized-styles.html

Photos I used were pulled from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany/pins 

// What I’m Wearing //

Shirt, J.Crew XS https://rstyle.me/n/dbrynzccmfp

Necklace, Pamela Card Kahve 16 in http://bit.ly/PamelaCardKahve

Necklace, Pamela Card Aphrodite 22 in https://rstyle.me/n/dcdtavccmfp

Rings, Nisolo Brass  http://bit.ly/NisoloJewelry

// Socials //

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  

LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dearlybethany

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany

// Music from Musicbed //

Musicbed Membership for Creators: http://share.mscbd.fm/dearlybethany 

// Socials //

YouTube: http://youtube.com/dearlybethany

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  

LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dearlybethany

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany 

When you shop some of these items, you are supporting this podcast by using the affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me!

I love learning about artisan brands and the people behind them. Today I’m discussing the vision that each of these jewelry creators have for their craft.

Brand 5 // 0:45
Anklet https://rstyle.me/n/dfckbqccmfp
Earrings, “Anima” Hoop https://rstyle.me/n/dfckciccmfp

Brand 4 // 5:33
Earrings, Mini Bold Hoop https://rstyle.me/n/dfckgfccmfp
Earrings, Horn Hoop https://rstyle.me/n/dfckgqccmfp

Brand 3 // 9:07
Necklace, Marcel Shell https://rstyle.me/n/dfcknmccmfp
Earrings, Pearl Hoop https://www.wolfcircus.com/collections/earrings/products/small-pearl-hoops-in-gold
Earrings, Gold Baby Dune Studs https://rstyle.me/n/dfckq9ccmfp

Brand 2 // 17:04
Earrings, Diamond Stud https://rstyle.me/n/dfcn5wccmfp
Ring, Thick Stacking https://rstyle.me/n/dfcktyccmfp
Rings, Skinny Stacking Trio https://rstyle.me/n/dfckvfccmfp

Brand 1 // 20:49
Nail Polish, Himalayan Salt https://rstyle.me/n/dfcpbvccmfp
Nail Polish, Akoya (Gold) https://jhannahjewelry.com/products/akoya
Glace Drop Earrings https://jhannahjewelry.com/products/glace-drop-earrings
Ring, Glace II https://jhannahjewelry.com/products/glace-ring-ii
Oval Pinky Signet https://jhannahjewelry.com/products/oval-pinky-signet
Baroque Pearl Drop Necklace https://jhannahjewelry.com/products/baroque-pearl-drop-necklace

// What I’m Wearing //
Everlane Sweater Size XXS: https://rstyle.me/n/de87e2ccmfp
Necklace, Pamela Card Nicaea 18 in https://rstyle.me/n/c6d5r3ccmfp
Necklace, Pamela Card Kahve 16 in http://bit.ly/PamelaCardKahve
Rings, Nisolo Brass  http://bit.ly/NisoloJewelry

// Music from Musicbed //
Musicbed Membership for Creators: http://share.mscbd.fm/dearlybethany 

// Articles Mentioned //
Marcel the Shell Video: https://youtu.be/VF9-sEbqDvU

Soko video: https://shopsoko.com/pages/how-we-do-it

https://www.thecut.com/2018/04/jewelry-designer-laura-lombardi-on-her-favorite-things.html

https://www.elle.com/fashion/accessories/news/a24638/jewelry-designer-laura-lombardi-profile/

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/45315

https://www.bare-soaps.com/blogs/your-impact/76792645-soko-jewelry-interview-employing-artisans-in-less-developed-countries

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/fiona-morrison-wolf-circus-jewelry-line-interview

https://www.primaryny.com/blogs/primary-new-york-blog/meet-the-maker-wolf-circus

http://www.bbcollective.com/fresh-work/2016/8/4/bb-spotlight-wolf-circus

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesstylefile/2015/01/29/designer-spotlight-vrai-oro-make-fine-jewelry-affordable/#56b8479a39fc

https://www.mydomaine.com/vrai-and-oro-interview

http://thestyleline.com/studio-visit-vrai-oro/

http://coveteur.com/2018/02/06/inside-jess-hannah-jewelry-design-studio/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/304865

https://echoparkcraftfair.com/artist-interview-jess-hannah-of-j-hannah-jewelry/

https://www.vogue.com/article/j-hannah-nail-polish-new-line

// Socials //

YouTube: http://youtube.com/dearlybethany

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  

LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dearlybethany

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany 

When you shop some of these items, you are supporting this podcast by using the affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me!

These are the things that you can do within the first hour of your day that will make you more successful. As I stated, I don’t do all of these things just yet, and these might only be appropriate for the “get it done” days of your life, not on restful Saturdays. You might need to set up a second routine rather than just having one routine and feeling bad about it on weekends or days off.

// Things I Mentioned //

Sorry, I couldn’t find that YouTube video with yelling “yes” :(

Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSn-L9IXbOY

Slippers https://rstyle.me/~aLUu7

Alexa https://rstyle.me/n/da8gu9ccmfp 

Alarm Clock with Wake-Up Light https://rstyle.me/n/da8hwiccmfp 

FlyLady http://www.flylady.net

My Water Bottle https://rstyle.me/n/da6vadccmfp

My Automatic Tea Kettle https://rstyle.me/n/de2s2rccmfp

The Tossers (Band) https://youtu.be/DiQjEavDjsE?t=59 

// What I’m Wearing //

Everlane Long Sleeve Tee XXS https://rstyle.me/n/de2t2zccmfp

Overalls XS https://rstyle.me/n/de2t4hccmfp 

Overalls (Similar, More Affordable) https://rstyle.me/n/de2t82ccmfp 

Necklace, Pamela Card Aphrodite 22 in https://rstyle.me/n/dcdtavccmfp

Estée Lalonde Snake Chain Necklace https://rstyle.me/n/dd6f64ccmfp 

// Music from Musicbed //

Musicbed Membership for Creators: http://share.mscbd.fm/dearlybethany

// Other Morning Routine Inspiration //

https://joannarahier.com/morning-routine/

https://pineapplepizzazz.com/successful-morning-routine/

// Socials //

YouTube: http://youtube.com/dearlybethany

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  

LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dearlybethany

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany 

When you shop some of these items, you are supporting this podcast by using the affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me!

I personally love timeless style… like when piece of clothing couldn’t be defined by a certain era. If I was to boil my style down to one thing, that would be it. Like if I was a perpetual time traveler, picking up earrings from the 40s and pants from the 70s, etc. With that said, some emerging trends are throwbacks to a classic style…what does MY 2019 style look like that will be somewhat trendy, but still timeless?

// Things I Mentioned //
Pearl Purse https://rstyle.me/n/dexz98ccmfp
Clips (with Pearls) https://rstyle.me/n/dex3asccmfp
More Clips (with Pearls) https://rstyle.me/n/dex3bbccmfp
Clip, Gucci https://rstyle.me/n/dex2ddccmfp
Beret (The one I bought) https://rstyle.me/n/dex2fpccmfp
Beret (Similar, Affordable) https://rstyle.me/n/dex2htccmfp
Corduroy Pants (from thumbnail image) Size 2 https://rstyle.me/n/dex2j4ccmfp
Corduroy Pants (Similar, Affordable) https://rstyle.me/n/dex2m3ccmfp
Corduroy Jacket XS https://rstyle.me/n/dex2pwccmfp
High Rise Pants (all on Nordstrom) https://rstyle.me/n/dex2qtccmfp
High Rise Levi Jeans Ribcage 26 https://rstyle.me/n/dex2v4ccmfp
Doc Martens Size 6 https://rstyle.me/n/dex2zsccmfp

// What I’m Wearing //
Sweater XXS https://rstyle.me/n/dexuqkccmfp
Pamela Card Magi Necklace 20 in https://rstyle.me/n/dex3uxccmfp
Estée Lalonde Snake Chain Necklace https://rstyle.me/n/dd6f64ccmfp
Rings, Nisolo Brass  http://bit.ly/NisoloJewelry
Watch, Cate & Nelson http://bit.ly/cate-nelson-watch

// Music from Musicbed //
Musicbed Membership for Creators: http://share.mscbd.fm/dearlybethany

// Podcasts I Love //

At Home With… https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with/id1228706016?mt=2
The Functioning Minimalist https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/functioning-minimalist/id1118822483?mt=2
Ask a House Cleaner https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-house-cleaner/id1219964465?mt=2
LET IT OUT https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/let-it-out/id669216566?mt=2
Raw Milk https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/raw-milk-creative-business-podcast-about-social-media/id1379062569?mt=2
Royally Obsessed https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-obsessed/id1365334446?mt=2
The Sleeping At Last Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sleeping-at-last-podcast/id1270570754?mt=2
The Axis Church https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-axis-church/id389050757?mt=2

// Socials //

YouTube: http://youtube.com/dearlybethany
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/dearlybethany
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany  
LIKEtoKNOW.it: https://www.liketoknow.it/dearlybethany
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dearlybethany
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/dearlybethany 

// Credits //
Pearls in History: https://namaka-jewelry.com/blogs/news/famous-pearl-lovers-the-icons-of-style
Photos I used were pulled from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dearlybethany/pins

When you shop some of these items, you are supporting this podcast by using the affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me!