How I’m Finding Balance and Style In My Busy Life
In today’s post, I’m sharing a little about finding a little balance in midlife and two chic, everyday outfits that make me feel put together…even when things are chaotic!
I know this is a long post, but please read to the end!
I’ve clearly been thinking a lot about balance recently…how to keep juggle everything when life feels chaotic. I never imagined that at 62 I’d be running a business, keeping up with a home remodel, trying to stay healthy, soaking up every precious moment that I can with five grandchildren and being a doggie mama and wife! This has been quite the year and now…we’re headed into the holiday season!
My days are full and often overwhelming, but there are also incredibly sweet moments. I’ve spent the last few weekends visiting and my children and grandbabies and babysitting for my 2 year old granddaughter…long drives, short nights, a full heart and a lot of exhaustion. Somewhere between the bubble baths, bedtime stories, the cleaning up of messes and trying to keep up with my business, it dawned on me that chaos isn’t the enemy…it’s most likely a sign that something new is coming. It’s life’s little way of getting my attention!
“Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.” — Unknown
I’m not gonna lie…it’s felt like things have been falling apart for a while now because I’ve just had too much going on. The renovation is (finally!) over…there are a few tweaks left, but nothing major and that alone feels like a huge relief. We’re still putting the house back together, but I honestly love that part. It feels like a fresh start in so many ways.
What I’m getting at here is that I think chaos often comes before a shift. If we listen, it’s life’s way of reminding us to slow down, breathe, and make room for what’s coming. I’m realizing that balance isn’t about keeping everything perfect (that’s hard for a self proclaimed perfectionist)…it’s about learning to accept the season we’re in, to trust the process, and to remember that the only constant in life is change. Life would be very boring if it always stayed the same!
It’s true that I may not be able to control the chaos, but I can choose to show up feeling like my best self.
Admittedly, there are days when getting dressed means grabbing a pair of jeans and hoping the shirt I threw on looks okay…but those days never make me feel my best. When I take a few extra minutes to pull together an outfit that looks and feels like me, it changes everything. It’s a small act of care that makes the rest of the day feel more manageable.
These two jackets from Jude Connally are easy, chic pieces that make getting dressed simple, even on busy days. I styled both jackets with pieces that I already had in my closet.
The faux leather cropped jacket in an on-trend berry shade, works perfectly with jeans but would be just as good with dressier trousers, skirts, or even layered over a dress. I styled mine with off-white cropped jeans from Veronica Beard and a tank from Perfect White Tee. Since it’s still pretty warm here, I kept the layers light and finished the look with an animal-print calf hair bag from Tory Burch that I wear it with everything and chocolate brown booties from Dolce Vita.
The longer leopard coat is a timeless pieces that never goes out of style. It looks effortlessly chic over a column of black… high-waisted straight-leg cropped jeans and a short sleeve crewneck sweater for a sleek and slimming look. Any black pant would work, but I love dressing this jacket up a bit with black kitten-heel sling backs from Inez. A long strand of pearls from Julie Miles and gorgeous earrings from Julie Vos add a classic touch. Believe it or not, the bag is from Amazon and it’s too fabulous!
These outfits make me feel confident, even during the chaos! A great outfit gives my confidence a boost and just makes me feel better! Now, if I could find time to wash my hair!
I’ve learned that when things start to feel crazy, small rituals can bring me back to the present moment. I’ve been trying to remember to light a candle while I work, take 10 minutes to pick up the clutter, and get dressed in an outfit that makes me feel put together.
These pieces from Jude Connally will be front and center in my closet as I get dressed this fall! They are exactly what I’m craving right now…polished and easy!
Now…for a little raw honesty!
I’m taking my own advice here… and since all this chaos seems to be guiding me in a new direction, I need to say something out loud… this blog isn’t a hobby. It’s a business. I’m a real life fashion/lifestyle blogger at long last and I want to continue to grow and evolve!
I haven’t poured eleven years into Crazy Blonde Life because I needed a pastime! I’ve built it because I love it, believe in it, and want it to continue to grow. I also want to be an example to my daughters that mid life can be a creative and interesting time in life!
I never expect anyone to shop just to support me, but if you enjoy this space and happen to find something you love, I would be so grateful if you shopped through my links. It truly does make a difference!
I post to my LTK and ShopMy shops almost daily, continually update my Amazon Storefront, and try to keep the Shop My Favorites section of the blog fresh with pieces I truly love, at every price point.
Thank you for your patience and encouragement as I learn, grow, and step into the next evolution of this Crazy Blonde Life.
I’m also sharing more personal reflections over on Substack, where I’m writing about “The Joy and Chaos of Being a Grandmother, Wife, and Entrepreneur.” I’d love for you to join me there! It’s a deeper look at how I’m learning to embrace the changes (and the magic) of this season of life.
With all my love,
~ XOXO Suzanne