i hadn’t really stopped to fully acknowledge it before now, but boy has my life changed over the past year. i mean, i know it goes without saying since i had a baby, quit my day job, and became a full-time caregiver and whenever-i-catch-a-moment freelancer and blogger. i’m really happy that i’m able to pull it off, but i would be lying if i said it wasn’t without it’s challenges. last week, i realized that things were starting to get a little monotonous around here, and that i really needed to shake things up if i wanted to break free from the usual routine and get myself into a better headspace. whether you have a traditional 9-t0-5 or not, sometimes you just gotta play hooky.

so on monday morning, i started things fresh. the night before, i resolved to hide my phone from my bedside so i wouldn’t be tempted to mindlessly stare at that glowing screen until some ungodly hour of the night, a habit that i’m embarrassed to admit was really causing me some major sleep problems. and isn’t it funny how that works? the next morning, it was almost as if that one seemingly tiny change caused this little ripple effect to ever so gently push me through the day unencumbered by my usual routine. instead of checking my emails first thing, which i’m apt to do most mornings, i turned on some music instead and gave my dad a call to invite him on our morning walk around the neighborhood. of course, this meant that when adam drifted off for his morning nap, i wasn’t at my computer to answer endless emails and publish my usual blog post. and i actually felt this little twinge of guilt knowing that i’d shirked off a day of responsibilities, but sometimes that’s exactly what you’ve got to do.

so i’ve been out and about, embracing the last couple of days and enjoying the change of the seasons. on monday, i took adam with his great-grandparents to the pumpkin patch to enjoy the festivities. rows and rows of pumpkins in all colors, a hay maze, a petting zoo, pony rides, and even a little train, all spread out on a little farm complete with dogs lazily roaming around. my 82-year-old grandfather, proudly carrying adam in his arms to show him around. we’ve been to the playground several times just to sit and watch the kids run around, and to push adam on the swings. and i’ve been dutifully keeping my cell phone out of reach, so i’m not tempted to peek at social media in every free moment. i’m already feeling more energized and ready to embrace the coming months, complete with plenty of work, but remembering not to skimp on play.

wearing:
thrifted t-shirt, altered by hand
time zone necklace courtesy of academy jewelry
thrifted vintage linen pencil skirt
peep toe high clogs courtesy of swedish hasbeens
coach bucket bag courtesy of twice
horseshoe ring courtesy of erica weiner
gold scoop ring courtesy of giantlion
up24 courtesy of jawbone (read more about it here)

i am fully aware that for the better part of a year, my entire wardrobe has been almost entirely blue. i remember several months ago, as i was rebuilding my wardrobe post-baby, i kinda laughed when i looked into my closet and saw that the whole damn thing was filled with white and cream and blue on blue on blue. i knew that i would need to start adding in other colors eventually, but here i am months later, and most of my outfits are still centered around that inky hue. it’s funny, too, because i saw somewhere that indigo is a top contender for the color of spring 2015. i’ll just say i was ahead of the curve… haha!

and while i am slowly picking up fall clothes in other colors, i’m still fully immersed in my “blue period” for at least a couple more weeks. so naturally, when wink & winn offered to let me design my own handbag, i went straight for the navy suede. the site is basically perfect if you’re one of those people like me who tends to be obsessive about every last detail. i’m especially picky about bags because i like simple, classic styles without logos or branding or too many colors. a quick browse around, and i got to work building my bag. you start by choosing your shape, then move on to customizing the leather, color, lining, hardware, and accessories. i went for the classic appeal of the small duffle in navy suede with black smooth leather accents, a black lining, and gold tone hardware. you can actually get pretty wild with the colors and textures, but i always find that i have the hardest time finding simple things for every day. then you simple place your order and patiently wait 3 – 5 weeks for it to be made before it is delivered to your doorstep all wrapped up like a christmas present!

wearing:
thrifted vintage shirt dress, hand-dyed in natural indigo
customized small duffle courtesy of wink & winn
peep toe high clogs courtesy of swedish hasbeens
asos wool felt fedora
the runwell watch courtesy of shinola
horseshoe ring courtesy of erica weiner
aquamarine pebble ring by giantlion for of a kind
gold scoop ring courtesy of giantlion
rose gold pinch pure cuff courtesy of nashelle
up24 courtesy of jawbone (read more about it here)