New Monday, New Week, New Month, New Year!
Today is a new Monday, the very first one of year 2018. Today, also marks a new year and I really hope you all had the best last weekend of 2017 and celebrated with your loved ones on New Year's Eve. Did you all go out or stayed in?! I opted to say in this year and it was perfect. Actually for this New Year's Eve it was best since I was feeling crappy and it looks like I am fighting the cold (or a flu) for the third or fourth time this season. I think the brutal, super low, below freezing temperatures we have had certainly have done their job on me. I have sneezed a million times throughout the day and seriously felt horrible. But despite starting 2018 being sick I am really hopeful, I am hopeful and faithful that 2018 will be a great new year!
SELF JOY.
I am not one to do new year resolutions truth be told. And when I have done them, most times I haven't had success making them come true. But just like last year I want to focus on at least one important aspect of my life. Last year, the word of the year I chose for myself was "Contentment". And in general I can say that I was content with how I lived my life and all the decisions I made. I had my ups of course, but there were also downs. This year my word is "Self-Joy" and to me this is a little more personal. Similar to last year's word "Contentment" yet different. This year I want to do things that satisfy me more and put myself first (after Vivian of course). Some ways I want to do this are actually quite simple. I want to eat better and eat healthier foods. Some Instagram girls I know started this new year with the "Whole 30" diet and I really want to start it and try it out at some point, soon. I want to sleep better and sleep earlier and try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep most nights. I will also try to sleep in late on the days I don't have to wake up early. As a style blogger I wake up very early usually to do things like join linkups or post on Instagram. I will do those things again of course but I don't want them to define my morning or take away from my sleep. I want to save up and stay away from my favorite stores. I want to shop my closet more and purge my closet to curate a better, more organized closet of clothes I love to wear. One way to do this is to unsign myself from the e-mails I receive from stores and shopping sites. On a more personal level, I want to truly find the joy within me and sometimes I will have to make some real hard decisions but at the end of the day I know they will be the right decisions. Another way to reach self-joy is through living more in the moment, being present, enjoying life without the click of a picture, a phone-ring, a text message or the capturing of a video. I also want to travel more and I want to plan at least two vacations for the next year. Last but definitely not least I want to be a better mom to Vivian by talking more with her, reading to her more, spending more time with her, teaching her things, cooking with her, drawing, singing and dancing with her, etc, etc.
Speaking of Vivian, it is only fitting that I start the very first post of 2018 with Vivian by my side. My outfit of the day today is a Mommy+Me Style with little Miss Vivian and I am proud to say that I am also co-hosting with my friend SHELBEE from Shelbee on the Edge her very first linkup of the year, called "Spread the Kindness" - such a fitting name for a new year too. If you remember correctly, Shelbee co-hosted with me last week for the last Thursday Moda of 2017. I am so very happy to once again collaborate with her - sharing our Winter Style (it is very Wintery and snowy where she lives too) - for her very first linkup of 2018. Shelbee has become a dear friend of mine for the last year or so and she is a fabulous woman with bold, beautiful style, a heart of gold and an incredible sense of humor. She is truly a gem in the blogging community!
OUR WINTER OUTFITS.
We wore these Neutral-Colored Outfits on December 29th in the evening (excuse the lack of light in these photos; some of these were snapped with my new cell-phone too) and we wore them to host some guests - my aunt and her daughter - who came over for a Christmas get-together and also brought over some awesome gifts and beautiful things for Vivian who loved them. These outfits were perfect for us as hosts as they are quite casual yet a little dressy. I paired my Ponte+Faux Leather Skinny Pants by Forever 21 with an Olive Floral, Long Blouse with Bell Sleeves. I love the small floral pattern on this blouse by Loft which combines the main floral pattern with a polka dot pattern and another floral pattern (on the neckline) with no fuss. The ruffled collar of the blouse is a tuxedo-style. For shoes, I chose these Snakeskin-Patterned Genuine Leather Mules by Banana Republic. I added some Cluster Stud Earrings, a Bold Bourdeaux Lipstick and my Purple Bold Stone Cocktail Ring. Vivian is wearing a Grey Dress by Old Navy featuring an Artsy Floral Sweatshirt Top and Tulle Skirt. We paired it with her Graphic Hearts Grey Leggings (also by Old Navy) and Mint Green Swiss Dot, High Top Sneakers also by Old Navy. I found very similar sneakers to Vivian which I added to the widget below and here is this year's version of the grey tulle-skirted Old Navy dress (with polka dots on the sweatshirt top). Vivian also had a pretty silky ponytail holder (not pictured) very similar to the one on the widget linked. As always though her beautiful smile is by far her best accessory!
Very Similar Ponte+Faux Leather, Black Skinny Pants // Very Similar Gorgeous Chiffon Floral, Bell-Sleeve Blouse (on Sale) // Similar Silver-Tone Cocktail Ring w/ Large Rectangle Purple Stone // Similar Zirconia Stone Silver+Pink Mini Studs // Similar Gray Snakeskin Flat Mules // Identical L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in "Peach Fuzz"
Very Similar Ponte+Faux Leather, Black Skinny Pants // Very Similar Gorgeous Chiffon Floral, Bell-Sleeve Blouse (on Sale) // Similar Silver-Tone Cocktail Ring w/ Large Rectangle Purple Stone // Similar Zirconia Stone Silver+Pink Mini Studs // Similar Gray Snakeskin Flat Mules // Identical L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in "Peach Fuzz"
Due to lack of time, I forgot to share my Thursday Moda favorites last week, so since today is a linkup day (though not my own linkup lol), let's look at some of my favorite Wintery/festive looks all of you linked 2 weeks ago, right before Christmas. Besides everyone being so busy with the holidays, about 90 outfits were linked.
This week's featured blogger is CHERYL from Northwest Mountain Living & Style whose style I always love, especially in the Winter time, she lives in the snowy mountains after all. Like she shows in this post Cheryl adds a dose of wow to her outfits. That fair isle cozy cardigan is beautiful on its own but then the little details like the tassel belt or amazing Southwestern-inspired coat make it even more beautiful. Her photos in the snow are beautiful - like always. I can always find inspiration from Cheryl. I seriously would wear every single outfits of hers head to toe. Plus her shoe game is always on point. Cheryl runs her own fashion linkup on Fridays and you should stop by because she just redesigned her blog.
'Velvet paired with Tulle for the Holidays' is always a great idea especially in gold and black. Carrie shines and the polka dot tights with the patent leather bow pumps are great.
'For the Love of Leopard', Lisa is a girl after my own heart since I too love leopard. This post shows so many adorable looks she has worn in 2017 but I love this combo of baby pink with the fabulous spots animal.
Cristina is 'Parisian Girl for a Day' bundled up in the most gorgeous black faux fur coat, a beautiful printed silk scarf tied into a bow and that fun red beret.
With her 'NYE Sparkle', Elise shined in black and gold with some tough leather on top. Her cascading star-patterned maxi skirt is out of this world.
Debbie styled her outfit around a 'Camera Bag'. Her cobalt sweater is beautiful.
Last, but not least, in case you missed it, over the weekend I shared my Most Favorite 9 Looks of 2017 so go ahead and check them out because I think you will like them. ;-) Thanks so much for reading and stopping by, today.
Go Spread the Kindness this new year and join our linkup too! Thank you Shelbee for having me. =) Cheers to a Fabulous 2018!!
