Chasing Davies: ASOS

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April 7, 2018

10 Things to do on your Sabbatical!

{New denim jacket, great workout leggings for warmer weather, old favorite bag and sneakers on sale!}

One of the best perks of my company is that those that have been with them for 10+ years earn a one month sabbatical (off from work completely). This is in addition to vacation and other personal/sick days received throughout the year. So, if you follow me on Instagram and have seen some of my latest IG stories, you might have figured out - I'm on mine right now!
I've compiled my top list of what I plan to do with mine, and what I've heard from other co-workers who've already taken theirs below. But first an important tip: Don't let others try to dip into your sabbatical. I started to get a lot of, "well while you're off, you can do this..." or "since you're off, I don't have to do this..." etc. Keep business as normal every where else, so you can really do what you need/want with the extra time. And for me, those needs/wants are in the below list:
1. My number one goal for this time off - clean out my house! We are literally quickly becoming hoarders and I'm about ready to have a breakdown. My suggestion is to do a space at a time so it isn't too overwhelming - and get help if you can! I'm using a little bit of most of my time off to clean out one space or fill one (at least small) bag of stuff to either donate, sell or return. I'm also using a whole day to work with an organizer to help me further! I'm most excited about this.
P.S. I'm listing some of my better things on eBay here, if you're interested!
2. Workout! This is my second goal for this time off. My goal is to workout at least 20 times within my 30 days off. I'm trying new workout classes, doubled my weekly trainer sessions from once to twice a week and just getting in my steps/activity in overall. This is especially important to me as I work in a busy environment where finding this time has become harder and harder, and I hope I can reset and keep this a priority when I return to work.

{Tried the new Caffetteria with friends last week}
3. Try new restaurants/coffee shops. This is a great time to go to new restaurants/coffee shops (or ones you haven't been to yet) - and pick times they won't be as crowded! And even better - meet friends/family to spend time with those you haven't seen in awhile or are craving quality time with.
4. Go to a movie during the day. I'm excited to just see a movie in general - I only get a few adult ones in a year, it seems, and this is something you can easily do alone!
5. Go to Trader Joe's - when they aren't as busy and without kids. I don't know about your Trader Joe's, but the two in my city are a nightmare during the weekends and in the evenings. I don't shop there very often because of this reason - so I plan to get at least one visit in at a less crowded time.
Tip: Did you know Google tells you popular times for each day? I find this by searching my Trader Joe's and it comes up on the right side, under the map and store info/hours. Looks like weekday mornings are best time to go!
6. Catch up on appointments. I booked a lot of my annual doc appts for this month off, so I didn't have to worry about potentially needing to reschedule, run late or move things around to make them actually work out. This isn't as fun, but took a lot of the stress of appointments away by doing it this way. I even got in some elective type appointments (like food sensitivity screening) that I've been wanting to do.
7. Spa day I mean, duh, right? But I don't just mean a spa appointment - but like a whole day (or as long as you can take it). I did this already, and it was amazing. Started the morning off in the spa's pool/hot tub, then had a massage, then a facial, ended the services with a pedicure and then a late lunch! It was very relaxing - a great first week of your time off to start with. I went home and took a small afternoon nap, which was also amazing.

8. Spend time outside. I'm still hoping I'll get to do this. But with the unseasonably cold weather, I'm getting nervous. I'm taking advantage of any time day to get outside in the sun - took a walk with a friend who is on maternity leave on the sliver of nice weather we've had, and aim to do some reading on a patio and/or lounging on the lawn of our city's museum yard.
9. Volunteer This is encourage by my company to spend some of our time volunteering, but it's also a great idea in general. I am spending some of my time volunteering at my son's school and a local senior center.

{Nora and I went on a coffee/chocolate milk date last Thursday, and it was fun to chit chat with her.}
10. Spend some extra time with my kids/husband. I hope to get in a day date, or at least lunch with my husband, pending his own work schedule and I've already gotten some extra time with each of my kids and will get some more before my sabbatical is over. It's fun to have some one-on-one time with them.
A lot of people might spend some of their time traveling - and that's definitely a good idea! But for me, we already have a lot of travel planned for the year, and I didn't want to be away from my kids/they couldn't miss school, so that wasn't a direction I took my time off in.
I'm also trying to stay on a reasonable schedule - so not taking this time to sleep in or take an excess of naps since I will have to go back to work quicker than I even know, and I don't want to "waste" my time off sleeping. I am allowing my self some time for a short nap or binge watch Netflix shows, though! ;)
What would you do with a month off?

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September 18, 2017

Favorite Wears: Summer Meets Fall

I have lived in Kansas City for a long time, and I had never been to Miami Ice until a few weeks ago! Not only is it close to my house, and totally cute, but shaved ice is the perfect jump into fall. I'm all about fall wears, but the weather can be a tad too warm still, so I'm cooling myself down with watermelon shaved ice. ;) And it tastes amazing. I mean, whatever you have to do... right? I love this green shirt dress with tie cuff details. This is THE color for the fall season, and cuff/sleeve detail is a fast trend. So, I'm jumping in head first with both in this one look. Fall dresses are the perfect place to start for cooler weather wears. Shop my look (similar boot options, as mine are from last year):

Photos by the talented Elizabeth of Elizabeth Ladean Photography. She shoots portraits, engagements/weddings and lifestyle sessions all around Kansas City. You can follow here on Facebook here and on Instagram here to see more of her work!

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July 10, 2017

Favorite Wears: Summer Work Wear

This particular Monday is going to be brutal. Coming off of a week long vacation, over a holiday, with two young kids on the road, and a ton going on back at work (is there ever a good time to take a vacation??), I know I'm going to pay for it today.
But, vacation is always worth it - especially family trips. As happy I am to get my kids back on a schedule (and to not share a room with them), I enjoyed the extra time with them - especially experiencing new things. My own family was also with us (my mom, dad and sister), which helped a ton (more adults to kids is always the way to go), but it was wonderful spending lots of quality time with them, too. I'll have more on our trip coming up soon!
So, now as I wash all my vacation clothes, I'm sharing a favorite summer work look here today. I could wear white for every occasion all summer long (except a wedding of course...), and I love this more professional looking style for the office. This particular dress is sold out, but sharing several similar and cute options below!
Shop this look:
P.S. tip to wearing undergarments under white - you actually want to wear nude colored ones, and not white. White on white actually can show through, but nude blends right in. This is my favorite nude bra!

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April 25, 2017

Favorite Wears: Floral Skirt

The blooming trees have me grabbing all the floral things. And nothing goes better with floral bring than all my neutral pieces (I've been on a black, white and gray kick over the last couple of years). I'm finally getting back in the mood to add some color and bold prints back into my rotation every now and again, and a skirt is the best way to do it once I can officially ditch the tights. ;)
These trees have me in awe of nature. Every morning on the way to school, the kids look out the window for colorful trees, screaming out "purple!," "pink!," and so forth. Nora's favorite tress are the pink ones, of course, but seeing these pretty pink trees, I have to agree. My only complaint is that they don't stick around long enough....
Hope spring has sprung where ever you are!
Shop this look:
{Outfit Details: Shirt, Skirt, Tote, Booties (these ones would be better for summer), Lips}

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April 20, 2017

Favorite Wears: Vintage-Inspired Tees

One of my favorite clothing pieces lately (besides sneakers) has been soft, vintage-inspired tees. I wear them to bed, to work out and with skirts. Talk about versatile. I especially love ones that support local artists, charities, fundraisers, etc.
I actually have this KC Dream tee in a matching kiddo size for Nora (us matching here), and I love getting to match with her (sometimes). ;) She thinks it's pretty cool when I wear the same top as her. She does this pretty funny growl-laugh when I am in this tee, and then goes digging in her own drawer for her own. <3
I know this won't last long, and I also don't want to try to match my kid too much too often, but on the rare occasions it works out, it's pretty cute.
Shop this look & other cute tees:
{Outfit Details: Tee, Jacket (similar here and here), Skirt - old from J.Crew (options here and here), Tote, Pink Sneakers - old (similar here and here).

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April 12, 2017

Mamas & Minis Collective: 6 Mother's Day Activities! (+ GIVEAWAY)

This Mother's Day will be my very first one without my babies!!! It's been an annual tradition to go to brunch with my own mama and my babies (the dudes, too), and then spend the day outside in some way or another. But this year, I'll be at the end of my Iceland/Paris vacation. I'm super excited about the trip, of course, but will be looking to make up this special day the next weekend. Here are a few ideas of things you can do on Mother's Day with your kiddos: 1. Go on a walk. This is the perfect time of year to adventure around your neighborhood or favorite park/walking trail to look for pretty flowers (or sticks, if you are my kids). I love finding pretty floral trees in our neighborhood right now, and enjoying this weather.
2. Host a family-friendly Mother's Day brunch (and if your lucky, your man friends will do most of the heavy lifting, or you could even cater!). I love getting together with my best friends and their littles to spend time all together. Kids can play, moms and catch up, dads can hang. (or go out to brunch - and if you are in Kansas City, this is our favorite place & way to get there!)
3. Get away with some of your other mama-friends for a girls only lunch or happy hour. Those moments are all to rare, and as much as I love being with my kids, it's nice to have one on one time with the girls! If you are in Kansas City, check out Stock Hill Grill! I had a wonderful time recently with friends there, as seen here!
4. Go for a workout - maybe even try something new! I tried pilates on a reformer not too long ago, and have loved it since! I love trying new things, because you never know what you'll fall in love with! Plus, getting a good workout feels good and is good for ya!
5. Go to the spa (or at least ask for a gift card/service as a gift for later)! Taking time to take care of yourself (including your skin!) is SO important. Facials and massages are my favorite - but with warmer temps and sandals season creeping in, I probably need a major pedi!
6. Go strawberry picking! My kids can't wait to go back this year already. This is a great way to get outside, learn about food and then come home and make something (or just eat!) sweet. :)
Shop These Looks: {Outfit Details: MAMA - Sweater, Skirt, Flats - old (similar), Sunnies; NORA - Dress - J.Crew last year (this one is so cute), Sparkle Shoes c/o; LIAM - Shirt}

What ever your adventure is or your plans for Mother's Day is, we want to make sure it's special! So we're teamed up to giveaway a $100 Target gift card! I love Target for anything/everything - so whether you need to outfit your family in new clothes for Mother's Day or pick up brunch materials, we got you covered! Enter via the Rafflecopter below - and GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Make sure to check out Carly, Sandy and Laura for other ways to spend Mother's Day!

Lipgloss & Crayons | Sandy a la Mode | Chasing Davies | Walking in Memphis in High Heels

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April 6, 2017

Favorite Wears: Satin Duster / Pajama Trend

I've been contemplating the lingerie/pajama trend for awhile now, and wondering if it's something I'd even try. But I found this satin-like duster, and reminded me of an old school, pretty robe. I wore it over a more sturdy look - darker colors and denim to anchor the outfit. And I must say, this robe like item was the perfect added layer for a slightly cooler spring day.
Are you sporting any pajama like items this spring?
Shop This Look:

{Outfit Details: Jacket (similar options here and here), Shirt - old from Target (similar one here), Jeans, Boots (similar option here and here), Earrings, Lips}

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March 7, 2017

Favorite Wears: Monochromatic in Grey

The past couple posts, I was sharing some outfits that have been easy for me to pack and travel with on work trips (along with some travel packing tips!). This is one outfit I wore to work, on a more casual day, sans travel, but that would also be easy to travel with! Monochromatic looks are easy to wear, so longs as you have varying textures and then a jacket or accessory in another color that can break it up a bit. Then, parse out and wear with other items easily for a totally different look.
What do you think? Would you rock and all-grey outfit?
{Outfit Details: Jacket (another option), Sweater (similar option), Jeans, Sunnies, Pom-Pom Sneakers, Bag c/o Wallis (similar), Ring}
Shop this look: