Friday Finds || Vol. 3, Week 15

Chicago style blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Janessa Leone hat with a denim jacket.

This week was all about the peaks and valleys! If you read this post earlier this week, one of my girlfriends was in town visiting during the early part of the week and I was fully checked out of work for about 36 hours. On Wednesday afternoon, I went over to Kate’s to record an episode for each of our podcasts and we ended up recording for over four hours total. I was so tired by the time I got home at 7pm that I ended up passing out on the couch for a few hours, haha! Thursday was kind of a blur, too… Worked, therapy, yoga, and went bowling with friends in the evening.

Friday was a much-needed me day, which is kind of strange that I needed that considering I took the day off on Tuesday. I slept in, went to SoulCycle, ate pizza, did some work that needed to be done, ran some errands, listened to a few podcasts, took a bath, read, did a face mask, did a hair mask, etc. I talked about it more in my Coffee Chat from this week, but I’ve had some realizations these last few weeks that have made me come face-to-face with the fact that working around the clock has been wearing me down in just about every way possible. To be frank, I’m just exhausted and need to recharge my batteries a bit. I always talk about how I’m so lucky to enjoy the work that I do, and that working on the weekends doesn’t feel like work, but the truth is — Even though I enjoy my work, I’m feeling a little burnt out from working at least six days a week, and at least 12 hours per day.

In an effort to slow down and take some more much-needed time away from my computer and phone, I’m driving down to my hometown this weekend to see my brother, SIL, niece, and nephew, which will be a very much-needed change of pace! Not to worry, I’ll be back to Chicago on Sunday evening and back to regularly scheduled programming on Monday. But I’m going into a new week trying to figure out what balance looks like for me!

Here are this week’s finds…

Remember my beloved Janessa Leone hat pictured above? In my very ill state, I forgot to grab it out of the overhead bin when I landed in Tokyo last year. 😭 They’re pretty pricey and in my efforts to try to save as much as I can this year, I’ve been trying to hunt down some cute alternatives that won’t break the bank. Here’s what I’ve found: $25 Boater Hat (Looks to be very similar but I’d love more photos and reviews!) $40 Hat with Teracotta Trim (OBSESSED with this one! I feel like I need one with a black band, but if you already have a straw hat with a black band, this one is a muuuuust!) $30 Seagrass Boater Hat (This one is fun, but I’m worried I’d look like a gardener! I like how it doesn’t have a band at all though.) $50 Straw Hat (The “weave” reminds me a lot of my Janessa Hat! I’m just not sure of the chin strap.)

Speaking of Janessa Leone hats, this brown beauty is majorlyyyyy on my wish list! The color is stunning.

Some thoughts on dealing with rejection. (I wasn’t chosen for the Sephora Squad either, but I so dearly appreciate the HUNDREDS of you that left testimonials for me. Truly, thank you!)

Loveddddd this money episode on Girls Gotta Eat.

Why Dating Should Be Messy

These black and white braided ankle-strap sandals just went to the top of my wish list! They’re under $100 and have the slightest sporty vibe, while still being such a chic, versatile shoe. (The rainbow pair is equally as cool and maybe even more versatile with how much you could wear them with!

This pair of navy gingham sandals are adorable! Pair them with a little white dress, with white jeans and a navy tank, or with a skirt, tee, and denim jacket.

Totally smitten with these block heel sandals, too! They are available in both red and navy (so hard to find good navy shoes!) and look like the most comfortable heel height for wearing all day. These transition so well from work to weekend if you’re able to wear an open toe to the office!

It’s a bit extra, but this voluminous rainbow-hued top is so cheery and fun!

I love to swap in a good straw bag in the spring and summer! They just seem so much more fresh than our regular handbags this time of year. These three are priced pretty affordably to begin with, but they’re currently 20-25% off!

For all of you sneaker heads… A sneaker release calendar!

Can’t wait to see what Jenn does with her new house! It looks stunning.

All about the leopard shoe right now! No matter if it’s a heel, a flat, or a sandal, it’s such a staple to have in your closet to add a (neutral!) pop of print to your outfit. This pair is great for the office, this pair of booties is so chic, and this loafer is pretty much perfect. And this pair of slip-on mules is so similar to my old pair that I wear constantly!

How to Start a Podcast

I think these white booties would be so cute with a dress for festival season!

A few more straw hats that are super affordable and on sale!

Current Faves

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2 Comments

  1. 4.13.19
    Rena said:

    You look super lovely in your look with the denim jacket!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

  2. 4.15.19

    I needed to hit the reset button as well. Took my weekend “Sunday-Monday” as self care days of pampering and sleeping in. Letting my body just relax.

    That why dating should be messy…..let me just say I read it a few times!

    Dating Apps sometimes just suck.