JORD Wood Watches and a Giveaway

I've come around on watches. For a long time, I thought I didn't need one. Then, I found a watch I loved and decided I needed ONE good watch. Then, I branched out even further and found watches can serve all types of functions from productivity to style.

Even once I started wearing stylish watches, it took me far too long to figure out that I couldn't just like the way the watch looked I had to like the way the watch felt.

Enter JORD Wood Watches.

#jordwatch #starttheconversation #woodwatch 🕑 Link in my profile!

A photo posted by Sarah Stewart Holland (@bluegrassred) on Jun 15, 2016 at 11:26am PDT

JORD reached out for collaboration I was immediately excited. First, the watches are gorgeous. Even more important than that, it's HOT and something about a wooden watch seemed preferable to metal in the heat of a Kentucky summer.

I was right. This watch is gorgeous and lightweight and just feels like it breathes.

I also really like the size of the women's watch which feels stylish but not clunky. They also have men's watches if you're still without a Father's Day present!

If you want to check out JORD for yourself, click here to enter a $75 gift card and take a JORD wood watch of your very own. 

Wood Watches by JORD

JORD Wood Watches provided me with a watch in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own. 

I am THROUGH with swimsuits

Let me ask you this. What have swimsuits ever done for you?

You know what they've done for me? A hot mess of nothing. Even the best ones are ill-fitting, expensive, and downright uncomfortable.

So, you know what?

I'm through. Swimsuits and I are parting ways. A few years ago I adopted a rashguard and it was LIFE. CHANGING. Do you know how much mental energy I spent preventing (often unsuccessfully) sunburns? A lot. Getting the right sunscreen. Applying the right amount of sunscreen. Wearing the sunscreen for the right amount of time. RE-applying sunscreen. Constantly seeking out shade no matter how much sunscreen I had on.

Let's not even talk about the new study that says many sunscreens are a downright lie.

Often, it was all for naught anyway.

There is no sunscreen on God's green earth that can keep me protected in the water for longer than about 15 minutes so snorkeling, swim lessons, or just plain old enjoying the pool were out. 

Add in keeping my three children protected and FORGET IT.

Throwing a rashguard on my kids was amazing and it took me far too long to realize that I could wear one as well.

Still, there were my legs to worry about. I would often just throw a beach towel over my legs if shade couldn't be found but that's hot and uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable, wearing basically underwear (even if it has a cute skirt) while trying to keep up with three boys is a fool's errand. Add sand in any form or getting in and out boats and let's just say I was constantly pulling and tugging and making sure everything was in its proper place.

ALSO, not to put too fine of a point on it, I am about to turn 35 years old and I am never going to get another bikini wax as long as I live. 

Because I am a grown-ass woman and if that means anything it should mean being able to opt out of someone pouring hot wax on the most sensitive part of your body.

So, I have purchased myself a pair of swim leggings. They are adorable. They are lightweight and comfortable. Paired with one of my rashguards they offer coverage and comfort and sun protection for as long as I want to be outside. 

I am IN LOVE and I am through with swimsuits forever. 

Stitch Fix: Month Three and My Summer Capsule Wardrobe

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5 for 5, baby!

My Stylist NAILED it this month! I got the adorable maxi dress you see above - that fits like a DREAM. A lightweight short sleeve tee JUST as I was thinking I needed a short sleeve shirt to wear that felt a little more formal. A denim blazer that fits perfect (finally!) and goes with the dress from my first shipment and blouse from my second (which I've been wearing the heck out of) AND looks awesome with the adorable split neck blouse shown above. 

I also got this pair of shoes, which I LOVED. Unfortunately, they were too tight. No big deal! Emailed Stitch Fix and they're sending me the next size up. 

HOLLA!

I'm feeling very good about the state of my summer capsule wardrobe. I currently have about 15 tops and 13 bottoms. I'm not counting church dresses or work blazers, but I feel like that's ok.

Next, I'm going to send my stylist some very specific requests. After putting my capsule wardrobe together (with a little KonMari thrown in for good measure), I realized I need some lightweight layering pieces for cold AC moments and better shorts.

For years, I never wore shorts but chasing three kids they have become a necessity. If my stylist can find shorts I love, well then we will KNOW Stitch Fix is the real deal!

Stitch Fix: Month Two

My second Stitch Fix is here! I absolutely loved everything in the box. My stylist was on point ... Maybe a little too on point actually.  

I'll explain.

First, I love this bag... so much I already own one VERY much like it. (Side note: Fount Leather is ARTWORK and I don't leave the house without a million people complimenting it. Get you one.) Now, this one is reversible (which is ten kinds of awesome). Alas, Nicholas wasn't convinced this was enough of a reason to own two such similar bags and I agreed. 

LOVED this blazer and it looks so awesome with the dress they sent me last month. Unfortunately, it's too big. That's probably my fault because I haven't updated my sizing since I lost a little bit of weight recently.

I love a good chambray shirt. So much I already own one! (Noticing a pattern?)

NOW, this one was a keeper. I've been needing a blouse to wear under jackets as I get more and more dressed up for campaign events. I love the color. I love the detail. I love that you can dress it up or down!

So, even though I'm only keeping one item, I'm still really happy with Stitch Fix. Nothing felt way out in left field and I was happy with the styling and options provided. Time to countdown the days until my next box!

Stitch Fix and building a capsule wardrobe

First up, MAD PROPS to the style bloggers. Taking pics of yourself in clothes is STINKING hard, especially if you would like to avoid cleaning up your house but don't want to show the unmade bed and dirty laundry in the background!

I signed up for Stitch Fix and my first box arrived! HUZZAH! 

For those of you unacquainted, Stitch Fix is hand-selected women's fashion shipped free, straight to your door. You get a personal stylist and you get to try on at home risk-free. Buy what you want. Send back what you don't.

I hate shopping so there is nothing not awesome about this. As I've previously mentioned, I've been trying to build a capsule wardrobe (I swear there's a full post coming on this soon!) and I was ready to add some warm weather items - as well as campaign-appropriate professional gear. Stitch Fix seemed like the solution.

In my first box, I received a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans, a split neck blouse, reversible knit top, woven blazer, and Colorblock knit dress. 

Boyfriend jeans - The jeans actually fit really well and I liked the cut really well. However, I don't really need another pair of jeans and distressed isn't really my thing. It looks cute on other people but I always feel like I'm trying too hard.

Split neck blouse - I loved the cut of this blouse but the color isn't great on me and tends to dull my hair. I asked for brighter colors because I have so. much. black and gray and it's starting to bum me out. Alas, this color wasn't quite right.

Reversible knit top - Well, first of all, it's striped. Navy stripes. I LOVE a good stripe. Second of all, it's REVERSIBLE. That's like two tops in one. I loved the weight of the knit and it fits really well. Plus, the key to capsule wardrobe is having flexible pieces that works lots of different ways. This definitely fits the bill. 

Woven blazer - I really like the idea of this blazer. I really liked the way it was a little bit slouchy and the back was longer than the front. Alas, as I tried to get a flattering picture of me in it, I realized I was having trouble because it just wasn't flattering. It didn't fit snugly enough around my ribs to make the slouchy-ness work and the color wasn't particularly flattering.

Colorblock knit dress - Love this dress. I don't usually go for Colorblocking but it's professional while still seeming modern. The colors are great and it fits really well. I still need a blazer that works with it but I'll get my new stylist on it!

BUT I want to hear what y'all think!

Things I've Worn ELEVENTY MILLION Times

One of the things that worked for me in 2015 was a capsule wardrobe. Paring my wardrobe down to 36 items made me think hard about the items I wear a lot and the items I hardly wear. Not everything in my collection was new and I'd thought I'd share the pieces that made the cut and that I've been coming back to for years. 

Black wrap dress I've owned this black wrap dress since HIGH. SCHOOL. It is 100% polyester and indestructible. You could wad it in a ball and rubber band it and it still wouldn't wrinkle. I've worn it to weddings (as in wore it to a wedding last month), funerals, parties and everything in between - including the fundraiser pictured above at the fanciest NYC apartment I have ever been to. I've worn it heavy, skinny, pregnant, and everything in between. It is universally flattering and I get compliments every time I wear it - even though I've been wearing it for over 15 years. 

Here's one that's similar Star Vixen Women's Long Sleeve Fullwrap Dress, Black, Medium

Wool Toggle Coat I bought this coat from Brooks Brothers in 2006. It's just now starting to wear around the sleeves and I'm seriously considering getting the sleeves trimmed in leather so I can keep wearing. It is warm. It is the perfect length and a great color.  I love it so, so much.

Sadly, Brooks Brothers doesn't make this coat anymore but here's one that's similar. Larry Levine Womens Classic Toggle Closure Duffle Coat , Light Camel, 8

Jag Pull On Jeans Another item I've had for many, many years that I still wear the heck out of. I love these jeans because they are comfortable, flattering, and give excellent tummy control for those of us who need it. They've also held up well through years of wash and wear.

Stud earrings I'm not a big jewelry person. I keep it minimal most of the time. I got these Kara Ross NY earrings two years ago and I wear them, at least 5x a week. They have silver and gold and the white goes with anything. They're modern but classic.

Sadly, Kara Ross NY is no longer but here are some that are similar. 

What items have you been wearing for years?

My beauty uniform

I love Joanna Goddard's series My Beauty Uniform on her blog A Cup of Jo and decided I would share my own beauty uniform since my post on my new creme cleansing routine sparked such great discussion!

My Daily Beauty Routine

Depends on the day! Truth talk. Now that I have a new baby some days I straight up don't have time to do much beyond pin my bangs back and throw on some clothes. However, I really try to keep those days few and far between.

Most days I wear L'Oreal Paris True Match Naturale Mineral Foundation. My mother-in-law stuck some in my stocking about five years ago and I've been wearing it ever since. Not the most traditional way to discover new makeup but I love this stuff because it provides nice coverage without making me feel like my skin is gunked up. Plus, it's REALLY nice in the summer when it's hot and it contains SPF. 

In fact, I liked it so much I also wear the blush!

I usually sweep a little bit eyeshadow on - usually whatever color I have on hand. Then, add a little bit of brown eyeliner to the outside of my upper lids and put on mascara. I've switched brands a couple of times recently but I'm going back to Maybelline New York Volum' Express because I haven't found anything I like near as much. 

Let's talk red lipstick.

Three years ago I posted this photo on Facebook and ushered in a new era in my personal beauty journey!

I decided to jump on the red lipstick bandwagon and have loved every stinking minute of it. I truly believe there is a red lipstick out there for every woman and that everyone can rock this look. I love it because I feel like I have a full face of make-up on when I'm wearing my red lipstick. I feel put together and just the slightest bit brave!

(You will feel like you look like a clown at first but you'll get used to it I SWEAR!)

My color is Certainly Red by Revlon. I tried another more expensive brand but it bled badly and I didn't like the texture. I'll be sticking with Revlon from here on out!

The End Of Skin Care Drama

Truthfully, the biggest change to my beauty routine has come from being a mom. I just don't have TIME to put on a bunch of products. Heck, I haven't blow-dried my hair in five years!

I'm not kidding. I just stopped. You can, too. I highly recommend it.

Luckily, mommy friends are an excellent source of tips and tricks to get more from less when it comes to products. Two years ago, my friend Shannon recommended I try oil cleansing. I have had really bad hormonal acne since I got pregnant with Griffin so I was game for anything that might help that. 

She recommended this recipe and I've been using it every night since. No moisturizer. Just oil. I do plan on adding back in some anti-aging treatment once I'm done breastfeeding. But for now I just wash my face and go to bed.

I use Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash in the morning and the combo of the scrub and oil has really suited my skin. My daily moisturizer/sunscreen was also the recommendation of a mommy friend (and expert to boot!) the fabulous Shani Darden. I use Control Correctives and really like the light, non greasy formula. 

I like to keep it SIMPLE.

My love simplicity extends to my showers. I'm still using and loving my Purely Perfect Creme Cleanser. As far as soap, I use an actual bar of soap and I love, love, love LAFCO Fresh Cut Gardenia Bath Soap which I discovered last year through Quarterly. It smells amazing and I'm not even kidding lasted almost a year. 

Things I DON'T do.

I don't paint my nails (unless I'm going to be on TV!) and I don't get pedicures. I realized last summer that I just didn't care that much and it became another errand on my list. If I want to have my feet rubbed I go get a foot massage. 

I don't shave. Well, let me expand on that. I don't shave at all in the winter. Period. No one sees my legs or underarms and shaving makes me ITCH. Badly. So, it just doesn't happen. In the summer, I do shave the absolutely minimal amount I can get away with. Like Joanna Goddard, I also have a pretty firm stance against shaving or waxing my bikini line. I wear swim shirts (another important beauty ritual I suppose!) and swim skirts. There's just no need to put myself through that. 

I did stop grooming my eyebrows but I've found a woman who will thread them for $2 in under 5 minutes. That's about all I'm willing to sacrifice in the way of time and money so it works.

I don't wear body lotion. I don't wear perfume. I don't sit in the sun. EVER. I also don't use fake tan because honestly I think it perpetuates the idea that only tan skin in beautiful. And that's bullshit. 

I don't read beauty magazines (or beauty blogs for that matter) and if I could wave my magic wand, no woman would. In my 20's, I realized that cracking open the latest editions of Glamour, In Style, or Cosmo was doing real damage to my self-esteem. I could feel my thoughts shift from almost the very first page. Suddenly, there were a list of things I needed to change. My skin wasn't right. My hair wasn't right. I didn't have the right nail color or shoe or latest skirt style. 

So, I decided I didn't want to spend money on a product that made me feel inferior. I stopped reading them and never looked back. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

My overall philosophy

Not surprisingly, my mother greatly influenced how I feel about my looks and beauty. I always got the impression that it was important to look nice and special occasions were worth the added effort. However, the way my mother looked didn't define her. I never remember her bemoaning the appearance of wrinkles or being afraid to go outside without makeup.

My mother was and is a beautiful woman but that was not the entirety of her identity and it's not the entirety of mine.

The other huge influence was Nicholas. I realized recently how influential it has been on my self-perception and confidence that, since the age of 19, I've had the man I love telling me I'm beautiful on a regular basis.

That's huge and I'm incredibly grateful that the voices I've heard telling me I'm beautiful have always FAR outweighed the voices telling me I'm not good enough. 

What is your beauty routine? What products can't you live without? What's your beauty philosophy?

You don't wear white before Easter

My great-grandmother and grandmother in their Easter finery ... including white accessories.

As a society, we seemed to have very few clothing “rules” anymore. No one wears black for a period of mourning. Women wear pants whenever they damn well please. Very few churchgoers wear hats or gloves anymore.

For the most part, I think this is great. Clothing is a form of self-expression and as such freedom should reign. (Within reason, of course... I’m looking at you dude in a t-shirt at a funeral visitation.)

However, there is one clothing “rule” that I still follow, despite growing opposition.

I don’t wear white before Easter or after Labor Day.

And I’m not sorry.

Apparently, my stance is controversial. I realize the rule was originally a way to make others feel excluded. This is probably why it sparks such passionate opinions still. In fact, when a reader asked me to address this clothing controversy, she private messaged me her thoughts for fear of sparking outrage should she share her views publicly.

Come on, y'all. This is serious but it's not THAT serious.

I follow the rule knowing full and darn well that there are exceptions. No one is talking about white blouses or winter white (a creamier white for anyone wondering) but listen. We have seasons here in Kentucky and seasons require seasonally appropriate clothing.

I feel pretty passionately about this, even though I’ve actually loosened my rules quite a bit when it comes to what to wear in what season. I once had a LONG list of colors and fabrics I would only wear during during what I deemed the appropriate season.

I wouldn’t wear pastels or eyelet anytime but spring. There was no hunter green or pumpkin orange or corduroy anytime but fall. Summer was for bright colors, flip flops, linen, and capri pants and I would only wear navy and gray and wool in the winter.

After explaining my long list of rules one time to a friend, she looked at me and stated plainly.

“You should really use your powers for good not for evil.”

Eventually, I decided she was right and I’ve gotten over most of these rules as I’ve aged. (And by that I mean I wear yoga pants most of the time anyway so what does it matter!)

But, listen, bright white pants just don’t belong in February. They signal spring and summer and sunshine. Don’t remind me of what I’m missing during the dreary days of November!

It’s not that I’ll judge you or love you any less. Just know that if you roll in to a Christmas party decked out in bright white capri pants I’m going to notice… and maybe raise an eyebrow.

What do y’all think? Am I crazy or do you save your white for Easter?