Style Pearls // Making an effort

 I don't know if you can relate, but it seems that there's this style learning curve I've gone through while working from home. At first, I was all about staying in my PJ's all day, sometimes not even leaving the house for a couple of days. Then, I got sort of sick and tired of wearing the same slacking off clothes each and every day, but wasn't motivated enough to do anything about it. And now, I'm slowly getting back into a rhythm of getting at least somewhat dressed every day. I even did my hair and make-up yesterday. I would only expect this to bounce back to getting dressed most days, and looking like a normal working human being again. 

What I've learned from this experience is that I love comfort, but I hate frumpy. Which means, I'm all about jeans with cool sweaters, and wearing comfy yet stylish dresses, but spending days on end in sweatpants will have a negative impact on my self-confidence in the long run. So, while it may be awesome to spend a day in my nighties once in a while, it's not at all awesome when I do it every day.

 The second thing I've learned is that not only does the way I dress influence my self-confidence, it also has an impact on my mood and my productivity level. I feel so much more productive when I get dressed and pull myself together. It sort of says to my brain that I mean business. That I'm not just going to goof off all day, or perhaps get a couple of things done "when I get around to it". It really sets the tone for my day, and I''m making an effort to start my days with lots of action. 

So, while I still gravitate towards comfort, I'm slowly building a new style for myself. I think whenever we make a huge transition, whether it's from an office job to a work-from-home situation, or staying home with kids, it takes some time to get used to the new routine, and it's implications to our style as well. It's not just about adjusting to a new work/life schedule, it's also about making those adjustments in other areas of life, including what we wear daily. 

Wearing // Sweater - from a clothing swap party / Jeans - gift from Mom / Top - thrifted / Shoes - thrifted and restyled / Earrings and necklace - DIY

On a completely other note, I'm still writing this on Blogger, so I haven't made the switch to Wordpress yet. It's taking longer than expected to set up my hosting and get all the ducks in a row before I can transfer the blog. But, it will probably happen before the end of the week. So, whenever you happen to visit the site, and see a weird message or something that's a bit off, just know it's ok, and the blog will be up and running like normal in no time. 

I'm excited, but super nervous about this transition. It's a whole new platform to learn, but I'm confident it's the right move.

Also, thank you all  who have given me much-needed feedback, and who have tried to help me with my job-search. You are seriously the most supportive internet friends out there!

xo. Hanna

Style Pearls // Burgundy and jeans

 I've got to admit, being unemployed does absolutely nothing for my style. These days, it's good if I get dressed at all, let alone choose an outfit. It's amazing how style-senseless I can get when i have nowhere to go. I'm guess I'm one of those "lazy" people who can wear pj's for days unless there's a need to put actual pants on. And, that's all good, but I'm getting so bored with my outfit choices lately. It's the same old sweater and jeans all the time.

Part of my frustration is due to my much smaller wardrobe after the move. And, while it's easier having less clothes and there for less options (I totally get why people love a capsule wardrobe), I find myself in a style rut. I don't think getting more clothes is an answer though. Rather, I think a few wardrobe reinvention experiments might do the trick.

We took these pics on one of our walks last week in our neighborhood. It was a little bit weird posing for photos while people were passing by. I don't know if I'll ever get used to that. Every time I do, it's just awkward. Oh, the things we do for get good blog photos, right? Speaking of which, I think Rein is constantly getting better at this blog photography thing. I don't know what I'd do without him. Thanks, hun!

 What I wore // Sweater - refashioned / Jeans - gift from Mom / Bag - thrifted from vintage Humana (added strap) / Shoes - Tamaris (a couple of years old) / Owl earrings - Christmas gift from hubby

In other news - I need to re-dye my hair badly. It's growing like crazy for some reason. I dyed it only a month ago, but I've already a 2cm outgrowth at least. My hair has never grown so fast, so I'm just in awe. Also, I have no idea where to get natural henna and indigo around here. Funny thing is, I just bought like a year's supply back at home, and forgot to pack it. That's so like me!

Have any of you tried a capsule wardrobe? I'm kind of forced into it right now, so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

xo. Hanna

P.S! Thanks to An Geli Ka for the new feature name! I'm going to send you a special treat, so look out for an e-mail from me :)

My Style: Winter Wonderland

It's winter in Estonia alright! We've had so many beautiful snowy days during the last couple of weeks, which makes me all giddy, because I know I won't get anything like that back in Leverkusen. So, I'm enjoying every moment. Even the walk I took today in -15C weather. It's all good! These snowy and cold days are art of the charm of the Estonian winter. It's hard, but oh so beautiful (remember this post?).

We took these one day before New Year's Eve for the Mood magazine. The muff I'm wearing will be the February DIY project, so you get a little sneak peek before the magazine hits the stores in the end of January.
It was the perfect excuse to get all dolled up and take some fun photos in this perfect winter wonderland. It was even kind of stormy that day, so all the snow that had gathered on the branches of the trees was flying around, creating a blizzard. I'm definitely more of a summer person, but I've alway loved these snowy winter days. Especially in the countryside, while sipping hot tea next to the wood cook stove. This year that spot was mostly occupied by our new cat, but I did manage to slide myself next to her a few times.

Wearing: Coat - from my high school days // Shawl - DIY // Muff - DIY (tutorial in Mood 2/15) // Jeans - gift from Mom // Boots - Tamaris // Headband - DIY

The one thing I love about blogging is that it motivates me to take these kinds of photos. Photos of me in the blizzard. Photos I would otherwise never have.

On another note, I'll give a special prize for anyone who can think of a creative name for my style posts. I hate calling them just "My Style". That's boring! So, all you word-wizards out there, give me your sugar.

xo. Hanna

My Style // Fall favorites

It's interesting to notice how my style changes from season to season. And, how every season I have my favorites that I wear over and over. The funny thing is, that usually those things are different every season, and every year. The things I wore all the time last fall don't get much wear at all this year around. Then again, there are things I was almost ready to throw out of my wardrobe suddenly become my favorite thing to wear. Isn't it weird how that happens?

I've had this leather jacket for more than a year now, but I think I wore just two or three times last fall, and not that much even during spring this year. But, lately, it's been my favorite things to throw on when I'm out the door (like here). 

Wearing: leather jacket - thrifted // Cardigan - refashioned // Jeans - supermarket find // Blouse - H&M // Scarf - thrifted // Bag - from Cologne // Shoes - thrifted // Earrings - Pearls & Scissors

I made another sweater into cardigan refashion the other day (actually, I did 2, but the other wasn't for me), and I'm already seeing this get a lot of wear all throughout fall and winter.

What are you're wardrobe staples this fall?

xo.Hanna

Style Inspiration: Back to School

1 - dress // 2 - cardigan // 3 - shoes // 4 - socks // 5 - bag // 6 - necklace // 7 - hat

For today's post, I thought I'd try out something new. So, Modcloth contacted me and asked me to take part in their Uniquely You campaign. The task is to take one item they give you (in this case the Red, White, and Cute dress) and create an outfit around it using up to 7 other items from their shop. I'm not usually the type to spontaneously hop on a campaign train, but, since I haven't done an inspiration post in ages, I kind of liked the idea of giving it a try. 

This autumn is the first one in 20 years when I'm not going back to school. Yes, I've been in school for the last 20 years of my life. That's a lot! As much as I look forward to this new season in my life, I kind of miss the back-to-school feeling. I remember my first days in college. Everything was new and exciting and I felt so grown up, and, also, like everything was possible. Funny, I actually feel the same way right now, although I'm a little older, a few degrees smarter, and not in college anymore. If I was a little younger, and was going to college, this is the outfit I'd love to wear. Heck, I'd wear this outfit now.

To all those of you going back to school this year, what are you most looking forward to this school-year?
To those of you no longer in school, how has the September feeling changed for you?

xo // Hanna

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(This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a sale, I will earn a small profit. This does not affect my taste nor opinions.)

My Style: Coral and floral

I love pulling out something handmade from my wardrobe. When I started sewing my own clothing about a decade ago, I had a dream of having an all-me-made wardrobe. Although that dream has shifted a bit, and I love having a combination of thrifted, refashioned, and sewn, it's still a wonderful feeling to wear a handmade item. And this pullover top is one of my very favorite items I've made for myself in the last year. 

Wearing // Pullover: made by me // Floral jeans: V&S // Shoes: Jumex // Earrings: made by me

Since our move to Cologne is now certain, I'm faced with the challenge of decreasing my sewing stash to a movable size. Not an easy or pleasant task, I must say. I love all the fabrics I've gathered over the years, and it's going to be tough only taking a fraction of it with me. I still have a lot of this coral lace and jersey in my stash, and since I've already made a maxi dress and a pullover from it, it's one of those fabrics that won't make the cut.

So, I was thinking of making as many pullovers like this one as I can from the left-over fabric and selling them. What do you think? Would anybody be interesting in purchasing one?

My Style: I guess it's autumn

Wearing // Everything but the jeans (local supermarket find) is thrifted. 

Well, I can't deny it any longer, it's autumn alright. While it seems that everyone else in the blogosphere is rejoicing the arrival of the colder season, I must admit I've never been a fan on autumn. In fact, it's my least favorite season. I've always been a summer girl, and while I do love the colorful leaves of autumn, I hate when the days get shorter and sunlight gets dimmer, and all I have to look forward to are grimmer and grimmer days until it's borderline polar night around here. And then it's another 6 months until we have that special season of long days and smooth summer nights.

Ok, that sounded so depressing, but I hope you can forgive this summer girl this autumn lament. Every year I promise I'll find more joy in the autumn months, and I'm definitely going to try this year as well. Maybe then, eventually, I'll grow to like autumn. At least a little.

For now, I'm happy we still have weather warm enough to wear just a light jacket.

xo Hanna

My Style // Last days of the summer

Wearing // Lace skirt - DIY (tutorial) // Top - DIY by me // Jacket - Reserved // Sandals - Shu // Bag - Thrifted // Earrings - gift from a friend

Fall has undoubtedly arrived around these parts. It's been cold and rainy for almost 2 weeks now. This year we got 6 weeks of summer, and although it's nearly not enough, I am grateful for it. It is one of the most memorable summers of my life, that's for sure, and I'm going to miss it. These photos were taken on one those last warm summer days in Tallinn old town by my friend Kärt-Katrin.

I had originally planned to share this post yesterday, but then my computer decided she didn't want to be friends with the internet anymore, so I'm just going to post twice today.  I think I might need a new computer. Sigh.

Is it still summer where you live, or are you already polishing your fall boots?

xo Hanna