outfits - Natalie Wise Blog

My Heart is Full of Christmas

{pearls, light pink sweater, chartreuse skirt, metallic/brown vest with fur, brown Hunters, red fingernails. in love with this color combo!}

I’m a sucker for tradition.

Some traditions are more hysterical than others {that wishbone tradition? this year my mom and I both snapped off a short section and the middle ‘wishbone’ part went flying. oops}.

Some traditions are tradition even though we have NO idea why we do them anymore {lutefisk and pickled herring stopped tasting good um…forever ago, literally}.

And some traditions are weighty, worthwhile, and a little bit heart-wrenching.

Like laying wreaths on family graves.

This is not a tradition that we generally write about or talk about, but it’s a good one. Oh, it’s a good one.

This is the first year I’ve been present for this tradition, and goodness if the rainy day didn’t suit my mood. I tried hard to smile for these pictures (you should see the ones where I didn’t try. actually, you shouldn’t). I wasn’t somber, really. I wasn’t heartbroken, really. I just felt the weight of it inside my poet’s heart. It feels beautiful to lay wreaths in remembrance this time of year.

Don’t forget to let your heart feel the weight of tradition. It is healthy to remember and reflect, so long as we seek to take strength from there to carry us forward. We mustn’t belong to the past, but we can let the past belong to us in a deep part of our selves, should we want.

My heart is full of Christmas.

It is full of the meaning of the Savior’s birth, so that, as my grandpa’s grave boldly states:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

because through Jesus Christ the law of the Spirit who gives you life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:1, 2

What a powerful statement.

Hold Christmas in your hearts, my dears. Hold memories, blessings, and the hope in the promise that we shall be reunited one day, close to your hearts this Christmas season.

Much love,

Bootights & Stripes

Oh stripes, how I adore you. Oh cupcake hair, how I adore you (see, cause my bun looks like a swirl of frosting?). Oh giant sunglasses, how I adore you.

Also adoring these new lace-up boots that were a bit of a steal from the consignment store. I bought a bunch of clothes to the consignment store the night before my move. My car was already packed to the hilt, and I was entirely exhausted, but I had one bag of “good” clothes that wasn’t coming with me. I used the credit I earned for these boots, knowing full well I had absolutely no room in my car for them. In desperation, I managed to cram them under the front passenger seat. I think it was worth the effort, because of their shearling lining, lace-up front, and Chukka-boot styling. What do you think?

{pink fingernails}

Ok, now I’m excited to share the best part of this post!

I think you all know my penchant for wearing skirts and dresses in winter, since the “how-to” it is my most popular post. Well, I am just so excited to have something totally new to add to my winter wardrobe: Bootights.

You guys, it’s a tight with a sock, too!

I’m really just thrilled to have found this company. Their thick, premium-quality, made in USA tights combine a sock into the tights so that you don’t have to ruin your tights in boots, have your feet be slipping inside boots, or layer thick or unsightly socks over your own tights. You know exactly what I’m talking about, right?! It can get ugly when you have a gorgeous outfit on and then throw on cheesy off-season holiday socks over your tights in your boots because it’s all you could find….only to show up for a fancy dinner party and be asked to take off your shoes.

Oops.

These are the Flannel Pinstripe tights. They are really thick and luxurious, with a very thick and cozy calf-length sock attached to the tights. I was worried that the seam attaching the two would be flimsy and cause them to rip, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. The sock makes these tights especially warm inside boots, and I felt cozy and comfy all day, even in my ‘dressier’ boots. The tights definitely have a control top, so be aware for those holiday food-laden parties 😉 They have many patterened tights that will be perfect for the upcoming festive party season (click on the title of the tight for more info)!

I’m going to update my “How to Wear Skirts & Tights in the Winter” post this year, and I will be SURE to include this amazing new find. If you live where it’s cold, these are an incredibly valuable addition to your winter wardrobe. They are a little pricey, but they are made in USA and definitely high-quality. When it comes to tights, I’ve noticed that you really get what you pay for. And there’s always Santa!

Seriously, these would be great (and punny) stocking-stuffers.

I crack myself up.

Now, I just need to get their other cute ones. I’m thinking Herringbone and Clark Cable (ha).

*These tights are c/o Bootights in exchange for the words, images, and opinions in this post, which are my own, honest and unbiased. Thank you, Bootights!

Bubbles

A casual outfit for watching the football game and playing games with my fam on Sunday afternoon.

Pizza, chocolate, and Trivial Pursuit?
I’m SO THERE.

I also tried this fun “bubble ponytail” and I’m kind of in love with its cute, fun vibe.

Also: Hershey’s milk chocolate nuggets with toffee and almonds are the most addicting things on the planet.

And they look super-luxe in their gold wrappers in a pretty bowl for the holidays.

{As IF they would last long enough to ever make it into a pretty bowl. Ha!}

Blessed & Grateful

{Thanksgiving outfit! Navy lace, mint cords, pearls, hair bow, smiles. Not sure why I didn’t zip my ankle zips. I just never got around to it.}

I keep trying to write something meaningful and poignant about Thanksgiving this year.

I’m a writer. I’m a poet.

Expressing feelings in words is what I do.

And yet, this year, with my heart so full, I can’t think of anything that doesn’t sound sappy.

Trouble is, all of the cliche things are true.

I am grateful. My heart is utterly thankful and blessed and worshipful.

I am thinking of those who have passed away, who aren’t with us, who are far away, who are fighting for our country, or who are facing trials & tribulations far beyond what I can imagine this holiday season.

I truly am on the verge of tears thinking of those things.

It feels so much easier to just talk about pumpkin pie and discount codes because those are safer.

We don’t have to be vulnerable or honest to think about those things. We can joke about them easily. And I made my fair share of jokes this Thanksgiving, to be sure!

But my heart feels so much more, and sometimes it’s hard to find the room to vocalize it or express it.

My family isn’t really much of the share-your-heart type. We’re definitely the pie-joke type.

Except on a day like Thanksgiving, I really want to share the deeper heart-things of life. Maybe that only comes the day after, full of pumpkin pie, having used up all of the turkey jokes, sitting here with a mug of tea writing about it: maybe that’s when my heart gets to express its true thanks. Even if I can’t quite find the right words.

Hopefully everyday I can let those around me know I am so glad that they’re in my life. That I am so glad they brighten my day, make me laugh, hug me, and sometimes, when the mood is right…talk about the deeper things in life, and how thankful we are for each other. For family, friends, and faith.

and gluten-free Mile High Pecan Pumpkin Pie, of course.

Duh.

xo!

What are the Odds?

What are the odds that this skirt and this shirt are in almost-exactly the same shade of chartreuse? One is a bit shinier than the other, but otherwise, I could be wearing a dress, don’t you think? They were bought years apart, one from a thrift store, one from a tag sale…one is a Japanese brand and the other is a modern boutique-y brand. Love it.

{leggings underneath to keep nice and toasty & covered when the wind blows}

What are the odds that is was 60-something degrees this mid-November day?

Slim but glorious.

What are the odds that my whole entire family moved back to the same area within a few weeks?

Crazy but true.

What are the odds that tomorrow I’m making a Mile High Pumpkin Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving?

Very, very high.

What are the odds I will resist the temptation to eat a sliver of that pie until Thursday afternoon?

Mmm…. negligible.

What are the odds that I have no idea what sort of face I’m making in that photo above, that I got another cold, that I had practically a million cups of tea today, that I ate lunch at 3:30, and that I am crazy-excited to watch The Voice tonight?

All extremely high.

🙂

Pink Polka Dots

I’ve been lapping up every second of this November sunshine. Just sitting in the window like a cat, keeping it open a crack to get the crisp air inside. I soak in the sunshine and store it away for the days that are gray.

This skirt is like a big security blanket.

I’ve thrown it on with boots to return a movie right at the strike of the 9pm return deadline, I’ve worn it out in the rain to get Chinese food well past a decent dinner hour, and I’ve worn it to work and church. You’ve seen me throw the bottom hem up in a knot because I will admit it IS a tripping hazard. Which for me is life-threatening since I’m just a bit clumsy.

Here I paired it with pearl earrings to mimic the polka dots, a pink polka dot tee, and my polka dot sleeve blazer. Then I threw on my new favorite blingy-bling ring. Bam. This ring practically walks into the room before I do.

Before I trip on my skirt and fall into the room, that is.

One of these days, no doubt.

Swedish Sort of Day

It was a gorgeous day last week for a visit to an incredibly gorgeous place…the American-Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Last time I was there, years ago, it was simply (ha) the gorgeous mansion on Park Ave. that belonged to Swedish immigrants. This summer, they completed renovations that added an entirely new (modern) wing. Mom, Grandma, and I (sorry to the bro and sister-in-law for the salt in the wound here) ventured there on this gorgeous day.

This glass conservatory is just stunning. I adore it.

And of course I wore my Swedish colors!

Wondering how they still had so many pretty red roses in the courtyard…

The old meets the new. The mansion reflected in the new addition.

ASI just opened their Nordic Christmas exhibit, where each room of the mansion reflects the traditional decorations and stylings of a Nordic country at Christmas. I won’t bore you with the hundreds (literally) of photos I took, but let me just say: I’m crazy-inspired by my heritage, and I can’t wait to decorate in the traditional Nordic themes for Christmas this year.

Why yes, I did ride the mechanical dala horse. You know you would have too.

His name is Gustav.

It costs a quarter. Totally worth it.

We had coffee in their new restaurant, Fika. Fika is the Swedish coffee break, filled with lots of coffee and LOTS of sweet things. We wanted to go at Fika time because we’ve gotten in the habit of breaking for Fika at home.

Cardamom Cinnamon Roll with Swedish Pearl Sugar, anyone?

When we were nearly finished, we ransacked the gift shop (no, just kidding. we didn’t do that; the bus tour group that was also there did that, ha!). But I did stock up on my favorite Swedish ribbons to use for my Nordic-themed Christmas, Swedish candy, and my favorite Swedish soap. And I looked ever-so-longingly at just about everything else, including the amazing array of Swedish baking and knitting books. Swoon.

I’m so inspired! It is so much fun to be back in Minnesota with family and tradition everywhere I look.

Outfit~ Sunnies: local store, Necklace: Kohls, Blouse: Land’s End/thrifted, Sweater: American Eagle, Skirt: J. Crew, Tights: Missoni for Target, Boots: Forever21, Bangles: J.Crew and local store

Polka Dots, Zig Zags and Daisies

The sun was out yesterday.

You know, after it was snowing/raining and before there were tornadoes and then it snowed again.

Minnesota, whatchyou doin’?

Calm this crazy weather down, will ya?

{Zig-Zag tights! The best!}

{Daisy Baubles! Also the best!}

But when the weather gets crazy, the outfits get crazy!

Mixing polka dots with zig-zags and daisies.

That I like! Those are good things.

🙂

Beauty with a Purpose {Part 2}

I can’t stop smiling. I tried. But it’s really, really hard because I’m wearing this amazing hot pink lipstick. And it not only feels good, it does good. As I said yesterday, this beautiful makeup from Radiant Cosmetics helps fight human trafficking by raising awareness and donating funds.

I also can’t stop wearing this lipstick. I wore it to church. I wore it to work. I wore it on the weekend with a white tee shirt and jeans. I wore it to the polls to vote.

It is just so much fun. I can’t get over it. And how fun is it with a polka dot (that are actually tiny hearts) peplum top and bright pink Swedish clogs? Swoon.

{Radiant Cosmetics Daphne lipstick}

So let me just gush about this lipstick a little bit more. Look at it! It’s gorgeous! The tube is lovely, shiny, and heavy…you can tell this isn’t your drugstore lipstick. I also adore the Radiant logo. Nicole sent me a personal, handwritten note with those beautiful cards in the background…I loved the personal touches and great customer service. They really do care.

Here I tried not to smile for a moment, so you could see the lipstick.

It went on very smoothly, very pigmented, and lasted forever. I put this lipstick on in the morning and proceeded to: eat celery and lunch, drink from a water bottle all day, drink coffee from a to-go cup, eat dinner…and at the end of the day?

Still as bright pink as can be. I didn’t even layer it. I just put it on my bare lips. That’s staying power.

I also used the beautiful Pirouette (shimmery light beige-pink) and Ahoy (matte navy) eyeshadows. Above I used just the Pirouette with a silver gel eyeliner.

I also wore the Ahoy and the Pirouette with blue eyeliner:

Subtle, but still very fun.

Beauty with a purpose in products that I love and would purchase anyway?

That’s something I can stand behind.

Next time you need a pick-me-up and are tempted to buy a standard-issue Sephora lipstick, think Radiant instead. I know you’ll love it. I can’t wait to add more Radiant Cosmetics to my makeup bag. And speaking of makeup bags, they have cool ones handmade by ladies in Uganda. Even more awesome.

Thank you Nicole and Radiant Cosmetics!

These products were given to me in exchange for my honest review in the words and images in the two posts I created. Since they were given to me, there were no profits to be donated to fighting human trafficking. To counteract that, I happily donated to one of the organizations that Radiant partners with, Love146. Maybe you’ll be inspired, too!

Crazy 60s

Good Monday Morning, lovelies! I’m so excited to share with you this week, because I finally have a bit of a creative streak back after my move. Moving really takes it outta ya! For a night out at theatre and dinner, I went for a more dramatic outfit and a certainly dramatic eye look. Tell me what you think!

{Patterned dress + striped leggings + hot pink motorcycle jacket + bow flats}

{60s costume jewelry earrings}

That crazy eye-makeup is called split eyeliner. A technique often used in the 1960s and onstage to really define the eyes, it is very mod. It is also very heavy, and is therefore best used sparingly. But it’s a fun style to have in your makeup bag of tricks, don’t you think?