Out of all my friends, I seem to have the most discipline when it comes to actually sticking to morning routine and getting dressed up everyday. Trust me, this is a very conscious effort. For my own mental stability, I have to stick very closely to my morning routine, which includes at a least 4 mile run, shower, and full SOSNU outfit…all by 9 a.m. So when I hear my friends who work from home talk about rolling out of bed just in time to log in, or those who are working in underwear and tank tops all day. Honestly, I have to check myself and make sure I am not casting judgment in their direction.

One huge factor that definitely sets me apart from my group of friends is that unlike them, I have been “working from home” for the past 4 years. I left Corporate America and started freelancing long before lockdown, so my daily routine has been several years in the making. This global pandemic didn’t turn my lifestyle and daily routines on its head at all. So I didn’t have to really adapt too much, unlike every one else in the world.

outfit details - dress: H&M (here, here); shoes: Nike (here, here); earrings: vintage (here, here); eyewear: Firmoo (here, here)

Working now as a full time, fashion business owner has a lot to do with my attitude towards clothing. I love clothes. They are around all the time. There is always loads coming in, and orders of clothes shipping out. All of my contributions to other publications are articles about fashion. The creative content I contribute to clients and brands are all fashion related, so I guess it goes without saying that I get a kick out of getting dressed everyday. I will say that every outfit isn’t vibrant and fully styled, but it’s a full outfit nonetheless. The shoes are optional, of course. Another thing about getting dressed is that it’s a tremendous mood boaster. And if I am in a good mood, I tend to be more productive and prepared during the day. When I look good, I feel great. And when I feel confident and great, I have the audacity to be bold and more courageous with my work.

All and all, it boils down to the individual. I am someone that thrives in systems and routines, so getting up and getting dressed has been something that I’ve never stopped doing since I was a young child. I got ready everyday for grade school, then college, then working in corporate America, now working for myself. I’ve never allowed myself to sway to far from my daily routine, maybe it’s just how i’m wired. I know that in order to have that fully optimized day, I have to dress the part no matter what.

“I want to challenge you all to try getting dressed every day for a week, and see if it’s effective??”

Hiya guys, I hope all of you are well and in great spirits. Times are weird. Times are very, very strange. But let’s focus on the positive, and not harp on all of that. I am here to share how a random Instagram challenge led me to finding the fun in getting all dressed up during quarantine.

It all started with me scrolling aimlessly on my phone when I noticed someone that I follow wearing a very bright yellow outfit and tagging the post as the #instarainbowchallenge. I followed the hashtag and to my surprise, there were several dozen posts of women sporting beautiful bright colors topped with enormous smiles. I wanted in on the fun, so I got up and got dressed. Seeing fellow bloggers and stylists doing this challenge was exactly what I need.

(I later found out that this #InstaRainbowChallenge was created by a couple of stylish women from the UK using color on IG feeds as an effort to instantly lift people’s mood as well as show RAINBOW support and love for the NHS).

Although I have been quite busy with other avenues of my company, and doing quite a lot of writing for other publications, I have almost completely deserted my blog. Honestly, I felt like I had fallen into such funk over the past years when it came to getting dressed up and posting pictures here. Upon moving back to the States I gained about 25 pounds. Nothing really fit anymore, and my cheeks were so chunky that smiling became somewhat of a chore for me. The weight gain happened so quickly that I didn’t have the opportunity to fully adjust. I didn’t know my face, I didn’t know my body, I didn’t have the confidence to get dressed and pose it up. So instead of purchasing an entirely new wardrobe, I wore the few things that fit (ALL BLACK EVERYTHING). Thankfully now, since being home in self quarantined, I have been preparing all of my meals and working out regularly. As a result, I have dropped about 10 pounds, and I’m feeling better than ever. So back to the rainbow challenge, I hadn’t really realized that I had dropped a few pounds until I started to reach into my wardrobe styling outfits to post on social media in support of the challenge.

The outfit featured in this post is brought to you by my darling friend, Amanda over at Paulette’s Closet. The best vintage boutique in Memphis. How amazing is this vintage 60s day dress? The jeans are vintage Jordache from Paulette’s Closet as well. I wore the rainbow-colored dress to commemorate the challenge, and to celebrate me regaining self-confidence. It feels amazing to be back in front of the camera, highlighting so of my favorite vintage and thrift pieces from SOSNUThrift.

Over the next few days and weeks, I will continue to post the colorful outfits representing each shade of the rainbow.