One of my most recent buys is this gorgeous Express balloon sleeve top with beautiful leopard jacquard detail. It is so flattering and on-trend with the oversized sleeves. I love the color as well; a deep, burgundy color perfect for the winter season.
Express is always having a sale and right now they have items, like this top, at 40% off! Now that Christmas is behind us, it’s the perfect time to go spend that gift card on some new clothes.
To offset the oversized and attention-grabbing sleeves, I paired this top with Express skinny jeans and black heels. Because the bottom half is more subdued, the top can marvel in all it’s glory.
The outer layer is sheer but the top has a built-in, solid-colored camisole to be worn underneath.
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The leopard jacquard detail is also really pretty and keeps the leopard print minimal yet chic. With its crew-cut neckline, and back keyhole cut-out with button closure, the top is very modest making it a perfect addition to your office wardrobe. You could also pair this top with a black pencil skirt and black pumps for and equally chic style.
Reflecting On This Past Year
I think it goes without saying that this has been a very trying year. It seems that as soon as we went into it, it started to cumble. My new year didn’t get off to the best start.
On January 13, I was involved in a horrific car accident that completely totaled my car. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but it was a traumatizing experience; one that left me very anxious while driving on the highway.
Months later, the world was hit by an invisible enemy that would close economies, layoff millions of working people, and kill over a million individuals around the world. It was devastation that I don’t think anyone saw coming. It was an experience that has changed many and greatly impacted so many lives.
A Look Back On What We Have Learned
With 2020 coming to an end, I can’t be naïve to think that everything will be better when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. I know there’s still a long road ahead of us to get back to any normalcy, or any sense of the word.
While it’s easy to reflect on all that has gone wrong this year, and let me tell you, it’s always on my mind. I try to also think of the good. Because yes, if you think about it, there is some good.
This year, many families had the ability to slow down and spend more time with loved ones. Because of quarantine, many thought up new ways to connect with friends and family that otherwise we wouldn’t due to the busy of everyday life. We had time.
Some started a new hobby, others started a new career. Things will never be the same, but that’s not always a bad thing. Many companies have realized the cost containment that Zoom calls would allow. When you think about it, what if all that money used on business travel, hotel, food, car rental could be used for increasing salaries or putting back into our communities? How awesome would that be?
Because we had less travel, less parties, less planning, we were more attuned with what was going on in the world. Our eyes were open to realities that, again, before weren’t and we had the time to process how it affected us or others. And even if it didn’t affect us, we sought compassion to understand and stand with others.
This year also taught me that things almost never go as planned, so you have to plan the pivot. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. You can’t always rely on Plan A, but rather, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D…
Looking Forward to 2021
Going into 2021, there’s not much I will be looking forward to. By forward, I mean not trying to lay out my year on January 1st. This past year, I completed my first journal which focused on mindfulness. Being present, and allowing yourself to feel in the moment without thinking of all that you have to do for the day.
Sounds easier that you think, but for someone who has a million things on their plate it can be daunting. I’m not 100% there yet, but it’s a newly acquired skill I’m looking to perfect.
I want to read more (not counting my audibles), I want to spend more quality time with my kids (see mindfulness above), I want to be happy. I want to enjoy my day.
It’s no secret that I feel drained with my job at the bank. I have been trying to leave for some time now. I know it won’t be easy, but this year I plan to work harder at my goals of becoming a full-time blogger. With that I wanted to thank you! Because if you’ve read this far, you are a rock star in my book. Thank you for all the comments, likes, shares and replies. Thank you for being here with me and supporting my journey.
I look forward to many more conversations and I hope your 2021 is everything you hope it will be. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy.
What are your feeling going into 2021?? Let me know in the comments section below.
