monioverall-blog

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empowered women empower women

I truly believe in the power of women lifting each other up to achieve greater things than they would on their own. 

I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s one of the main reasons I joined a sorority in college. I had gone through my first two years of college just focusing on school, work and checking off all the boxes to “get through” college. It wasn’t until later I realized I was yearning for that female connection and friendship with women who got me.

My junior year, I became a founding member of my chapter and assumed leadership positions right away. I knew I was developing valuable leadership and business skills. What was even more valuable was building a network of strong women who served as my mentors—my advisors, national-level volunteers who worked with my chapter and other alumnae I met after graduation.

It wasn’t until the last year or so I discovered some new insights on this network.

gif credit: @buzzfeed

They’re even more badass than I originally thought.

As I got older, I better understood what it truly means to manage the commitments of marriage, a career, professional development, motherhood, volunteering, self-care, the time it takes to handle everyday adulting tasks, and the list goes on.

The women I am privileged to call my mentors make this look easy.

No matter how busy they get, they have always made time for me or the chapters I work with. They’ve helped find solutions to complex problems; answer questions; developed others' problem-solving skills; and stayed calm as the voice of reason in a crisis (whether or not it was actually a crisis). Most of the time, they have done that while modeling what it means to set boundaries. Not only do they help in times of need, they demonstrate what it means to do that in a healthy way.

I need them now more than ever.

When you’re in college, the advisor/mentee relationship is built in. You get to know your advisors personally, but most conversations center around chapter business. You may be lucky to have a great supervisor as an intern. For most, those relationships are hard to maintain once the internship ends, especially if you don’t live in the same city. It can also be difficult to make the jump from professional relationship to mentor if your only connection is a job or internship.

Even as a brand-new professional fresh off of graduation, older professionals already know you need guidance. I think people are often quick to take recent graduates under their wings and show them the ropes.

As I hit the five-years-after-graduation mark (😱), this year was an opportunity for a whole new level of growth and reflection. I found myself asking myself questions like:

“What direction do I want my career to go in?” “How do I navigate this situation where I have a lot more responsibility than I had before?” “How will these professional decisions impact my personal life?”

I would have been completely lost without my mentors. They were there to help me at every step of the way and serve as sounding boards, cheerleaders, challengers and more. This is a level of friendship and sisterhood I didn’t realize I needed or had as a 19-year-old collegiate leader or even as a 23-year-old new professional.

An attitude of gratitude

Cheesy as it sounds, since Thanksgiving is this week, it’s easy for me to reflect joyously upon how thankful I am for the people in my life.

To me, gratitude doesn’t always have to be a big, showy thing. Sometimes it’s just a text that says “Thanks for always being [fill in the blank] to me. I appreciate you.” 

So this week, shoot off a text to all the members of your girl gang or anyone else you’re thankful for. You never know who needs to hear it in that moment!

moni

more on the outfit

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There’s a reason this blog is called Moni, Overall. I love the versatility of overalls. Whether you’re wearing a T-shirt or a fancy top, I feel like overalls give your look a fun, unexpected twist that just works.

This is one of my favorite outfits that mixes some different, playful elements and ties them all together.

This top was a steal at the #25yearsofanthro event at my local Anthropologie at the Fashion Mall at Keystone. I loved the menswear look of a collared shirt with a fun print and peter pan collar.

This pair of overalls work with it because it has the same mix of styles—a traditional workwear piece with a modern, skinny cut.

These TOMS booties have been my go-to for about three years for good reason. They have the same vibe as the top and overalls: a chukka-style mens bootie with the unexpected twist of a wedge.

I also added a super feminine touch of a velvet hair ribbon to balance out the masculine elements and just because it’s fun and unique.

This outfit will def. be on repeat for fall!

moni

mug: The Scribble Studio overalls: Madewell top: Anthropologie, sold out // similar booties: TOMS hair ribbon: Free People, old // similar cuff bracelet: Kendra Scott bangles: Alex and Ani

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ALL in for fALL overALLs

Few things in nature make me happier than colorful leaves 🍁🍃🍂. I think it’s because I didn’t get the color-changing-tree experience as a kid. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle where there are no trees, and my family moved to San Antonio when I was in high school. Most of the trees in SA are live oaks or palm trees, so they don’t change colors.

Once the trees are colorful, I’m 300% here for fall outfits. These overalls are probably the most-worn thing in my rotation right now. They run TTS (don’t be scared by the super skinny look!), but it can get difficult to find some sizes as they sell, put returns back in inventory and then sell like hot cakes again 🥞.

I’m a big fan of this sweater. It’s sort of a cross between a thermal and a sweater with its waffle knit. It’s warmer than a thermal, but it’s a thin sweater that makes the perfect base layer. All the 😍 for bracelet-length sleeves that let you show off your jewelry to help accessorize a basic piece. 

Madewell truly makes the best bandanas, and this gold color is perfect for the fall. I love it with the deep maroon of the sweater to give off all the fall feels.

I’m not sure it gets more basic than my love of fall. But I hate flavored coffee, so at least I’m not riding the PSL train. But if loving sweaters, 60-degree temperatures and colorful leaves is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

moni

overalls: Madewell sweater: Madewell bandana: Madewell shoes: Steve Madden

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Even my nails were ready to celebrate 25 years of Anthro! 🎂🥂🎉

I ordered some fun items in petite sizing that I can’t wait to share soon.

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weekend = boyfriend jeans

I’m seriously giving off all the weekend vibes with these boyfriend jeans from Anthro.

As the weather cooled down in Indianapolis, I was pumped to bust out a sweater, even if it was the light kind that feels cozy but doesn’t do much to keep you warm.

It’s the perfect weekend to run around town with a warm cup of joe and fun jeans. I fell asleep wearing these, so it’s good to know I have a pair of jeans comfortable enough to nap in!

I’m a fan of the details: the mix of gold and rose gold polka dots, the distressing, and the subtle fading. I was super happy this style came in petite, but the petite sizes sold out quickly. I found them to run big, but it’s hard to tell. They were sold out of my actual size, so I ordered one size bigger than normal. I think I would have been okay in one size smaller than normal. Regardless, because of the boyfriend fit, anything in the general vicinity of my size works!

I hope y’all are all enjoying this perfect weekend! I just woke up from my aforementioned nap and am in need of another cup of coffee.

I recently visited City Market in downtown Indianapolis for the first time. I’ve never been able to go because they’re only open on the weekdays, and my office is 30 minutes away. But I got a pour-over Guatemalan brew from Mile Square coffee, and it was 😋. I highly recommend it if you’re ever in Indy.

I’m off to get caffeinated until my next chance to get downtown! 

moni

bralette: Free People // this color is from a couple of years ago, but this same style is available in 18 (❗️) colors, including several shades of pink white sweater: Gap (old) // similar necklace: Kendra Scott black sweater: Nordstrom jeans: Anthropologie shoes: Steve Madden

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back-to-school is still a thing

August is always a fun month to me. As the excitement builds up for the start of school, I can smell and see the fun school supplies at Target, and it always gets me thinking about to back-to-school shopping. It doesn’t really matter that I haven’t been in school for quite some time. 😜

I’m a Texas native, so Kendra Scott has been my go-to spot for jewelry for some time. My local store in Indianapolis celebrated its first birthday this August, and I stopped by to join the celebration. My friend Lenie is an amazing stylist at Kendra, so it was fun to see her. She was our former intern at work (that’s how I gave her the nickname Lentern), so I miss seeing her three times a week!

As the name of this blog implies, I clearly have a thing for overalls. I definitely have a schoolgirl crush on this sleek, skinny black pair from Madewell. It’s a four-season piece that is a breeze to dress down with a tee and sneaks or dress up with a blouse and heels.

This pair of overalls runs pretty small. Many reviewers sized up two sizes. I sized up one size to maintain the fitted look, and I’m glad I did. The fit is what allows me to be able to dress them up, and they definitely give a little bit after the first hour of wear. Not gonna lie: I had trouble zipping the side zipper while trying them on, but two sizes up was super baggy. One size up ended up being perfect once I wore them for a hot second, and the cut holds everything in.

I loved the raw-hem look of the overalls. However, since I had to get them tailored anyway (#shortgirlprobs), I decided to go with a finished hem to allow for more versatility. Pro tip: if you sign up to be a Madewell insider, you can get free hemming on denim! This definitely comes in handy for petite women, as Madewell offers limited denim styles in short inseams, and they sell out quickly.

This was a super comfy look for late summer, and I’m excited to style these for fall!

moni

overalls: Madewell top: J. Crew Factory shoes: Nordstrom | adult // kids (I bought the kids size to save money since it’s unisex sizing!) choker: Kendra Scott (I customized mine at the Color Bar)