Blog : grandrapids

On the days (like today, for me) that you just don’t have what it takes to put extra effort into your outfit (thank you monthly cycle for always showing up on time… no really, thanks! But ow!) always have a great black top to throw on with your fav pair of jeans. Black is lovely! It’s timeless, classy, the easiest to dress up or down and always looks great with your fav pop of lipstick! I wear my black tops pretty often and although I’m a total t-shirt kind of gal, I love a solid black top with some added fun details! The one pictured was less than $25 at Zara, it’s a ribbed fabric with a slight sheen that dresses up the denim instantly and the leather arm detail kicks it up one notch further! You can fool anyone into thinking you’re put together with a great pair of jeans and a solid black top with a little something extra! .
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #mindfulshopper #shopintentionally #personalshopper #personalstylist #sandiegostyle #californiapersonalstylist #wardrobestylist #stylegram #stylediaries #stylediary #wardrobe #outfitdetails #outfitoftheday #styletips #shopsmart #sandiego #grandrapids #personalstyle

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If you’re looking for a perfectly curated feed you will not find that here! Take this photo for instance – blurry, not posed whatsoever BUT it documents one of the most satisfying ugly laughs of my life! We laughed so hard that we ended up missing our stop because we were distracted and had to ride all the way to the last stop of the route adding 3 hours to our train ride! We were the only 2 on the train with the conductors that graciously (and luckily!!) took us back to our stop so we could get our car! It was both horrifying and one of the best memories of all time. Missing you, our ugly laughs and adventures @kelseyhettinga ❤️ What I want is to be a splash of real in a heavily edited place, to represent myself in a way thats reflects my values and life with accuracy – it’s too easy to get swept up in the faux images of peoples lives. Don’t forget your value isn’t measured by the clarity of your photos, the brands of your clothing or how you appear on IG – if you’re a different person face to face than you are on IG, chances are something is probably not in balance. Trust me, I’m guilty of this stuff too – we all want to feel relevant but we can’t attract our tribe by being a false version of ourselves. So here’s to being me! A happy, ugly laughing Olivia. .
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#uglylaugh #laughtillithurts #laughtillyoucry #lifemoment #realtalk #grandrapids #bff #train #oops #lifeisgood #laughmore #comparisonisthethiefofjoy #beyourself #girltribe #mytribe #attractyourtribe

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I feel like every post is the first post because I post so infrequently on IG. Are you starting to think the word ‘post’ sounds funny because of overuse? Anyone? Just me? K.
So, let me get down and dirty real quick, there are things you should about me before we take this to second base… I really don’t have a passion for fashion, I love style. I don’t always care about what’s happening on the runways because I care more about what’s happening in your closet and WHY it’s happening. More importantly, how I can help! I love the psychology of style, why we are drawn to certain colors and styles and what triggers our shopping patterns. Enough about that; I love a good belly laugh, the uglier the better! I’ve started probably 4 books over the last year and never, like ever, finish them – is that because I’m not an adult yet? I freaking love to dance, the truth is if you saw how I got down you might feel confusion & ask yourself, is this totally awesome or is she insane? It’s over the top and the best medicine! I’m an enneagram 4 which makes me want to swim upstream while also being your most loyal friend & a little moody mama at times. Family is top of my list, I’d walk away from life’s greatest opportunities to be a better mom & wife. The beauty of that is that I married a man who would encourage just the opposite. I’m a fresh plant lover and have actual anxiety when I see leaves start to brown. I love great skin care but often forget to wash my face before bed, I know, I know. I’m a quality time person and when I’m alone too much I sink into a bit of a self worth funk, it’s one of my daily battles. When I was in 8th grade our childhood home burned down, (it was even more traumatic than it sounds – I’ll share the story soon) the first thing I got out was my friends backpack and the last thing? My bird. I always hated that bird – chill out, it lived! And for way too long after that fire. ? Here’s what I’m working on: caring less about what others think & really embracing who I am, all quirks included! Walking outside of my comfort zone to pursue personal grow, finishing those freaking books I’ve started & drinking more water! Your turn!

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Photo taken at: San Diego, California

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Mix your colors. Just do it! Mix em up, throw them on & be on your merry little colorful way! SO many colors work awesome together, not just for the eyes but for your energy! I know, I know, Black is the shiz that steals the show for a LOT of you and that’s a-ok! Black is classy & timeless, you can’t go wrong with it. Color isn’t for everyone but I WILL challenge you, add a color or a few (its ok, breeeathe!) colors & see how it makes you feel! Simple suggestions for those of you that often reach for black: -colored shoes -statement, colored earring -headband/barrette with color
-color nail polish
-colored fanny or bag
Aren’t sure if your colors work we together? Send me a pic f your outfit!! I’ll let ya know!

Adding color is like salt on the rim of your marg, it’s delish without but the salt is what makes a marg so dang extra.
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#color #colorwear #stylegram #mixcolors #wardrobe #wardarobestylist #personalstylist #sandiego #sandiegostylist #personalshopper #personalstyle #style #styletips #grandrapids #michigan #grmi #dreamer #doer #

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Photo taken at: San Diego, California

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What if you had to get dressed without ever looking in a mirror? What if you had to go solely on how you feel in your clothes?! How you feel in your clothes vs how you look? When you love whats in your closet this wouldn’t be a problem for you at all! Your clothing selection should be as sure as your coffee order – you know what you like & exactly how you like it. Now let’s be real, is this even attainable?! YES! But it takes work and a process just like anything else, you get out what you put in. And let me tell ya, if you build your closet strategically you can absolutely achieve a wardrobe full of pieces that work wonders for you & I’m obsessed with working with women to reach their goals of confidence and certainty in their closets! .
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#sandiego #sd #california #personalstylistcalifornia #personalstylist #wardrobestylist #style #westcoaststyle #grandrapids #michigan #wardrobe #personalshopper #mystyle #clothes

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Photo taken at: Rancho Santa Fe, California

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I think you’re more than your appearance. Actually I know, I know that you’re worth more than the clothes you wear. There’s so much more to you. Our stories, our battles & victories all play a part in how we represent and perceive ourselves. They’re often what determines what we believe about what we are capable of, our measure of worth & belonging. If we chose to find our identity in the victories of our story & less in the struggle then I believe we would be completely different people! The tough grade school year’s leave their mark of insecurity, the messy family memories leave roots of inadequacy, the painful relationships dig into our worth and cause us to carry yet another weight. Financial instability says we will never be able to attain our goals let alone dress like we wish we really could. But what about the times you faced your fear, you believed you could & you did, when you found freedom from your struggle & fought for it! THIS is why I do what I do, because the painful parts of your story don’t have to determine the way you dress or carry yourself. Clothing is a trigger! If we wear clothes that we don’t love it make us feel insecure & uncomfortable, it’s a constant reminder of all the emotional weight we carry. There is a way to dress to unlock confidence & give the world a taste of your personality, what makes you SO wonderfully you! I believe whole hearted that how we dress is one element of discovering who we are & walking it out! .
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#ibelieve #ibeliveinyou #personalstyle #mystyle #personalstylist #sandiego #westcoast #wear #grandrapids #beyou #youreworthy #wardrobe #wardrobestylists #writeyourownstory #brave #dreamchaser #southerncalifornia

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Photo taken at: San Diego, California

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Settling into a new rhythm is so dang tricky! I’m sorting through boxes & emotions & business ideas & more emotions & wondering at what point things will start to take shape in this new season for our family. It’s hard not to let the difficulties that accompany change cloud the possibilities & dang it’s so necessary to feel all the feels in the moment. I’ve had to ask myself some hard questions about what I want to do with this life, what my hearts desires are & if I’m willing to say yes to them. I’ve been quickly approaching a choice – to accept this new challenge & dive back into the unknown or sit in the discomfort of change and lose hope. I will always choose to dive back in! Ive learned that a challenge faced alone is too much for me but when it’s surrendered to God first, he generously pours out his grace & that challenge becomes an open door. I first have to be willing, even if it’s scary or I feel unqualified because I am called to make a difference in the world around me & I refuse to allow fear to take up residency in my heart. So here’s to the next step, whatever it might be! I’m coming for ya! .
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#sandiego #sandiegostylist #personalstylist #personalshopper #wardrobestylist #iamworthy #dreamer #chasingdreams #entrepreneur #startupstory #doitscared #strongwomen #challengeaccepted #grandrapids #michigan #mystory #writingmyownstory

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Photo taken at: Encinitas, California

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Big changes around here! We have officially arrived in San Diego! These plant babies made the road trip with me & I’ll admit I almost lost a few of them to heat in Arizona… I may or may not have made a detour to a spa and left them to fend for themselves in 104 degrees. Plant mom fail. Rest assured, they’ve perked back up and are busy soaking in some organic fertilizer soil oils I paid way too much for. Plant mom win! Also, this dress was a glorious score at Anthro during their tag sale! $25!! Yes of course I did a happy dance when it fit just perfectly! There’s so much updating to do but for now you should know the most important things – we are well, only minimal tears so far & Starbucks is 1.5 blocks from our new home. Jesus has our back. .
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#bigmoves #bigmoments #happylife #sandiego #grandrapids #westcoast #personalstylist #wardrobestylist #personalshopper #dreamer #unafraid #strongwomen #toughmom #wardrobe #plantmom #plants #anthropologie #mompreneur #bigdreams

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THIS IS A BIG DEAL!! I shared in my stories that this little (very busy, very fruitful, very exciting, very exhausting) business of mine is growing!! I have official added a second stylist to help run things here in GR because, wait for it… I’ll be moving with my family back to San Diego in June! Crazy!! I’ll be launching in a second city and GUYS IT’S BANANAS!! The last few months have been so insane around here, my husband took a great job in Ca & we are prepping for the move in June when my babes are out of school. I’ve had countless moments of emotions changing on a whim, bittersweet realizations, excitement over a growing dream & my fair share of processing. I’m unbelievably full of gratitude for this life, the people I share it with & the things God has trusted me with. Seasons changing is always uncomfortable but that’s where growth comes – when we choose diligence, Faith, trust His leading & choose to reside in His peace even if fear is tapping at the door because that peace, it silences fear. He can do SO much more beyond what we can think, hope or imagine and I am all in for that!
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#grandrapids #sandiego #personalstylist #wardrobestylist #wardrobe #girlboss #mompreneur #personalshopper #dreamer #dreambigger #dreamchaser #cantstopwontstop #ican #woman #womeninbusiness

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Yeah, I get stuck in (effing, cuz these kinds of ruts deserve a swear word) clothing ruts too. Sometimes I try something new, look at myself in the mirror & OLIVIA!! All the bad thoughts come flooding in like a freight train. Walking out of the house feeling uninspired & self conscious sets a real positive tone for the day, doesn’t it? No thanks! But this is what I’ve come to understand about clothes, they’re just like every other relationship we have. We search for security, comfort, safety, inspiration & identity in them. They help to shape us into who we want to become & what we believe about ourselves. I want my clothing to offer security in areas I might not always feel good about. And all relationships need to be kept in check right?! I mean if home girl is stirring up some trouble you walk away! You (ideally, I know that’s not always easy) set boundaries to protect your heart. Typically we are drawn to people who make us feel inspired, understood, free & alive – people we feel proud to be seen with! Insert your wardrobe here… if you start your every day off feeling depleted, uninspired & self conscious then your relationship needs to change for your own well being. People and clothing should not becoming a hinderance to your potential or your overall health & beliefs about yourself. I am not a stylist just for the glamor (but let’s be real I def drool over the fancy things), I am a stylist because I believe in your potential and that your clothing is a major way of unlocking it! Set a boundary with your clothing like you would with someone who’s stealing your joy, get rid of them. They’re not worth keeping close if all they do is hurt you. ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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