Weekly Gems #15: What I Wore, My Best Amazon Purchase, & A Deeper Question About Life
+ Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Hi all! I’m writing to you while Autumn is down for her nap and Kevin is out getting a haircut. I have a quiet house, all to myself and it is the peace I have been craving all week after an anxiety-filled week. This week I am blending two seemingly opposite themes: fashion and introspection. I started this newsletter as a fashion-focused platform and I intend to keep it as such since it’s my passion; but sharing a little more of my personal life and opening up more is something I’ve been grappling with for many months; so, alas, here we are. “Living authentically” is something I’ve been thinking lots about lately. A topic that might feel incongruous next to a discussion about clothes, but, honestly, the two aren’t as different as they seem. Fashion is often about expressing who we are, but it’s also easy to hide behind a carefully curated image. Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to share a bit more personality; to step outside of my comfort zone and connect on a deeper level. Perhaps it’s time to peel back the layers and reveal a little more of the person behind the wardrobe…
It’s been a very gloomy, rainy week here in Vancouver so this week was filled with sweaters, trenches, and mom fit approved footwear- AKA: Sneakers. If you live somewhere hot and sunny (*btw jealous*) I’m happy to share some potential gloomy, albeit very casual, fall inspo with you early:
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Extras:
Jewelry: the *newest addition* to the stack [image above]
At home s’mores night: I ordered this awesome tabletop fire pit [image above] off of Amazon last year and it’s been one of my best Amazon purchases to date. (I don’t know why the exact one we have is no longer available on Amazon but I linked a similar one with good reviews.) We use it on a cozy move night in, outside on our little porch, or inside the kitchen to make s’mores. We fill it with 99% isopropyl alcohol (a clean burning fuel and completely safe to use to roast marshmallows with) that you can also find on Amazon.
Due to all this gloom, my self tan regime has already begun (dun, dun, DUN!) So if you have casper skin like me and want a little glow, I’ve got you covered. I use Coco & Eve’s products, to which they gave me a little discount code to share: AMBERSCOTT for 15% off all single item products. *Note: This code doesn’t apply to value sets. I’ve been using the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam in shade “medium” for over a year now and the Antioxidant Face Tanning Mist is a must! It’s a spray so no hand application necessary— very cutesy, very demure. Most recently, I’ve been testing out the Anti-Aging Tanning Serum, a great option if you want to mix in with your facial moisturizer for an overall even, light glow!
Research suggests that journaling can help us accept rather than judge our mental experiences.
There’s a strange comfort in discomfort, a paradox I’ve been grappling with over the past few weeks. Anxiety has become a familiar companion this week as I navigate new challenges. Yet, as I open up my life more online, revealing the raw, unfiltered aspects of who I am, I’ve come to realize something crucial: the more I embrace my discomfort, the less power it has over me. Psychological studies have long shown that vulnerability is a key component of building authentic connections. Dr. Brené Brown, from the University of Houston, describes vulnerability as “the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” By exposing our true selves, we not only strengthen our relationships with others but also foster a deeper sense of self-acceptance.
For over a year now, I’ve kept my content very fashion-focused, steering clear of anything too personal. I’ll be honest, this helped greatly with my anxiety but I also lost that sense of connection I once had. Something I realized I was missing more and more as the months went on. It’s the reason I started a blog in the first place, over a decade ago. After many months of deliberation, I decided it was time to show more of “me.” It’s a scary prospect, of course. The fear of online judgement and ridicule silenced me over time, but I’m learning that authenticity is a far more powerful tool than the false sense of security online.
So I’m leaning into the discomfort for a while. I truly believe that pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones is more than just an exercise in bravery; it’s a fundamental part of growth. The comfort zone can sometimes become a gilded cage. While it offers a sense of familiarity and control, it also can confine us to the limits of what we already know, restricting us from new experiences and opportunities for growth. I’m trying to view my challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles with the intent to encourage resilience. I believe that when we push ourselves into unfamiliar territory, we’re forced to adapt, learn, and grow in ways we never would have otherwise. Most of all, I’m learning to like who I am, not in spite of my anxieties, but because of them. To let go of potential judgment and embrace the fullness of, well, me. There is immense power in showing vulnerability.
In the end, pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones is about more than just conquering fear— it’s about stepping into our truest selves. And after all, isn’t that what we all deserve?
Until next time,
Anxious girls unite! ♥️💪
Excited for you + this journey you’re on, Amber. Welcome back! You’ve been missed — sharing both your love of fashion & sharing you. 💗