March and April 2021 InstaMonth

Wow, I think the last Instamonth was actually January's. So I guess I'll just skip right over February. Oops! 😜 I just have to hope my perfectionism takes a backseat on that one and I can let the oversight go. It's just been a really loooooong year and I'll chalk it up to that.

So here are some highlights from my Instagram (@wendybanner) during March and April. I'm always down to follow back, so let's connect if we haven't. I'm going to keep this short, because it's Friday and I am so ready for the weekend. Just gonna make it more about the pictures and not the captions. I hope you have a great weekend!

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InstaMonth for January 2021

I can't believe February is already halfway over. It being such a short month always throws me off. Valentine's Day was a little crazy to think about and celebrate because it was the last time we ate inside a restaurant before the pandemic truly hit. We've had date nights since then, but with a pandemic twist. It's so strange to think about this past year and how our lives and routines have changed.

Anyway, let's dive into a few pictures from my Instagram during January. As always, I'd love for us to follow each other if we aren't. It's hard to grow an account these days!

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InstaMonth for December 2020

Wow, I last posted early last Wednesday. I thought one of the bigger events of my day would be when we took our Christmas decorations down. Boy, was I wrong in so many ways. Not long after that post was published, I watched as domestic terrorists stormed my country's (I'm an American in Canada) Capitol Building and continued the attack on democracy. I cannot begin to put into words the sadness and anger that I felt as I watched it all unfold. That I still feel. It just piles on to what I have been feeling over the past year, having reached my breaking point long ago. I hope that everyone involved is found guilty and faces punishment and is held accountable for their words and actions. I just want to make it clear where I stand.

Now, to the post planned for today. It's fluff compared to what's happening in the world, but we need a little fluff and escape! Here are a few highlights from my Instagram this past month. I love posting in December with all of the festivities of the holiday season afoot! I'm trying to amp up my likes and comments this year. It's near impossible to grow anymore, I find. If you'd like to follow each other, let's do it! I love following all of you!

What was in my purse. Isn't this Mickey backpack the cutest?!

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InstaMonth for November 2020

A bit late in the month for a November type post, perhaps! I did have goals of putting it up last week, but things happen. It has been a rough month for me and my emotions have been all over the place. My drive to get things done comes and goes. Some days, my focus is simply survival. I know I'm not alone and I hope this helps you realize that you are not, if you are also feeling topsy turvy and all over the place right now. Feel what you're feeling and don't apologize or feel shame for it. The only way to get over it is to get through it, they say! No one said the path was straight with no curves or bumps.

With next week being Christmas (already?!😲) and our holiday week, I haven't decided if I'll go into a bit of overdrive to get a post or two written up for that week or not. I know a lot of you love new content to read over the holiday break and so do I, so I'll probably try to get at least one post scheduled for then! For now, here are some highlights from my Instagram during November. I'd love to follow each other, if we aren't already. Just leave your @ in the comments!

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InstaMonth for October 2020

I would have gotten this post up yesterday, but we took a vacation day for the heck of it. I think we needed a mental break! Being an American in Canada, I feel the stress of the pandemic, the election, and everything doubly so. I've just been feeling EVERYTHING at the highest volume and I needed a day. I'm not getting to go home for my brother's birthday or US Thanksgiving as originally planned before the days of the pandemic, but we already had that week booked off and we're keeping it as a holiday week for a staycation. I'm looking forward to the time off, but do very much wish it could be spent going home as I'm sure many of you are wishing as the holidays near.

We're still treating that week as my Thanksgiving, of course. All the baking, cooking, Christmas and Thanksgiving specials and movies, Christmas music, you name it. As a matter of fact, our trees and decor are going up tomorrow because I can't wait any longer. And if you already have yours up, kudos! It's anything goes this year. Whatever makes you happy! I have Christmas music going as I type this post and it never fails to put me mentally in a happy place. It's not much, but it helps. Above all else, take care of yourself!

I'm keeping this Instagram round-up short and sweet this month. As always, if you'd like to follow each other, you can find me as @wendybanner on there. I hope you're all staying safe and healthy. Don't let down your guard, because the pandemic is still here and stronger than ever. Thinking of all of you!

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InstaMonth for September 2020

I'm a little late on this post, but I took a little time off this week. Monday was Thanksgiving here and my father-in-law passed away on the same day and while my husband and he were not close, I felt like I needed to take a little time away to help my husband process the news and just be with him. I met him only once for a nice long dinner and chat, so I suppose I also needed to process the news myself.

I feel like this is probably the easiest way to get back into posting. Although I'm second-guessing this decision as I'm sitting here shaking my fist at the new Blogger editor. I put off switching over as long as I could and for good reason - I am not a fan! I've got my Halloween playlist playing, which I plan on sharing soon! Here are some highlights from my Instagram last month.

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Fashionable Heart Turns 13 and August's InstaMonth

Hi y'all! Before I dive in with the recap from my Instagram during August, I wanted to give a quick message on my blog and its longevity. Fashionable Heart turned thirteen last week on the 7th. FH is officially a teenager! So many things have happened in those years!

In 2007, this space allowed me to focus on things and topics I enjoyed and helped give me an escape as I mourned my grandmother. It has given me a voice when I've sometimes questioned having one or being heard and seen.

I just want to pat myself on the back for the day that I started this journey. I've gone through periods where I need small breaks or fewer posts, but I've never truly contemplated quitting or going on a lengthy hiatus. That's not to say it will never happen, but I feel like as long as I stay true to myself and allow the blog to grow with me, that it'll be a part of my life for years to come.

Blogging has given me some awesome experiences and brought amazing people into my life. Not just here, but the older days of Xanga, MySpace, and LiveJournal. And before those, I even had a WebTV website way back when where I shared different things about my life and favorite quotes. Some things never change. I've been in the blogging game for so long that I can't remember a lot of time before it.

And I'm happy to blog because with it, I talk about a lot of things I would have forgotten without it! Maybe I'm not as personal as I once was in my early days, but I try to strike an even ground. I am a private person who likes to selectively choose what is shared and when a more personal touch is needed. I don't want to share everything, but I don't want to be too impersonal. It's finding that balance and I hope I'm succeeding.

Thank you for supporting me whether you have been here from the start or just clicked on Fashionable Heart today. I can't thank you enough for subscribing, following, liking, commenting, working with me, and most importantly reading and listening. It all makes me feel such happiness and acceptance. Grateful and thankful are understatements. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I might have told a fib when I said I'd make that quick. Haha! Let's get to some highlights from my Instagram during August!

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InstaMonth for July 2020

Hi, y'all! Can you believe we are in August already in a year that seems to be moving slowly and quickly given whichever moment you're in? This pandemic seems to slow things down, but then I sit back and look at how quickly the months went by. Time is weird right now. Well, it's always weird, but it seems even weirder now. I read this article a few month's ago and it struck me as being true as the pandemic has continued! I find myself having to check my watch or phone more and more to see what day and time it is.

Now to some highlights from my Instagram account during July. I'm happy to see August, as autumn is just around the corner. I can't wait for full fall vibes with dark evenings, cool breezes, candle lit nights, etc. It's my favorite season, so bring it on. Sorry, summer lovers! :)

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier line - review is here!

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InstaMonth for May and June 2020

I didn't get this post up last month, so I'm just combining May with June. If you're not familiar with these posts on my blog, I pick a few highlights from my Instagram to share on here. Some correlate with blog posts that you might have missed. As always, if you are interested in following and supporting each other, I'm game!

This is my last blog post for this week, because it's my birthday weekend. So I'm getting celebrations started early!

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InstaMonth for April 2020

We are in May now! Time is operating at a strange pace for me right now, for sure. Is it fast? Is it slow? It's a little of everything any given minute. We are still staying home and will until Toronto and Ontario decides otherwise. Even then, I can't help but feel uncertain that we are all going to do it too quickly. I know there are those out there who have a different opinion. My own home state has the worst rating in the US in social distancing. Just this past week, "grandma killer" was trending on Twitter because someone wants their freedom so badly and is refusing to stay home. I personally can't wrap my head around it. I really can't.

People are losing their lives, their loved ones, and are getting sick for weeks with what many have deemed the "worst thing they have ever gone through". I understand the uncertainty, financial problems, and all of that. I just don't understand the way of thought behind the protesting, fake coughing on someone and laughing, having parties and BBQs with friends, etc. Selfishness and stupidity is running rampant and it worries me tremendously. It feels so disrespectful to those out there on the front lines, those working their essential jobs, to those who have seen COVID19 firsthand, and even to those like us who are doing everything they can to stay in and stay healthy.

We have a long weekend here coming up and I am so excited about it. I know that sounds crazy with us being at home everyday, but that is while still working. My husband even added an extra day to make it a five day weekend/staycation for us. A nice little mental break! Don't underestimate the power of a vacation day even if it is just spent at home. A day of doing nothing is actually something!

And y'all, would you believe it snowed this past weekend and a little this morning? In May?! I don't think I've ever seen snow in May. It snowed on May 9th, which was my grandmother's birthday. Whenever I see snow, I think of her because I'd always get so excited to see it and call her about it. I'm from the south, so I still find myself treating snow as some kind of rare delicacy. I feel like she was sending me down a little sign from heaven and that was an uplifting feeling.

Anyway, I'll get into the post. Here are a few pictures from my Instagram (@wendybanner) during April. With the algorithm not always working for me, I like to also share them on my blog. My feed has been focused a lot more on skincare and self-care recently. If you'd like to follow each other, I'd love it. My double-tap game is strong! :)

Latest H&M haul.

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InstaMonth for March 2020

Today is what my husband calls a "fake Friday" since he has tomorrow off! And even though we are both at home all day every day right now, we're still very much looking forward to a four day holiday weekend. With our routine, working hours are a good bit different from off hours and days off/holidays still feel like a renewal or reset of sorts. I think that is the most important thing about working from home - setting up a routine that works for you.

Before I delve into sharing a few highlights from my Instagram this past month, I want to touch on current events. Next week will be our fifth week of physical distancing and staying home and I really hope you're doing what you can, as well. For myself, I've been having a tough time with my emotions and anxiety. I have always been one to cry easily, but now I'm truly just crying whenever. My eyes just tear up at the smallest of things.

The hardest thing for me is being an American in Canada through this. I have many thoughts on both governments and their responses. With the border closed and self-quarantines happening, I can't get home if something happens. With family in both countries, my heart is tugging in two directions. I worry so much for my family back home. I see the number of cases and deaths rising. I think of my elderly family members like my aunt Doris who is having radiation treatments for breast cancer after having heart surgery a little over a year ago. I think of my other family and friends and hope they are taking every precaution. And well, it all just makes me feel so helpless. It's always hard having my heart in two places, but this is unlike anything I've ever experienced.

Being torn in two worried about Canada and my family and friends here and worried about the US with my family and friends there. My heart is heavy. For those of you who have battled COVID, know or have lost someone who has, face your fear to do your job each day, those of you seeing the worst parts of this pandemic in front of your own eyes. For those of you who are struggling right now with jobs, money, and your mental health. For all of us trying to find certainty in a time riddled with uncertainty.

This is why I try to find a balance on here and on my social media. This is all on my mind and heart and it weighs heavily. This is when we all need those little mental breaks. Be it posting beauty reviews or pretty pictures on Instagram, reading a book, stress baking, playing video games, yoga, taking a nap, whatever it is that will help you. We need breaks. It doesn't necessarily mean a person is taking things lightly. It means they are taking their mental health seriously. Whatever self-care measures you need to take on any given day, take them. Be sad about not seeing loved ones and canceled vacations or events. Be upset. Be scared. Be and feel whatever you need to. Your feelings are valid and they matter. If the only productivity you're seeing is survival from day to day, that's more than okay.

As this holiday weekend comes, I'm so grateful to spend the next few days with my husband and the dog. I still plan to make a big Easter dinner (with only two of us, that just means more leftovers!) and maybe watch some movies and have a game night. I've planned for a virtual Easter dinner with my husband's family. We have a group Facebook chat now and will take the hour that our dinner would have been to chat and share pictures. Still connecting, just in a different way.

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InstaMonth for February 2020

I'm so happy we're in March! Our wedding anniversary is this month and we always enjoy a trip away. Though to be honest, I'm incredibly late in planning it this year. Hoping to get a hotel booked this week! We're looking at Traverse City, Michigan. One of our favorite shows to watch together is The Curse of Oak Island. And while going to Oak Island in Nova Scotia would be fun and a total dream of mine, just maybe not so much during the winter months.

One of the brothers on the show owns a winery in Traverse City, hence wanting to go and enjoy a tour during the off season while crossing my fingers that Marty is there. I love the story and legend of Oak Island, but I truly love the artifacts and the history behind everything they have found so far. If you're into mysteries and history, it's a captivating show! I especially enjoy watching Rick, Jack, and Gary. Anyway, enough about my love of The Curse of Oak Island. If you watch it, let me know in the comments!

I had fun with my Instagram during the month of February, making almost every picture have a tone of red or pink in it for the month of loooooove. I don't usually go down the path of color themes, but I love pink and red so this didn't feel like something forced. It was just something that is almost always in my pictures anyway. The algorithm is not my friend on most days despite trying many different methods, so I've found my best way around this is to post these little round-ups here on a domain that I own. :)

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InstaMonth for January 2020

Am I super late on this post this month? You betcha. Considering I completely forgot to do a December favorites post, I guess they even each other out in the absent-minded category. That may not be how it works, but I'll go with it!

If you're new here, I usually do a round-up of highlights from my Instagram over the last month. This is mostly because the algorithm doesn't always show my photos and I own this domain and want to share them somewhere other than Instagram. So I'm going to get to typing up this post so I can go get ready and figure out what I'm wearing tonight for our Valentine's Day dinner. :) Hope you all have a lovely weekend! It's a holiday weekend here with Monday being Family Day. I am definitely looking forward to a three day weekend!

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InstaMonth for December 2019

Yes, I still have a bit of posts to do with the "2019" date. I want to get up my Christmas gifts and my top products of the year posts. They are coming! I've been suffering my way through a cold and sinus sickness all week. I'm just happy it waited until after the holidays and my trip to South Carolina! I think that is what brought it on with the change of pressure and weather. It has halted me in my tracks though, so I'm a bit behind on the blog posts that I was hoping to have ready. I'm using a rare burst of "sorta" energy to get this post up. Then, I'll probably be back to being a blanket burrito on the couch.

December was a bit short on Instagram for me, because I enjoyed taking a week off while I was home for the holidays. That was absolutely worth it! I enjoyed our trip so much and I will probably go more in depth in my Christmas post. I might break it into two posts! Here's a few pictures from my Insta this past month. And if you've been sick too, I hope you're feeling better or that you are on the mend. The illnesses going around right now are brutal!

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InstaMonth for November 2019

I've been adding a few more and more festive touches to my Instagram as the holiday season progresses. I just can't help it! This is my absolute favorite time of the year and I just feel like I am thriving. Especially this year with a trip home on the threshold. That just puts an extra dose of magic in the air!

So I'm cranking up my Christmas playlist on Spotify and typing up this post and just soaking in all of the holiday vibes, because this time of year just doesn't last long enough. I do have plans to share a Christmas playlist in an upcoming blog post! As always, if you want to follow each other on Instagram, you can find me as @wendybanner.

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InstaMonth for October 2019

Here's what shall be known as the last full month of the year where my Instagram doesn't look like Christmas basically threw up all over it! I'll be putting up our decor next weekend, so after that it is fair game. I'm not sure I love any backdrop more than a Christmas tree! Okay...maybe my beloved marble, but those are my top two, for sure! I won't go into full Christmas mode until my Thanksgiving, but it's hard not to get into the spirit here in Canada seeing as we have already celebrated every holiday before Christmas arrives. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to Lea Michele's new Christmas album as I type this post.

I'm not going all out with our decor this year, since we are supposed to be heading to my home in SC for the holidays! I can't very well not put up at least some of my smaller items and one of our trees, so that we have them out to enjoy for the duration of the next few weeks that we are here. Are you going all out this year or taking it easy during your holiday? Going home? Taking a vacation? It's insane that we're already on the holiday conversation, isn't it?! It feels like we were all ringing in the new year.

Here are a few pictures from my Instagram during October. It was a pretty laid back month, which I am more than okay with now that the holiday rush is upon us!

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InstaMonth for September 2019

September through December is not only my favorite time of year, but it's my favorite time to be on social media. I mean, I'm kind of in a "bleh" moment with social media as a whole, but I love all of the fall and holiday visuals shared during this time. There's just something so special about all of the fashion, holiday decor, etc.

I'm starting to take my social media down that path, sharing more autumnal choices on Instagram and Pinterest. Does the time of year change how you post and what you post and view? Which season gives you the most inspiration? I'm in my moment right now! Here are a few posts from my Instagram during September.

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InstaMonth for August 2019

Boy, August sure went by pretty quickly! I'm happy it's September, but my word this year can slow down a bit now. Now that September is here, I get to do something new. I get to cheer my brother on from afar as he takes the football field tomorrow for his first game. I am so proud of him for sacrificing part of his summer for team practices and conditioning.

I was on the field in the marching band (and I am quite familiar with the sacrificing of the summer and many many hours) and now he'll be on the field in a football uniform! His team is a step below junior varsity, as he'll only be 14 this year. Just saying that makes me feel incredibly ancient! I only wish I could get down for a game, but I am looking forward to going down to South Carolina at Christmas. For now, he has one of his biggest and proudest cheerleaders in Canada!

Besides that, we're a step closer to the official start of autumn and I am impatiently waiting for it to be more acceptable for me to throw on sweaters and boots and wanting pumpkin everything. I mean, I'm already pretty much there...it's just not as acceptable to the general public. Haha! Look, fall is my favorite season so I just want to elongate it. Can't help it! I'm sure all of you summer lovers are doing the same by trying to hold onto your sandals and shorts as long as possible!

So here we are with my monthly round-up from Instagram. These are a few pictures from my account during August. As always, I love following you all back and getting to know you on there. At a time when the algorithm isn't at its best, I'm sure we all feel like we could use a little more support on there.

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InstaMonth for July 2019

I'm a little later than usual with this post, but here we are with a few photos from my Instagram during last month. Why share them on my blog, as well? Well, the algorithm is not my friend and those of you that do follow me probably miss several of my posts because of it. I know I miss yours and it drives me crazy. I own this little space on the internet and a little cross promotion never hurts anyone.

I think the algorithm and the follow/unfollow (annoying!) is what is killing Instagram, at least it is for me. I also find that I lose more followers the more active I am, which honestly boggles my mind. Should I just not open my account for a month and see if my account actually grows (LOL, but don't think I haven't thought about it more than once!)?! In reality, I throw out likes and comments like confetti so if you're interested in supporting each other, I'm totally game. I don't want to be just a number and I don't want you to be either. Just find me, @wendybanner!

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June 2019 InstaMonth

June on Instagram...it was interesting, wasn't it? Heck, July started off on the wrong foot with that outage yesterday and I'm still experiencing bugs today. Honestly, I'd take the outage in a heartbeat if that meant they were working on their absolute bollocks of an algorithm. I'm sorry, but I'm not on the train of thought where it's completely the user and not the algorithm's fault behind any issue you find with Instagram. I'm sure there is some user fault, but the recent changes are affecting a lot of people and not just those with smaller follower counts. It's become a shell of what Instagram once was and that's a real disappointment. Have you noticed a dip in everything on Instagram, as well?

And since I had several people tell me just this week how they were missing my posts on their feed, I figured I'd share a few more photos from my account than I normally do. If they are not going to show up on most Instagram feeds, I might as well post them to my blog. Right?! So here are some pictures from my Instagram during June!

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