Jacket: Urban Outfitters (old). Peplum Top: Anthropologie (old). Skirt: Forever 21 (recent). Heels: Zara (last spring). Bag: Melie Bianco (last seen below). Sunnies: Westward\\Leaning. Jewelry: Michael Kors Watch; David Yurman Bracelet and Ring; H&M Necklace (old).

Alarm rings. Hit snooze. Ten minutes later, hit snooze again. Debate waking up, but drift off again until snooze jolts me awake. Drag myself out of bed. Take a steaming hot shower in order to finally stop staring at the back of my eyelids. Realize I am way behind schedule. Panic. Throw on easiest outfit. Quickly put together lunch. Rush out the door. Put makeup on, brush hair and throw it into a pony tail, while eating breakfast and driving to work. Grab Starbucks and finally begin the day.

Anyone have similar mornings? Far too often, I find myself too tired and choosing to sleep in instead of forcing myself up and having the luxury to take my time in the morning and start my day a little less stressed. Last week I set my alarm thirty minutes earlier one day, and the results were amazing. Yes, it was difficult to actually get out of bed, but having the time to do the things I enjoy was worth it. Instead of my usual pony tail necessity, I actually had time to make my hair look decent, style an outfit, even do a blog shoot, in addition to enjoying my morning coffee over the Wall Street Journal. Since leaving my business college days behind, it is rare that I take the time to sit down and read a paper. Often times throughout a busy day, I’ll break to catch up on a quick news story or fashion bites from Yahoo or Refinery29 or my favorite blogs, but there is something about holding a crisp paper, hot off the presses. It actually makes me feel a little bit more like an adult (HA!). I’d be lucky if I could keep this up even once a week, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

What does your morning routine look like?

Photos by Debra Kraus