February 2022 Favorites + Happenings

It’s that time of the month again… I feel like I blinked and February flew by. Usually, I’m so excited for a fresh start but I have to admit, as these months slip away I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness knowing that each passing month brings me one month closer to graduation.

Don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait for all of the excitement that this year has in store but it’s weird thinking of how much change is ahead. This month was so much better than last—my anxiety calmed, my friends got closer, and my outfits got cuter. Cheers to a good one and here’s to *hopefully* an even better March. Let’s recap my current favorites + chit chat about what a full month it’s been.

OUTFIT OF THE DAYS 

It’s funny because come summer I’m wearing all kinds of colors but come winter I’m wearing neutrals 24/7. There’s something about a capsule-like wardrobe that really speaks to me this time of year. I’ve been sticking to the same few items: straight-leg jeans, black boots, white sneakers, basic long sleeves, chunky sweaters, and lots of scarves. I actually rounded up my top ten must-have clothing items for this time of year in this blog post if you’re interested in getting the full scoop.

I also wanted to give an honorable mention to my SKIMS pieces. I worked with them earlier this month and have been wearing their bras and underwear left and right because they are truly just that good. I have a few of their bodysuits too which I’m a big fan of. I’ve been going out left and right with the girls but their brown shapewear bodysuit pictured above was definitely my favorite going-out top of the month!

WORKOUT 

I’ve been back in the gym again this month and like I said last month, it’s been doing wonders for my mental health. I haven’t really fallen into a “routine” with it—I just like to listen to my body and go from there. Somedays I go on the stepper, others I do 12-3-30, and others I’ll do an ab workout on YouTube.

Regardless, I’ve been wearing all kinds of cute workout wear while doing it. The Feather Fit line from SheIn has been a must for me lately. I mentioned these last month and I wore their sets so much that I grabbed them in a few other colors. You have to get their longline sports bras if you’re a fan of the Lulu Align Tanks! I’ve also been wearing some new pieces from Monob and love their stuff—super high quality and so soft!

FASHION 

All throughout college I always was able to find a friend who was able to help me shoot looks for the blog but as we crack down on our senior year courses, internships, and work, it’s become harder and harder to find the help. Therefore, I shot timer photos all month long. And let me tell you, I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. Believe me, I’d still rather have a physical person with me, especially because this way takes twice as long when it’s cold and snowy, but I’ve been making do, doing everything I can to keep up with my content.

As for fashion, I’ve been shooting in all kinds of puffers and winter layers. Thankfully, I was able to go on my monthly content trip somewhere warm so I got a kick start on photographing some fun spring trends—kelly green, bell sleeves, platform boots, and micro purses. SO many cuties! I’ll be traveling for a good chunk of March so I hope that I can crank out more fun content like it.

BEAUTY 

No new beauty favs to report of. It’s been incredibly cold here in Ohio all month long which means I’ve been lathering my face in thick moisturizer 24/7. Perhaps when things warm up a bit I’ll have a new update for you. Until then, I’ll link some of my go-to products.

Oh wait, actually, I did start switching up how I curl my hair. I’ve always used the T3 1.25″ barrel and recently switched to their 1.5″ + a new curling method and I’m obsessed. I have their Curl Pass and although it’s pricey, it’s so worth it.

ENTERTAINMENT 

I mentioned last month that I’ve gotten back into reading! I finished Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover, The People We Meet On Vacation by Jodi Picoult, and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. I’m going to be honest, I had really high hopes for the Colleen Hoover books. I have heard amazing things about her work and while I think her storylines are great, she has a very cliche, cheesy way to her love stories. I definitely am a crier in books and while people raved over these, I didn’t find myself moved the way I thought I would be.

The People We Meet On Vacation was super modern—I loved that the main character was a writer for a travel magazine + influencer. It felt very relatable and the love story along the side was very cute. Definitely, a good beach read.

As for music, you’ll see a lot of last month’s most played also on this month’s. Honestly I’ve been so busy that the same few mellow songs playing in the back while I work has helped me keep my focus. I do have a few country favs thrown in their too though. Follow me on Spotify @mckenzmorganfor more!

FEBRUARY REFLECTIONS 

I had one hell of a February let me tell ya. I was expecting it to be a rather mellow month based on how January went but my Tik Tok exploded overnight practically leaving me with a whopping 50,000 followers to close out the month. I’m just a few away from 35K on Instagram and just hit 66K on YouTube. I have big goals set for the year itself and these definitely have me ahead of schedule—YAY!

I also had an amazing month of sales and brand deals. I got to work with SKIMS for the first time and just contracted in a very exciting partnership with Altard State for the next few months. I cannot wait to see what else this quarter has in store and *promise* I am working on bringing on some more sustainable companies as well.

MARCH GOALS + MANIFESTATIONS 

I mentioned last month that I went down to just three blog posts a week and it was truly one of the best decisions. The reality is I’m only one person and I was spreading myself far too thin before. I’m keeping this same schedule in March in hopes to start banging out some more short-form video content. That means one Instagram reel and one TikTok a day in March. I need to make this a habit—no ifs, and, or buts.

I’m also hoping to get the ball rolling on my merch. Originally I planned on pushing this into 2023 but an opportunity has presented itself that I am planning on acting on. I got a bunch of feedback from you all via Instagram last weekend and it’s given me some really good ideas. I can’t wait to share more when I find out. (Ps I am manifesting a planner company that wants to partner to help me release my own line of to-do lists, stationery, and a planner. Not sure if that’s a this year project, but it’s something I want to speak into existence).

Praying that maybe YouTube will have a big month and allow me to hit 70K subscribers and that my TikTok keeps chugging along.

MONTHLY TRAVELS 

I took my monthly content trip (is that what we’re calling it now?!) to Los Angeles to see my two besties, Sam and Jules. They are living together in Beverly Hills so I was able to have a nice, relaxing visit with them. We explored Venice for two nights and shot all kinds of photos— I partnered with Hotel Erwin and a few restaurants too.

I feel like I’m, finally getting the hang of this. In fact, my trip to California was definitely the most relaxed/comfortable I’ve ever felt traveling alone. Two thumbs up for this progress. I know it’s pointing me in the right direction for when I study abroad this fall.

I’m off to Cabo and San Fransisco next month for an extended spring break trip and I can hardly wait—I’ve already been pinning photo inspo and buying clothes left and right. Stay tuned for all the adventures!

COLLEGE LATELY 

To be honest, last month I kept thinking “man, it feels like I hardly ever do schoolwork” but I spoke too soon. I’m taking a full senior year’s worth of classes in one semester and suddenly I’m being slammed with projects and 10-page papers every other day. Between school and styled by work, I’ve been staring at my computer for at least eight hours a day. It’s not ideal but that’s the reality of being a #girlboss, lol.

Despite the craziness, I’ve actually had one of my favorite months of the school year. We had several snow days, a few sorority events, and another date party. I’ve been going out a ton and find myself saying yes to more spontaneous Dairy Queen runs than ever before. I think it’s starting to hit everyone that we only have ten more weeks left here and so we’re taking advantage of every spare second together. I feel closer to my roommates than ever before and for that, I’m so grateful.

However, I find that college I feel everything ine xtremes. When you’re so happy in one area you’re so not in another. You either see a friend every day for a week or not at all. There’s a lot of black and whites. And while I’ve nurtured certain realtionships, I feel like I’ve neglected those of my younger sorority friends. It’s a weird thing to share with the internet but I feel the urge to write about it—to remind you that you can streive for balance all you want and still fall short. I know it’s easy to sit and watch this productive life of mine but remember, it’s perfectly curated, and the reality is I feel that emptiness too sometimes.

I’m trying so hard to take note of how I feel when I’m around certain friends, how I feel about myself when we’re apart. This month I want to do more of this—to pay attention to the kind of friend I’m being. Am I kind, thoughtful, considerate, the way I hope my friends to be? A lil self reflection never hurt anybody.

Grateful for such an awesome month and excited to see what March (my least favorite month of the year, lol) has in store.

With love, McKenz

THIS MONTH ON STYLED BY MCKENZ 

1. January 2022 Favorites + Happenings
2. Weekly Wrap Up #5 2022
3. Styling My Top Three Most Worn Jeans
4. The Top 10 Most Worn Items In My Winter 2022 Wardrobe
5. Weekly Wrap Up #6 2022
6. 3 Ways I’m Wearing Flannel This Winter
7. 5 Ways To Wear Puffer Vests This Winter
8. Weekly Wrap Up #7 2022
9. California Outfit Guide February 2022
10. Los Angeles Travel Guide February 2022
11. Weekly Wrap Up #8 2022