Growth

sweater: madewell (similar here) // shorts: flying tomato via james clothing boutique (similar here) // boots: schutz (similar here) // hat: world market (available here)
photos by common dove photography

"Be present. Make love. Make tea. Avoid small talk. Embrace conversation. Buy a plant, water it. Make your bed. Makes someone else's bed. Have a smart mouth, and quick wit. Run. Make art. Create. Swim in the ocean. Swim in the rain. Take chances. Ask questions. Make mistakes. Learn. Know your worth. Love fiercely. Forgive quickly. Let go of what doesn't make you happy. Grow"

If there was ever a year for growth 2014 was it. There was certainly no shortage of life altering changes this year that provided the basis for mental, emotional and (because of all of the stress eating) physical growth.  During the past several months I have learned how to love and live again and I'm ready to keep growing, especially spiritually. Now that the year is soon coming to an end let's make the next couple of weeks the best yet :)

PS if you haven't checked out Sheree from Its Not That Deep's vintage store that she recently opened then stop what you are doing and go check it out….right meow.

Good Days and Bad Days

sweater: the limited (available here) // jeans: madewell (available here) // jacket: h&m (available here) // shoes: valentino (available here) // sunnies: prada (available here)
photos by common dove photography

About a month ago I went up to Virginia Beach to visit my parents in their new house. Quite an interesting weekend that ended with me crying my eyes out for about 6 hours listening to John Legend's "All of Me" and waking up to a 30 degree temperature drop. If you have been following the blog then you know I am currently going through a separation in my marriage…..I'll admit…..there are good days and bad days. Sometimes you think you are totally fine and then the smallest thing sets you off into a dark place that you don't know if you will ever get out of. The next morning after my last emo fest I walked out on my parents dock (because the smell of salt water always helps relax me) only to discover it was FREEZING…luckily I picked up this parka from H&M the day before and threw it over the first items laying on the top of my suitcase and slid on my Valentino rockstuds….and wouldn't you know it actually turned into a pretty great outfit. Like I said in my last post, I may be a mess right now but at least I will never let you know that from the outside. The good news is things are on the upswing for several reasons and I'm incredibly thankful for all of the people in my life right now.

Armor

top: madewell (similar here) // shorts: zara (similar here) // jacket: vintage (loving this one) // shoes: schutz (available here) // sunnies: ray-ban (similar here)
photos by common dove photography

I recently read a quote that hit pretty close to home…"Sunshine all the time makes a desert." As much as we would like to avoid hard times and just have sunshine and happiness all of the time life just doesn't work that way. I always remind myself that in order to appreciate the good times you have to let bad times hit you, often like a ton of bricks. You build a certain armor….much like this vintage moto jacket has become my outer armor when I'm not quite feeling like myself. I throw this on and immediately feel a little stronger. I'm still working on the inner armor……but nothing comes over night right?

Form and Function

leather overalls: via shopbop (on sale here) // blouse: madewell (similar here) // shoes: isabel marant (similar here) // sunnies: ray ban (similar here)

Love & Light

shirt: madewell (similar here) // shorts: zara (similar here) //jacket: old, loving this one // shoes: birkenstock (available here) // sunnies: prada (here) // backpack: vintage chanel

This past weekend while everyone was outside at the beach or the lake I was inside cleaning my house…..now I don't say this to complain….it was actually rather cathartic. While in the midst of cleaning I realized that we didn't need about 75% of the stuff in our house…..so I either donated it or tossed it…yes, friends that includes items of clothing. A funny thing happened after I was sitting in the middle of my barren bedroom…..I honestly felt like I had more items even after getting rid of so much. I had streamlined into only pieces and things that I truly love.

After the purging I came to another realization….I never really liked the way our house was decorated. I was 8 months pregnant when we bought our townhouse and really just wanted to move in and make it look like a home….which it has for the past 3 years….but it wasn't me. So thennnn I headed off to the flea market at the State Fair grounds where I found some pieces that really stood out. Its amazing how much a change of scenery can change your mood. I feel so happy and at peace in our home which hasn't happened in a longgggg time. I feel centered and free of clutter both physically and metaphorically. Now I'm ready to let in the love and light. PS this was the outfit I was wearing during the cleaning and flea market adventures…..comfy and practical but still me…..just like our new decor :)