Wear What You Want

Thanks SheIn for sponsoring this post.

WOW. Is it really almost September? I have one thing to say about that: good riddance, summer. This one's been unbelievably tough and I'm ready for the brisk autumn air to bring some healthy changes. (One of which being a more regimented blog schedule. Yes, more than once a week!) One thing that can stay though? Off-shoulder tops. I've gotta figure out how to make 'em last all the way to Christmas. This one gifted to me from SheIn is definitely a favorite and since it's nice and neutral, I think I'll be wearing it well after the boys of summer are gone.

Blue Dress for a Blue Girl

Are you familiar with the song "Feeling Good?" Surely everybody has heard it, no? There are countless renditions but nobody-- even the ultimate cool Canadian dad (Mr. Bublé)-- nailed it like Nina Simone. Even through the triumphant tone of the music, her vocals are jarring. This woman has been through some turmoil and it's clear. She's out of the woods but she's shaken. It's in this that I find solace. Just because you're broken doesn't mean you can't make something hauntingly beautiful. On the contrary: sometimes it's just a necessity.

This is What it's Like

If you're looking for some light-hearted banter, you might want to stop reading because I'm about to get painfully honest about my mental state. I haven't shared personal thoughts on here in quite some time. It's not that I haven't wanted to, I just haven't really had too much time to be alone with my thoughts. Well, that's not completely true. I've had plenty of time but I've avoided tapping into the inner workings of my mind quite purposefully. In my life, I've been sad. I've been depressed. I've been despondent. That's absolutely nothing compared to the thick fog I've been fighting my way out of for months. Nothing has compelled me to share because nothing has compelled to feel. I think it's some kind of coping mechanism, or a plan of self-preservation devised by my mentally ill mind. I'm ready to open up though, but admittedly, it's a little on the hopeless side.

Floral Dress with a White Tee

I'm just going to go ahead and thank Lizzie McGuire for this outfit inspiration. Who remembers that show? Her style was always *100 emoji.*

Lace-Up

There's a pencil skirt out there for everybody willing to squeeze into one and because of their incredible versatility, they're quickly becoming a personal favorite. I was a little nervous when I ordered this one online because anything without a little bit of stretch is potentially tragic. (I got a pretty big booty.) Lucky for me, it arrived and was absolute perfection. I couldn't wait to show it off to you guys!

Old City Staycation (With The Ladies.)

Thanks Kimpton for sponsoring this post!

When "they" tell you that your first year of marriage is going to be a doozy, "they're" not kidding. (You know, the proverbial THEY.) Mine has certainly been no exception. Pretty much as soon as we got back from our honeymoon, it's been nonstop craziness. I left my job, he started a new job, I joined a tech startup, we're doing all sorts of odd-jobs so we don't have to live in a box on the street; it's wild. In midst of all that, how am I supposed to have any girl time? Girl time is important, especially for creatively-minded ladies, which is why I HAD to get some blog girls together for a little staycation in Old City. The folks at the Hotel Monaco were THRILLED to have us and we were just as excited to get to stay in such a beautiful place. I needed it. Long live girl time.