H&M

On one particularly beautiful day in DC, I made a point to stop by my old apartment at the waterfront. It was my last apartment in the city before I accepted a nursing job in Fairfax and moved back to the area. I stood by the gates and lo and behold, it opened! So I made my way through the courtyard, passed the gigantic pool that I used to have all to myself (because thats how medical staff schedules roll), and looked up at the floor to ceiling windows of my old home.

Hey, 1003, I remember you. We played a lot of En Vogue from the 90s and had epic dance parties in that living room. We also saw a lot of me sprinting naked from the bathroom to the bedroom after showers because I always forgot to close the blinds. And let's not forget how loyal you were when I went through months of agony and spent all those nights watching youtube videos of One Direction (?!?!) to make it until the morning.

Note: Never watch youtube videos of One Direction when you're going through a trying time.

But you know, it was in that apartment, paired with going through a blip in my life, that I learned to do things intentionally. I wrote in my journal out in the courtyard on beautiful sunny days with intent. I made coffee in the mornings while listening to a podcast with intent. I bought flowers for my kitchen table every week with intent. It didn't matter if it was something small that I was doing, what mattered was that I was being intentional with my time.

And even though it may sound silly, dressing up should also be intentional in my opinion. I know we all have those days we want to bum around in sweats. Believe me, I would be a world champion if it were a competition. But I personally am starting to really enjoy putting the extra effort with what I want to wear even if it means that I'm just going across the street for a cup of coffee and a croissant because my intention is to feel wonderful on the inside and on the outside while I'm enjoying my breakfast. And truly, every day ought to feel that good.

Get the look from H&M!

Skirt:  A-Line Teal Skirt

Sweater: Rib-Knit Powder Pink Sweater