happy to be 30

happy to be 30

Dress: H&M | Shoes: Chanel | Sunnies: Spring 

If we're connected on facebook, instagram, or you have the unfortunate pleasure of following my snapchat stories (sorry not sorry), then you might know that I recently made a few changes in life. And truthfully, I owe it all to this blog. This silly little space where I like to post up outfits and take photos and write about all the unimportant things in my life. It connects me to you and all I can say is thank you for clicking the link to get you here. Maybe you're just being nosy but isn't that part of the fun of the internet, anyway? :)

About a month ago, I left my full time job as a nurse in the pediatric emergency department to pursue an opportunity to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the London School of Fashion. I was nervous to quit such a stable job for something completely unrelated to anything I've done professionally but in my heart, I wanted to accept both offers. And I did. 

I can't speak for everyone but I always start feeling sad when it gets closer to my birthday. This year was an especially big year for me as I officially left my twenties behind and joined the thirties club. As an unmarried woman with no children, I don't necessarily evaluate my life based on not accomplishing both those things yet (although my younger self would have probably imagined my present self having checked both those things off by now) but rather, I evaluate my life based on personal accomplishments and goals and more importantly, happiness. Happiness is a funny concept because it not only sounds cliche, but it can be trivial when compared to 'more important' aspects of adult life such as financial stability. 

As a nurse, I enjoyed being able to help others. I enjoyed learning all the clinical skills. But I was really unhappy about the long, abnormal hours I could never get used to. I missed sleeping and eating on time. I missed being able to go pee when I wanted to. I missed being able to work out and having more control over my schedule. I missed not feeling tired ALL THE TIME. (So really, if you're reading this and you know a nurse, please thank them. They put up with a lot of stress and sacrifice so much. They are angels, I tell you!) All of these things made me kind of unhappy. And when you're feeling unhappy as you're on the verge of turning 30.... you might do crazy things like take on fashion.

So New York and London. I'm not sure where all this will lead but I can tell you that I'm quite happy in this station of my life. Bring it, thirties! 

an ode to a childhood summer

an ode to a childhood summer

The other day, I was at my parents' house in Virginia. It was a beautiful evening so we decided to take our dog, Gatsby, out for an evening walk. We took the bike road, which hilariously enough, is not actually a road for bikes. Everyone just calls it "the bike road." It's more of a narrow path in the middle of a lot of green and weeds disguised as flowers. On our way back home, it dawned on me that I've walked on this bike road for over twenty years. It was so familiar but at the moment, so different. The closer we got to the end of the road, it hit me. 

Hey, remember when it used to smell like honeysuckles? Remember when we used to pick them and eat the sweet nectar? 

Remember this field used to light up with fireflies? Remember how we used to run and catch them and then peek at them in our cupped hands to see them light up? 

I have no idea how long its been since the honeysuckles have disappeared or when the fireflies stopped lighting up the field but man, were those the best part of being a kid. And it just felt right to pay tribute to them now that its summer and I'm missing them so. I look back at the fun things I did as a child growing up without computers or ipads and iphones. All the trees that were climbed, all the worms that we dug out from the dirt, all the turtles we would find at the creek (and the angry mom who would have to bring them back because no, I couldn't have them as a pet), the pink roller skates, the bike rides, and water gun fights... they were the best summers. No iphone, computer, video game, or ipad would have ever measured up.

And now, I'm an adult, flying back and forth between DC and NYC. My summer these days mostly revolve around uber cars and being sweaty. So here's to you,  honeysuckles and fireflies. Hopefully you're still out there making some kid happy. 

the time i didn't go to coachella but looked like i did

the time i didn't go to coachella but looked like i did

Jeans: Express | Top: F21 | Sunnies: F21

It's officially spring and I'm still in love with these bell bottom jeans, probably even more than I did when I first bought them last fall. The love is so strong that I am pairing them with a bell sleeve shirt. That's right, guys... flare all around! It's a little too hippie, a little too Coachella, a little too crazy for a casual trip out of the house but I'm also completely ok with that.  

YOLO, right?

the socks that tried

the socks that tried

Dress: Zara | Socks: F21 | Shoes: F21

You guys. It's December. And it also means this post is about two months late. You see, out here in DC, it's already feeling like winter and in these pictures, I'm wearing a dress with over-the-knee socks. So, can we talk about this outfit for a second?

I don't claim to be fashionable or anything but I know when I'm breaking rules. Or 'taking a risk' as some would put it. I'm not tall or couture enough to take these risks but I take them anyway because if I wear 4 inch heels, maybe I can get away with it. It all started when I wanted nothing more this fall season than to purchase some over-the-knee boots. The problem with buying them was finding the perfect pair. I wanted them black, snug, and with high, skinny heels. And not leather. Oh, and no ties either. After I couldn't find them, I basically threw my arms up in the air and said screw it.

Enter my obnoxious over-the-knee socks which I hadn't worn since I bought them a few years ago. I'm not sure these socks will ever be cool or stylish but let's pretend one day they will be. Let's also pretend that one day it will be ok to wear socks with open toe shoes.

I kind of want to care that that I'm going against some basic fashion 101 but really, #wearwhateverthehellyouwant.

look what's flaring up again

look what's flaring up again

Jeans: Express | Top: F21 | Hat: F21

I'm not going to lie but I can't properly write this blog post if Sonny and Cher aren't playing in the background. If this is what bell bottoms do to you, it might not be the worst thing to happen. Are you listening to The Beat Goes On and Baby Don't Go yet?

Isn't it funny how fashion styles always make their way back? Enter flare jeans. Or as I call them... bell bottoms. You know, briefly when I was in the fifth grade, bell bottoms were in. Does anyone else remember that? 1996 maybe? Sometimes it would even have some color going down the side. So when I saw these at the store, my heart kind of pitter-pattered as if I were reclaiming a childhood trend. Truthfully though, I do like these pictures because they remind me of my mom. She wore bell bottoms when she was my age and I think we look a lot alike. Also, it's a good excuse to channel my inner 60s Cher.

feeling good

feeling good

Jeans: Madewell | Top: H&M | Hat: F21 | Shoes: F21

Today was a feel good kind of day. 60s! We all needed this break from the cold. For me, the fact that I could ditch my winter coat for the day had me in all sorts of joyous feelings. It all started when I went to church today -- a new place I started going to called New Life but more about this later -- and the talk was about how we make others feel by the words we choose to say. I know there are people that have said things to me that I will always remember. Sometimes these words I remember are good but a lot of times, the things I remember are the ones that are hurtful. To be more mindful, we have to change our heart before we can change our tongue. And not to get too religious all up in here, I just want to leave you all with a message on being kind:

Be kind to your family. Be kind to your friends. Be kind to strangers. Be kind to yourself.

Just spreading some truth on a feel good Sunday.