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Inspired by Fashion Fairy Dust & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #78
I know. I know. Another kimono. But I have to tell you a story. You already know that my favorite summer outfit formula is a kimono and jean shorts. But I bet you didn’t know that this outfit combination paired with booties has been inspired by my dear friend Debbie of Fashion Fairy Dust. About a week and a half ago, she shared this amazing kimono outfit with booties on Instagram. Now I have seen shorts and booties styled together before and I always love it, but Debbie’s vibe is so my jam that I literally gasped with delight when I saw this outfit. And it stuck in my head…
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The Art of Delayed Gratification
For my entire life until I had kids, I was a voracious reader. I found such solace and escape and inspiration and motivation in reading books on a variety of different topics. I have always loved books on philosophy, psychology, religion, and self-help. My favorite genre of fiction has forever been 17th through 19th century British literature but also any type of historical fiction from most cultures. I have also always been a fan of the classics, you know, the books we were “forced” to read in grade school. I loved them all. But then I had kids and it seemed that I never had time to read for my…
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Shelbee Says…“Self-care is never selfish.”
My personal mental health journey through Bipolar Disorder was a long and arduous one. Because I navigated it primarily alone and without a road map, the lessons I have learned have become sacred to me. And while my lessons may not be the magical solution for everyone, they are certainly worth sharing in the event that they could possibly help someone. And one fundamental principle that I have learned to live by is that self-care is of the utmost importance. This is true for everyone, but it carries crucial significance for people with mental illness. Through decades of self-evaluation and introspection, years of therapy, and thousands of pages of reading…
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Weekend Wish List: 50 Swoon-Worthy Kimonos
So it’s no secret that I am obsessed with kimonos. They are a favorite summer staple for me and although I already have amassed quite the collection, I am always on the look out for new ones. If you missed yesterday’s post, I shared my favorite summer outfit formula there which includes a kimono, of course. Based on the comments, it seems there are lots of kimono-loving fashionista friends out there. So I decided to search the internet for some eye-catching attention-grabbing kimonos to share with you all today. *This is not a sponsored post. And I stumbled upon this site that I have never heard of before, boohoo. It…
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Sun Shades and Kimonos Complete My Summer & Link Up On the Edge #99
If you don’t know by now, then you haven’t been paying attention…I am completely obsessed with kimonos. I have dozens hanging in my closet because I just can’t seem to get enough. Yes, that is a problem. Yes, that is too many. Yes, that can be perceived as greed or waste or hoarding. And yes, I own up to my obsession. But the fact remains that kimonos are just my thing. My signature piece perhaps. My favorite summer outfit formula is denim shorts, a tee shirt, and a kimono with some fabulous shoes. Sometimes with some not so fabulous shoes. And sometimes with no shoes at all. It is easy…
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Inspired by Mom With Style: Giving Shape to a Shapeless Dress
I love when outfit inspiration hits me while browsing my favorite blogs over my morning coffee. Just last week, I found inspiration that I really needed from Mel of Mom with Style in her post, How to Become a Hat Person + WW Linkup. She showcased this gorgeous dark green maxi dress with a denim shirt and summer hat. While I do not have a maxi dress exactly like Mel’s, I have had this black and white leaf print long shift dress hanging in my closet unworn since last summer. I snagged it on clearance from Target at the end of the season last year for around $10. It was…
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Today, I Wept
Today, I wept. This morning, my college swim coach shared the news of this story on our team’s alumni Facebook page. He shared it because the husband and father of the victims was a member of our team and a member of my graduating class. And while I have not “known” him in 20 plus years, today my heart broke for him. I quickly shared the Go Fund Me Fundraiser on my Facebook page because in that moment I wasn’t really sure what else to do. A few hours later as I was walking to pick up my youngest son from preschool, I was lost deep in thought wondering what…
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Ditch Your Bra & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #77
I know, I know, it seems as if I have been touting Ruby Ribbon camis for months now. I want to be clear though, I am not a Ruby Ribbon stylist so my interest in sharing their products is merely to share a product that I think is fabulous! After wearing the full camis for a few months now, I wanted to try one of the demiettes for the warmer weather. So recently, my friend Carol sent me the Original Demiette to try. *This is not a sponsored post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. I have to say that I love it! I have been…
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Sharing My Flashlight: The Power of Our Experiences
Recently, I have been making some major adjustments in my life. I have been restructuring my daily routine, creating new and better habits, making healthier choices physically and mentally, eliminating toxicity from all facets of my life, and taking the time I need for self-care which includes quiet time, relaxing time, and fun time. It is an evolution of sorts that was prompted by my own experiences. I suppose we all make changes in response to our experiences. Experience does have that kind of power. The power to force change. *This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. We are meant to learn from…
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Shelbee Says…”Stay confident and strong in the truth of who you are.”
“Dear Shelbee, When I return to school in the fall, I will be returning as a transgender male. All of my classmates will have known me through eighth grade as a girl. I was home schooled this past year. When I return to school I know there will be many who will be giving me a very hard time about the change. I am sure there will be some teasing and bullying. What is the best course of action for me to take to deal with this? Do I fight back, ignore, or come up with something to quiet their taunts?” -Transitioning with Trepidation How to Handle School Bullies while…