Hello lovelies! What a time we find ourselves in, no?! Even though I gave up on social media a couple years ago (it was just too much, if you know what I mean), I still subscribe to a few blogs and it’s been a little odd getting emails filled with pretty outfits, vacations, and home remodels and no mention of the thing we’re all thinking about.
On one hand it’s a relief to get a break from thinking about the “pandemic,” but on the other hand something like a fashion blog post seems so insignificant and superficial in the face of a worldwide health crisis. Being a telephonic well-being coach, I talk to people all over the country and it’s obvious that no one is unaffected by COVID-19.
And yet, working from home I’m pretty isolated from how the “outside world” is dealing with it. After watching the news (something I try to avoid in general, thankfully the hubs keeps me as informed as I need to be) I am realizing that ignorance really is bliss. Hearing about people buying up all the supplies they can find, standing in lines 30 people deep to buy guns, and pretty much every event being cancelled or postponed is enough to make anyone fearful. But me being me, I always have to ask myself – what’s this really all about? What’s the bigger picture here?
It almost seems like this huge shakeup is what’s needed to shift our daily lives in a monumental way, ultimately for the better. Like the tower card in tarot. Of course I never want to see anyone suffer nor pass away before they’ve lived a full life, but I can’t help but wonder where everything will stand when the dust has settled. Things don’t change significantly without at least a little turmoil; I can only hope that this is all paving the way for a better future. Even though that seems far from the case at present. But I’ve found there are always positives within any situation, no matter how awful it might seem.
For example, a good friend of mine has been fighting to work from home for years and now she’s been told that she’ll be working from home until June. It’s hard not to see those things as silver linings. But is it worth the overall cost? I sure hope so. My company laid off almost my entire department at the end of 2018 and while that was crazy stressful for everyone involved, it’s actually allowed me to take on roles that were previously unattainable and the hierarchy is now pretty much flat versus vertical. It’s become a much more even playing field.
My husband lost his brother very suddenly at the beginning of this year and it’s forced everyone close to him to re-evaluate their lives. This outbreak seems to be doing the same on a global scale. Calamities are horrendous in many ways, but they also tend to bring us together and help people show compassion toward their fellow man. Life is such a mixed bag! When things are suddenly so different, one has to start asking themselves big questions.
And the big question that seems to be on everyone’s minds for 2020 among all the uncertainty is – what’s really important? I imagine everyone has different answers to this question, but for me and many around me it’s been that life must go on and that life is too short to not be true to oneself, loving to others, and to follow one’s passions while they still can. So, with that being said I choose to forge ahead, no matter how scary things seem. I refuse to be immobilized by fear. Until there is a compelling reason to stop posting on my blog I will continue – because I like doing it and that’s enough reason for me. So here we go…
First of all, I loooovvveee these sunnies (similar)! Maybe it’s the fact that the frame is a bright yellow gold or perhaps because they are oversized and have a great tint on the lens, either way I DIG THEM! I feel at least 25% cooler when I wear them 😉
This dress has already sold out because I am not the type to pay full price for anything, especially from Anthropologie, but I wanted to share the Anthro house brand in case you’re not aware of it. This dress is truly magical! I get comments on it no matter where I go, it’s quite flattering and easy to wear, and it just seems a lot more grown up to me than many of the items in my closet.
So many of the dresses from the Anthro house brand are the same way – so check out their fresh cuts if you want a statement making wardrobe staple at a more reasonable price. Luckily the sake items are often an extra 25% off, which can make all the difference. The few Anthro dresses I have in my closet, other than this one, are from about a decade ago and still look just as good as the day I bought them. I really do see them as investment pieces. That’s another thing about questioning what’s important…it makes me want to only buy things of lasting value.
Speaking of things I value, here are a few shots with a very special visitor (note to self, no more letting Scooby crash our photo shoots! That boy has so much energy and always wants to be by his “mom.” But he is pretty darn cute):
I don’t think I will ever tire of this oh-so-soft coat. All the colors are so pretty and I found a few options for over half off the original price!
These booties are also no longer available, but the v-cut trend is till going strong. Look at these cute options that are very similar.
Well that’s about all I’ve got for y’all today. Just know I love you mucho and we will all get through this crazy time eventually. Hopefully there’s a rainbow hiding behind this dark cloud…there always is, in my experience.
XO, Kate
Photo credit: Leo Amar