Dress: Anthropologie Fractal Medallion Maxi
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bracelet: The Limited
"Well [she] used to be somebody and now [she's] somebody else. Took apart [her] old life, left it on the shelf. [She's] gonna change, gonna change [her] ways. And it feels like [her] new life can start and it feels like heaven." - Noah and the Whale
Why is it we wake up some days feeling on top of the world and others on the bottom? After 2 days in the doldrums, I'm having an "on top of the world" day. Nothing's changed. My life is still a disaster, but today it seems like a beautiful disaster. I suppose I could have just been suffering from PMS or something. I did have weight gain and pizza face this week. Hormones, I tell ya, they're a bitch!
This is my outfit from 2 days ago. It was a rainy day to go along with my rainy attitude, hence, the indoor photos. So, this is a little peak into my apartment or the "sin den" as some like to call it. If some of you readers are still around from the old days, you will remember the post I did on my former home. I received rave reviews for the "stuff" I had collected and assembled in that home. Well the only said stuff in this apartment is a set of bedroom furniture, a couple of rugs, a chalkboard, and a TV. I had a particularly difficult time getting the chalkboard, but I stood firm and managed to get my grubby little hands on it in the end.
Basically, I had to start over with this place. It's amazing the things you take for granted until you don't have them anymore. Dishes were a big one. I found a beautiful set on the clearance aisle of Walmart for $19.99. Holla! I'm not being sarcastic people. They're green (of course) and look just as nice as some offerings I've seen at Crate and Barrel. I'll have to model my next outfit with the dishes just to prove it to you. I know, Walmart is evil. Target (pronouced Tarjeh) is where it's at, and I love me some Target as much as the next person, but Walmart has been good to me in my destitute state. I got an awesome computer desk for $70, and the painting of the birch trees in the background of these photos is also a Walmart special. If you can handle the panic attack inducing lights and frightening looking people, Walmart is not a bad place to find some household decorating gems. Sigh...now I'm going to be attacked by all the people who hate corporations. I'm sorry, but if the local establishments can't offer the prices Walmart can then I'm going to have to sell my soul to the devil and become a Walmart whore. Sad but true.
Some days the craziness of it all gets to me (Can you tell?). I've always lived my life nice and tidy and suddenly chaos is all around me. I'm 34 and after owning my own home (yes, I actually owned a home for a few years before moving into my dad's house), I'm renting an apartment again. I suppose some people would classify me as a loser, but in my opinion, winning is a state of mind. When it comes down to it, houses, cars, and furnishings - they're just stuff. What truly matters is how we live our lives. I've decided to live my life authentically even if that means I have less stuff and less people who like me. No amount of stuff can give me the feeling I have right now. I feel like a complete person for the first time ever and excited about the future of my new life.
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I don't know if it's the lighting or what but your hair looks awesome in these pics :)
ReplyDeleteoig
ReplyDeleteDo you and Jerry live together?
ReplyDeleteI hope you are still in therapy because you have been all over the place recently. You sound like you are more trying to convince yourself your life is great and wonderful than your readers. Also, that dress does you no justice. The pattern is too busy for the length and it comes off matronly. You look great in a number of things: jeans, skirts, dresses, boots--take a look at your header and some of your other outfits.
ReplyDeleteYou keep trying to convince everyone that you're living authentically, and as a result you have less stuff, but really, you still shop an buy things full price at Anthro all the time. I do have to question how authentically you are living since you seem so preoccupied with what people are thinking of you. Maybe it's time you take a vacation--a week long one. Have you been on a vacation since you started the blog? Maybe you and Jerry can go to some really scenic place for a week, and take tons of beautiful photos that might rejuvenate your mind and spirit.
That's life - ups and downs. If your attitude about life is the same everyday then maybe you need some therapy. I'm not trying to convince anybody of anything. I'm just sharing my feelings. I appreciate your assessment on the dress, but I don't agree. I think that the form fitting aspect of the dress keeps it from looking matronly. I find it quite sexy with a boho vibe. Also, I think the fact that this dress is long is what makes it able to handle this much pattern. I guess we will have to agree to disagree. You can just call me Ms. Roper. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI do care too much what people think about me, but I don't claim to be perfect, and I'm working on it. Yes, I still buy Anthro at full price. I have a blog about Anthro clothes, so I'm kinda obsessed with it. Obviously, I'm going to spend most of the extra money I have on Anthro. That's what I choose to do instead of going on vacations. My money, my prerogative.
Thanks! I really needed to hear that! There's been some hating on the hair going on lately.
ReplyDeleteI love that dress. I almost tried it on last week but decided not to tempt myself. Speaking of Walmart, I found a fun website that makes me giggle every time - www.peopleofwalmart.com
ReplyDeleteI like the outfit, but I just wanted to say, get yourself to a flea market, girl! You can get awesome antiques for less than you are paying at Walmart, and create a real Anthro vibe in your home. I'm not hating - my house is a mix of antiques and mid-century stuff as well as target and Ikea - just suggesting. Especially since the finds in rural areas are tops!
ReplyDeleteWell...if it matters at all - I think the dress looks lovely on you! It is definitely a unique dress that many girls would shy away from, but you don't let the dress wear you, you are wearing that dress definitely! But hey, different strokes for different folks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that our opinion on our life is up and down depending on our moods,situations, etc. If I'm in a bad mood I think I have the most horrible life. When I am in a good mood I think I have the best life ever. We have to take the good with the bad. Not everything can be good all the time....if it was then we wouldn't appreciate the good as much as we need to.
And as far as your financial situation...I see it that you have one major focus in your life that needs to be A+ - and that is that your child has everything it needs and much of what she wants. After that what you spend your money on is your choice. Plus, I don't have children but I have many friends that do. It can be very hard for a person with children to go on a vacation. So if it makes you happy or even in a small way makes you feel better that you have the option to buy full price Anthro clothes.....then more power to you girl!
I know that you dont need help in answering to people with their comments so this is not what it is. Just trying to bump up your mood a bit...there are many of us who understand and don't just automatically think the worst!
http://headtotoeinanthro.blogspot.com
Winning is a state of mind --> I agree with you!
ReplyDeleteI actually like the dress on you. It is a new and bit unfamiliar style on you. In my opinion people can be authentic on different dimensions: spiritual, mental, creative. While you might not be a creative thrift shopper, you are authentic (true to yourself) on other dimensions. Some people may not agree with me, but I think it is refreshing that you dare to say that you like shopping.
I thought my reply was in the same spirit as the original comment. I'm open to criticism, and I think I've proven that in the past. However, just as readers don't agree with everything I say, I don't agree with everything you guys say either. I'm not just going to say "Yes, ma'am" and move along. I will defend my opinions as well.
ReplyDeleteThe flea markets here are even scarier than Walmart. LOL! My sister goes to yard sales every Saturday morning. Maybe I'll start tagging along with her and see what I can find. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Katie, I've seen that website before. Where do these people come from? LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreetings! Really enjoying your beautiful apartment lamp! lovely style! Is it from Pottery Barn?
ReplyDeleteBonnie, the dress looks beautiful on you. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteI agree, your hair looks really great and love the dress too!
ReplyDeleteNo, your hair is quite lovely. But I really love it when you wear your hair up and your bangs back because it highlights your awesome bone structure and glowy skin. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dea! So great to hear from you! I hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nope, it's from Lowes, but it looks just like one from Pottery Barn at half the price.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I totally agree with you on the dimension thing. We can't excel in every aspect of our lives, so we have to pick the ones that are important to us. Thrift shopping isn't my thing, but I admire the people who do it and are able to pull off such lovely outfits. I tend to take the easy road when it comes to shopping, but I don't think that makes me any less creative.
ReplyDeletegoing to spend most of the extra money I have on Anthro..... that's quite self-focused when you have 3 children!
ReplyDeleteYour comment on people calling you loser, but winning is a state of mind really sets me thinking deep. I am also at a period in life where things just do not seem to go smoothly, be it important or inconsequential stuff. I am really tired and indecisive at times, questioning my decisions, my life, and whether I am being a fool if I choose the 'losing' choice. Whatever it is, your blog has taken a more soul searching twist and content, which I find more interesting. As compared to many out there who just show off their outfits and talk non stop about their material life, there is always something thoughts provoking in yours, though at times these thoughts can be controversial! LOL! Anyway, I do enjoy your blog as before:))
ReplyDeleteI must say that this dress is gorgeous on you! It makes me want to run to anthro and try it on for myself.
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