Shoes: Seychelles Trip the Light Fantastic Sandals
Earrings: Anthropologie Cloudburst Chandeliers
"And the only way to last and the only way to live it is to hold on when you get love and let go when you give it." - Stars
I've been feeling mighty fine lately. Sure, I've got the same old problems and struggles I've always had, but my attitude has changed. I think this change is due in part to three main factors. First, I've been conscientiously working on bettering myself. Secondly, I was inspired by another person's actions, but not in the way they intended. And finally, Fall is in the air and who couldn't be happy about that!
If you remember, I wrote a post about hitting rock bottom a few months ago and resolved to dig myself out of my funk. I have really worked hard to follow through on this, and I feel that I have made great progress. I've been shopping much less and spending more time with my loved ones, I've completed tasks that I had been putting off for months, and I've just been doing some overall housekeeping in my life. Given my success, I decided to put myself through the ultimate test this weekend and go to an Anthropologie store for the first time in over a month. My goal was to do an exchange of merchandise and not spend any money. I didn't meet my goal, but I did pretty darn good. I walked out of Anthropologie only spending $40. I got this dress to show for it, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I can see myself wearing it through every season, on it's own during the warmer months and layered with sweaters, tights, and boots during the colder ones.
A few posts back, I mentioned having a conversation with a very closed minded person. Initially, I was very upset by this person's lack of understanding, but over the past few days I've made peace with it. I've realized just how fortunate I am. There are so many mean, bitter, and angry people walking around out there. I'm sure they feel they deserve to feel this way because of all the wrongs that have been committed against them, but I've got a news flash for them: We've all had wrongs committed against us. The thing that defines us is how we choose to react to them. There's a quote that says something to the effect that expectations are resentments under construction. I couldn't agree more. It's so much easier to live life being kind and understanding rather than mean and judgemental.
I'm pretty sure the weather this week has helped with my attitude as much as anything. It's been in the upper 50's at night and the 70's during the day. Oh, and there's been no humidity. No humidity is a glorious thing! My hair has actually looked decent for a change, and I love going out for walks now. This type of weather reminds me of when Jerry and I first started taking pictures together. I looked it up and our first shoot was September 4, 2010. I could have never forseen the changes my life has gone through since that day, but I'm so thankful for all of it, even the bad parts. It's such a rare gift to give and receive love freely, with no strings attached. It reminds me of another quote I love: "And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth, "You owe me." Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky.”
Stars - Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It
Posts
Love this dress, just wish it was a few inches longer for work.
ReplyDeleteUm...wow. Does Jerry tweak your photos, colour-wise, so that all your backgrounds are perfection? Because really, where did you find that glorious, washed-out, PURPLE door? I love this. The first picture? Good as any magazine shot. Nice to hear you're letting go of things you cannot change!
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful in this dress! ESP the 1st picture!
ReplyDeleteLove these photots... your dress compliments the backdrop so nicely... love!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I can definitely relate.
ReplyDeleteAnd pretty dress. Looks like Anthro made a mistake on pricing that dress today. It's showing up as $39.95 for petite sizes!! Too bad I'm 5'10"!! I read on Effortless Anthro that it's probably an error because the style number is the same style number for the other dress that looks just like it but came in solid colors (blue, black, or cream). (You have the dress but I can't remember the name of it.) Anyhow, the dress in the solid colors was likely cut today to $39.95 and it is affecting the price of this dress. So, some will be lucky to score this dress at an amazing price, if they can order it faster than Anthro realizes their mistake.
It takes so much energy to be angry and mean all the time and it's sad, who really wants to go through life like that?
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same thing! Seems we have seen this door before though and maybe it was red? Great pics, Bonnie! Love this dress!
ReplyDeleteYou look outstanding in the first photo! ...I loved this dress too and also bought it. I really wanted it in blue but by the time it went on sale it was already sold out in my size. I bought this dress as a replacement for the blue one but I think I like it even more! Great choice. So cute. Tights would really be a knock out alternative look come winter.
ReplyDeletePS: Did you do something different to your hair? It looked so glossy and straight in these photos. I have crazy humidity hating hair so if you found a secret, now is your time to dish!
Damn! Wish I was petite! I hope someone was able to get it at that price. I love it when stuff like that happens. The "have nots" finally get one over on the "haves."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer! I wasn't sure where we were going to go on this day and then the purple door popped into my head. I think they turned out nicely too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a little on the short side for work, but I went for it anyway. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo, no photo tweaking. Jerry uses Lightroom and only does the bare minimum of editing (contrast, brightness, and such). In fact, sometimes he just goes with what comes out of the camera. He does work on the big fat ugly vein in my left arm sometimes, per request. It's great for giving blood but looks hideous in pictures.
ReplyDeleteThis door is 2 blocks from where I work, behind some burnt down buildings. It's a pretty neat little spot. We've met the lady who owns it. She was also the owner of Red-Bitc, the car I took pictures with once. She has a pretty little garden back there in the middle of town.
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou have seen this door before, but it's always been this color. Red-Bitc was parked in front of this door, so maybe you're thinking of her beautiful candy apple red paint job. RIP Red-Bitc. :-(
ReplyDeleteI know, right?!?
ReplyDeleteI've got it in ivory. I wanted the blue, as well, but couldn't justify buying both colors, especially given the number of blue dresses I already have in my closet. However, I couldn't resist this printed version. It's going to look so great with boots, tights, and sweaters!
ReplyDeleteWish I could give you a secret for humidity hating hair, but the reason my hair looks so good in these photos is because there was zero humidity on this day.