skirt: maxi skirt in aztec print // shirt: no idea (it’s really old) // necklace: kendra scott (similar here) // sunnies: karen walker super duper
Helloooo friends! Wait so is it Friday yet?? This week is crawling by! Or is it just me?!
top & skirt: dee keller // shoes: the Deanne wedge by dee keller // sunglasses: old navy // necklace: baublebar // bracelets: j crew // bag: ferragamo //
Lately I’ve been crushing on the matching prints look – remember last week’s shorts suit? I wish I could say this outfit was available, but it’s actually just a sample for the teeny tiny collection my mom designed for ss13. Hopefully, in a few years or so, she will have her own ready to wear line and will produce it on the same scale as her shoes! She’s so talented and creative; I think that despite her late start in the fashion designing world, she was definitely made for it! I can’t wait until her business grows to the point where she can produce head-to-toe dee keller goodness (such as this outfit!).
I came across this quote on the ever-so-inspiring Jess Lively’s wonderful blog and just couldn’t resist posting it here on brightontheday.
Over the past few years, I’ve slowly (but surely) been working towards first identifying, then understanding, and lastly dealing with any need to gain or have approval of others. Rather than finding my identity in things I’ve done or accomplished, positive affirmation, or other’s opinion of me, I’ve slowly been working towards redefining who I am and how I view myself. Specifically, I’ve been working towards finding my confidence, worth, and sense of self in more permanent truths, that aren’t dictated or determined by my actions or accomplishments. And this has been both a challenging and incredibly rewarding (and liberating!) adventure.
Even despite the progress I’ve made, though, in redefining how I value and view myself, I am still susceptible to falling into those “dream-killer” (as Mr. Mastin says) ways again. I think it’s only human nature to want to be and do our best in any and every way possible. But like anything in life, too much can be harmful; in this case, too much determination and desire to “be perfect” (at whatever it may be!) can most definitely work against us and hence be a “dream killer”! And so here lies the value in our ability to put things in perspective. It’s not only important to know why you want to achieve a certain goal, but to also understand and think through what it will specifically mean for you to accomplish it. What will the finish line look like? Or have you even figured out whether there actually is a finish line or not? Thinking through these questions and being aware of how you might answer them is crucial to healthy progress. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself running up a never-ending escalator towards an “illusion” or destination defined by matters entirely outside of your control.
Am I speaking too vaguely? Or are any of you with me here? If you can relate, please comment! I’d love to hear what you take from this quote and post!
top: sass & bide // black skinnies: waverly gray // wedges: the shelby by dee keller ss13 // sunglasses: karen walker super duper // lips: NARS red lizard // bag: Ferragamo
As I’ve probably mentioned before, I tend to dress to my mood. And a lot of the time, when getting dressed to go somewhere-other-than-work, I’m in a pretty whatever-kind-of-mood, especially if it’s on a week night. And I don’t know about you, but it’s unlikely that I’ll put on a sassy, bright outfit when in such a “mood.” I never thought sitting at a desk all day could be so exhausting and mind-numbing, but you’d be surprised! (or maybe it’s just me?!) Anyway, needless to say, this outfit isn’t anything special, but it’s pretty typical of something I’d wear (post-work) to dinner or drinks with friends (assuming I don’t just end up wearing my work clothes, which is often the case as well!)
I hope you all had a great weekend and start to your June! I’m SO not ready for these Louisiana temperatures (and humidity!). But ready or not, here this Louisiana sweltering summer comes!
dress: yoana bardaschi // bag: dee keller // shoes: dee keller // sunnies: karen walker
Although I could argue for just about any bold (or even subtle) color combination, I can say that if cobalt is involved, odds are I’ll be a fan. There’s just something about the electric blue hue that gets me every time!
I’ve switched over to sporting this mini patent tote (from last season) over the past few weeks and have gotten so many compliments – I must not be alone in my cobalt crush!
Anyway, it’s Friday! Yay! I hope you have a lovely weekend. Xo, B
A little eye candy entertainment from me to you! This editorial makes me crave the breach! I’m so jealous of all of you who still have a summer – enjoy it!
suit: asos // shoes: the stephanie by dee keller (comes in other colors too!) // sunnies: karen walker super duper // lips: NARS red lizard
I don’t know if this whole shorts suit thing is new to the scene or not, but I must say – I like it. I like it a lot – what a fun and snazzy take on professional-inspired chic! And if done well, the short suit could take you from lady’s lunch to a night out on the town – it’s just that awesome. No? But in all seriousness, I love the blazer and shorts look and especially love when the two actually were made to go together.
As the ubiquitous quote by Jim Elliot says, “wherever you are, be there.” I agree. I really do. I agree that we should live our lives in the present- the here and now, if you will. It’s important to breathe in fresh air, live in the moment, and enjoy life as you live it. And although this is a wonderful perspective, I’d be telling a tall tale lie if I said that’s how I actually lived my life – quite the contrary, actually. Ever since (well…basically) forever, I’ve been one of those people who’s always thinking ahead- of tomorrow, of the next step, and the big picture. I’m a planner; I like to be organized and prepared. And most importantly, if I’m 100% honest with you and myself, I like to be in control. Please tell me I’m not alone on this one?!
When thinking back on my life thus far, it’s clear how my future-oriented mindset has driven so many of my decisions that have led me to where I am now. And since I like to be prepared and “in control”, it’s only natural that I’d also be relatively risk adverse – how else could I “ensure” that everything would turn out as predicted? So this is where my actions illustrate my natural tendency to take the “safe road” – the more predictable and less risky path. We can start with my choice in career path (accounting) – how much more risk adverse of a career could you choose?! And then comes the fact that I’ve never really lived too far away from home; it’s always nice to know that my parents are within a one hour drive (or flight – when I lived in Austin), if anything were to happen. I think it’s safe to say that starting this blog is probably the “craziest” most “out there” thing I’ve ever done!
Anyway…taking all the above into consideration, you can probably see why “living in the moment” isn’t something that comes easily to me. The only times I’m really able to feel that liberating sense of joy is when I’ve got everything else in control and/or I’ve prepared to spend the day “in the moment”…or know I can do a,b,&c at another time – if that makes sense? (oh, and a glass of wine never hurts!)
I’ve been trying to live more freely and carelessly, but it’s hard! I know that sounds utterly ridiculous coming from a 23-year-old girl without kids, without a mortgage (etc!), but I’m serious! Maybe I make life more complicated than it needs to be (ok, actually, this is a definite DUH)…or maybe it’s just the way my brain ticks. But whatever the reason, I like to stay ahead and on top of things – it’s just how I work. I’ve tried conducting my life in a different manner and with a different strategy/tactic, but it just doesn’t work for me. I am the way that I am and there’s not much I can do about it other than embrace it! I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s like this though, right? How do you facilitate living in the moment?
For me, I’ve found that if I stay “ahead” and on top of the important things, then I’m able to be spontaneous every now and then, and actually let myself “go” – to enjoy the present without any thought of tomorrow.
