Stormy Seasons

****My Easter Sunday was...not the ideal spring day of fun that I had hoped.  I don't often wax religious on the blog, so if it offends you, consider this your notice to scroll past the text and just enjoy the outfit photos or skip this post entirely.****  

Today is one of those posts where the outfit and the text and the theme don't really line up.  I suppose if I were really reaching I could do an April Showers Bring May Flowers sort of thing, but I don't really want to reach, so we'll just stick with the idea that they don't match up.

A family member came to us in crisis mode.  Rent is due, taxes are due, her car broke down on the way to our house and had to be towed to the junk yard, and to top it all off, her cat is at death's door.  There is an old poem by Longfellow that goes, "Into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and dreary."  It's a statement with which we could all agree, and I would pair it with when it rains it pours, but this sweet girl was getting hit with a typhoon and according her, it wasn't just a one off; her life was in full on typhoon season.  

We all go through storms.  And sometimes the storms are so awful and so long that when they do finally end, we're never really confident that they're over, always looking over our shoulders in every happy moment to see if there are clouds gathering again.  And the fact is, there probably are clouds gathering again.  Difficult seasons in life are a guarantee and try as we might, we're rarely prepared for them, but the worst thing we can do is to let the happy moments be polluted by worry over the next difficulty.  Enjoy the quiet, the peace, the good, and face the next storm when it comes.

As for my family member, well, God gave us family and community so we never have to face our troubles alone.  So, in addition to words of encouragement, hugs, and dinner, we gave her as much financial help as was possible.  She didn't come to us looking for money, she just came to enjoy Easter dinner.  And I don't mention the help to brag, I say it because I truly believe that prayers are a wonderful thing, but sometimes people need actual help not just good thoughts and well wishes.  And the least Christian thing I could do is to tell someone I love that I hope and pray all their troubles go away while I am sitting on at least a little bit of the means to be their answer to prayer and make some of those troubles go away.  It won't fix all her problems and it won't fix them forever, and I may not always be able to help, but this time I could, so I did.  If nothing else, now she knows that when (not if) she sees the next round of storms gathering, someone will be there to face them with her and when (not if) they finally pass, her family will be there to celebrate with her too.

Outfit Info:  Connie in Parisian Patio Print from Retrospec'd, Purple Heels from BAIT footwear, YeMak cardigan

 

A Year of Change

If there is one thing we can always count on it's that life is ever changing.  This year has brought us a graduation, two weddings, a partially empty nest, and a funeral all in just the first six months. We also took a family vacation for the first time in five years and I had a persistent feeling while we were traveling that this might be the last time that our family travels just the four of us.  My oldest was even then making plans to leave the nest; she followed through shortly after and my youngest will follow.  My favorite workplace friend is retiring, leaving me wondering how I'll ever make it without her, because although I love my job, maybe she's the reason I've loved it so much, and perhaps it's time to move on if she won't be there....You see the spiral I get lost in.

I see the young people, the teens and early 20s, in my life feeling lost and desperately searching.  I tell them it's OK not to have everything figured out yet and that most people feel this way at this age.  I tell them to be patient and have some faith that things will work out.  And, yet, here I am at twice their age and then some, suddenly feeling that same kind of lostness and wishing like crazy I could just take a quick peek at life a few miles down the road so I know not just continually hope that things will turn out alright.

At times like these, when life is moving so quickly and everything is changing, it's important for me to: slow down.  breathe.  pray.  listen.  As much as I wish I could know the future, always make the right decisions, or at least have some measure of control over the outcome, I simply cannot.  Life is an amazing journey with so many twists and turns.  There are seasons of grief and seasons of joy and neither one lasts.  Things are always changing and that is the great beauty of it all. 

Outfit Info: Bordeaux Connie dress by Retrospec'd from Modern Millie, Shoes from B.A.I.T. Footwear

Parisian Love Affair with Arromic

Trying something new today with these Strappy Sling-back Heel Sandals from Arromic.  Most of my heels are quite high and formal, but these sling-backs are so comfy and that it feels causal but look dressed up.  That has Leandra written all over it!

Walking down these streets in the sunshine has never felt so good.  With all the flowers in bloom I feel a bit like I'm back in Paris.  This Paris Love Affair dress from Retrospec'd definitely helps set the nostalgia.  And it feels even better when I've got some comfortable heels that are just the right height (no wobbling!) and fit so well, so I can just stroll and enjoy.  

The main complaint I see when I read shoe reviews is that they're either too big or too small.  The easiest way to fix that is to measure your feet and compare it to the size charts so you get the right size.

I found these Sling-back heels to be super comfy, the quality is great, and there's more on the way from my collaboration with Arromic, so stop by the blog again tomorrow.

Outfit Info:  Strappy Sling-back Heel Sandals-$19.49 from Arromic.  Use code BLUE to save 18% at checkout.  Vivian Parisian Love Affair Dress-$153 from Retrospecd.com

Flower Market Fashion with Arromic

The open air markets have reopened and I'm so excited to bring out my cotton dresses and summer prints.  And, today as I continue my collaboration, I think this Flower Market dress from Retrospec'd looks amazing with these Ankle Strap Bowknot Pumps from Arromic.

The ankle straps and bows give them a classic vintage vibe and these heels have such great stability, so I can wear them walking around the shops.  So, so cute!

The right shoes can make or break your outfit, so it's so important to choose carefully.  I'm so pleased with all my Arromic shoes.  I love the way they add that polish to my outfits.  Since this was my first time shopping with Arromic, I followed their size recommendations carefully and I love the fit!

A gorgeous dress deserves a gorgeous pair of shoes to match, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank.  Stop by the blog tomorrow, you're going to love what's on the way with Arromic.

Shopping Info:  Ankle Strap Bowknot Pumps in red from Arromic.  Use code BLUE to save 18% off your order.  Flower Market Dress-$153.00 from Retrospecd.com