I love summer fashion.
I also love the easy lifestyle that comes with summer life. Usually life in the city, during the school
year is busy, busy, busy. Most of you
can agree with that I am sure. A
full-time, plus, working teacher/mom, the school year is busy. I struggle to even get once a week content
put together for the blog if I am being honest.
With warmer nights, longer days of summer, also comes a much-needed
break and time for restoration. I NEED
this break from my teaching job.
Honestly, I couldn’t keep going.
I am so worn out by the end of June that I can hardly stand any talking
or noise anymore. I am tired of being
over stimulated, working 10 + hours a day, and then coming home to another f/t
time job. I love the slow pace that
summer brings. I love it even more at
the lake. The day I wore this outfit my
hubby and I went to the farmers market, craft show, took photos, read on our
deck and still had a great day with the kids.
Now that’s a day of relaxation.
Mostly at the lake my uniform includes nothing more than
foundation at the beginning of the day, a messy ponytail, and either a bathing suit or shorts/tee combo. There are a few days that I like to get a little dressed up
and feel like my trendy self. 😊 I adore these classic gingham shorts that I
picked up last year, see HERE two other ways to style them. When I saw my new polka dotted tee in the
closet I just had the idea that the polka dots and gingham would be an ideal
combination. I LOVE how this outfit came
together. It’s adorable and perfect for
a farmer’s market stroll, an espresso in a Parisian café, or a lunch date. Don’t you agree? I am also still using my straw purse from my summer,
but I’ve added these straw, statement earrings.
LOVE. They make a statement all
on their own and have been on repeat with everything, jeans and a tee, summer
dresses, rompers, etc. They are perfect
with everything and on sale for like $15 bucks.
You just can’t say NO.
Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!
Shop This Post:
Polka Dot Tee (sold out; similar)
Gingham Shorts (old; Old Navy similar)
Etereo Earrings (sold out; similar)
This is 37. Yup, as
I type this I am official 37. What does
that even mean? Truth be told, I have no
idea. There are pros and cons to turning
another year older, as with everything in life.
I don’t have a birthday week, or a birthday month, it’s not important to
me and it’s not a priority what-so-ever.
What is a priority for me is that I have a day that nourishes my
soul. At this age that means
acknowledgment from the people I love, and thank you all for the phone calls,
messages, texts, etc. It means slowing down and taking a deep breath. It means acknowledging and reflecting on all
that is good in my life and how I came this point in my life. I don’t need a fancy party, or a large
gathering, because let’s face it, who would have to plan and organize it
all?!? ME. On this day, I want to do and oversee as few
things as possible.
Here is what I know to be true at this point in my
life.
1. I have a family that I love. I have a husband that stands by me,
encourages me and supports me. I have
two healthy, vibrant, strong willed daughters who I am truly proud of. I have parents who have been my rocks in
life, have modeled perseverance, work hard, kindness, love and ambition. I have a sister that has my back every time
that truly matters. I have two
grandmothers still alive. I have
extended family that I trust with my hopes, dreams and my childrens’well
being. I have a village.
2. I have true friends. I don’t need mean girls, or cliques, in my
life. Long gone are the days of needing to
fit in or be popular. My two friends,
Amber and Ashley, stood up for me at my wedding 16 years ago and to this day,
they are my most trusted confidants. They are grounding, They will call me, gently,
on my shit. And they will stand up for
me every SINGLE TIME. They are my family
just as much as any blood relative. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of
meeting and adding to my tribe of friends, who like the above support and
fulfill me. They are people that I admire, aspire to be more like, find
calming, uplifting and supportive. I can
honestly say, that I don’t really have toxic relationships in my life and I
when I do, it’s easier to just distance myself from them.
3. My career. I am proud
truly proud of the work I do and all that I have accomplished. Is there more I want to do? Sure.
But the difference now is that I feel more confident that I can and also
in the fact that learning can come in many forms, rather than just that of
gaining more school experience. While
listening to Rachel Hollis’s newest book Girl Stop Apologizing, I realized that
over the years I had developed more confidence in myself, in all aspects but
also in my career. She mentions that men
apply for jobs if they feel they have at least 60% of the qualifications, while
women wait to apply for jobs that they have 100% of the qualifications. The issue with this is that we are ever
rarely 100% qualified for anything. I used
to fall into this line of thinking often but with age I am getting better at
taking risks and knowing that I can learn the things I don’t know. The people I choose to surround myself with
in my career are those who are passionate, compassionate, are both teachers and
learners themselves, and are celebrate others and their own accomplishments
equally.
4. My life. I try to
live my best life. This past weekend my
parents reminded me that I am now just a smidge older then when they arrived in
Canada. Their lives in upheaval. Scared.
Penniless. Without the English
language. Without normality. Without a clear path.
I have EVERYTHING and SO MUCH MORE than I need. I am LUCKY.
I am GRATEFUL. Right now, I am
sitting on my porch, at my cabin, that I can afford to pay a mortgage and bills
on, sure it means I have to budget and make sacrifices, but I have that choice. I am relaxed, drinking a mug of hot tea, as
my girls and their friend are settling in for the night. I am in a safe place. I have kind neighbors that accept me and
never make me feel less than. I am
listening to the birds and can see a deer grazing in the forest just across the
road. The beach is a mere 5 minute stroll from where I sit. My life is SO GOOD and I know it.
So what’s different.
1. My body aches. You
guys, it really aches already. It breaks
my heart to think that I may need to hang up my running shoes, or my wakeboard
up soon. I’ve really made it a priority
to try to get a handle on my back the past few months by doing physio, rolling
daily, chiropractor, massage, yoga, etc. and every time I feel hopefully
something just goes out of alignment, or a muscle seizes and I feel
discouraged. I am not ready to give up
yet, but that’s something I am struggling deeply with.
2. Energy. I used to
run, like full on run, on 6 or less hours of sleep. I was game and ready for anything. I’ve always been an early riser, but this
past year, and probably the past few years, I’ve felt the energy slipping
away. I am bone tired after work. I drag myself out of my bed to workout in the
am, dreading it but knowing that is’ the only time to make it happen. I am falling asleep at the dinner table, so I
now have a 10 -15 quite time that really does the trick. I still do a lot but I am quickly realizing I
don’t have the same energy I had in my 20s and once again I am not overly
comfortable with that change.
So there are just a few random thoughts about turning a year
older. I had an amazing day at the beach
with my family and a more amazing evening with our lake family in the
evening. I was showed with cake, daisy’s
and one of the most creative gifts in my life, all things from 1982. It was simple and PERFECT.
