T.G.I.(almost) F.

 

Jacket: C. Luce // Jeans: 7 for all mankind, similar here.  // Tee: Etsy shop // Shoes: Christian Louboutin. 

Just, T.G.I.F...

{Amy}

Don't be 'that' person

3.1 Phillip Lim cashmere sweater dress: SCOOP NYC // $650, marked down to $189, with an additional 30% off...that's 80% off, folks.

I'm not asking you to get down on your hands and knees and go through tubs at JCP. All I'm saying is smaller stores (independently owned or not) take heavy markdowns and sooner than your department stores. The reason being is that they do not have enough room to house the next seasons arrivals that usually get in months in advance.

Just don't be that person that's too good to look at the sale rack. Shop small, shop local, shop sales. 

{Amy}

Repeat Offender

Tee: Kate Spade// Scarf: Nordstrom // Sweater: Rag & Bone for target// Shorts: H & M // Tights: Target// Shoes: Dolce Vita, similar here

I did it again, I went shopping in the men's department. I can't help myself. When Rag & Bone does a collaboration with Target (yes, that was 'so last year') you can't pass it up. And again, when God gives you a 60 degree day in late January, you put on your shorts and dress to impress.

Don't be afraid to shop in the men's department. The trends right now for men and women are walking a parallel line and you'd be shocked at just how similar some styles are and the drastic price difference between men and women. 

{Amy}

A Man's World

Jacket: Milk & Honey Boutique // Jeans: GAP // Shoes: Nike  // Necklace: TOPSHOP, similar here// Tee: Urban Outfitters, similar here// Plaid: J. Crew (men's clearance) // Bracelets: Coordinate Collection// Michele watch// J. Crew// David Yurman

I'll admit it; there is no better feeling then dressing like a Tomboy on the weekend. There's just something about that perfect pair of boyfriend jeans, you favorite Tee and that oversized Sweater you've had forever. Confession: I actually find some of my most favorite clothes in the men's department, and I'm proud of it.

{Amy}

When the dust settles

Exactly one month ago today, Scott and I suffered a miscarriage. I've gone back and forth about really going in depth and sharing this but I have realized something since this happened. We, as a society don't talk about this. It's as if we are suppose to be ashamed or feel "broken", and essentially pretend like this didn't happened. The more I talked about it to others and discussed what I went through and learned from it, the more I have heard some of the most tremendous stories from other women that have not only suffered like me, but have been through some of the worst experiences I have ever heard of. I'm sick of not talking about things with the fear of society deeming it 'inappropriate' or the fear of making my 'friends' uncomfortable. I was told at 17 that I couldn't mention that my sister was gay because of what people might think. I shouldn't talk about a miscarriage because it might make some people uncomfortable. My parents divorce couldn't be talked about because we wanted to 'keep face'. If my story can help 1 person find hope in this sick and twisted world than I have done something. Women, and men for that matter, need to know that they are not alone in any of this and they have people they can talk to.

Let it be known that, when a therapist tells you, a 26 year old, that you have 'earned your depression by the events in your life you have gone through', it's time for a wake up call...and I got one.

When you suffer something like this you do feel broken, and lost, and not knowing who to turn to or talk to. I have been blessed to turn to extremely strong women. For instance, a lady I had only worked with for 6 weeks who would do nothing but hug me and text me telling me how much she loves me. She suffered 4 miscarriages...1 of which happened in the 8th month. She now has 4 of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. A friend who I had only really spoken to a handful of times who was so eager to help me and show me all of the ways God had helped her. She suffered a miscarriage and actually had to pass the child and catch it in her own hands. She just welcomed her 1st beautiful baby boy. These are the stories that made me realize that I cannot give up hope. I cannot stop believing that better things will come and finally, that there are women out there walking around that have been literally, through hell, only to come out a better person and wanting to help others. 

I now wear a necklace that was the initial we wanted to use for our first born. And, yet again, I am reminded at just how crazy this world and God can be. H. H is what I wear. I bought it so I would have a constant reminder of how far I have come everyday. Now, H stands for something different. H- Him; God, that's all I really need to focus on right now and understand that he is showing me something. H-Home; Scott. Scott is my home, he has been my 'home' for 12 years, he is where I feel the safest and I know that as long as he is by my side, I will always be protected. H-Hope, without hope, there is no reason to continue on this crazy game of Life. And the hope of seeing my first child on 'the other side' when that day comes. H-Happiness, I make it a point each day to find happiness in something. 

I do not consider myself a good Christian, 4 weeks ago I would have told you that I was over organized religion. I'm a work in progress, and I have to take faith in something to know that in the end this crazy thing call life will be worth it. However, I do believe that this was God's way of getting my attention and telling me to go help others and ultimately, myself. I can honestly say I don't remember the last time I put myself as a priority. Times have changed and I see that through 'Impatient Dixie.'

{Amy}

Celine Sundays

Tee: milk & honey boutique, similar tee here // Jacket: TOPSHOP // Shoes: converse// Jeans: rag & bone

God bless Sundays. Especially ones that turn out to be 55 and sunny in the middle of January. There's something so calming about days like today that reminds you that the beautiful joys of Spring are right around the corner.

Sundays are my days to dress down but also my time to get out of "corporate world apparel" and dress like, well, me. 

{Amy}

Tis the Season

Top: Kate Spade// Jeans: Baldwin Denim// Jacket: Nordstrom// Jewelry: Vanessa Mooney

Although this is a little late, it’s never late to wear a little sequins. It’s also a great time to get all of these looks MAJORLY on sale with after New Year’s prices. Shoppers always think that the best time to buy clothing is the day after Christmas. Yes, you can always find great deals but, take it from a retailer, they don’t do the serious mark downs until after New Years or even on New years day. You’d be shocked at the amount of stores that do the “additional 25%, 30%, or even 40-50% off sale”.

{Amy}

New Year, New Challenges

I for one am always guilty of starting a New Years resolution that I can never keep. I mean, no one joins a gym on January 1st and loses 15 pounds in 2 weeks…come on, Amy. Or, I find myself not making resolutions but instead making “new year wishes” and I find myself let down when they don’t come true, immediately.

So this year, 2014, I’m trying something new. I’m challenging myself. I’m challenging myself to smile at the people that make me frown. (It actually throws them for a loop when you smile when they least expect it.) I’m challenging myself to let hugs linger a few seconds longer. (Those few seconds are what sets apart a cordial hug and a loving hug.) And I’m challenging myself to truly be able to let go of the things I cannot control. This will be the hardest challenge of my life. I want to control everything, all the time. I get so mad and frustrated when something happens that I had no control over, and why should I? I didn’t do it.

So, challenge yourself in 2014. See where you might end up.

{Amy}

Goodbye to 2013, Hello to new Beginnings

After months of putting it off, I’ve decided to jump head first into a blog that I have been thinking about for years. I’ve always wanted a place to share my thoughts, ideas, fashion, and just life adventures. If you know anything about me, you should know that my life is a bad Bravo reality show that holds no punches. My family is one white tent short of a full blown circus. I’m perfectly impatient in every way possible. I wake up anxious and fall asleep anxious. Surprises scare me almost as much as circus clowns and I actually take “neurotic” as a compliment . I find solace in fashion and look to the big man upstairs when I need peace. Alabama is where I call home and the simple sound of “Dixie” makes my soul smile.  So, take a seat, strap in, and enjoy the ride.Yes, I said I was starting a fashion blog but of course, my first post will be an adieu to 2013. In order for you to really understand my intentions of 2014, we have to recap this last year.

2013 was a roller coaster. My husband, Scott, and I started our year off with buying our new home in Kansas City.  After moving in the first week of February, it seemed like our lives were consumed with decorating, shoveling snow, fixing a few things, shoveling more snow, and well, shoveling more snow. In April we took our long awaited Honeymoon to the beautiful country of Croatia and it was something straight out of planes, trains, and automobiles. Anything that could go wrong; did. but being able to see a part of the world few ever will, is a memory we will never forget. 2 months after returning home from Croatia it seemed as if the dust was just starting to settle when Scott got an opportunity of a lifetime to move to Taiwan for 4 months and assist in building a nuclear power plant, I stayed back in KC. 4 months doesn’t seem like a long time, unless you’ve been dating your significant other for 10 years…we’ve never spent more than 1 month apart; saying I was terrified was an understatement. But, 2 months after he left we met for a BEAUTIFUL week vacation in the paradise islands of Hawaii. No matter where I go in this world Hawaii is still the most beautiful place on this earth.  After he returned on October 10th, we had both agreed that this overseas work was not going to work for us so Scott started on his job search as I, too, was searching for a new career path. Scott landed a job right away and he is thrilled in his new role. I accepted a position with a big company based here in Kansas but, of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. A day after I interviewed I found out that Scott and I were expecting our first child together. Within a 3 week time span, Scott got back from Taiwan after 4 months, we both changed jobs and we find out that we are expecting. Stressed and Anxious aren’t even words I would use to describe this. But the underlying emotion was sheer joy. We went through Thanksgiving and Christmas together and told all of our family members, everyone was so excited about the new addition that they even started to purchase for the new baby. It wasn’t until the day after Christmas that Scott and I got the heartbreaking news that our baby did not have a heartbeat. An emergency surgery had to take place the next day.

I am determined to take on 2014 with a full heart and the patience to know that everything happens for a reason, knowing very well that there will be good days and bad. I will feel all different emotions but they are my emotions. In 12 short months Scott and I bought a house, moved into a house, traveled to Europe, Spent 4 months apart, traveled to Hawaii, changed jobs twice, had the joys of becoming parents, and finally, feeling the pain of losing a child.  But, with every heartbreak there is a rainbow somewhere to be found. I will welcome 2014 the same way I welcomed 2013, hand-in-hand with Scott and a full heart of hope.

{Amy}