Writing's on the wall

ben's garden // Audrey Hepburn // You are my sunshine // You are my bucket list // KC love // Hey Y'all // Eat more cake Y'all // You are my Hallelujah

Even before I started working for the largest greeting card company in the world, I had a greeting card problem...I blame my mother. Ever since I can remember, my mother has had drawers of greetings cards for "just in case" moments. For every 1 she sent, she would go out and buy 10 more. It's almost as if it's a game she plays with herself, which I have now inherited, as to search high and low for the most perfect birthday, symphony, love, 'just because', thinking of you card. We buy birthday cards for people 250 days before their actual birthday...it's a sick, sick game we play with ourselves.

The first step is admitting you have a problem...so, I have a greeting card addiction. However, I am how starting to figure out that when I buy cards with no one in mind, and no purpose, maybe it's me that needs that moment of encouraging words or good hard laugh. Maybe, instead of telling myself that someday, somebody I know will need a pick me up or the perfect birthday card I should realize it's me that needs it.

My 'ink to paper' addiction has now been brought into my home and thankfully, Scott has allowed this. I have inspirational words or sayings in every room of our house. No, it does not look like a the religious aisle of Hobby Lobby but they're just sayings thrown around my house that at some point in time helped me out of darkness or reminds me a sweet memory. For instance, my Ben's Garden plate that has my most favorite saying from Winnie the Pooh that everyday reminds me of Scott. Or, the lyrics to "you are my sunshine" over my kitchen table. Every night before I would go to sleep my dad would sing this to me and, it's borderline embarrassing at what age he stopped...(TBD).

Fashion and style go beyond just the shirt on your back, or the brand on the soles of your shoes. It says something about you when you aren't able to talk, when you aren't there, style lives on long after you are gone. And, if the one memory someone has of me is "that one time I was really sad and I got the most perfect card" then, well, my addiction has been worth it.

{Amy}

Home Team

Boots: Steve madden. similar here // Dress: Zara. Similar here // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Vintage. Similar here //Top: Milk & Honey Boutique. similar here.
Photography: Lauren Frisch

I often refer to some of my closest friends and family as 'My Team' and 'Home base'. Growing up, I always had this idea that the more friends you had, the more popular you were. More friends and popularity meant happiness, right? I would jump from one person to the next just hoping that this next 'group' would be 'My Team', not once ever realizing that I have to recruit My Team, I have to go out and find the best people for me. It wasn't until I faced adversity square in the eye that I realized something profound; I cannot be the only party to form my home base, they have to want me, just as much as I want them.

I've learned through hardships, that my home base might not be all family members, or even 'best' friends. Some of the people that I thought would be there for me in the hard times, weren't. But, you know what, that's what makes this life such a beautiful struggle. Every single soul out there has had to deal with something that has greatly hurt them. Some of us get healing through talking about it, while others find healing in solitude, and that's what makes this world so wonderful. We are all so very different, but perfect in our own ways.

Who is on your home team? Who is going to go to bat for you when you are too weak to swing?

{Amy}

Proud

 

Tee: Baldwin, similar here // Skirt: Forever 21 // Heels: Milk & Honey Boutique // Necklace: old, similar here // Bracelets: African grass // Belt: old, similar here

Photography by Lauren Frisch

Be proud of where you're from, where you are, and where you're going.

I've always been proud to say I live, and grew up, in Kansas City. Even if it's just on a simple tee, written right over my heart. 

{Amy}

Takes Me Back

 

 

Sweatshirt: Love Nail Tree // Clutch: Kate Spade pencil case // Dress: Tibi // Belt: Nordstrom, similar here // Necklace: old, similar here // Shoes: Milk & Honey Boutique

Photography by Lauren Frisch

I remember the black tank top with a sequined red rose I was wearing the day the twin towers came down, and sitting in Art class just frozen in time. I remember I had just gotten it from Express the night before and debated sleeping in it just because I was that anxious to wear it. I remember the old navy denim skirt and white v-neck J.Crew tee I was wearing on a cool, crisp, late Spring day. The day my life as I knew it came to a crippling halt, the day my parents told us of an inevitable divorce. I remember the Diane Von Furstenberg dress I was wearing the night Scott proposed. Whenever I wear that dress I still feel like something magical might happen. And, I remember the scent of Stanley Korshak and the taste of coffee the day I found my wedding dress. Most recently I remember the dusty pink top from Kate Spade I was wearing the day of the doctors appointment. I still cannot get myself to wear it, no matter how beautiful it might be. 

I remember this Tibi dress and how I coveted it for months as I wanted it for my rehearsal dinner. I also remember hearing Edward Sharpe's song 'Home' the month I had gotten engaged and it engulfed me. It was at work, Milk & Honey Boutique, that I heard it and it just so happens that this sweatshirt was given to me by the owner. Even when I hear it today, it takes me back to happier times with the warm Texas Spring air with the hopes I had for my future with Scott and our family. 

Fashion has always been my escape. I can disappear into my own world for a moment in time. So, the next time you see Dixie shopping in baggy boyfriend jeans, a baseball cap and no makeup on; please excuse me. It's therapy hour. 

Find your escape, find your therapy.

{Amy}

Home

 

hat: Milk & Honey Boutique// Jeans: Seven for all Mankind// Chambray shirt: J. Crew // Tee: Home Tee.// Jacket: Kate Spade // Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff // City: Chicago

I have been beyond fortunate to be able to call some fabulous places 'Home'. I lived in London for 3 months while studying abroad (and left a little bit of my heart there), lived in Dallas on 2 different occasions to total 4 great year (although I could not get out of there fast enough). Houston was probably the low point in my family's living situation but I was able to experience a pool in my backyard which, at 6 years old, is on a totally different level.

I went to college at the University of Missouri and lived in Columbia for 4 amazing years. Columbia is where I found my people. The people that pushed me to be a better person, the people that loved me just the way I (and my family) was, and the people that would never leave my side.

After college I needed to "find myself" (news flash: you never really 'find' yourself and a tip of advice, you definitely won't find her 10 bud lights deep in a bar.) so I moved to Chicago. Chicago lasted all of 12 months but it changed me. It made me grow up and force me out of my comfort zone. I learned about heartbreak, admitting fault, and knowing when it's time to let things go.

I live in Kansas City now and it is my childhood. I grew up here, found my husband here, bought a house here, and where I hope to raise my family. I get gitty when I hear 'start me up' by the Rolling Stones (only chiefs fans will understand), and crave having barbecue sauce roll down my arms. I've lived here for close to 20 years and as many bad memories as some of these streets hold for me, I always look forward to coming home.

However, if you were to ask me "where are you from?" With a defiant answer, it is always 'Fairhope'. Fairhope, Alabama is where I was born and where my dad's side of the family still resides. It is a perfectly quaint small utopia on the Mobile bay. Everyone knows everyone else's business and at any given moment you're bound to run into someone you grew up with. There is something about the crisp southern air that makes everything okay. When I'm there, I move slower, talk slower, and just breathe. I long for walks on the pier at dusk and yearn for dinners that last too long on my grandma's porch.

Last weekend I traveled to Chicago for a dear friends wedding weekend and I combined 3 of my most favorite things. I wore my Alabama tee that was given to me by my best friend, whom I met in Columbia, on my way to a friends wedding in Chicago. Roll this outfit up, put a bow on it and call me happy.

{Amy}