What hurts the most

Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

The surgery didn't hurt, I was out of it and they gave me great pain meds. When I got the news, it didn't hurt, maybe because I didn't believe it. It's the aftermath that they don't warn you about. There's no 'Doctor's orders' that they send you home with to help you deal with your everyday life.  There's no manual of how to feel when people refuse to acknowledge what has just happened. It's a daily struggle, but a beautiful struggle. You learn, and you learn quickly, who is in your support system and how many people care enough about you to reach out and tell you that they are there.

Today is 2 months. 2 months since we got the news. 2 months since a piece of my heart went missing.

Today, I had to place 335 greeting card orders at work. I had to manually enter 7/22 on all of them.  I was reminded, today, 335 times of my due date that will never be. 

But, today, as I open a book that was given to me by a friend with whom I had lost touch with, I am reminded of the pain I once felt, but the hope I have for the future. 

{Amy}

2 sides to every story

Hat: Milk & Honey Boutique // Jeans: 7 For All Mankind// Shoes: Converse // Jacket: Kate Spade// Denim Jacket: 7 For All Mankind, similar here// Oxford: Kate Spade // Watch: Michele //Bracelets: J. Crew, Kate Spade, Jade bangles from Beijing and Taiwan, Beaded-DIY

"It takes 2 to tango", "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde", "There are 2 sides to every story".

Where fashion is concerned, there is nothing more beautiful than both sides of the story. I own more pairs of boyfriend jeans than I care to share (6), enough baggy Tee's that Rapunzel herself would have slack if she tied them all together, and roughly 5 pairs of beat up old Converse. I am not a high fashion wearing kind of gal. That does not mean that I don't covet Isabel Marant, dream in Givenchy, have Carl Lagerfeld on my 'short list' of people I'd like to have a drink with, and have a mad girl crush on Deborah Lloyd.

Lloyd's 'where in the world is Kate Spade' idea for this year has gotten my attention and my girlie-girl side is smitten. This month's theme is Paris, and the colors are what my dreams are made of...I can have my cake and eat it too!

P.S. It's colder than Sh*t in KC.

{Amy}

Until the snow stops

 

Skirt: Old, but similar here //Ring: House of Harlow, similar here. // Bracelets: Vintage, Stella & Dot, similar here. // Sweater: H & M Flash sale, similar here. //Hat: Target  // Booties: DV by Dolce Vita

There's something so peaceful about the snow. Especially when the entire city is shut down and the Mayor is telling you to stay inside. When the hustle and bustle of my everyday life has to stop and my one "job" is to simply watch the snow fall, it's amazing. I went outside to try and shovel and you can't even hear cars go by on the snow-packed roads. I believe it is God's way of telling us all to 'slow our roll' and just breathe.

These were clearly taken over the weekend before the foot of snow fell. Maybe if I made myself believe it wasn't THAT cold out that Spring might actually come sooner...I'm realizing now my tactic didn't work.

{Amy}

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}