Today is Day 2 of the week long boho-palooza that the lovely Ada at Elegance And Mommyhood and I are hosting…
THE STORY
…Wednesday was also the day we both did a more casual look when we shared our Fall boho looks back in October. Definitely take a minute to stop by and check out Ada’s full post and get the details on what’s she’s wearing today too.
So, do you see that tree that’s directly behind me? I mean how could you miss it…it’s a tree. When we first bought our house some 23 years ago, it was the exact same height as the little tree/bush thing that is right up against it on the left. It was just a baby. So of course we named it Baby Tree. What? You don’t name your trees? I love trees, seriously I do. The shade in the summer, the pretty leaves in the fall, and the way the snow lays on the naked branches in the winter. Plus, they are like a natural barrier from the outside world and I like that.
And I happen to be particularly attached to this tree. It reminds me of when we were young and so excited to have our very own home. Our son was just a cute little toddler, much like Baby Tree. Over the years the bunny has hidden eggs around it at Easter, it’s decorated with twinkle lights or spotlights all year ’round. We’ve laid under it on the hammock in the summer to catch some shade from the heat of the day or watched the stars through it’s leaves on summer nights.
Sadly, over the last few years, it became apparent that Baby Tree wasn’t well. More and more branches would be leafless in the summer and branches started to fall off or in the case of the little stump to the left of my head in the picture, amputations were necessary. Unfortunately, the time has come. Baby Tree is scheduled to be cut down on Thursday while I’m at work. I can guarantee that I’ll be in tears when I get home and he’s gone. Truthfully, I’m tearing up just writing about it. Some of you may be thinking, “Geez, it’s just a tree.” But to me that tree is a metaphor for the life my husband and I have built together. Even when times weren’t so great, Baby Tree was there. Growing bigger and stronger with the passage of the seasons just like we were even if sometimes we didn’t realize it. It might just be a tree, but it’s also part of us, and it will be tough to see the empty place in the backyard where Baby Tree used to stand tall.
THE OUTFIT
It’s official…my opposition to the off the shoulder top has turned into an obsession. What’s also official? I still haven’t found a strapless bra that I can live with. I just ordered one on Amazon that has 4 1/2 stars with almost 1,500 reviews, so fingers crossed….Anyway, on to this gorgeous top. I received it care of Shein and I couldn’t be happier with it. It’s lightweight with that floatiness that I love, but still solidly made if that makes sense. Readers have asked my thoughts on Shein clothing and I have to say with 100% honesty, the quality is comparable to if not better than Forever 21 or Old Navy. I know that those stores aren’t some people’s cup of tea, and that’s cool, but I shop at both so that makes the quality of Shein clothing just fine in my book. The sizing doesn’t seem to be super tiny as is often the case with Asian retailers. I typically order my normal size although I do size up in jackets. Right now they have a stellar selection of OTS tops and I will definitely be picking up a few more on my own dime. In particular, I want to pick up the black off the shoulder tee and the gray/plum top with tassels from last week’s post.
This time I kept it casual with denim shorts and by leopard wedge sandals. It just so happened that my black and white rose necklace from our wedding trip to the Bahamas worked perfectly with the top’s white trim and black. **Sidenote: I did tack the white trim down in a few spots because I didn’t want it to curl up like crochet trim seems to do. I’m thinking the top would pair perfectly with my black and white striped maxi and my red pencil skirt as well.
THE TIP
Try to keep an open mind when it comes to fashion. I know that is easier said than done, but sometimes a style that you think is most definitely not for you turns out to be something that definitely is for you.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Top: c/o Shein; Shorts: JCPenney; Wedges: JustFab (Similar)
Top provided c/o Shein. All opinion expressed are, as always, 100% my own.
