I witnessed something on Sunday evening that for me, makes the perfect metaphor for how I aspire to live my life…
THE STORY
…My husband and I were on a dinner date when out the window I noticed a group of people leaving the restaurant. They were all dressed casually in jeans, shorts and tee shirts. With the exception of one tiny individual.
As the group stepped from the curb to go to their vehicle, a little girl who looked to be about four years old remained. She was beautiful, and not in that “just because she’s a child” kind of way. She was truly beautiful. She had golden blonde hair piled on her head in that perfectly messy bun we all wish we could achieve, but that only a little girl who has played hard all day can actually achieve.
She was wearing this simple yet gorgeous ivory colored dress. The top half looked like a stretchy tank top that gave way to a floaty chiffon skirt at the bottom, no print or adornment at all…it almost looked like a practice outfit for ballet class. It was finished off with a pair of plain white sneakers. Was she a girl after my own heart or what?
She stood on the curb for a moment surveying the world like it was her kingdom. Finally she stepped off the curb, but then hesitated and turned around looking at the ground. Then she knelt down, I thought maybe she had dropped something. But no, she hadn’t.
She rose back up with two handfuls of dead mowed grass and parking lot dirt clutched in her little fists. She then proceeded to throw it all into the air over her head like she had just found a secret stash of magical pixie dust. She twirled around as it rained down on her, giggling with her sweet little chiffon skirt floating around her.
All of this occurred in a matter of seconds, but it was one of those moments that literally took my breath away. I couldn’t even open my mouth to say anything to my husband so that he could look because I was so caught up in the magic of it. Undoubtedly without even realizing it, that little girl embodied the secrets to life. Here’s what I took away from that brief moment in time:
- Wear your prettiest dress whenever you want to. Even if you’re just going to the store. Every single day is an event.
- The secret to a perfectly messy updo is to play hard and not give a single damn what your hair looks like.
- View your world as if it were your kingdom, because in reality it is.
- Make the best of every minute that you have available to you.
- It’s all in your perception…even dirt can become magical pixie dust if you’re looking at it through the right lens.
- Giggle…just out of the pure joy of being alive. And if you’re wearing a twirl-worthy skirt, don’t waste the opportunity.
- Never ever underestimate the power of a good pair of white sneakers with your prettiest girly-girl dress.
THE OUTFIT
Ya, ya…I know. When I wore the olive green version of this slip dress, I was sure it was the one. And technically I suppose, it still is. It’s one of those pieces that is just so damn comfortable and looks so incredible on that you know it will be in heavy rotation until it’s threadbare. BUT take that same slip dress but this time in the most insanely vivid and flattering shade of red bordering on fuschia, bordering on coral? I have no words. This is seriously a goddess level dress. Who knew a red slip dress could be so life altering? I cannot emphasize enough how much you need to have it in your life. And just in case red’s not your thing it comes in an equally bright and beautiful shade of blue.
Since it’s still “falummer” (that awkward time when the leaves are changing, but it’s still 80° outside) only a lightweight tissue cardigan and strappy ankle boots were necessary. Instead of my basic black cardigan I went with my snake print to spice things up a little bit. I added the black double-wrap belt to give the dress some shape as well as to further highlight the juicy brightness of the red. I seriously cannot wait to style this beauty with my black cropped pullover sweater, black tights and boots…with all that black to play off of the red will really be a poppin’!
THE TIP
Don’t be afraid to add some color to your closet. You might be surprised how much color can affect not only how you look, but how you feel as well.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Dress: American Eagle; Cardigan: H&M (Similar); Boots: Freebird
