Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you could actually feel yourself changing…
THE STORY
…I’m talking about one of those pivotal moments or periods of time in your life journey when an experience(s) or perhaps an event has altered your views so much that it changes you down to your very soul. I’m there right now.
I can feel it happening; I innately sense the change. I can see it in how I’m interacting with the world and handling various situations. I’ve started to be less of an “avoider” and have begun to slowly develop the ability to face things head on. The change is only in it’s infancy though; I need to work with it and nurture it so that it really takes root. This change is good and while I feel like there is no going back, I still need to ensure that it becomes a permanent and inherent part of who I am.
That is one of the gifts of age…self-awareness. The last time I went through a truly soul altering change was in my early 30’s. I can look back now and see it for what it was, but at the time I didn’t yet have the life experience to recognize it. That change, while it did have some positive aspects, was not necessarily a good one. An unbelievably awful betrayal by a “friend” led me to have a complete and utter distrust of people that became a part of who I am and how I view the world.
If I’d had the self-awareness that I do now, perhaps I could have tempered it a bit. Since I didn’t, now I have to work a little harder to keep that part of who I am under control. Since I am aware of it, I know to remind myself that it isn’t a completely accurate way to view people, but it would have made things easier had I nipped it in the bud when it occurred.
In the long run, the change that is happening right now can be nothing but good. Avoiding a conversation or a situation simply because it is emotionally difficult is no way to live. Although I’ve known that on a logical level my entire life, it has always been my practice to avoid the ugly because of the fear of the unknown on the other side of the conversation or situation. Recently I’ve discovered, much to my surprise, that if faced in the moment, a lot of good can come from the difficult. There is peace on the other side of the storm. And that peace is where I want to live my life.
THE OUTFIT
It’s Summer so that means I can whatever I feel like wearing; no worries about keeping it work appropriate and my inner boho child can run wild and free. Hence, today’s full-on in your face bohemian vibe filled outfit. Honestly, it’s just a pair of denim shorts and a black cami tank top. But throw on a pair of western ankle boots, a kimono and a pretty boho style necklace and you’ve gotta lewk.
Lately I have for whatever reason, developed a crazy obsession with western ankle boots. I mean the beautiful tooled leather variety. Maybe it’s all of the Freebird ads that pop up in my Instagram feed…and trust me, one day I will own a pair, pricey or not. In any case, when Wikibuy asked if I’d like to try out their Chrome shopping extension the first thing I though was “western ankle boots”. I found these little Carlos Santana gems at Macy’s via Wikibuy and was in love. The gray pair is equally fab and I might need to nab them as well.
Adding to my bohemian vibes is this super pretty necklace from the lovely Emma-Jayne at Boho Buffalo. Emma-Jayne and I met via Instagram (as frustrating as that app has become, I do love the connections that I’ve made). She dug my style and I dug her beautifully hand-crafted jewelry so a collaboration was born. Her jewelry designs come from her travel experiences and lifelong love of all things bohemian and country western inspired.
The necklace that I’m wearing today is from her Medina Collection, it’s the Cutwork Glass Beaded Necklace and it’s even more beautiful in person. I’ve included some shots of the two other pieces Emma-Jayne was kind enough to send me and they are all stunning. The beauty of her jewelry is that it can be paired with casual wear as well as dressed up. Later this week I’ll be posting an outfit that I wore to a wedding over the weekend, and her Rose Gold Feather Necklace was the perfect finishing touch.
THE TIP
Finding your own personal style vibe simplifies the process of getting dressed. Even before the blog was born and I had ever even heard the term “boho”, my clothing choices leaned that direction. I believe it comes from my love of comfort without sacrificing pretty. As I began to put more thought into my outfits, I found that I typically relied on pieces with a more bohemian flavor and thus my personal style vibe evolved.
That’s not to say that one can’t dress outside of their personal style preference. I do mix things up on occasion, for example last week’s gingham skirt outfit was anything but boho. Sometimes it’s fun to step outside of your zone…it keeps people guessing and it keeps you fresh.
Developing a personal style does not happen overnight. It’s an ever-evolving process. It’s finding what you love, what works for you on a regular basis and what authentically represents who you are.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Boots: Macy’s c/o Wikibuy; Kimono: Similar; Shorts: Levis (Similar); Top: Old Navy (Similar); Necklace: c/o Boho Buffalo
