21 Things I'm Thankful For

This year has tested my natural optimism quite a bit. Recently, I wrote about my journey to accept my feelings of sadness and anxiety. And while I do think it's crucially important to learn to be ok with not feeling ok or upbeat all the time, I also make it a habit to consciously look for the bright side.

It's Bumpin'

If I'm perfectly honest, one of the things I was most concerned about after I got pregnant (after the baby's health of course!) was how I'd live without my wardrobe for months on end. After all, I've put serious effort into assembling an A-Team of brightly printed, cheery, full-skirted dresses and skirts.

Pirate Treasure

What does my favorite neighborhood mural have to do with a pirate-print Trashy Diva dress? Well...nothing, unless 'both things make me happy' counts.

A Star Wars Ethical Dilemma

Well, it's happened: I'm grappling with my first parenting-related ethical dilemma, and I have no idea what to do. No, this isn't about whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, or whether to cosleep, or anything like that. My dilemma involves a much weightier issue: raising a child in the post-Star Wars-prequel era.

Review: Trashy Diva Birds of a Feather

One of my favorite places at the Field Museum is the birds collection. It's always a hotbed of activity and there's usually something nifty to see, whether it's eggs collected near Shelter Island in the 19th century, rainbow-bright stuffed birds from all over the world, or a live peregrine falcon accompanying its owner to work. So when Trashy Diva released their latest collection, Birds of a Feather, I was flying high! (Sorry.) And with a dress in my all-time favorite TD cut, the circle Day Dress, this collection felt like it was meant to be.

Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago is filled with breathtaking sights, from Lake Michigan to the historical architecture all over the city, but one of my very favorite things about living here is all of the green space. It's quite a change from Los Angeles to have so many public parks and open space in the very heart of the city, and I'm always so charmed by all the flowers planted along the city's streets.

It's ok to not be ok.

I spend a LOT of time trying to maintain a positive attitude. Usually, this is great: I've found that focusing on happy thoughts helps to keep anxiety at bay, and helps me to dwell on what I have rather than what I've lost or wish I had.

Lately, though, I've found that it's much harder to maintain my usual equilibrium. This year has brought some truly difficult times, which have made even the happiest moments bittersweet. While I haven't lost hope for improvements on one front, I'm still mourning for the days when my family was still more whole than it currently is, and still coming to terms with losing my grandma.

Berry Chantilly Hopscotch

Every time Trashy Diva releases a new collection, I drop everything, flail around in excitement for a little while, and order immediately. Every time, that is, except once. The Berry Chantilly release coincided with my unintentional hiatus from the internet, so I discovered that the new collection had dropped several days after the fact. The horror! Thankfully, my new favorite cut, the Hopscotch, was still in stock in my size, so this tale has a happy ending.

Our Long National WTF

So I've got a million other things to blog about right now, but if I'm totally honest, all I've been able to think about lately is the cavalcade of unforced errors, Watergate-esque actions, and genuinely disturbing decisions made by the Trump White House.

Review: Lola Von Rose

Ever since I picked up my first wicker bag last year, I've had a massive thing for more structured purses. Let me tell you, it took a truly impressive amount of self-control to keep myself from taking any cute lucite purses home at May's Vintage Garage, but happily, this lovely little Lola Von Rose number was dangling off my wrist, reminding me that my white-lucite-bag needs are totally fulfilled.

Review: Unique Vintage Watermelon Dress

Fact: there is no finer fruit on the planet than the reigning queen of the summer BBQ, more commonly known as the watermelon. Not only is watermelon my actual favorite food at the moment, it's been one of my very favorite choices for a novelty print. The only things I've bought for my baby so far are two watermelon dresses and a watermelon tutu. I'm that kind of obsessed.

25 Things About Me

Today I'm trying something a little new: I'm indulging that side of me that'll stay up until 3am taking Buzzfeed quizzes under the covers. (In case you're wondering: I'm mostly Gryffindor, my Game of Thrones alter ego is Jon Snow, and if I were a Lord of the Rings character, I'd be Gimli. Accurate!) I was nominated to do the '25 things about me' questionnaire by Kirstie of The Kirstie View! Thanks for the tag, Kirstie, and here goes!