Happy Sunday my amazing blogger fam, how is everyone doing? I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Mom and I are still on staycation and today was a beautiful day at the pool.
I know this is my first post in a few months and I am sorry I have been quiet. It’s been quite a year as I am sure it has been for many of you and I experienced a lack of motivation and some writer’s block. I have never just written about my outfit, I write about my life and experiences too and well I could have just posted about the clothes I didn’t want to not be authentic to what this blog is all about.
Thank you to everyone who asked me for new posts and when I was coming back, it always means so much to know that what I write in my little corner of the internet matters to you. I promise I am heading into Fall with regular content.
On a less positive note my Facebook page has been hacked and trying to get help to recover it is basically impossible so I have created a new page and I hope you will all give it a like as I rebuild my community – Mustang Sally Two. It’s a work in progress so please be patient with me!
So this is probably anti climatic at this point but if you didn’t already know the blog turned 5 on July 1st. Usually I do a celebratory post the same day but I couldn’t shoot my vision till after that because of Covid and since then I just haven’t felt the right moment to celebrate.
But I have been reflecting a lot this week and I realized that it’s important to celebrate. And not just my blogiversary but all the changes I have made in my life in 2020 so far. I can’t share everything right now but let’s just say Covid challenged me to look at everything I was doing and what I really wanted. And if something didn’t fit anymore it was time to let it go and move on.
Starting therapy was one of the most important things I have ever done for myself. I always knew I needed to do it but I always found an excuse not to whether it be lack of time, money etc. For me it was easier to live in denial and tell myself everything was ok then to do the work. I was high functioning despite my anxiety so all was well.
But the reality is I was one step away from what would end up being a full mental breakdown. Just before lock down I experienced a severe traumatic event that was the culmination of several smaller ones. I can’t fully put into words the fear, anxiety and panic that I felt. It was so intense that it terrified me. Thank goodness my Mom was there when it happened because I don’t like to think about what would have happened if she wasn’t.
A lot of you see how close my Mom and I are and we always have been but what you may not know is that before she moved in with me last Fall I had spent 25 years living on my own and far away from her. I firmly believe that a higher power made sure she was physically close to me again because I needed it.
Being on medical leave these past six months and going to therapy has made me realize that what I thought was important really wasn’t. I have learned so much about myself and therapy has really helped me to see things differently. I still have a lot of work to do but I take it one step at a time and am proud that I am finally learning to put myself first.
It’s been weird because all my doctors and therapy appointments have been virtual through all of this but my doctor told me the other day that she could hear the change in my voice, that I sounded brighter. And you know what? I feel it. And it feels good.
I guess the point of everything I have shared here is I want to encourage you to listen to yourself and your body. And if you have experienced anything similar you are not alone. I really struggled with feeling guilty. I felt I should have been stronger, pushed through, been independent. But I realized that there was no reason to feel guilty. Mental health struggles are serious and a valid medical condition that deserves the proper treatment and care. Taking a break doesn’t make me any less than the person I was. So while I don’t know exactly what the future holds I am continuing to put in the work and heal.
This blog and community that I have created over the last 5 years has always brought me so much joy and pride. When I first started it, I always thought it would just be a fun hobby, something to do outside of accounting. But again I think the powers at be had bigger plans and I can’t believe what a wonderful ride it has been.
I wouldn’t trade the wonderful people I have meet both online and in real life for anything. I have made amazing friends and connections in this industry. I have a platform that allows me to use my voice to fight for us. And I still am blown away every day by the messages I receive from women and men who tell me I have helped them. It’s humbling and a great reminder to never give up.
So now that I have been sharing all the feelings, let’s talk about my outfit. And before you get mad at me, yes I know this dress is basically sold out 🙈. I bought it back in the spring and then we were in quarantine. But I couldn’t not shoot it. And if you are in the market for something formal, Torrid has so many great options to choose from and a lot of them are on major clearance right now.
As soon as I saw this dress it gave me all the feels but the amped up version. I mean do you think with all my girly style that I could resist layers of ruffled tulle and an ombré effect? That would be absolutely not lol. And yes you have to put up with my multiple twirling moments. I couldn’t choose!
I decided to go outside the box with this look and wear my fave sequin sneakers and some blinged our accessories. I absolutely love these headbands that Cosa Bella Accessories sent me. Headbands are one of the biggest trends of the year and I loved the classic pearls. They carry amazing accessories so be sure to check them out. And finally my Torrid denim jacket added some casual fun to go with my sneakers.
The cake was made by an amazing young girl named Lily that I met through a local Facebook group. She started her own business when Covid hit at the age of 12 and not only are her cakes beautiful but they are so delicious. Be sure to show her some love here – Lily Cakes. I love seeing young budding female entrepreneurs and I know her future is bright.
I am ending this post with a huge thank you for making my world brighter. Every like, comment, share, purchase, message and follow does not go unnoticed. I started this as part of my self love journey and the heart in these pictures represents how far I have come and how much love I have to give. I can’t wait to see what the next 5 years has in store for me.
Finally this post is dedicated to my Mom, Angela. Mom you have always loved me unconditionally and supported me no matter what. I needed you this year more than ever and you were there for me every step of the way. I love you to the moon and back 😘
Special thanks to Rebecca of Rebecca Northcott Photography for capturing these images.
Dress by TORRID | Denim Jacket by TORRID | Sneakers by TORRID (sold out) | Headband by COSA BELLA ACCESSORIES |
