September always has me wanting
to take the time to
reflect on my summer.
This year I would call mine a
Summer of Resilience
(not that the last few seasons haven't also been)
With what feels like a myriad of uncertainty
for so many different reasons
I have held fast this summer to
some definite
coping strategies
(doesn't life always call for coping strategies)
By far my favorite these days
Hiking in Nature.
So many of my favorite
Summer Memories
are of the hikes
Jeff and I have taken.
Our seriousness about hiking
came about because
I have been on a personal quest
to loose weight this year
(so far it's 40 plus pounds lost)
to age as healthy as I can!
Along the way
I realized just how much
being out in nature
calmed my soul.
Hiking in nature has become
a soul cleanse.
A daily reset.
A reminder of all the beauty and grace
in the world.
A way to honor
my body, mind and soul.
Of course
I still find joy and beauty
curating fabulous looks.
What I Wear
has always been important to me
for so many different reasons ...
From simply wanting to feel good about myself
to honoring an occasion
or
an experiment in creativity.
What I Wear
brings me Joy.
These days I intend yo
squeeze all the joy I can find in life
Taking the time to truly
Savor and enjoy
it all.
Especially taking the time to
take in nature's beauty!
My
is still one of my favorite pieces this season.
As I write this there is a cool breeze blowing through
reminding me it will soon be cool enough to pull
this beauty out again!
Neutrals will forever be one of my favorite palettes
to wear.
I have added in some clogs into my rotation
and really enjoying them with so many different looks.
They give a current vibe to any outfit
and
are really comfortable to wear.
Definitely a winning combination
that I will bee taking into our
mild Southern California Autumns .
Jeff and I headed down to the beach
early one summer morning
to shoot my
it ended up to be such a beautiful
summer memory.
Jeff and I have been
thriving
even amidst the last very trying
20 months
taking our vows of
Richer or poorer very seriously.
We will be celebrating 34 years this week
I realize now the true meaning of the marriage vows.
Marriage really does take
commitment to all of the words
(except that dated obey, that definitely weren't in my vows!)
For those of you who have followed my blog for years
you know Jeff and I have had our struggles
(I wrote a series HERE)
So it feel really good
to know we can still thrive
as a couple and individuals
through some really uncertain times.
I have mentioned here and on Instagram
I have been making loosing weight a priority
in my life this year.
Not to be 'thin' as much as to be
Healthy and Fit
to be able to age in the best way I can.
Along the way I realized
I wanted to
embrace my body
with
love and gratitude
for all it has done for me these 62 years.
No longer on a quest for unrealistic 'perfection'
but instead
honoring my body
by feeding it healthy nutrition
taking it inside and outside for workouts.
These days when I do strenuous hikes
I thank my strong, muscular thighs
for their
strength and service.
No longer do I chastise them in my head
thinking they should look different
or be less.
I happily love and adore my thunder thighs
with pride.
For me
that is a huge mindset change.
I suffered with eating disorders for so many years
that even the idea of trying to loose weight
always had me fearing a return to bulimia.
Now
loving and appreciating my
body
just as it is
feels more empowering
than I can explain here today.
I have also been in my studio this summer creating new pieces.
I haven't accomplished as much as I would have liked
but I am choosing to give myself grace.
And continue on
Slow and Steady.
I was tickled to end up on
South Coast Plaza'a Instagram!
As well as
Orange Coast Magazine!
It's been another summer of
Big Hat Love
Always Big Accessory Love!
Exaggerated Silhouettes
for the dramatic win.
so many outfits
for getting in long city hikes
that I can still feel good about
going in for casual lunches.
Getting my miles in
and then lunch
my favorite combination this summer!
Still loving my fabulous
Floral Headbands
this summer.
Especially for
Sunset Strolls
Reflecting on my summer here
has been very cathartic for me.
I think it's all too easy
for me
to give so far too much mental time
to worrying about
what might be ...
that I loose focus
on all fo the good
that is right before me.
Taking the time for
Summer Reflections
has really helped remind me
to step back and
look at the bigger picture.
What are you
most Grateful for
this season?
I would love to hear!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joy
as you style your life
