{finding happiness in the little things + my new fave green dress}

Green Dress (small) // Sand Dollar Earrings // Steve Madden Sandals (go up 1/2 size) //

Topshop Purse // Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Photography by Lauren Middledorf

Green Dress (small) // Sand Dollar Earrings // Steve Madden Sandals (go up 1/2 size) // Topshop Purse // Ray-Ban Sunglasses

I've talked about finding happiness in the little things a lot. I'm no stranger to getting in funks and not being able to pull myself out of it right away. I can't simply snap my fingers and make myself happy again (can anyone though?) - life just doesn't work like that. I can wind up festering on one thing until I fully think it through and come to a conclusion. The problem with that is sometimes it will take days and it's a huge distraction that causes me to be unable to focus on anything else...

Sound familiar?

Yeah, I know I'm not alone! I very easily let other people's emotions and thoughts influence me. So if I'm unhappy at work, for example, and a coworker is feeling the same way and shares those thoughts with me I begin to go in a downward spiral. This happens quickly to me because I'm a very optimistic person. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? An optimistic person that gets dragged down with pessimism. A negative attitude or thoughts weighs on me heavier than it does for others. Because I attempt to see the best in everything when someone points out a negative it's almost a "glass shattering moment" for me. It's kind of like someone taking off your rose colored glasses ha. I feel emotions very deeply - so when someone announces a pregnancy, engagement, exciting news, etc I feel absolutely elated! If it's sad news like a death or breakup my empathy takes full control of my heart and mind.

I've learned this more and more about myself in the last 3 years. Perhaps it was recognizing how my actions had an effect on others and being forced to take an inward look at myself after a bad breakup, moving into a solo apartment, dating in DC, and then ultimately losing my dad. It was a cumulation of events that makes you look at life differently! For awhile I started writing 3 things that made me smile every morning, then I began to have a one word goal for the week (like endurance, joy, or patience), and I would also have a quote that I wanted to embody by the end of the day/month/week. All of these tasks helped me succeed and keep my happiness up but it was just that... a task. I had to carve out time to do it and really think about what I wanted to focus on and choose. Would I do it again? Yes. I still occasionally write down 3 things that make me smile if it's something unique and random.

But more recently I've begun to find happiness in the little things, in the things that already exist and make up my life. Instead of seeking something out I let it come to me. It makes me appreciate a giving quality in a stranger, or a puppy that I passed on the street, or someones IG story that made me laugh really hard on my commute home. I don't sit down and force myself to say why I'm happy - I glance around for it and it finds me. I think this has caused a domino effect in me because I'm able to recognize the happiness faster and in return I can be pulled out of a funk more quickly.

It sounds silly but this green dress is one of those happy things... I wore it to work on a Friday and got so many compliments that I wore it again on Sunday to drinks with friends. I didn't care that I'd worn it two days earlier. It made me happy and I felt good about myself :) I'm a sucker for green and a dress that I can spin and dance in! That's one of the little things that will always make me happy!

Love Always,

{chicwish orange cape}

Happy November! I can't believe how this year has already flown by - it feels like Halloween was just yesterday! Oh wait ;)

Chicwish Cape Sweater // Old Navy Jeans // Black Suede Boots // Gigi New York Purse // Baublebar Earrings // BITE Lipstick

Now that the weather is cooler (we seriously jumped from 80s to 50s) it's time to break out all of those cute sweaters! I love wearing seasonal colors like yellow, burnt orange, and burgundy... all the colors of the leaves. It just puts me in the festive season and makes me want to cozy up by a fire with a blanket. This new cape sweater is such a different shape and easy for layering underneath. I paired it with my favorite earrings from the summer and the boots you're going to be seeing a loot of. Y'all know I love my OTK boots! I had to retire my old heeled pair because the suede got ruined from salt/snow last winter. So I purchased these during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I looove the pointy toe and chunky heel - it makes them SO comfortable and really easy to walk in! They also make your legs look a mile long which is always a good thing!

Love Always,

{striped dress in nantucket}

In September I had my first chance to visit Nantucket! It was such a gorgeous island - every corner was cuter than the next full of charm. I knew we were going to be going to dinner on the water one night so I went on the hunt for the perfect nautical dress. I wanted something that would keep me warm when the nights got chilly (long sleeves and heavy material) but still had some sass to it (deep v in the front and back). When I spotted this dress it checked all those boxes PLUS it has so much character to it with the tassel ties and the ruffle skirt.

MISA LA Dress // White Earrings // J Necklace // Suede Heels // Mascara // Lipstick

I was at Shop Luna the weekend before looking for a rehearsal dinner dress (more on that later) when I spotted this striped beauty. I paired it with open toed heels but I think it would be adorable with tan boots and a maroon wrap. The material is so thick that it didn't wrinkle at all and i was comfortable the whole night (even with a sunburn I didn't get chilly haha).

Shop Luna is a boutique in Bethesda and they always have the best brands that you can find at Nordstrom and Revolve too. This brand, MISA Los Angeles, is new to me and I can't get enough of it! Adorable silhouettes, luxe colors, and perfect details.

Love Always,

{morning stroll in a blue linen maxi}

Linen Maxi dress (on sale for $59 with an extra 15% off using code SUPERSTAR) // White Tassel Earrings // Nude Heels (I call them sandals because they're so comfortable!) // Sunglasses // BITE Lipstick in "Pastille" // Navy Blue Leather Purse

Photography by Katie Urban

Linen Maxi dress (on sale for $59 with an extra 15% off using code SUPERSTAR) // White Tassel Earrings // Nude Heels (I call them sandals because they're so comfortable!) // Sunglasses // BITE Lipstick in "Pastille" // Navy Blue Leather Purse

This summer's humidity has been out of control... all I want to do is stay inside or hide in the shade when I'm outside. I normally opt for rompers or short sundress but I love my maxi dresses! When I spotted this gorgeous blue number I almost passed on it. Then I realized it was linen aka the best fabric to wear in hot weather! It's so breathable and the cropped length made it really easy to move in.  I can't get enough of the criss-cross back and pretty detailing.
Walking around with Katie, exploring Kalorama while admiring the houses, and drinking an iced chai was the perfect start to my morning. The open back on this dress made me okay with having my hair down too! I'm definitely packing this number up for the fourth of july! The bright blue is so gorgeous!

Do y'all have fun plans for the Fourth? Im curious, did people celebrate last weekend leading up to the Fourth? Or are they celebrating after?!

Love Always,