what I need to be wearing

Earlier this year, I made a promise to myself to at least try all of the things I'd wanted to try but had been too scared/intimidated/nervous about trying before.  For too long, I had let the "I can't" in my mind rule me and had sequestered myself away in my room.  So, I got a tattoo (more on that later).  I went to electronic music concerts and danced my little heart out.  I went ice skating twice and didn't fall either time.  I tried to make new female friends (why is this always difficult?) and made it a point to be more social.  I started a style blog.  I decided to take a summer class.  I also started doing CrossFit with a local group 4-5 times a week.

CrossFit has been a great thing for me physically.  I have done things that I never thought I'd be able to do and met people who challenge and inspire me on a daily basis.  I feel healthier and know that I will continue to grow in strength, skill, and ability as time wears on.  But...I still fight myself on a daily basis.  I am often beating up on myself mentally for the things I cannot do well or cannot do at full strength yet.  As inspiring as my friends are, it is hard for me to watch them lift heavier things than me at a faster pace.  I am embarrassed and often frustrated that I am not faster/stronger/more agile/able to endure more.

But hold on....isn't doing this regularly going to improve all of those things?  Yes, absolutely.  It would sure be a hell of a lot easier to improve if I wasn't constantly criticizing myself, though.  So what if I can't do a strict pull-up yet?  I will eventually, and for now I should be proud of my ability to do those that I can.  So what if I'm lifting 30-40 pounds less than women of similar size?  I'll get there in my own time and now is the time to focus on proper form and technique.  So what if I run slower than someone else?  At least I am showing up and putting in the work.

I need to show up to my morning workout with a smile on my face, grateful that I am healthy and capable of taking this on.  I need to keep going even when I think I can't.  I need to tell the "I can't/you're too slow/you're too weak" voice to shove it and get on with what I'm doing.

Annie Thorisdottir just won the women's competition of the CrossFit Games for the second consecutive year.  As impressive as her strength and endurance are, what impresses me most about her is that she smiles ALL.THE.TIME.  During the workouts?  Yep.  Once she's completed a WOD and perhaps not placed first?  Yep.  She has an amazing attitude about all of it.

I'm hoping that something like that can be learned, even after 28 years of being hard on myself.

‎"Let me think about the people I care about the most and how when they fail or disappoint me, I still love them, I still give them chances, and I still see the best in them. Let me extend that generosity to myself." - Frank Ze

let's hear it for New York

oh.so.dramatic.

dress: H&M, shoes: Steve Madden via Nordstrom Rack, shades: Michael Kors via T.J. Maxx

There is now a photo that exists where I am singing "Empire State of Mind", the song made famous by Alicia Keys and one Jay-Z, while posing in this very dress on this very rooftop.  Did I post that here?  No. Why?  I look like a fool, that's why.  And besides, aren't a couple of these shots dramatic and hammy enough on their own?  New York City apparently brings out my propensity for over-acting, dahhhhling.  I figured I'd spare you guys. 

After the Fourth, I took a couple of days off from work to enjoy a long weekend in the city with my loving boyfriend, and wore this on a day where we explored Central Park, the Lower West Side, and the East Village.  It was a hot one, y'all, and I might've forgotten to put sunblock on my pasty white shoulders (sorry Mom!).  Let's just say that it now looks like I am wearing a shirt with the same neckline as this dress regardless of what I'm actually wearing. 

This is the only dress I have in my closet with the ever-so-trendy high-low hemline, and I have to say I love the subtle version this particular iteration offers.  I'm not always sure I can pull off things like this, and I doubt I'd be comfortable in some of the more exaggerated versions I've seen on others, but this worked out well for me.  Anyone else out there tried this trend on for size?  If so, what are your feelings about it?

devil with a blue dress on?

dress/necklace: Forever 21, shoes: Seychelles via DSW

my normal state of existence.

Summer date night outfits are all about simplicity.  If the fabric even threatens to be cloying and uncomfortable, I leave it on the hanger.  Now that we're in the throes of oppressive heat and humidity, I have to consider several things:

- will it wrinkle immediately in the damp air?
- will it show sweat? (seriously.)
- am I going to want to claw it off my body five minutes after putting it on?

Enter this sheer, flowy thing of beauty.  Its classic cut and periwinkle-like color called out to me from the overstuffed rack.  Once I had it on in the dressing room, I knew it was coming home with me.  It's easy to wear, easy to accessorize, and it doesn't stick to me when I'm outside!  This time around, I went very light on accessories and chose to throw on my favorite vintage-y heels for a sweetly sexy feel.  I can't wait to play around with some edgier accessories with this one.

**Again, all photos taken by the extremely talented Sarah Culver.  Please visit her site!!