howdy, 33!
this post is a tad late because i was too busy celebrating and stuffing my face last week. from dinners, lunches, brunch, snacks, sweet treats (LOTS), gifts, flowers, messages, etc... i have some pretty dang good people in my life. but really though, glad i took these photos before eating for 10 people... not joking. my thoughts (or more like ramblings) on turning 33 after the jump!
THIS DRESS. i've always wanted a sparkly dress and this was a good first one because it is not full-on-sparkle. ALSO, it has a very pretty textured design to it which actually adds to the flattering fit. it is a little on the tighter side than what i normally wear, but what the heck, i'm 33. might as well; and hey nothing spanx can't fix! i love the long sleeve one shoulder and the fact that it is a midi that really hits at the right length (i'm 5'2" short). it makes the PERFECT NYE dress! this shoot was again one for the books, i mean look at that AUSTIN view -- looking good #ATX! oh, and my photographer, brandon, almost fell in the pool on this cold day, LOL. lastly, check out my instagram for a chance to WIN THIS DRESS! the giveways i've been running have been so fun, it feels so good to give something away for the holidays so i hope you'll join in! see ya next week, xx.
currently on my playlist: meant to be by Bebe Rexha ft. Georgia Line
BUT hold up... wait a minute.. 33?! come on.. forealzzz? where the hell did three decades + three years go?!?! you know what's funny is when you ask and answer the question of where you see yourself in five years and then when you find yourself there, life looks completely different than you imagined five years ago. well, that's been my. whole. life. basically. it has never turned out as planned. like. nothing. (insert nervous laughter). so the best plan is to not have one; solid advice, i know. at least for life. everything that went "wrong" led me right here -- i have to say, it's a pretty good spot. i thought i'd be married -- maybe? have children -- possibly? am i anywhere near that? um...... no. my life is completely different from all my friends i grew up with; they have all seemed to move on with the typical life progression. there is no denying that our lives have become un-relatable and vice versa. no ones fault. but i guess my journey is just different and i can't help but to believe that there is beauty in that. or at least.. that's what i'm sticking to!
my friend sent this to me ages ago (thanks GF you know who you are), i frequently refer to it when i need some perspective:
It takes six million grains of pollen to seed one peony, and salmon need a lifetime of swimming to find their way home, so we mustn't be alarmed or discouraged when it takes us years to find love or years to understand our calling in life.
Everything in nature is given some form of resilience by which it can rehearse finding its way, so that, when it does, it is practiced and ready to seize its moment. This includes us.
When things don't work out - when loves unexpectedly end or careers stop unfolding - it can be painful and sad, but refusing this larger picture keeps us from finding our resilience. Then, sadness can turn into discouragement, and pain can spoil into despair.
As the many grains of pollen birth the one flower and the many eggs spawned birth the one fish, each person we love and each dream we try to give life to brings us closer to the mystery of being alive. So, we must try as many times as necessary until our many loves become the one love, until our many dreams become the one dream, until heart and path feel the same. // the book of awakening
i have to remind myself this all the time, but i think it's really important to focus on the "things" that i have in my life and the things that are going right versus the things that i don't have or aren't going "right." sometimes you gotta put blinders on and not pay attention to anyone around you but yourself and the path ahead that is meant for you. one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. some days it can be hard, but other days it can be so gratifying. there is something to be said about going on a path completely alone, without any co-dependency, and no one to turn to at the end of the day except yourself. it sounds a little sad, but by golly, it makes you one hell of a strong person i tell ya. so cheers to the road less traveled, cheers to the little victories, & cheers to 33 -- i plan on crushin' it. xx
dress c/o | Maggy London zipporah midi (TTS, wearing a size 2)
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pumps in black patent (old design) -- current design // similar 1 // similar 2
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) -- similar and $68 // similar
earrings c/o | BaubleBar eve hoop earrings in white -- similar but with sequins // another great holiday option
sunglasses | Le Specs air heart 51mm sunglasses in black & gold -- similar but more cat eye // similar but more rectangular (love these)
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold -- similar
lips | Christian Louboutin velvet matte lip color in rouge 001M (FAVE RED) -- similar in a matte liquid
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring
#cantstopwontstop,
JD
photo credit: Brandon Hill
a post done in collaboration with Maggy London.
dress provided by Maggy London, all opinions are my own.
special thanks to the Westin Austin Downtown for the backdrop!.