A Bit of Flare

Photos: Victoria Metaxas

Shop the Look: Denim // Bell Sleeve Top // Faux Fur Vest <similar> // Booties // Bag // Watch // Bracelet // Bracelet

Everyone is busy.  We all have a to-do list that has more items than can possibly be completed in 24 hours- unless you do not plan to sleep at all- not something I advise.  Everyone has family, friends, work, social and life commitments… and all too often we never stop to think about ourselves- especially those of us that are mama’s.  It feels selfish, unjustified and unnecessary to add “take care of myself” to the to- do list…. but why?  Where have we gone wrong in society that we are not able to put ourselves first?  Where have we gone as parents to believe that we can literally dedicate our entire lives to our children/families?  I am a FIRM believer in ME TIME.

I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent.  Caring for myself is an act of survival– Audre Lorde

This quote and this mentality is one I have adopted and whole heartily agree with and practice.  Since moving to London I have found myself spending more and more time alone- with Declan in nursery school and Brendan working- I am left with a bit of time to myself.  At the beginning I would use this time to clean, to run errands, to do laundry, to take care of household chores…. essentially I used this time to complete my to-do list. And then I realized something was lacking in my life… I was feeling a bit empty… I was feeling a bit too much like Mrs. Cleaver….

While I was accomplishing my chores and duties I was not growing as a person, I was not being intellectually stimulated, I was not spending the time to make myself happy… a completed to-do list turned out to not equal happiness.  I needed more.  So I committed to finding the “more” I was craving.  I committed to spending two mornings a month doing something for myself, something that made me think, something that added cultural and diversity into my life, something that allowed me to focus on ensuring I was happy…. In the end it is up to you to make yourself happy.

Lets, briefly, discuss the flare jeans... lets celebrate how amazing they are and how great it is they have come around and are back in style.  I am one who loves comfort and I can honestly say no pair of skinny jeans are as comfortable as these flares… they just can not compare.  Now… I am not trying to re-live the early 2000’s (although sometimes I do love to jam out to N’SYNC and pretend I am in college with no responsibilities)… but I am wearing and loving these flare jeans- I can’t wait to wear them with a nice pair of heels and really dress them up!!!.  Faux Fur.  Enough said.  Wear it.  Love it.  Embrace it. In this look it certainly makes the outfit more polished and refined but this vest is extremely versatile.  This particular vest was my first purchase in Paris, last year, but I have linked <similar> <similar> some others.  H&M is becoming a new go-to for me for some basic essentials and while I was there I saw this white bell sleeve top and it immediately landed in my shopping bag- aren’t the bell sleeves so cute!  Add a plain crew neck sweater over top of this shirt for a fun, different and super sleek look!!   Adding the classic black saddle bag and black booties really completed this outfit and made it easy to wear all day…I went straight to a girls HH after this and it was perfect.

London, for obvious reasons, was the perfect backdrop for my new commitment.  I have explored new neighborhoods, visited amazing exhibits across the city, I have seen and learned so much about the history of the United Kingdom, spent time in incredible museums,  and taken the train to random destinations. I have also started (or went back to) making the effort to look cute… I started wearing clothes that made me feel good… started exploring new fashion trends…  and I started loving my wardrobe.  On “Me Days” I love to get a little bit more dressed up- add a little element of elegance to my everyday- and that was the inspiration behind this shoot.  The backdrop is the beautiful and iconic Victoria and Albert Museum and the outfit incorporates a few fun flares and a touch of classy elegance!

Sometimes my to-do list does not get done and sometimes I am behind on my household chores and sometimes we eat take away food. This change in my life has made such an impact… I am more refreshed- I am more recharged- I am more patient- I am more relaxed- I am happy.

With Love,

I have added all the items from the look and many similar items for easy shopping.  Click directly from the widget to purchase!  How easy is that.