Back in the building...

Hey!

Ok, so I know I've been a bum when it comes to outfit posts but I promise that that will all change now.  A lot of stuff has happened since my last outfit post and I want to fill you all in.  First off, many of you know that I have a son with special needs.  Well, my hubby and I recently visited with a neuropsychologist to get the results from my son's recent neuropsych evaluation.  He basically determined that my son has ADHD which came as no surprise to me.  He did his best to reassure us that with proper interventions his quality of life won't be adversely affected by the diagnosis.  Well "proper interventions" is basically the introduction of meds which I have A LOT of reservations about.  Although I know many people have benefited from psychotropic medications, there's something about giving those type of meds to a FIVE YEAR OLD that just doesn't sit well with me.  Needless to say, my hubby and I have alot of thinking to do and must make certain decisions before my son starts school in September.  I won't lie, this is all emotionally taxing for me.  I am determined however, to do the best that I can to make sure my son thrives emotionally, psychologically, socially, and academically.

Another decision I have come to recently is to start my own online clothing business for plus-sized women!  I am still in the business development phase of all of this but I hope to roll everything out by the end of this year. I will be sure to keep you all posted on any new developments!

Without further delay, let me show you today's outfit!  I had been stalking the blazer for some time on the ASOS site and finally bought it after coming across an online code.  The blazer is from the main range and is a size 14.  To be honest, I probably could've sized down to a 12 because the entire jacket is very roomy and I would've preferred a more fitted look. I also want to do some raving about the chevron bodysuit I am wearing.  Many of you may bypass Forever 21's main range section due to the fact that it only goes up to a large.  You'd be surprised to know that many of my wardrobe staples are from the main range section.  This particular bodysuit is a large and is VERY stretchy.  This holds true for many of their bodysuits.  When trying to determine whether to buy something from the main range line, I look for words like "elasticized", "jersey", and "spandex" in the description of the item.  Nine times out of ten, if an item says spandex, it will stretch significantly and WILL accommodate sizes larger than what the tag indicates. The message here? DON'T WRITE OFF THE MAIN RANGE FOR ANY STORE!!!

Blazer: ASOS

Bodysuit: Forever 21

Pant: eoquii Curvy Fit Skinny Jean

Belt: Motel via ASOS

Necklace: Forever 21

Earrings: Forever 21

Boots: ASOS

Clutch: Zara

It's the climb...

Hi!
This past weekend I decided to be more active and so I went hiking.  The morning of, I tried to convince myself that I didn't want to go...that I could not go.  It was too cold.  I had no one to go with.  I was still sniffly.  I hadn't washed my sweats.  My thumb hurt. In the end, I dragged myself out of my cozy bed and got myself ready. 

Hands down, it was the best decision I had made that day.  The hike was so invigorating and the views were breathtaking.  I'm not a nature buff and honestly, I hadn't hiked since I was 8 or so.  This time felt so right.  I stuffed a container of yogurt into one pocket of my puffy pink coat, and my keys and water bottle in another.  Something about the solitude of that morning was so comforting.  Hearing the leaves and twigs crackle under my feet and smelling the cold crisp air made me feel determined to reach the hill's summit. 

Focused

I passed about four people on the trail who nodded me their hellos.  I drank my water when I was thirsty, stopping to take in the full expanse of the trail and the magnitude of the trees.  And I climbed upwards.  At one point, I scraped my palm on a rock and silently cursed myself for clamoring up the incline too hastily.  No bandaid.  My foot got wedged in the narrow crevice of a large rock and I clenched my teeth at the shockwave of pain when I finally wedged it out.  Got to keep going.  After about 60 minutes of starts and stops I made it to the top of the hill.  This is what I saw:

I stood there for about 5 minutes or so to take in the view.  I looked down at my hand.  The blood on my hand had congealed and was now speckled with dirt.  The ankle?  Still hurt.  A smiled played across my lips as I proceeded back down the hill and towards the trail.  I had done it.  My bloodied hand and twisted ankle were proof of my journey.  Sometimes there's pain involved in a journey--that on our way to a destination, we stumble, we falter, and we hesitate.  It's the effect we allow the pain to have on us that, in part, determines how our journey will end. Will you be immobilized by your pain, never to move forward? Or will you wear your pain like a badge of honor knowing that it was earned striving towards something great? I choose the latter...

Zig to the Zag and opening up...

Hi All!

It is cold as heck here in Boston! I left the warmth of my house, stepped outside, and turned right back around to go back inside! I was born and raised in Boston and I swear I am not used to these temps!  It seems ridiculous to be wearing short sleeves right now but here I am...

I went to Old Navy yesterday to return some pants I had purchased and saw a zig zag pattern out the corner of my eye.  I had seen the shirt before during one of my previous visits but didn't pay it any attention.  When I saw it again, I grabbed it and held it up. $7! I rushed to the checkout like a giddy schoolgirl and resolved to wear it the next day.

ETA: Fully aware the shirt is visible through my pants in the pic! It's the flash of the camera that makes it more noticeable than it is i real life I promise!

Top: Old Navy

Bottom: F21

Belt: Old Navy ($5!)

Shoes: Old Navy

Necklace: American Eagle

Earrings: ?

Bag: 7Chi

In deciding to start a blog, I thought alot about how much information about myself I would divulge to my readers.  Initially, I thought keeping it fashion focused would be best as I assumed that no one would care about my personal life.  I have demurred from that position as of late because I believe that sharing my struggles and joys could provide insight/perspective to someone who is going through something similar (or not).  In my daily life I try to be as forthcoming and candid as possible with people I meet.  I do not think that it should be any different for my blog.  I thank you all for reading and hope that my opening up does not scare anyone off!  Let's start shall we?

I have a son and he is five.  He has special needs.  It took me a while to even come to terms with that phrase because I am a person who is 100% anti-labels.  I have been advocating for him since he was born and am fighting now to get him the services that he needs and deserves. I am a social worker by training (I have my MSW) and know plenty about advocating for those not able to do it for themselves.  However, as a parent with a child with special needs, I have had to navigate through very turbulent and scary waters.  I have crossed paths with people who want to remind me how "complicated" he is and that he will never be in a mainstream school.  Who tell me that he will need meds for the rest of his life and that I need to "hurry up" and get this diagnosis or that diagnosis.  In my frustration and anger, I have yelled at everyone and no one only to come to this realization: I have to be an advocate for my son.  I have to be an advocate for him because no one else will.  In life, sometimes you have to advocate to be heard, to be validated, to be understood, and to be made to feel that you are a human-being.  Some people want to push their views and values on you and claim to know what is best for you.  Do they? Do they have your best interest at heart?  In many cases they do not.  Only when you realize that only you can determine what is best for you can you then effectively advocate for yourself. Thatisall.