My Little Red Dress (+ giveaway winner announced)
This summer has been so fun.
Last summer, I wrote time + time again of my crazy stress levels due to how many things I’d taken on. What 2015 taught me was that I love being busy, but I also have a breaking point. This summer, I walked that fine line perfectly. I was busy with summer classes, traveling, a social life, and an internship. It was done in such a way that I got to spend so much time with my family + appreciate the time we had together.
After studying in Spain, this summer was really such a time of growth and decompressing. When you’re living in a foreign country for an extended period of time, you learn things at a ridiculously accelerated speed. Living in both Guatemala and living in Spain, I’ve come to this conclusion.
The worst thing I could do for myself upon coming back to the U.S. was to throw myself right into a 100% crazy schedule. So I didn’t. I worked half weeks (and sometimes even less) at my internship. I called friends I hadn’t talked to in ages. I explored new music. I journaled. I really took the time I needed to process and take in the growing that had happened. When you are living abroad and living this completely different life that doesn’t quite feel like you belong in it, you can’t fully understand all the changes you’re making or things you’re learning.
My Mom has been a huge part of just helping me learn this summer. Having really deep, thought-provoking conversations with the people who are important to me in my life has really helped me grow and become a better person. I encourage you to find those people, whether it’s your mom, your best friend, a mentor, a teacher, etc. who you can really talk through things and have deep conversations with. You truly will grow so much simply by having intentional conversations.
Last weekend, my mom and I went to The Living Room, this cute coffee shop here in STL. After we finished our lattes, we took a walk around the older neighborhoods surrounding downtown Maplewood and we just talked. We stumbled upon this super cute area perfect for picture taking, so that’s exactly what we did. I was wearing one of my favorite outfits that day, so I was down for some pictures. This red dress is probably my favorite piece I own at the moment.
There’s just something about a good dress. Having a dress that works for you and makes you feel happy is truly a game changer. On my shopping list for this semester back at school are more dresses. I would honestly be just elated if I could wear a dress every day. This summer, they have really become my staple and I’m completely okay with that.
As I prepare to head back to school in a little over a week (yikes), I really am just reflecting on this summer. It has truly been such a wonderful time filled with some pretty incredible memories.
If you’re finishing up the last bits of your summer, hug your family and friends. Whoever has really impacted you this summer, let them know. Thank friends and family who are in your life. As I head back to school, one of the most prominent things on my mind is how happy I am that I could spend this summer growing and learning, and doing that alongside friends and family.
And as a final note to you all, I wanted to announce that Olivia DeFiilippo is the lucky giveaway winner! Congrats to her and thank you to everyone who entered! I’ll be doing more giveaways soon so stay tuned!
Much love,
Olivia
Outfit Details
// Dress // Hat // Shoes // Purse //