A Weekend to Wander

I hope the weekend treated you all well. :o)  Mr. K and I did a little "backyard" exploring on Saturday and found a hidden little natural gem. Today, the two explorers hung up their discovery hats and spent the entire day relaxing. Without further ado, here is a little glimpse into our weekend. 

Saturday, April 28 - Day of Discovery

We have big plans for this tucked-away abode, starting with runs around the entire lake and picnics right at the edge. When we were living in NYC, we would run around the Central Park reservoir daily so this scenic country lake brought us a bit of sappy nostalgia.

Sunday, April 29 - Some Much Needed R&R

The view from our bed - - Todo I don't think we're in NYC anymore.

The next few weekends are booked solid! I have a mini-vacation coming up that I can't wait for, family visits, and a day excursion to Stone Mountain all in the near future. The summer will be booked up before we know it!

What are you all planning for the summer? Any big vacation destinations?

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

Sub-Lime Reveals

The weather in Atlanta has been mighty chilly the past few days. I've gone back to layering in an effort to stay warm. These pictures were taken yesterday, just as the sun began to set. The timing made for some wonderful lighting, but the brisk breeze definitely tested my endurance. Looking back at the versatility of these distressed jeans really makes me want to invest in some more torn denim. I always worry it'll look unkept and slightly young, but I see that isn't the case at all. *whew* Pair it with more polished and refined pieces, such as the brown heeled penny loafers and a peek-a-boo white collared shirt and the denim takes on a whole new feel. Lesson learned!

Sweater: Banana Republic (Petite) / Button Down: Express

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch

Loafers: Nine West

Fortunately now I sit snug as a bug in a rug on the couch watching a Knicks game with Mr. K. Admittedly, he's turned me into quite the little basketball fan - it gets very exciting! Who knew?

So what about you guys? Any closet professional sports fans? Or better yet, anyone else so eagerly anticipating the NBA playoffs like it's the final Harry Potter novel all over again?

Oh boy, such a short post and yet so many reveals. You're looking at a closet NBA fan, and a widely open Harry Potter fan (forever and ever). Have I lost your respect yet? haha :o)

Indulge me - what are your hidden interests/passions/joys?

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

Humble Beginnings

Like many people in the world, I come from very humble means. We never had any "extra" of anything growing up and I look back angrily on all those times I asked my parents for something I knew deep down we couldn't afford. I was a kid after all, caught up in futile child-like yearnings. With four daughters all very close in age, it was difficult and far too expensive to go on any grandiose vacations. But the ones we did have are some of my most cherished memories. I even plan on recreating them with my own family because of the closeness it brought. Another outcome of my humble beginnings is the very deep desire to give my parents an easier life. And while I'm constantly trying to minimize the importance of money in my life, it'll take a pretty large amount of it to make that happen.

I'm currently sitting in my room at the Four Seasons Hotel. The above pictures were taken from my iPhone, showing the sun-drenched view from my window, a snapshot of the colorful business attire I packed, and the elegantly elaborate faucet in the tub that I will enjoy a bubble bath in momentarily.

I've just returned from a cocktail reception, kicking off the start of a two day banking forum. I've never told you guys this but I started working for a large consulting firm at the beginning of the year. I went from trying to climb my way up the ladder, to standing on a very comfortable plateau with the most beautiful view of what lays our before me, basically overnight. My parents could never afford to put us up in the Four Seasons, and here I sit - eyes and soul remembering and being thankful for my past, but always looking straight ahead to the new and opportune. I hope my past will always color my present with the never-ending amount of appreciation I feel right at this very moment.

So today, I am thankful for my upbringing and my trials. All negative memories, hardships and painful experiences culminated in who I am today. And I guess it's less who I am and more how I feel. I feel hopeful, and blessed; enlivened and bursting with passion for life. It sort of puts everything into perspective.

No matter where you come from, never stop reaching for that which seems so impossibly out of your reach. Never settle for less than you know you deserve. You can never anticipate or plan for the joyous journeys the universe with put before you. All you/we can do is slow down just for a second, take a deep breath, and look around at all that we do have. Appreciate the here and the now as much as our tiny hearts will allow.

I hope you all have blissful weeks! Hopefully I'll get to read all about them.

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

One Happy Hiatus

If I had to sum up my weekend in four words they would be: Chandon with floating raspberries. Sweet and crisp.

In the past month I've journeyed onto this incredible new career path, and moved to the most perfect apartment I could have imagined for myself at this young stage in my life. Everything has been happening so fast and yet I never forget to reflect on how fortunate I've been this year; constantly pay tribute to whatever higher power functions among/within/without/around us. Here are a few pictures snapped right before I headed to work. I hope you all smiled at the simple joys in life at least once today. 

Dress: Forever 21 / Cardigan: Express / Belt: Forever 21

Counting your blessings may be the most perfect way to start the week :o)

Tonight my best friend's husband is in Atlanta on business, and it would be a crime for us to be in the same city and not see each other! I'm currently eagerly awaiting his arrival, so that we may head to dinner at his hotel, the Ritz Carlton. We'll laugh merrily and make numerous toasts to his wonderful wife, who's currently slaving away in law school.

The next two months have two big business events at the Four Seasons, and I'll be sure to snap as many professional outfit pictures as I can! I need to get back on my blogging game.

I hope you all had an awesome start to the week.

'Til Next Time,
TheFashist

Vintage, Cozy Cable-Knit

I now have a new-found appreciation for the Cold Climate Bloggers. This was the first time I dared to snap outfit photos in temperatures that were below freezing. Those who do it every day deserve continuous recognition. It has been mighty chilly in the former Hotlanta, but the relentless sunshine makes it a welcome departure from the warmer weather. It was the perfect opportunity to cozy up in an over-sized cable knit sweater.

While visiting my family for the holidays in NY, my boyfriend's uncle gifted me with this cuddly vintage Ralph Lauren cardigan. The best part? He wore the sweater for years before retiring it to HIS closet. A proud and unique addition to my wardrobe. Thanks again Uncle G. and Aunt B.! Your fashion foresight is incredible! :o)

Cable Knit Sweater: Vintage Ralph Lauren / Blouse & Skirt: Forever 21

Boots: Jessica Simpson

Every detail of the sweater, from the chunky knit design to the leather-bound buttons, makes this a classic winter staple, capable of being passed down from one generation (and one gender) to another.

I hope you all had wonderful weekends! How was the weather in your neck of the woods?

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

Fashion Stimulus: Snaked & Sueded L.A.M.B.

It's a perfectly welcome change living in a state that's warm enough to wear these sling-backs in February. Now, to find a way to secure the funds...  hmm....   ;o)

The Ariel by L.A.M.B. are available here. 

Daily inspiration before noon... It's going to be a good day. 

'Til Next Time,

TheFashist

Come Fly With Me...

Both my mother and significant other made similar projections that 2012 was going to be a wonderful year. My mom is an eternal optimist so her rosy outlook was nothing new, but my boyfriend's happy predictions were a welcome surprise. As we all know, life has its ups and its downs, and at some points you get yourself so lost that you can hardly tell the difference. As my own worst critic, I know how impossible the pressures of life can feel; how daunting and never ending. I know what it feels like to self-doubt incessantly; to dare to disappoint those you love the most by following your gut and your heart.

A little over a year ago I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I chose to veer off of what had been my lifelong course. I was sad, confused and frustrated. My heart was telling me to abandon ship, abandon this dream that had never truly been mine in the first place. It told me to be brave and seek out something that I knew in my bones to be right. Most importantly, it told me to stop fretting about disappointing those I love because the only person I should worry about disappointing... is myself.

It was in those dark hours that I realized I would rather risk failure than spend my entire life on a path that I would constantly have to justify, because my heart wasn't in it.

That was when my most recent journey began; the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011. Now a mere year later I find myself presented with a wondrous opportunity, unlike anything I would have anticipated. Everything about it feels right, and I no longer feel as if I'm lying to myself. It's a whole new chapter; another journey. The comfort that accompanies this knowledge is one of the best feelings I've ever experienced.

In celebration of this accomplishment, my boyfriend and I went out for a romantic dinner at the Livingston restaurant in the Georgian terrace. The night was nothing short of remarkable, and my handsome partner was the perfect gentleman.

Blouse, Blazer & Skirt: Forever 21 / Heels: Nine West

I really can't think of a better time to share my resolutions for the New Year:

1. Be more patient with myself; with everything.
2. Learn to enjoy the journey.
3. Stretch for at least 10 minutes every day.
4. Complete Slim in 6 within the assigned time frame! (<-- workout regiment)
5. Speak to my nephew and younger sister more.
6. Center myself at least 3 times per week; whether through meditation, singing, yoga, or self reflection. (I need to make an effort to not lose touch with myself. It has been a real challenge lately.)
7. Stop needing drinking coffee in the morning. (<--- I've already accomplished this. Much credit is due to my man...yo.)

Sometimes in life one must take huge risks if they wish to see great rewards... personal rewards that is. My hope for all of you, and for myself, is that we may all begin to see these challenges and risks as exciting new prospects, as opposed to potential opportunities to fail. The latter mentality does absolutely nothing for you, other than inflict corrosive self-doubt! Thinking in such a manner won't make you any wiser or spare you from falling flat on your face. It will only hold you back. As I consciously embark on this new chapter in my life I can offer but one concrete piece of advice: There is no point to self-doubt; it does absolutely nothing for you. Let it go or at least begin to as soon as you can.

I'm going to hop on the bandwagon here and say that I too feel this is going to be a pretty awesome year.  :o)  I wish the same for all of you.

Til Next Time,
TheFashist