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40 days of positive change

by SymoneFLeave a Comment on 40 days of positive change

Today is Ash Wednesday, Lent has officially started. As I attended Liturgy of the Word this afternoon, the message I heard was nothing short of what I needed to hear. Growing up in the Catholic church, you are taught to “give up” something for lent as our way of “suffering as Jesus did in the desert”. Well as adults, we could give up senseless shopping or bread or some other guilty pleasure we constantly indulge in. The homily given today expressed that we should not just “give up” something but look to change our lives for the better — “40 days of positive change“. Instead of being negative, critical and mean, we should look to be positive, be less critical and give of ourselves (volunteering). To step outside of our comfort zone and take small steps to changing our way of life for the better.

Whether or not you’re Catholic, or even religious for that matter, I’m sure we all have something within ourselves that we can work on to make ourselves better. This message was in keeping with my theme of “change”, that until I started writing this paragraph I didn’t realize was a major theme in my posts for this year. I wanted to start 24 on the right foot and 2 weeks after I’ve been given this message that seems sooooooo fitting for me right now. It’s not just a time to change the physical stuff but the bad habits and mentality that are often so hard to work on. We need to be more forgiving, less selfish and more patient. With all of the technology we have now, it’s hard to imagine how we used to deal before it all. We’ve become “instant”  people forgetting that waiting sometimes is part of life and can help us to take a moment to look at what is going on instead of getting lost in why we haven’t gotten what we we’re waiting for yet.

So if you need a new challenge in life, try changing something within yourself. We all have bad habits we’d like to kick, maybe now is the time for you to give it a try.

Becoming a better person has never killed anyone…

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Change..

by SymoneFLeave a Comment on Change..

When I got married, it hit me hard fashion wise, change has to come. I’m not the tallest person, so I’d always found it difficult finding the right length in dresses and jeans that I liked, that didn’t make me look like a 40 year old wife from the 50’s. The jeans and t-shirt had to be revamped. I am no longer living in the tropics so slippers aren’t an option and I hate sneakers so they weren’t an option either. I needed proper shoes, proper jeans and no “graphic t’s” that screamed “college student”.

I’ve stepped up my heel game, but my flat feet make it hard to find heels I like that are comfortable, so I’ve taken to wedges more. Last year was the first time I had to look for ballet flats and it wasn’t easy but I got through with 2  off-white pairs that became my best friends. I currently only have skinny jeans in my closet (until I have a pair of wide-leg jeans that I absolutely love) and  I won’t wear another flared jean again to shorten my body more.

By the way, if you were expecting me to say where I shop, this is more about changing up clothes I already have not where I got them.

In my quest to make my wardrobe more mature and less “cute” I’ve had some buys that were a miss more than a hit. So in preparing my pocket wardrobe  for this Spring/Summer, I decided to go back to a few pieces that I really liked but something about them wasn’t working for me. I hope be posting pictures soon, I’ll be getting back two shirts this week and next week I intend to attempt tie-dyeing two maxi dresses. I find it sooo exciting to see pieces, observe how they could be changed and watching it come into fruition.

It’s kind of like cooking… You take out meat/fish to cook for dinner and immediately think to do the same thing you always do with that type of meat, and the day you decide to change it up, and try something new, you feel like you’ve never had it before! Well, I’m still to collect my stuff from getting the alterations done and I’m already feeling that thrill you get after shopping!!!!!! The other good thing is, since I’ve been working out (YES I’M STILL GOING!!) I can get back into shorts that I couldn’t wear last year! This also means I don’t have to  buy new ones but feel like a million dollars that I got into the old ones!

I’ll go into the inspiration behind my pieces when I post the pictures. So I guess my little advice for the Spring/Summer wardrobe is to go through your closet now, and see what you have that you could cut, dye or resurrect and enjoy some DIY projects on your clothes (or take them to a professional for alterations like I did :)). I’m sure from the trends we’re seeing on the runways you can find something!

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Is it Spring yet?!

by SymoneFLeave a Comment on Is it Spring yet?!

February went as fast as a mini cupcake placed in front of me but as they say, good things come in small packages ;). My birthday was spent quietly and in this 24th year of my life I’m looking forward to a healthier and more productive year with continued blessings.

March is here and I’m PRAYING it gets warm soon! I’m really finding it difficult dealing with this cold weather physically and mentally. I’ve learnt how important it is to use cream as opposed to lotion on my body for longer lasting moisture and my eczema is working my last nerve when I have to layer up. Cold climates certainly aren’t the place for someone from the Caribbean!! Mentally it can be frustrating; being “cold” used to be relative – you didn’t have a scarf, gloves, beanie or coat but a simple hoodie or jacket. Even something small like wearing enclosed shoes all the time plays on my mind because I owned 2 pairs of enclosed shoes in Barbados that were hardly worn… I have to remind myself that these are small things and it shall soon pass. The lack of sunlight is the major factor here though. Yes, when it does come you burst with joy and NOTHING can bring you down because the clouds have parted and the sun warms your heart more than your skin. But alas! March is here already, and I more than have my Spring/Summer wardrobe in check and ready to be worn! I look forward to blossoms, leaves on trees, summer music and longer days… These will be the best months of the year, even though in Seattle the rain dominates sunshine, it’s nice to have that smell of fun and adventure in the air.

Although I do not have any major plans, I’m sure as usual, there will be fun and there will be wonderful memories. Once you have love, the simplest things can bring you the most joyful and memorable moments. Since this is also my year of more activities, who knows what I may take up! I’ll be making my way to the Farmer’s Market for sure this year; maybe a dance class, cooking class or photography… who knows, all I know is I won’t be held up in the apartment rain or sunshine. So this blog is going to hold me accountable for my actions because as it is written it means I have to report on it. (Speaking of which, the gym is still going well and I may just have my bikini body by Summer!)

So as daylight savings begins and warm weather approaches, shorts and sandals are resurrected and dusted off, take time to appreciate the little things. Do something different this year, or take up something new that you’ve always wanted to do that may help you become a better person or help our environment. I’ll be driving less once the weather is nice especially since we’re so close to everything. If I could walk to the mall when it’s -4°C outside, why can’t I when it’s 15/20°C? I’ll be saving gas (which is increasing) and exercising at the same time, so why not?!

One good decision leads to good habits!