2018 Outfit Round-Up

At the end of every year, it's customary for me (and many other bloggers I know) to put together an outfit round-up post. It's a fun way to look back at my fashion choices from the past 12 months and reflect on how things have changed during that time.

Normally, I have a lot of outfits to choose from. But this year, it's dawned on me just how little I blogged during 2018. I published blogs only about once a month until more recently. At the time, I chalked it up to being too busy and too tired. Those things were certainly true, but I also think I was spending a lot of time being worried and worn out emotionally and giving too much of myself in situations that were probably unhealthy. When I looked back on some of these photos, I remembered quite vividly how sad or anxious or stressed or mad I was about situations I really didn't have much control over. There were some very bad days happening behind the scenes. It's amazing how we can rationalize a really messed up version of what "normal" is when we're in the midst of it. I didn't even get a chance to publish a lot of the photos that I took – and when I did, they were often delayed so long that they were out of season once I put together the posts. Sometimes I didn't post anything because I just wanted to enjoy the experiences that were truly good because they had been so rare. It wasn't until late summer and early fall that I felt like I was finding my stride again, and I know that timing isn't coincidental. It was when I finally started to feel like myself again and like I had some semblance of control over my life.

The truth is that this year has been really hard. I don't think I realized (or admitted) just how hard until now. I know that a lot of people are finding themselves in much more trying situations that mine. But I also don't want to minimize what I'm going through, either. It makes me sad to know I didn't have the energy to put into my blog last year. It's disappointing I felt so drained that my creative outlet felt like too much work. That happens, I suppose. But I'm hoping that in 2019, my spirit will be a bit renewed. Isn't that we all hope for?

Without any further ado, let's take a little look back at some of my posts from the past year. Which one was your favorite? What do you hope to see more of here in the coming year? 

January   ||   February   ||   March

April   ||   May   ||   June

July   ||   August   ||   September

October   ||   November   ||   December

Sending love and light to you for the rest of this year and into the next.

2013: a wrap up & send off

I can scarcely believe that 2013 is drawing to a close.  As many of you know, this year has been a pretty difficult one for me; not only am I still struggling to find my place in the world and some semblance of independence, but the break up of my nearly-3-year relationship really pulled the rug out from under me, and I'm still reeling from that a bit.  But this year has had some really great things, too.  I've been forced to re-evaluate my priorities (something with which I am still grappling), and find what truly makes me happy.  I have caring, loving, hilarious, creative people in my life.  I have taken stock of what I have (and what I haven't....... name that musical), and I know I am a very fortunate girl.  I have dealt with immense heartbreak, but I have been surprisingly resilient.  I am still able to find so much joy.  This blog is one of the things in my life that continues to bring me joy.  Although I have not been blogging for quite one year yet (that'll happen in February!), I still wanted to give a look back at some of my favorite outfit posts from 2013 (try not to cringe too much at the early photos!):

During the early stages of my blog, I was just starting to figure out my camera.  In February, I started my blog and wore the prettiest pink feather dress.  In March, I started workshopping a staged reading and wore a cat-themed newspaper print dress.  In April, I saw a lot of Shakespeare and wore a dress with the dreamiest collar in all of creation.

                                  February                            March                               April 

This summer was strewn with flowers, it seems.  In May, I wore a lilac dress to the Lilac Festival.  In June, I dressed up like a rose and reaffirmed my unapologetically-girly aesthetic.  In July, I frolicked amongst purple thistles in lavender garb.

                                     May                                 June                                   July

In August, I crammed in lots of summery things, started rehearsals for a show I loved, and vowed to wear more vintage.  In September, I endured tremendous heartbreak, but still managed to find some joy.  In October, I celebrated my birthday and Halloween, rehearsed for two shows at once and wore some of my favorite outfits to date.

                                 August                             September                           October

In November, I wore a Betsey Johnson bag, played a witch 24/7 in children's theatre shows and finally started feeling like myself again.  In December, I braved the snow and had lots of family time.

                                            November                                            December

I feel like I really hit my stride with my blogging this fall (ironically enough, since everything else in my life sort of fell apart), especially when I was asked to be a part of Flock Together.  In spite of what I went through, I did enjoy many aspects of 2013.  Nevertheless, I am glad to see it go, and I welcome whatever comes my way in 2014.  :) 

Have a wonderful Monday!

xox Sammi