I write this post to help me remember that life always comes full circle. There are ups, and there are downs. There are days that make you want to hide in your bedroom and never emerge, and then there are days that you want to jump and dance and smile and laugh – all at the same time. We take the good with the bad in this world, and I hope that I can weigh the good more each and every day. The meal I enjoyed while wearing this outfit reminded me of this.
The last time Tieka and I had dinner together (see this post), she had just found out that she was going to have to move out of her apartment in 30 days. Because of this, she was required to frantically search for a new place to live and her options seemed slim. I distinctly remember seeing an Instagram picture she posted later that night with a caption sharing this frustrating news – the picture was of the sangria she was drinking that night.
The day the pictures in this post were taken, we went out to eat at the same place, but this time with a dedicated blog reader and now a new friend (Hi Megan!). As Tieka took the first sip of her sangria, she happily announced that she had just signed the lease on her new apartment. This surfaced my memory of her last sangria – a drink full of stress and sadness. But this time it was different. This was not a sangria intended to drown the sorrows of life. This was a celebratory sangria. This was wasn’t the drink you suck through your straw as quickly as possible without any enjoyment – this was a drink that you raise and connect to your friend’s glasses with a clink, a few encouraging words and a cheer.
This sangria is such a strong reminder of the roller coaster that we are all on. The next time I’m mindlessly chugging through my life feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, I’m going to stop and remember the great contrast between those two meals with Tieka. Not to say that it’s unacceptable to have those moments of sadness, quite the opposite. It’s extremely important to recognize those emotions and work through them, no matter how much it hurts. Don’t be afraid to feel the impact of life’s valleys, but know that someday you will be celebrating again.
So raise your glass and cry – or raise your glass and smile – but raise your glass regardless.
This is life … and it always comes full circle.
Outfit Breakdown:
Sweater: LOFT (Save. Spend. Splurge.)
Pants: 7 For All Mankind (Save. Spend. Splurge.)
Necklace: c/o Poshlocket (Same.)
Bracelet: c/o Poshlocket (Same.)
Shoes: Cole Haan – borrowed from my sister 
(Save. Spend. Splurge.)
On that note, I would just like to acknowledge how grateful I am that, like the seasons of life, the actual seasons in Michigan also come full circle. I value summer immensely because our winters can be so vicious. When Poshlocket asked me to style up the Marina Anchor Chain Bracelet and the Poppy Color Link Necklace, I was more than happy to do so. This all-white outfit with bright and nautical accessories is just one way that I am celebrating this season. Summer, I want you not to go.
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