September did it. It almost broke my blog. It almost broke me. I was feeling so incredibly down. But I am feeling better. Some situations have not improved, but I am doing everything in my power to make them better. And that is all I can do. It seems as though September was felt this way by a great many people. This post by Dane on the blog, Dooce, helped bring a little more insight into what I was feeling.
And I am one day late with this post. I had been counting down the days until September would be over, and yet, my blog calendar was off. Blame it on the date on my bread (which said it expired on 9/31/14, but I forgot to get a picture of it). My husband told me that since the date does not exist, it must mean that our bread is good forever. I did not test his theory. We ate it last night with Spaghetti Carbonara.
I have been cooking and cooking all month. Nothing makes me feel better than whipping up something good in the kitchen. I even experimented with my cookie recipe. I cannot wait to share a new trick I learned.
Outfit Outtakes:
It would not be a close up without me scratching my nose (original outfit post here).
And having a moment with my son (original outfit post here).
I needed an easy read. I used to hate books filled with short stories, but as I have gotten older, they have become some of my favorite reading materials. I love David Sedaris and I am halfway through this book, “When You Are Engulfed In Flames,” I found in the Barnes and Noble bargain bin a few days ago.
September was my no-buy clothing month. So, how did I do? Well, I would love to say I made it through the whole month. But that would be a lie. I am obsessed with Otomi and when Carolina K’s (one of my very favorite designers) Aurora Dress in the Otomi-like print went 50% off, I had to buy it (my husband made me. He said the dress was perfectly “me”). It is VERY short. I layered a tulle slip underneath mine to add some length. It is dramatically low-cut, so I layer in the front, as well. I took a medium. I LOVE it. Heather from The Peacock Fairy recently wrote a post about her new Otomi inspired dress. It is so pretty.
I also finally purchased this dress when it went more than 75% off during Anthropologie’s latest promotion and this skirt (because of the over 75% off price and the Otomi-like print). So, three things went home with me. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. All three items have lifted my spirits in this hard month.
I am only purchasing things I truly, truly love. I am still not looking to purchase any clothing in October, but if something amazing comes along, then I will contemplate it. In the meantime I am having a great time shopping my closet.
Oh! I almost forgot. I also purchased an accessory with a gift card (making it free! Thanks Mandi), but I am not linking to it due to the customer service I received from the company.
Some random info: Someone wrote me awhile back about my Mara Hoffman Eye Wrap seen here. I am sorry, but I cannot find that email. I am still not selling mine (in fact, I cannot wait for it to get cold enough to wear it), but the preview for The Golden Tote in October looks like it might have it? I am not sure. I am simply basing my guess from the picture of the clothes found here. I have never purchased from Golden Tote, but if you are looking for that wrap, you might want to check their site on October 6th. UPDATE 10/6/14: The wrap is not the same as my eye shawl. It is missing the eye on the back. Sorry for getting anyone’s hopes up!
Coming up in October (I still have not posted my Pee Wee Herman story. This is because I am searching for the prop I lost in my house to photograph. Hopefully it will go up soon):
Ruffle Me This
I Hate Pigeons
Tamale Casserole
Sunny Skirt
How The Jenni Got Her Gripes
How was your September? Are you glad the month is over? Any plans for October? My daughter turns fifteen in a few weeks and I am at a loss as to what to get her. She has requested no clothes (be still my heart). Any ideas?
*If you missed last month’s Keepin’ It Real Post, it can be found here.
Oh my goodness that ruffle dress photograph is stunning I cannot wait for October! I’m so glad September is over for you, it sounded like a very intense and awful month. Look at it this way at least a few of the dresses you love went on sale!
I’m not sure if you know that I now host a weekly linkup that starts on Tuesdays dedicated to real mom style, I would LOVE to have you join. I also have a giveaway happening for a $600 Italian leather belt that will be custom sized for the winner.
The picture of you smiling while you hangout with you son in so very genuine and nice it brought a smile to my face. I hope you can join, all the best
Angie from reasons to dress
Thank you! Oh my goodness! Is it too late to join this week? Otherwise I will do it next Tuesday. That sounds fun! You are just the sweetest.
Have a gorgeous weekend!
Jenni
Aw I did not know the equinoxes/change of seasons get to you.. sending HUGS and positive thoughts for you! I have a slight lump in my heart with the season changes(pending doom here, ha) I get really miserable during Jan/Feb/March here.. in MI, it is so dreary and cold and LONG.. and I love the warm earth, water and growing things. So I have to take a lot more vitamin D, and have what is called a Happy Light follow me from room to room. I wonder if you could start some sort of tradition/ritual that would chase away the doom from September for you..one you could look forward to.. I don’t know if that is possible because of school with your children, etc. But maybe there is something! I love the first photo, especially your bee towel… your outfit is so sweet and I love the sun streaming in. You might think it’s weird, but with the towel and the sun.. I sense your grandma’s love in this photo… The last photo is stunning and looks like it should be on the cover of a novel : ) Looking forward to reading your October posts..
I want you to know that your comment meant so much to me. Thank you so much. And thank you for the advice, too. I appreciate it. The Happy Light sounds awesome. I like the name. And you made me smile so hard with the sweet comment about my grandma. Thank you. That is so lovely. : )
I hope this winter is peaceful and joyful for you. Email me if you ever need to talk. : )
Have a beautiful weekend!
Jenni
I was introduced to your wonderful blog through one of the fashion link-ups and have been following via email for several weeks now. I love your “Free People” style. It’s artistic and beautiful and fits you well. I’ve started to buy some things in this style too and have gotten compliments. In the red outfit photo above I not only love the cute outfit but also love your moroccan tile behind the stove, lime tea-pot, and aqua dish towel- so pretty! I really appreciate your openness in this post and the link to Dane’s post. I.get.it. For me I’m elated at first in the beginning of Sept. b/c I have less responsibility with the kids going back to school but then I started feeling down too over specific things in my life. Over the summer I started seeing a Christian (my faith) counselor. Recently her and I re-capped my experience with her and one thing she said was that I’m aware now of (at least some of the) things I think or do (I’m definitely still processing much-very much a work in progress). So I pass that along to you- you are aware of the fall change of seasons and that this year you felt down- that’s excellent to pin-point. Be kind and gentle with yourself- try different things to help you and take note of what helped even a little- like baking that amazing looking tray of cookies! It’s easy for me to be nice and understanding to friends but I can be terribly mean and critical to myself. If you struggle with that- my counselor encouraged me to compare those thoughts to something negative and we came up with the symmetry of a harsh thought to an itchy wool sweater-refuse to put it on when those thoughts come- identify the thought and then say in your mind, I am not putting that scratchy wool sweater on/ saying that unkind and critical things to myself. I have no idea if any of that is helpful to your situation- we are all going through different combo’s of things. Hugs to you and even through a difficult September you encouraged me through your beautiful artistic photography and fashion!
Thank you so much Amy. I will reread your comment again when I need it. It is very helpful. I am sorry you were feeling down, too. I love the itchy sweater analogy. I am definitely going to try that! Thank you for that thought. I really appreciate it.
And thank you for sharing and taking the time to write that out. It was so nice of you.
Have a lovely weekend!
Jenni
Oh Jenni- I hope October turns around and is awesome for you! September was a blur (my blogging is definitely broken!) I`d never heard of problems around the equinox, but it makes sense that the fluctuations of nature’s cycles would affect people in different ways. I get migraines when it rains in spring and autumn and they can last several days. But it’s embarassing to admit ‘uh, I can’t come in to work today because it’s raining….’
I’m looking forward to catching up- have a beautiful day and welcome to October!
Thank you Sarah! Oh man migraines are no joke. That would be a legitimate excuse in my opinion. I am hoping October is a great month for everybody. It has not started off well, but it only just started. It has time to change.
I hope you have a gorgeous weekend!
Jenni
Happy October and no more September for you:) I love October. It is my birthday/anniversary month and the fall colors in Michigan are amazing. Plus, perfect weather. Weather and life always gets me down in March.I have always hated that month for some reason.
I am looking forward to your October post, as always. I think your purchases were so great! Smart, perfectly you and what a great price! I am hoping for some great cuts again, so I can use my bday discount on a few dresses I have my eyes on.
I usually love October, too. I hope everything works out! And I hope you have a great birthday! And thank you about the purchases! I have worn the skirt, but the other two items I want to pair with winter accessories that I realized are packed away and it is too hot. Hopefully someday soon it will be cool enough to wear them.
Have a great weekend!
Jenni
First off, I want to say the picture of you talking with your son is one of my all time top favorites of you since you started your blog. Honest!
Secondly, you can add me to the list of people who ended up thinking September was the worst month ever. Instead of celebrating what had been planned as my best birthday in years with our youngest son and his wife coming to town and amazing activities planned, I am in south central Nebraska crying over the loss of my suddenly, violently deceased dear father in law. What the hell.
Oh, Brynne. I am so sorry. I am thinking of you and your husband. I am just so so sorry. Please write me if you need to talk.
You are in my heart.
Jenni
awe! it’s over, finally October! great job not shopping through September…hey a few finds are not a big deal, especially if the hubby says do it! love that layered dress, it’s amazing!
I really, really hope October gets better for you.
I love that ruffle dress. And I adore tamales. I can’t wait for your tamale casserole recipe.
I am also very impressed with how your no-buy worked out. I need to shop my closet more… I always feel very guilty when I find something pretty in my closet that I have never worn.
Thank you Liana! Today was a good day for us. I am looking forward to the weekend. : )
The tamale recipe is so ridiculously easy. I hesitate to call it a recipe. It is going up sometime in the next few days.
I have shopped my closet a lot these last few weeks. It is going to be more fun to shop the winter clothes I have stashed away!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Jenni
OMG, so many tidbits in this post….. where to begin? First, I love the ruffle Mia dress – can’t wait to see your post on it! Also, love the Otomi dress you got – can’t wait to see that one as well! I too was looking at the Anthro pencil skirt, but figured it would be hard to tell the fit with a pregnant belly. Who knows, maybe I can still snag it and hope it will fit later. I keep seeing posts from bloggers about the Golden Tote….. I will have to check that out. Do you know if the clothes are the true designer brands, or copies? I’ve been baking a lot too lately…… pumpkin muffins, cornbread, maple bacon cookies, yum!
That skirt would definitely be hard to fit pregnant. But I took my normal pencil skirt size, an 8. So, it fit tts for me. Thank you about the dress. : )
I think Golden Tote sells the actual brands. The owners are also designers for one of my favorite labels, Puella. I have never bought a tote, because I have enough clothes I have picked out. I cannot handle surprise items. But that wrap would be a great price in the $150 tote because you would get it and other items. Especially if it is the real deal.
Maple bacon cookies?! Yum!
Have sweet dreams!
Jenni
Oh, just catching up here – so sorry September gave you “the mean reds” (otherwise known as the blues from one of my all time fav movies, “breakfast at Tiffany’s”), in fact yrs ago I think I did a blog post of that title…..hmmm, sorry to get off track. I hope you are feeling better & were able to resolve your yuckies! You seem like such a positive, ray of light girl to me, so hard to hear of your troubles! Sending lots of good thoughts your way & wishing you an October full of love, light, & joy!
:)rebecca
Thank you Rebecca! So far October has sucked. Murphy seems to have some sort of sickness that we need to have looked at tomorrow. And someone I counted on quit, so I am hoping this month gets better!
Thank you for your well wishes!
Have a beautiful week!
Jenni
I’m so glad you are feeling better. All though, I just glanced up and read that October is not going as great. My therapist always reminds me that we all have good and bad days. How we feel is like the weather, it ebbs and flows, she says. Sometimes it’s frustrating to accept the not so good days. I just have to do a lot of deep breathing and change my thought patterns if they get too gloomy.
I’m glad you are baking and cooking. I like the picture with you and the cookies. I should start baking more.
Take care and sending well wishes to Murphy,
Stacey
Thank you Stacey. The last few days have been good except for Murphy. We will get his results back by the end of the week. I hope it is just a dog flu or something. I like what you said about it being like the weather. So true. And I like the image it brings to mind.
Have a lovely Thursday!
Jenni