Independence Babe

Am I the only chick who sees red, white, blue and stripes and instantly thinks about Independence, as in Independence Day, but specific to one's status?  Probably so, and I guess that just has to be ok.  I've told you that I already know that I'm crazy so I'm totally ok with it.  Anywho...moving on from my admitted craziness... 

I like to think that I'm what you would call an independent babe and I'm sure you honeeyz have noticed that the independent woman movement has been at an all time high this past decade and I think it's great.  However, I think it's important to note that independence is not about being single and it's not about rejecting relationships, partnerships, collaborations, or making good use of available resources and opportunities.  I like to think of it as a state of mind whereby an individual is innovative, self-motivated, and self sufficient.  You can be all those things and simultaneously be in a committed and healthy relationship. In fact, I think when it's well balanced it makes for a more attractive and productive relationship! I just thought it was important to put out there because I think some honeeyz make the mistake of holding onto this ill conceived concept of independence and in turn sabotaging relationships or turning prospects off by screaming out I'm independent and refusing to compromise and learn how to be in a relationship while still being miss independent! It can definitely be done! Do you honeeyz agree? 

Anyways, this little number (the wrap dress) is a Banana Republic oldie but goodie and I love it every time I wear it. I love the simplicity and easiness of this dress.  I can throw it on and look totally pulled together without any effort.  And the contrasting stripe pattern and inverted colors on the underside of the collar and cuffs.  I almost always add a scarf to my outfits and wanted something contrasting to break up the monotony of the dress so I grabbed this scarf b/c it was the same striped pattern but in a different color.  I think it made the look a little more interesting and less uptight.  This day was particularly windy and it made for a sexy little photo shoot up at the work place...totally unintentional! There were a bunch of Marilyn Monroe moments where my dress was flying up all over the place, my leg was all out having it's own little Angelina Jolie type party going on, and my hair was flying all over the place.  See for ya self.... :-) 

 **Click below for more pics

Something old, Something new, Something borrowed and Something blue

They say when you are getting married that you should incorporate something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in your wedding ensemble.  I thought about that old saying after I decided to spice this outfit up with pops of blue accessories.  I also got to thinking of the significance of that saying and just marriage in general.  I was previously married for 8 years to my junior high boyfriend.  We were together for 14 years and had 2 fabulous kids and then we had one of the most ridiculously (and unnecessary) nasty divorces.  It's actually quite shameful but anyway, considering this old saying and the idea of marriage and weddings, the ever pressing question of remarriage entered my brain.  I'm often asked whether or not I would consider remarrying and people automatically assume that I wouldn't, considering the aforementioned ridiculous divorce, and the fact that I'm enjoying being single (maybe a little too much).  But the truth of the matter is, I'm absolutely looking forward to getting remarried and squeezing out another brat or 2... but when I'm good and ready!  I'm very much a commitment, stability kinda girl (hence the decade and half long relationship starting at the tender age of 13) with a dose of fun and crazy! But with all that said, I do love being in my own space right now and not having the responsibility of commitment and compromise...yes, it's a little selfish but again, I had all that responsibility for far too long, too early, with the wrong person and a sister is enjoying the time to be myself, to do what I want, come and go as I please, paint the walls whatever color I like, and all that good stuff.   It’s not just about being uncommitted that I’m loving, it’s the autonomy and the discretion,  learning and perfecting myself and seeing how I was built to endure, sustain and accomplish individually... knowing my worth and what I bring to the table. I’m not wilding out or acting crazy, I’m just taking care of me and only me for the first time in my adult life and I kinda deserve it and I'm having a ball doing it.  Will I be willing to give that up to sacrifice, compromise and agree with the best partner in the world…in a heartbeat! It’s always better to have a teammate…but it’s always detrimental when you have to carry someone or when you come to the table not whole.  I really believe that until I’m at the best that I can be, which requires some time with myself and some single chick experiences (yaaayy), that God is gonna hold on to the best partner for me.  And when that time comes, and I really don’t know when or where, I can say that I’m so much better than I was last year, the year before that and the year before that and I’ll be the best thing to happen to some lucky guy!! :-)

What I think is most significant about my desire to remarry at some point is that I didn't allow for a very negative experience and spiteful people to keep me from experiencing something honest and special down the line.  It’s not easy to move past disappointment or to get involved in a situation that was previously hurtful, but I’ve learned that I get to dictate my blessings and experiences, not someone else, and certainly not someone that I consciously made the decision to no longer share my life with.  Of course, past experiences are excellent resources for lessons learned and while I will remarry, this won’t be the same marriage (obviously, unless I want the same divorce…I think not)!! This final go around I will do my best to partner with someone who can keep up with me or even outpace my ambition, energy, drive, intelligence, courage, and curiosity and motivate me beyond measure…this will be my something new. And I’ll be sure that although I’m way better than I was the first go around, that I don’t lose myself. That I don’t totally compromise my personality and my character to accommodate someone who is just not at the same place (and never will be) that I’m at or who is not secure enough in themselves to allow me to be who I am.  I’ll continue to be the passionate, protective, loyal, fun, rebellious (in a good way) and optimistic woman that I am.  This will be my something old.  And I will be sure to find someone who’s style and confidence is so on point so much so that I fall in love over again, every time I see him.  A real man’s man that can handle business, protect me and stand up for me and what we believe in and who can hold it down and doesn’t constantly need his hand held and everything fed to him.  That will be my something blue.  

Dress: Banana Republic Monogram; Wedges: Not Too Coy; Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs;  Necklace: Forever 21; Belt: Marshall's find (old); Spike Bracelet: BCBGeneration; Diamond Watch: Aqua Master