Much Happy. Very Smile.

Denim jacket, crewcuts. Rolling Stones tank top and sunglasses, TJ Maxx. BDG high waisted jeans, Urban Outfitters. Chelsea boots, Marshalls. 5-zip purse, Rebecca Minkoff. 2013 was a particularly hard year for my family because we lost a member. I don't mean a person necessarily, but we had to put my dog, Rocky, who we have had since I was six years old, to sleep. While my younger dog, Pebbles, featured here, is still alive, my whole family feels the hole that Rocky left. Pebbles was especially affected given that Rocky was a big brother figure to her. However, we have been able to shower Pebbles with twice the amount of love since Rocky's death. It's the least we could do for her. Anyways, I used to think that I was definitively a cat person. I have cat-like tendencies myself, preferring my own company, etc. However, at some point, my preferences shifted. Because I'm more of a quiet loner, I prefer people and animals who are quite different from me. My spirit is more attracted to that of dogs and dog people, so slowly, I've started to prefer the idea of having a lovely dog of my own one day. I'm not sure what kind I want, but I can't wait for the day that my pup gets to come home with me. And for those of you who spend as much time on the Internet as I do, you'll recognize the title of this post as being from the Doge meme that has catapulted to popularity recently. I found it and thought that none of my friends would think it is as funny as I do, but quickly realized that we all share an affinity for the doge. We even spent an entire Christmas party speaking just like the cute little shiba-inu. I'm glad that I have people who find such quirky things humorous, or I'd do a lot of laughing to myself.

The New Horizon

Faded denim jacket, Crew Cuts. Buffalo plaid dress, Forever 21. The Essex messenger in bittersweet, Madewell (sold out, but check out their other bags!). Plenty by Tracy Reese strappy flats (similar here). 

     The town slogan for Rockwall is "The New Horizon". That's only too appropriate considering that my parents decided to move there to start their lives anew. Of course, the decision wasn't as simple as just dropping everything and leaving. However, everyone is happier than I've seen them in a long time and although I'm still happy to call Tennessee my home, I loved staying in the Lone Star state as well.

     I'm back in Maryville after ten days of visiting, sightseeing, shopping, and relaxing. I have so many things that I'm excited for here in humble East Tennessee. That being said, while I'm a bit sad about leaving that part of my family, I am happy to be able to start being productive again. 

      Another thing to be happy about, as I'm sure many of you can relate with, is being back with my entire wardrobe as opposed to just a part of it. I made sure to bring a lot of coordinating items with me on my trip and even added several new pieces during my stay, but there's really nothing like traveling to make me appreciate just how many outfit opportunities the clothes I already own offer. 

     I'm happy to stop adding to my wardrobe for the time being. Often, the most sustainable and ethical way to shop is to stop doing it so often. Very rarely does an impulse buy or something that I bought because it was deeply discounted lead to a wardrobe staple. It's the things that I've owned the longest that still mean the most to me. I love sprucing up my wardrobe with a few things each season (and yes, I couldn't resist the $13 price tag on the plaid dress in these pictures), but usually, I find myself reaching for the same things time after time and still being happy with them. 

     I guess you could say that traveling to The New Horizon offered me a renewed outlook.