Lunch Time Adventures

Wearing:

Studded Blouse: Forever 21 | Printed Trousers: Forever 21 | Sandals: Forever 21 

Purse: Chanel | Rings: Etsy | Flower Cuff: J. Crew | Gold Watch: Michael Kors 

Sunnies: Gap 

Ever have a group friends that just, get it. 

Considering I live at home with 3 of my best friends [being my sisters] I have always had tremendous difficulty maintaining female friendships. Women are tough to deal with -- they can be viscous and mean and catty. This type of behavior is typical amongst sisters -- so not a second thought is given.

 But when raised among sisters who do not tolerate this behavior from others "outside the pack" -- things become complicated and difficult when attempting to make "friends" (never thought I would actually need those). 

But oddly enough, even those of use who are constantly surrounded by women -- we still need girlfriends. Women you can share your day with and cultivate a mutual bond . Women who you can vent your frustrations and who will laugh with you ||not at you||. These type of women are hard to come by. There are so many differing factions of women, that sometimes it's hard to find your niche.

So for years I got used to the quiet solitude of just myself and my sisters (which is by no means quiet). But you can't be alone forever. Every woman needs to have her friends of the female variety. 

I seem to have collected an eclectic mix of girlfriends. But each of these women brings something valuable to the table, and together we make our own little group of misfits. 

{Not quite here, but not quite there} 

We understand each other -- although we all come from different backgrounds. We genuinely enjoy our time together and can easily pass hours with just simple conversation and deep-throated laughter (the kind that bubbles up and comes bursting out -- uncontrollably). 

You guys make me feel normal. You make me feel as though maybe, {just maybe} things aren't as bad as they seem. That maybe I do have my own niche -- I just had bring it together myself. 

Our lunch time adventures have come to be {easily} my favorite part of the day. 

Life is simpler. 

{Easier || Better}

With each of you. 

xoxo

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Drake -- Make Me Proud

Currently Reading: Nathaniel Hawthorne Young Goodman Brown 

Nautical Shorts

Wearing: 

Nautical Short: The Limited | Starfish Sandals: Nine West | Multi-Tone Watch: Michael Kors | Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Sunnies: Gap Inc. 

Shades of Blue

Wearing: 

Chambray Top: J. Crew | Blue Skinnie Mini: Gap Inc. | Brown Leather Belt: Old Navy | Purse: Michael Kors | Sandals: Nine West | Optics: Ray Ban | Oversized Link Bracelet: J. Crew 

 I feel desolate. 

{ Alone. }

And incomplete. 

And yet, there are moments of complete clarity, in which I don't feel alone. There are bright moments of color that come breaking through the dark only to shine light on the reality of the situation. No matter how hard things seem to get, you are always there to see me through. You have stuck by my side over the course of 10 years, and yet still to this day you seem to amaze me.

Each day that passes you take a little piece of my heart. Each day that goes by my soul seems to become more tightly entwined with yours. As though it was our fate to find each other during these times. I know with absolute clarity that you were meant for me, and me for you. There will never be another that can strike the amount of courage, bravery, and inspiration the way you do.

Living with Bipolar II Disorder has changed my life in so many ways. I have always associated my life with one of bitter loneliness. A life in which I would run wild with no one to keep up with me. But you caught up long enough to pull me back down to earth. Long enough for me to see that I don't have to be alone. You understand my type of crazy -- and have loved me every moment the disorder has slowly unraveled my life.

You stuck with me in my darkest moments of my life, and refused to allow me to lose myself further. Because of you I know the type of woman I want to be, because you already know that's who I am. My mind has always had the capability of completely veering my life off course. When The Mind takes control it's as though there is no sense that can be felt. There is no way of making me see the light of the situation.

In these dark moments, I feel as though I have no one on my side. As though the world is out to get me, and it's me against them. My support system falls apart as I start to turn against them.

But with one simple statement you have felled my attempts at pushing you away.

"I'm not kicking you while your down, I'm extending a hand to help you up"

In this moment you secretly stole yet another piece of my heart. Luckily for me, once you've collected all the tiny pieces which seem to glue me together, they're in safe keeping. You have always treasured every moment of our lives together. You remind me of things I have vague collections of. More than that, you inspire me to bridge the gap between my past and present.

You make me want to be more. You make me want to be exceptional.

I spent years believing I was unworthy of being loved by another. I honestly believed that I was unfit to ever be a wife or mother. I felt these were things I would never get, because I didn't deserve them.

A wife, because how could I ever love another if I could not even bring myself to love me.

A mother, because of how having a Bipolar mother was unfair. I would be a horrible mother, wife or even girlfriend. I was undeserving because of the hand I was dealt in life. Being mentally ill meant I would never experience the simple joy of love. It meant I was doomed to wander these lands eternally alone.

{I was doomed until I saw you clearly}

You are my salvation.

It took me ten years to realize you loved me. And I'm sorry for the delay. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. I've wasted years on endless misery, instead of a love-induced bliss.

But you are resilient. And I feel so undeserving of you. I feel so undeserving of the love you have brought into my life.

There are times in which I am told that I don't really love you, or that you are actually not the man for me. But these individuals have no way of knowing how deep my love runs, when you yourself can barely grasp its depth. They don't know, because it's not their business.

They don't know how you saved me -- they see only the false facade I have projected. 
The don't know me like you do.  

You've brought an endless summer into my life, in which everything seems to only get brighter and better. You've made me feel love.. true uninhibited love. The kind of love that can render you immobile at its grandeur.

I read once that there are souls which seem to be compatible with each other. That souls wander through life looking for a pair in which they feel comfortable and can pair with easily. You do more than that.. you make my soul come alive.

 You are my soul's perfect other half. 

I love you. 





xoxo

Plum 


Currently Listening To: The Beatles -- Black Bird

Stripes & Florals

Wearing: 

Navy Sweater: Old Navy | Striped Pants: The Limited | Floral Statement Chain: J. Crew | Sandals: Nine West | Bold Lip: Buxom Swinger | LOVE Ring Stack: Jewel Mint | Gold Watch: Michael Kors | Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Sunnies: Gap Inc. 

Ever have those days where you just feel so ordinary? 

As though you're just another one of thousands? 

That's how I've been feeling lately. As though I'm just another faceless drone out there in the masses. Struggling to make a name for herself. 

I've heard {numerous times} from various professors, that writer's have one simple purpose when putting words to paper -- and it's to know that we're not alone in what we think or feel. The simple process of translating a mental message, to a physical one gives us the opportunity to share our thoughts, in hopes that we can connect with others who might share our opinions or beliefs. We can track these thoughts over centuries -- starting from the moment in which written language began. In the end, writers have one simple purpose -- we want to know we're not alone. 

We want to hear from others in order to seek the comfort of those who share our beliefs. 

My entire life I've been seeking solace in others. I've been wondering if I am the only one who thinks, acts, or speaks the way I do. I've become so quintessentially myself, I find difficulty connecting with those closest to me. I'm not sure they understand the half of what I think, do or say. 

In the end it's always the same question: 

{ Am I alone? }

Are there others out there who feel the same love and passion as I do? Do they act out on their passions the way I do? And more importantly, how do they make connections with the world around them? How do they maintain these connections? These small pieces of themselves they cannot recover -- as they are now a part of something bigger. Some larger scheme; grander than the mundane ordinary existence. 

Writer's have the tendency to express themselves in a way which can transcend the space/time continuum. They can write not only for current generations and events, but for those of past or future moments as well. They can connect with readers across all generations, cultures, and beliefs. They're words will outlive their time. 

{The goal is not to live forever, it is to create something that will}

xoxo

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Forever the Sickest Kids -- Believe Me, I'm Lying  

Currently Reading: Walcott Ruins of a Great House

Social Friday at The Lagoon

Wearing: 

Red Maxi Skirt: Forever 21 | White Crew Neck Tee: Gap Inc. | Sandals: Nine West | Flower Statement Chain: J. Crew | Ring Stack: Henri Bendel | Gold Watch: Michael Kors | Sunnies: Gap Inc. 

I love Maxi skirts. 

{odd} 

Considering my stature is meager 5' 1" 

However, the simply flow of the delicate fabricate just seams to appease my senses in a way that words cannot describe. Paired with a simply white tee and sandals -- perfect for Casual Fridays in Corporate America. 

Comfortable, chic, and casual. 

The deep red of this particular skirt, paired with the bright blue of my chain seems to give off a look of casual chic that makes me scream in pleasure. 

How the fashion gods have shone down on this bright South Florida day. 

xoxo 

Plum 

Social Friday at Sergio's

Wearing: 

Sweater: The Limited | Jeans: Old Navy | Platforms: Jessica Simpson | Watch: Michael Kors | Ring Stack: Henri Bendel | Heart Sunnies: Forever 21 

Vaca Frita Empanada 

Pan con Bistec | Mariqiuitas 

Social Fridays calls again for a social outing. This week the lovely Diana and I ventured out to Sergio's for a Cuban lunch. As always -- this lunch was a working one. 

Cuban cuisine is not one of my favorites, however, Sergio's does it right. With their array of fresh baked empanadas, and their traditional Cuban dishes -- everything is just right for my Cuban roots. 

The weather in South Florida seems to be erratic as of lately, as one day we experience record scorching temperatures -- only to wake up the next morning to the blissful cool sweater weather. I chose a simple white knit sweater with embellished shoulders for this Casual Friday at Corporate America. 

The platforms are one of my favorites as they are trendy and unique with their pattern and height (I feel about a foot taller in them). The heart glasses are an ode to Valentines (as this shoot was on the lovely holiday itself). 

Casual yet chic, my outfit choice is perfect for a sunny South Florida lunch date. 

xoxo 

Plum 

Currently Listening To:  Maroon 5 -- Beautiful Goodbye 

Currently Reading: Vogue February Issue