Casual Office Style

Wearing: 

Skinnie Mini: Gap Inc. | Studded Blouse: Forever 21 | Purse: Chanel | Pumps: Steve Madden | Rings: Etsy | Enameled Cuff: Forever 21 | Gold Watch: Michael Kors | 

One of those days where you just don't want to put in the effort of getting dressed. 

Collectively, as women, it's guaranteed to happen to us. Those days where you just stand in your closet and stare around at all the fabrics and linens hanging effortlessly on their designated posts. These moments where you seem to be internally yelling "I don't want this!"

{Every woman has those moments}

Those moments where you just seem to hate every piece of clothing you own. There is nothing good enough in that closet that will personify the kind of woman you wish to be that day. There is nothing but sheer frustration that you closet is seriously lacking (and yet not one more piece of clothing can be packed in there). 

One of those days, can quickly become two or three. Until eventually you just seem to go for the basics. 

Basic blue skinnie mini, with a basic blush studded blouse. And here we go, basic-casual-office-style. Easy enough for those days that you just want to rip your closet from its hinges. Effortless enough to give you sense of style as though you woke up like this. 

Paired with simple pumps and accessories, it can quickly put an end to the never ending frustration.

 Classy and graceful enough for a day at the office in Corporate America. 

Until next time friends <3 

xoxo 

Plum 

Currently Listening To: 

Currently Reading: Walt Whitman Prayer for Columbus 

Simple Saturdaze

Wearing: 

Skinnie Mini: Gap Inc. | Mineral Wash Tee: Forever 21 | Black Belt: The Limited | Pointy Toe Oxfords: Forever 21 | Ring Stacks: Assorted Etsy Shops | Bag: Chanel | Leather Watch: Michael Kors | Statement Chain: J. Crew | Sunnies: Gap Inc. 

Have you ever felt so completely connected to another soul, that you feel like you breath the same air and think on the same wavelength. Your thoughts are the same, your imaginations, goals, and values -- all shared commonly amongst each other. 

I've spent a lifetime surrounded by women. Being raised in a house of 4 sisters and a mom -- tends to lead to a breeding ground of womanly pursuits and endeavors. All kinds of shopping, make up, shoes, and girl talk. Yes we are catty. Yes we love to talk shit. What group of girlfriends doesn't do this?

{ The exception? }

These girls are my sisters. 

Can you imagine growing up with and living with your three closest best friends, round the clock 24 hours a day -- for 25 years. The three people who know each and every one of your memories or secrets, because at the end of the day they shared them with you. 

These three people are the cornerstone of my life. They keep my sane in my most insane moments. They bring me back to the ground, when circumstance catapults me into the sky. They give me the air I breathe, and paint the picture of the woman I aspire to be.  They keep the days brights and give life it's many colors. 

These 3 women are at the very core of who I believe myself to be. And each of them posses qualities of the woman I have always envisioned myself to be. I have learned valuable qualities from each of you. And to each of you I owe a multitude of thanks. 

Thanks for the unconditional love in my darkest moments. 

Thanks for pushing me to keep going, when quitting was what I wanted most. 

Thanks for having the unshakable belief that I can conquer what I most wanted. 

Thanks for believing I can achieve the un-achievable. 

But mainly, thanks for sticking by my side when the road got rough. 

{Because in the end we're family}

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind."

Togetherness. 

xoxo 

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Maroon 5 -- Figure It Out 

Currently Reading: Walt Whitman Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 

Top 5 Recap {March}

Spring in the Garden

Stripes & Florals

Beautiful Disaster

Feeling Argyle

Talking Favorites

March was a tumultuous month. Not really spring weather, but not yet having left the cold days of winter behind. 

Living in Miami it has always been easier to dress for the hot summer months, than to layer on the warmth of the winter. This year's winter was practically non-existent as we had about 1 or 2 days of actual cold. For that reason a good majority of March was spent in the sheers and lace of the season's favorites. Bright, bold colors mixed with the soft pastels of spring. 

I look forward to what April has to bring. 

Until next time friends <3 

xoxo

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Britney Spears -- Womanizer 

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

Talking Favorites

Wearing: 

Lace Top: Forever 21 | Blue Skinnie Mini: Gap Inc. | Blush Pumps: Steve Madden | Statement Fringe Necklace: J. Crew | Watch: Michael Kors | Ring Stack: Henri Bendel | Beaded Bracelets: Various Designers | Gold Thumb Ring: Coach

Today we're talking favorites. 

And {trust me} I got plenty. 

There are always those key pieces in your closet or collection which you seem to gravitate to more often than not. A certain dress, a favorite blazer, even a favorite pair shoes. 

Me? 

I have a few key pieces which seem to be featured on almost every post. 

My Henri Bendel Ring Stack for instance. A piece which just seems to pair well with everything. And when I say everything, I mean literally -- everything. The stack itself was not purchased in this manner. Each piece came from another set purchased from Mr. Bendel. Over time I came to mix and match my favorites, and voila! My favorite stacked piece of jewelry came to fruition. 

The Steve Madden Deja Vu Pump, is another key piece which I find I cannot live without. In my steady 9 - 5 it's imperative to find a shoe which you can easily spend most of the day in. Having to walk to the office corridors and spend hours on end with 6" + on your feet -- not always fun. Until I discovered this pump. 

One word. 

{Incredible} 

Not only extremely comfortable that I find myself spending 8+ hours walking in 6" heels -- but extremely classy, trendy, and chic. As such, I have purchased this heel in (3) signature colors: Black, Cognac, and Blush. Three neutral tones which add just enough spark to each outfit. And let's face it -- they pair well with almost everything. 

p.s I hope your enjoying the blog. I look forward to hearing from you. Should you have any comments or suggestions on looks you love or would like to see featured on the blog, leave a comment. I would be happy to oblige! 

Until next time friends <3 

xoxo 

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Adele -- One and Only 

Top 5 Recap {February}

Cognac & Dots 

Got the Blues for Red 

Safari Glam 

Social Friday at The Lagoon 

A Walk in the Park 

{ Hello March }

I guess we can say that February was relatively good {short} month. There were many changes and challenges, and yet I still managed to navigate these times with ease. 

I've recapped my top 5 favorite looks of the month. A difficult task considering many of the shots my team and I were able to accrue were quite simply: fabulous. 

A lot of these looks are simple, chic, and above all else -- comfortable. 

I hope March brings the same love and simple joy that January and February was able to gift to us. 

I look forward to any challenges which may come my way. 

Mostly, I look forward to what life has to offer. 

xoxo 

Plum 

Currently Listening To: Can't Go Wrong -- Phillip Phillips 

Currently Reading: Yeats Under Ben Bulben