Monday, April 15, 2013

Stripes and Dots

Loft blouse, F21 blazer, pants, and earrings, Steve Madden clutch, Shoedazzle heels (here)

I feel like I am getting a little braver when it comes to mixing prints. I am definitely one of those girls who naturally pairs a solid color shirt with printed bottoms but I am trying to step outside of my comfort zone by mixing more prints together. It definitely gives me more options for outfits, and that is a good thing.





Sometimes writing a blog post can be difficult. Don't get me wrong, I love my blog. It's just that I'm sitting here trying to think about what I'm saying while my two boys are fighting. They are both at the age now where they irritate each other. I don't know how many times I have said, "Stop making your baby brother cry!" to my four year old. I've also gotten up a couple of times from my chair to pull them off of the curtains. And the four year old is now standing on the ledge of the window. 

Now when I really stop and think about it, yes, it is sometimes annoying when kids fight, whine, and cry. But at least my little boys are alive and healthy. You see, a week ago, my family lost a very special woman. My step-sister suffered her whole life from Epidermolysis Bullosa. It is a rare skin condition that causes open sores over the body. To someone who has never seen a person with EB, they may mistake them for a burn victim. They suffer from chronic on-going pain, they have to have their bandages changed daily, and often their fingers and toes end up fusing together.

I've watched my mom and her husband (her high school sweetheart) of three years take care of my step sister with nothing but love. Never once did I hear them complain. My mother grew to love her as one of her own and has been devastated by this loss.

Sometimes I struggle with what to share on my blog. Yes, it is a fashion blog, but behind the images is a real person who deals with issues just like the rest of the world. I think sometimes we get so used to seeing just pictures of people that we sort of forget that the person is actually real. I've struggled with whether or not to share this aspect of my life but then I realize how many people I connect with daily. Just by sharing this story with you, I have hopefully made you aware of something you may not have known before. If you want to learn more about EB, please click here





41 comments:

  1. Welcome to my world.. they'll fight for different reasons as they grow older. Mine are teenagers now and still they fight! But yet, they are our pride and joy.. and pain sometimes ;) Looking great as always and I'm not sure if I told you this but I like your hair down :)

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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  2. you look adorable, prefect way to mix print. I am so sorry for this lost in your family.


    xo
    http://pinksole.com

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  3. Your story touched me a lot, Amy. I admit I have never heard about EB before and checked your links.
    What a terrible desease.
    My thoughts are with you and your family.

    Annette

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  4. I very sorry for your loss. It is always a struggle when you loose someone you love. I think it is beautiful that you can share here, on this space, and know that there are people sending positive vibes to you and your family during this difficult time.

    brenna

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  5. I'm so sorry for your loss Amy. I think it's great to use your blog as an outlet for personal things- I do it quite often. :)

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  6. I'm so sorry for your family's loss, Amy. You can always share here on the blog–you have a community of ladies more than happy to support you! :)

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  7. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so glad though that you shared it with us, please know we are here for you!

    You do look super cute! The mix of stripes and polka dots are super cute.

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  8. Love the mixing of the prints!! xo, Julie
    www.fromproseccotoplaid.com

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  9. Your outfit is adorable.
    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It's never easy. Just remember, they don't remember the pain, they just remember the love, and your step-sister was certainly loved.

    As beautiful as your pictures are, it's important to know that we come here to support you as well.

    Alyssa

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  10. You KNOW I love those pants! Adorable. Love it with the stripes and white blazer. You look so chic and so pretty. And that clutch is fab. I've been on the search for a new clutch!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  11. I totally agree with ya, sometimes it's easy to look at blogs and totally forget that these people are real. So sorry for your family's loss!

    On another note, your hair looks wonderful in these photos!

    Jessie

    jessieholmesspringer.com

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  12. Love these prints together, and your mustard bag is beautiful!

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  13. Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. I think the blog world often to tries to paint the picture that life is perfect but unfortunately that's not reality. We are all here for you!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  14. I will say a special prayer for your family, so sorry for your loss. It is a perk of blogging to have a "blog family" and to know that when you tell something "real" in your life, they are there for support.

    -Meagan
    Gloss and Threads

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  15. This breaks my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm praying for all the precious people in your family. You're right, sometimes people read blogs and don't even think about the depth of the person's life behind the photographs. I'm so glad you shared and gave us an opportunity to feel with you during this tragic moment in your life.

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  16. Great outfit! I love your style! You look elegant and casual at the same time, great job!

    jesuisbelleetalors.com

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  17. I love this look, pairing different patterns is not one of my strengths either but you did it so well here!

    I am so sorry for your loss, it is good to remember to be thankful for the things we do have, health included. My family has struggled with multiple family members being diagnosed with cancer over the last few years. It is so very sad, we must be very thankful for our own health and the health of our loved ones!

    http://simpleeasystyle.blogspot.com/

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  18. I love your outfit. Thank you for sharing your story and i'm so sorry for you loss. It's not easy to lose a loved one. I also struggle with what and how much of my personal life to share on my blog, but at the end of the day it's my blog and i can share whatever I want. It's nice for readers to see the other side of the blogger.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  19. amazing amazing amazing! i want this look!!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

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  20. I'm so sorry to hear about your step-sister! This definitely puts life in perspective! I'll be thinking of you guys. Also, fun pattern mixing today;I really need to find a white blazer!
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

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  21. Sorry about the loss of your step-sister. I'm loving the polka dot pants. Cute!

    Mo
    Who is that girl Mo?

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  22. Wow - you did a great job mixing the prints! I"m so sorry to hear about your loss. x, Kat

    Love and Ace

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  23. I am so sorry for your loss. That sounds like a horrible disease and thank you for making us more aware of it. It's amazing how many things are out there that unless you have a personal connection to them, you have no idea they are even around. The only thing that helps me get through those difficult times is believing that now she is in peace and not in pain anymore.

    On a positive note, I adore the outfit. Navy and yellow with white is just perfect together and you look fab!

    Jill
    Classy with a Kick

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  24. Sending you and your family best wishes.

    Love this look on you!

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  25. So sorry to hear about your loss. Keeping your family in my thoughts.
    With that said, love the stripes and polka dots! They are made to be together! And I love navy and yellow together. I pretty much love navy and anything. :)

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  26. Thanks for sharing a little more of who you are! I struggle with my blog too, knowing what to share. Your post encouraged me to maybe open up a bit and to try to pattern mix more!

    Blessings, dear!
    Star
    http://www.beautyandbows.com/

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  27. I tried those pants on and it was a total bust but they look great on you!!

    xo Andrea
    www.sophisticatedsass.com

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  28. Love the mix of patterns!!!

    Recent Post: Evy's Tree Giveaway on the ole blog!

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  29. Love the sunglasses and blazer!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  30. First of all, you look so sharp and polished in this outfit. Second of all...I'm so so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how hard this must be and how hard it must've been for your mom and her husband.
    Meredith
    createthatoutfit.com

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  31. Love and want these polka dot pants!! Freaking adorable..

    xo,
    Sincerely Miss Ash

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  32. Thank you for sharing. I struggle with that same dilemma, I'm never sure what my readers want to hear from my personal life and what I should keep private. So sorry for your loss. Thankfully she's no longer suffering.

    Cait
    petitechronicles.blogspot.com

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  33. Amy, thank you for sharing! I understand & feel your frustration :) Hey we're both blogging yellow clutches today - great minds think alike!

    xo Lulu
    simplylulustyle.com

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  34. I loved that you shared a piece of your life because at the end of the day, we are all real people dealing with REAL life issues. I am sorry for your loss. And I am with you on the fighting children....I deal with it on the daily but I wouldn't want it any other way as long as they are healthy! Love you for this and I LOVE this look....way to mix those patterns!!!

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  35. I can't imagine how hard that is and my prayers go out to you and your family. Thank you for bringing light to this. I had never heard of that skin condition before. You could never really understand what a person is going through unless you're in their shoes. I commend you for sharing this Amy! As for your outfit, you mix prints SO well! I love how this outfit looks so effortlessly chic! Beautiful overall!

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  36. I love your polka dotted pants!!!


    x Angie

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  37. I agree, sometimes we totally forget that behind smily face and pretty outfit is a real person with real problems, I appreciate that you decided to share your story with us!
    About fighting kids-honestly the description of this situation scared me a little bit because I'm expecting a boy:))
    http://dcinstyle.com/

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  38. totally amazing, simply the best
    love about your sense of style!

    www.malesclutch.blogspot.com

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  39. I'm still hesitant about mixing prints - it's something I'm trying to incorporate with my outfits and step out of my comfort zone a bit. I think you did a great job with your blue and white polka dots and striped tee, plus the yellow clutch is the perfect accessory!

    On a more serious note, Epidermolysis Bullosa sounds like a devasting condition. I've never heard of EB before so thank you for teaching me something new today. I am so sorry for your family's loss and wish you strength during this time.

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