Say Hi

Hi. Just in case you forgot, this is what I look like. I'm so excited it's that time of year again when all my blogger friends flock to NYC for fashion week. First up, is the IFB conference tomorrow. If you see me there, make sure you Say Hi! There are great speakers, and plenty of lovely ladies who will be in attendance. If you can't make it, you can check out the live stream of the conference. Who knows, maybe you'll even see me unknowingly walk past the camera.

Live streaming video from ifbconference at livestream.com

Mostly, I miss you. There's a lot to share. Nothing too exciting, but I almost forgot what it was like to "see" and "talk" to you all almost everyday. Let's be friends on Twitter for the time being. I'll be bouncing around NYC this week and am SO happy to finally meet some of the ladies I've been following even before I started my own blog! I remember how nervous I was last year. This year it's a completely different feeling. I can't wait to see these girls again, and meet everyone who I didn't get to last time around. See some of you tomorrow! 

Not So Far Away

June 18th

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away (Brooklyn), there was a picnic. Since then I've been doing exactly what I said I would. I've been getting out and away from my computer whenever I can, taking in this summer for whatever it needs to be, restoring old friendships, and securing new ones. 

It's strange looking through these pictures and suddenly realizing how much has happened since they were taken. The summer was practically just getting started. I was beginning to like my city again, which meant spending a lot of time exploring and ending up at places I hadn't been before. Which of course led to meeting new people and plenty of new experiences.

Before the summer started I made a point to try and get myself all sorts of put together, in a cute little package with a big ribbon on top. Over the last couple of months it would seem that I've lost interest in that. I've been acting in the moment so often that it became easy to stop worrying about the future. I wanted to be more hands on and in control of my life. I now find myself doing almost the exact opposite of that.

In the past few months I had some unforgettable first time New York City moments. I got swept up and did things I never thought I would do. I don't regret any of it, I can't. I was there and I made those decisions too, and for a lot of reasons I'm glad things happened the way they did. I'm learning from them. One choice, one moment, can't possibly define everything about me. I happen to be a nice little collection of things. 

 

It's interesting to realize how different I thought of things just a few months ago. I certainly never would have predicted or planned everything thats happened. Being able to accept things as they are is clearly something I have to learn to be better at.

Selima Optique Sunglasses, Tank from H&M, Shorts from Madewell, Dolce Vita Sandals from Piperlime

Wooden Bangles & Necklace borrowed from Melissa, Taurus Pendant Necklace from Julie Nolan Jewelry

For now I'm content with living in these moments, however right or wrong they end up being. It's easy, it's dramatic, and you learn quickly. Summer doesn't really lend itself to deep, life shattering thinking anyway. That's what the fall is for.

Photos by Veronika

By the way, I love Veronika's camera, or lens, or whatever it is that's doing amazing things here. Many thanks to Veronika for snapping a few for me after the blogger picnic. Oh, and HELLO AGAIN. 

Belittle Me

Someone was rude to me this week. So rude that I couldn't sleep, that I obsessed over the why's and how come's for the entire day following it. It made me think of high school a bit. When it was the thing to do for your guy friends to lead into a conversation with a snide remark about how you looked or what you were wearing. Except this wasn't high school and this wasn't a teenager. It was an adult.

Being around people like that makes me act like someone I hate. It's not that I want to go through life wearing bubble wrap. I can take my fair share of abuse, insults, and hurtful comments. I'm usually able to come back with something to either let them know that I can handle it, or I walk away from the situation all together. 

  

I've talked about how I'm trying to be nicer and cut down on the sarcasm, especially when it comes to meeting new people, but that night I had to be someone that I didn't like at all. I had to be extremely rude and I hated it. I tried for a long time to keep the plastered smile on until I hit my breaking point. Even though I tried to remove myself from the situation several times by turning my back, walking away, and not directing any conversation towards this person, it didn't work. Trying to joke and smirk my way through it didn't work out in my favor either. They continued to find their way over to me for the single purpose of being cruel. At one point I was even shoved across the room. 

  

People say that living in a city gives you a certain edge that people who don't live here might not necessarily have. I think that just living around other people gives you an edge. Everyone comes at life with a different perspective, from a different angle, and with a different outlook. Not everyone is going to be nice, although it would be great if they all were I also realize this isn't a fantasy world. I certainly learned my lesson this week. 

Living in a bigger city you're exposed to more people, so it's more likely that you will bump into someone who isn't the most pleasant to be around. A part of me thinks that these particular type of people use being in the middle of a huge city as an excuse for their rudeness. It's not ok to be disrespectful to one person simply because there is a larger volume of people here. When I leave my apartment I never intend on being a stranger's target to dump their frustrations on.

Live and learn I guess. I should have removed myself from the situation far sooner than I did. And by that I mean, I should have left all together. This person didn't deserve to have control over my night, but I let him. Up until that point I was having fun, laughing, and enjoying a night out with friends. What I did realize is that there's a distinct difference between someone who is sarcastic with good intentions and a person who uses their voice to belittle others. 

Sunglasses from Sucre, Madewell Jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Sandals
Vintage Ring from my Grandma, Vintage Earrings from Spitalfields Market
Sheer Polka Dot Tunic Borrowed from Jupe Boutique

I am very aware that there are a large group of people will be always be crass, rude, ignorant, offensive, etc. I can't change that, but a big part of me does want to understand it. I realize that's almost asking for the impossible too. So the next logical answer is to accept it. Seems to be a common theme for me these days. See the problem, acknowledge it, accept it, move on. So, moving on...

On a completely different and much more positive note, last week Terra put up her Style My Closet feature! While I was in Pittsburgh we made plans to stop by Jupe Boutique so I could be Terra's style challenge for the month. She picked out this sheer polka dot top for us to style. Of course I went with a simple top and pants sort of look, while Terra put me back in my pink skirt for a ladylike vibe. You can check out more photos and read about Terra's take on the looks in her post, Jupe Boutique's Style My Closet. 

Sunglasses from Sucre, Skirt from Anthropologie, Ring from Anthropologie
Vintage Clutch from Tree & Kimball Market, Custom Harness from Clyde's Rebirth
Photos by Terra

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I spent some quality time in the park relaxing with Lua yesterday. Tonight I'm looking forward to meeting up with the always lovely Sarah who's in town with her husband for the weekend. Have a good one and be nice to a stranger!

Laugh It Off

Things don't always go exactly the way we plan. It's a hard idea to accept. A few weekends ago I had to stop, step away from everything and hit the reset button. At least I felt like I did. Things weren't going the way I thought they should've been and I felt defeated and deflated. So I took the weekend to adjust my frame of mind and try to figure out why I was so unsettled thinking about where I should be versus where I was. That's when I realized it's hard to reset when all you're doing is thinking about the past. 

I drove past my alma mater this weekend on a road trip. As I was approaching the exit I had a little debate. Do I drive through my old college campus and stir up all those outdated feelings or do I keep driving towards my new destination. In a dramatic move I merged into the far lane, stepped down hard on the gas, and kept driving. I realized in that moment going back to my school wouldn't help anything, just as thinking about other past experiences might not help me figure out any new ones. My trip this weekend was all about getting to know new people and having fresh experiences in a city I've never been to. So I kept driving. 

 

And also last week I laughed. Full, out loud, head in my hands, laughed. I got together with a few friends to see a comedian in the city Thursday night. I put on my best jeans and headed down with high hopes for the evening's events. I had no idea what to expect, but I certainly didn't expect for that night to be exactly what I needed. It helped me get some necessary perspective. If you're patient, and you wait long enough for it, things tend to turn around just when you think they never will.

My shift in perspective carried over to this past weekend in Pittsburgh. I got to be exactly who I am right now. I wasn't trying to impress anyone or be someone who I thought they might like. I was sarcastic at times, then apologetic, perhaps even sweet at others. And I laughed. I laughed a lot. I laughed with people, at situations, to myself. The best part was that I wasn't over thinking anything. It was a much needed break from my usual level of self awareness. For a moment there, I was living in the present. I wasn't thinking about who I had been or who I should be, I was just being myself.  

Selima Optique Sunglasses, Top from Anthropologie, Old Jeans, Minnetonka Moccasins
Ring from Anthropologie, Necklaces from Clyde's Rebirth

I can't feel sorry for myself because I had a difficult weekend a few weekends ago. Especially when there are plenty of new ones waiting for me. If you can push through the grayer days, there are usually more exciting ones up next. Ones where I get to travel, meet new people, laugh until my sides ache, and continue to learn about myself and who I am right now. Things can be really great if you just relax and let them be. 

Photos taken on May 7th by Val

In the spirit of spreading the laughter around, are there any California people interested in having the same belly laugh experience I did? You can check out Colin Kane in the flesh on the West Coast, starting June 9th. If there are any New York locals interested in getting together to see his next NYC show, shoot me an email! It's a great excuse to finally meet a bunch of you. I would tell you that he puts on a good show, but you can decide for yourself.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Scenes from a Weekend : XIX

I've been spending more time in the city this month than I have in a very long while. Part of it is due to imperfectly made plans, part of it is due to the fact that I know I'll be spending more time out of the city as the weather continues to get warmer so I'm trying to soak up my time in the city while I can. A few weekends ago I was in the city with no particular plans so I called my friends Val and Drew to meet up for Saturday morning brunch. I rushed down to their neighborhood while they waited patiently at the restaurant for me to show up. 

After an exceptionally lovely brunch in the sun we strolled over to Chelsea Market. There are still so many places that I haven't been in the city yet, and until that weekend I had still never been there. The market was really interesting to walk around. It's a big tourist stop, but there's obviously a good reason for that. We meandered, picked up a few things, stopped by their apartment, then headed into the West Village for the rest of the afternoon.

 

The West Village is such a pretty neighborhood to walk around. I love the narrow sideways, the cobblestone streets, and the small storefronts. A few of my favorite stores to browse are down there, including the store where I bought my favorite and only pair of sunglasses. Val, Drew, and I chatted some more, picked up coffee, and then went our separate ways. I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and went for a long run with Lua by the river at the end of the day. 

On Sunday I drove home to celebrate Mother's Day with my family. We spent the day relaxing, mostly outside. Lua got her fill of backyard time while I ran a few errands around town. My mom made a salad with the greens from her garden and put some chicken on the grill for dinner. It was a relaxing night at home with my parents before another long week of work in the city. 

Thank you to Jentine for re-posting a few pictures from my last outfit post! She really was the behind the scenes cheering section for me; Team Work. And thanks to all of you for sticking around while I lost my head a little these last few weeks. It's been harder than usual to keep up with the blog, but hopefully I'll get back on track soon!

Sarcastic Sweets

I am, in real life, an extremely sarcastic, occasionally quite abrupt person. It doesn't always come across in my writing because I try to write with the mindset that no one else is reading this. That tends to make everything seem intimate and read much more like a diary. So here we go: Dear Diary, 

I know I'm a sarcastic, sometimes a little rough around the edges type of person. The problem I have is when my sarcasm goes from light hearted to coming off as mean spirited. Unfortunately it happens much more than I would like it to. Quite a few of my friends have stories in their back pockets about specific times when I was far too unedited with people. It tends to be people who haven't been around me long enough to know that I don't really mean everything that I say. Especially if I'm meeting a person for the first time or if I'm particularly nervous, the comments start to fly. 

  

I've been trying really hard the past few months to reshape some things about my personality. I will always be who I am, but I want to be the best possible version of myself I can be. I know I'll always be slightly harder to take than the stereotypical bubbly blond, miss giggles a lot, but I'm ok with that. I just don't want to bombarded people within the first five minutes of meeting me with an unexpected or  exceedingly short comment. I know I wouldn't like it, so why have I always been that way towards other people?

It's especially hard for me to remember that this is something I've been working on when I'm around people who are also extremely sarcastic. I forget to pause for that breath before I respond. Then it escalates. Sarcasm can go from kind of funny to completely mean with the change of a few words or a tilt of the head. 

  

I can and have to some extent become much better at curbing my initial rude and sarcastic comments to people I've just met. Luckily, I decided this was something I wanted to work on before I started meeting a whole slew of new people. As time went on and I started to work on a hundred different things about myself, I naturally forget about a few. I feel like as I begin to get more comfortable in my own skin again, every once in a while I see my attitude starting to shift back.

Then I start to think about the whole theory of love and be loved. If I want to be a better person, than I have to start treating people the way that I want to be treated. One of the oldest lessons we've all ever learned, but sometimes it takes a little reminder before things really start to sink in. You can't expect people to be sweet and kind to you, if you don't act the same way to everyone else out there, right? 

Tank from H & M, Skirt from Anthropologie, Heels from Bloomingdales 
Vintage Ring from my Grandma, Pink Lipstick borrowed
Harness Necklace Borrowed from Clyde's Rebirth 2011 Spring/Summer Lookbook

I've very aware of the fact that I'll never be described or introduced as the "sweet girl". I think I'm ok with that too. There has to be a way for me to keep my sarcastic nature in tact, while still being a nice person. I am a kind, warmhearted, compassionate person and I generally only have the best of intentions. I just don't always know how to say the right thing at the right time. I'm working on it. 

Goodnight dear diary. xoxo, Morgan

Photos by Merl, Cheering section by Jentine

Many thanks to Merl and Jentine for helping me get ready on Saturday night. I had the basic idea of what I wanted to wear all lined up, but they really helped me pull everything together. I figured I'd give the lipstick look a try after Merl slapped some on me for a few of the Lookbook shots. Jentine was basically my cheering section the whole night out. I did feel slightly fancy walking around with the long flowy hot pink skirt on, but it was my party and I'll cry, I mean dress up if I want to.