Election Year Rage

Presidential elections really bring out the worst in people.

Really. How many friends have you unfollowed on facebook or twitter? It’s a high stakes game. I get it! So many important decisions could fall on the future leader of our country, so yeah! you should be excited and passionate. Please vote!! But should you burn bridges and break friendships? Or be an a-hole on Instagram? 

I know, I know. None of you guys are the types of people who’d go on and on about why Trump is such a loser, Hilary is takes corporate bribes, Bernie doesn’t have solid policy stances or Cruz is… I don’t know. I’m not paying much attention to him.  The fact of the matter is that they’re all human and they’re all politicians so there’s plenty to to like or dislike about any of them. These statements aren’t a reflection of my personal beliefs - they’re an echo of the social media chatter that happens every second of the day.  And the evening news? Ugh. The kind of things people say at these rallies just makes me sad about humanity. We are better than this. We’re better than making laundry lists of what we hate about the candidates and their supporters. 

So why are we taking it out on each other? I see far more mud slinging online than I do positive promotion of any of these politicians. Maybe it’s just my facebook algorithm? I don’t know. I do know that the system is pretty broken and I also watch House of Cards so, people, I get politics. 

But in seriousness, here’s what I do absolutely know: We’re all MORE than who we vote for. There’s not one candidate or political party out there that represents me or you perfectly. And it’s not worth being a hateful or angry person to defend or defame any politician. (Says a woman who was super heated in both 2008 and 2012 (and for a few minutes in 2016), see also: hindsight, maturity, personal growth!)

Energy goes where attention flows, so use those 140 characters to accentuate the positive. Don’t fall in the trap of election trolls. It’s so easy to want to fire back online behind the safety of your keyboard! I fight it every time I see a place where I could contribute an good argument. But if I’m honest with myself, a facebook comment is only going to fuel a fire and is a smart ass reply going to change anyone’s vote? Be the person to rise up above the nastiness. If you’re excited about politics, add to a meaningful discussion in a positive way. 

I’ll vote in my primary in a couple of weeks for the person that aligns closest to my beliefs. (As well as my local elections which have a much bigger impact to my daily life!) That’s what you did or will do to. And that’s not a reason to rage and get angry at each other. 

It is our right to express our opinion through our votes. We can openly discuss who we’re voting for or keep it private. You have your reasons. I have mine. I may not like who you’re voting for, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you!  So next time one of these conversations pops into your feed, won’t you join me in keeping the discussion civil? 

What I Wore | Sunkist

WhatIWore: I’m either becoming really lazy (most likely) or just a total boss at being basic. At least I stopped myself from wearing a denim jacket again today! After I posted this dress, some of you said you live in the black version, so naturally, I scooped it up too! I’ve done the casz black dress + army jacket many times before but I thought I’d liven  things up with a spotty scarf and bold bag - which reminds me of a yellow crayon!  I thought I could get away with sandals, but it was too chilly for that, so booties win out. 

These yellow bags are all 25% off at the Shopbop Friends and Family Sale with code INTHEFAM!

When: April 5, 2016

What: 
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Dress: Old Navy
Jacket: Old Navy (older style but similar here)
Bag: Brit-Stitch (similar bold color)
Booties: Rag +Bone

Where: Breakfast with Felix, Coffee Shop

Inspired By | White Eyelet

WhatIWore: My mom made a lot of my clothes when I was younger. One piece I remember collaborating on (and loving) was a simple white cotton eyelet top. I wore it with bright blue floral shorts to Disney World. It was a standout piece from my childhood!

I still love eyelet - it can either read prim and polished or soft and bohemian. I recently bought a couple of yards on sale and I think I’ll do a circle skirt and some sort of top that can be worn together or separately. Just a few (read: dozen!) house projects to finish up first. In the meantime, here are some inspiration photos I found on Pinterest and some links to shopable pieces below!

Spring Discoveries

Felix is in the age of discovery. He loves playing hide and seek with his toys and gets such a sweet look of surprise on his face when he finds something. Needless to say, our Easter egg hunt last weekend was a big hit with this little guy! 

As a child, I always had a new special outfit for Easter and I couldn’t resist getting Felix something special this year too. We’re sort of going for a 70s, festival child type vibe with this one! I let him wear his little hat out shopping and every older woman seemed to stop us and ask about his fedora. It was so adorable. We went though a little phase of not wanting to wear hats, but after I showed him how I wear mine, my little copy cat put his on too. (Hat is also one of his recent new words, so he loves pointing to his and saying “hat! hat!”)

Felix’s wardrobe is usually pretty basic (see his spring clothes here), but for this special occasion, I decided to go for something a little more stylish for him. Using a gift card from my post sponsors at Old Navy, I chose a popover oxford shirt and printed shorts. Kids can do pattern mixing too! Look at that baby hipster! Ready for his Easter egg hunt or a music festival (maybe Hangout Fest so we can visit Aunt Becca and Uncle Nick in Alabama?!?) How cute!! 

Felix is wearing a straw hat (similar here) , pop over collared shirt, printed shorts and sneakers from Old Navy, our long time partners. Thank you for supporting the brands that make What I Wore possible!