the breakup
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance…
Sound familiar? Returning from vacation can test one’s fortitude and adaptation abilities. The other side of paradise has you experiencing all stages of grief that I’ll equate to breaking up with a boyfriend where you can only remember the best parts ~ the laughter, the perfect restaurant dinners, the excitement of new experiences… You reminisce over the photos; how the sunsets were vibrant, your skin was glowing, and how being with that boyfriend made life magical. Some things aren’t meant to last forever and just like the arch of a romance novel, you start to identify the beginning of the end. For me this was the moment I discovered my seat assignment on the red eye back to DCA (via Detroit!) was Row 10C – the row in front of the emergency exit where the seats DO NOT recline. The McCaslins will be forever be bonded by this experience and “Row 10” is now a euphemism in our house.
My departure from San Francisco was where I started to think about the next major season of style, Fall 2015. Similar to our autumn, the city by the Bay has weather patterns ranging between 44° to 73° and is rarely above 82°. This is idyllic for clothing unless you love extremes with the likes of snow, ice and sub-freezing temperatures. I observed how people generally carried a scarf and layering was as crucial as proper footwear. It’s undoubtedly one of the most picturesque cities in the world where all you can think about as you leave is the moment you’ll return.
So how do you mend a broken heart? It’s always important to acknowledge what you have learned from the experience and then set your sites on new horizons and the prospects of things to come. No pain, no gain ~ right?!
My boyfriend (I’ll call him Francisco) taught me how anything goes on the West Coast. The attitude is very relaxed, the nights are cool and the days can get pretty warm at times. This means you need to be prepared for a change of temperatures throughout the day…much like September and October in Alexandria. Footwear is also something I took notice of while tripping around with Francisco. Flats and block heels are so much more practical when the bulk of your day is spent walking.
These block heeled suede booties by Aquatalia are worth considering if you don’t have something similar in your closet already. You can find them at The Shoe Hive.
– Investment
– Comfortable
– Weather Resistant
San Francisco has a weather pattern that stays between 40 and 80 degrees and booties are a mainstay all year long. It’s so hard to let go!
Francisco was so laid back and never put too much thought into his appearance. Don’t get me wrong – he looked great in an effortless way. I found my own choices leaned toward this casual simplicity. My niece who is 27 was following my romance with Francisco through Instagram. She threw out a “Love your jeans!” comment on a photo – choosing where to take a trend is key and distressed denim was a perfect fit for Francisco. I purchased my first pair and only pair of distressed denim 4 years ago when they were just hitting the scene. I paid $15 at American Eagle during an online sale, they didn’t have my size but I industriously decided to alter them myself to explore the trend. I continue to wear them as they have proved a mainstay.
I saw this pair at Coco Blanca and asked Elisabeth if they will be receiving more. She told me all they need to place another order is requests from their clients. I love this style because of the wash, that they are cropped and look cute with flats, sneakers or heels, and the back pockets are perfect in both size and placement. Contact Coco Blanca if you want a pair for transitioning into fall.
– Stylishly ventilated
– Dress up or down
– Ideal for transition seasons when days are hot and nights are cool ~ oh, I do miss Francisco!
Francisco has a tendency to give a chilly reception at times. I longed for an item that could keep me from feeling the harsher side of his personality. Something like this short fur hybrid. This is the type of piece you’ll long for come October and November because we all know that it’s only a matter of time before Alexandria takes a page out of Francisco’s book and throws you a relationship testing cold front!
– Investment – outwear is always a good place to spend money as it’s seen more in the colder months than what’s underneath
– Hybrid sweater jacket great for transition climates
– Versatile – dress up or down
Most of my days were spent in jeans and a black tank. That’s how Francisco liked me, and I admittedly let him dictate…sometimes letting someone’s strong influence over you is so intoxicating that you just go with it. However, I realized that with Francisco you have to be ready for anything without the convenience of going home to change before grabbing a drink in a chic hotel bar. Enter the duster with the ability to be stashed into your bag during the day and taken out Superman style for a quick change into something far more seductive in the evening.
– Investment
– Versatile – wear as a dress or as a jacket
– Lightweight layering
With Francisco, it was never about keeping up with everyone else. My inner beauty was all he needed (blush). With our days spent mostly outside, I kept it simple with some core beauty items. Sunscreen, lip shine, a hint of mascara was all that was required but I added one more dual purpose item…
I go back and forth on some subtle brow fillers using powder and pencil. This is one from T.LeClerc (in Chatain available at Bellacara) that I always replace for its ability to add just a little shadow under the center of my lower lip. This is an illusion trick and blending is paramount!
Now is a good time to start planning your list of items to round out your wardrobe for Fall ’15. It’s a preliminary step that will help you focus on what will round out your wardrobe and the pieces you invested in last year and adding the more specific complimentary items. I chose the investment pieces first for a reason– if you took a pass on some great booties last year, make them a priority this year (buy what you love) and it will substantiate paying full price. Another word of advice ~ don’t let others influence your personal goals. Getting caught up in the latest “must have” may not benefit your wardrobe or style.
Being with Francisco, even though it was fleeting, left a great impression on me…one that I will not soon forget and will benefit me in the coming months. But a piece of my heart will remain with him always.
