“In my end is my beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

So, I’m finally wrapping up my last thoughts about my trip to Pittsburgh.  I’ve been meaning to post this message for the past few days, but other things kept coming up, and I think, maybe, subconsciously I just wasn’t ready to let this subject go....

It’s been about two weeks since I’ve been back from Pittsburgh, and I can honestly say that I’m still very sad that we had to leave.  I was sad to leave my mom and step-dad, sad to leave the beauty of the city, and also sad to leave the place where my mind was clear enough to get a new perspective on things in my life.  Now that some time has passed, I realize that every ending always means there is a new beginning.  Like T.S. Eliot says, “In my end is my beginning.”  

As I wrote about in a previous post, I had a big revelation that I rely on makeup to make myself feel beautiful.  Well, on my last day in Pittsburgh, I decided that I didn’t want to live that way anymore.  I refuse to let makeup define me, and I refuse to search for beauty in something that fades.  So, I decided that it would be good for me to go on a makeup fast.  For 30 days, I am not going to wear any makeup – except for mascara and lipstick (I mean, I am 30 years old, so I'm not willing to go completely bare).  Here's a picture of me, Jason and William at the Pirates game on June 3rd, the first day of my makeup fast.  Can you tell I'm not wearing any makeup???  Wait...don't answer that question.

When I first decided to start a blog, I began checking out other successful blogs for ideas and inspiration, and I came across these amazing fashion blogs created by beautiful, talented and stylish women around the world.  Now, I'm a huge fan of some great style blogs, and one of my favorites is Kendi Everyday.  I absolutely love her style.  Also, she has this thing called “30 for 30 Remix” where you take 30 items and make 30 outfits.  You can read more about it here.  I love this because it really forces you to get creative with the items that you currently have in your closet.  I often find myself thinking that I would be so much happier if I had a new jacket or a new dress or new shoes, but that is simply not true!  I can be perfectly happy with the things that I already own.  Right when I got back from Pittsburgh, I started this 30 for 30 remix, and I’m enjoying the challenge of remixing my clothes and finding ways to make old things feel brand new again. 

I’m excited about this new chapter in my life where I am discovering (or maybe rediscovering) the beauty and confidence that lies within me.  I don’t have a song for today, but here are a few quotes I found online that are fitting for today’s blog.

“Don’t cry because it’s over.  Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

“Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

“People are like stained-glass windows.  They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” – Elizabeth Kubler Ross

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." – Marcel Proust


Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  If you want to see all of the pictures from my Pittsburgh trip, check out my facebook page!