#staywoke . . . it's not always black or white

Sometimes I have so much to say but I can't seem to verbalize it or there's so much running through my head that when I do say it I feel like no one understands "the words that are coming out of my mouth". Today, however I do have just a little bit to say.  I may come off a bit narcissistic at times or a bit self righteous and my friends can attest to that but I feel like I'm a good person and I try my best to be open minded and kind but I what I really try to do on the daily is to look outside myself which can be really hard to do. Just because something doesn't affect me it doesn't mean it doesn't affect millions of other people. Just because I can do something doesn't mean everyone else can do it and just because I have an opinion doesn't mean everyone else shares the same. I've learned that and it's become apparent now more than ever . . . but if there were 3 million women marching in DC, don't you think that's worth looking into? Why were they marching? If gag orders have been placed on federal agencies that are only trying to educate the public, don't you wonder why? If corporations don't want GMO labeling, don't you wonder why? Why? WHY? So you can hold on to your opinions and speak your truth but I ask that we all take the time to educate ourselves, a little research can go a long way.  I mean if 8 out of 10 people tell you that How to get away with murder is good, aren't you going to at least watch the pilot and see for yourself?! I don't know everything and sometimes people ask me something and I'm like "uh, I don't have enough info to formulate an opinion" . . . it's true, I cannot comment on everything that's going on in the world because I don't know half of it . . . but I try to educate myself and learn as much as I can because honestly that's all we have.  I read an article years ago that implied that DJ Khaled could be the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because DJ Khaled is Palestinian but Israelis and Palestinians like him alike.  I mean that was a pretty far stretched thought but who knows, I know nothing about Khaled aside from his snapchat stories, he posts a lot, but it's a thought right . . . a hopeful one.  Everyone says that all we need is love but honestly all we need is a little bit of empathy . . . just because you cannot relate or because you don't agree with something, it does not make it wrong.  Our forefathers fought for the freedom of speech . . . it would be a shame to silence us.

Now onto something that is literally black and white . . . my outfit . . . deets below . . .

xoxoxoox

IRO top, Nobody Skinny Jeans, Marc Fisher LTD boots

Home is where the heart is

This year's family photos were taken in Washington, D.C.  We took them over Thanksgiving break so I guess last year's family photos were taken in D.C.  We love D.C., it is one of our favorite cities.  My hubby was born and raised in the suburbs and I lived there for 6 years before moving back to Houston.  I love the seasons, I love the food, I love the shopping, I love the history . . . I just love it all.  We love spending as much time as we can in the area. We try to visit a few times a year. We were so lucky to find a photographer, our friend Jackie, who did such a great job.  It's not easy to get a 2 year old and an 8 month old to cooperate but somehow she did it and the photos came out beautifully.  We concentrated in the national mall, alternating between our favorite monuments, the Washington monument and Lincoln memorial. We love spending time here! Always something to see or do with so much culture and history. Make sure you visit one day. 

Don't forget to check out outfit deets below. 

xoxox

OOTD

Zara faux leather dress, similar here and here

French Connection coat no longer available similar here and here

Christian Louboutin Nicobar caged sandals, similar here and here

On Niko

Zara beanie 

Jacket no longer available similar style here

Zara trousers

Gap hiker boots

New Year . . . new me

Not really . . . the fundamentals are pretty much the same right? Like innately I am a certain way and will probably be that way forever . . . I do try to be better every day and I do try to get rid of bad habits.  I am constantly saying how hard it is to be me . . . and it is!!! The constant inner battle that goes on is insane . . . the need to be better every day, worrying if locked the door . . . constantly worrying about saying the wrong thing, constantly worried about being misunderstood . . . it is exhausting I tell you.  This year my new year resolution is simple . . . send out Thank You cards on time.  You guys don't know how stressful it is for me to send out Thank You cards.  I still have Thank You cards from my wedding, baby shower, birthday and Liam's sip and see.  I love to write them but somehow never manage to send them out probably because I take them way too seriously . . . so for example for Niko's first birthday party I sent out like 7 thank you cards.  The premise was cute and easy enough.  I was to write the thank you cards as if  Niko had written them.  Do you know how long it took to write one? It took like 18 minutes so I gave up.  For his second birthday I was to send everyone a picture of Niko, well apparently I just can't go to CVS and order wallet size prints so I had to order them from shutterfly . . . I still have 40 2x3 wallet size prints of Niko that I will probably never send out.  For Liam's sip and see I wrote out all the Thank You cards but I for some reason they are still in my desk.  What is wrong with me? Why is such a simple task so hard to accomplish? I feel that Thank You cards are so important.  I want people to know I appreciate them and everything they do for us and the gifts they give our little men.  So why can't I just do it? Why? SO this year is the year that I shall send them out but for now I would like to thank everyone for being such important and active members of our lives.  Thank you!

I love buying Thank You cards.  I usually get them at Home Goods or TJ Maxx but if you want to get fancy you can try Minted.com or tinyprints.com.  I love tiny prints but never manage to order anything on time!  This year I will be better.

This little guy came from Greetings Island

xoxoxoox