Election day

It's been unseasonably warm here lately, so I was actually slightly too hot in this outfit. I'm okay with that. If summer wants to hang on through November, I don't mind. It's winter lingering through June that bugs me.

Today is election day here in America, as most of you know. Don't worry, I won't get into my political views, but I do hope that all of you who are American vote today. I learned that this is the 100-year anniversary of Oregon women winning the right to vote. I feel proud when I think of all those women a hundred years ago, demanding a right that should have been theirs all along. There aren't many things that get me fired up, but women's rights is a topic I'm incredibly passionate about, especially when I consider the fact that my great-great-grandmother wasn't allowed to vote. I'm not sure where I'm going with this - I guess I just wanted to say that I'm grateful for all those suffragettes who stood up for themselves and insisted that they were the equals of men.

Striped blouse: Forever 21

Black maxi skirt: TJ Maxx

Beige boots: Jeffrey Campbell (Rumble boots) from Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

Red necklace: free from my aunt

Bracelet: gift from my mom, from Yosemite

Comfort

Compared to a lot of my outfits, this one felt like I was wearing pajamas - a comfy t-shirt, stretchy skirt, and flat shoes are a recipe for a happy Stacey! Outfits like this always happen after I've spent too many days wearing heels or fitted clothes, and I just need a day to let my feet recover. (Or my belly - I'm pretty much constantly sucking in my stomach if I'm wearing a belt at the waist.)

Striped shirt: Old Navy

Gray cardigan: Gap

Black maxi skirt: TJ Maxx

Strawberry print flats: Asos

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

Gold earrings: Forever 21

Red scarf: thrifted

Gold leaf cuff bracelet: In Pink

Musings on appearances

Wearing this maxi skirt was like wearing pajamas - it's soft and wonderfully stretchy. Over the past few weeks, due to a knee that gives out on me whenever I exercise and some medications that have left me bloated, I've packed on a few pounds in my belly, so I've been trying to wear clothes that make my midsection feel comfortable. And I have to admit, I've felt a little self-conscious about it. You can't really see any extra weight in my outfit photos from the past few weeks, but in person I look like I'm a few months pregnant. And I know it's pure vanity that it bugs me. I mean, who cares if I packed on a few pounds? And would it even matter if I had gained twenty pounds instead of five? No it would not, because my appearance really does not alter who I am inside - and that's the important part, right?

Yellow tank top: Gap

Black skirt: TJ Maxx

Black flats: Kathy flats from ShoeMint

Spider necklace: Bauble Bar

Yellow sash: came with a vintage dress

Hex nut bracelet: made by me