triumph and citrus

  Splendid top, Nordstrom Rack (old)

Calvin Klein straight-leg jeans, Ross

yellow glass pendant, gift

           I've owned this top for years, but have never worn it much because it just doesn't work with a regular bra. A strapless bra would have worked, but was not a comfortable option -- I try to avoid wearing strapless bras at all costs.
          It was with great excitement that I realized that this bra would layer perfectly under the top. I'm looking forward to wearing this top more often, not that I've finally figured out the undergarment issue.

   
        Yellow has been one of the colors I've been drawn to the most this year. Like this top, this pendant has been largely neglected, but I've been making up for it lately. I tend to wear accessories in streaks -- which makes purging my closet tricky, because who knows when that pretty thing I never wear will become my go-to accessory?
       I just flipped through the calendar and counted the remaining days of the school year: 35. It seems like too much and too little all at once: too much time before summer vacation, and too little to accomplish everything that needs to be done. 

February Freeze: orange

  Splendid top and Carole quartz necklace, Nordstrom Rack

Beau skinnies, Ross

cardigan and necklace, Forever 21

     My second February Freeze item is this orange top. It's cute, but like my first February Freeze  choice, the strange neckline means it hardly gets worn. It appears that the lesson for me when shopping is to not buy it if it has a strange neckline ... 

     Using Susannah Conway's Unravelling the Year Ahead planner, I picked a theme for each month. January's was "laying the foundation," when I focused on getting on track with healthy habits. So, basically, I  ate a lot of oatmeal (which I love) and resumed my regular schedule for physical activity.

     The theme for February is "acts of love, big and small." The focus is on taking care of myself and others better. To that end, I attended my first meditation class on Saturday,  because I've realized that establishing this as a daily practice is something I need to move forward in my life. Also, any $5 bill that comes my way is corralled in an envelope and headed to the bank to build up my savings.
      In terms of taking care of others, I'm trying to look more carefully to see what small things might need doing, and doing them without being asked. I think one of the things I love about having a little extra money is spending it on others, whether it's mochi ice cream for the Mr., pastries for the family, or little care packages mailed to friends or family. But since I'm not working regularly (I've been playing an economical grad student for the last two years), I've had to shift my mindset. What can I give? My full attention, careful listening, and thinking ahead about what needs to be done, and just doing it. I also enjoy cooking for my family because it makes me happy to see them enjoying a home-cooked meal.
     What do you like to do to show others you care?