Reflecting on 9/11

“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? ”
— Alan Jackson

There are few moments in my life in which I remember exactly what I was doing at that exact moment. Hearing that a plane had hit the world trade center is one of them. I was getting ready for my freshman year of high school and had the radio on like always. I remember thinking it was some kind of weird programming, it took until I went to the living room and turned on the news to register that it was indeed happening.

At the time my mom, a police officer, was working the graveyard shift and would come home and sleep for a couple hours before she had to take me and my step siblings to school. We weren't allowed to watch TV in the morning because it shared a wall with her bedroom - I remember she came out and started to get mad at us for having it on- at that exact moment the second plane hit. I remember knowing deep in my soul, even at 14, that my life and the lives of all my fellow Americans would never be the same.

I am fortunate to have many selfless first responders in my family. Like I mentioned above, my mom is a badass police sergeant, my step dad is a motors sergeant (yes mustache and all!). My husband Dominic served in the Marines, my brother in law Marc in the Navy, my step brother Brandon in the Army, my brother David worked as an EMT before deciding to pursue a degree in fire science (which he is working on now).  I am surrounded by those that I know would be the ones that run towards the smoke, that risk their lives everyday to protect my freedoms.

I guess that is why I get so emotional when I think about the events 16 years ago. I know that if the location was different MY people would have been the ones working tirelessly to save others, potentially loosing their own lives in the process. I have a large tattoo on my side that says "Blessed are the peacemakers" which is from Matthew 5:9 - it is my everyday reminder that not only are our first responders my true heros - but that I am blessed BY the peacemakers.

 

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So on this solemn day in our history, please take a moment to be kind to someone. Thank a cop, give a firefighter a bottle of water, lend someone a hand, were all in this together.

xoxo| SLL

 

 

Four fabulous ladies to follow this Friday!

“The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because shit worked out. They got that way because shit went wrong and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert

People come into our lives in all ways, for all reasons. Last night I was thinking about how many wonderful people have come into my life. Some years and years ago and some very recently. I have rounded up several women who I think others would enjoy knowing as well, even if just online. These ladies all have blogs or businesses that are all about self love, empowerment and being general badasses - so without further adieu. I give you... 

1. Cara Alwill Leyba - You might know Cara best as The Champagne Diet. I first "met" Cara in 2012??? (The OG Champagne Diet days) and have since watched her take over the world. Cara is the kindest person and also so inspirational in her hustle. I am friends with a few Cara's and my husband affectionately calls her Champagne SoulCycle to clarify which Cara I am talking about, and if that doesn't describe her I don't know what does! 

She has since published 6 books (you can find them all on Amazon) with a 7th due out soon. Follow her on all her social media channels for awesome style, self care tips, life advice and so much more. 

2. Kelly Ann Gorman - Kelly is the whole package, she has so many things going I don't know how she keeps it all together - but she does with grace and style! She hosts "The Happy Workaholic Podcast" and so so so much more. Kelly also was recently diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis optica - she just finished up another round of chemo and is still producing crazy amounts of content, spreading awareness of her disease and kicking ass. 

3. Melanie Coy - I just found her adorable blog, With Love, Melanie a few weeks ago and we since have been chatting on Instagram (she seriously has the cutest feed). She is so open and honest in her blog topics and her clothes are completely on trend, yet approachable for the average shopper. It doesn't hurt that she lives in my second favorite city, Chicago. We have high hopes to meet up for a baseball game when I am there in a couple weeks! 

4. Payton Dale - Celebrity Stylist, author, model and body positive activist - Payton has an awesome style of her own and is always doing something amazing. I worked with Payton to revamp my closet a little and she was spot on. She indulges me in my love of Gucci cross-bodies and shares a common obsession with her adorable dogs as I do to Bones. Payton's book Hang up Your Hangups is available here on amazon or directly from her - pick this up for yourself, all your friends, daughters, nieces etc.  

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

XOXO | SLL

Weekend Style, Ventura Nationals Edition!

Spent the weekend at the Ventura Nationals with my husband and some of our very best friends. We are part of a car club the El Vinos and we were fortunate enough to score an inside spot in one of the halls. Most of California is experiencing a crazy heat wave - the temperatures were pretty brutal.

Car shows are a fun way to show your style. There are all kinds of people from all walks of life who all come together over a common interest. On Friday night, we went to the art show downtown after spending the morning setting up our cars.

I decided to pair my newest Vintage Hobo Loves Louis bag with a $15 amazon score. This top is super versatile and you can easily dress it up or down. You know me... its gotta transition and it has to go in the washer AND the dryer if its going to make it into any regular rotation. Link to top: http://amzn.to/2eyrj23

Vintage Boho Loves Louis is an awesome company on the central coast of California who takes only authentic Louis Vuitton bag and customizes them with a vintage/western flare. You can't see it here but mine has amazing fringe all along the bottom. Yo…

Vintage Boho Loves Louis is an awesome company on the central coast of California who takes only authentic Louis Vuitton bag and customizes them with a vintage/western flare. You can't see it here but mine has amazing fringe all along the bottom. You can shop similar crossbodies on their site here: https://www.vintageboholoveslouis.com/product/louis-vuitton-st-cloud-gm-with-chocolate-fringe/

 

On Saturday Dom and I escaped for an hour and got some lunch and some time in the A/C - I changed into a t-shirt and was able to freshen up my make up - felt like a new woman afterwards!

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Saturday night we decided to hit the town and enjoyed a nice Italian dinner in downtown Ventura. If you find yourself in downtown Ventura be sure to check out Cafe Fiore. Thanks to the Timehop app we also realized that it was 4 years to the day that my husband and I met our now best friends Jay and Bev Dean!

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Pre- dinner air conditioning cuddles with my husband, again wearing an awesome amazon find - this one has the cold shoulder vibe mixed with a halter. It was a nice breezy option for a warm evening. It comes in like 10 colors and will set you back $19. You can shop it here: http://amzn.to/2wzgSp2

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We packed a ton into the 3 days we were out of town, so thankful for an extra day off to recharge.

Are you an unpack and do all the laundry as soon as you get home kind of person or do you let it hang out in the garage in your suitcase for a while?

Hurricane Harvey, how you can help!

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
— - Mr Rogers

I've written before about how this quote, from the one and only, Mr. Rogers has comforted me in times of chaos and disaster. Hurricane Harvey has been no different. I am not sure if its that I am a bit older, a bit wiser, a bit more comfortable in my socioeconomic status, if its my deep rooted love for all things Texas, but this time feels different. I can't not help. 

I am overwhelmed by the images coming out of Texas, not only of the massive destruction but also, the helpers. The miles and miles of trucks with boats, the semi trucks being loaded up with supplies in states across the country, the online campaigns by those of us near and far.

We are the helpers.

I have personally donated to several organizations (with lots of research to make sure its going to what they say its going to...) and have compiled a list of organizations that can use our help right now. 

If you cannot donate --volunteer -- if you cannot volunteer -- share information. 

 The American Red Cross (this link goes directly to the fund earmarked for Harvey)

The Texas Diaper Bank  (Did you know shelters do not provide diapers?!!??)

The USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund (who is spreading resources and donations to other local organizations such as the Houston SPCA) 

Austin Pets Alive (helping on the ground as well as clearing shelters to make space for displaced pets)

Edited 9:30am 8/30/17 to add: 

Dont have cash to donate, clean out your closet and send clean & in good condition clothing items to Southside Skatepark in Houston - link to their insta for more info: https://www.instagram.com/southsidehtx/?hl=en

Shop at www.metalmarvels.com and 100% of proceeds go to Austin Pets Alive through Thursday (seriously the most bad ass bangles and accessories and all the proceeds go to help, why aren't you ordering now???)

I am sure there are tons of other awesome organizations out there, if you have one you think should be added to this list please shoot me an email or leave a comment below so others can find the information! 

Stay safe out there Texas, 

XOXO | SLL 

I believe in you.

I am a big believer of things coming to you right when you need them. This morning while driving to work I decided to forgo my normal podcast/talk radio/news and just hit random on my Pandora. I'm noticing more and more how the chatter even if well intended can throw me off in the mornings. 

Don Williams had just the message I needed this morning (and if I didnt lose you over the weekend with my hatred of pumpkin spice anything, I might today with my excessive devotion to classic country) in the lyrics of "I Believe in You". 

I believe in you. 

Such simple words, but how often do we hear that from others? Do we ever say it to ourselves? 

If not, you should. And if you haven't heard it lately - I, Stephanie Lynn Lassalle, believe in YOU. 

 

xoxo| SLL

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