Seeing Spots
So, if you’ve been reading along, you know that this past Saturday was Moving Day for me. And while I THOUGHT I was well-prepared, on that last afternoon before moving day I did get a little panicked at the realization of all that was left to do before the movers arrived early the next morning. So of COURSE, on this SAME day, I started seeing flashes of bright white light out of the corner of my right eye, and was having weird curtain-like floaters waving across my right eyeball.
If any of you use the flashing light notification on your cell phone for incoming messages, that’s what the flashes looked like. In fact, at our morning meeting, I thought it WAS my cell phone…and by the end of the meeting I was feeling a little frantic about all the texts I was apparently getting. But when the group broke up I picked up my phone and there was nothing there. Hmm. Odd. Stupid phone. It wasn’t til later when I stopped at the Dollar Store to get some shower curtain rings that I saw the flashing again and was like, Oh. That’s ME.
Later, in a little packing break, I asked some friends online (I tried not to ask Google first because we all know how THAT goes – YOU’RE DYING!!!), but it wasn’t much better with friends cuz they were like YOU’RE GOING BLIND!!! Okay, maybe not QUITE that dramatic, but close! The advice was to go to walk-in urgent care and get it checked out because it might be a torn retina (at that point, I did consult Google and she agreed). Great advice. Which I ignored. I had movers coming at 8:30 the next morning and I’m Just Me. I’m all there is. I couldn’t leave this job in anyone else’s hands. So I kept packing and flashing and floating. With the promise to them that if it got worse, I would go to urgent care.
Fortunately, it did not get worse, it pretty much stayed the same and I survived the move, vision intact. I did make an appt for Monday with an opthalmologist, which I went to yesterday and while he saw some thinning of the retina, there is no tear. By that point the flashes had all but stopped and the curtain floaters were fewer and further between. He did tell me I have cataracts in both eyes, which, huh?? I thought that was an old person thing. I’m not an old person! How can this be? Sigh. I go back in three weeks for a follow-up.
In the meantime, I have discovered some magical light at the new place and was inspired to do a quick photo shoot when I got home from work Monday afternoon. I was wearing, appropriately enough, a polka dot top (eye problems, seeing spots, is it all becoming clear now?).
The top is a Gwynnie Bee rental from E-Shakti, which, if you don’t know about this online shop, you should. You pick anything from their very generous online catalog – and so you know, they customize sizes from 0-36 – talk about being size inclusive! Then for a small fee of $9.95, you customize the item of your choice. Sleeves, waist, length, neckline. Adore a cute scoop-neck sleeveless mini dress but you’re feeling a little demure? Change it to an elbow-length, jewel-neck, midi-length dress! It’s really an amazing concept. The clothing is lovely to begin with, but to be able to customize it to exactly your size and style specifications?? Priceless.
Since this was a rental obviously it was not customized to my specifications, but it was still a nice fit. A generous fit. And I thought it was really cute over white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans with a camel Old Navy duster-length cardigan.
And truly, the real star of this show is THAT LIGHT! Don’t look at ME. Look BEHIND me. I’m so pleased to have a really nice outdoor spot to shoot. Afterwards, I sat outside for a bit and watched the sun drop below the hill across the pond and the sky turn pinky orange and then dusky blue.
And so ends my tale of spots and dots and magical light. I think the new place is growing on me a bit.
What I Wore:
- eShakti Asymmetric Hem Polka Dot Top, size 24. Currently only available through Gwynnie Bee. Comparable here and here
- Old Navy Camel Cardigan. No longer available. Comparable here and here.
- Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda tapered jeans in Crystal White. Size 22W.
- New Balance Arishi mesh trainers
Photos by moi!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
jodie filogomo
Your new area is absolutely fantastic…you look like you’re in the woods with a lake nearby. I bet you have a plethora of little animals scurrying about.
My husband gets optical migraines, that almost sound like your experience. But if your doc didn’t say that, then ignore me.
As for the cataracts….it’s an easy fix. A ton of my friends have had it done!! No worries, just solutions!!
And I love the idea of that e-Shakti…then you don’t have to worry about alterations as much. It’s like having my mom make you the item…ha ha!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Maybe “Mom” is Eshakti in disguise! Or wait, that should be the other way around. Ignore me, I don’t know what I’m saying. It’s been a long hard week.
julia
Ok, I’m glad your eye issue is healing itself. I gotta think some of it might have been stress related too. And if this is your new photo shoot location that is convenient and close to home then super yay! It’s a gorgeous backdrop and I see you have some interesting props like a stucco wall and stone fence/ledge whatever. Ooooh, fun!
bettyewp
It *is* nice to have a pretty photo spot right outside my door, although right now, listening to the wind, I don’t even want to go right outside the door! And I need to shoot outfits for this week. Ahh, the blogger life 🙂
Sarah
Agree whatever was going on with your eye was probably exacerbated by stress. Cataracts through?? That’s annoying. Love that gorgeous light and lovely shorting area. Can’t wait to see what you do there! Also, I’m a sucker for polka dots – love the top.
bettyewp
Yeah, the old apartment had more natural light overall, but this place has *prettier* light, I guess just due to window placement and orientation. I’m thinking about what items to place where to make good use of that light. Like early morning in the bathroom, there’s a pretty spot where I think I can fit a petite dresser with some sort of colored glass jar(s) on top.
Cataracts! I’m too young for cataracts! And yet….
Heather
That’s what migraines are like for me! My doctor prescribed me a sedative with caffeine and acetaminophen to take when I get them. Computer screens, fluorescent lights, and stress are my triggers. I hope you’re feeling better!
bettyewp
A sedative with caffeine? That seems so counter-productive. But I guess the concern is the migraine not the sleeplessness. Do you get them regularly? I know people who do and they’re just miserable 🙁
Daenel T.
Yikes! I’ve had ocular migraines and they’re similar to what you describe. I also went blind in one eye and TWO days later I went to the doctor. That was how I found out about ocular migraines. Yeah, don’t be me. LOL
You’re wearing one of my favorite color combinations – black, tan, and white. It just looks so classy to me.
bettyewp
Ooh, blind in an eye would drive me STRAIGHT to the dr. There are few things I fear more than that. Take a limb before my sight. Take two!
Nancy
Wasn’t it the stress of the move? And are you happy in your new place? The outside area looks fabulous!
bettyewp
I don’t know, he didn’t say anything stress or any kind of migraines (as others have mentioned).
I’m still getting the feel for the new place. I have only unpacked the bare essentials so far and have been living in that “where is my ____” limbo for the past week. This weekend I’ll try to do more in the kitchen and bathroom. The living room is sort of waiting to see what sofa I end up with. Sofa choice will dictate what other furniture I’m keeping and where it will go…and I don’t want to load things up only to have to unload to sell or move them.
I always have plans and justifications for my procrastination 🙂