Happy (Kind of) Anniversary to Me
I’m writing this on April 9…which would have been my 30th wedding anniversary. We were only married 8 years, though we were together, on and off, for 7 years before that. I remember the wedding day like it was yesterday. And while the marriage didn’t work out, I will say, he’s the best ex-husband ever. And no, I don’t think he’s reading this, ha ha, but his sister(s) might be! So, Happy Would-Have-Been 30 Year Anniversary to us…for doing better together SINCE the marriage than we ever really did DURING.
I know I’m very fortunate.
I just want to give credit where it’s due (and I’ve told him this). It saddens me that the vast majority of break-ups end up in anger, hatred or total avoidance. You were once in love with that person. It’s heartbreaking to hear of couples moving so far in opposite directions that they can barely speak or be civil to one another. Certainly, I understand how it happens – lines are crossed, things are said, etc. But still…it’s sad.
Relationships are certainly one of life’s greatest challenges. Sigh.
Wow, I am really randomly chatty this week! On to the outfit!
I confess I did not actually wear this dress anywhere. It’s a Gwynnie Bee dress and I’d hoped for it for dinner dance two weeks back, but it didn’t come in time for that. I would have worn it to work this week but it was still a little cool for bare legs, SO…it’s going back, having never been outside this apartment. I just like to point out when I share outfits that I didn’t actually wear out and about.
Then, for a list of weirdo Bettye reasons that I will not bore you with (you’re welcome), shooting inside seemed the best option, even though I don’t really like shooting inside. At least the camera did a good job with the icky overhead lighting, but I’m still waiting to take it out for a fun test drive.
And in other exciting news: I have a little clip in my hair! It only works on the one side, there’s too much hair on the other side, but…HAIRSTYLING OPTIONS ARE IN MY FUTURE!!! I’m very excited. It would be So Good if I could do a teeny tiny ponytail by the time the hot weather really gets here.
So, the dress. It’s a lightweight, stretchy fit and flare style with pretty bell sleeves from Connected Apparel, a brand I only know from Gwynnie Bee. Paisley is a favorite print of mine, and this, while a dark background, has pretty colors in the print – salmony pink and aqua blue. I wore some of my turquoise jewelry, and all that was missing was a delicate necklace to rest in the v-neckline. For a little more covered-up, smoothed-over look, I added my fine knit black duster from Old Navy. And I wore my comfy off-road flats from Taryn Rose.
It’s Janey approved.
What I Wore:
- Connected Apparel Chiffon Sleeve Paisley Dress, size 22, via Gwynnie Bee. Comparable here.
- Old Navy Fine-Gauge Black Long-line Open-Front Cardigan, size 2x.
- Taryn Rose flats. This particular style is no longer available, but check out their selection if you’re looking for a comfortable shoe, because besides my comfy sneakers, these are the most luxuriously padded flats I have ever worn. This is a more casual style I’m looking at. It comes in black and blush pink.
- Turquoise bead bracelet was a gift from the mother of a student where I work, the year I was sick.
Photos by me.
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Clover
Your posts are always fun to read, and they make me wish we lived near, so we could hang out! 🙂 (and I could maybe pet Janey!) =^..^=
Yes! to being good to one another after a split. I remember the first time I heard of someone doing that, I was stunned—-I thought, “Wait a minute… You can *do* that?!” So glad y’all are able to be kind and have a positive relationship.
You are beautiful and that dress is really pretty on you. And those flats! I want to find some!
Your hair inspires me. I buzzed mine a little over a year ago and am now in the ever-so-awkward phases of growing out thick, curly hair. Eeesh…lots of deep breaths and reminders that it is growing, even when it seems to have been the same length for months. 🙂
Thank you for another interesting post!
bettyewp
Janey “does” love to be petted. She ACTS like she is terrified of everyone…until they sit on the sofa…and then you are all hers.
I wish *everyone* could have a kind and positive relationship? Why is it So Hard? I think it’s what most of us WANT…why does it seem practically impossible to achieve??
These shoes – they’re by Taryn Rose, but I’m starting to see a couple other brands with the same “off-road” look, I don’t know if they’re AS comfortable, these have the greatest padding inside. And I know they’re kind of ugly with that wide tread, but I think that wide base of support is part of what makes them so comfortable.
I think I’ve been fortunate with my hair growing out. I haven’t really had a bad phase…YET. I think it’s coming this summer when it gets hot and I can’t get it off me…and then it will just curl up like it does when I’m sweaty. and not in a good way. My last trim (maybe 3 weeks ago?) was the first in over 6 months, so I really just let it go. And when I went I said to her, JUST the bangs and the very back against my neck…and she still trimmed the top! Why do they do that? It’s hard to even tell WHAT they’re doing…and suddenly that hair is shorter and you know it’s going to be MONTHS before it’s back to where it was. Ugh. And I really like her, but…this was unfortunate. I think I would have been much more prepared for hot weather had she left the top alone.
Thanks for visiting and for your nice comments, Clover!
Chris jargowsky
Happy sister anniversary. I/we love you tremendously. I absolutely love the dress. Fantastic pattern and cut/style.
bettyewp
Thanks, Chrissy!
julia
I like the random chattiness Bettye! Really! You say the same to me and I don’t believe you but it is true. How nice to still keep loved ones in your life. The dress is really pretty. I know you are probably thinking how many dresses does one need? but it has a pretty neckline and classic pattern. I love your little fairy lights too. Ok, gotta go before my electricity goes out in 19 minutes!
bettyewp
Why is your electricity going out in 19 minutes??
bettyewp
The dress was already sent back 🙂 There are other things I need before a “not casual everyday” dress. A bag! Shoes! Pansies! 🙂
Hope your electricity comes back soon.
Heather Taylor
I love these photos. I really like the way you set up that discarded door! I love a good trash treasure. That dress really suits you, too; it’s colorful, but not ostentatious.
bettyewp
Yeah, that door is really a prized possession of mine. Sad to think it will not make the “will it fit in my car” cut when I eventually relocate.
Karen
Love your post about close relationships–lots to think about. Your kind and forgiving attitude has to be good for your health too!
Also love your pretty hair style, and the beautiful paisley dress! It looks great on you!
Wish you could have worn it out somewhere but a pleasure to wear it at home and take pictures of it to share with all of us. Lots more people will likely see it that way anyway!
bettyewp
Yeah, it was sorta fun dressing up for Janey 🙂
il bello di essere donna
mi piace questo vestito
bettyewp
Grazie!
Jodie
You’re SO right. I’m so glad my dad and mom were always civil to each other, which is why Nancy and my mom get along. It really makes life so much easier. Besides having hatred in our lives is not good even for our physical being. It really does affect us!!
As for the hair clips…I have a couple I love but forget to wear them!! It’s fun!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Yes, very nice when “everyone just gets along”! I know it can’t always be so, but…it’s nice when it happens.
I’ve wanted to try some cute headband/wrap type things. I think they’re so cute on other people. but I don’t feel I do “cute” well. Maybe I’ll do a simple one and just practice wearing it at the market 🙂
Daenel T.
First of all, I loooooove your apartment. It’s so me. If you ever decide to turn to interior decorating or want to vacation in Louisiana…
Second, I agree with you on the ex thing. My husband, his ex-wife, and I were all friends until she passed away. Her mother calls me her daughter-in-law and her sisters call me their sister. We still attend their family events… We raised a daughter together and my husband and my kids stayed with my husband’s ex-wife’s family. We loved our kids that much. It was about trust and respect.
bettyewp
I’d love to visit Lousiana sometime! I’ve never even been to New Orleans! I don’t know how good a decorator I am, I just have some cool stuff…and gravitate towards certain kinds of spaces 🙂
Glad to hear about your “EX-tended family” (see what I did there??). So nice when we can all just get along.
Iris
Well, if the dress is “Janey approved” it must be pretty nice 🙂 Actually, I liked it too.
You’re right about most breakups. It’s great that yours wasn’t a bad one. I think much depends on the circumstances that caused it. Abuse is one that would make it difficult to remain friends.
Your pictures are good ones – I still love the ‘fairy lights’.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Obviously, abuse is a deal breaker…but the same principle applies…you once loved one another, and now it’s turned to abuse? Especially heartbreaking 🙁