Stormborn

So tonight is the season six finale of Game of Thrones and then we'll have to wait a long winter for new episodes. #SadDay Can the Starks hold Winterfell? Has Khaleesi overthrown the masters once and for all? Is Margery plotting something? Are the six million subplots and conspiracy theories known to those who have read the books taking shape?

So I wrote a long while back about my Aunt Gloria who is an amazingly talented artist whose iron and gold jewelry was selected for the Khaleesi on Game of Thrones. Such a cool achievement and line on a resume! Gloria is way too diverse to be defined by just a couple pieces she's made but when we started to notice cheap knock-offs of the Khleesi ring and bracelet being sold on Etsy, we encouraged her to make more of the real thing so that fans would have an opportunity to have something truly special. Well, that's easier said than done --- like all her art, the jewelry is typically bespoke, one-off pieces that are hand-forged and often experimental. To recreate multiples of the same ring and bracelet involved a long process of creating a mold, making each piece by hand, and individually finishing each one. A limited edition of 100 rings and bangles as worn by Daenerys herself is available here.

But I don't want to just give you a sales pitch because it's really not necessary. Her work is beautiful, she is the kindest and most generous soul --- and especially if you're a fan of the show, the opportunity to wear something integral to such an iconic character speaks for itself.

Since my cancer diagnosis, Gloria, like so many family and friends, has been a truly wonderful support, staying in touch even a world away and constantly offering inspiration, humor, compassion, and motivation. When she told me I had a package on the way, I was half surprised --- it certainly wasn't necessary and I know how much trouble it can be to mail something from London. And when I opened the box to find this inside, I was truly touched.

I don't mean to make this all about me, but.... well it is my blog. It's such an honor that she would send me No. 1 of 100. Everything that this symbolizes is incredibly special to me.

You can see the hallmark and number 001 inside.

Which brings me to this --- Daenerys Targaryen is my cancer spirit animal.

Each piece will be unique in its finish. 

She is born in the midst of a battle and a raging storm, just like I started this new chapter of the rest of my life in the middle of a battle my body had been waging against me without my knowing. She has to fight for her place in the world against those who doubt her, just like I am fighting for my place in this world against all the statistics, averages, and educated opinions who say that this is all but an impossible goal. She is compassionate and empathetic but committed to justice and ruthless against her enemies and well, this cancer is my enemy and deserves nothing but the absolute worst we can deliver, right?

It looks heavy and definitely feels substantial but it's totally wearable. 

And finally, she is the Mother of Dragons. Before Milo was born Enrique picked out a little stuffed dragon for him, with chewy parts and a rattle. Milo takes it in the car with him every time and I hear him shaking it in the backseat while I drive. When we were planning his first Halloween costume we decided he must be a dragon because he is so spirited and feisty, and I wore a "Mother of Dragons" shirt to go with it. E told me a few months ago that Milo is my fight --- his strong, stubborn, amazing little personality represents all the strength, faith fuel and yes, stubbornness that I am bringing to this cancer battle war. Not only does he represent how I will fight, but he IS the why I fight. A mother does not flee without her children.

ahhhhh he was such a baby!

So basically, get your hands on these incredible pieces of wearable art. Especially now while the UK is still part of the EU because who knows how shipping and importing and such will work after that all goes down....?!?!  And, if you're listening cancer, don't underestimate me because I might speak softly or am usually pretty easygoing... because I'm not going to stop the wheel, I'm going to break the wheel. 

Oh, and happy viewing of the Season Six Finale! Here's hoping Jon Snow's #manbun is here to stay.


Seven Blessings to all of you,

A Dress for All Seasons

Disclaimer: This is my first clothing-related post and I'm definitely not a fashion blogger, so please be nice and we'll see how this goes...

Hadn't really planned on making not one but two Valentine's Day-related-ish posts but as I browsed my closet I thought I'd pay homage to the $4 thrift store find that became my go-to outfit this past year.

Yep. I had coveted this dress in Target last spring but at like, $27 (I'm cheap) I figured I'd wait for it to inevitably go to the clearance rack in a couple weeks. But then I found it on an impromptu trip to Salvation Army (on our little birthday weekend getaway, of all things). I think everything in the store was 50% off for Memorial Day and this still had the Target tags on it. Consider it snatched up with about three minutes to spare before closing time.

Here is is just basic, though the belt is my own addition because it just felt like it fit better than hanging on me, especially with my short stubby legs! I've often thrown a chambray blazer on over it, or a Levi's jacket would be really cute. I love the print, sweetheart neckline and zipper going up the back.

I also hadn't really planned to wear it for three holidays but life has a funny way of working out, right? It also became my uniform for a baby shower, birthday party, sorority recruitment and a Baptism. Dresses that pull overtime duty are my friend. And styled just a little bit differently each time, I think it managed to work for each of these occasions. I mean, being red it's an obvious choice for the Fourth of July, Christmas and Valentine's Day, especially when the print looks like fireworks, snowflakes or little daisies, depending on the context.


For the Fourth of July I wore it with white and blue and what I thought was kind of country/All-American looking...

And for Christmas I wore a black t-shirt and jacket over it (with a small, skinny belt underneath to hold the t-shirt in place and keep the shape of the skirt) along with black tights and booties.

Finally for Valentine's Day I added cream tights and my much-loved creamy motorcycle jacket... I love something sweet and girlie with this traditionally tough-looking jacket on top. Oh, and a flower... I mean is there anything more romantic than flowers in your hair? #HippieAtHeart

So thanks for bearing with me.... I'm not a professional anything --- stylist, photographer, lighting expert, model, etc... --- by any means, so I fully understand this is very amatuer hour... but I do know how to work with what I got. So there's three ways that one very real person got a really bargain to work for three seperate occasions using things already in her closet.

The Little Red Dress That Could

Was this at all interesting or helpful? Would more posts like this be welcome, or does it just add to the noise of a million other bloggers who already do this and do it better? Either way I thought it was kind of fun :) And who is planning something cute to wear for Valentine's Day? I think we're staying home since the new season of House of Cards is out on Friday but maybe we'll do something festive over the weekend (if we do go out for Valentine's Day it's usually to Burger Lounge or something!).

Happy Valentine's Day and Outfit-Picking!