Pep Talk & an $8 dress

It's that time of year again. No, it's not a jolly 'oliday with Mary. (I might be the only one on the inside of that joke.) It's the end of the school year. The end of the school year brings with it bucket loads of stress for so many people. I find myself wanting to throat punch students who obnoxiously whine (is there any other kind?) because they have to study since they didn't pay attention the first fifty times their teachers covered the material that will now end up on their exams. Teachers are spread thin with exam creation, make-up work from students who should've had better sense to complete it sooner, frantic, my-kid-has-to-earn-an-A parents, and all other sorts of nonsense. I used to be type A, but I've taught myself to just say, "whatever. It'll get done." I've probably tacked ten years back onto my life by adopting this mindset. The truth is that I know that I won't accomplish things any quicker by stressing about them. In fact, I'm the kind of person who's paralyzed by stress. (I'm aware that some of you are fueled by it, and I sure do feel sorry for you.) If I feel overwhelmed, I shut down. To avoid this tragic outcome, I take a few deep breaths and remind myself, "It's cool. It'll get done, Danielle. You always get it done." Good pep talk, self. 

I think we so desperately want to please everyone--our bosses, our kids, our students, our clients, our spouses, our parents, our friends, our whatever--that we leave nearly no room for ourselves. When that happens, almost no one gets the best of who we can be. We say yes so often that we sometimes cannot remember what we've said yes to doing. As a result, tasks remain undone and favors end up forgotten. Later, we kick ourselves for not being good enough when the problem is not our being good enough; it's our taking on too much because we care so much. Whoever said "I can only please one person a day and today is just not your day" is probably off drinking a delicious beverage with an umbrella in it because they've figured it all out in a way most of us have not. (I'd stereotype and say that "us" really means women, but I know that would be unfair. A lot of dudes are the same way. I guess.) 

Here's the thing: no is one of the first words we overuse as toddlers and one of the first words we don't say enough as adults. To save your sanity, improve one of your relationships, get more sleep, or feel less cranky, I challenge all of you to reteach yourself the word that two-year-old you was so wise to love.

And on to the real reason you visit me here at this little ol' blog. My awesome fashion sense. 

My husband decided to take a selfie first. 

Based on my wardrobe choices, I'm pretty sure my favorite colors are yellow and blue. I can't stop wearing them.  

I think this bow completes the entire ensemble.

The following image freaked me out on Google+ (when did it start making these!?), so I'm freaking you out, too. I feel like the image's soundbite should say, "WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

The Outfit:

Dress: Target for $8 on the clearance rack

(I own it in black and stripes. IT HAS POCKETS.)

Flats: Nine West via Marshall's

Belt: New York & Co.

Blazer: Express

Arrow necklace: Stella and Dot

Bow clip: Forever 21

While taking these pictures, Jeff exclaimed, "you need a tan." Thank you for the vote of confidence, sweet husband of mine. 

Linking up here, here, and here.