Wind in my sails

So I started writing this post yesterday (Wednesday) when the wind truly was heinous... now it's calmed down to a gentle spring breeze. Nonetheless, here's my rant on Wyoming's wind invasion and how I'm really just jonesin' for summer and a new bikini...

I'm not sure what's going on here in NoCo (northern Colorado), but Wyoming has invaded... if you're not from 'round these parts, that translates to chilly hurricane-gale winds. Don't even bother doing your hair. Glancing outside, it's all sunny and blues skies, making you think "yay, spring!" but upon stepping outside you immediately regret not grabbing a fleece... YUCK. It's May - I don't want to wear boots and sweaters and scarves anymore, y'all. And if any of you know me even a smidgen, you know I'm a summer girl to the core. So, I'm going to channel the SoCal sunshine some of you lovelies whom I blog-stalk (Maegan, Lizzy, Mrs. Swede, to name a few...) have been making me green with envy about, and put together one of those fun summer fashion wish lists... yanno, for when the real summer weather shows up.

I've decided that my 4-year old bikini needs an upgrade. It's holding up quite well for being a boutique Target purchase many moons ago. I do love it - it's a classic triangle li'l number, chocolate brown with real seashells sewn onto it and it would fit perfectly with the tribal theme that is all the rage right now - but I've decided to switch gears and go with one of my all-time fave classic styles: nautical!

I'm dreaming of navy blues stripes, anchor prints and top-siders as my pool uniform this summer. Here are some internet finds inspiring my hunt for the perfect ensemble...

Ahoy there Roxy!

The price is right on these Payless pretties. Espadrilles are my fave summer sandal of. all. time.

I'm having a helluva time finding a nautical/sailor-inspired bikini. I just spent that last couple of hours perusing the interwebs and am quite frustrated. How do you fashion blogging gals do this?? Oy, not my forte. I'm not a endurance shopper in real life (I crap out after a couple hours, typically crabby and ready for food), and I guess the same goes for the 'webs, too. But! I did find this, which is PERFECT...

Nautica

... except... *le sigh*... there are a couple dilemmas. Numero uno, it's $64 for just the top. Um, not exactly in my budget. Numero dos, the smallest top size they have is an 8. Uhhh, yeah, my tiny ta-tas are not quite an 8. Sooo... a little help?? If any of you online shopping mavericks could point me to some sites with bikinis similar to the one above with a lower price tag, I would be eternally grateful!! I'll bake you cookies. And maybe send you a present ;)

23 days 'til the pools open here in NoCo!!

xoxo
J

Grumpy to be grumpy

Twas a rough week. I won't go into details, but my heart was definitely pulled through the ringer and I am tired. Oh life. The fact that we're in the middle of cold, gray, ugly winter doesn't help... I try really hard to stay positive, but who am I kidding? I really hate winter. I'm cold all the time. It's grey and ugly. All I can think about are 90-degree days, sundresses and my bike. The blues are right on my doorstep, threatening to break down the door. It's the hardest time of the year for me. Once New Years is over, I'd be more than happy to skip right to April.

I've been fighting all week to stubbornly focus on the silver linings in my life. For one thing, it's not my nature to wear grumpy pants. They're too tight and itchy. I get so much joy from just living, most of time. Also, my life is blessed beyond all kinds of ridicularity and I know this. I feel so guilty when I get the blues because I know there are people in this world that have it much, much worse than I do. I have my health, I have my family nearby, I have an amazing circle of friends, my job is steady, I don't fear for my life whenever I walk out my front door (I have friends from places in the world where said safety is non-existent), I get to do what I love, I get to have crazy adventures with said friends doing things that I love... it makes me grumpy to be so grumpy, argh!

So! The silver linings!

Seeing my dance friends. We get serious separation anxiety during breaks. The initial greetings to each other after a time apart is a bit embarrassing... for others. You'd think we were separated by years and oceans... nope, just a few weeks.

Encouraging text messages from friends.

Reading and journaling next to a fire place.

My physical therapist. She's a miracle worker.

Kicking my own booty at the gym. And the dance studio.

Temps in the 40s yesterday and today. Such a welcome break from the bitter cold.

Dance projects! Oh, the dance projects I have coming up!! Nothing centers me more than immersing myself in my art/work/calling.

Making and executing plans to overhaul some areas of my life this year. Exciting!!

That's all I can think of right now. I know there were more, but that's a good running list so far. The fact that today is Friday doesn't hurt a bit, either. Here's to the weekend and more silver linings!

xoxo

J