Hey everyone! Sorry for being silent last this week!
You may recognize this dress from the post I did recently showing you my updated office. Although it already got some airtime, I wanted to do a post showcasing it because I love it so much! Seriously, I got it about a month ago and have worn it at least 10 times.
What I love about this dress is it's a great transitional piece. It still has a wonderful, spring/summer floral print, but the darker colors (and cute polka dot accent), make it perfect for fall. I plan to wear this all season long, and will be pairing it with opaque tights and booties.
Shirt dresses are also a great way to stay comfortable all day long. They can be dressed up or down, and the material that they're made out of is usually pretty breathable. I've rounded up my top ten shirt dresses below, and they're all under $100!
October is definitely my favorite month of the year, and always has been since as long as I can remember. What I love most about it is the weather starts to cool off, and the leaves begin to change color. Plus, who doesn't love the sound of leaves crunching under their feet? I used to love racking the leaves and jumping in them, but now I can't really get away with that.
October also has my favorite holiday ever - Halloween! The candy and costumes have always been fun, but in the last several years, Halloween has become an important holiday to me personally and philanthropically.
Philanthropy has been a big part of my life since I was a child. Both of my parents, as well as the schools I attended, bestowed in me the importance of giving back. From volunteering, to monetary donations, or just donating regularly to Goodwill, I know every little bit counts. I love this quote by Melinda Gates, "Philanthropy is not about the money. It's about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world."
As I've gotten older, I have discovered charities/non-profits on my own that I have become passionate about dedicating my time to. I really encourage everyone, if you don't already, to take the time to do this - it will be more rewarding than you know. Getting the opportunity to add a glimmer of light to someone who is suffering, make a donation towards the advancement of care, or simply put food in someone's belly, is incredibly rewarding.
Okay, so you're wondering what does all this have to do with why I love October and Halloween? Because, the organization that I have become heavily involved with that is near and dear to my heart is the Arthritis Foundation. You've probably heard me mention them quite often on the blog.
I became involved with the AF while I lived in San Francisco, and shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with arthritis (you can read about my journey here). When I found out we would be moving to Houston, I quickly got in touch with/involved with the organization here. Little did I know that the annual charity gala hosted by the Arthritis Foundation in Houston (as well as other cities), was a Halloween party called the Bone Bash! I was on cloud 9! Hence, my increased love affair with October.
This year, I am co-chairing the event with two of my fellow board members, and I couldn't be more excited. Countless hours have gone into meticulously fine tuning and planning every detail, and I can't wait to see all of our hard work come to fruition. The gala continues to grow every year, and especially in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, I am so excited that the event has nearly sold out. Houstonians love their city and are great at giving back, so there is no better place to be to continue enriching my philanthropic journey.
The event this year will take place on Saturday, October 21st, and if you're interested, you can get all the details here. The theme is "Havana Nights," and lets just say I may have gone a bit overboard on my costume. I can't wait for you guys to see it - did I mention it's coming from Germany?!?!
You can also check out my post-event recap from last year here.
If you're wondering why this outfit seems a bit 'unseasonable,' that's because it is. I shot this look the week before Harvey hit Houston at the end of August. New York Fashion Week came and went, and I still had some summer greats to share with you. I tried to pick it back up, and recognized that "seasons" aren't a part of the Houston vocabulary (because it's always so hot,) so I was excited to share this easy sheath dress with you.
When I woke up yesterday (Monday), the day got off with a difficult start due to the news of the tragedy that happened in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers are with the people, and families that are affected by this senseless act of violence. I feel a bit insensitive to take this opportunity to share an outfit post, so instead what I will share with you is something I read today, "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty" - Mahatma Gandhi. Continue to pray for everyone.
I know this blog is read for fashion advice and tips, so I have linked all my outfit details below, and everything is under $100. If you have any sizing questions, please let me know.
