{Written while looking for pumpkin-themed crafts for the non-crafty (me!) on Pinterest} My dear readers who are parents know how absolutely exciting and sacred date night can be. It can feel like a holiday to take a little break from the rigors of everyday life--in my case involving two very busy working parents-- and just relax a little. Sometimes it can tend to feel like too much pressure to plan something ahhmazing. You feel compelled to take these 3 or 4 hours and cram in every little thing you've been wanting to do-- Dinner! Movies! Walk around Laguna! Watch stuff on the DVR! Shop! (this suggestion only comes from me😉) And then you feel alternately like maybe you ought to take this rare window of child free time and be productive ... Grocery shop! Laundry! Closet organizing! Here is something I've learned about "date night"-- the wheres and the whats don't matter. You are together and so long as you focus on each other, no matter what you are doing, it will be perfect. We have at least one date night set aside every month where we get dressed up and sometimes, we will go to a Cinepolis (those movie theaters that serve dinner and coffee and like, warm cookies!) and we can sit next to each other, whisper a little, and get a dinner and a movie in simultaneously (I'm all about time management!) and after, grab a little fro yo and call it a night. And that works for us. Sometimes, my daughter might be with her grandparents for a few hours and we will just order dinner in, and watch a movie on the couch with no phone or social media interruptions. Once my daughter goes to sleep during the week, we might have 2 hours max of time together ( and we both have laptops on our lap working :( before we head upstairs to bed and we actually spend most of that talking. (Well. I talk, and talk and talk and talk. He listens!) So for us, date night is not as much about communicating (because we do a pretty good job at that) as it is an opportunity to shut the laptop, put down our phones and be a couple. On Friday night, for example, we went after work and looked at the outside of a new house we are thinking about and then sat at dinner afterwards over Mexican food and mapped out all of the things we wanted to do it and how to decorate- which was so so fun! What makes you and your love happy and content and fulfilled? Anything that makes you feel like a couple, a team, a unit, a family is so healthy, I believe. Just do it. The feelings matter more than the place.. . and I love that. I'm a person who thrives and blossoms in a team-type environment (I play doubles tennis, and I work at a large firm because I enjoy collaborating and strategizing and brainstorming) and marriage, with its ups and downs and in betweens, is an institution I have grown to respect and admire and love. But it's work and you work at it. And I also think the longer you are married, the smoother things become.
The other problem we find is that family time is precious and sometimes, we don't really want to leave our daughter on the weekends. But I've realized that I am happier and more content when I strike a balance – – when I find time for me, time for my family, and then time for my husband and I. And I suppose that is what I would like to impart to you, dearest reader-- to try and ignore what everyone else is doing and to find your own brand of happiness. Whatever that might be, it is just right. Right? Give time to each other-- focused and uninterrupted-- and it will always be worth it!
So about this look... This little skirt I am wearing is from Red Fox Clothes and I bought it from their cute little boutique in Corona del Mar. Thank goodness it's still going to be hot for a while because it's adorable. It's the softest cotton and so comfy. I've had this one shoulder tank top forever and I brought along this long cashmere cardigan that I bought about four years ago and wear all the time. I'm telling you, investment pieces (when done right) really will last forever. And this bag is my Riveter bag (which I posted about on Instagram) that is made by spouses of active US military, using recycled parts from tents and other material. I have equal parts compassion and pride for our military families and there is not much I wouldn't do for them! Alright dearests, hope your weekend is incredible! Thank you for stopping by, as always! It truly means the world! Sweetly, Michelle
Skirt: Here || Top (similar): Here || Shoes: || Sweater: Here|| Purse: ||
