“The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.” Isak Dinesen

If any quote encompasses the past three weeks, it’s been this.

Work was tough, especially last week. I won’t lie: there were a few days that I came home, plopped on the couch and cried. I was tired and frustrated and scared. While I really enjoy what I do, it’s difficult to work long hours and feel like that’s not enough. Or to find out that a marathon week was made incredibly longer because someone failed to plan accordingly. Or to realize that, despite best efforts to stay calm and collected and professional, someone can disrupt that zen-like calm with an angry outburst.

In the midst of this craziness, on one of the worst days, B convinced me to just escape with him for an evening and get to the sea. We visited a local, hallmark seafood restaurant to eat chowder and fish and chips. The restaurant was on the water, with huge open windows, so I had a cooling ocean breeze to clear my head of bad thoughts. After dinner, in the dark, we walked along the shore and simply breathed the salty air. We found a jetty and, disregarding my normal qualms about hopping along the rocks, I forced myself out toward the end and relished the adrenaline rush it brought.

Ok, two out of three, not bad. But where’s the sweat? I started running again! During a recent trip to the gym, I hopped on the treadmill and started to run. It felt horrible and wonderful all at once: I was hot and gross within minutes, but exhilarated at the thought of running miles again. Of being a “runner” again. I’ve promised myself at least one 5K this fall, so I have a goal to build up to within a manageable timeframe. I even bought a new pair of running tights and tank as encouragement!

During the last few weeks, I’ve asked B to take photos only a couple of times. This is one of my favorite outfits recently. I love the pop of coral against the polka dots. And, yes, I’m one of few ladies in the world who can easily match their blouse, shoes, AND lipstick without trying.

Blouse: Modcloth

Skirt: TJMaxx.com

Shoes: LOFT

Shorts (for the chub-rub!): Under Armor via Good Will

Lipstick: Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Venezia

The big question from everyone lately — colleagues, volunteers at work, visitors to the museum — is “how are you planning on spending your Fourth of July long weekend?” Well, my week included 14 hour workday Thursday, a mad dash of museum goers Friday (my site was the only open place for people to go in the city apparently), and then a stressful drive to see fireworks for twenty minutes last night. For some rest and recuperation after all that, I made the decision to spend the day at home reading Chimamanda Ngowzi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun. (Which I’m enjoying as much as I did Americanah.)

As first, I really thought that was a lame idea. Ugh, you’re forgoing cookouts and drinking beer and fireworks with friends to stay at home reading about the Nigerian civil war?! And then it hit me that there are so many people in the world — especially women — who are denied the right to own their own homes or to have educations or even decide how they’ll spend their days and I’m so ridiculously lucky to be able to do and have all of those things. This country may not be perfect, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate all of the opportunities and liberties that it has afforded me as a citizen.

Dress: Brixon Ivy James Laser Cut Dress via Stitch Fix

Cardigan: LOFT

Shoes: TOMS

Necklace: Modcloth

Watch: Fossil

Sweater: LOFT

Skirt: TJ Maxx

Shoes: LOFT

Watch: Fossil

Bracelets/Rings: Global Odyssey

Earrings: Old Navy

I’ve been working two jobs — one full-time, one part-time — for four and a half years. My part-time gig, working in house management for a local theatre, is, by far, the coolest thing I’ve done though. Surprisingly for a side job, I’ve been given a LOT of opportunity for growth there, both professionally and personally. I met B there, way back when, and we’ve been together ever since. I used the money I earned there over the past few years to buy a house. And I’ve developed a lot of skills that, eventually, got me job in the museum field. Plus, I mean: it’s a theatre and I was a total theatre nerd as a kid. While I don’t create the stuff happening on stage, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love it entirely just the same.

With all of that said, I put in a lot of hours at both jobs. I’ve mentioned in a recent post that I’m normally the first thing to get cut out of my own life, which is entirely true for ten months of the year. But there’s this window during the summer when the theatre goes black (meaning that we don’t have any shows running) and I get to, you know, do fun things!

Tonight was my last night of the season and it was certainly bittersweet. We had a larger crowd than usual this evening, who loved the show — the best nights to work. But it was also a relief to be done for another season and get some time to myself again during the summer, my favorite time of year. And, naturally, it’s always a little sad to say goodbye to colleagues for a couple of months too. But we always come back tanned and refreshed, ready for another whirlwind.

I chose this outfit because it’s easy to wear for 12+ hour work days, but it’s also fun and flirty and professional all at once. I love running around in this skirt because it’s so light and flounces in all the right ways, but never loses shape. This whole outfit just seemed so apropos today: ending one season and beginning another.

I’m sorry for disappearing for so long, folks! Work was a marathon of school kids and private events — and, in normal form, I’m the first thing to be cut out of my own life! But I’ve missed being here!

Besides me disappearing, so has 3 inches of my hair too! I decided to chop it short earlier in the week for something new. I’d had the same style for years and needed a change. This is it short and with a little texture product and in its natural, wavy state. My stylist did blow dry it straight and sassy, so I’m going to try my hand on doing that soon too! Hopefully I can nail that and share a photo!

This outfit is totally a steamy, summery Friday one: fun polka dots, a loose, bright blouse and my go-to sandals. (Yes, I do have other shoes!) I was experimenting with such a flowy blouse with a tighter pencil skirt. The results are so-so for me I guess. I love the color and texture against each other, but I think the blouse was too unstructured and long to really work for the skirt. My curves are hidden somewhere in there! It was easy to wear for a busy afternoon at the museum though, so that was a win!

Blouse: 41Hawthorn’s McAdams Beaded Neckline Blouse via Stitch Fix

Skirt: H&M

Sandals: TOMS

Watch: Fossil