Como la flor

I'm a sucker for themed parties. Why? Because I can dress up. My childhood was spent playing with Barbies, riding imaginary horses and dressing up to gain the attention of my mother. Since then, I no longer play with Barbies and rarely pretend I'm riding make-believe horses but I've yet to kick the desire to dress in garb I wouldn't normally wear. I spent the weekend in Kansas City and came across this cowboy hat in the back of the coat closet. Keeping with the southwestern theme, I put on a dress my mother acquired in Mexico, a leather belt adorned with Aztec pyramids, a buckskin jacket I purchased at an estate sale in Chicago and a door wreath because... why not? This is what transpired from spare time and a sister who served as my impatient tripod. All in the name of gaining my mother's attention.

Vulnerable

 That side select people see. Those emotions we want to hide. They are impossible to suppress. I'm learning to allow time for those moments and then allowing myself to feel something else after. They're not easy feelings but they have a reason.

Table for two

 

I currently live with three people but it seems every week we have at least one visitor staying with us. This week one of my oldest and dearest friends, Mallory, came to visit with her boyfriend whom I will only refer to as Coco. These photos are actually from October when I surprised her with a visit to Kansas City/Lawrence on her birthday. On this night, she and Coco were starting a birthday dinner at 715 (my favorite) as I was leaving. I directed them to continue as if I wasn't there and then silently stepped out when I decided I'd been weird long enough. We met up after dinner at a local music venue to ring in Mallory's birthday, music provided. I'll be sad when they leave Chicago but only until the next visitor arrives (kidding, I love you, Mal.)