TJ and I were chatting over the weekend about how we can’t believe it’s been 22 years since 9/11. I will never forget where I was… it was my senior year of high school and I was in the bathroom getting ready for 0 period English. My dad was getting ready for work, and came in to let me know that the first plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I headed off to school, and news coverage was all we ended up watching throughout the school day….

As a high schooler, I remember the events of the day weighing heavily… and for a couple of weeks after… but as an adult, reflecting back, I look at 9/11 with a different lens. I think about all the people who headed out to work that morning, or boarded a routine flight, not thinking twice that they wouldn’t return home at the end of the day, or journey. And the loved ones left at home, who assumed those who left would be coming home. And in that reflection, it’s another reminder to me that we never know what the next minute, hour, day, or week holds for us…. and to make the most of the time we’re given, since the current moment is really all we’re guaranteed…

And I feel as if that’s how we lived this weekend… we enjoyed a rare Friday date night, a fun filled Saturday with soccer, lunch, and pool… and then a Sunday morning hike/scavenger hunt with the girls. Not to say that the weekend wasn’t without hiccups here and there, but it was one where I was present in the moments I was given. So as we embark upon a new week ahead of us, I do so with the lessons I’m reminded of as I reflect upon 9/11.

And with that, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead!
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(Family dinner at Bear Flag… jeans, tank, sweatshirt)

(Friday morning tea + store browsing with my mom…)

(A rare Friday date night to relive our Italian adventures at Francoli’s…. skirt, top (more sizes here), sweater (more sizes here), anklet, earrings)

(Saturday morning soccer games with our traditional family lunch followed by pressed freeze to cool down from the heat….)

(Soccer Saturday outfit… workout dress, sneakers, almost identical bag)

(Late afternoons by the pool… )

(Sunday family hike… girls loved these little scavenger hunt pages I found on etsy…. leggings, tee, cap, sneakers, girl’s skirt, girl’s tank)

(After a fairly busy Sunday morning, parking next to the pool with this book was a great way to end the weekend… also, this book had me hooked from the start…)

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I love these ribbed pants + vest combo… so chic for fall….

Some fall shoes, that aren’t sneakers, that I can’t wait to wear this season include these low tan booties, silver mary jane ballet flats, mini uggs, tan mules (these are so comfortable), and these tall boots…

My favorite cool weather slippers were recently restocked… these are amazingly comfortable…

Trovata’s fall line launched over the weekend, and while their pieces are more of an investment, they are made out of beautiful fabrics… love this floral dress for a special occasion and this paisley printed dress for fall family photos…

One of my favorite fall dresses, in a beautiful floral print, was restocked as well…. l wore it for family photos 2 years ago…

Love these under $50 fall finds… like this quilted vest, utility jacket, tunic white button down (not sure how oversized it is….), sweater pants (I lived in my pair last fall and winter…), ribbed knit skirt (would be great for an office environment), and this ribbed knit sweater dress.