On January 13, 2011 I opened a blogger account and launched Girl & Closet. I was working from home and desperately needed a creative outlet, and a reason to get dressed. Little did I know, my life and career path would change forever. G&C quickly became my main source of income and it was the most wonderful adventure. I'm forever grateful! Cut to, 9 years later, and I'm "home again"! Walking through the proverbial G&C doors and ready to show up. But, there's a catch, my life looks very different now. I live with an invisible disability, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). You wouldn't know it, if you met me. But I know it - a long chat, can mean drained batteries and bed rest. That gorgeous autumn walk and lunch with friends can cause an intense MCAS flare. The list goes on! What is normal living for most, leaves me drained and like I just ran a marathon. It's a lot. But I do my best to stay positive, and I stay honest with myself and the people around me... instead of constantly pushing through. But, in spite of all that, I still want to figure out how to show up. How to show up for my creative self and have fun again. So here we are, same girl, but with a slightly larger closet, asking herself... what should she wear? And of course, I can't wait to share that journey with you. Anyway, enough of the big stuff. Let's chat fashion, yeah?! For my first, official, G&C outfit... I wanted something lively, and this was SO it. I know it's simple, but a pop of lippy and a red beret can make all the difference! For my top layer? I ended up adding my beloved trench coat - but I'm desperately trying to find the perfect vintage coat. Fingers crossed! My closet & I can't wait to meet her! Lastly, this post wouldn't be complete without a look back at my first post "Silly Face" - a real gal, sharing real style! And naturally, I had to take my photos indoors too. That's where it all started after all! Can't wait to see you in the next one, friends! xo

And in the meantime, be sure to subscribe to my blog here! With blog reader websites coming & going these days, I'd hate to lose touch!

Can you believe this was my first year going to an apple orchard?! We had so much fun! I originally wanted to bring our sweet little pup, Ms. Poppy, and in an apple sweater no less. But in the end, I'm glad we left her at home. I'm quite certain we would have been overwhelmed taking photos and "trying" to keep an eye on our pup. Knowing Poppy, she'd be running to meet & greet, well, pretty much everyone. She loves the people, and the kids. Other dogs... not so much. Haha!

I'm SO excited to finally be posting my vow renewal ring. It was honestly the most amazing & thoughtful surprise! And although I just might be biased - I'm convinced it's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen!! I especially adore that it's filled with so much love, thought and sentiment. The centre stone is an ethically mined Oregon Sunstone and changes from a pink / red in low evening light, and shows more peachy / nude in the daylight. Just like the sun! It's also surrounded by ethically mined diamonds and set in yellow gold. And love that when Martin read our vows, he wove the meaning of the ring into it as a way to commemorate the day and remind us of the vows we made. I mean, seriously, so dang romantic!

Now, and forevermore... I'm reminded of the light & love that surrounds our marriage and the beautiful growth we've had over the past twenty years. We've come so far! Thanks so much for joining me, and following along with our wedding vow renewal. Excited to be back next week with an outfit post + the prettiest snowy photos. See you then and have a great rest of the week! xo