My friends' winter wedding
The past several months in my life have been the hardest I have ever experienced. The sadness and frustration don't ever leave as time goes on, but you somehow learn to cope, to "hang in there," to keep hope alive, and to try to enjoy the things in life that are still good. When something awful happens, you really do realize just how much you took for granted before and that you should always cherish what you have. It's a nice lesson for sure, but I still can't help wanting to go back in time never having learned it. Still, I miss my family in Hungary and my friends spread over the globe like never before.
My wonderful and long-time friends Matt and Kellie are getting married in January in Vermont in what I know will be a gorgeous and comforting wedding (they even have a whole night devoted to s'mores!). A couple of months ago I couldn't even imagine celebrating anything. But now, I can't wait for this wedding. I want to celebrate with them, feel joy with them, and enjoy a little time with a group of friends I rarely see but always miss. Sometimes I feel that that's selfish of me right now - to even consider feeling joy - but then I remind myself that I cannot drown myself in nothing but sorrow forever, that I need to function and feel some normalcy, that I need and want to feel joy for my friends, and that the fight for my dad will continue no matter what.
It took me a few months after my dad's accident to start taking care of myself again. My first step was painting my nails a few weeks ago. Then I got a haircut. I bought some clothes for work. It probably sounds crazy that these things felt like a major effort for a while, but they did. They not only felt pointless - they felt like an impossibility. Now I am at the point where I feel ok about looking for a dress for this wedding - In fact, I'm actually enjoying looking for one. And finding a pair of shoes to go with it. And to think about a hairstyle. I still feel a tinge of discomfort now and then, like it's wrong somehow to focus on those things, but I am trying to push through that. I have always loved clothes, and something like this gets my mind off everything else for a little bit.
I thought about designing and making my own dress. But who am I kidding? I so won't make enough time for that before January, especially since I am back in class (which has sort of become my weekly time of zen during all this).
So the search for a dress commences. I think I have found one I like, but I wanted to post a few others I've come across, as I am sure other vegans out there are looking for holiday party dresses this time of year. Hopefully, this will help you out a bit.
[Photo Credit: James Christianson found on Style Me Pretty]
Thuja Dress from Anthropologie
The dress I may wear - what do you think?
Tibi Paisley Jacquard Nadja Dress
I'm sort of obsessed with this dress. Actually I's sort of obsessed with jacquard in general this season.
Malene Birger Isalena Sequined Dress
Love that this is a simple shift dress shape, but with so much more going on.
Kate Spade Gail Dress
The perfect Little Black Dress with the perfect Little Blue Tights. I sort of think this whole look is amazing. Swap those shoes with some Neuaura shoes and you've got a veganized outfit.
L.A.M.B. Runway Print Maxi Dress
I'm usually not a fan of tribal prints, but I think that's because I've never seen it done right. But the colors are so amazing, so perfect for fall, that I can't help but love this dress.
(photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images via eHow Style)
Gryphon Fete Dress
Sequins can go so very wrong. But not here.
