Before I Die I Want To…

“Before I die I want to  ____.”

Have you ever asked yourself this question? It is a biggie. Something that takes a bit of time to think about. I always thought I had my list memorized. I knew everything I wanted to do. But no. When being confronted with the question you quickly realize you can not properly express everything you want to do. Before I die I want to…. I mean, wow! It isn’t a pleasant experience to be faced with the fact that we will eventually run out of time. That there won’t actually be endless time for us to accomplish and do everything we want to and eventually we will no longer be here. I think it is easy for us to get caught up in the day to day dramas and routines of the world and forget that we are only here but for a short time. However, the other night there it was in black and white. I am not sure if the world was either playing an evil joke on me or trying to help me but this very question is the one question which can bring upon massive amounts of anxiety for me. That idea that I am running out of time.

I have touched on this issue I suffer with – anxiety of not doing and seeing all I want to – in my The Big Reveal post. It isn’t a fear of dying that brings on the anxiety it is the genuine fear that I won’t accomplish my list of must see and do’s before I go. I really do have this unquenchable thirst to see the world and touch and feel this life. To have a life where that is not completed is terrifying to me. So when I was confronted with this board, well four boards, all staring at me with their simple text, “Before I die I want to” I almost went numb. Where does one start? For me – It is seeing the world. So that is what I wrote. But how can you only write down one simple line. There is SO much I want to do. It almost seemed unfair they would give you such a small space. But then it felt real, that I had to come up with one single sentence. I had to categorize everything on my list into what was most important to me at that moment. Of course I would now change my answer to something much more meaningful but when you are confronted with something, you almost don’t have time to rationally think.

The question has stayed with me for days and has created great conversation for the husband and I. We have spent nights connecting over everything we want to do in this life and everything we want to see and accomplish together. Yesterday I was back in the area where these boards are and I spent a good amount of time reading each and every word. I was blown away at the simplicity of some of these wishes and touched by others. We all have wishes and dreams in this world and it is refreshing to remember yours and read others. It almost feels good that someone asked what I wanted to do. It made me remember my childhood list and go back through and mentally check-off a few that I have already done while adding new ones for the future. Since it was beneficial to me I wanted to take the time to ask you! You don’t have to tell me, but maybe say it to yourself. It is refreshing to think about!

I ask you one simple but completely complex question – “Before you die, what do YOU want to do?”

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outfit details // Zara Blazer, OTTENY Silk top (on major sale), Ray Ban Classic Aviator sunnies, Madewell sandals (on sale)

Hotel Profile: Chateau D’Audrieu

I was lucky enough to stay at Chateau D’Audrieu over the summer while visiting Normandy (guide coming soon) with  my parents and my in-laws. The Chateau was absolutely magical – nothing like any place I had stayed before. I loved the oldness and charm of the entire place. It is extremely quiet and the perfect escape after a long day of visiting the WWII monuments. My favorite part was sleeping with my window open and waking up to the sunset and a light rain. It really was absolutely a dream! And if that wasn’t enough, the food is absolutely divine! If I could recommend two things they would be to take a drink or your coffee in the upstairs sitting room and to rent a bike to ride around the property! Both are breathtaking!

If you are visiting the Normandy area I suggest looking into Chateau D’Audrieu. It made the entire experience that much more enjoyable!

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Issa Rosemary Dress Perfection

I had the hardest time finding a dress for a wedding this past weekend. I usually spend a few hours looking for a dress and 99% of the time come out successful. However, the past few weeks I have spent hours upon hours searching. I even placed an order with Rent The Runway twice, only to cancel both minutes after. I had a nervous breakdown they weren’t going to fit and I would be left dress-less. I also bought five other dress which shipped to my house only to hate each one of them when I tried them on. I was in such a panic that I woke up in the middle of the night completely stressed about finding a dress. The last time I felt like this it was MY wedding!

I don’t know if it was because I was trying to find a dress under $250 or if my boobs are way too big for dresses these days but the struggle was incredibly real. One morning I woke to an e-mail from my mother-in-law. She had found the dress. Seeing that it was from Net-A-Porter I knew the price tag was going to be out of budget. And it was. BIG time. However, I fell in love with this Issa Rosemary dress. Not only did I want to wear it to this wedding but I also wanted to have it to wear to brunches, dinners, and other events coming up. I loved the beautiful detail, the lace, and the sleeves. I was smitten! However, there was that terrible, awful thing I wanted to forget about – my budget.

Since my husband  is incredibly kind and really good at numbers he broke it down for me. He said, “Mary, let’s get the dress. Since we have five other weddings this year that would be under $300 per wedding. Which is a new dress each time. It hurts up front but it is worth it in the long run.” You can’t argue with that! I have always loved his incredible since to buy quality over quantity. Because of this he has a closet full of really nice things. I always look over at his side and wish I had half the amount of clothing I do but better quality. So, now was as good a time as ever to start. Sometimes the cost up front is tough but it pays in the long run. I will wear this dress a million times (and not apologize) as it will be hard to ever get tired of its beauty – which makes the price per wear very reasonable (at least I tell myself that). Merci Beaucoup to my sweet mother-in-law and husband who continue to keep me stylin’ and profilin’.

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outfit details // ISSA Rosemary Embellished Lace and Organza dress, Christian Louboutin heels

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