Sparkly Filters – Featuring Sydney’s Closet

Well, it’s Christmas this week and I can’t’ help but think about Christmas over the years.  Growing up Christmas was always my most favourite time of year.  It was always time for family and friends, lots of good food and sleeping in (something I don’t get much of these days).  But, then something changed when I was 21….my parents got divorced.  And what was my favourite holiday became just another day to me.  It was a reminder that my family was no longer together.  I have 2 celebrations instead of 1 and while that might seem really cool, it was just a reminder of the pain that came from being a child of divorced, Christian parents. 

Over the years I’ve really tried to get in the spirit and just enjoy the holiday but it was still painful.  When my nephew was born, a new excitement had returned for the Christmas season.  Seeing this kid on Christmas morning is like the best day of the year!  As a baby he fumbled to open gifts and would just sit there laughing (he has the best laugh) and as he’s gotten a little older, it’s been exciting to watch his expressions of excitement on Christmas morning and getting to spend the day in our PJ’s with him. 

Then being married to someone who didn’t really celebrate any holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, or life really, my disappointment on days like Christmas and my birthday was just so great and getting into the Christmas season was even harder because I knew that nothing was going to be special.  Then came the divorce and now I was alone, all over again on special days like Christmas.  I suppose being with him or without him was lonely. 

If you’ve been divorced or had a serious relationship end, you understand that deep sense of loss, pain and loneliness. 

Well, this year, I am still single, I will still have 2 separate family Christmas celebrations but there’s something different….

I love my life and my excitement for the Christmas season has returned.  I am no longer in a sad and lonely state and I’m super excited for the time I will get with my family over the holidays and of course seeing my nephew on Christmas morning.  I know I am not alone, in fact I have such an amazing support circle that consists of my family whom I love dearly and amazing friends who have been there for so much – both who are constantly encouraging me and who I love spending time with. 

You see, when you get to a place in your life where you love who you are today, you are content right now and you see beauty in life rather than the pain, life is much more enjoyable.  A renewed sense of joy, hope and love returns and days that used to bring pain, now bring joy.  I will no longer live my life with a negative filter, but I will live it with a shiny, sparkly filter (yet still being realistic of course).  For too long I allowed my circumstances and my past to steal my joy.  Well, those days are gone and my new lease on life is to live life in the moment, enjoy the people you love in your life and of course to wear pretty things while you do it….

Which brings me to this oh so amazing sequins dress from Sydney’s Closet.  This dress is perfect for a holiday party, dinner with the girls (or for some of you a date), or even for New Year’s Eve!  I was sort of feeling a little bit “Great Gatsby” in it so I styled my hair with curls to one side, paired with a really elegant drop earing with a pop of deep green and my fav pair of sparkly pumps.  One thing I really liked about the dress is the thick jersey feeling material it is made with.  It feels super comfortable on and looks really elegant.  This is the 5th dress I’ve shown you from the new Sydney’s Closet Celebrations line and I must say I just fall more and more in love with these dresses.  

Stay Beautiful,