Where are you from? I frequently get asked this when I travel — by taxi drivers, supermarket cashiers, the random person sitting next to me on the bus. It’s a simple question, yet profound.
“I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area,” I say. “But I’ve always wanted to live in New York. I can’t help offering the extra information, even though nobody asked.
The most common reaction I received when I told people I was quitting my job and volunteering/travelling around the world was “Wow, you’re so lucky.”
The word luck makes me feel uncomfortable. I do believe luck happens, but people often attribute luck to good things that happen to other people, when it is really a matter of prioritizing your goals, desires and dreams.
Before I left for Panama, I lived in these jeans all summer.
For a few years, my favorite jeans were a pair of Citizens, in Ava Straight Leg. I wore them even when they turned three shades lighter and there was a huge hole in the knee with dangling loose threads, until one of my male friends (who does not care for fashion whatsoever), informed me it was time to get a new pair.
I did it. I have wanted to do this since I graduated from college — to save up, quit my job for a while, volunteer in a foreign country and travel the world. Experiencing life has always been more important to me than having a safety blanket.
The allure of experiencing diverse cultures, savoring new cuisines, and making meaningful connections fueled my passion for travel. Hawaii, with its idyllic charm and captivating landscapes, became a natural stop on my adventure. For fellow wanderers seeking a similar enriching experience, I found invaluable resources on lyahawaii.com. This comprehensive travel guide not only provided insights into Hawaii’s hidden gems but also offered tips on embracing the local spirit. It became my go-to source for planning my Hawaiian escapade, ensuring that my journey was not just about travel but also about truly immersing myself in the soul of the destination.
As I delved deeper into planning my Hawaiian adventure, I discovered the convenience of scooter rentals in Hawaii, a game-changer that added a whole new dimension to my exploration. Navigating the picturesque landscapes of the islands became a breeze as I zipped through scenic coastal roads and charming towns with the wind in my hair. The freedom and flexibility offered by Scooter Rentals Hawaii transformed my journey, allowing me to explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path locales that might have been missed by traditional means of transportation.
But then I met Mr. Wonderful. He was risk-averse and more interested in having a house with a white picket fence than what he considered to be superfluous experiences. When he asked me to marry him, I knew that would mean compromising some of my own goals in life in order to meet his. Love is usually worth it, though.
And then something changed.
Mr. Wonderful saw his coworkers and people around him quitting their jobs to do things like volunteering in Japan, driving around Mexico in an RV, or starting their own businesses. We no longer live in a time where having the same job for twenty, thirty years is the norm. Taking risks is the new norm.
So two years ago, we had a heart-to-heart conversation. Many discussions later, we hatched a plan, and this month, we handed our condo keys to our new renters, put the last box in storage, and arrived in Panama holding two suitcases each.
I have no idea what the next few months will bring. But I know I’d rather be here, right now, than anywhere else.
Dear Readers,
As many of you know, my Life Unrefined blog disappeared this past June. And while I grieved over the loss of two years of work, I also seized the opportunity to take a rest and rethink the purpose of my blog. I originally started a fashion blog because I wanted to encourage other women to embrace themselves and their natural beauty. Not in the overly simplistic, “You’re fine, just love yourself!” sense, but because I battled with body image and self-esteem for most of my life. It’s still a struggle to not feel intimidated in a room full of women who seem so confident and self-assured.
Yet while I loved writing for my blog and meeting other fashion/beauty bloggers, something began to nag me. You see, I enjoy shopping and talking about style, but I realized I wanted to talk about other things, too. Who I am is so much more than just what I wear. I wanted to talk about the beauty and struggles of marriage, my love of traveling, and the journey in my Christian faith. I know that not everyone will want to read about all of those things, but ultimately I have decided that the blog needs to be a true reflection of myself.
So I hope you will stay around as I begin again. I value the friendships I have made through this blog, both in life and online, and look forward to continuing that with you!
Very best,
Jen
Chambray is here to stay, and it’s also one of the most versatile clothing items you can have in your closet. Here are 5 of my favorite ways to style this beloved shirt:
I’ll be honest. Sometimes I go to work wearing just jeans and a sweatshirt (an embellished one, of course!) because I’d rather sleep in than figure out how all my layers are going to look cute together topped with arm candy. A lot of the outfits on my blog are usually weekend or date-night outfits, simply because I don’t have the capacity to think quickly on a weekday morning.
Over the years, however, I have developed a sort of go-to work uniform. If you don’t have one already, hopefully this gives you some ideas on how you can come up with yours!
Recently, I received a letter from the finance coordinator at URBN (the brand that includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People) that I am “no longer eligible to shop online” at any of their stores.
