You've Got the Love

I got the chance to work with Love You, a new online clothing line based in Dallas. I am obsessed with their turtlenecks (100% cotton too!). They have just released collection one and their second collection will be dropping soon! I'm also really excited to announce my collaboration with the fabulous Alex Klem. Follow Klem on Instagram here! 

I thought if I'm going to wear something that says love you I need to be honest about my own relationship with myself and the topic of self-love. When I think about love, specifically self-love, I think about a line from Sex and the City.

Specifically when Carrie said, "The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you, well, that's just fabulous." 

Over the years my relationship with myself has been tumultuous and complicated to say at the least. It doesn't help that our social media driven age has led to constant comparisons whether it be beauty standards, material items, followers, social media stats, jobs, etc. I feel like now more than ever loving yourself has become so challenging because comparing yourself is so easy. I've fought with myself on who I am for a long time and it has been a journey that I am ready to discuss, specifically on coping methods.

I think the first step to loving yourself is to be easier on yourself. The empathy and compassion you have for those you love the most needs to be given to yourself too. Being easy on myself has always been something that I've struggled with, especially in high school. Now that I'm a bit older I feel like I've come to a fork in the road where I can have this unattainable standard filled with comparisons or be easy on myself. Being easy on myself was the bravest decision I've made in a long time.

On my constant journey to self-love and creating a better relationship with myself I've realized that learning to be alone is truly such a meaningful and difficult task. I think meaningful ways to be alone with yourself can be done on walks or through yoga or meditation or maybe just sitting at a coffee shop with yourself and a cup of coffee. Another practice I've found is to make plans with yourself. Set time to read a book or put on a face mask on and enjoy your alone time. Relish in your blessings and your strengths and think critically about your weaknesses and hush your voice of insecurity.

Indulging in material things occasionally can be a good way to show yourself love and that you are deserving. Buy yourself a latte after your successes and your failures. Celebrate your wins with ways you can connect with. It makes your indulgences more memorable and seemingly less material. By no means have I found the secrets of self love but I've found ways to come to terms with who I am now.

This journey of self-love never stops, its a journey that I hope will get better as I get older. I hope my story will encourage you to be easier on yourself and never stop working on the most important relationship in your life.

In terms of styling this top the options are endless. In addition to jeans and chelsea boots (my go to look), I'd wear this top with a sleeveless dress or maybe with my Kendra Scott Rayne necklace. Personally my favorite combination is this turtleneck and my Miu Miu 10 Ps Sunglasses.

I feel like this photo perfectly sums up how I feel about graduating in May! In other news school has been keeping me busy, but I've been working on my crow position in yoga, researching grad school, reading Chanel an Intimate Life, watching Big Little Lies, and going back home on the weekends pretty regularly. I'm going to the Melting Pot for the first time this weekend and am so psyched!

How do you practice self-love friends?

Wearing: Top - Love You (c/o), lips - NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes, nails - OPI Got the Mean Reds (similar)

Photos by the fabulous Alex Klemovich, book with her here!