A Beautiful Day...

I've had a bit of a writers block lately. For some reason every time I've sat down to write, I just can't put anything into words. Today cured that.

This morning Geno and I woke up with Neisan in between us, and the weenie dogs at our feet. We couldn't wait for him to wake up. We couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw all those presents! And sure enough, we opened our bedroom door to the loft which was filled with gifts, and Neisan (squinting while his eyes adjusted to the lights) let out his signature, very excited, 'Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhh"!! It was perfect. I mean compared to last year, when all he did was sleep, poop or cry, this was amazing! 

After we opened all our presents and ate home made cinnamon rolls, we got ready to go to my moms house. My mom has such a beautiful house. And she fills that beautiful house with more presents than you could possibly wrap your mind around. We scored big time! It took Geno two car trips to get it all home. And we have an SUV. Of course getting presents is great, and giving is even better, but today as I looked around me, I realized just how blessed I am. 

Do you ever sit back and watch people when they are in their own world? When they aren't thinking about being on display? Today while my family celebrated, I watched. I watched my brother Jake as he watched his sons opening their gifts. He beamed when the boys got excited. It was like that was all he needed. I watched my grandpa take care of his wife who has Alzheimer's. She can't remember her name most of the time, but she absolutely loves Neisan. So Grandpa made sure to take him to her throughout the day. Because he knew that would make her smile. I watched my mom light up every time someone opened a gift that she knew they would love. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, so she didn't get to buy a lot of things for people. Now that she can, it brings her so much joy to give to her family. 

As I was enjoying my family, I realized that not one time had I felt anxious. I was in the moment, and it felt good. I wasn't afraid that the day would come to an end. For the first time in a long time I felt like it was okay. I guess being with the people I love, and the people who love me, made me forget. I'm starting to realize that just because something comes to an end, it doesn't mean it's THE end. It's like when I think about Neisan and how he's growing. Every stage and age that he's gone through, I've said it was my favorite and I didn't want it to end. But then the next stage comes along and I love it even more. That's life. And while I am sad that this Christmas is over, I am finally starting to see that what is to come is just as wonderful as what is happening now. And that is a beautiful thing. And today was a beautiful day. 

My Other Love - Hemline

The point of starting a blog was for me to be able to put into writing my thoughts and feelings. Since I've started blogging, I have really been able to look at different aspects in my life and to weigh the importance of each of them. My family is obviously the most important part, and it always will be. But I have also come to realize recently that I have to do something for just me. We all have to be selfish at some point to stay sane. Neisan is with his nanny every day while I go to work, and most of that time is spent by me worrying about what he is doing. I have spent the last few days during those times thinking about other things besides Neisan that bring me joy. The first thing to come to mind? Hemline. How lucky am I that my job is the next best thing to my family in my life? 

A little history on Hemline:

The original Hemline opened in 1994 in the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana by Brigitte and Luciano Holthausen. In 2004, my parents and I went on a trip to New Orleans for a medical conference my step dad was attending. I immediately fell in love with the city. I loved the people, the music playing in the streets, the feeling of being so free to be who you are. I have always been really in to ghosts and haunted history, so I talked my family in to going on a midnight ghost tour through the French Quarter. The tour started out at a little bar (in true New Orleans style), and the small group headed out, drinks in hand of course, to hear tales of the cities most haunted places. Our tour led us down Royal Street. Our tour guide was pointing across the street at a supposedly haunted hotel. All I could focus on was the amazing dress in the window behind me. I looked at the street signs and told my parents to remember where we were so we could go back when they were open. That store was Hemline. We went back the next day, and I instantly fell in love. I inquired about the owner of the store and the girl working gave me Brigitte's name and phone number. I was in college at the time, hating every moment of it. I had no idea what I wanted to be, which led me in no direction. All I knew is that I wanted to do something creative. I was passionate about fashion, but UMKC didn't have much to offer in that department. I knew the moment I entered that store that it was me. It was so beautiful. The clothes were so different from any I had seen before and displayed in a way that was so interesting and creative. Six months later, Hemline Kansas City opened it's doors.

With my parents financial support, I was able to start my life with Hemline. I was 20 years old, no college degree, but invincible. I jumped right in to my new role in life. I started traveling all over the country, visiting top designers and looking at their collections for the upcoming season. Brigitte and I hit it off immediately, and she started teaching me everything I would need to know about becoming successful with Hemline. The buzz of a new boutique was starting to spread around the city, and people were so excited to see a locally owned store on the Plaza. Our customers wasted no time buying up our beautiful things. My professional life was just getting started, and I was loving every single second of it. 

Since then, Hemline has expanded to 10 stores throughout Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas City - and we aren't stopping there! We have been noted in numerous fashion magazines since opening, from Lucky and In Style to Elle and Seventeen. I can pick up a magazine in any given month and find something from Hemline inside. Now THAT is exciting!

Hemline is such a huge part of my life. I was so young when we opened. I wasn't afraid of anything, which I believe is what made me successful. I have made 2 of my very best friends through Hemline. Brigitte and I are one in the same. She has taught me so much not only about the business, but about life as well. We work very closely together, constantly trying to do bigger and better things. Jennifer Atagi is the general manager at Hemline KC. Without her, I'm not sure where I would be. She is the best person I have ever met. Her heart is so genuine. She is what we should all aspire to be. Hemline has helped me see the world, literally. I get to travel all over the place to buy for the store. It's absolutely the best part of my job. I get to be creative every day as I do window displays and merchandise the store. I get to take pictures and do photo editing for the website that I get to run. I wear so many hats, and I like it that way. I'm a creative director. A buyer. A sales associate. A customer service representative. A photographer. A marketing director. A financial advisor. A stylist. A seamstress. An interior decorator. A blogger. The list goes on and on. I am so lucky and so thankful to be able to have a successful career that I love. Not many people get to say that. When it comes down to it, I think Hemline might be the only thing in my life that doesn't make me want to press pause - I am so ready to see what's next!

www.shophemline.com