WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Happy Monday and welcome to the jungle!
I say “welcome to the jungle” because it literally is at my house! You all know that my son and his family (they sent their golden retriever ahead to my DIL’s family) have moved in with us for a couple of months while they are waiting to move to Columbus, Ohio. I think I mentioned that we live in a three-bedroom house that luckily has the master downstairs. We have also been keeping my daughter’s crazy dog because she was traveling so much.
Well, this weekend, our daughter came home to be here for a bit. I will explain that later in this post. Anyway, “welcome to the jungle” sounds appropriate for this look and my life right now!
I have found some fabulous dresses under $200
Since I have had a built-in prop in my house right now, I thought I would take advantage of my granddaughter, Evie, and show this cute palm leaf print dress (with a matching mini-me) that is so affordable. Plus, some other summer dresses that all come in under $200 (below). Y’all are going to kill me, but the adult version of this dress is sold out.
Why am I showing it? Because I bought it two weeks ago and paid to have the photographs done! Sometimes this happens. I shoot for the blog every other week, and things can sell out in that time frame. I’m sorry, but I have perused the internet to find some fabulous summer dresses (most under $150) that I think you all will like.
I love summer, but don’t like to spend a lot on my summer clothes, unless it’s a dress for a wedding that I know I will wear again and again or a great blazer. Tee shirts get dingy and summer dresses, I kind of get sick of after a year or so. There are so many cute and affordable dresses to get you through the hot summer months without spending a lot on them.
A funny Evie story
Quick Evie story…she is the cutest thing going and at four years old, very precocious and a lot sassy! My nickname growing up was Cat (my initials before marriage), and then it became Kitty. Tons of people call me that, so it turned into my grandmom name.
I had Evie out running errands two weeks ago, and we ran into her former teacher. She told Evie she had heard she was moving and was so sad. I said that I was devastated too. She asked if I was her aunt (okay, the chest is puffing up here). I told her I was her grandmom, and she very nicely said, “I don’t believe you.” I looked at Evie and said, Evie, what do you call me? Evie looked at me with an impish look and said, “I call you Grammy.” Where in the heck did that come from??? Kids are hilarious!
Welcome to the Jungle!
Okay, so the reason my daughter here is not fun. She is suffering from very painful and chronic fibromyalgia. She came home to be with us for a little bit as we try to find doctors and therapies that can help her. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in my early thirties and dealt with flare ups but never chronic like she is having. My father in law also suffers from it, and now my husband has been told he has some sort of myalgia (hereditary on both sides).
What is so hard about this particular diagnosis is that a lot of doctors still don’t believe it is a real thing and think the symptoms are in your head. We believe that holistic, eastern medicine and healing are probably the way to go with this. She is in so much pain that she has taken a medical leave from her job to get well. I know most of our children are older but checking in to make sure they are taking care of themselves is a good idea!
I hope you all have a beautiful day!
Photos: Danielle Sabol
My Dress, of course, it’s sold out already but linking in the solid (similar) // Evie’s Dress // Sandals // Sunnies // Bag (which would be cute with this look)
June 3, 2019 @ 8:37 am
Love these tropical dresses and ya’ll are perfect in your garden!
My friend had fibromyalgia and was in severe pain. She lived in a 3 story house which she sold as she could not get up and down the stairs. She could not find relief until she started acupuncture from a Chinese man . ( a Christian who prayed with her before every treatment. ) she was cured. Don’t know if it was the treatment, or the prayer but it worked. Just one persons story but worth a shot. I can find out his name if there is an interest.
June 3, 2019 @ 9:29 pm
You might consult Dr Margaret Christiansen since you’re in Dallas. The best for diagnosis and treatment using combination therapies.
June 3, 2019 @ 9:41 pm
Monica! Thank you so much for this recommendation! I’ve actually been there for a sound bath meditation! A friend of mine is an acupuncturist there and I didn’t even think of that! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
June 8, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
My dear friend Susan told me about your blog when she recognized you at Neimans last week while we were having lattes in the Mermaid Cafe. And I had never looked at a blog before, but am very interested in fashion (I am a magazine page tearer-outer!), and so I went to your page and I’m hooked! But I am technologically challenged and can’t find the list of favorites you posted last week. Help me, please! It included a chain link bracelet and a lilac top that I loved. Thank you! Angela
June 3, 2019 @ 8:43 am
I have a friend who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She had to visit several doctors before she got the diagnosis. Most told her it was all in her head. The doctor who diagnosed her told her “The good news is you’re not going to die from it. The bad news is sometimes you’ll feel like you wish you would”. She had to live with the pain and tiredness for at least two years, had to quit her job, and was denied benefits from her disability insurance because “they’re not real diseases, it’s all in your head”. The customer service person at the insurance company told her the she has it too and she couldn’t collect disability either “so get over it”. She ended up using alternative resources (holistic medicine, biofeedback, acupuncture) etc. and finally found a doctor, since retired, who was doing research on those two diseases. He had success with using saline solution IV’s for his patients. I can’t remember exactly what it’s called, maybe a permanent or semi-permanent port, was inserted in her arm. Every morning before her husband went to work he hooked up a bag of saline solution into the port. In a few months she was able to get on with a more normal pain free life. Was it the IV’s or did she naturally go into remission? Who knows. But she said the only thing she knows for sure is she had to take charge of it herself because doctors weren’t going to. Sorry for the lengthy comment. Will keep your daughter in my prayers.
June 3, 2019 @ 9:28 am
Hi Cathy,
Sorry to hear about your daughter. I have been touting the healing benefits of acupuncture. I recently went through 6 rounds of chemo and my oncologist volunteered his time to administer acupuncture to his patients. It was amazing. It helped so much with the side effects. I know these are 2 completely different situations, but acupuncture seems to have healing properties for so many ailments. God bless and hope your daughter finds relief soon.
June 3, 2019 @ 9:57 am
Hello Cathy,
https://www.austinholisticdr.com/staff/dr-tenesha-wards/
Dr. Tenesha Wards at Infinity Wellness in Austin.
I received an email this morning about treating chronic fibromyalgia from her. I was a patient many years ago and she is a wonderful doctor who decided to go into the healing profession after suffering from lyme disease.
I can forward the email to you if you send me your email address. The information in also on the website.
Best regards,
Cynthia
June 3, 2019 @ 10:40 am
Buy the book, “Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain, A Survival Manual,” by Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland (Second Edition). It has been a huge help to me. My fibromyalgia began with difficulty walking on burning, painful feet. It progressed to left side shoulder, chest, rib and arm pain. Soon, I had extreme shortness of breath, sore eyes, trembling hands and all-day fatigue. I’ve been prescribed many medications – Naproxen, Lexapro, Bentyl (for the accompanying diarrhea), Klonopin – none of which really helped. Certain nerves are triggered and cause flares – mine have lasted from days to weeks. Figuring out my triggers has helped me live a moderately normal life, plus 2mg of Valium in the morning and at bedtime for the anxiety. I was diagnosed at 46 (called it fibrositis then) and am now 75.
June 3, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
Just recently discovered you and gotta say: I love your writing, your ideas, and your blog! Thank you! My daughter lives in Dallas and I hope someday I see you out and about!
June 3, 2019 @ 9:48 pm
Hi, Carla! Your comment has made my day and I thank you so much! All days are good, but this one was not as good as it could have been and just reading your comment made me feel so much better! We all struggle with insecurities and problems (my issues today) but to know that someone is appreciative and kind is so dear! I honestly hope to meet you one day in Dallas! Big hugs to you! xx
June 3, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
I have Fibro. The book that made a big difference in my life: “From Fatigued to Fantastic” by
Dr.Jacob Teitelbaum, MD.
He has a supplement formula of several readily available minerals and vitamins that is extremely helpful. I have used these myself and found that they helped me tremendously, reducing the discomfort and increasing my energy level..
Once she has recuperated some, I would also suggest a gentle Hatha Yoga routine to assist with controlling the pain.
I wish her all the best and that she feels better soon.
June 3, 2019 @ 9:44 pm
Hi Frances! I’m sorry that you deal with it as well! Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend the book. I am going to order it now! She is willing to do anything at this point! I hope you are feeling good and thank you again for using your pain and experience to help us! xx
June 4, 2019 @ 12:26 am
Hi Cathy, so sorry for your daughter to hear she is going through this. I just wanted to say how absolutely gorgeous your granddaughter looks! They are photos to cherish.