Life Update: On Grief, Change, and New Beginnings

orange flowers in a white vase
Back in Bloom

You know that saying we plan, God laughs? The past 6+ months have never made this more apparent. We make all these plans and the universes comes in and laughs in our face. Life was going really well, and then it started beating my ass. Last October I went to my first concert in over a year. If you know me, you know how much I love music, and going to concerts was one of the things I missed most during the pandemic. I felt happy, and free, and alive. There’s nothing better than being in a room full of people who like the same artist, enjoying the music, and singing at the top of our lungs.

Things felt good, like they were getting back to normal. I was in a good place, personally and professionally. About a week later, my grandmother died. It absolutely destroyed me. Grief is a powerful emotion, and one I’m all too familiar with. I’ve had to bury alot of people I love over the years. My daddy, my grandaddy, friends, and mentors as well. Losing my granny was different. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting my grandmother, then you know she was a force. A Southern matriarch, the epitome of grace and strength. We had made plans for Thanksgiving the week before, then she was gone.

The next several weeks felt like a blur. I was going through the motions, consumed by my grief. Trying to make the best of it. It didn’t get any easier. Those weeks turned into months, and before I knew it what would have been her 81st birthday was here. I dreamed about her that night, and while she didn’t talk in that dream. She found away to let me know that she was okay. I don’t always believe in signs, but I felt that was her way of telling me she didn’t want me to be sad anymore. I took that to heart, and it helped shake me out of what felt like a never ending funk.

Alot has changed in the last few months. I accepted my dream job, I cut some toxic people out of my life. I’ve stopped questioning whether I deserve the good things that are happening and the contentment and lightness I feel. I’m taking more risks. I’m embracing the changes and accepting that it isn’t a fleeting moment. I knew I had to come back here. I missed this space, and I felt guilty for how long I had left it untouched. I won’t make any promises, but I am committed to showing up for you.

If you’ve stuck around this long I appreciate you, and I hope you join me in this season of life.

Kandy’s Corner 9.20.21

I;m ready when you are fall.

Fall is upon us friends and I for one can’t wait for the leaves to turn and the temperature to drop. I’m ready for a change of seasons and a transition into a new time. My birthday is this week, and the older I get the more reflective I am around this time. I want to say thank you for all the kind words on my last post. I feel blessed and grateful that I can call you my friends and we can gather in this place. I’ve put together a few links for you to ease into the weak and into autumn!

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Kandy’s Corner 8.27.21

The last 18 months have tested me. My patience, my ability to give grace, my sanity. The frustration, the grief, the anger of feeling robbed of a year of my life. The lack of empathy, the apathy, the denial that we seem to be right back where we started. The realization that covid isn’t going anywhere, this is the new normal, and figuring out how I navigate it.

I started seeing a therapist again for the first time in almost 10 years and let me tell you it has been a journey. I’ve been reliving trauma, dealing with grief, determining how the events of my life have shaped me and the path that I’ve been on. It’s led to significant self-reflection on my part. I’ve been thinking about why I created this space and where I’m going from here.

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Kandy’s Corner 2.22.21

Friends we are ( thankfully) finally coming out of a deep freeze. We’ve had some form of ice and snow on the ground here in Louisville for the better part of 2 weeks and frankly, I’m over it. I’ve mentioned this before but I grew up in Memphis, where 40 degrees is about as cold as it gets in winter. A couple of inches of snow will shut the city down. I’ve lived here for over 10 years and I’m still adjusting.

I’ve been watching everything unfold in Texas and the rest of the south with a heavy heart and an empathetic mind. As a southern ex-pat living a little too far North, I never experienced a real winter until I moved here. They don’t have salt trucks or plows in the south. Winter clothes are the same as summer clothes. Back home, I’ve worn t-shirts on Christmas day because it was 75 degrees. I say all this to say it’s hard to prepare for something that literally never happens. I mean would you expect people in LA to have snow plows? I wouldn’t.

I hope if nothing else the events of the past year have taught us all to extend more grace to others as our circumstances can change at a moments notice. Luckily spring is upon us, hopefully sooner rather than later. Here’s some reads to kick off the week after the jump!

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State of A Dress: Plus Size Trends

Wondering when brands are going to make plus size clothing I actually want to wear

A few months ago I posted an Instagram story that said a xxl is not size inclusive. My DM’s blew up with other women lamenting the same thing. I had seen a brand being considered size inclusive because they went up to an xxl. Frankly it annoyed me, and brands shouldn’t be praised for doing the bare minimum.

I surveyed my followers a couple weeks ago about about plus size fashion, and boy did they have alot to say. This spurred the idea for this series, STATE OF A DRESS, where I talk about all things fashion. I figure we start at the top, plus size fashion, what brands get right, and what they get so so wrong.

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Kandy’s Corner 1.16.21

Stop and smell the roses.

What a week. I feel like I’ve said that alot over the last year. Part of me feels like I’m not fully processing everything that’s happening. Part of me just feels comfortably numb . We’ve normalized this mess we’re in, and as I feel like it’s going to get much worse before it gets better. One thing I have pledged to do is give myself grace, and I hope you do the same. It’s been way too long since we’ve done one of these. I’m hoping I can provide a fun distraction even if its only for a few minutes. Read more after the jump!

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2021: Why I’m Setting Intentions vs. Resolutions

Set yourself up for success in 2021.

2021: * Deep exhale* We made it. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to leave a year in the dust as badly as 2020. Ironically my word for 2020 was “Control” L.O.L. I’ve had ample time to reflect this last year on my needs and goals and what I really want in all aspects of my life. Today I’m sharing my word for the year and why I’m setting intentions instead of goals.

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