(Peonies, again, because they are pretty.)
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, which means we have a long holiday weekend. I’m cutting things short to enjoy the time with my family, and I hope you can enjoy the weekend, too. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
Traditional Mexican garments as fashion inspiration and beyond.
Taylor Schilling on the cover of this month’s Allure.
Dolly Parton played Glastonbury!
More issues with military healthcare.
A 10-year-old’s journey alone from Guatemala.
The Trauma of Parenthood. So honest and true.
An account of transgender top surgery. So beautifully written.
And last summer, I spent some time helping to edit a wonderful website about CBACs. I’m proud to announce that it’s now live, as part of ICAN’s new website. Both are great resources for moms who’ve experienced cesareans.
Have a fabulous Fourth of July and a wonderful weekend!
(Wearing my thrifted Sailboat Skirt and an Everlane tee.)
I showed you my new-to-me Sailboat Skirt when I first bought it, but it took me a while to find the right top to pair with it. While I love the pattern and knew I could wear this skirt often, I was a little intimidated by the high waistline. Since I’m very short waisted, I’m not in the habit of tucking things in. But this skirt really calls for it, with those adorable brass buttons on the front.
I tried several different blouses before settling on a white V-neck tee by Everlane, one of my closet staples right now. I think the look is simple and really suited for a hot summer day. The larger necklace I put on was just too overpowering, so I added my rose gold heart necklace and left it at that.
(The skirt’s button detail.)
This skirt is so much fun, and I actually like the fullness and the pockets, too. It reminds me of my grandmother, because her favorite uniform was a white, button-up blouse and a navy skirt. I think she’d approve of this outfit, even if it’s a little more casual. I think it will be perfect for the Fourth of July and other events later this summer.
(They are so fleeting here.)
I admit that I was shocked by yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling in the Hobby Lobby case. I probably shouldn’t have been, and maybe I’m just completely naive, but I thought our country had moved beyond this issue. I know this decision only begins to touch upon the bigger picture playing out within the United States, and I understand the politics involved and the talking points on both sides.
For me, though, this case was simple. It was about doing the right thing and giving basic rights to American citizens. But yesterday, that didn’t happen.
That’s a very simplistic view to hold, I realize, and it doesn’t really mean much coming from a suburban mom with a tiny blog. I’m a cliché, and I realize that, too. I have a husband with a stable job, two kids I drive around to their activities, and enough disposable income and free time to put my thoughts out onto the internet. I’m like those peonies above, which so many bloggers love to photograph and talk about this time of year.
I used to shop at Hobby Lobby all the time, for school supplies, fabric, holiday decorations, party decorations, and on and on. Hobby Lobby is big in Texas, and there’s one on the edge of every suburb here. It’s probably the biggest craft chain in the state, and I have to drive quite a bit out of my way to find another place that sells as much as Hobby Lobby does. I’m not a crafter by nature, but once I had my boys, I found myself shopping there more and more for different items. But as I became interested in ethical clothing, my shopping habits changed and I started scrutinizing everything I buy. I stopped shopping at Hobby Lobby last year, and now I know that I’ll never shop there again.
I really believe that my purchases can have a lasting effect, and what I choose to buy and where I buy it from can send a clear message to manufacturers and businesses. I also know that there are a lot of women in my shoes, with children heading back to school later this summer and hobbies that require regular craft supplies. As women, we are Hobby Lobby’s primary customers, and we can choose to send a message to the company’s owners. It’s one thing to write a blog post, or start a Twitter rant, but if it really is true that money talks, then that’s the best way to make our opinions heard.
Stop shopping at Hobby Lobby and take your money elsewhere. Find different merchants for your craft supplies and fabric, and don’t school supply shop there, no matter how many coupons they might offer.
This case was about the rights of women, who are the employees of the Hobby Lobby chain and the target customers for their goods. I’m not comfortable supporting a business that doesn’t value my basic rights, and I hope you feel the same.
