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Fashion

Sweet Floral :: Bubble hem dress & Magenta pumps

Fashion July 16

10 years ago

With Wendy

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I adore this dress and especially love that every detail is thoughtful – the lush silk, the bubble hem and the continuity of the print.  And best of all, it has pockets!

Two days ago, I had the honor of joining the Threads For Teens team to kick off their tour in Los Angeles.  Allyson Ahlstrom started this organization in 2010 when she was 14 (yes, 14 years old!) after reading Dave Ramsey’s Generation Change.  Threads For Teens provides free clothing, shoes, and accessories to foster care youths, and the bus tour visits 15 cities in the US where foster youths are invited to come and select fashion items of their choice.

 Spending time and talking with these youths was truly a reflective moment for me.  Some came with their foster moms, some with their therapists, some with their social workers, and others with their legal guardians.  I remember my days in foster care very clearly.  I was shorter and smaller, looked anxious most of the time, had low self-esteem (still working on this to this day) and was quiet and timid.  To be honest with you, I looked defeated.  And it’s the same look that I saw on these foster youth’s faces at the tour.  We were often told that we’re playing against the odds.  A recent study in 2014 showed that foster youths who emancipate from the system faced the following: 20% will become homeless, 71% will become pregnant, and 25% will experience PTSD (twice the amount of US war veterans).

Even though inside we feel a glimmer of hope, outside, the stress of being in the foster care system still shows on our faces.   Thankfully, community events such as clothing drives and educational programs leave a lasting positive impact on the lives on those in the care system.  And more importantly, truly supportive individuals leave the strongest long-lasting positive impact.  This is especially true for those who believed in us, those who spoke out for us, and those who spent quality time with us.

It’s incredible to see what Allyson has accomplished.  Her passion for advocating foster youths is truly inspiring.  I loved every minute at the Threads For Teens event and am so grateful for organizations that support foster care youths.

As always, thank you so much for reading!

:: Outfit ::

Jacket :: McQ Alexander McQueen (beautiful similar design)
Dress :: Marissa Webb
Bag :: Chanel (similar shape here)
Shoes :: Manolo Blahnik (similar here)
Accessories :: Cartier watch, Wendy’s Lookbook X Tacori Promise Bracelet,
earrings thanks to Rue Gembon!

Thank you so much for reading!
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