“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together” – Marilyn Monroe
Life can be a tumultuous ride; oftentimes we get caught up in the whirlwind where we are at our highest highs at one moment only to be dropped down next to our lowest lows. At that moment we experience an instant adrenaline rush that puts us in the fight or flight mode where we ask ourselves “should I pursue this or should I just let it go?”
The feeling of perseverance resonated with me as I came by River North, which is a scintillating and upbeat neighborhood north of Chicago’s Loop. Despite its livelihood and crowd, this is one of the places where I encountered many fond memories and where down the road had to turn a “blind eye” to a few. This is the foreground to where friendships were born and nourished, and where the last goodbyes were bid adieu.
Yes despite all these perpetual changes in sentiment, I know one thing stays constant, and that is my character. I became Better. I moved Faster. I endured Stronger. And hopefully became more fun 🙂
In my outfit today I paired tribal-print cropped pants with a fitted black blazer because I wanted to resonate with the idea of BALANCE. The colors are multi-toned and if looked closely can have a dizzying effect–this is like the dilemmas in life that catch us off guard.
In order to maintain equilibrium, we have to counter it with stable matters (much like the neutrality of this classic blazer) — a hobby that hones our creativity, a mentor that gives us sound advice, a blog to muse about frivolous yet enlightening thoughts without pause. These are the little trinkets of life that help us endure difficult times and build our character to counter new ones in a more resilient manner than before.
So when you hit bottom next time, bounce back up. You know it’s in you to be a fighter and a survivor. And if you’re in River North, make sure to stop by Rock Bottom Brewery on Grand Avenue. A beer or two might help too 🙂
Xoxo ~ Lena
FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // BLOGLOVIN
Phots: Jason J
Tank Top: Banana Republic// Blazer: H&M// Pants: H&M// Pouch: Zara// Shoes: 14th Union// Watch: Marc Jacobs// Necklace: Forever 21
I love Lana too!
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Yes she’s a very talent singer! Thanks for dropping by Tokoni 🙂
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Amazing post! Love your outfit and you are truly an inspiration!
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Thanks girl! Have a great day 🙂
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beautiful outfit, love it! and that song is just pure magic 🙂 -T
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Thanks Tamara! Yes isn’t it a great song? So inspirational too 🙂
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I love your outfit once again, it would be great for the office. I agree with everything you said. I went to a buddhist meditation session once and the theme was “surfing life’s difficulties” because we only get upset when we expect there to be no waves in the sea. Hitting rock bottom is inevitable. Very inspirational post 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your experience Kathy! Yes I think when difficulties arise we have to not only brace ourselves but adopt a mentality to overcome. In time. Life’s a pendulum swing, and there’s no need to get worked up when it sways to unfavorable times because by the force of gravity (and passing moments) better days would clock in 🙂
Have a wonderful day Kathy 🙂
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Nice outfit and I like your words!
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Thank you Dawn! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Ann'sRazzJazz and commented:
So True Very inspiring to me. Yet it also mean being honest!
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Thanks Ann! I’m glad you find my words inspiring and I hope it adds positivity to your day. And I deeply appreciate your reblog. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Lena,
I love that quote and I believe it 100%. Thanks for being so candid in this post. We all experience trials in our lives for a reason. Often times when we’re in the midst of difficult times, we wonder why this is happening to us or how we will ever make it through. But we do! God is amazing. The difficult times teach us how to be appreciative of the good times and prepare us for even tougher times. It’s all about perseverance!
Your photos are amazing and your outfit is pretty classy. Love the pants!
xo Donna
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Hi Donna, thanks for your kind words! Yes I agree that life throws curveballs at us and sometimes our best defense is to stay resilient and strong. And yes even I’m learning from my own post to be appreciative of the good moments and count my blessings. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Oh, I love that outfit and the necklace that combines perfectly with the pants, very good choice!
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Thanks girl! Yes it’s quickly become one of my favorite work week outfit 🙂
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This was just what I needed to read today. I’m having a real downer of a day, and I feel totally at rock bottom. It’s good to know the only way is up xx
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I’m really glad this is inspiring to you today Samuel! Sometimes when we feel like we are a the bottom of the pit we may need some time to think, to recuperate, to recover. Then when we are ready we’ll climb our way up and out of rock bottom. One step at a time. Take care and hope your day only gets better from this point onwards! 🙂
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Thank you. I really mean it. Yes, sometimes things just bog us down. Enjoy your day too xx
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Great outfit. And very inspiring post!! 🙂
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Thanks Tina! 🙂
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Great Song, Great outfit 🙂 ❤ xx
http://www.imserenel.wordpress.com
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Thanks Serene! Yes what an amazing song 🙂
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Absolutely !! an amazing song <3!! love a bit of Lana !! x
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gorgeous post! I love your Look!
http://fashiontipp.com
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Thank you Marina! 🙂
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I totally agree with everything you have stated x Love the post and you are gorgeous ❤ – Talia xo
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Thank you Talia! 🙂
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So chic! Love it! 🙂
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Thank you Dee! I think I may need some stud earrings to complete this look 😉
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Love this & Lana is my fav!! Listen to her song ‘Ride’!!
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Oh yes I love that song! Have you listened to Ultraviolence? That album is spectacular too! 🙂
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Oh yes, I got it the day it came out! 🎶❤️
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i had a good read with a perfect background music! 🙂
nice post! and im loving the photos and the outfit as well! Good job!
April of: http://beybiapril.wordpress.com
IG: @beybiapril
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Thanks April for your lovely comments. Yes don’t you just love the melody and inspiring lyrics! 🙂
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Lana for ever…great message!
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Thanks girl! Isn’t she amazing Great vocalist. Spectacular lyricist 🙂
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Great advice and gorgeous necklace!
http://www.morganetoile.com
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Thanks Morgan! 🙂
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That neckpiece was meant to be with these pants! I love the fact that you styled those pants with blazer! Thank you for visiting my blog too! Love
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Thanks girl! Yes I love the definition this blazer brought to my ensemble, and I’m looking forward to more tailored ones to structure a 9 to 5 outfit. Have a good day! 🙂
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Gorgeous, as always and I love your backdrop’s too! XO
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Thanks Vanessa!! 🙂
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LOVE your bag and also the pants!
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Thank you! The wording is very inspiring isn’t it! 🙂
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It is, indeed. The pattern of falling and bouncing back up actually starts from the print of the pants 🙂 That zigzag might be interpreted just like a bounce, do you agree?
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Cute post, great message! Thanks for stopping by my blog too Lena! 🙂 Always nice when people say hi so that you can stumble across other bloggers with similar interests. I’m now following you also and look forward to your next post! http://littletravellerthings.wordpress.com
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Thanks Aleasha! I really enjoyed your travel posts as those photos of you and your daughter are very endearing. I’ve lived in Beijing for 2 months before (right around the Olympics) so I can resonate with your sentiments of being there and leaving. Have a great day girl! 🙂
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Lena, I loved this post! And I saw it just in the nick of time. I’ve been feeling down lately and you reminded me that everyone else goes through their own ups and downs and that it’s ok 🙂
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Hi sweetie, I’m glad you were inspired by my post! You know sometimes when we go through rough patches we just have to take a moment to slow our mind down and breathe. It’s not something easy (I still struggle with telling my thoughts to simmer down) but over time you’ll get a hold of telling yourself everything will be ok and work towards a solution when you are calm. With that said I’m sure the speed bumps will be less difficult in crossing as you come by them every now and then. I hope that helps. Do take care girl 🙂
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