I decided to wear all black for this photoshoot. Black is a somber color, and it’s that kind of time in so many ways. The emotional pile was getting to me: from anxiety of pre-election, on top of the pandemic, to the weather quickly turning from “café culture – eat outside” friendly to “uncomfortably-cold-and-damp.” The “forecast” for the months ahead is gloomy— all the uncertainties make planning and being adventurous seemingly impossible. And yet I know – I’m super lucky thus far, with my relatives all safe and healthy and with my husband able to work from home. I also realized dressing in all black makes me feel good. It’s flattering, bold, and looks so badass, especially when you wear it from head to toe. Tonal dressing is a “thing” this season, and I think I am going for the black tone. On a styling note, I don’t worry much about mixing blacks – different textures read differently and make the one color outfit look cool rather then matchy-matchy. My friend and fellow photo shoot junkie, Allison of Allison Daniel Designs, found some amazing street art to serve as a backdrop for my black-on-black-on-black clothes (and took all the pictures). What we unexpectedly stumbled upon in an industrial area of Bridgeport was hope, inspiration, and beauty that offered a moment of pause and many smiles, especially when the sun peaked through the clouds. At the very end of the shoot, I found a small nylon yellow flower in the grass. Yellow was my favorite color as a child, and my kindergarten teacher called me Little Laura Sunshine. Sunshine is my mood elevator. It lifts my spirits and makes me smile. I’m really hoping that the beauty I found today on the walls and streets, capped off by this tiny flower, is a sign of good to come. For me, it was a reminder that you need to push through, find your happy, do things you love and make lemonade out of lemons when you can. If all else fails… dress in all black because it’s slenderizing! Also, take time to do something special for yourself (or at least allow yourself a big piece of cake) and look for your yellow flower.

P.S. : That big piece of cake will be replaced by a big bagel with muenster cheese for me!
P.P.S. : I turned 53 this week, so maybe that contributed to my dressing in all black

P.P.P.S : Allison — I promise next time to come with fresh hair and some makeup…. But, in the meantime, you really captured the moment with your damn good photo skills and artistic eye.

P.P.P.P.S : I changed clothes in the back seat of my car next to a sign that said “Smile, you are on camera.” Apologies to anyone who might have to watch those security cameras – it isn’t pretty putting leather pants on in the back seat of a car when you are white, pasty, and fifty two and 364/365.

P.P.P.P.P.S : And, at least, I didn’t take bathroom or hallway selfies!