Nothing says Happy Friday quite like a good ole soliloquy on feeling stuck, because let’s face it: everyone has times when this blah feeling creeps into their life. There are different remedies depending on the stickiness of the situation, and if I had to make a comparison between concrete, quicksand (a phobia of mine since The Jungle Book), and mud – I would compare my recent sticky situation to being stuck in the mud.
That being said, I did what any person stuck in said metaphorical mud would do, and flooded all of my friends’/family members’ phones with questions asking for advice. While said advice was awesomely insightful, the conversations ended with me, myself, and that still very much stuck feeling (kind of like after a shopping therapy session at Barney’s). After a couple of tries at the getting-advice-game, I came to the realization that I was trying to get someone or something to pull me out of the mud. However, this time, I needed to use my own muscles to pull myself out.
Whether it be meditating, reading various forms of self-help (Reb especially knows that I’m a self-help junkie), or jumping in my new favorite #ootd – the kind of stuck that I was experiencing required me to build up my lady muscles and put in the emotional work – in order to get out of the mud. You know what ended up helping me this time around? Remembering what The Crystal Press is all about. Despite sounding like Rebecca and I jammed a couple of sparkly words together when we created our blog name, The Crystal Press has a very intentional meaning behind it. It means expansion, similar to the way light expands when it reflects off of a crystal. The word expansion can be a lot to wrap your mind around, but it is exactly the reminder I needed to get unstuck. It was time to make like Taylor Swift and get clean of the metaphorical mud. It reminded me that when it comes to doing tedious things, like making to-do lists, expanding your focus leads to finding a bigger purpose and the right inspiration.
So what better way to celebrate becoming unstuck than turning an HM dress (which features 1% spandex, perfect for an action shot) into a jumper and literally jumping for joy? Besides drinking a glass of yummy champagne or being gifted the most beautiful Birkin, nothing immediately comes to mind. When I tried on this HM dress in my usual size, I got too many bodycon vibes for my style. To downplay the bodycon aspect of this dress, I sized up for more length and wiggle room (necessary if you plan to jump around) and juxtaposed the structure of the denim dress by adding a dreamy OTS chiffon shirt underneath. If you are looking to repurpose your favorite summer dress, adding a shirt underneath is a great way to do so!
Cheers to expanded focus.
Posted while listening to “Doing the Unstuck” by The Cure 
Chiffon Top: HM / Denim Dress: HM / Bucket Bag: Baggu / Neck Tie: Are You Am I (similar here) / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Gold Choker: Aldo (similar here) / Boots: Alexander Wang (similar here)
Melissy
June 17, 2016 at 3:51 pm (9 years ago)Love this very inspirational post…everyone gets “stuck in the mud” from time to time in there lives and it’s always great to think back to our roots an answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why, when pertaining to a perticular situation to keep us grounded on our paths in life and success. Keep on doing what you do girls and inspiring beauty around the world!! P.S. these photos are “Pfab”!!!! 😘
thecrystalpress@gmail.com
June 17, 2016 at 4:12 pm (9 years ago)Thank you so much Melissy! You are so right and I really appreciate your motivational words! Your rock! xo
Hannah
June 17, 2016 at 5:25 pm (9 years ago)Currently in so much need of inspiration….keep givin it y’all!
thecrystalpress@gmail.com
June 17, 2016 at 6:50 pm (9 years ago)<3 <3
Christina
June 17, 2016 at 6:56 pm (9 years ago)Wow this post was honestly so relatable and left me with a lot to think about! Can’t wait for more!
thecrystalpress@gmail.com
June 18, 2016 at 12:32 am (9 years ago)that makes my day!!! thanks lady! xo
Tiona
June 17, 2016 at 11:51 pm (9 years ago)This was totally me this week!!! Needed this and loveeee the outfit!! Can always use more denim in my wardrobe!!
thecrystalpress@gmail.com
June 18, 2016 at 12:33 am (9 years ago)Agreed, can never ever have too much denim Tiona!!! xoxo
Nicole
June 18, 2016 at 12:34 am (9 years ago)So proud of you!!! 😘 And your outfit is spot on!!!!!! Love!
Sam
June 18, 2016 at 2:31 am (9 years ago)Absolutely love the denim and open shoulder look! Posts like this inspire me to think outside the box and be more creative. Xoxo
Meg
June 18, 2016 at 3:26 am (9 years ago)I love how vulnerable you are, it is the truest strength and it’s inspiring to see in the fashion world! P.s. outfit is perfection <3
Becca Ott
June 18, 2016 at 12:29 pm (9 years ago)I love the blouse under the jumper ! And the photo of you laughing holding the sunglasses is wonderful … Here is to expansion !!!!!!!
Alex
June 26, 2016 at 4:21 pm (8 years ago)This is one of my favorite. You are so stunning! x