Plum

Wearing:
Studio M black knit top
Topshop metallic knit shorts
Tory Burch "Kaitlin" quilted leather pump (buy here, here, or here. And available in flats here and here.)
Gold bracelets & necklace from Mexico
Vintage ring & bracelet
Quilted leather bag (from Annie)
Chanel lipstick "Desire" (old)

This knit top will forever remind me of my late friend, who we'll call "Gigi."  For the privacy of her family, I do not want to use her name.  I met Gigi through my mother when I was a sophomore in high school.  Immediately, I was fascinated by her impeccable style (which is why I was thrilled when she gave me this top).  Before her I'd never known anyone with a Louis Vuitton handbag collection.  She was older than me and looked like the older sister I'd never had.  People often mistook her for my mother's sister.  Besides being the ultimate fashionista, Gigi had also had an amazing personality.  What I liked most about her was her sense of humor.  She was never vulgar with her words but could make you laugh for hours.

For the next few years after we met Gigi, my family and I became very close to her.  I even babysat her kids through the remainder of my high school years.  But over time, as most things do, our friendship came to an end.  It was a gradual "letting go" that happened.  We always cared about her and I know she cared about us.  I would run into her every now and then and she would greet me with her big smile and elegant attire.  I guess you could say that life sort of got in the way of our friendship.  To this day, I regret that I let those things (whatever they were) get in the way of talking to her.

A few years ago, I received some horrible news.  Gigi had died.  Words really can't describe the emotionally crippling pain one feels when losing a loved one.  My heart ached for her,  for her family, for her friends, and for myself.  I didn't want to remember how I felt that day and to be honest, I didn't know if I should write about her.  But I can't just ignore the time I had with someone who was such a huge part of my life.

Looking back, it's difficult to think about how I went from talking to her every single day to...well...this.  So now I have a favor to ask all of you.  I want you all to really think about the people who have ever impacted your life in a positive way.  If there is anybody in your life right now that you haven't been in contact with, you should call them.  Or text them, or email them, etc. But even better you should actually talk to them in person.   Life is too short (and full of surprises) and you really don't know what tomorrow has to offer.  So don't do what I did.  Don't push people away because of your busy schedule.  Sure, some people need to be pushed away (like those who have harmed you) but I'm talking about those that matter.  You know the ones.  So in honor of the beautiful and charismatic Gigi, I hope you keep in touch with those that matter in your life.

Love,

Azu