You Call This Winter?

California is officially in a drought year. We haven't had any of the usual winter rainfall, & summer is going to be bone dry. This winter has been, well, not very wintery, even by our standards. Back in early December, there was a week or two of genuinely cold weather -- below freezing over night. But mostly, it's been mild & dry. Hardly sweater weather, barely boot time.

Between the lack of a proper season & the fact that I'm only going into the office once or twice a week right now, a whole lot of my wardrobe is languishing unworn. Hardly a crisis compared to the drought itself, but still.

What I'm wearing:
Grey & white stripe hooded sweater, Forever 21 | Black T-shirt, Target | Burgundy patterned corduroy skirt, Kohl's | Black leather studded belt, Macy's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black high-heeled ankle boots, Aerosoles | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Black & white millefiori necklace, gift from Mom

Done, Done, DONE!

Yesterday was my last day of radiation -- 33 treatments, all finished, after the 4 rounds of chemotherapy. You know what that means? I'm DONE with active treatment for cancer! Finished! I may need to take some medication for the next umpteen years, plus have regular check-ups & tests, but NO MORE poisoning or torturing my body on a regular basis to kill those nasty cancer cells. C'EST FINI!!!

I'm thrilled at this milestone. It feels like I've been in treatment for-freakin'-ever. Since last June when I first went to my doctor about that lump, I've been on a constant treadmill of doctor's appointments, all of which lead to increasingly unpleasant things to rid my body of the invader. Yes, my doctors & nurses have been excellent, & yes, their recommendations have been wise & necessary. But I'm incredibly happy to see the end of it.

Chemo sucked ass, & radiation has been fairly easy but not exactly fun. I'm guessing the future bits will be much milder. I may have said it before, but it bears repeating: I could not have made it through any of this without the constant support of all of YOU, my friends & community. My IRL friends & family have been awesome, but I was also buoyed by the stream of comments, emails, posts, cards, gifts, donations, & well-wishes from every one of you out there in the interwebs. Your support has helped keep me going when I've felt down, which has been a lot!

Cancer is mind-numbingly hard, & nobody can manage it alone. I am extremely grateful to have *not* been alone during this, thanks to you. I'm sorry if I didn't respond to everyone, but please know that your words, no matter how small, touched me & comforted me.

THANK YOU!!!

right after my final radiation

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe knit dress, Nordstrom
Black velvet jacket, White House Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black flats, Aerosoles
Silver sugar skull earrings, random accessory store
Chanel "Vamp" lipstick
(Note: I'm still wearing wigs & hats on a regular basis, but I went 'topless' to celebrate last night!)
For treatment:
"Keep Calm & Fuck Cancer" T-shirt, CafePress
Black & white fleece hat, gift from Mom

With my mom, who has been awesome through all this.

With my husband, who's been a rock!

Obligatory selfie - hair is finally growing back.

Burgundy Match

I've had this skirt & these boots for years. No idea how long. But I never noticed before last night that they're a perfect match. And we all know how much I adore matchy-matchy. Here it was, right under my nose!

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey denim jacket with belled cuffs, Newport News | Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein | Burgundy faux suede boots, DSW | Pink brooch, vintage, from my grandmother | Black dangly earrings, random accessory store

Fake It Till Ya Make It

I felt like crap this day, but I had a meeting that I couldn't postpone. So I did what you have to do -- wear a really matchy outfit with a new skirt & pretend that I didn't have a migraine & my stomach didn't hurt. It kinda worked. I made it through.

What I'm Wearing:

Black piped jacket, Speigel | Red T-shirt, Target | Black, white, & red stripe knit skirt, Kohl's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black pointy kitten-heel pumps, Aldo | Black & silver skull choker, DisneyLand | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Raisin Rage lipstick, Revlon