may 2025 issue

please note this post has sensitive topics of grief, loss, and miscarriage

May was all about the basics, feelings of spring, & boots. However, in the day to day of May, grief was a present cloud. It was a month of learning how to navigate all the joys and inspirations of life while carrying something heavy too, and I still have a long way to go.

After such a beautiful April that brought so much inspiration, creativity, and restoration, I expected those feelings to continue through May. But life and grief are complex, and amongst the excitement of a new pair of dream boots, enjoyment of listening to country music with an iced tea on your patio, or fun times with friends or family can also be unexpected heaviness. Navigating the heaviness and also being inspired creatively by fashion, home, and life in general was hard for me this month.

May = pushing to live with joy, love, and inspiration whilst carrying the heaviness of loss.

Notable May Things:

1. Little Diamond Ring - In early March, my husband and I experienced the miscarriage of our first child. March was a month of physical and emotional healing. April was a time where I felt God very near even in the hurt, and I was thankful for life, inspired, and trusting His restoration plan - feelings that I thought and hoped would stay. However, May revealed to me the complexities of grief and the weight of moving on with life after loss. Mother's Day was an unexpected catalyst for this grief. Waking up feeling like things should be different or imagining what could have been was really hard. The reality of the loss hit me in a different way, and so did the feeling of no longer being a mom on this side of heaven yet. I had been wanting a little ring to honor and remember my little one, and my husband and I thought Mother's Day was a really fitting time to do that. We went and picked out a beautiful dainty diamond pinky ring. It brought me peace, comfort, and sadness. I will cherish it always.

2. New Favorite Jacket - With the start of the warmer months and not as much of a spark for fashion creativity, I really stuck with the basics + something fun. I wore a lot of biker shorts, white tee fits, and casual looks, but incorporated fun pieces like this jacket or my new cowboy boots. I got this Cowboys jacket for the Post Malone concert at AT&T stadium, and I love it. It will definitely be a staple come football season this year!

3. My Dream Come True - The dream boots. I had been wanting a pair of Tecovas for quite some time, and in a little retail therapy moment, got the perfect pair. I wanted boots that were simple and classic in style and camel suede that could be styled with a lot of different outfits. I want a cowgirl spring and summer with cool fits and confidence.

4. Western Inspiration - One thing that really inspired me this month was Western style in home, fashion, and music. I have always loved western touches in home design, love the cowgirl summer vibes in fashion right now, and country music has helped and comforted me in my time of grief.

5. Calm & Content - Not much changed in my home this month. It was all about cozy, clean, and content. Thankful for our home and the peace and restoration it brought me in May.

6. Posty + My Best Gal - I saw Post Malone with my best friend and he was amazing! His country album was on repeat in May.

7. Nighttime Cuppa - I enjoyed romanticizing the little, slow moments in life including my nightly cup of tea. It was such a peaceful way to end my days with my cup of mint tea and a nighttime pinning or reading session. It also just gives slow, peaceful, European lifestyle and I'm here for it!

8. Spring Nights on the Patio - I spent a lot of time outside! I enjoyed breaking up my work days with a little fresh air and sunshine, eating dinner with a warm breeze blowing, and playing with our dogs. I leaned into time outside as a helpful tool for comfort and joy in the grief.

9. Time with Family - We had my mother in law in town for a wonderful weekend, enjoyed an evening out of town with family for a graduation, and had family over for a cookout. Trying to stay connected with family and friends in a time of grief instead of isolating can be really hard, but it really helped me in May to see the people, do the things, and take time to myself as well.

10. Cool Cowgirl Vibes - that's the vibes all spring + summer long!

For more of a breakdown on my picks this month, check out my editor picks; may 2025 blog post!

May was a hard month. It challenged me daily to chose joy, find the spark of inspiration, show grace to myself and others, and to coexist with grief without letting the weight of it keep me down. God is still good, His blessings are still full and abundant, and His mercies are new every morning.

xx, AJ

"The secret of joy is Christ in me - not me in a different set of circumstances" - Elizabeth Elliot