inspiration: July

July always seems to be the slowest month. it's summer in full swing, vacation season, and, to be honest, not super sartorially inspiring.

however, i've always found July to be a good time to reflect. perhaps because half the year is officially over, and the brief summer slowdown also quickens the reminder that fall is on the horizon.

a few weeks ago, i came upon The Cut's Advice Week interview with Vera Wang. i've blogged about VW before as an inspiration, but after reading the article i have newfound respect for her candor and perseverance. she comes across as really real, as someone who is hard on herself, who has experienced her share of deep self doubt and disappointment. i think we all feel these things, yet it can sometimes be difficult to square our personal experiences with the images and narratives of "success" and "achievement" that so often circulate around us. 

"It seems to be a similar thread throughout everything, which is that your life isn't always measured by tangible results. What it really is in the end is the process, and what you learn about yourself and about life. That's something I've taken with me. No matter how bad things get, no matter how discouraged I feel, no matter how much of a failure I feel like — and that applies to motherhood, friendship, everything — I try to believe there's a reason, there's a process, and there's a learning experience. Maybe the journey is where I gained wisdom, where I gained confidence, a sense of reality, a sense of creativity. None of this has been easy. There's an old skater's saying: Don't be afraid of falling. It's 90 percent falling — otherwise, you don't master anything. You might hurt your ass. Or break your ankle. Or crack a rib. It's the same thing in life. There are other places to go. Other things to try. So don't be afraid of failing. I think not trying is worse than failing. Have the courage to try. Otherwise, what are we here for?"

love this.

have you been inspired by anything lately?