Bored on the 4th of July

Occasion: 4th of July Party
Shirt & Shorts: XXI | Belt: Vintage | Shoes: Khol’s | Bikini: Guess

I’m loving over-sized shirts this summer. They’re much more comfortable to wear in 108º heat, afterall, and they make me feel bikini-worthy, even after a big meal.

I had no idea these shorts were so short.

It’s been a rough summer. My design job was put on hold ’til the fall, and B doesn’t have a position during the summer, so I’ve been serving up drinks and bar food at our local watering hole to make ends meet. I’ve been waiting tables since I was 12, so it’s pretty old hat to me, but honestly, I thought my last waiting job was, well, my last waiting job.

I’m grateful to be in the position to easily procure a fairly lucrative job as a waitress. It’s not hard work, and a shift is usually only 5-7 hours, but still, I thought we were past this when we got married. I guess this is the “for richer or poorer” part of marriage vows, I just always assumed we’d be going towards the “richer” part.

I’m not trying to complain, but financial difficulty and sacrifice are a huge part of marriage, (unless you just started out rich.) No one tells you that at your engagement party. As a “wife” blogger, I think maybe it’s time to start being a little more honest.

Marriage is hard, ya’ll.

Fairy tales are just that: fairy tales. And at the end of the day, you’re still just two people, trying to figure it out together.

What was the best relationship advice you ever got? How has it changed your outlook on relationships?

http://www.trophyboutique.com Laurel

I feel your pain, lady. I have been working a couple of retail jobs in order to support my dream (and my little family) for the past six months and it isn’t easy. It’s hard being an adult! It’s hard realizing that sometimes we have to suck it up and do stuff that makes us feel bad sometimes. I tell myself that success will be all that much sweeter having done all this crap to get there. Just starting out rich might be nice, but maybe we’ve got lots more character or something??
Short shorts are where it’s at, too. I met up with three girlfriends last night and we were ALL wearing denim cutoffs. Zeitgeist+heatwave=booty shorts!
http://www.hellowifeonline.com Jess

For sure booty shorts are where it’s at! I believe in character-building, but I definitely feel you on the success will be sweet thing — finally! some rest! I’m looking forward to it.
http://austinstf.tumblr.com slavetofashion

I think it’s awesome that you are sharing this with your readers. There are so many bloggers out there that try to portray that picture perfect life. But you know what? You are spot on. It is hard and sometimes you have to do things that seem like a step back when you just want to keep moving forward. But have no fear; it may not be ideal, but this too shall pass. Take care sweetie, and drop me a line if you ever need to chat :)
http://austinstf.tumblr.com slavetofashion

I think it’s awesome that you are sharing this with your readers. There are so many bloggers out there that try to portray that picture perfect life. But you know what? You are spot on. It is hard and sometimes you have to do things that seem like a step back when you just want to keep moving forward. But have no fear; it may not be ideal, but this too shall pass. Take care sweetie, and drop me a line if you ever need to chat :)
http://hautemuslimah.com Haute Muslimah

Who wears short shorts.. remember that?

I agree, marriage is a LOT of work! And I agree with Laurel, when things start falling into place, you’ll feel that much more grateful!

xo
KaraM @ karamoseby.com

Oh sister! Thanks for sharing. There is so much they forgot to tell us at the engagement party! I could write a weekly column on all the stuff they forgot to tell us. Josh & I went to premarital counseling & our counselor gave us the best advice: find out what works for you guys and do that. Best advice ever…everyone wants to tell you what worked for them, but they are different than you. I preface the rare advice that I give with “this is what worked for us…may be different for you!”

Josh was unemployed for the first 6 months of our marriage and our house exploded: washing machine broke, oven broke, toilet broke, shower stopped working, and we had visitors it seemed like constantly. One week I showered and went to the bathroom at my neighbors house all week. Humbling!!It was so hard!!

Hopefully richer is coming soon! :)
http://twitter.com/Tanvii Tanvi

Oh! yes. Relationships are hard. Marriage is even harder. All love-shove flies out the door as soon as reality strikes. I guess it is about having patience and trying to make it work no matter what. On the brighter side those shorts make you look so hot!
http://www.hellowifeonline.com Jess

Ha! Yes I remember, B sings it every time I wear them :) I’m sorry we weren’t able to get together again before you left! :(

Jess Pendleton Caraway
http://www.hellowifeonline.com Jess

Thank YOU for sharing! I think I’m going to start chronicling some of the more poignant moments from our marriage thus far, it seems to be something cathartic!

Jess Pendleton Caraway
http://www.hellowifeonline.com Jess

Lol thanks girl! Reality bites, there I said it! But in all honesty, I’m just glad I married someone so patient and giving.

Jess Pendleton Caraway
http://beaandben.blogspot.com/ Sofia

I just got married, and its encouraginf when other people are honest about making sacrifices for their marriage. PS. I love big shirts for summer too!
Kait

first of all i love your outfit, and I love how candid you are in this post. I am in a relationship heading towards marriage, and its good to hear people being real about the struggles, and sacrifices you have to make, like you said! relationships in general are hard i feel like.
http://www.hellowifeonline.com Jess

Thanks! I’m trying to be more open on here about my relationship/marriage in general. Let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to start a discussion on… I’d love to impart any of the experience I’ve had with marriage so far!
Anonymous

Thanks for sharing Jess – hang in there! You look so cute.
http://hellowifeonline.com/first-fashion-beauty-friend-friday.html First Fashion Beauty Friend Friday | Hello Wife

[...] of bored with style posts lately, not that they’re not fun, but with 108º weather, and a sparse summer budget, my wardrobe hasn’t exactly expanded. I really like reading Cathy of Austin Slave to [...]
http://www.facebook.com/people/Amanda-Valles/63301409 Amanda Valles

I’m guessing that “searching for the meaning of wife” didn’t really work out considering you failed at it miserably. It must take a very insecure and miserable person to not only fail at your own marriage but attempt to break up someone else’s home. Sad sad sad and very pathetic.

Coming from a fashion designers perspective…. give up the narcissistic photos of yourself. Your clothes are cheaply made and not well put together. You would think that sleeping with the engaged owner of a magazine would have scored you a better paycheck. POORLY DRESSED WHORE.