The Weekly Edit: On the Coming Horizon

Jul 1, 2019

Like many professional women, I was taught that if you take on a commitment, you live up to it.  In my older years, however, I’ve realized that sometimes you have to ask if the follow-through is worth the cost.  If your work is costing you your mental health and putting you in a position where you are asked to act contrary to your values, should you keep going?

Last week, I decided that the answer was no.

Earlier this year, I accepted a job managing a local campaign.  Over time, it became obvious that my advice was falling on deaf ears.  When I realized that the candidate had a very different vision of how the campaign should proceed, I demoted myself from manager to communications director.  But even that drastic step couldn’t stop the hourly nightmares that kept me from sleeping or the churning ulcer that burned me to my core.

Eventually, I accepted that staying with the campaign was detrimental to my mental and physical health.  Making the decision to leave was one of the most challenging moments of my career.  But when you work in politics, you’re responsible for the people you help put into office, and I didn’t want my talents backing someone I eventually felt uncomfortable supporting.

I feel guilty about leaving because I made a commitment, but I know it was the right thing for me.  So today is a new beginning, a fresh start.  And with just 60-days until my wedding (what?!?!), it feels like a good time to put myself and my priorities first.

The Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag is a lifesaver.  I own the extra large and the small and this gorgeous, earthy Dune color.  The bags are roomy, spill resistant, easy clean, and have great pockets and pouches to keep things organized.

The bags also come in 12 other colors, so you can choose the one that best reflects your personality.  I’ve owned mine for almost a year and they still look new after many spills and trips.  Highly recommend.

Prefer leather pouches?  Dagne Dover also makes this shape in leather.  I love the sea mist hue with the contrasting black hardware.

When I was younger, I would wander the aisles at the Barnes and Noble and admire the beautiful covers on the wedding magazines.  Fast forward to 2019, and the wedding industrial complex has made most of the once-admired glossies unbearable.

Enter Inside Weddings.

Loaded with galleries and wedding ideas, not to mention helpful etiquette tips, Inside Weddings is the only one that provides actual inspiration.  Yes, some of the weddings are on the eye-poppingly opulent side of things, but even those give you an idea or two for your own celebration.  Because I don’t need 18-month-long “wedding ready” skincare routines or photos of $4,000-per-night hotel suites in Bora Bora.  I just need a little inspiration.

Humidity getting you down?  My hair needs to be out of my face, and off of my shoulders, STAT.

This adorable brass hair tie from Of a Kind is quickly becoming my go-to solution for summer hair issues.  I also grabbed these delicate oval clips from Anthropologie for any flyaways.  And for a sleek half-up style, this tortoise clip from Need Supply Co. caught my eye.

I’m always on the hunt for easy summer desserts, and Smitten Kitchen’s Strawberry Sheet Cake is definitely in season.  I love the mix of ripe fruit with buttery cake for a crowd-pleasing dessert.  And this one couldn’t be simpler to make and serve.

My one tip?  Buy a strawberry huller.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author; Dagne Dover sent me the XL makeup bag as a gift, and I purchased the small one later with my own cash because they’re that good}

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  1. Leigh says:

    I know it’s not usual to congratulate someone for quitting their job, but I think this situation calls for it. Congratulations! It sounds like you made the right choice.

    Also, how did I never know strawberry hullers were a thing?

  2. Sarah Z says:

    Doing the best thing for you is often the hardest. Way to take care of you, though, and know your integrity is still in tact. Also, strawberry hullers are one of the few one trick pony kitchen gadgets I support.

  3. laura says:

    How/when do you compare/prefer the Dagne Dover bag to the Cuyana leather travel case set?

    • Belle says:

      I like it better for makeup. I was always too protective of the Cuyana pouches when I used them for toiletries. The Dagne’s I can toss around without fear. Still use my Cuyana pouches for work.

  4. Kay says:

    Congratulations on walking away! I’m so impressed by how you identified what was wrong in a situation and made a change, then were willing to walk away completely. Some people stay trapped in miserable situations because the unknowns of leaving are too scary. But you did it! Brava!

  5. Mary McRae says:

    I really admire your strength in making a very hard decision in leaving a position that was making you I’ll. I worked in a job and stayed because I financially couldn’t afford to quit and I was so beat down mentally I didn’t think I didn’t have any self esteem and I didn’t think anyone would hire me. I eventually was laid off and it took some time to get my feet back under me. Thank you for your honesty and your courage. Good luck to you!

  6. Caitlin says:

    Congratulations on the having the strength to walk away. Given your career experience thus far, and with politics especially… I feel it’s important that your values align with your support. It’s not worth the ulcers and nightmares, and I’m happy you took the step to prioritize yourself.

    Thank you for all of the hair accessory links. I’m trying to train my thin greasy hair to not need to be shampooed every single day, and dry shampoo is only sort of working. Sometimes you just need to sigh and tie it up.

  7. Cynthia says:

    Stand true to yourself! You go girl! Relax and enjoy this time for your wedding!
    I bought the bullet today and am making this cake asap! Thanks!

  8. Victoria says:

    Thumbs up on honoring your commitment but also sticking by your gut when you got more information!

  9. Gina says:

    I want you to know as a citizen of Spokane, I am so so proud of you for standing up for yourself, your health means more than anything.

    Loved the hair tie idea. If you’re ever interested in trying new revolutionary hair care products, please let me know. Would love your feedback!

    Blessings from Gina

  10. Monica says:

    I worked on a campaign where I was deeply deeply unhappy and I ended up being fired, which was the best thing to ever happen to me, because I the stress was manifesting in physical symptoms and I cried on my way home every night and I was never going to quit myself. So I am so proud of you for figuring that out and leaving on your own terms. You go girl.

  11. Melissa says:

    I was delighted to see a comments section on Facebook mention that you had left the campaign. When I saw your name paired with hers I decided to stop following you, very reluctantly. I’m glad you’re doing what’s right for you and also what’s right for Spokane.

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