From the rooftop deck of my D.C. hotel I can see it all. The Capitol building, where I worked on and off for a decade. My first apartment where my three-doors-down neighbor was a young Senator Obama. My second apartment building where I bounced from unit-to-unit as my salary rose and I was finally able to afford a bedroom wall, and then outdoor space.

But I barely remember the person I was when I lived there. I no longer look like her or feel like her. The woman who stood in a hot restaurant kitchen for 8-hour shifts calling out orders and wiping plates, making just enough money to run her heat and A/C as high as she likes. The woman who wore nothing but high heels and dresses and a full face of makeup to work everyday and thought women who didn’t weren’t trying hard enough. The woman who knew the names of every janitor and officer in the Cannon Building because they were the ones who really knew what was going on.

She is a phantom. Sloane will never know her. Her joys, her flaws exist only in memory. Sometimes I wonder if it was all real. But maybe that’s just because it was over a decade ago. I’ve lived five lives since then.

But at least this trip down memory lane has provided me with a bit of fashion inspiration.

I spotted these Onitsuka Tigers in silver foil on no fewer than four women yesterday. All of them looked impossibly chic pairing this cool sneaker with casual dresses and shorts. I loved them so much, I already bought them. I can’t wait until they arrive.

In the same price point, these Alohas also come highly recommended. For under-$150, Dolce Vita has these crackled silver sneakers that give metallic vibes without the reflective shine. And for under- $75, Steve Madden has you covered. Wide feet? Try Cole Haan.

These Lululemon shorts look surprisingly chic in person. They have a 4″ inch inseam and a flat, stretchy waist for comfort. This parchment color way looks amazing with their coordinating Softstreme sweatshirt.

Guess who left home without her hot rollers? This girl. Luckily, I keep bobby pins and elastics in my makeup bag. This easy French Twist looks is perfect for ladies with shorter hair.

From tourists to stylish ladies at brunch, I’m fairly certain 80% of the women I saw were wearing this $20 Uniqlo sling bag. It comes in an aide selection of colors, holds all essentials and knows no boundaries — like an Aunt at a family reunion. I’m also told it will hold a diaper and a small container of wipes.

As for the rest of what I watched, read and ate:

• My hotel stocks this yogurt in their kitchen, and it’s my new favorite thing.
• Nicholas Kristof talks about the issues on the West Coast and how they may change politics.
• I finally finished the Sicilian Inheritance, an easy plane read.
• And I liked this episode about Trad Wives and social media so much, I listened twice.

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