Thanksgiving is days away and, while many of us have sales over sales on our minds, we're also thinking about what brings us feelings of gratitude and happiness. For me, family and friends are what bring feelings of gratitude.

Over the years, I have come to understand that it is not things that bring me lasting happiness, but what remains once the "thrill" of whatever purchase I made passes.

Is it content or emptiness that remains? I have found countless times that it's the emptiness (I'll explain below) that pushed me to buy one thing or another. Don't get me wrong - you know I have my weakness for pretty dresses and about other hundred items, and they bring me joy, but many times those purchases made me feel guilty. Guilt is not a pretty feeling.

We're not planning on making any purchases this Black Friday. I have been hinting here and on my IG of changes coming next year for us. The changes are that we decided to leave California, at least for a while. And with that, we're leaving everything we have established here: our "home", our jobs and our lives we've been working on building here. California has been great, but also very tough for us. We have had constant bad experiences and heartaches with neighbors, we have not been enjoying our jobs for the longest time now, and the traffic in San Diego is suffocating us... We're planning on going to Europe for a while, traveling and visiting family, and embracing whatever comes next.

Ever since me and my husband got together, we've been on a constant run with... well, life. We haven't been able to take a proper vacation, nor "stop" and we feel burned out; hence the decision to make a change. Whatever the future holds, we'll take it on together.

I am grateful we stuck together through what has been at times hell, and kept going side-by-side like we promised years ago when we said "I do". I am grateful for our experiences, good and bad, as they all helped bring us here. They also made us realize how lucky we are to have each other: we're not great at our relationship, but we are great at being loyal and committed to each other.

Anyway, these plans have put a stop on my "shopping", at least for a while but it most certainly, did not stop me from wanting to look good/put together. I am now forced to get creative with my existing closet.

Pleats are popular this season and I really love them. I mean, the movement that pleats create are *heart-eyes*, not to mention that they add elegance to any outfit.

This skirt here is actually a dress. I have had this dress for years, and while by itself is a little too-extra, I still want to wear it during the day. I love the peacock feathers print and the colors are perfect for fall-winter. I wore it out with a sweater over to "dull" it a bit. While my husband's been raising his eyebrows, I decided I love this look - #streetstyle at its best.

Since the holidays are around the corner, and the houses and city are being decked out, I wanted to add some glam to my outfit with gold flats (see similarly festive here, here, here, here), my vintage golden paper straw bag, and pink sunglasses (similar here and here) to match my sweater.
Since the dress is old, I linked below pleated dresses that I would love to add to my closet.

​As we celebrate Thanksgiving and this year's fast-approaching end, let's focus on experiences first - on spending quality time with our loved ones, either making a home-cooked meal, playing games, snuggling on the couch watching movies or whatever other activity we might enjoy. ​

Disclosure: At no cost to you, I might get a commission if you click or make a purchase through the links in this post.

Have a happy Thanksgiving friends!

Until next time.
XOXO,
Em