New and Improved Annie 2.0 + Lattice Wrap Dress

lattice knit wrap dress

I took my Mom to the airport today so now I officially have to go back to being an adult.  It was so nice having her here.  I wish my parents lived closer.  Back to reality…

lattice knit wrap dress

Annie 2.o

Apparently I have a new nickname on Instagram and it’s Annie 2.0. LOL!  This makes me laugh so hard because the person I am now is who I’ve always been.  Feisty, doesn’t take any shit from anyone and fierce AF.  I guess sometimes we all need a reset button in life.  It took the deepest heartache and a life altering situation to find myself again.

lattice knit wrap dress

I used to care WAY too much about everything.  Now I really don’t give a crap about what people think or say.  I own the fact that I swear a lot now.  Some will find it offensive and that’s ok.  I’m finding that most actually think it’s refreshing.  I’m under 5′ tall and cuss like a sailor. #sorrynotsorry

I’m so sick of people playing the MY LIFE IS PERFECT card especially on Instagram.  Constantly trying to perfect every single shot…UGH.  It’s so saturated, curated and just plain old.  Listen, no ones life is perfect.  We all have stories, struggles, battles, ups and downs.  Some people have shitty jobs, crappy friends, toxic husbands/wives…it’s a hot mess out there.  We’re all just trying to do our best and survive.

lattice knit wrap dress

SWEARING

It’s a HUGE risk for me to openly swear because some brands may not like it.  It may not be classy or lady like.  I may lose business.  My motto: Some will.  Some won’t.  So what.  Once you can accept this, it makes life much easier.  I know what I bring to the table.  I know that my word about a product has value.  At the end of the day, if brands want to promote a product and make sales, I make that happen.  Whether I swear or not, shit gets done because that’s what I do.

lattice knit wrap dress

I can’t tell you how amazing it feels to just to be real.  It’s liberating.  A weight has been lifted.  I say what’s on my mind, share how may day went and will not edit out my video if Milan is screaming at me in the back or saying she’s an Asian garbage truck.  This is my real life.  Behind the cute dresses, nice shoes and sometimes forced smiles, I am a single mom and I struggle every single day to make it through the day alive or in one piece.

Going through a difficult time?  You got this.  You can do this.  I believe in you.

lattice knit wrap dress

Dress: c/o Ann Taylor lattice wrap dress (size XXSP) | Shoes: c/o Ann Taylor colorblock slingback pumps | Bag: c/o Ann Taylor Pochette Satchel

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  1. Milan’s Asian garbage truck commentary had me screaming with laughter! I love that Annie 2.0 is the Annie who’s been there all along. You’re an incredible woman and a force of nature. Keep (garbage) truckin’ along x

    • LOL! Omg this girl kills me! She also told me today that she wants everyone to get cavities and get thrown in jail! 🤣

      Yup this is me, always has been and always will be:)

  2. Yesssssssssssss girl I love Annie 2.0! BTW I always worried that if I cursed brands would not want to work with me. I curse like a sailor at home …hahaha but I would hide my bad mouth on social media ……..now i really dont give a fuck. I understand some people might think it’s not professional or ladylike….i get it. But at the same time sometimes I just need to drop a few F-bombs to relieve my stress hahahah!

    I also died at the “asian garbage truck” ….hilarious. My kid used to tell everyone she wanted to be a dog when she grew up…..kids say the most random funny shit

    I’m really happy you are finding your self again. Sorry that it took a horrible life event for it to happen …..but seriously happy you are being “you” again and getting through this

    • LOL omg Erica! I freaking love you! Curse like a sailor….you are my spirit animal! Same same!

      LMAO about your kid wanting to be a dog. Kids say the most random things! Milan told me yesterday she wants to put people in jail and give kids cavities. OMG lol

      Thank you for the support – means so much! XO

  3. I’m happy you’re fine being yourself, it’s so easy to get carried away nowadays and fall into the trap of trying to be someone different. And swear all you want girl! At the beginning of my blog, I used to swear more than I do now but I think it’s only because now I schedule my posts and give them more thought and really plan out what I want to write about while back then I wrote them at the moment and talked about whatever came to my mind. But I still swear, I think it’s part of expressing ourselves and it’s healthy.
    That’s a gorgeous dress, that colour looks really good on you and the geometrical pattern looks super cool.

    • Thanks Marta! I’ve always been this way but certain circumstances and people forced me to put this feisty and fierce personality away. But now I am BACK! lol

  4. You are a breath of fresh air! Thank you for being so real and so incredibly honest. We need more people like you on these blogs.

  5. Totally enjoyed today’s post. Like the others, the Asian garbage truck comment is killing me. I’m sitting here at work with a big smile on my face. Can’t help but laugh. Out of the mouths of babes…..

    Love the dress! It’s so feminine and would look good on every shape and size I believe.

    Glad you’re doing better. Our prayers for you and Milan are helping.

    Take care!

    • Aw thank you Sherry and so Milan could bring a smile to your face! hehe Isn’t she something? Says the funniest things! LOL

      Yes the dress is so good and most definitely would look great on all shapes 🙂 Love it!

  6. Dear Annie:
    I’m from Quebec, Canada and as a french speaking woman, I sometimes swear mostly when thing are not going my way… which might be … often!

    Almot everybody swears in Quebec (french mostly). The english people are using a lot of the “f…” word but not us we mostly use religious words. We were dominated for more than 400 years by catholic religion. We have not rejected it. We just had enough and put it in its right place in 1960’s.
    I don’t know why we use so much religious words but it seems to be cathartic to us.

    (Please note that we are only 2% french speaking in an ocean of english people in all North America. I’m pretty proud of my people having survived up to now)

    Anyway, I appreciate you being so real and frank with us.

    I always distance myself from people who are playing games or present a false picture of who they are. I hate to have to deal with such persons. As you said so well, nobody has a perfect life.

    Last but not least, your post comes at a special moment for me: Yesterday I discovered a blog where the woman, wife and mother of a toddler of 4 y.o. is also swearing occasionally.

    Mostly, I joined because what she has to offer in the realm of “self care”, “me time” is appealing to me. Her name is Laura. I decided to join her group as I thought she is real not hiding her litlle imperfections behind a supposedly perfect life.

    Anyway, keep doing the good job, if you swear or not and rest assured that you will not lose me.

    Take care, and have a gread day.

    • I must say that when I separated from my husband in 1993, I used to swear a lot. I was angry at him and at me.

      After four years of solitude, I met a good man and this July we will celebrate our 22nd year of love and friendship.

      I also found my true self after this difficult separation.

      One day at a time, Annie, One day at a time. Hugs and kisses from Quebec, Canada.

      • Thank you so much Denise and HUGE CONGRATS to your 22nd year anniversary! That’s amazing! That’s right…one day at a time…that’s all I can do! Sending hugs and kisses back! XO

  7. Love this dress on you Annie! The print is so eye catching and bold like Annie 2.0! It’s so good to see you enjoying life again. I hope you can see your mom even more now. I’m seeing mine this weekend!

    • Hehe Thanks Jess! Glad you told me this was you. LOL I’ll have to fly both of my parents out once I find a house and get settled. Cannot wait! Yay for seeing your family this weekend! XO

  8. I’ve followed your blog and instagram for awhile now. I can relate to you in so many ways. I divorced my uber critical husband 9 years ago and have not looked back. Watching you come through yours and emerging as the person that you always were but stifled for him reminded me of my own re-awakening. There was a song out when I was divorcing by Jason Derulo called Ridin’ Solo, which sort of became my theme song/anthem at the time. Although it may not your favorite genre, give it a listen. Thanks for being real (and swearing!). There are AMAZING days ahead for you and Milan. Trust that from someone way on the other side who is loving life on her own terms.

    • Hi Jennifer! OMG I love that song and will listen it tonight while I work! Ha! I am so happy you are rid of the toxic and critical husband. I hope you are in a much better place which I am sure you are! I so appreciate your kind words – means a lot to Milan and I! XO

  9. Yaaaaaaas! Annie, all of this. So proud of you girl. Love seeing you in full bloom!

  10. I definitely enjoy reading your posts more because you are being true to yourself. Lady-like feels like an outdated term. You are being the true modern day, successful, working woman. When we work, we will swear because life is tough! Thank you for this!

  11. Hi Annie!

    Can I just say that I love that you are so open about going through a difficult time. I think you are strong for getting through what you’re going through. Thank you also for taking about some bloggers just present these “perfect lives” -and it’s just so not real life and I wish more bloggers were transparent like you. We all have struggles and there are reasons behind the things we do. Life isn’t always a party and fancy as it is sometimes portrayed online. I’ve had my share of difficult times. This year has honestly been the first year (ironically the last year of my twenties) that has been the best as far as being myself and feeling ok where I am in life. I started a new career in design and I still sometimes feel as though I am “behind” in life in some other areas. I will be 30 this summer and I am not married yet or have any children (still not sure if that is for me) and I feel like I’m starting over. I do have an amazing boyfriend I met last year after going through an awful breakup before. My twenties haven’t been easy to say the least but I am now finally starting a new chapter. I sometimes worry I won’t have enough time to do the things I want to do. I am not sure how old you are but I was wondering if you had any advice on just accepting where you are, not worrying too much about the future.

    • Hi Emily!

      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m so happy to hear that you are in a good place now and have an amazing BF. Regarding you not thinking you have enough time to do the things you want….please do NOT worry about this. Enjoy being young. Live in the present. Plan for the future as best as you can but do NOT worry about it. I thought my future was going to be MUCH different than it is now and it goes to show you can NEVER ever ever ever predict the future. So why worry about something you have zero control over? My mom instilled in me at a young age that if it’s out of your control, don’t worry about it. It will consume you and you will never be able to find true happiness. It doesn’t mean you can’t set goals or plan a wonderful life/future for yourself. You are SO YOUNG and have SO much time do great things. I truly believe people are never too old to do ANYTHING that they want to do in life. Age is just a number and there is no definition of when you should achieve certain things. I write down my goals all the time and just check them off as I go! Be proud of where you are and what you have gone through. You got this! XO

      • Hi Annie!

        Thank you so much for the great advice and thank you for taking the time to respond back to me with your thoughts. I definitely need to work on doing all of those things. It’s hard and it’s definitely a mindset. Thank you for being an inspiration. 💗

  12. Annie 2.0 –

    I love you and your adorable Baby Milan!! 💕💕

    The new motto is memorable and relevant ❤️

    YOU keep on being YOU, because you are touching others in positive, special, and real ways. Some days I tear up after reading your posts, because the events touch my heart. However, on most days I totally laugh-out-loud and SMILE 😃

    Also, thank you for your transparency each day, courage to speak the truth, sharing your struggles, and strengths. 👍☺️

    No doubt, I truly appreciate your posts, which highlight the fashion, brands, and lifestyle. Keep doing those much-needed posts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I’m growing, learning, and seeing your new perspective. Plus, your virtual family is here for you and precious Milan, including the commentary on Asian garbage truck and anything else you and your adorable little girl dream up. 😊

  13. I just loved this post so much I had to come back and add something else! I think because you are such a transparent person and actually very generous to share pieces of your life ….and you are also hilarious……you would make a great vlogger on YT…just a thought

    But seriously as a creative outlet as well as income source for you and Milan I think you would be very successful at vlogging and we would sure all tune in !!!! haha oxoxoxo

    • Lol Erica! Omg you are hilarious! I’ve thought about it but YT is a whole other animal and level. But what the heck right? It’s a possibility I may give it a try 🙂 hahaha

  14. Annie, it has been such a long time since I’ve read one of your posts and I feel like I have missed out on a lot. I want to say you are such a beautiful person and I am so glad that you are sharing authentic posts and true voice is being shared! I have struggled with sharing my “true” personality” basically because of my profession. I am in education and now a days people have to be so careful with everything we post, so I also feel like I have to be “professional” on my blog. I have to say I think it’s hilarious about the cussing part lol! I’m not much of a curser, but I do occasionally slip out shit a little too much haha! Anyways, thank you for inspiring us all that being a lady doesn’t mean we have to have it all together and only share the “goodie tootie” side of us! Wishing you the best in your future plans!
    -Robin
    Runwayteacher.com

  15. Annie, I think many things of you- fake or perfect are NOT any of them. I always considered you real and a class act, even with this sort of new personality you’ve adopted of late. I have also always believed in you for all you do. I know not everyone thinks the way I do, but I’ve long respected you even since the “Really Petite” days of this blog. Not sure how many male fans of your blog you have, but I am at least one of your male fans of your work. Haters gonna hate, but I am no hater or troll.

    As for this outfit, I adore the dress along with the slingback pumps. Charming smile and hairstyle also.

  16. Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my
    new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward
    to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!

    • Way to keep it real, sister! I’ve been gone for a while and have always wanted to tell you how much I love your blog, your style and that cutie patootie mini Milan.
      p.s. That dress? To. Die. For.

  17. Way to keep it real, sister! I’ve been gone for a while and have always wanted to tell you how much I love your blog, your style and that cutie patootie mini Milan.
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