PROUD OF MY HERITAGE
Happy Memorial Day!!! I want to first thank anyone who has served in the armed forces for your service. Service to our country is an amazing call to duty and one that is severely underpaid. For those who have children who have been called to duty, I know you are extremely proud and petrified at the same time, and I commend you for the service that you also provide for our country. And, even if you are like me and don’t have anyone in the services and have never lost anyone in combat, you are still a patriot. A patriot’s definition is one who loves their country and supports its authority and interest. So, whether you are from America or any other country, I hope you are proud of your heritage and those who have died trying to defend its freedoms.
I am actually working today but I hope the rest of you are enjoying a cookout with your family and friends. I have a slave-driver boss (aka Joe) who thinks that our store needs to be open on Memorial Day. Lol! Actually, I am only working because we are taking a vacation next month. Haha! I know some of you are saying, “what! Didn’t you just get back from vacation?” The answer is yes, we did, but that was just for Joe and me. This time we invited all of the kids and grandkids along to go to the beach for a week. Ashleigh can’t go and I’ll be telling you more about her upcoming adventure in the coming weeks. My older son and his family (that I just visited this weekend) can’t go either because they already have a commitment to their church for vacation bible school. That leaves Joseph and his family who are going to be going with us. I am so excited to spend the week with them and for little Mr. Beckham to stick his foot in the ocean for the very first time. Miss Emersyn will be a HUGE fan of the lazy river and I have already bought toys for her to play in the sand with. Being a NeeNee is sooooo much fun!!!
Today I am showing my true colors. Red, white, and blue is super easy to wear when you have this ruana from Cato Fashions. I bought this last week and I thought it would be fantastic to wear for Memorial Day and also for the Fourth of July. Evidently, I must not have been the only person who thought this since it has already sold out on the website. I did find the “Americana” section on their website and there were loads of things to choose from, just not this ruana. You can choose how much “patriotic” clothing you want to wear. You might only be comfortable wearing a scarf or a necklace and that is fine. You might want to be decked out in all of your patriotic glory and that is fine too. You get to choose since you are the one in control.
I am wearing one of my favorite items from the new Plunder line today. I didn’t think that I would like the Windy necklace when I ordered it, but I was wrong. That happens way more than I can even begin to count. I am glad that it works in that way normally but there has been once or twice when I was disappointed in what I ordered. Pictures on the website and the catalog do not do the jewelry justice so I will order things that I don’t think I will like just so that I can show you what they look like on a real person. I am glad that I make myself do that because I end up liking things that I would never have ordered otherwise. The red bangles are vintage bakelite bangles and the silver star bracelet was a special that was available for the 4th of July. Please be sure to check the specials tab every time you log in because those can change without any notice. There is a Memorial Day special on their right now that includes a red bling bracelet, a pair of blue fringe earrings, and necklace of teardrop pearls. May is my 2nd year anniversary with Plunder and I am celebrating all month long. When you make a 50.00 purchase (excluding taxes and shipping) you will receive a FREE piece of jewelry from me as a gift! Go to plunderdesign.com/taniastephens and hit the shop tab. Pick a party with my name on it and then have fun. 
Last year I was on a quest to find white pump shoes. Last year I failed. I looked and looked but I could not find any that suited me but this year you can find white pumps all over the place. WHY? Because they are one of the “hot” trends and now all the stores are carrying them. I would love to think that it was because of me but we both know better. Lol!
I am off to work before long but I want to leave you with this little bit of inspiration. Being appreciative is a wonderful asset. Reach out today to “someone” and thank them for what they have done for you. It might be that they picked up the mail for you while you were on vacation or it might be that they donated a kidney. My point is that I am sure there is something and someone in your life that you are thankful for. Shout them out below!!! You don’t have to go into great detail since it might be a private matter, but still putting it out into the universe for everyone to see and read speaks volumes. 
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Love this outfit!!!
Hello Tania,
I’m a recent follower. I discovered you on Pinterest and I love your attitude. We’re about the same age but your positive attitude is ageless and it exudes through the pages.
I want to comment on today’s remembrance. I’m a naturalized citizen and an immigrant and I’m a very proud American. I immigrated to the USA after waiting 9 years to come legally. All in all it took me about 17 years to go through the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen. It wasn’t easy and it’s definitely a very long road but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I love this country and for what it has given me and my family. In return, several of my family members served in the U.S. military and some never made it home. All those who served gave some, and some gave it all.
Thanks again for your info and blog. I definitely appreciate it.
Jessica
I never get the comments anymore!
Tania I love your posts but may I politely point out something? Happy belongs nowhere near Memorial Day. It’s sort of equivalent to saying Happy Holocaust Day. We are remembering and honoring the lost and saying happy with that is hurtful to Veterans who’ve lost their brothers and sisters in arms. I just attended a concert and the singer wished us in the audience a Happy Memorial Day, and behind me an Army Veteran said “Those words don’t belong together. I lost 17 men I loved like sons or brothers and there’s no happy in that.”
Thank you for considering what this man taught me.
Wish I could get that ruana you’re wearing. I did pick up a kimono from Cents of Style yesterday but it’ll have to wait until July 4th. It’s more the muted, washed red, white, and blue. I have a scarf that resembles your ruana and love wearing it.
Everyone please remember that Memorial Day is set aside for those who died preserving our freedom. We celebrate all our veterans on Veterans Day.
Happy Memorial Day! Your outfit looks fantastic. So thankful for the sacrifices our service people and families make to maintain our freedom. Bless them. ????
I am SO thankful for my family and especially my sweet, giving, big hearted mom!!! Also for this wonderful country we live in and the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom! God bless America!!!??
Proud to be an American .Proud of my uncle who gave his life for our survival and proud of my son who was a police officer. Thank you , thank you.
You have a lot to be proud of!!! Have a great day!
My father was a WW2 Navy man. He was very proud of his service to this country. So I honor his memory and service today. Also, my daughter is a nurse, and she is working to care for others today. We are experiencing very hot temps, so my fashion style is light and minimal?
Sandy, I know you are proud of both of them. Serving is serving, it doesn’t matter what your title is. I hope you have a great Memorial Day.
I think your fashion sense is finally rubbing off on me. I wore a Americana Ruana to church yesterday with Navy slacks and a white top. The colors in the Ruana I wore were more of the ‘faded glory’ look. I’m still not accustomed to wearing slacks to church but it was my turn to teach children’s church and I knew I would be crawling around with glue and stickers and 20 little ones so I felt it was best. When I asked my husband what he thought of the outfit he said — “fine if your goal was to wear a flag”. Tsk, tsk, tsk…..I don’t care. I liked the outfit and now I feel validated by Tanya. Yay!
Men! What do they know? Lol!!! I love the faded glory look and I bet you looked fabulous!
I have family members that served and I so appreciate them. I also want to thank you for what you do, it has given me confidence and just enough push to make myself important again, not just doing everything for everyone else. What a happy balance I have achieved already! You put yourself out there and endure comments I am sure you don’t always enjoy and it benefits others, so thank you.
You ARE important, Mary! Thank you for the sweet comment that makes me a part of your life.
Happy memorial day to you and all your followers. Shame you are having to work but hope you get time to enjoy the evening together. This week I am looking forward to spending some time with our daughter. It will be the 1st time I have seen her since early March and so we will have plenty to catch up on. My hubby is ex services but over here in the UK we have nothing as big as your Memorial Day. Although we do remember them and are grateful for all they do for our small country. You look very patriotic in your red, white and blue. Have a great day (even though you have to work). Jill x
I love hearing the traditions of other countries!