ON BOSTON AND HUMANITY

Being a military family, my husband constantly tells me how much evil exists in the world. He says most people are naive and fail to accept reality. I tell him he's wrong, that people just choose to see the good in every situation. As I am typing this, I suddenly realise he's right, that to an extent we ARE all naive.

When I first learnt of the Boston explosions, I tried to rationalise saying perhaps it was a troubled teen who accidentally set off firecrackers? My husband shook his head and called me "blonde". Look at the situation he said, it's clearly terrorism.

"Oh did they officially declare that?" I asked.

"Just look at the facts- multiple detonations, multiple locations, mass carnage." He replied.

Of course, being a seasoned veteran it's easy for him to read these kind of situations. Those who deal with world events on a daily basis exist in a different reality to the rest of us. To them, we look like pawns who walk through life in a merry little bubble. It's not our fault we view the world in rose tint glasses, we just simply do not have the same access to information. Surprisingly, it is also we, the ordinary folks who have this immense influence over how the world is run. The power of the individual was none more present than during the aftermath of the Boston bombings. Emergency and police departments took to social media to help spread their messages. Tell everyone we need more blood they tweeted, tell everyone to steer clear of the blast zone, tell everyone our blood supply is at full capacity but will need more donations next week...

We as a nation are a compassionate bunch. Our biggest fear and disbelief is that there are people out there who's sole purpose is to hurt us. It's something we often fail to comprehend and as a result are quick to blame ourselves for their selfish acts. Were we not nice enough? Did we offend them? Could we have done something different?

It is exactly this compassion and kind heartedness that evil doers take advantage of, it also happens to be the very thing that differentiates us.

If there is anything we can take away from the Boston bombings, it's that this country refuses to be pushed around. Sure you can try to wreak havoc but it will only unite us stronger. Darkness may have descended for a few hours on Monday but once the smoke cleared it was a scene of hope, faith and love. People came together from all walks of life to help out in any way they could. It's clear that humanity isn't lost, some people just choose the wrong path.

My husband may be right, there is a lot more evil in this world than we care to admit, but I'm going to continue believing in the good not because I'm naive, but because that's who I am. We cannot let any amount of terrorism or fear change our identity.

Thank you for reading. I know this space is usually reserved for frivolities, but posting on anything else this week just seemed insignificant. We will be back to our regular features next week.

Ray Ban Aviators

Despite my ever growing sunglasses collection, there's one style that I always turn to and that is the classic aviator. It's a style that has this inherent coolness factor that's unmatched by anything else on the market. When it comes to aviators no brand is more iconic and synonymous with the name than Ray Bans.

Since it's first debut back in 1936 (thank you Wikipedia) not much has changed over the years. The classic tear drop shape is still unaltered, the lens has the same slight convex shape to eliminate glare from all angles and the famous thin wire frames are still bendy enough for you to salvage them if (or when in my instance) your toddler decides to sit on your glasses.

There's so much to love right? But the true bee's knees is that these sunnies were once designed with only pragmatism in mind and have since turned into absolute style icons. Now 80 years later and we're all still wearing them like it's nobody's business. 

Pictured above: Ray Ban aqua mirror lens and Ray Ban black frame polarised version.

Friday's Fancies

Signing off early this week in preparation for Chinese New Year. I'm anticipating a day filled with frenzied cleaning and non-stop cooking in time for the traditional New Year's Eve feast on saturday. To anyone else out there celebrating, I hope your weekend is full of good food, good company and lots of red pockets (in the sense that you'll be receiving and not giving, ha!). Here's a few photos to sum up the week. Happy friday!

A new read my wonderful cousin sent over for my birthday, accompanied by the sweetest note. After a quick flip through and I am already mesmerized by Coco's photos and Karl Largerfeld's original drawings. 

Welcome to music city, Nashville. This is one of my favourite views of the city seen from the interstate. It's amazing what a glorious sunset does for the city and the soul. 

Absolutely in love with opaque white mani's lately. They not only match with absolutely everything, but is also flattering on all skin types and provides the perfect contrast to your outfit. The perfect non-colour, no? The colour here is Blanc by Essie. 

Highlight of this week was taking the kids to watch their dad parachute out of a c17. This was the first time they've gone to watch where they were actually aware of their surroundings. Needless to say, the rest of the day was filled with excited chatter about planes and parachutes and dad. 

I recently came across giant-sized Pocky at my local asian supermarket and let me tell you, my world has completely changed! 

Inspire Me: In light of Sandy

{ image via }

Sometimes I come across an image so compelling it would be a crime not to share. While usually I only ever post photos that I have personally taken, today is an exception to my own rule.

Some of you may have already seen this photo today floating around the internet. As the entire East Coast of America bunkers down in the face of Hurricane Sandy, the Sentinels standing guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery continue on with their task. For them it is not a job but the highest of honors. To the rest of the country it is a message. The Sentinels live by their creed which in part says "Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability". The Tomb of the Unknowns have been guarded continuously 24 hours, 7 days a week since the first guard was posted in 1937. No amount of inclement weather, terrorist attacks or anything else will cause the watch to cease.

While this photo dates back to September 2012, it's important to note that today, right now this very instant the Old Guards are still there manning their post. They have the option of seeking refuge within the Trophy Room which overlooks the tomb but I have a feeling these dedicated men will remain guarding the tombs.

If you have never witnessed this in person, I highly recommend that you do. It is an incredibly sobering experience and will put into perspective all those minor trivial things in life. 

To all those in Sandy's path, stay safe!

An Airborne Air Show

Before you begin reading I must warn you, this post is neither fashion nor food related. In fact there's nothing very feminine about it at all. Today's post is a little bit different. I thought I'd share with you a glimpse into the 'camo' side of {camo meets couture}.

If the title hasn't given it away yet, this blog post is about an air show. Okay, you're probably rolling your eyes right now but this isn't your typical run of the mill show. These are pictures taken at the annual air show on our Army base. Sure, there were planes somersaulting in the sky but this air show was focused more on celebrating the military, especially the Airborne division than it was about showcasing different types of aircrafts. After all this year marks the 70th birthday of the 101st Airborne Division (Screamin' Eagles). Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Friday's Fancies

Friday is almost over and I am still here putting together this friday's collection of polaroids. My excuse is... well I don't have one really. I spent the day at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, enough said.

This week was a good one despite some unexpected news. The highlight was a little midweek getaway with a few girlfriends and all our kids. One of the things I enjoy most about being an army wife is the amazing people you meet who comes from all walks of life and are joined together under a common cause. We all live in close proximity to each other, our husbands all work together and our kids are all roughly the same age. The sense of community here is really strong and quite different to civilian life. I would consider this little community to be quite segregated from the rest of society. We live in the outskirts of major cities. The entire population is mostly made up of military families and contractors. There is no real interaction with the outside world unless you leave the town. When deployment comes around, swarms of soldiers leave together leaving behind their spouse and children. In those times, your friends really do become your family. I know this blog is called {camo meets couture} but I rarely write about military life. I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my world.



Day spent at the manmade beach resulting in the most horrible tan for myself (see instagram @jeneechen) and no signs of sun whatsoever on either of my kids. Sunscreen really is a wonderful product. I really should be using it on myself too and not just the kids.

My daughter's and their bff's. How many people can say that they were friends since before they were born? When I was pregnant with my first, my good friend was also pregnant resulting in our two girls being born two days apart. When I fell pregnant the second time, the same friend also fell pregnant resulting in the birth of our other two girls born two weeks apart. These four were destined to be friends for life. 

Cloud gazing is a favourite passtime of mine. In my much younger days I use to want to be a meterologist. I would bury myself in books memorising different cloud formations and their scientific names. Seriously, who's ever heard of someone say they want to be a meterologist when they grow up?

My little one just loves to smile. Her aunt once asked me in all seriousness if she had a smiling disease? These toothy grins just get me each time. 

Dear Nordstrom, thank you for your yearly Anniversary Sale. I look forward to them each year, especially when they coincide with Tax Free Weekend like this year!

Wardrobe Diaries: Khaki planes

A well fitting safari dress is another one of my summer wardrobe staples, they're super versatile and always in season. I especially love the full skirt on this dress, it gives it a 50's feel.

{ armani exchange safari dress . zara print scarf . foley+corinna letter satchel . steve madden shoes . belt by seed . amit singh beaded bracelet . tom ford aviators }

Introducing me

They say 'a picture is worth a thousand words' right? I think these images pretty much sums me up.

{ thurley  pyjama shirt . christian dior christal diamond watch . tiffany & co. outline heart diamond ring .  nail colour blush of adrenaline by OPI . bracelet gift . necklace gift . heidegger's hut by adam sharr . husband's uniform . marc jacobs flag towel . location at home }