Celebrating a Life of Independence

Class and dignity in Red, White and Blue

Fitting with the upcoming holiday to celebrate our countries Declaration of Independence on July 4th is my celebration of an independent, iconic lady- my role model (next to my mother) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. 

Jackie Kennedy is not only a style icon which I look up to and highly respect, but she is a revered woman who portrayed a life of courage and grace while being faced with heart break and lose around every corner. She did not grow up in the best of circumstances but stayed true to her strong spirit and reached the goals that she set her heart to. Marrying the true love of her life, John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, before his inauguration, she thought that she had found steadfast happiness. Not knowing that she would soon lose three children before they reached their first birthday and later lose the two true loves of her life (Jack and Bobby.) 

Jackie believed in tradition and grace. She was a strong willed woman who managed to smoothly run the Kennedy Camelot; chaos and all. Nothing short of a committed wife, through unfaithfulness and strife, and a unconditionally loving mother.

After gaining the title of first lady, (which she preferred not to be called, saying that "the one thing I do not want to be called is First Lady. It sounds like a saddle horse.") she instantly became a portrait of the perfect, American woman. She set the newest trends in fashion and interior design as her gorgeous looks and classy wardrobe were the envy of every American woman. She also daringly took on the task of redecorating the White House, claiming that "it looks like it's been furnished by discount stores." She restored a sense of peace and hope in the hearts of Americans in a time of war as she opened her home to the public eye and shared her love for antiques as well as JFK's love for history in her renovations of the White House.

Following the death of her beloved Jack, she was a courageous widow in the face of tragedy. She lived her life with her heart on her sleeve and shared her love with everyone around her. A quote that I hope to remember always is this, "I want to live my life, not record it."

I hope to live my life to the fullest and cherish every day. So many times we shrink our experiences down to pictures and journal entries when truly it is the memories of those events that will last forever in our hearts.

With the grace and heart of Jackie Kennedy