Blogging: Love, Inspiration, & Merrymaking

I don't always get inspired when I sit down (ooorrrr lay on my bed, a la Carrie Bradshaw complete with voiceovers) with my Macbook to write a post.  

I need a desk... that will make me a better writer, right?

I digress.  I get inspired sitting right here, typing the beginning of what will probably be a rambling, long-winded blog post I am typing on my iPhone.  I love blogging so much.  The whole experience.  I never expected it to become a hobby.  I started blogging after graduating college for a much needed creative outlet.  

It became my baby.

I love blogging because not only am I building an epic time capsule to show my future, highly embarrassed children, (or puppies, there will always be puppies...)  I'm in a part of a great community.  I've made real life friends from this.  I love that people I've never met know everything about me (and I them,) they help influence my style and we all collaborate from time to time.  This little baby blog was so enriching for me, even with 17 followers, before Instagram and when I didn't ever think Twitter was going to take off.

I've recently come out of the "blogging closet", letting the entire population of people in my life know I've been harboring this weird ass hobby.  

It was scary.  

Having a local magazine photograph you and write about your blog will do that, btw.  People I haven't talked to since high school were emailing me congrats, so once the initial weirdness wore off... I decided to buck up and make the best of it.  I've integrated the blog with a Facebook page, which I purposely avoided for three years.  I guess when I was working in a school environment, I didn't want people to know I was doing this for a few reasons... Professionalism? 

 Let's face it, I was never cut out for professional.

Mainly because some people don't get it and I was a little afraid of what people would think.

They're missing out...

because I'm awesome.

Now, I wish I had not wasted so much time keeping it to myself, close friends and fam, and my online blogging confidants.  YES!  An entire online community of people I don't know was waaaay more comfortable that letting my co-workers follow along.  It's not a dirty little secret, it's personal life AND style.  And it's adapting everyday, just like me.

I want to pursue growing my blog and continue writing for other people in different forums.  It is where my heart is at the moment.  There is that quote that says "wherever your mind goes when it wanders" or something... that's ME!  When I changed career paths (aka completely halted having one) my sister was 100% convinced I should take more time and do this.  "You're funny," she said,  Ummm news flash?  I know I'm funny.  Convincing others in a blog post is another story.  Sharing a long post (of my OWN wordy words) is something I also avoided, but it is what I wanted to do!  Maybe you're still reading this, maybe you saw my silly face and had a laugh and then clicked away from this insanity compound.  I've written all of this to say, welcome old readers, my new spring chickens, locally and globally to my little place of revelry.

Buckle up, it's going to be a messy, merry ride. 

p.s. feedback welcome, as always.

picture sources: one, two, three, four

comfy chic + needed inspiration

{jeans: rainbow | wedges: payless | princeton tee: target | sweater: i ♥ ronson (via jcpenney | shades: kate spade}

In all reality, today is my first day back to work.Christmas vacation is over. (boo, hiss) But in merry blogland we are going to continue believing that I'm still on break!I really wore this a few days back to get sushi lunch and manicures with one of my besties in town from VA (hey, jess!!).  I love the contrasting look of a comfy sweater and graphic tee with distressed skinny jeans and wedges.  There's a whole lotta juxtaposition-ing going on!
Did you have to return to the real world today, too? Bummer.

As part of my 2012 goals to grow creatively & harvest more inspiration...I studded the word "create" on the wall over my desk to bring inspiration to my workplace!!!!(do it yourself: I just wrote the word in pencil and used thumbtacks--TA DA!)

FBFF: Inspiration

Hello there, loves.  It is Friday! (yay) You know what that means.  It is time for FBFF questions.

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion
inspiration? 

 Honestly, these days, I am finding so much inspiration in my fellow beautiful style bloggers.  It is more realistic and closer to my itty bitty budget than checking out a celeb in a magazine in those zillion dollar threads.  But, if push came to shove (i do not condone violence)... 

I would choose Alison Sudol (of A Fine Frenzy) ... 

via via and via

She is the epitome of all things girly and ruffly that I want to be.

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you? 

 As I mentioned, I am inspired by all of my new and old blog buddies and their daily lives and style.  I have to dress for my body and my budget... Sometimes it hinders me.  I love finding a new blogger who is not a size 2 and has some of the same items I do. It is great to see another person style the same items and you can see them in an entire different light.  But even if I don't have the items seen in mags or blogs, I just use my little noggin and often recreate other outfits that are similar.. like here:

Thanks, Linley for not caring that I ripped off your Malibu Barbie outfit... errr Maxi Barbie.. either way.

That's Linley of Dwelling & Telling. She's awesome, and once I get some coral heels, I will continue to aspire to be her :)
3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?

That's a good one too, Mr. FBFF...

I hope to show them a real person with real issues.  Yes, I have issues.  About 12 of them :)  But seriously, I am about to graduate college, my wardrobe budget is minimal and I am super tall with huge feet.  That is the motherload of probs when trying to buy clothes and look good presentable in them.  Every time I get a new reader/follower/comment about how I inspire someone because I am a REAL woman makes me smile HUGE.  If I can make one person feel better about themselves then ALL of this is worth it.  I love blogging and the amazing people I have met in the last 5 months,

 I hope some of them feel the same way.

4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you? 

I am super inspired by my sisters.  They are the most beautiful and fashionable people I know.  Just check out some of the pictures below.  Besides their outside gorgeousness, they are the nicest, most genuine people in this world.  I can tell them anything, and I know that they will always have my best interest in mind.  They are honest, caring, and loving people on the earth.  Open hearts and open minds, inspiring me to be a better person.  

Love ya big/little sistahs!

BIG SIS:

 (sometimes too shy for a photo sesh... here are some recent ones):

November, at a wedding

June, at the casinos

LITTLE SIS:

Oh and she's too cute:

Valentine's Day

WINTER 2010

Spring Break 2011

5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you? 

Pre-note: I love Idol, please send all of your votes to HAYLEY!!!!
okay, thank you.


I love this question--
  I definitely find strength in these songs, they are both new and old to me and regardless of artists or radio play, I let the lyrics speak to me.  They are my go-to songs for when I need some clarification and realization. Please take a listen, if you have the time, and thanks for reading...

Sara Bareilles - Let The Rain

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek

Kate Nash - The Nicest Thing***

*** This song is the most played song on my iTunes, I can prove it.

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY to ALL of my LITTLE CHICKENS!

You're the best.

Check out all of the other FBFF posts at the hotness lady's blog.. Katy at ModlyChic.