Blogging Resolutions
Dress: Kosher Casual c/o // Scarf: J.Crew - on mega sale! // Jacket: Old Navy (similar, similar) // Button Down: J.Crew (Factory version, similar) // Boots: Frye obsessed // Belt, Earrings: J.Crew- sold out // Bag: Old Navy (similar)
Hello again and Happy New Year!
I took a little break from blogging and social media (okay so I instagrammed like twice, but that's still unplugged for my standards) and it gave me a chance to reflect a little on what this blog has become. #SoDeep, I know. When I started blogging nearly a year and a half ago, I had no real direction or plan, it just seemed like a fun hobby.
Fast-forward awhile and I realized a few things about blogging...
(I swear I'm not just going to complain without offering resolutions)
Blogging takes a lot of time. By no means is running my blog comparable to a full-time job, but it definitely takes more work than I ever anticipated. For me, each post takes roughly two hours to create, consisting of ironing, photographing the outfit, editing pictures, finding links to each item, and then typing out the body of the post (which shockingly takes me forever because I never quite know what I want to say or how I want to say it...). Then there's publicizing my content, networking, emails, constantly checking stats, blog maintenance and so forth. That can take as much time as I let it.
My bad shopping habits have gotten worse. I've always liked to shop a little too much. And by a little too much, I mean excessively. Now that I blog, so many new clothes somehow feels more justified. Since I'm going to do work to share it on the interweb (which is so challenging afterall), it's perfectly fine to wear new stuff every week. False. Constantly seeing what all the other fabulous bloggers are wearing also makes me determine I need things that I really don't. Overall, I can definitely say that I shopped even more once I started blogging. No bueno.
There's that whole comparison thing that I can't help but do sometimes. She looks so much better in those jeans. Holy cow her blog gets so many comments. She's only been blogging a few months!? I can't believe they got that item for free, why doesn't that company want to work with me? They have HOW many instagram followers!? I'm not the only one who has those thoughts sometimes, am I? It's really hard not to pit my blog's "success" against that of my peers. When I started blogging, I got excited if a post got ONE comment, and just did it for the fun of things. I basically threw a party the first time somebody pinned one of my outfits. Seriously though.
It's really easy to "sell-out". When a company reaches out to work with your blog, it's very flattering. Even if their company doesn't quite fit with your blog's point of view, it's hard to turn down free products/compensation/publicity etc, and heaven forbid you risk burning any bridges. I've had the pleasure of working with a ton of great companies in the last year, but there was a limited number of times I was already totally overwhelmed and still said "yes" or just wasn't sure I felt 100% genuine endorsing a company, and accepted a gifted item anyways.
Phew. Grievances aired.
Now I promise, this isn't my melodramatic departure from blogworld. Quite the contrary, it's my gameplan to get myself re-pumped for this blog and bring my reason for starting it back in focus.
So what's going to happen now...
Closet purge and wardrobe challenge. Stay tuned this week for the launch of a 3-month wardrobe mixing challenge. It's gonna be big. And it's gonna be something practical I can actually do (and you can too!) I'm also going to shop a whole lot less.
I'm going to share a little more fashion than just pictures of myself. When I started a blog, I had so many big plans to share information, not just outfit photos ultimately encouraging readers to go buy stuff. Wardrobe tips, explanations of why stuff I'm wearing goes together, methods to asses quality, clothes maintenance recommendations, runway trends, and more will make appearances here. There is just so much more to fashion that my profound daily outfits.
Be prepared for more than just fashion. My blog tagline is a life{style} blog. Sure, emphasis on the style, but I've been neglecting the "life" part of my blog. I've got a few of my favorite recipes on the editorial calendar, more DIYs, some beauty tidbits, decorating projects, wedding stuff (my best friend from high school got engaged, yeah wedding planning!), and some nerdy blogging html tutorials. I'm kind of excited. By kind of, I mean mega-excited. And remember those Wednesday posts? I loved those Wednesday posts, and they're coming back, just not necessarily on Wednesdays.
Me. Just me. For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting me in person, you'll know I'm a little sarcastic and have plenty of opinions. Historically, I've "watered down" my voice when blogging and instagramming in an effort to be inoffensive. Frankly, I think it's lent to my social outlets portraying someone kind of bland and boring, and I'm over it. I'm certainly not bland or boring. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to fill this blog with my political opinions or rants about current events (apparently that's what Facebook is for these days.. ugh) but don't expect me to start a post with "Hey Loves" anytime soon, because that's just not me.
Plenty more Sherlock too. I definitely got that part of last year right ;)
If you've made it to this point, pat yourself on the back and if you ever end up in St. Louis I will give you the best chocolate chip cookie you've ever had. No really, it's the best.
Cheers to a new year!
Outfit Details
Dress: Kosher Casual c/o
Scarf: J.Crew - on mega sale!
Jacket: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Button Down: J.Crew (Factory version, similar)
Boots: Frye obsessed
Belt, Earrings: J.Crew- sold out
Bag: Old Navy (similar)
I'm so excited to see your blogging resolutions come to life! Is it weird that I'm oddly really excited about the html posts?! I've been considering switching to wordpress.org, and (as far as I know) it's way more intensive than just a regular ol' free blog, haha. I'm also sarcastic and full of opinions (some of which I share, some of which I don't, of course), so I'm stoked to see more of those, too. ;)
ReplyDeletexo Kimi
Thanks so much Kimi! I'm excited to share them, I just can't decide where to start, there's so many fun little tips :)
DeleteI love the mix of green and navy here! It is nice to see something other than gray and black in the winter. I feel the same way about blogging. It has increased my spending a lot!! I am starting a new budget this week too. So I am happy to follow along with you! The post I created using your outfit as style inspiration is live today! I hope you enjoy it! Susan
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Susan, I love your inspired outfit! here's to a year of shopping less ;) xoxo j
DeleteI'm sitting in the car as the husband drives and he hears me say "yessssss" and he asks what I'm saying yes to and I say "Jenna has a new blog post!" True story! And I'm so excited for your revamp although to be quite honest, I was still quite content with your outfits because they're fabulous and I get the direct line to you via text for all the other good stuff. Hehe But everything sounds super exciting and I can't wait to soak it all in!!! Http://morepiecesofme.com
ReplyDeleteOh and PS this outfit is perfect! I can't pull off a pencil shaped skirt with flat boots, I'm too stumpy. But the silhouette is amazing on you and the colors are gorgeous!
DeleteLove your field jacket. Its true, blogging has made me shop more but ever since i've been doing wardrobe updates I've been able to shop for more staples and quality items but yes the over shopping is hard for me too. Good luck with your resolutions!
ReplyDeleteCha Cha The Fashion Genius
Glad to hear I'm not the only one ;) and thanks so much for your sweet words and stopping by!! Xoxo j
DeleteGreat ideas for your blog. Love the outfit and the blue pencil skirt looks great on you!
ReplyDeletefrom the link up,
please stop by, jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
Love reading your resolutions --I mean who hasn't compared themselves to every other blogger on IG or shopped way too much?! I def. could work on these things as well and I have just LOVED your style and can't wait to see more of your spunky writing this year :)
ReplyDeleteTori
FashionBlingGirlyThings
This was a really fun post to read, and I have some similar "resolutions" for 2015, especially regarding worrying a little less about offending people. I think I worried too much about that in the beginning (or not really offending people, but trying to appeal to everyone) and it really sucks the fun out of being yourself and out of blogging. I'm excited to see more of you unfiltered this year!
ReplyDeleteGina - On the Daily Express
This made me laugh quite a bit. Mainly that part where you said "don't expect me to start a post with 'Hey Loves' anytime soon" hahahaha. I am the exact same way. Just can't do it! I'm so looking forward to you letting yourself loose a bit more on this blog. I expect things will get very funny, and very amazing.
ReplyDeletePS-your blog has never been boring!
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
I sometimes compare myself as well but it makes me feel bad! I just remember this quote: you can't compare your behind-the-scenes with someone's highlight reel. Most of the time we are just seeing a tiny glimpse of their tailored life. Love your Old Navy jacket. Happy new year!
ReplyDelete:] // ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Girl, you totally read my mind! I always compare myself to other people! I know I shouldn't, but it's a bad habit especially being a newbie. What inspires me the most is that you have goals and missions. You've always been one of my favorite bloggers since I started Instagram. You inspire me to do more and take on your same goals, minus the techie side lol i'm so glad that I am not the only one feeling like this. when I first sat down to read this I felt like you were right in front of me, talking. Love ya girl! Can't wait to see what's in store for you this year!
ReplyDeleteI always love your photos and outfits, this one is no exception! I share the same blog grievances, it is so hard not to play the comparison game. But at the end of the day it is so much fun and I have learned so much from my blog :)
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
As someone new to your blog, I found this post interesting. (Especially after I just recently blogged some personal reflections on why I continue blogging.) I love your style and am looking forward to where you'll be taking the blog :)
ReplyDeleteJen @ Librarian for Life + Style
Loving the mix of colors in this outfit and your hair style is so pretty! Great resolutions! I love this quote I saw on instagram regarding comparison: "Don't compare your chapter 1 to someone else's chaper 20" Wishing you an amazing 2015!
ReplyDelete~Tatiana
We Shop in Heels
Hey Jenna,
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I think you touch on many common internal conflicts many bloggers run into when they start (most of which we never really anticipated). It's tough to think say no to certain things, but I guess I just step back and think about if my readers would like it and it's consistent with my goals. That doesn't make the decision any easier though. :)
Good luck achieving these goals! I don't think you have anything to feel bad about. Honestly, you're blog is one I look to for inspiration because I think you have done a nice job finding the line between everyday wearable and stylish aspiration (ie. all those style bloggers that look so beautiful but we could never really imitate them). It's great to have people in all parts of the spectrum, but I think where you land is a pretty cool place.
Thanks for sharing all that you do. I know we all appreciate as readers.
Jen