Sweater (similar), dress: Forever 21; Shoes: Steve Madden; Clutch: Lauren Merkin (similar) via Rad and Refined
Sometimes this blog completely exhausts me. I work my regular, money-makin' job from 8 to 5 at a desk writing emails, leading a project, and sitting in meetings upon meetings. I spend the time before and after work, working on the blog. It comprises of commenting on hundreds of blogs a day, negotiating with sponsors, promoting my blog and my sponsors' blogs and brands, and creating content. I didn't ever think that this blog would take that kind of time or effort, and while I am ecstatic that it does, I've been feeling, increasingly, like I wish that I just had one day job and not a day, early morning, and night job.
That being said, I'm not going anywhere (from my regular job or this blog) or decreasing my amount of time spent on this blog... this is just an "oh my god I wish I was you, full-time blogger jet-setters" plea post. Scrolling through Instagram on my lunch break and seeing some of my favorite style bloggers in Mexico, or travelling to Barcelona, or jetting to New York, I just wanna pack a Louis Vitton vintage suitcase, don my Ray-Bans and get outta here. C'mon world, I think I've put in my time and independent wealth needs to fall upon me so that I can photograph myself in 3.1 Phillip Lim, actually have enough money to take advantage of a ShopBop sale (spend $1000 and get $100 off!), and eat caprese salad and froyo all day while weighing 120 pounds. What gives?!
Real talk, though: I love this blog. I love working on it, trying to monetize it, cultivating friends, sponsors, and expanding my sense of style. I'm coming up on the blog's one year birthday next month and couldn't be happier with its progress. It has been through some big changes (Ladies in Navy started with two contributors and now has one! CP's still a close friend, neighbor, colleague, and stylish lady, but she's deep in graduate school), a few redesigns, opening my own Shop My Closet storenvy store, and opened up to sponsors recently. I'm excited to move forward with another year of blogging and hopefully some days off in the near future!
By the way - don't forget to enter the Zara giveaway from awesome company Wantr here and the Gap/Old Navy $30 gift card giveaway from Nina here!