Backless Sweater and Bomber Jacket

Last night Tom reminded me of a time when I was so upset about the fact that I didn’t have any hobbies. My life was basically work and then just socializing. Before any kids, I had tons of free time but I didn’t really fill it with anything worthwhile. Tom on the other hand, has always had many interests, including maintaining a salt water fish tank, building a koi pond in our backyard, building and fixing things for the home, and also working out and lifting weights.

Shortly after Adam was born I found my passion for writing and sharing my love for fashion and interior design via this blog. It quickly became my obsession and permeated every aspect of my life.

Ever since I started my blog in 2012, I’ve taught myself everything about blogging along the way – first by doing my research, and then by much (I repeat, MUCH) trial and error. Figuring out how to run a website, html coding, learning digital photography, and then of course photo and video editing, have been some of my biggest challenges – all skills that I am still working really hard to improve upon right now. Then there is the Fashion Industry aspect of blogging, coming from a corporate background I had no clue nor did I have any contacts – learning how it all works, how to get invited to fashion shows, and how to properly utilize social media to grow my personal brand as a fashion influencer has been a huge undertaking.

Sometimes that feeling of running into a brick wall with something new I’m trying to do can be so frustrating, I just want to cry, quit, and lay on the couch and eat a whole chocolate cake instead.

But what I’ve learned is that all of that work I put in to understanding concepts that were once completely foreign to me, makes me feel such a huge sense of accomplishment. I can truly appreciate some of the amazing opportunities I’ve been given, from hosting tv segments and meeting celebrities at New York Fashion Week, to all of the incredible people I’ve been lucky to meet and become real friends with along the way.

I didn’t catapult to success in terms of straight numbers, and I see a lot of newer bloggers come on to the scene and surpass my stats fairly quickly. (However, I do know the followers I have are probably the smartest, most thoughtful, and most loyal people in the world- thank you all)!

I definitely still sometimes question where all my years of effort creating this space will eventually take me. That’s the risk you take when you take on a non-traditional career path I suppose. But what I do know is that I put my heart into everything I do, and I trust that my instincts are pointing me in the right direction. Basically what I’m saying is I’ve realized it is ok to not have a five year plan, or even a one year plan. Wherever you are in life, in love or career, is just where you should be at the moment. So instead of wasting time worrying about things out of your control, spend it appreciating the blessings you do have and continue working on you. One day looking back everything will all make perfect sense.