Going Gray

How I Discovered My Calling Is Not To Be A Fashion Blogger

Shelley

I don’t know if it is accurate – I assume it is so – people who read personal blogs and those who write them enjoy sharing glimpses of who they are in their everyday life. Especially if you’re a fashion blogger.

I haven’t always been so generous in my sharing. I tend to show you more and more as time goes on. I confess that I definitely know I couldn’t be a fashion blogger/vlogger for so many reasons.

But, what the heck. How about I show you how I came to that realization and get you to vote all in one post?

It’s fun to peek into other people’s worlds and see how they go about doing things.

Norah Jones

At first, I was terrified to share anything about my personal life and our house. I can’t count how many times I’ve thought, “Who wants to see a 30-year-old pink carpeted bedroom?” Besides that, should I confess that our cat could be known to vomit on it on occasion or lounge on our bed and shed her hair? Ew. 🙄

So there…I confessed.

But, that’s just a peek into the other confessions I have to share for the week. I’ve been doing some posing in front of the camera. So has Dessy.

I know privacy is much less of a thing than when I started blogging over a decade ago. So here goes, I’m off to share a few selfie moments from the past week.

Last Sunday, a dear, dear, dear friend of mine (we met in Junior High school) helped me shop my own closet to make spring outfits out of what I already have. Score me, I love to save a buck! Even back when we were young, I remember how she is truly gifted when it comes to putting outfits together. I, on the other hand, benefit from tips on what to wear and what not to wear.

I have learned to watch myself and give myself constructive criticism. Although I have to cover my face and peek sometimes!

Dascha Polanco

We spent 4 hours of silly and serious entertainment while I tried on 27 different outfits she put together. Let me tell you, that was a workout mentally for our brains and physically for my 58.5 year old body! I was sore the next day.

I only took one photo of an outfit. I had big plans to capture every single outfit, but then I was the model and the model got tired. And it would’ve taken too much time to grab my camera in between outfits.

So my friend took photos of each outfit and then air-shared them via our iPhones so I have them on my phone when I go shopping. One of the last outfits tried on ended up being my Instagram profile photo. I must confess, I got better at posing as the day went on. I shared it in black and white, because of the pink carpet factor. 🤣

Several times she asked me if I liked the item or if I wear the item and how long it had been since I wore it. Sadly, I said, “I haven’t yet” too many times. I encouraged her to add any item that was a no-go and had to go to the donation pile. “Be brutally honest, dear!” So she did/was. I appreciate that about our friendship!

I’ll have to confess to her the next time I see her that I rescued one item and tried to salvage it because it’s a color I like – that might go with the thing I ordered.

Throughout the day, she shared kind reminders of:

  • These solid colors are your wardrobe friends – and don’t forget to make sure you accessorize with the right colored belt.
  • These wardrobe-friendly items are missing from your closet. I’ll make a list for you.
  • You have enough sandals, how do you know what you have in shoes when you store them in boxes?
  • When was the last time you wore this – if never, why do you keep it?

I said several times, “I have a few, as in 3, items on order…they didn’t arrive yet, I hope they’ll fit into the new outfit plans.”

“Yes, a more fitted denim jacket might be better with that outfit.”

“I don’t think I should be allowed to shop on my own ever again.”

“Oh, yes, I think that might be a good idea.”

I imagined the model and how nice the jean jacket looked on her curves. I didn’t imagine my own body in it. Apparently, that’s an important thing to consider.

The next day, the jean jacket above arrived. In this box.

I, too, was shocked. WTH? Why so big? It was the last box I emptied for the week. And it has been getting in the walking way (aka, path in between piles of papers for work) to and from my desk in my office.

Mr. was going to recycle it. I told him, “No, don’t, I’m working on a project with it.” Meanwhile, I waited for the rest of the shipment to arrive.

Like a hawk in the tree, the cats watched me and the intriguing box from a distance.

They knew I’d eventually let them play in the box before I repurposed it.

The other two items arrived in two separate small shipping envelopes. The original order provided me with free shipping. 🤔 As a way small way on my part to ‘save the planet’ the box shall be repurposed with the donation of clothing I shall remove from my closet. Eventually, I’ll get around to that. Spring is the time to purge!

On a side note, IYKYK, our driveway benefited from the extra delivery truck traffic, each one broke up more ice, and yesterday, it looked like this! I never thought I would say, “Gosh I love seeing the driveway!”

And now, folks, since this is a fashion blog post – it’s your turn to help me vote on whether I should keep the other two items in my closet or not. I reordered a different size of the denim jacket to see if that helps it fit. Who knows, before 30 days are up, I may just return it all. The purchases were meant to go with the shoes I bought at another time that I haven’t worn yet.

A valuable tip that I also discovered, is that for some items, you can change the model to someone that is more your own size. Not, age, but size.

Now, I’m considering the dress and the pink denim jacket. I thought when viewing the ordering screen they’d go together, but now I’m not so sure. 🤔😏

I did remember to accessorize with a belt.

Option 1

There’s yellow in the dress, so would it look good with the yellow sweater?

Option 2

Or better with a white cardigan?

Option 3

So there you have it, dear followers, I emptied my latest fashion blogging heart out and I still don’t know if I have a ‘new spring’ outfit to wear. Or if I even need it in the first place. 🤣

Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “the last thing you emptied.” Think of the last thing you emptied or something you empty often and use it as your prompt any way you like. Have fun! And Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills March 26 Peek.

PS – Have you ever wondered about being a certain ‘type’ of personal blogger? What made you decide the route you took? Which outfit do you like the best, #1, #2, #3? Have you ever watched a hawk in the tree twist its head around to spy on prey? What is your favorite fashion tip? Do you think that March is going to go out like a lion or a lamb?

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

30 thoughts on “How I Discovered My Calling Is Not To Be A Fashion Blogger”

  1. I used to follow a few fashion bloggers and toyed with the idea of incorporating that concept into my blog, BUT I don’t like to take photos of myself and I decided it’s more fun to write about whatever instead of getting stuck in a niche, feeling like I have to be current about trends. So I dropped the idea. I like the Option 1.

    1. Hi Ally! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your vote. I think that you’ve created a perfect Ally’s Blogosphere Niche, your blog is delightful and playful. 🥰😍😁

  2. It takes a lot to be a fashion blogger, IMO, Shelley. Fun to take a peek with you in your boxes and into your closet! I vote for option 1 and 3, big no on the yellow sweater! 😳 I follow a fashion blogger, Jodies Touch of Style, mostly for women 50+. I’ve even met her in person in Scottsdale AZ, and will see her again on our trip.

    1. Yes, I agree, a LOT of work is involved. Thanks for taking a peek with me and for your vote.
      I hadn’t heard of Jodie before, I’ll check her out, thanks for the suggestion. That’s awesome you got to meet her in person and that you’ll see her again. It seems like such a huge world, yet, small enough to find ways to connect in person.

  3. My choice would be option 1. I never considered being a personal blogger, i chose books and photography because they’re two of my favourite things. As for the weather, all we’ve for most of March is wind and rain and it looks like it’s going out that way too! I can only hope for a better April.

    1. Hi Cathy! Thank you for your vote. You’ve done very well with your books and photography. Today’s post made me smile too like the sheep!
      Yeah…March seems to be going out like a lion instead of cute lamb! I hope April is better too!

  5. I vote #1 & #3 and that pink jacket as great potential with lots of things. I love it.

    1. Hi Laurel! Thank you for your vote. That’s what I was hoping for the pink jacket, there is much potential there!

  6. I’m going against my better judgement and all the advice my father ever gave me. My answer, as my wife will attest, should be “those outfits all look good on you.” However, I’d stick with numbers one and three. If you find that offensive, in any way, I’ll remind you that A) you asked, and B) I’m colorblind. I will say for certain, that it appears your cats like your choice of boxes and packing material – good job.

    1. Your dad was a wise man, and you learned the lesson well. I appreciate the votes and your reminders of what I should consider as I read them!
      Yes, the cats are in love with the box and the stuffing. They will miss it when it is full and removed from the house. I’m sure they’ll welcome any new arrival too.

  7. I like #s 1 and #3 Shelley … pink is a color we need right now, something Spring-y and a color that looks like the trees that will soon bloom like crazy. I used to say in my blog that the trees erupted in bloom looking like girls at their prom … well that isn’t so true anymore as dresses have gotten slinky looking, showing lots of leg, lots of cleavage. At Heritage Park, prom and homecoming “dress-up pics” are always taken at the covered bridge so I get a good view of what is stylin’ these days.

    1. Thank you for your vote Linda! I agree, pink is a fun spring-y color.
      I also agree about the prom dresses – yikes, what are designers thinking!!?

      1. You’re welcome Shelley – I like the pink … they don’t call it “pretty in pink” for nothing! I thought the prom dresses were supposed to look pretty, more so than homecoming as it’s part of the whole Spring thing, etc. There is a photographer who runs a Facebook page for Heritage Park and he takes photos there all the time, just for fun, not for profit. So he will take a pic of all the couples who show up there for prom or homecoming and get their names, takes a group shot of them as well. I’m horrified at some of them and realize I am getting old. They are a bit on the sleazy side and some of those girls are too heavy to be in this slinky dresses.

        1. I’ve always loved pink too! Yeah, I agree with you on the dresses and the fit of them. I’m getting old too, but, jeez…really, if it’s easy to feel a breeze under the bottom of your dress you might want to think twice. Can you imagine trying to sit down gracefully? 🙄😏🤔

          1. Ha ha – I lived through the styles of maxi, midi and mini dresses and worked at the diner with a very short waitress uniform as it was the style then. The bottom of my black apron met the hemline of my uniform. How I bent down to reach and stock “to go” items as we ran out amazes me!

          2. And now, the styles are all coming back all in one season! I’m always impressed with what a waitress can and has to do. I wonder if there are any restaurants with those uniforms any more? I rarely go to restaurants, but the last time I went they were all dressed in black from head to toe.

          3. Dressing in black would keep you cleaner looking throughout the day. I’d have the occasional items that would splash up on me and an all-white uniform and white shoes.

  9. Have you ever wondered about being a certain ‘type’ of personal blogger? What made you decide the route you took? I’m still working on that decision.
    However, I do like blogs like yours and what you share about your personal life with your readers. As you’ll see in my next series of scheduled posts, I am trying to follow some of your examples in that regard! Along the same lines, I’m thinking about adding a series of questions/polls on future posts and hoping that might bring in more readers. I actually have 2 WP blogs at the moment. My original goal in blogging was to put my opinions about various issues out there and get some replies back. My first feeble attempt at that was this series of 3 posts that started with the death of Norm McDonald. https://hbsuefred.wordpress.com/2021/10/23/im-so-old-i-thought-norm-crosby-had-passed-not-macdonald/

    Which outfit do you like the best, #1, #2, #3? I vote for #3

    Have you ever watched a hawk in the tree twist its head around to spy on prey? No, just squirrels, chipmunks and bunnies. In other words, grounded creatures who follow the noises in hopes of avoiding becoming prey!

    What is your favorite fashion tip? I don’t have any. I only hear my late mother’s criticisms of many of my outfits still ringing in my ears or at least in the back of my mind!

    Do you think that March is going to go out like a lion or a lamb? Since it’s now April, it appears to me that so far the weather pattern has been somewhere midway between the two extremes. Not consistently, of course, but back and forth to either extreme for a few days at a time. I’m hoping it will settle down before summer!

    1. Hi – thank you for answering the questions, I enjoyed reading your replies. Since you had a link in your comment, I had to rescue your comments from my SPAM folder. I think that personal blogging is a format that leads to evolution – I’m still waiting to find that moment when I’ve hit my groove. Maybe that’s not even possible? I think it’s a good place to experiment like you’re doing. It takes grit, determination, and faith in yourself to persevere. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts – I’m off to read the link you shared!!

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