Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Armored Spring











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

36 comments

  1. I so sympathise with your plea! I truly wish I could blog all day and teach Irish Dance by the night - alas, I love clothes too much to quit my job that brings home the bacon!

    Cute look!!


    xo, Nina
    afterthe40barfinish.blogspot.com

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  2. Your blog really is nice and I can see the effort you have made for it.
    Love the skirt and the way the two pieces seem connected.

    http://sugarspiceandsomestyle.blogspot.com

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  3. This jumper looks so good !! Nice outfit <3

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  4. love your outfit :)

    http://bayuradith.blogspot.com/

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  5. Loving this outfit, very laid back and casual!


    xx L
    www.sparklingfootsteps.com

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  6. I hear ya! Working full time and blogging can be tough, but I like that blogging lets me use my creative side... it's a nice break from the monotonous work day.

    Love this background! Beautiful trees.

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  7. You look gorgeous in this outfit!!!
    So beautiful pictures!!!

    Have a nice day,

    Nicole

    www.nicoleta.me

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  8. I love love that skirt and how you paired it with the sweater. You look great!

    www.pinsneedlesfashion.com

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  9. Cute sweater! The trees are so pretty there!

    Josie
    FineandFeathered.com

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  10. Blogging is like a full time job! I had no idea how much work it would be when I first started blogging. Sometimes it's hard to find to juggle the blog and everything else in life!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    $50 Target Giveaway!

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  11. Oh I know how you feel. Blogging can honestly be a full time job and it is so frustrating when you don't feel like you get the rewards/followers back. I guess we do it cos we love it and hope it will all pay off in the future. x x
    Charlotte
    www.winstonandwillow.com

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  12. you look so amazing! and pictures are great!
    kisses pretty!

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  13. I love this outfit! The dress and background of your pictures are lovely.

    -Vogue&Heels
    www.vogueandheels.com

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  14. Here, here! I feel ya, lady! But I'm glad you do it because your blog is amazing, and you deserve a jetsetting lifestyle for sure! :)

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  15. Thanks for being real.. I was having a day like that yesterday too... and then I went to bed, slept for like 10 hours straight and voila! I'm back... sometimes you just got to put yourself to bed and it will all look better in the morning! Pop open some champagne for your hard work... you deserve it..
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  16. That dress is SO cute! Pretty pictures.

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  17. These pics are so pretty! And your legs are stunning!
    Would you like to follow each other on Bloglovin, Facebook and GFC? :)
    Love,
    Amélie
    http://bagsandchocolate.blogspot.be/

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  18. Your skirt is stunning. I love how you styled it with the sweater.

    -Anna James
    www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

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  19. I really understand how you feel. When we look at our favourite bloggers living such a faboulous life with their blog professionally, we can't help but feel a bit tired with our own juggling of work and blog. Very different realities, but what can we do...
    Love the setting you chose for these photos, beautiful!
    I really like how the sweater went with this skirt, if you just put them side by side I couldn't see it, but it's great on you with the heels!
    xo
    sabrina
    http://polkadottedpearl.com

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  20. love this pretty shade of blue on you :)

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  21. You are so right about the love/hate relationship with the blog! Love worknig on it but hate the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, and there is so much to do :)
    And you look gorgeous here!
    Kisses..

    risingcolors.blogspot.in

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  22. I love all the prints and textures going on in this outfit. You look so cute!

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  23. I like the new look of the blog! Great outfit too!

    www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
    www.daisyraeboutique.com

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  24. Wow, I love this look. So gorgeous!!

    http://cupcakesheels.blogspot.com/

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  25. those steve madden heels are so great!!

    xx

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  26. you look fabulous! i wholeheartedly agree with everything you said and who doesn't want to jetset around the world without a care in the world? maybe one day ;)

    ~Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

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  27. Hang in there, Kelsey! I totally agree with you and was laughing because I have some of the same envious thoughts! I hold a senior position on my team and am constantly trying to figure out how to balance all of my projects + blog + boyfriend + family + friends + life. But we can do it! You always have fantastic photos and outfits. =)

    Avec Amber

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  28. What a beautiful outfit and gorgeous backdrop for your pictures.
    www.shannonheartsblog.com

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  29. I love those pictures! Beautiful location and outfit!

    Love,
    Ranim
    the.perfect.disease

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  30. Nope I totally get you here! Sometimes I cannot keep up! How can oyu blog and make that kind of money, stil! And I love your sandals here - and seeing this dress again - it's a good dress on you

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  31. Thanks for linking up! I know how much work blogging can be but it's so worth it. Take a day off here and there to refresh yourself.

    Amy


    Fashion and Beauty Finds

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  32. Love your jacket. BTW, you've got amazing legs! xo

    If you have a sec, hope you can drop by my blog too and read my latest: www.fashchronicles.blogspot.com

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  33. The trees in the back of this post are soooo pretty and you look so gorgeous! Is that sweater H&M cause I think I have the same one :)
    And oh gosh i so totally agree about the full time blogger thing. I am a junior in high school and i play sports so i often dont get home til 7 at night and then i have to do homework and wake up at 6 the next morning?! I have nooo time for blogging during the week! So i feel ya :)
    Rory
    www.WearAboutsBlog.com

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  34. First, I love your blog. So happy I found you a couple of months ago. Second, I know what you mean. My blog is only a small personal one (for now) but it takes a lot of time and effort to write a post, take and edit photos, and then try and keep up with other blogs and social media! In a perfect world I'd be in Italy right now eating pasts and gelato without gaining any weight and blogging about it- haha.
    In the meantime, love coming back here for style inspiration. I'm especially loving your sweater and cuff bracelet in this post.

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