Monday, August 27, 2012

Changes, they are a comin'

Three years ago I was horribly bored. I had nothing much going on beyond work and my husband. On my lunch breaks I would cruise websites looking for vintage clothing that I wanted. When I found something I liked I'd post a link up on my Facebook wall simply stating, "Today I want this". My friends (they're quite the fashionable bunch my friends) seemed to truly enjoy my daily desires and two in particular (Kristen and Jane) encouraged me to start a blog.

Voila!
www.today--i--want.blogspot.com is born. 

Check out my first official blog post: Grunge is lame
It was fun, coming up with ensembles and piecing them together on my trusty Macbook in Photoshop. It filled hours of down time completing five posts a week at home while my husband was at band practice, or studying for grad school, or prepping for a DJ night, or, well you get the idea. He's a busy dude.

Blogging gave me a much craved for creative outlet.

Since then let's just say my life has taken quite the 180. I've decided to return to college and pursue a degree in Digital Media and Web Technologies. Much more practical than a Bachelors in Music Performance. I've become a freelance social media consultant. I've styled photo shoots for some pretty rockin' photographers. I've modeled for some pretty rockin' photographers. I've been approached by companies to be featured as a trendsetter.  I've met hundreds of bloggers local and across the states. I've learned about the business of blogging through trial and error as well as blogger communities. I've become one of the main voices for Blog Trends. I've grown immensely both personally and professionally.

Sometimes though, ignorance is bliss. I find myself struggling these days with my blog. I'm so busy with other aspects of life that I find what I truly want today is to just take a nap or read a book.  Not quite the same "Today I Want" I used to have. All the behind the scenes knowledge of blogging I've gained over the years has, for me, been somewhat detrimental. I feel as though I've gone astray. What  is  my blog anymore? Who am  I  anymore?

The numbers game has blurred everything. Must post more pics of myself, those post get the highest views. Must post instagram weekly round up, that's what everyone is doing these days. Must do THIS. Must do THAT. Numbers, numbers, numbers! I'm in sharing overload. Here's my dinner, here's my cat, here's my shoes, here's my lipstick, here's my coffee... Aren't I FABULOUS?

Aren't I? That's another thing, when you are so aware of your website statistics you tend to take things very personally. Well, maybe not you but definitely me. I take it all personally. For some, and for me in particular the world of blogging can be tough. It's a steep slippery slope of anxiety. Why didn't I get invited to that event? Why didn't that company send me products to sample? Why didn't that blogger want to collaborate with me?


To the point, it's time. I've reevaluated what I want.

Today I want to give myself a break.


What that means exactly, I'm not sure. What I hope is that you, my readers, my friends, will understand that this is necessary and will bear with me through this awkward phase while I work out what is a better posting schedule for me and what exactly I want to share with you. It means the world to me that I still have a solid fan base so to speak, you guys are oh so rock n roll. I can't express how important your comments and positivity have always been for me!


Finally I want to reiterate that these are just  my  personal experience and emotions. I don't in anyway mean to say that it is a given in the blogging community to experience anxiety and exhaustion. I'm sure a great many bloggers never feel this way and love and thrive in every moment. I've met some super awesome people through my blogging adventures and am very grateful for that.


A big thank you to these people for always being there for me 
whether it's shenanigans or a shoulder to lean on.

        
        

        

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Anna Sui grunge

When I was young(er) catching me leaving the house without my black eye makeup, dark burgundy pout, and boots on was near impossible. It's slightly bitter sweet to see the grungey-gothy trends of my teens and early twenties come full circle. Bitter sweet because honestly, it makes me feel really old. Whatcha gonna do? C'est la vie.

Anna Sui grunge goth




Monday, August 13, 2012

Mani Monday


Last week one of my co-workers had a beautiful sophisticated subtle hue on her nails. So this week inspired by her, I'm donning "Eiffel For You". This hue by L'oreal is almost exactly in-between lavender and grey. Perfectly effeminate. 


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Pining for Autumn

Waiting for Fall



I know. It's the dead of summer. Hot, languid, sultry DC summer. Maybe that is why I am pining for, craving for, longing for autumn. I am beyond ready for those crisp cool days and chilly evenings that allow me to dust of my wool hats and coats.

Post Script.
I am so not into the mustache trend. I know lots and lots of people think it's just the cutest thing right now and that's totally okay. No judgement on them. For me though, I just couldn't get into it. Maybe it's because it is facial hair. Come on, what lady wants to wear facial hair? To the point, as anti-stache as I am these googlie eyes kinda make these earrings ridiculously adorable.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Adventures in Dressing Rooms - Off Broadway Shoes

Browsing at Off Broadway Shoes is one of my favorite things to do on a weekday off. It's generally quiet, I very much enjoy taking my time and trying on shoes just for the fun of it. 


I'm a sucker for a T-strap. Loved these adorable "Colt" flats by Blowfish.



If you're a long time reader, you've seen these before. These ballet flats by AK Sport are my favorite shoes ever. I used to live in them until recently, I haven't been able to find them in my size! They are perfectly reminiscent of an actual ballet shoe from the criss-crossed elastic straps to the super soft leather. So if any of you happen to be at an Off Broadway Shoes and see these babies in a 10.5, buy them for me! I will pay you back and reward you with a little bonus too! 



This is what I meant when I said I try on shoes just for the fun of it. I have a feeling that skinny strap would tear up my ankle or conversely snap off entirely. Hard to say. Regardless, these "Obsession" wedges by Iron Fist are effervescent! Very reminiscent of Betsey Johnson. It immediately brought to mind one of my blogger BFF's Gwynne. She would ROCK these!



Snakeskin appears to be all the rage this fall. These Jeffrey Tyler "Topaz" wedges are neutral enough to pair with lots of different outfits yet chic enough to stand out as well. They would look fab with a burgundy pencil skirt at the office or with some rolled up cuff boyfriend jeans. It's all about versatility!



Dontcha just love a nude patent heel? I am a big fan of the subtle color blocking on these BCBG Paris "Penie" heels. Just enough detail to be not your average nude heel. Sadly for me the 10's were just a smidge too tight in the toe box. If the nude isn't for you, they come in a range of colors, see below.



The top two shoes in this set were shoes I wanted to try on but they didn't have any sizes I could even squeeze into. Sad for me! Maybe you'll find your size though:

Penny Loves Ken "Niley" in Black and White Stripe
Mia "Gilly" in Black
Full Color range of BCBG Paris "Penie"

So which are your favorites? Do you have a shoe you swear by and can't live without? 
Inquiring minds want to know!




Monday, August 6, 2012

Mani Monday


After several weeks of lighter, brighter hues on my nails I decided this week it was time to go dark. I have a horrible habit of buying almost black nail polish, that once on your nails truthfully might as well be black. They always seem so promising in the bottle. C'est la vie! 

This week I started out with two coats of "Carry On" by Essie. In the bottle it's a lovely rich deep plum color, but two coats on your nails and, you guessed it, might as well be black. No worries though, one more coat of "It's Genius" also by Essie and we're back in business. This violet and gold shimmery hue is relatively sheer as a single coat and brightened up the almost black to a nice golden plum.