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I haven’t written a post quite like this in some time, but when the fabulous Lily of Beauty with Lily invites you to participate in a blog tour called “My Writing Process,” you oblige without hesitation.
Well, truth be told, beauty blogging will always have a special place in my heart, but I want to transition to full-time fashion by the start of next year. For me, makeup, hair, fitness, etc. are all components of holistic fashion, so I won’t shy away completely from my prior areas of alleged expertise, but nothing makes me happier than stringing together the elements of a cute outfit and recognizing up-and-coming fashion labels.
Additionally, I’m not sure where my pageant career will take me; I may be done, I may not be. It all depends on how I feel when I wake up that day. Regardless, the one area of passion that will never fade is philanthropy, and I sincerely thank pageantry and its focus on service for bringing me to such an epiphany. I now serve as Director of Philanthropy at my day job, committee member of MAGIC (Mentoring Adolescent Girls to Inspire Change), board member of the International Reading Association Children’s Book Council and Volunteer Service Award Committee, Junior League of Greater Orlando member, and eternal VP for whatever program my bestie and established DC philanthropist, Sarah MacLellan, is currently heading. In the coming months, I will be developing my charity, Hooked on Books, into an official 501c3 and regularly posting updates for upcoming events and worthwhile causes in Greater Central Florida, as well as nationwide and internationally. Consider me a mostly fashion/sometimes beauty/sometimes charity blogger, y’all.
I’m not one to toot my own horn, but I do have a day job, and it’s a pretty legit one. For those of you who don’t know, I serve as Operations Manager for a financial planning firm in Greater Central Florida. I’m not a professional stylist or makeup artist; I’m a self-taught beauty queen with a knack for fitness and (hopefully) a keen eye for classic fashion. I envy those who get to blog full-time, but I write strictly out of passion.
Also, I’m a realist. It drives me nuts when I see fashion bloggers trying to sell Chanel clothing to their readers. Yes, I’m blessed, and I have nice things, but I by no means consider a $200, let alone $2,000, dress to be cheap. Style is all about how you wear an article, not what a label says its monetary value is. I only wear and showcase affordable– ie. realistic— products that I genuinely like.
I’m surrounded by men all day, so Diary of a Debutante is my feminine creative outlet. I have two very different personalities, one of a down-to-business entrepreneur and one of a light-hearted beauty queen, and it’s not very often that I get to entangle the two. My blog gives me that opportunity!
Honestly, I’m still trying to figure this one out myself. Although I’m called OCD just about every day of my life, I still have to be more structured. As of today, I’m either contacted by a media company or a random idea pops in my head, and thereafter a post is created. At best, I have the next two or three weeks planned, and I’m well aware that the far superior pros have their next sixth months of content worked out already. I’m trying to jump on that bandwagon! Perfectionist probs.
When I do have specified posts to produce, I typically write the content first. The pictures, which are either taken by one of my professional photographer friends or my blog/real life bestie Ashley Brooke or her husband, are usually an afterthought designed by the writing itself. I edit my pictures in Pic Monkey, using the paid version y’all (I’m so fancy), and I try to make sure they’re sized and colored identically. Other than that, I just go with the blogging flow!
The last step of this tour is to pass it on! I’m not really sure how many bloggers I’m supposed to invite (or how this works, for that matter), so I’ll go with 3. Should you choose to partake, your posts should be scheduled for one week from today (ie. Labor Day-ish).
Ashley from Ashley Brooke: This lady epitomizes coast-to-coast chicness, hopping back and forth between Florida and Cali willy nilly. Not only is she a talented writer, fashionista, and beauty buff, but I also call her my virtual and real life BFF.
Sheila from The Frugal Exerciser: I love exercise, and I love frugality– so obviously I adore Sheila’s blog! She gives the best workout advice and frequently posts amazing recipes that are healthy and cost conscious.
Ashliegh from The Darling Daily: Any blogger with the motto, “High Heels, High Stands, Pearls Every Day” is a blogger I like. She’s a former Miss America competitor, too, and from what I can tell from our mutual adoration and attachment to the Children’s Miracle Network, she has a heart of gold.
What an interesting read! I love reading questionaires like this 🙂 Also I really admire you for having a pretty legit job! You are an excellent example that beauty and brains do come together 🙂
Oh my goodness, thanks for the tag, lady! I'll have this posted this weekend :] I'm totally the same way when it comes to what I chose to show in my blog's OOTD's. It's just not realistic and it's not relatable, ya know? Also, I love your style so I can't wait to see more of your outfits! :]
Thanks for the wonderful tag and I will have something by the week-end also. I was wondering about your pictures and why they look so good, now I know. The name of your foundation, Hooked on Books is quite catchy and I think it is going to be a great success.
I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know a bit more about you and your writing style. I have to agree with you on the "Chanel" part…I really can't stand that.. Thanks again for doing this! xo
I love your content and am excited to see how it will evolve! I totally respect fashion bloggers because I don't have enough clothes/shoes/handbags to do a completely different outfit daily to share with the world.
I also love how philanthropically minded and driven you are! That is something that has been instilled in me ever since I was young, and then trough all of my educational insist unions. CMN is especially close to my heart as the national philanthropy for Phi Mu, as well as knowing a few CMN sponsored individuals. Keep up your amazing and inspiring work!
What an interesting read! I love reading questionaires like this 🙂 Also I really admire you for having a pretty legit job! You are an excellent example that beauty and brains do come together 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.com/
I loved this post!! And Ashliegh is the sweetest- happy you tagged her! 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Oh shucks, you are the sweetest, A! <3
Oh my goodness, thanks for the tag, lady! I'll have this posted this weekend :] I'm totally the same way when it comes to what I chose to show in my blog's OOTD's. It's just not realistic and it's not relatable, ya know? Also, I love your style so I can't wait to see more of your outfits! :]
Thanks for the wonderful tag and I will have something by the week-end also. I was wondering about your pictures and why they look so good, now I know. The name of your foundation, Hooked on Books is quite catchy and I think it is going to be a great success.
Awesome post! I love it!!!! Everyone has their own little process 🙂
XO, Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Yesss! Love the part about Chanel – I can not stand when bloggers are like "This is the best sweater I have ever worn!" And its 600 dollars
Love reading this. I got tag to do this as well.
It's great to read about your charity work!
I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know a bit more about you and your writing style.
I have to agree with you on the "Chanel" part…I really can't stand that..
Thanks again for doing this!
xo
Love this post. Thanks for sharing your take on blogging.
I love your content and am excited to see how it will evolve! I totally respect fashion bloggers because I don't have enough clothes/shoes/handbags to do a completely different outfit daily to share with the world.
I also love how philanthropically minded and driven you are! That is something that has been instilled in me ever since I was young, and then trough all of my educational insist unions. CMN is especially close to my heart as the national philanthropy for Phi Mu, as well as knowing a few CMN sponsored individuals. Keep up your amazing and inspiring work!
xoxo
Meghan