Winter Blues

You've probably noticed things have been quiet over here for a while. I've been really sick the past month or so. First I was having some really bad chronic nausea (which seems to have subsided thankfully!) and then I got hit with a terrible cold. I was planning on shooting some new blog content this weekend but that just didn't happen. the last thing I wanted to do was wake up early and go shoot when I was feeling so crummy. So, I thought I'd share some of my favorite outfits from last winter until I go home this weekend and can shoot some more. 

I also might do a roundup of my favorite outfits from this year (not just winter) but that won't be until early January. 

I've been feeling a bit disconnected from the blogging world lately. Since I decided to take things slow on this blog, I've had trouble writing down my thoughts. I haven't even been thrifting in a really long time (maybe a month?)! It's not that I've lost interest in blogging or thrifting but I've got some other things on my mind. I want to get back out and shoot so hopefully some time away from work will be just what I need to get back on track with this. 

It's so strange to look back at these photos, honestly. This year feels like it's gone by really quickly. It's been a difficult but also really rewarding year. I've moved to an entirely new city, found a job, found a love for running again, and so much more! I also burned myself out from this blog and working full-time (and trying to build a social life, applying to school, etc etc etc). But I took some time away and I'm ready to get back into things. I know I keep saying that lately but I do mean it. 

Can you believe the year is almost over?
Let me know in the comments! 

Lee 

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Feeling the Pressure

I've had a tab open to the draft of this blog post for almost 3 days. I took these photos a while ago, which is maybe why I don't have much to say about them.  I don't know why this post has been so difficult to write.

But I did something I doubt you'd ever hear a blogger say - I (temporarily) disabled my Instagram account. I can't say exactly why I did it but it feels good. It was causes me more stress than good because I'd need to post everyday. I'd obsessively check my follower count. And I got discouraged that I was growing at the rate of other bloggers who started around the same time as me. So, I got rid of it. For now. I might bring it back but I don't know. I want this blog to feel fun again, which it hasn't for a while. I've been so focused on growing it for it to become my "career" and I've come to the realization that I don't know if I want that. At least, not right now. 

I think I'm feeling the pressure a little bit in other aspects of my life so I want to take this back to being a hobby I enjoy. It's not that I've stopped enjoying creating content. It's quite the opposite. I stopped enjoying trying to build my "brand" or whatever. I stopped enjoying self promoting my work. I started this blog as a photographic outlet for me, which I think (for now) is how I want it to stay. 

Dress: Thrifted 

Hat: Handmade

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Socks: Target

Shoes: Nordstrom 

Do you ever feel pressured by blogging? 

Let me know in the comments! 

Lee 

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The Next Step

I've gotten to a point where all I want to do is work on my blog and make tons of video content.  At work I'm often jotting down blog post ideas, outfit ideas, videos I want to film. It's a never ending list of things I want to create for this space, which is a great feeling. But I just don't have the time or the daylight to create it all. 

I even started looking at a graduate course in Amsterdam called "New Media and Culture" where it focuses on academic blogging, social media, and everything that comes with it. Who knows if I'll apply because the thought of writing a thesis right now sounds pretty daunting... but I suppose it's worth looking into.  

I've been reading and watching so many articles/videos about how people like me have turned their passion project into a career. I'm nowhere near that point yet but it's such a cool idea to me. I love that people have been able to make creative careers out of a project they developed themselves. 

I doubt I'll ever be self-employed but it sure does sound like a dream. And I still feel like I'm constantly dreaming of moving to Europe. So many countries so close together! GOOD public transit! The food! Everything about it is so appealing but the only way it looks like I might be able to get there is through graduate school, which seems like an okay option. I just have to figure out what I want to do with my life first... 

It's scary to try and figure out the next step in my life but it's almost all I think about now. Where should I live? What should I study? Where should I work? I don't know if I'll ever figure it all out but I wish I could figure out this next step a little easier. 

Dress: Thrifted 
Belt: Thrifted 
Hat: Gift 
Shoes: Sam Edelman

Have you ever felt lost in what you were doing? 
Let me know in the comments! 

Lee 

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Cool Cat

Transitioning Your Summer Clothes for Fall

I just got back from the best four-day weekend in Laramie, Wyoming. More on that later but guys - I love that town and the people so much. 

The Best Accessory Might Surprise You

I've rewritten this post about a thousand times. I've reconsidered putting it up. But I think it's important so here goes nothing!

Golden Hour

Getting My Mojo Back

I've been dying to shoot at this track since I moved. It's a middle school right by my house and every weekend I've gotten up and headed out to shoot while the sun was rising. Every time I get to the track there are already tons of runners/walkers out there. But for some reason on Sunday there as only one person walking so I decided to go for it! And I'm so happy I did! 

I can't pinpoint what changed but I'm feeling very empowered with this blog again. I took so many photos for this week and lots of video content!  

It's funny how slumps can work. The weather hasn't changed drastically (it's still blazing hot!) but it's changed enough in the mornings that I want to get out and take photos again. I think my body has gotten used to waking up really early too, which is a big bonus. And while I think I'm getting out of my blog slump, I feel like I'm in a slump in almost every other aspect of my life (work, friendships, etc, etc).... but that's for another day! I'm going to focus on the fact that I want to create content again. I want to get outside. I want to explore more. 

Sometimes I think (okay, I KNOW) I get bogged down with social media when it comes to blogging. I am constantly asking myself why my blog isn't growing quickly, why I keep loosing followers on instagram, etc but you know what? IT DOESN'T MATTER! What matters is that I like creating content and I'm happy with what I produce, which I am right now. So I might never make this my full-time job (a girl can dream!) but I can enjoy and be proud of what I'm doing. 

Dress: Urban Outfitters (old) 

Shoes: Thrifted (HERE) 

Socks: Old 

Do you ever get bogged down by social media? 

Let me know in the comments! 

Lee 

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End of Summer

I've gotten to a point where I go look in my closet and can find nothing to wear. I suppose that isn't really true... I just can't find anything to wear in the summer heat! This weekend was a sweet release from the hundred degree weather but I don't think it will last long. And I'm just going to keep staring at my closet longingly for the sweaters, tights, and boots.... 

With summer coming to an end (in my dreams) I thought I'd show one of my favorite transitional outfits. I've had these pants for over a year now but they haven't made it onto the blog until now. It's not for lack of wearing them. It's just been too hot to wear them outside for too long. But they are pretty much the perfect fitting pant. I wish all of my pants fit like this to be honest.

To make this look a bit more transitional I threw on my all time favorite denim shirt. It's perfect for almost any season (except the dead of summer) and it goes with pretty much anything. If I made a capsule wardrobe a denim shirt (and jacket!) would definitely be in it. 

Shirt: Gift (similar) 

Pants: Thrifted 

Shoes: Target (old) 

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Lee

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Bring on Autumn

Gingham Pants and Camera mishaps

Confidence and Creeps

On Being Alone

Floral Dress and Loafers

On Thursday afternoon my boss surprised me by telling me I didn't have to come in on Friday! So, I had an extra long weekend, which I'm not ready to end. I've spent much of it relaxing by the pool, thrifting, and seeing Finding Dory! It was amazing if you haven't seen it already. I really wanted to get more blogging done than I did but sometimes it's nice to take a break and just enjoy doing nothing. It also doesn't help that it's been around 100 degrees (around 45 c) every day! I just don't want to leave the house in the heat.

I am thinking about daily blogging in August or September though. That will really keep my butt into gear haha! Has anyone done it? 

For my outfit I went for some old favorites. My mom bought me this dress years ago and I remember thinking when I saw it that it was me personified in a dress. Ha! It's seriously everything I want in a dress - florals, pleated, comfortable. I try and wear it as much as possible in the spring/summer because it's the perfect dress for this time of year! 

For my shoes I went for my Bass loafers. I've mentioned these before but there is a really funny story behind them. I brought them home from the thrift store and showed my dad. He proceeded to go into his closet and grab a pair of the exact same shoes! He's had them forever, which I thought was hilarious. One Christmas we both wore them and a maroon sweater. It was great. 

       

Dress: Gift 

Shoes: Bass 

Necklace/Watch: Gift 

Have you seen Finding Dory? 

Let me know what you think in the comments! 

Lee 

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Early Mornings