Four Year Blogiversary

I can't believe it's only been four years since I started this blog. It feels like so much longer! When I look back at old pictures from my first posts, I can't believe how long ago it feels. I have grown so much since I started this as a 20 year old college junior, and so has this blog. I have learned more about blogging, photography, and myself. I have also grown in regards to my style, taking chances on different color combinations and styles and trying out new things that I never thought I could "pull off". It's been so much fun running this blog and being a part of this amazing blogosphere with so many wonderful, supportive people. I'm so excited to keep it moving and growing in 2014!

It's interesting to watch the way things grow and expand. When I started this blog, I never thought it'd become big or anything. I still don't really think that this blog is "big", but I am continuously proud and excited about all of the wonderful experiences it brings me, and that's what really matters. We bloggers wouldn't do this if we didn't enjoy it. I can wholeheartedly say that this is probably the main thing in my life that I care about right now, aside from my education and future career. I love running this blog. Even when I am up late editing pictures knowing I should be going to sleep or taking pictures in a dress without a coat on in 20 degree weather with my fingers going numb, I still love it. Doing this is pretty much like having a part time job. Between putting together outfits, doing photoshoots, editing pictures, keeping up with social media and e-mails, and writing posts...it all adds up to a good amount of time. But this is something I really care about and I really enjoy, and I am so glad that I am doing it. Starting this blog was probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Way to go, 20 year old me! If I could travel back in time, I would thank you...and also visit the 1950s.

I have made connections with people that I probably never would have if it weren't for this blog. I have worked with companies that are run by people who love what they are doing. I have been featured by online shops that I have been inspired by since I was a teenager. I have traveled places I probably wouldn't have. I have gained a sense of self and a level of confidence that I probably wouldn't have. I have challenged myself in ways that I wouldn't have otherwise. Many people may think that blogging is lame or vain or that we are a bunch of arrogant and self-absorbed "hipsters", but that's not what blogging is all about. It's about being proud of who you are and embracing it, flaws and all, and sharing it with friends from all over the world. It's so amazing. I have made friends with people from other countries...countries I wish to visit someday and now I have friends that I could visit when I go!

I view this blog as a creative outlet. My outfits are a reflection of me - how I am feeling, my inspirations, my personality. Fashion is a form of art. Mixing colors, patterns, textures, etc. It's art and it's a form of art that I love. It's so fun to try to work colors together that you wouldn't think would blend well. And there's nothing like putting on one of your favorite dresses and having your day brighten up just a little bit because of it. Plus, I get to build photography skills and use those skills to make my visions happen. I mentioned that this year I want to do more thematic photoshoots, and I can't wait to be able to do them. I already have some ideas for when the weather is warmer. The great thing about a blog is that it can be whatever you want it to be and you can put whatever pieces of you into it that you want to. I enjoy writing, photography, fashion, literature, theater, art, and music and I try to incorporate all of those parts of me into this blog. This year I want to do it even more. I want it to be more fun, artsy, and theatrical at times. I want to challenge myself.

When I started this blog, I took pictures with my little Canon PowerShot in my backyard. I would stand the camera on our vent in the yard and use the timer to take pictures. Sometimes I wonder if my neighbors saw me and wondered what I was doing. Eventually, I ventured out to various locations and took pictures with the timer or had a friend help me. And now I am very fortunate to have Chris help me with 99% of my shoots. Seriously...he is a champ. He braves the cold, wind, etc. as much as I do (except he's usually a little bit more warm as he's not in dresses and tights) and always sticks it out until I'm satisfied with all the shots we got. He even holds my bag, coat, and scarf when the ground is wet all while taking pictures so that my things stay safe and dry. I don't know of many people that would do that three or four times a week, regardless of the season or temperature. I'm lucky to have someone who has as much passion for and interest in photography as I do. It's fun to go out and take pictures together and to share in the pride that comes with catching great shots. I will probably be doing a lot more solo shoots as he is back in school soon, though. I still need to order a more portable tripod and a camera remote... Just another way of challenging myself!

Dress: Dear Creatures via ModCloth//Sweater: Take Out//Tights: Apt. 9//Shoes: Mudd//Skirt worn as petticoat: Funhouse NYC via Hot Topic (old)

Just some fun facts about this shoot... It was very windy and the balloons kept wanting to just go horizontal instead of floating nicely above me. We must've took almost 200 pictures just to make sure we got some good ones. My hair was also all over the place and it was pretty cold, especially without my coat and sweater on. My little chalkboard even got blown off the railing! Also, this balloon bouquet was bigger than the one I had last year and the lady at the party store decided to blow up the balloons, tie the strings on, and just hand them to me. The balloons weren't strategically placed together and tied in place. The strings weren't cut to a nice length. We ended up having to spend a good 10-15 minutes in the windy parking lot trying to get the balloons at good heights and then tying the strings together. Next time I get balloons, I will make sure the bouquet is properly finished! One thing I learned from the last time though is to cover the balloons with a blanket while transporting them in the backseat of my car. This keeps them from blocking the view of my back window. It is both less dangerous and less amusing.

I just got this dress from ModCloth a couple of weeks ago and I love it. It's by Dear Creatures, so I knew I would love it and it would fit well. I always size down with them since they tend to run a little big. ModCloth had a coupon code for 20% off an item from your wishlist and I had also gotten a $50 gift certificate for Christmas, so I went for it and got this dress. I saved it especially for this shoot to celebrate my blogiversary. :) I can't wait to remix it a bunch in the future though! I wore one of my old Hot Topic skirts underneath it as a petticoat just to add some more volume.

I want to thank you all so much for frequently visiting my little corner of the Interwebz. I always read all of your comments, e-mails, etc. and they always make me so happy and I'm really appreciative. I also want to thank my fellow bloggers for just being themselves and running their blogs and helping to form this awesome online community. I am constantly inspired by you all and I'm so glad to know you, even if it is only virtually. Thank you for reading the goings-on of my life and my head, and thank you for always being so insanely supportive and kind. Here's to another year in the blogosphere! :)