Not a Shopping Blog

A few weeks back I got promoted to Senior Art Director at my company. I was elated. I've worked so hard for years to reach for this title bump and it was finally mine after a particularly grueling (but rewarding) year busting my ass, pitching clients, working weekends, and taking late-night cabs home. 

So why are you even talking about it here? After all this is a fashion blog, Olga, STFU and get back to mindless obsessions and things you want to buy! 

Well, no. I don't see things this way and I realized I have not been balancing things quite right lately. It dawned on me that my fun pastime of of documenting outfits and pretty things I like (aka posting to this blog) it sometimes feels that my blog could easily be confused for a shopping blog. That, my friends, is such a bummer. A shopping blog is all about "new in" posts and beautiful clothes and thing that often appear once and then never again. But then what?! I''m more interested in what happens to all those "new in" purchases six months down the road. Hell, a year down the road. New stuff costs money and sometimes it's exhausting reading the never ending tales of the more fortunate unicorns who seem to have endless amounts of it. This is not really jealousy, but more a slight outrage over the impractical nature of it all. Even more, I want to know what said closets look like. I bet there are clothes and shoes in the oven and even under the kitchen sink because there is no way new clothes and shoes every week would fit in a normal house. It's all become so unrealistic, people, and I just don't want to be a part of that perception.

Ok, so you're not a shopping blog. What's your point?

My point is that hopefully a little more context will at least help my blog sound like it has the right balance fiscal responsibility and fashion obsessions. My point is that even if no one reads this at least my blog continues to serve it's main purpose: a self serving,  albeit public, journal of my personal style. My point is I got a promotion and the temptation to buy something new to celebrate is very real. Join me as I try to avoid a large purchase in the name of celebrating my hard work, because although I love fashion I have bigger fish to fry: complete elimination of credit card debt. Buying a house wasn't easy and took a toll financially, but somewhere along the line I got a little too swipe happy and now I have to dig myself out of this hole.


16 comments:

  1. thank you so much for sharing this post! personally, i love fashion. i love to dress up and look good. and i love to do that in quality, long lasting clothes. but i also have interests besides fashion. i love photography. i love to take pictures and share it on my blog. i want readers to know me not just as a style blogger, but a person with different interests.
    and yes, it is so easy to get caught up in the name brand game- we've all been there. i used to be all about trends, but experiencing a realization about the ethics of the fashion industry has really made me reevaluate what i buy. needless to say, i love your blog and the way you mix high street with high fashion and make it look good. chanel bags are nice, absolutely. i would someday like one myself, but i get it- i don't need to follow or read the blog of another blogger that's carrying the same boy bag in every post, it gets tiring.anyway, sorry for the long response!

    VISIT / 13 FRIDAYS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can always count on your thoughtful comments, Stephanie. You get me, girl.

      xx

      Delete
  2. Thank you for this post! I love following your blog for your awesome aesthetic but I really enjoy watching how you mix investment pieces and more affordable options (and seeing those things are worn multiple ways over time). It's so much more approachable than most fashion blogs and that much more inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's outrageous blogging has become so unrealistic. If I make mistakes my readers will know about it. I'm not trying to fool anyone that I know what's best, I just enjoy that people are lovely enough to boot up their browsers and visit my blog every now and then to join along.

      Thank you, Beverly!

      Delete
  3. First up, Congratulations on your promotion!!!

    Thank you for this post. I have been following your blog for the past year and strange as this sounds, your style and posts already hint at this refreshing perception of quality over quantity.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the congrats! I don't know why I didn't even share it here. But I realize I should! With power comes great responsibility or whatever ;) right?

      I'm so glad you agree about quality over quantity. We are cut from the same cloth.

      Delete
  4. ugh, YES. *insert clapping hands & holy hands emoji here* this is why i keep coming back to your blog: because of your unflinching honesty and down-to-earth relatability (i think i just made up a new word?!?). yes, you buy and wear things i can't necessarily afford, but then you REWEAR THEM! and restyle them! and if you stop wearing them, you sell them!! such a novelty in the blogging world. i've grown so frustrated with bloggers over the last year, always sharing ~new clothes~, editorial fashion shoots (with clothes they wouldn't *actually* wear irl) and highly edited versions of their "everyday life" where as in reality - when (most) people buy things, they not only wear them, but re-wear them. and while most people have good days, not every day is perfect. the unrealistic standards set by the majority of bloggers is frustrating, especially when young(er) girls read them and think it's a realistic way to live life. i'm just sick of all the bullshit and i SO appreciate your candor.

    also: congratulations on your (well-deserved) promotion! you're truly an inspiration.

    wheretheenemysleeps.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrea! Thank you for the lovely comment. I think it's absolutely silly that people don't re-wear items, or even HINT at re-wearing them. I love that you mentioned my shop. Listen, if things are too expensive there, I always remind people to make me an offer. That shop is essentially one step away from Goodwill, so I'd rather someone who has followed it here have it!

      Thank you for reading :)

      Delete
    2. I actually bought a (mbmj) bag from your shop many moons ago! Good to know prices are negotiable for the future ;)

      Delete
    3. Ha! Amazing! Glad you're enjoying the bag.
      The price for that bag was probably as low as I could go ;)

      Delete
  5. I love reading your posts like this. It's nice to know that people with great taste and real jobs blog. And congratulations on your promotion! I'm curious to know which shop you're at, but TMI? I work at an agency too. =)

    And, since sharing is caring and the internet makes me feel my opinions are important, having no credit card debt is infinitely more satisfying than any single thing I've ever bought. Ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you are my hero! zero credit card debt has been a goal of mine since last year, and it's SO within my reach if i I just continue to behave and focus on only spending (if i must!) on quality items.

      thank you so much for reading :)

      Delete
  6. I recently discovered your blog through RueMag and commend you on your honesty and contemporary approach to consumption. I am shocked to read that someone publicly admits to what we are all doing---THANK YOU---because after remodeling a house, an accident AND trying to maintain my clothing habits, my cards took a beating. It is refreshing to know that others are reconsidering the role clothing and consumption plays in our lives. PS. The quilted coat from Stockholm---sold out, but still amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathryn! It's definitely tough, balancing a new home and a love of fashion. We're in this together, girl. Whatever happened to balance right? It's hard to pinpoint when everything got so "new new new!" "now now now!"

      Delete