By Anne Benton
–Happy Weekend-
You can find this black jacket locally at ONE, Augusta, GA, as well as this Joie animal print silk top. This is a great wear-to-work blazer or perfect for a fall night out to dinner over a lighter top. What are your plans for Halloween this year? Check my Instagram video @bloom_girl_blog to see what Ginger Spice is wearing this year!!!
Shop the Post!
Happy Sunday Ladies (and Gents)! I hope you are all getting excited for Fall. We finally put our pumpkins & mums out today! So, I get a lot of questions from you guys about starting a fashion blog and thought I would just address them all in one post. Starting a new blog or any business, for that matter, is usually more complex than it seems at first glance.
Fact vs. Fiction in Starting a Blog:
(1) FACT: $$$ Few bloggers become profitable within the first year or even longer. This is no different than any other start-up that requires heavy investment in the beginning. Most bloggers will not secure paid brand partnerships within the first year, advertisements, or earn measurable product commission. Those things come over a period of sustained growth and engagement. Luckily, I was able to secure retail partnerships early, reduce my overhead and start-up costs, and increase my margin enough to cash in sooner.
FICTION: I will become profitable so fast…bloggers look like they make so much money. They are always wearing the newest and nicest clothing and are always traveling to exotic locations. This must all be for free!
Conclusion: A blog is no different than any other start-up. Having the expectation to be “rolling in the dough” by the end of year one is a nice dream, but hardly true. This is why most bloggers give up after their first year. You expected “fast money” and when it didn’t come, became discouraged. Lastly, you have not made a budget and determined what it will take for the blog to survive past the first year; it becomes an expensive hobby instead of a business that is long-term oriented with an actual strategy.
Hey Everyone~ below are all the links and details for this weekend’s sales:
Ann Taylor up to 50% all styles, “OCTOBER50” until 10.24
ASOS sale up to 60% off casualwear
BCBG Max Azria 30% off select styles, code “40MORE” 10.23
ULTA is having a “BOGO” Buy One, Get One 50% off Sale til 10.24
Nine West extra 30% off until 10.25
Serena & Lily extra 20% off with code “GETCREATIVE” 10.24
Pottery Barn up to 20% off select w/code “FALL” 10.23
Lord & Taylor up to 25% off with code “FRIENDS” til’ 10.24
West Elm 20% off entire purchase with code “SCORE20” limited time
Madewell up to 40% off w/code “EXTRASALE” til’ 10.24
Chico’s BOGO 50% w/code “81135” til 10.25
JC Penney up to 20% off w/code “buynow38” til 10.23
Bloomingdales save up to 30% off w/code “SCORE” til 10.23
Happy Shopping (and saving)! Anne
If you read my recent post, Same Leather Skirt/Two Ways, you know how obsessed I am with animal print for Fall! Animal prints are part of the neutral family…versatile and wearable across the seasons. This look is the perfect combination for a date night when you want to try something different or out with girlfriends.
I post so many outfits on my blog and am always looking for new ways to inspire you ladies and get you thinking about a fresh way to style your look! Leopard is easy to introduce…you can choose to start small with shoes (leopard flats) or accessories or go big with actual apparel items, like this leopard coat (obsessed)!
Kate Moss for Equipment Leopard Dress c/o Tootsies ||Similar Black Mini Tote (On Sale) || Black Suede Jacket (Similar) & Here c/o Tootsies || Sam Edelman Black Pumps & Similar|| J Nelly Photography
Direct Links to Animal Print Ideas:
Nordstrom Animal Prints, Revolve.Com Animal Prints, ShopBop Animal Print, ASOS.com (budget friendly), Shein.com Leopard Dress under $13, J.Crew Leopard Numbers
-Happy Shopping-
TGIF Ladies…it’s Friday Fall Trend Alert time and velvet is back on the scene! Yes, I know velvet is tricky, but there are so many beautiful and flattering ways to wear this timeless fabric. My favorite is the sleek velvet blazer in either burgundy or navy that you can pair over black trousers for work or a conference.
I just purchased a pair of burgundy (velvet) Sam Edelman heels from Nordstrom and they are very comfortable! They add a trendy touch to an all-black ensemble. Velvet is a timeless “trend” that tends to circle back around every few years. So, you can trust that your investment will get long-term use!
Tips for Wearing Velvet:
1) If you are a velvet beginner, start with accessories, such as shoes or a small clutch or belt.
2) Look for modern, sleek lines in a dress…see this sweetheart neckline strapless dress.
3) Velvet handbags are never going out of style. My mom has a Miu Miu velvet handbag from 10 years ago & guess what!? It all comes back!
4) Velvet pants are not going anywhere either…5 years ago I bought a great pair of AG velvet jeans that I am still wearing.
Thanks for Reading and Check my Instagram Videos and Snapchat for coverage of the Create & Cultivate Blogger Conference in ATL!
-Anne-
Click Here to see all Alice & Olivia Sale Items.
Alice & Olivia Blue Jacquard Mink Skirt c/o Tootsies (Shops Around Lenox) || Alice & Olivia Embellished Metallic Sweater c/o Tootsies (Shops Around Lenox) || Navy Christian Louboutin Heels & JW Anderson Handbag c/o Jeffrey at Phipps Plaza || J Nelly Photography
Alice & Olivia is by far one of my favorite contemporary brands, because, (a) her (designer Stacey Bendet) pattern work is unique and exquisite, and (b) she knows how to dress real women w/curves (aka ME)! I am never going to be a size 4 –my dad is 6″6 ( I won’t say his weight b/c he would not approve!) It is just not in my genes to be a super tiny person, nor do I want to be.
So, when I find designers that make a point to design for the average female, I’m on board! Whether you are naturally thin with a fast metabolism or curvier, you have to love and accept yourself for who you are. I could diet and exercise like crazy and would still never be a super small size. There are some people out there buying Spanx tights with the fake butt cushions…the grass is always greener!
I would rather eat (mostly) healthy organic meals and be able to indulge a little…working out a few times a week than kill myself trying to be something that is not natural for me. When I was in college and even the majority of my 20’s, I was trying to make myself fit into this perfect box of being a size 4-6 and just wasn’t comfortable in my own skin.
I would work out almost every day and count calories just so I could have that “perfect body.” However, I was spending so much time on my “outer” self that I was not focusing on the inside the way I should have. Now I try to balance everything and spend just as much time on making myself a better person through healthy & balanced eating (no calorie counting), mixing in yoga and acupuncture instead of constant daily cardio, and just taking a walk around the park on a Sunday without keeping track of how many calories I have burned.
I understand that people are on weight-loss journeys and need to buckle down and do that…you should go for it and do what you need to do! For me, after 10 + years of watching literally everything, I need a break. Sure, it is easy to compare myself to other bloggers and fall back into that trap. But, I am never going to have the body of a 23 year old blogger. Yet, I would not trade the confidence and wisdom I now have in my 30’s for a faster metabolism.
Where are you in your journey to self acceptance and what are some tips that you have found helpful?
Shop the Post and Other A&O Sale Items:
Thanks for Reading, Anne
ONE- BARBOUR BLANKET SCARF || TWO-NORDSTROM 7 PLAID PONCHO|| THREE- PONCHO FROM SPLENDID|| FOUR-PLAID PONCHO || FIVE-HALOGEN FRINGE PONCHO || SIX- MACY’S PONCHO CARDI (UNDER $30)
It’s that time of year…time to stock up on Fall Ponchos! Just throw on a pair of jeans or tights and neutral top and pick your favorite poncho…super easy to style-and-go. Ponchos come in every color & pattern imaginable…you can never have too many!
The grey one (number six) is going on my personal wish list because it looks like something you could wear to yoga class and then out to run errands and lunch; plus, it is only $29 at Macy’s.Com.
I found many cute ponchos, but could not include them all. See my shopping widget, below, for a bigger list of my favorites! I tried to include a wide price range to suite everyone’s budget. As you know, I love Nordstrom because it offers Free Shipping & Returns in case something doesn’t work out or you need to exchange!
Shop My Poncho Favorites:
Gold & Navy Dress & Similar Here c/o Jeffrey ATL || JW Anderson Navy Handbag or Here c/o Jeffrey ATL || Christian Louboutin Pumps c/o Jeffrey ATL || J Nelly Photography || Makeup: Juice Beauty
How magnificent is this dress!? It took me back to the Audrey Hepburn fashion era…before women were flouncing around in miniskirts and bandage dresses. The gold jacquard print is raised over the deep navy color giving it a gorgeous, artistic look and feel.
How fabulous is this JW Anderson bag? He is a newer “rising star” designer, having won several prestigious awards over the past few years. I love finding a new and unique designer that is not over-commercialized yet.
Cardigan & Dress from Palm Village, Augusta
Purchase this outfit or similar styles by calling the Palm Village Store and use the code: “Bloomgirl” for a FREE gift with purchase! They can ship directly to you! Melissa, the store manager, will be happy to assist you; you can reach her at the store at (706) 922-0105 or just stop in! *Offer is good until October 17th, 2016.
I found these great Jeffrey Campbell slingback sandals from Shoes at Surrey last fall and they are still in-style and so comfortable! My bag shown above is from Charming Charlie.
Who else is so excited about cooler weather for Fall? Fall Fashion is my favorite! When I think of Lilly Pulitzer, I usually think of bright prints. However, I loved Palm Village’s selection of solid-print fall looks like this grey cashmere cardigan and t-shirt dress, sleek navy blazers and long-sleeve tops and pants.
They are also continuing their Spring/Summer Sale in the store, so don’t miss out! This is definitely something I would wear to the local farmers market, out to the movies or dinner, or to the pumpkin patch this Fall. Plus, this cardigan is so soft and you can wear it over black tights, jeans or other dresses.
Purchase this outfit or similar styles by calling the Palm Village Store and use the code: “Bloomgirl” for a FREE gift with purchase! They can ship directly to you! Melissa, the store manager, will be happy to assist you; you can reach her at the store at (706) 922-0105 or just stop in. Just don’t forget to use the code above to receive your free gift. *Offer is good until October 17th, 2016.
Thanks for Reading! Anne Benton
Photography by Amy J Owen.
Makeup by Juice Beauty (Organic)
Rebecca Taylor Vegan Leather Midi Skirt & Similar (Shorter) Version c/o ONE Boutique || Milly Bell-Sleeve Striped Top c/o ONE Boutique & Similar Version Here || Valentino Rockstud Sandal || Makeup by Juice Beauty (Organic) || Amy J Owen Photography
Bell Sleeve Tops are one of the hottest Fall trends this year and I am crazy about them! The vertical stripes on this Milly version create a slimming effect and are fun to photograph. I was interested in how you could take a classic leather midi skirt (shown above) and create two completely different looks, which makes it a versatile foundation piece for the office.
Rebecca Taylor Vegan Leather Midi Skirt & Similar (Shorter) Version c/o ONE Boutique || Leopard Print Silk Top c/o ONE Boutique & Similar Here, Here and Here || Valentino Rockstud Sandal || Similar (Consignment) to this Prada Bag || Makeup by Juice Beauty (Organic) || Amy J Owen Photography (Did a Superb Job in Gloomy Weather!)
Same exact skirt…two completely different vibes! Depending on your mood, you could really switch it up. Investing in a neutral leather skirt is worth it because you can pair many different tops with it for Fall.
SHOP THE POST:
Thanks for Reading! Anne.
