Clothed with Grace: On Being Yourself

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

On Being Yourself

About a week ago my husband was out of town for work, so Grant and I had more weekend time than normal. I decided to try to get a bunch of outfit pictures taken, and Grant pretty happily obliged. I was gearing up for an exciting mini-series set for next week, and other than this outfit, none of the other looks were working out.  It was windy, too sunny, and I didn't feel great in the clothes. I was frustrated. What I should have done was just call it a day and try again later, but darn-it, I had a plan.  

What I realized as I was looking at the pictures I'd attempted to take was I looked like I was playing dress up; I didn't look like myself. Boo. Bad blogger.  I took a step back and had some fun with the Grantster at the splash park, had a movie night, went to church the next day, then came home and scrapped a few outfits and tweaked a few more. I made the outfits me. Surprise, surprise, pictures were suddenly a breeze. When I started this blog almost a year ago it was because I was getting excited about my clothes and style again. Each look was "my new favorite outfit" I need to keep that in mind as I get dressed each day; I shouldn't be dressing for my blog, my friends, of even you (sorry) I should be dressing for myself. 








Dress: Loft $5 (thrifted) similar
Cardigan: Jones Wear $5 (thrifted) similar
Necklace: Charming Charlie similar
Bracelets: Stella and Dot RenegadeMoxieTriple Wrap
Shoes: Coach (circa 2002ish) cute option on sale

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38 comments:

  1. love to hear your story about taking pics...i feel the same way a lot of times and glad to know im not the only one who scraps outfits several times lol! i love this look! the nautical vibe is fantastic!

    XO Meghan
    citrusrefreshingfashion.blogspot.com

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  2. The reason I read your blog is that you wear clothes that I would wear myself and I have similar pieces in my own closet. Dress for yourself and your readers will love it! (Yeah for cooler weather in NE...we are getting closer to fall!)

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  3. Your dress is so cute and the cardigan looks great with it! I love that you are being true to yourself because your outfits are great inspiration!

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  4. Great post Ginny. It is totally about just being yourself and making the outfits you. SOmetimes i look at these other bloggers who have a professional camera, amazing, expensive clothes and I think that's not me. I would love to have a better camera but that will come. If my posts started to look like they came out of a magazine that that wouldn't be my blog. I get told all the time that people like my pictures and my blog.

    I really like your blog Ginny and i'm glad you made your outfits your own. Love yours today. The cardigan is the perfect touch over that dress.

    Don't forget to stop by tomorrow and link up for my weekly Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday Link Up.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  5. Great post! When I first started blogging I felt like I had to come up with the next best thing. Then I realized that a lot of those looks just weren't "me" Blogging is amazing because it does make you think outside the box and experiment, but staying true to yourself is more important. If you are confident in whatever you are wearing, it will shine through! I LOVE this outfit too!

    Heather

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  6. What a cute nautical look! Sometimes I feel pressure to wear outfits that are "blog worthy" but I definitely feel the best when I just dress for myself and no one else.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    So Kate Giveaway!

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  7. You look so cute, I love the stripes. It's definitely important to dress for yourself... although we all tend to get a bit carried away with blogging, it's good to remain focused!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  8. I totally agree! When I try to dress for someone else, like how I THINK I should be wearing something, I sometimes find myself feeling uncomfortable all day! And while there's something to be said about stepping outside your comfort zone now and then, being true to yourself is most important. Love your dress with your striped cardigan today!

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  9. I totally agree! When I try to dress for someone else, like how I THINK I should be wearing something, I sometimes find myself feeling uncomfortable all day! And while there's something to be said about stepping outside your comfort zone now and then, being true to yourself is most important. Love your dress with your striped cardigan today!

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  10. So true! It's good you realized what was going on and can be more aware of it now! I think it is sometimes hard to know whether I am wearing something that I wouldn't normally wear, or if I'm just getting confident enough to wear something that I love!

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  11. I love reading your blog. I would wear each and every one of your outfits. You always look adorable. I am realy loving the navy and red today too!

    Jen
    noaccountingforstyle.blogspot.com

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  12. I love this look! It's nautical without being tooo nautical. And I'm pretty sure that happens to everyone at some point, but I'm glad you were able to find clarity and create your "new favorite outfit" again!

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  13. I love that you scrapped the other outfits and stayed true to you! That's what keeps readers coming back, when you're true to your style. I struggle with that sometimes and have to ask if it's something I'd actually wear (or have actually worn). It makes outfit posts SO much easier! This outfit is signature Ginny and I love it!

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  14. I completely agree, 100% that we should always be dressing for ourselves. It's the only way to ensure that we feel, and come across as, totally confident! And you look great!

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  15. I love YOUR style! That's the wonderful thing about fashion, we all are different, yet beautiful in our own ways!

    xoxo,
    Lauren from Modern Modesty

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  16. I love these photos. I can definitely tell that you look so comfortable and bright! I completely agree with your post :)

    xx.
    fashion and tea

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  17. Thanks for being yourself....I love your outfits!

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  18. Yes, always dress for yourself...you look so cute!

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  19. very true and that's why us your readers keep coming back because we love your style!

    Delightful Ideas
    $25 Paypal Giveaway

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  20. This is a super cute summer to fall look
    Keep up the great fashion
    Brett

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  21. these pictures are gorgeous!! your blog is so nice!! i am now following you! i just put up a new post, i would love to know what you think!

    Love Eimear x

    http://supposeishouldblog.blogspot.ca/

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  22. I love this outfit! Thanks for being "you"! :)

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  23. I love this outfit. I agree with you, we should be dressing for ourselves and just "happen" to take pictures of the outfit ;)

    If you get a chance, please link up to my linky party which started today: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-we-wore-9.html

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  24. This is such a great post. Yeah, I think sometimes it's easy to forget to dress for ourselves. I love this look and think it is so you. That is so weird about my posts not showing up. I've been a little out of it lately but have been still posting.

    Amy


    Fashion and Beauty Finds

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  25. Sage advice, Ginny! So true that your outfits should be for YOU, not for blog readers or just for the sake of "being trendy."

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  26. Very cute outfit!!!! I definitely agree that no one should influence your outfits! You need to make it your own and something you feel beautiful in! :) I love the cardigan a lot!!!

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  27. Beautiful outfit - you look chic and uniquely You.

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  28. Love the outfit! Clothes always look better when we are not trying so hard and stay true to ourselves! I always tell myself not to over think it. If I have to think hard to put the outfit together then it's not natural and not really me ;) I'm excited to see what you will put together now that you are getting back to your roots!

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  29. Hi dear :) The photos you choose for your last post are so beautiful!!
    Need to say that your blog is a good inspiration :)
    Come to see my new post, ill delighted to know your opinion :)
    http://peaceinmyshoes.blogspot.com.es

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  30. Very good advise. Dressing for YOURSELF is the number one rule - blog or no blog. You need to wear Red more often cause it suits you. I must try my Stripped Black+White Cardi over a Red Dress. =)

    What series are you starting Ginny?

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  31. Ginny you took the words right out of my mouth! I have been thinking and feeling the exact same thing. It got to a point (this past month) that I wasn't even enjoying blogging anymore. Too much pressure to find that perfect outfit. I would take 3 outfit pictures in a week and none of them would make it to my blog. I hated them. And nothing satisfied me. I felt like frumpty dumpty haha. I keep comparing myself to all of these bloggers and it does me no good. I need to dress for me and wear what I love. I completely understand where you're coming from and I commend you for coming forward and sharing it with us! We can ALL relate:)!

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  32. I could't agree with you more. I feel the exact same way, sometimes I loose sight of the fact that I just need to stick with my own style and what I am comfortable in. I have lots of pics that have never been posted because they just didn't work.
    Thanks for sharing with us. You look great.

    Pia
    pjmscloset.blogspot.ca

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  33. You definitely have to feel comfortable with what you're wearing-- especially in front of the camera! It really does make all the difference! Glad you got yourself back ;)
    xx Corinne
    cateyesandthighhighs.blogspot.com

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  34. cute cute cute
    xo Jessica
    www.NewlyLoved.com

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  35. I totally loved this post!!! Really great inspiration! tell me if you would like to follow each other! I follow you back for sure - Lots of Love, Kyra♡
    FOLLOW MY BLOG // TELL ME // I FOLLOW YOU BACK!

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  36. Yep - it's all about dressing for ourselves! I'm really glad you determined that for yourself before you completely lost sight of who you are. I know I've fallen prey to similar feelings before, but I need to keep reminding myself that it's what I want that matters, not what readers want. Like many others have said, thanks for being honest and letting us know where you're at!

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