Clothed with Grace: Two Years

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Two Years

Two years ago today I began blogging.  I hadn't even heard of a blog until August-two short months before I started blogging myself.  I was in a huge clothing rut and wasn't looking forward to school at all.  I had a friend suggest checking out Along the Lines of Style, Whitney was showing daily OOTDs at that point (although I had no idea what that actually stood for at the time).  I was shocked that such a thing even existed! I was also really excited, I got so much inspiration through looking at her archives and then I found a few other ladies like Tara at Mix and Match Fashion and Shanna at Because Shanna Said So....

I started to get excited about getting dressed again and I began to gain more confidence in myself, something I'd somehow lost along the way.  A few months later I took the plunge. Now, I'd be lying if I said it's been a perfect journey.  I'm actually pretty embarrassed my some of my early outfits and the quality of the pictures. I'm also embarrassed about how obsessed I became with clothes and getting a good deal. I was also reading and commenting on about a million blogs a day.  It was way too much. There really was no balance and it wasn't fair to my family, my students, or my God.

Since then I feel like I'm found a balance; this is a hobby, not my life.  I don't think being a blogger makes me any more special than anyone else. This is just a fun outlet in the midst of the busyness of life; it's the one thing that's just mine. I also feel like I understand my style and don't feel the urge to go out and buy all the things or jump on board with every trend.  Been there. Done that. I now get a few things each month and am blessed to work with a number of brands. Every cute outfit I wear doesn't need to be blogged and I repeat outfits.  Often.

I'm also continually surprised and flattered when people tell me they bought something because I recommended it, or that a reader would take my outfits and recreate them.  When I started this, that wasn't something I ever considered happening.

This journey has been fun and I've "met" some really great people along the way.  Thanks to all of you who stop by my little spot in the Blogosphere.  Your kind works and support make this little hobby something really fun.




Cardigan: NY and Co. similar
Dress: Target similar
Necklace: Mariposa Medley c/o similar
 Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o samesame 
Shoes: Audrey Brookes similar

Linking up with:

24 comments:

  1. Congrats on your two years of blogging! I'd say that your feelings on blogging match mine super closely. And I'll always remember that you were the first one supporting my blog when I started out. Thanks! Love this look today, that dress is so pretty!

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  2. Yay for 2 years! That is such an amazing accomplishment! And you have looked fabulous every step of the way!

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  3. congrats on ur 2 years ginny! such a special moment for your career and I have always enjoyed following along in your journey :) beautiful dress today love the pink cardi on top!

    XO Meghan
    citrus fashion

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  4. Congratulations Ginny! You know that you are one of my go to bloggers! I love your style, and your heart! Susan

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  5. Congrats! I love how honest and real you are with your readers. Your outfits are awesome!

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  6. I just love this. I too went through a time where I wasn't excited about getting dressed. My confidence was low. Then I flipped the other way and got a little obsessed. Then a job change, 1/2 the salary I had. Went back to buying nothing for myself and got back into a bit of a rut. FINALLY I feel I have found a balance. I have a few blogs like yours that I love looking at and getting ideas of how to put things together differently that I already have in my closet. But I don't get focused on that one item I don't have that I NEED. I feel more comfortable with my style and don't have to be an exact copy of what I pin or read. Thanks for the honesty. It makes me feel less psycho. :) And thanks for sharing your great finds! Not all of us can be 100% Nordstrom girls!

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  7. Happy blogiversary! I love your style and can't even tell you how many outfits I've copied. Thanks for all the inspiration.

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  8. Wow Ginny congratulations & more power on your blog's 2nd!!! It's such a huge milestone & wishing you more years of inspiring people!!!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  9. You look adorable in the dress & love the gold heels!! Congrats on 2 years that is such a milestone! I really appreciated reading this post as I'm still quite new to blogging and struggling with finding the balance so it's really nice to hear how you've gone through this as well & now have a good balance.
    Marta, xo
    www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com

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  10. Yay! Congratulations! I love that blogging has brought back your self-confidence. That is reason enough in my book to do it!

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  11. Love this look, Ginny! I'm Alex and I was hoping you could answer a quick question I have about your blog! If you could email me back at Alex.d(at)weddingtonway(dot)com that would be great!

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  12. Wow 2 years, crazy how time flies. Your blog was one of the first that I found and it has been fun watching it grow! :)

    Amy
    mariposamedley.com

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  13. Pretty! I am enjoying the dark florals this fall.

    Marie @ In Our Happy Place

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  14. Congrats on two years pretty lady, you look fab!

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  15. Yay for two years, sweet friend!! It's one heck of a ride, right? I am so happy we found one another!! Cheers to many more fun fashion years!! xoxo

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  16. Congratulations on two years! I look forward to reading your blog every day!

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  17. congrats on your blogaversary!!!
    Brett

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  18. Congratulations on two years! I love your blog and I'm glad you share your outfits with all of us!

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  19. Um. Google ate my comment! Ugh. So rude.

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  20. Happy blog anniversary! And I love your openness -- I was totally nodding throughout your post, like with the never having heard of style blogs and then getting totally obsessed with them to finding a way to balance shopping and remixing pieces. I love your style, and you look lovely in this floral and berry ensemble. I just got a deep purple/berry cardigan, so I am pinning this for inspiration!

    Jen @ Librarian for LIfe + Style

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  21. Congrats on two years of blogging Ginny! I really enjoy your style and reading your blog! I've found a lot of inspiration from your outfits!

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  22. Congratulations on 2 years!! You look great as always! I have that exact same sweater in orange and still get many compliments on it even though it is an older piece in my closet.

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  23. Happy 2 Years! I'm so glad I found your blog- you are as sweet as the outfits you wear! Cheers!

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