What a difference a year makes!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013 was, by far, the BEST year of my life! 

It was a crazy, busy year with so many changes but I loved every minute of 2013! 

My fiancé started the year out perfectly by proposing at the stroke of midnight! It was in front of some of our closest friends and I had NO IDEA it was coming! He hid the ring under my bed and everything!! 

We also set a date (11/22/2014!), booked a venue in St Augustine, and got engagement photos done by the amazing Brooke Images! 
Enough about me! Here's some of the other amazing things that happened! I got to watch some of my favorite people walk down the aisle! I even got to be a part of 2 of my best friend's perfect day! It meant the world to me to share in their amazing day!!! 

I also had one of my bff's get engaged on a month long road trip and watch my bestie/ MOH fall in love! I had three amazing trips with daddio, moved in with my best friend AND last but certainly not least, mom finished chemo & radiation!!!!!  
Overall, 2013 was one AH-MA-ZING year! None of it would have been possible without all the amazing people I have in my life!  
I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store! 
Like daddy says, we will be living the dream in 2014! Happy New Years Everyone! XO 

P.S. Can't wait to marry this babe!

Why I'm Proud to be a fashion blogger!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Last week IFB posted a great article titled, What makes you proud to be a fashion blogger?  and it got me thinking..... 

The article by contributor Jess Estrada, starts out with a convo she had with a "fashion industry star" that turned unexpectedly, making her think a lot harder about the term "blogger" vs writer or journalist.... “It’s okay to call you a blogger, right? Because sometimes I've met bloggers who get offended if we don’t call them ‘writers’ or ‘journalists."

When I get called a blogger, writer, journalist - whatever it may be, it makes me proud to know I'm being recognized for my writing. If I'm recognized for my writing, it means my voice is being heard. 


When I think of the term blogger, I put in the same category as writer or journalist. Some may disagree with the comparison, because as a journalism alumni, we were taught to write following journalism ethics BUT from there I think it's the individual's decision on where to take their writing.

Getting a degree in communication, I did "all of the above." I created Tickle Me Chic in college so I could strengthen my skills and get my writing out there more. I also created the fashion column at my college newspaper, working in WordPress. From there I wrote everything from newsworthy pieces to personal style posts. I even did video pieces. Once I graduated, I created a blog for a wedding planner whom I've written for, for over 2 & 1/2 years. I was also the Conscious Fashion Editor for Modern Hippie Mag for a year and half, using WordPress to create, edit and manage content as. Now as a Brand Marketing Manager, I'm constantly blogging, creating content, and being the voice behind the brand. So when I look back at my experience with writing, blogging has had a huge, positive impact on my life. 


While in college, I even wrote a guest post for IFB titled,  
Should Bloggers Adopt a Code of Ethics? In the post, I describe bloggers as citizen journalists, because, that's what they really are. Bloggers can post directly, in real time while journalists usually have to research, interview, photograph etc. I believe bloggers are a one stop shop! Bloggers have created a new approach to writing, allowing the tone to be more personal.

photo from Independent Fashion Blogger post I wrote
What makes me most proud to be a fashion blogger is you create your own destiny. YOU are your own boss, you choose the content to write about and you edit the material - the freedom is amazing! I love focusing on the "controversial" topics in the fashion industry.... it gives me a voice to get those "sticky" topics out there more, like the portrayal of plus-size women or the photo-manipulation epidemic

Personally, I think if more people focus on breaking the misconception of these "taboos," maybe the fashion industry will hear us and start changing the way some do business. I honestly think that it's happening as we speak.... the more bloggers who focus on the tough fashion topics, the more changes we will see. 

I think the biggest difference from blogging to writing is you have an OPINION! When writing news, you're supposed to hide opinion and stay "unbiased" but that's something I love about blogging.... You're able to speak your mind and share your voice! That's why I love being part of Independent Fashion Bloggers..... You have a huge community where you can connect, share, ask questions, get opinions and interact with other bloggers.

Writing is what I love to do. That's why I pursued a communication degree and created Tickle Me Chic. Writing is an outlet for me... when I'm sad, frustrated, happy, excited, I turn to blogging. Even if I don't publish the piece, blogging is my release. Whether it's a controversial piece or a Bloggers Do It Better piece, I'm very proud to be a fashion blogger!



Links à la Mode: Making the Effort

Monday, October 14, 2013

lalam1010

Making the Effort

Making the effort every day has been on my mind lately. It's fall, the typical time for dressing up. Fashion Month opens the floodgates to trendy people. And while, life may have other things in store for you: unusually warm October, working at home, not working at all... etc, making an effort still matters. Yesterday I was just talking about how making an effort doesn't have to be too much work. It's just a matter of planning things a little. That's what the links this week tell me, they peek into trends for next year, they organize the trends this year, and give a little inspiration for the upcoming holiday we all love: Halloween!

Links à la Mode: October 10th

SPONSOR: Eastdane Anonymousism, Aerin, Nudie Jeans, Sperry, 1000 Mile, APC Jeans, Micah Cohen, Wax + Cruz, SunPocket, CKU, & Shopbop

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