Well, friends, this is going to be my last outfit post. I am not sure if it will be forever or for just the time being, but I have been having a sort of identity crisis lately with a heavy dose of reflection and soul-searching. I attribute much of this to my growing responsibilities as a mother to daughters, some serious marital work, and the PhD program I am in. I am only 2/3 of the way through the first semester and I already feel it has been such a transformative process. It has awoken many aspects within me that have been sleeping for the past few years. Sometimes motherhood, loss, and change can do things like that.

{Dress, Vince. Booties, 1.State (similar style here). Purse, Chanel (less expensive version here).}

Although I love experimenting with personal style and vying for luxury items, I feel as though when I post my outfits I am not being a truly authentic version of myself. I see other bloggers make exorbitant income off of their websites, and I thought: that’s what I want! I want to pay off my student loans! I want to work from home to spend more time with my daughters! I want to justify certain purchases for the sake of the business! It’s true. I want all of those things, yet am realizing this is not the avenue to provide that. For now at least. I do not have the means to post outfits multiples times/week and I do not think you’d even want to see that (see #4 below). While I do love fashion, my life does not revolve around it and it is not my greatest passion. I think the lack of passion shows and is not a recipe for success, either personally or professionally.

Here are some truth bombs:

One: I rarely pay full price for the clothes I feature, they are usually 30-50% off retail. Sometimes this is due to coupons brands send me; Sometimes this is due to me scouring the internet for sales and having items price-matched. I purchased this blue velvet dress for 40% off retail. Sorry.

Two: Sometimes I return an item after I see how I look in it in pictures. Cher was right: never trust a mirror.

Three: I am able to write-off most purchases for pearls on a string in taxes yet not the interest on my student loans. #thatslogical

Four: I wear black leggings or jeans + a sweater 95% of my life, especially now that it is winter in Alaska. The temperature has not been above freezing in weeks. Magnolia wipes her snot on everything I own, so I am mostly like– why bother?

With those confessions, I relinquish my “style” portion of the blog to the real fashion bloggers. How amazing we live in a time where people can support their families and follow their dreams in that medium! I am truly inspired by women like Emily Schuman, Rachel Parcell, and Julia Engel. They have no doubt worked hard for their success and are passionate about this subject. It shows, am I right?

This also brings me to my next query as I contemplate life as a nearly 34 year-old mother of two: what would you like to see? What do you like to read about? Why do you read my blog? (And “you’re my daughter or wife so I basically have to” need not apply.) I truly value your input and hope to create more content that is interesting to you! Thank you in advance for your input!

{Dress, Vince. Booties, 1.State (similar style here). Purse, Chanel (less expensive version here).}