Paper Doll Project #2

Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy coordinated another Paper Doll Project this month! I had so much fun doing it in April that I decided to play, again. Amidst the madness of trying to tie up loose ends at my current (old, after today) job and traveling to the beach for Mother's Day weekend, Daphne of Fashion Confessions of a Mommy and I finally got our stuff together between last night and this morning! It just goes to show that mommas are busy ladies (ahem, and that we can endure)! Last night, I sent a photo of my dress to Daphne. I got it at Charlotte Russe, on the clearance rack, a month or so ago and have had trouble styling it ever since. The colors are so wintery to me. Daphne suggested adding bright, springy pops of color with my teal accessories. She hardly knows me, yet knows me so well! Here's what we came up with! Thank you for dressing me, Daphne!

dress: Charlotte Russe

belt: Old Navy

heels: Predictions, handed down from Whitney

necklace: The Body Shop

And, you know, since my self-photography skills are so amazing, I had to take a shot of my shoes for you... or else you might have missed them. No idea why, though...

What do you all think? Personally, I think the teal moved this baby right from drab winter grey to a fab spring piece that can be reworked with lots of different accessories! Thanks for opening my eyes, Daphne!

Don't forget to head over to the Paper Doll Project at Miss Vinyl Ahoy to check out what other participants did! And when the call comes out for next month, you should play along, too! It's fun to have a stylist for a day!

*****

Speaking of... Have you had your chance to be MY stylist, yet?

Choose my wardrobe for my new job in the Nanny Style Contest!

If you've been meaning to submit an entry, go, now! Tomorrow's your last day! ALL of your help is so appreciated and one lucky winner will get a $25 gift card!

 

FBFF: It Takes Time

 Good morning, Sunshines!
Today's FBFF post is about finding a balance between blogging and... well, the rest of life. This is something we all struggle with, because blogging, for most of us, is our passion and our creative outlet. Katy posed some questions that I honestly think about, daily. I was glad to answer and also wonder what everyone else will say! I have a feeling most of us are in the same boat. 
 For more information about FBFF and to see this week's participants and their answers, check out Katy's blog, Modly Chic. 

I also want to shout from the rooftops, a big, resounding "THANK YOU," to my friends at The Clothes Hound, for featuring me as one of their "Real Women, Real Fashion... bloggers" today!
What an honor! 

  yellow tank: Filene's Basement (don't know the brand)

green cardigan: Old Navy

black slacks: Old Navy

herringbone peep-toe heels: Predictions, via Whitney

belt: J.Crew, via Whitney

drop earrings: House of Harlow, giveaway prize from Walk of Fashion!

{one}

When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall? 

  Blogging probably comes higher on the list of my priorities than it should, honestly. I spend a lot of time and energy thinking about posts, doing photos, editing, posting, and trying my very best to stay in contact with my readers, as well as with the writers of blogs that I follow. Being a mom, a wife, working full time, and blogging are my top four most important things. The first two are in order. The second two might not be... That's up for you to decide.

{two}

We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible? 

 Well, my husband works nights, so after I put my daughter to bed and while he's at work, I choose my outfits and organize my closet in such a way that I can grab an entire outfit in the morning. My husband takes my photos on the way to work and if he's not off that morning, I take them before I leave the house. I (usually) post to my blog first thing in the morning, when I get to work. Shh (and for all of you who work with me- it's not like you didn't know! ;) ) ... Staying in touch with everyone is the most difficult and time consuming part of blogging, but it's also the most rewarding. And that, my friends, is why everyone needs a smart phone. My iPhone keeps me in touch via facebook, twitter, and email, at all times!

{three}

Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient? 

Is there really a valid short-cut to doing something and doing it well?

{four}

Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead? 

I don't, but it's something I've been considering. I've been coming up with a lot of on-a-whim post ideas, but I lose them before writing them down, because I usually come up with things while I'm working. If I could jot everything down on a notepad and make a calendar, I think my blog would be a lot more organized. That being said, I also really like the feel of my blog and how my writing is conversational and about what's going on, literally, right now.... or last night... or this morning. You know what I mean? I think that's what's relatable about me, so I don't want to compromise that with a bunch of tutorials or editorial pieces that aren't necessarily my style. Does that even make any sense?

I do have some how-to pieces that I'm working on, though! And don't worry- they're very me! 

{five}

If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?

Absolutely! I would be networking a heck of a lot more! I would make the time to really (and I mean REALLY) learn Photoshop. I would scout out more photo locations, learn better tripod techniques, study poses, do my makeup and hair more often (but hey, that also wouldn't really be "me," would it?). I would probably live on Twitter (or do I, already?). I would try to do more question/answers on the blog, which is something I'm trying to put together right now. So, in short, yes. Yes, I would do a lot more!

In other, very exciting, news... 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEST FRIEND!
I love you!
27's not so bad, as far as I can tell... :)