April Fool: What a Fashion Blogger Really Looks Like

Sometimes, as a fashion blogger, I appear to have it all together.

I get done up in my outfits, but I only show you the best photos. I stage my Instagram pictures to show you a detailed glimpse into my life, but I avoid showing you the mess in the background. As a viewer, you get to see a tiny, unrealistic version of my life. You think I have it all. You think I have it together.

I don't.

But we all do it. We all pick and choose the parts of our lives we want to share with the world.

But that "perfect" image isn't reality.

The reality is I take about 50 pictures to get a few "good" shots. The reality is, in most of those shots, I look nothing like a pulled together fashion blogger. In most of those shots, either the wind is blowing up my skirt or I'm tripping over the sidewalk or I'm trespassing on private property. Sometimes I'm kicking a tree to get the leaves to fall just right for a better photo (Yes, I'm serious. No, it wasn't successful).

But that's me. Sometimes I'm ridiculous. Sometimes I make a fool of myself.

So in honor of April Fool's Day, I'm showing a peek into what it really looks like to be a fashion blogger. Where life isn't all glitz and glam. Where life is about being human and silly and ridiculous.

Because sometimes life is about acknowledging - and embracing - your foolishness.

Because that's reality.

I Have a Confession: Paint it Red

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

I’ve never been much of a make up girl. I’ve tried, but the idea of contouring and blending and falsies and all the other makeup lingo is just way over my head. Like most aversions in life, I think it must stem from my childhood. It was the 80s and big hair and and even heavier makeup were in. And my mom, bless her heart, just wanted to make over her little mud playing, knee scraping, tomboy child.

The outcome was a disaster and it took me years to recover and another two decades before I would attempt to wear makeup on my own.

And to this day my routine (on days I actually decide to wear makeup) is uncomplicated. A little bronzer, a little eyeliner, a swipe of mascara and I’m out the door. No heavy foundation (hate the feeling), no concealer (no idea how to use it), and certainly no lipstick. Ever.

Even on my wedding day I did my own makeup and, to the horror of my mom, I refused to wear lipstick.

But confession time: I love the look of a simple red lip.

And the older I get, the more I understand makeup's power to transform. And I'm not just talking about hiding so called "flaws" that come with aging. I'm talking about the ability to add layers to your look. To treat makeup like an accessory to your style. A bold lip can brighten up and add a level of chic to the darkest and grungiest of outfits.

A red lip creates a statement.

Yet, I can't do it. It's intimidating. It requires time and money and patience (finding that perfect shade of red ain't easy). Not to mention the application process and avoiding smeared lipstick all over your face. How do some women pull it all off so effortlessly?

While I haven't taken the plunge yet, I'm willing to take the risk and experiment. So to all my beauty experts out there, what lipstick tips can you offer this mud playing, knee scraping, tomboy?

I Have a Confesstion: White {Lie} Wedding

Four years ago, the Hubby and I stood up in front of 90 of our closest friends and family, read each other the vows we co-wrote, toasted with champagne, and danced the night away at our destination Detroit Wedding.

Only we didn't actually get married.

Our ceremony was led by a great friend of ours, but he was never actually ordained. Rather than have him “ruin his future political career” by getting ordained at The Internet Church of Google, he led an incredibly heartfelt and personal ceremony as our friend.

It wasn't until two days later, on the first day of fall, standing on a marina dock in a very private and intimate ceremony, that we re-read our vows and, this time legally (we’re pretty sure!), said "I do."

Although the first ceremony may not have been legal, it was certainly a celebration.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

All image by Brian McElhone

Happy (fake) anniversary, love! And cheers to Turning over a New Leaf!

Coming out of the {Very Stylish} Closet

I have a confession: I. Love. Fashion.

Seriously, I'm obsessed. So much so that I'm starting a blog about it.

I know, I know. Just what the world needs - another Fashion and Lifestyle blog. Honestly, I've put off creating this blog for years because what else could I add that wasn't already being captured? Could I really separate myself from the millions of other blogs out there? What new perspective could I possibly offer?

Despite such concerns, I did get close to starting this blog once before. I picked out a blog name, worked on the design, and then...Pinterest happened. Why did I need a blog now that I could be inspired, shop, and catalog my love of all things stylish in one online platform? For a while, this phenomenon fed my craving, but eventually, even the ever-addicting Pinterest wasn't enough to satisfy my obsession.

So I attempted to start the blog once again. I was determined to have a more creative outlet.

But then I got the big C: Cancer. So I started that blog instead. And as anyone who has ever gotten cancer can attest, it makes you reevaluate your life. You stop wasting your time on things you "should do" and start focusing on the things you want to do.

For me, that is fashion. 

To many, fashion is superficial and frivolous. Those are the people who think a blog about style is a waste of time, especially after going through something as life-changing as the big C. To me, fashion is an art; a creative form of expression; and most importantly, an outlet that makes me happy. 

And after cancer, you learn that happiness is never a waste of time.

So here I am, a closeted fashion addict, coming out of the closet.
 
My name is Dana. These are my Confessions