Outfit details:
Denim button up: a gift from a friend
Old Levi's
leather lace up boots: thrift store
vintage feather hat: thrift store
Okay so before I talk about this outfit for a second I just wanted to say HOORAY for my new blog layout! I am so happy with it. I think I mentioned in a previous post about how I was beyond over my old layout so when I spent a weekend browsing through one of my favorite sites, Pugly Pixel, and stumbled upon her little web designer directory I was super excited. I found Blog Milk and instantly fell in love with their pre-made blog designs. Didn't hurt that they had "milk" in their title (a sign??). Anyway, I think this layout speaks more to my personality. Never mind that I nearly went blind tweaking the layout yesterday and adding bits of e-flare. If you're reading this blog on a feed I recommend clicking over to see the new design ;-)
Also, I should add that this new design has sort of made me more excited about blogging. I think it's motivation for me to update with better content and photos. Since starting this blog two summers ago I've never really taken a break from it. Which is fine. However, lately I was starting to feel sort of down about blogging in general. No one ever addresses this (I think) but blogging, especially fashion-y sort of blogging, can be exhausting. I think it can be a very competitive word in the sense that a lot of bloggers are always showing off the cool new duds they bought, the cool new stuff they got sent for free, the cool NEW whatever. As a reader and blogger it makes me think, "Dang...how can I ever keep up?" but then I realize, do I even want to keep up? The answer is always no, not really. If I can't hack it as myself on this blog then I should stop blogging, end of story. Do any of you guys ever feel this way?
Back to the outfit: no I don't go around holding Mexican Cokes as the perfect outfit prop for these photos (back story: Grant and I found a local food truck meet up in a neighborhood by my house and split a Mexi Coke and bought some woefully abysmal burritos. Never again Dos Chinos!) , but on our way back to the car we saw this little construction field and took a few shots. I guess you could say that this outfit was a tiny bit inspired by Bob Dylan circa his Desire days. Can't wait to do the look up proper when it gets colder out.
I love the redesign :)
ReplyDeleteI freaking LOVE the new look of your blog. So awesome. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteGah, I totally feel burned out from blogging sometimes. I just don't have the energy some days to take photos & upload and think of something to talk about... sometimes I just have bad days. Or weeks. Or whatever. And then other times I get so inspired that I just want to blog for the next 24 hours straight, ha.
I totally agree with you when you say "fashion-y sort of blogging can be exhausting". I am still very new to blogging but I have already discovered that, yes, it is very time consuming and challenging to post more than a couple times a week. I don't really feel a need to "keep up" but I do feel like a lazy blogger sometimes when I see lots of other bloggers showing off their cool new gear at least 5 out of 7 days a week. I try not to dwell on it too much though because I see blogging as more of a fun hobby rather than something I have to do to keep up or fit in. Anyways, your blog is one of my favorites and I like it even more with the pretty new layout! You have great taste!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so pretty! And I love the outfit. I've been blogging for a while, but I just started taking photos of myself, like last week, because I was so intimidated! My approach is to just be myself though, not try to keep up or compete or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree, I'm still fairly new to blogging (since march) but there's no way I ever could or would want to try and keep up, without a lot of followers there are no freebies, and it's not like I can afford to buy outfits all the time. I joined IFB to try and build my following but already left because I don't agree with the way they work. In the past couple of days I've had a lot of conversations about rather having 1 follower who's honestly interested in my blog than having 1000+ followers just to build my numbers to get the freebies. And I believe that that 1 person (whoever it might be) wouldn't mind you taking a couple of days off. If you're always trying to "keep up" it's inevitable to get burned out.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found your second wind, because I just recently found your blog and would hate to miss out!
http://louise-amabilis.blogspot.com/
New design looks great. I should check out that site. And I completely tune out the whole competitiveness aspect of blogging; it's not why I got into it in the first place, and it totally turns me off. Also, there's a lot of people being, for lack of a better word, 'takers'...just constantly consuming without giving anything in return. It's kinda gross when you think about it. When I blog about something new I've bought, it's because I want to give props to an artist or jewelry maker or indie designer. I try to put my money where my mouth is so to speak. Why would I expect people to buy my etsy wares if I'm not willing to support other etsy sellers? You know? I've been meaning to do a post on this for a while, too much bullshit in blogging these days, fake stuff, staged outings, sponsored posts where I feel like I'm reading a sales pitch, the reason I read your blog is because you are real. Having said that, there are some awesome bloggers out there I read on a regular basis, but they are not usually the largest blogs.
ReplyDeleteYour new blog design is so bright and fresh! I love the clean layout. Was it called "painted desert" because it totally should be!
ReplyDeleteYour outfit is laid back and adorable, and I totally agree on blogging competition and comparisons, its really hard not to make them, but really depressing to make them sometimes. Just wanted to tell you I appreciate you NOT being a blogger who posts new shiny things all the time!
Take care,
Hannah
Love this look. Love the redesign. And most of all love your blog in general. Your personal style is amazing and your blog feels more honest and less forced than a lot of others! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHOLY. CRAP. Your blog looks so good. I'm in the midst of a redesign myself and I know exactly what you mean about motivation. I have negative 100 because I think "whatever, it looks like crap no matter what"
ReplyDeleteBut wow. Your blog looks aammmaaazing. YAY!
I love the redesign! Looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love the redesign of your blog!! (especially love the vintage cactus icons up top!) and even more power to this change for reigniting that blogging spark for you :). I have never felt the sentiments you have, as my blog is more just a personal, sporadic-posting kind of outlet for me. But I was first drawn to your blog for the sincerity and honesty in your posts (please always continue this!), the fact that you have several clothing staples that I'll see and recognize (as opposed to new shoes/purse/sunglasses ever7 other post etc.; err, don't really mean to be slamming that?) and the excitement and wonder that you bring through the photos you/Grant take and the words that come hand in hand describing your adventures. These qualities totally shine through your blog, and gives you that edge that sets you apart. I rarely comment on blogs but have been for yours because I always love what you post and have to say, and want you to be aware of that!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have other readers who feel this way about your blog, too! (just took a glance at the other comments). I could go on and on, but basically I wholly believe that, girl, you're doing it right! Keep on truckin' :)
Love this outfit! And the new design looks awesome! I know what you mean about keeping up, sometimes I think about that too and remind myself that I don't want to keep up either, haha
ReplyDeletehttp://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Blogging is daunting! I do want to say, tho, that your blog really inspired me! Your voice is authentic and true, and you never come off as more fashion-y than thou or anything. You share and post for the love and fun of it, and it made me want to share, too! Anything worth doing is worth it b/cs you WANT to and it's FUN -- that's what I've taken from your blog and something I try to emulate. Actually, I totally modeled my blog after yours as a template (who wants to re-invent the wheel?). It's a process and a means of self expression. Keep up the good work -- as long as its FUN for you and I hope it never feels like homework that you HAVE to do! =) get some!
ReplyDeletei was going to say you remind of of dylan during desire. which is amazing. and mexican cokes are the best cokes. and i'm loving this outfit because it reminds me of dylan and the southwest.
ReplyDeleteand the blog looks great girl. you got where you are because of what you've been doing. ain't no thang, keep it up.
Like the new layout. Looks neat-o!!
ReplyDeleteThe new layout is super cute ! Very nice job.
ReplyDeleteyou and the blog look great. love the outfit but lets be honest here you are one of the rare people who can pull off denim on denim.
ReplyDeleteLove love love the redesign! It's so perfect.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love all the denim. One of my favorite combos.
I love the new layout of your blog! It's so pretty! Also, I understand about feeling like you can't keep up. I always feel like I need to be buying new things so I don't overuse certain pieces of clothing and bore people to tears. It's a hard balance, and I definitely think blogging can inspire an unhealthy amount of consumerism (at least for me)!
ReplyDelete-Katie
I love your blog, both old and new version (though totally digging that cactus). I also feel the pressure to continue blogging the same way I did when we started, but I realise I have neither cash nor time to do so. It makes me feel bad because I WANT to but can't. Then one wonders, 'what next?'
ReplyDeleteBut the denim on denim, loving it. :)
I'm totally loving the new blog design, Ashley! Also, hurray for denim on denim. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit & style! You look great.
ReplyDeletelove the new layout! cute cute cute.
ReplyDeleteit looks great, my friend. i want to spruce my blog up as well. yeah, i could never keep up with all the fashion blogs. i don't go on nearly enough, nor do i have the cashflow to have new things all the time. mostly, i blog about my life. you have no problems keepin up though, in my opinion! you do great! :)
ReplyDeletep.s. i have always loved denim on denim
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought of Dylan when I saw these photos. You look awesome. That hat! Those boots! Denim on denim! The redesign looks awesome too. Whenever I redesign my blog I get all excited about blogging again. Change is good.
ReplyDeleteNorth Country Girl
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteArhg, not a champ with comments but I was saying that I love the new layout - its much more structured. I find your blog more interesting because its different from everything else out there. I love that it's it filled with beautiful pictures and lengthy entries. I just gave my blog own a long overdue overhaul!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I was just talking to another fashion blogger the other day about how depressed she is about the fashion blogosphere. Who are these girls buying new designer clothes all the time? Personally, I find more inspiration in a blogger like you who finds little gems in thrift stores and vintage shops. That's more exciting to me than someone who just goes to Saks. Any girl can do that! But no other girl will have your vintage boots. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for the new layout: GORGEOUS.
Your outfit: love it! I'm kind of obsessed with the whole American southwest look and you always pull it off so effortlessly and so beautifully.
And hurray for Mexican Coke! I always treat myself to one when I'm at the little Mexican shop downtown. :P
I hope you have a great weekend! xoxo
Your new layout is super. And I agree you with the competitive feeling re: blogging. I decided not to bother competing a long time ago (I've been blogging for many years now!) which is better really, it imposes far less pressure amongst other positive things!
ReplyDeleteI've been on the hunt for ages looking for a pair of boots like that! Love them!
ReplyDelete♡ Lexi
FASHION: Glitter & Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings
Love the new layout, fits your style really well. As for being in a blogging funk. I much prefer reading blogs like yours. I enjoy blogs about thrifting, vintage, etc. More personable blogs. I honestly could care less about all the new designer items people have bought, what's hot, new trends, and all the new duds their sponsors gave them, it's kinda boring. I would say keep doing what you like doing, don't worry about what everybody else is doing. It's more fun that way. It's good to stick out from the bunch.
ReplyDeletefirst off your new layout is sweet.i really love the painted strokes on the header. i've been thinking about how i can translate more of myself and what i love into my posts without being overly personal. the backdrop for this outfit is just perfect. oh and i saw moonrise kingdom last night...loved your moonrise kingdom getup too
ReplyDeletei love the new layout! very fresh
ReplyDeletehttp://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/
The redesign is beautiful! :D
ReplyDeleteWORD. I've had very similar feelings lately, although I've only been at it a year, and have almost seriously quit twice- so I'm probably just a big big wimp.....but I really love the idea of just wearing what makes me feel fun and interesting and expressive, and not having anything to do with how rigid the fashion world seems. I've loved running into your blog for this reason, and am seriously impressed with how much success you've had! It's really great and inspiring to see someone who is clearly having fun and doing their own thing, and not living off of trends and free clothes, but still garners a lot of recognition and support from lay people and established organizations alike. a lot of people try to come off that way, but not that many really translate as genuine, and yours does, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the new layout, but most of all I love this outfit shoot. It looks like something out of a magazine!
ReplyDeleteI freakin love double denim, don't know if you have this term in the states but in NZ we call it a Canadian Tuxedo for some reason? Anyway, I totally agree with all the other comments, you're real and your blog isn't an overload of bland consumerism like many I see.
ReplyDelete