If I was going to go into hibernation, I might wear something like this. Not only is it thematically appropriate, considering the bears on the sweater, but it's also super comfortable. Speaking of hibernation (just go with me here for the sake of the segue), I've been considering a blog hiatus for some time now. When you get dressed in the morning and think to yourself, "What can I wear that will get me comments/tumblr posts" there's a problem. I've been so antsy lately about the decreasing amount of comments I'd been receiving for a while. I mean, when you post pictures of yourself, it's hard to think your appearance isn't the problem. So instead of being a normal person, and wearing whatever the hell I want, some mornings I gear my outfit more towards what I think people will like, which in turn makes me feel like a fraud. For example, this morning I thought to myself, "Well I want to wear jeans, but I should wear a dress since I'll be able to take photos." After rifling through my skirts and dresses I basically said, "Screw it, I'm wearing my bear sweater." And here I am, bear sweater and all.
There's this bummer misconception within the fashion blogging community, I think, that every outfit has to be groundbreaking or interesting or innovative. Or maybe that's just my own misconception. Either way, it's such a silly idea. My blog is a daily outfit blog, in which I post what I wear, whatever it is, dresses or pants, skirts or tee shirts. Lately though, I've had this foolish idea that everything I wear has to be super interesting or it's not worthy of being posted. I'm trying to get past that and just do what I want, but the fact that blogging has been making me feel a bit crummy has me considering taking a break from it. I doubt I will, but you know, I guess I just wanted to get these thoughts out there.
Until tomorrow,
Nicole
I'm one of your readers, even if I don't comment, and I would just say that comments are no measure of how well put together and fun your outfits are! I really love your style and would miss your blog if you were to go on break! That said, there are days when I wear something and wonder 'is it blog worthy?' and that takes some of the joy out of dressing up... but those days are few and far between!
ReplyDeleteOh no, don't go away, that would be such a shame. I think I have the same idea as you, I have to wear something to wow the blog world, but I've tried to let that idea go now. I love love
ReplyDeleteLove your super sweet jumper, I think you look adorable
http://blogoftheprettythings.blogspot.com/
Xxx
I know exactly how you feel. When I went to Israel a lot of readers dropped off. But then I realized, I'm doing what I love (traveling and not posting as many style photos) and at the end of the day my blog is really only relevant or important to (ultimately) just me. So while my readership has declined and comments are very low, I'm the happiest with my blog than I have EVER been (and I've been blogging for three years!). While my content may not bring in the most hits, it accurately reflects who I am and that's exactly how I want it to be. That's why I have a lot more daily life photos that style photos these days.
ReplyDeleteHope you take some time and figure it out for yourself as well. Ps - I love the bear sweater!
I LOVE THIS OUTFIT! That hat is simply marvelous. And I love your sweater. The whole thing is perfect. Adding this to my pinterest inspiration :)
ReplyDeletei don't get as many comments on mine anymore either (not that i was ever really popular anyway). maybe people don't find what i wear commentable, maybe they do but just don't. i try not to worry about it and just take a photo s when i can (which is FAR less than you). but i have to admit, i've been sucking lately about commenting on others' blogs... so maybe that has something to do with it?
ReplyDeletebtw, love the bear sweater.. it's really cute! and the red hat goes so well with your skin tone.. red might be your color!
xo, Jill
http://jillybeanstalk.blogspot.com
That sweater! Those boots! That bag! Ah.. i love it all.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you.. for a while I felt so discouraged about my blog and considered putting it away for a while.. However, I found that I really missed it! I feel like a failure when I don't get comments... but then again, I look at the following i've earned and the friends I've made and I feel so blessed.
Nicole I feel the same way. A lot. I wear girly-office appropriate clothes for work, but never have time to take pics. So, on Saturday when I have time, I am freaking out looking for a dress to wear for the blog, when I kinda want to just wear a sweater and jeans :/ I think you should just wear whatever you are comfortable with, I am all for honest, sensible style. It's why I read the blogs that I read! I have to admit that this look is adorable and something I would love to wear. I am also diggin' the new layout.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to say wearing a bear sweater is mighty interesting. I love it. I totally get where you are coming from about dressing for the blog. I get like that sometimes too, but in the end I wear what makes me happy and comfortable. And I only take photos of my outfits like 2-3 times a week. Otherwise I'd go batty.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the whole "is this a blog worthy outfit?!" is something that ever blogger goes though, and i for one wish i could release those feelings. I guess it's a matter of not letting your blog be the reason for dressing, which sometimes I feel like it becomes that for me. :/ vicious cycle!
ReplyDeleteanyway, if you must go on a hiatus, you will probably come back reinspired and motivated again! but of course, i don't want you to leave...!
the bear sweater shall never get boring! i love it. and the red hat is a cuteee :)
xx
Totally get where you're coming from. This was the reason I had such a sporadic blogging time this summer and fall- I got tired of blogging for others. I feel really good about blogging now, because I just post what I want, when I want, and don't really care if people want to read it or not. It's so freeing! Also, give me that bear sweater. Ok thanks bye.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, I've been postponing beginning my own blog for months and months because I just don't feel like I have enough outfits to post or things to say etc.etc.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, your blog is one of my very favorites because you wear such relatable things and approach outfits in an affordable but still incredibly cute and often innovative way. Of course, if you feel you need a break for your own self I would say go for it! But you will surely be missed on my daily reads.
(Also, I won the giveaway you had a few months ago and I just wanted to tell you that I wear the necklace you sent almost every day, love the gloves and socks and have the basket as a display on my bookshelf. Thanks again!)
Hii! Remember me? I used to be LikeSpinningPlates but I deleted and remade and revamped and now I can't seem to find anyone I used to follow haha. BUT I found you and you're looking as cute as ever. That sweater is just awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love the bear sweater! I know what you mean about feeling like you have to post outfits other people will like...I live in a little mountain town so high fashion is not usually number one on my priority list! But you know, I blog for me and not for everyone else out there, and I think my readers honestly don't really care if I'm wearing something I see as super fashionable or not. Sometimes I post outfits that I don't think will get any comments, and then they get a ton! So, you never know really! I like your blog and I think this outfit is stylish and interesting, and I don't care whether you are wearing a dress or not!
ReplyDeletei feel the exact same way. it also makes me materialistic and thinking that if i can't have what these other bloggers have then no one will like me. they won't comment if i don't wear ugly shoes or they won't comment because they've seen this before.
ReplyDeletethe only thing that i like that has come from thinking like this, is i've tried out a lot of new things. and worn things in ways i normally wouldn't.
Nicole how beautiful your sweater, wanted an equal
ReplyDeletekisses rose jp
This outfit looks incredibily cute and comfortable at the same time!
ReplyDeleteAbout what you said, yes, I can totally understand what you mean. I'm kind of obsessed by comments (I think this is a reflection of my insecurity...like I'm screaming, "hey! hey! do you like me? do you like my clothes? please tell me you do!!")Every time I post an outfit I'm there asking myself if my readers will like and sometimes I notice that one of my simplest outfits got more comments than another one that I thought people could like more. It just makes no sense! So, well, we really should start caring less about this.
Life is a romantic poem
I hope you don't give it up for good! You're one of my favorite blogs because I know there's an update nearly everyday and your clothes are accessible to someone like me who can't afford to shop at expensive boutiques or whatever. My sister and I started a blog last October, and while we're still trying to get the hang of it, no one has subscribed or commented! So it can be discouraging when you don't get anything at all, but it's still fun too.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI have myself a personal style blog, but I don't snap outfit pictures everyday (my wardrobe doesn't expand that big) and I don't have the money to always buy something new/interesting. I, too, used to think like that, about what will get me comments, but that became too disheartening for me. So now, if I like the outfit I'm wearing than yeah, I'll snap pictures. But most days, I'm just casual and comfy.
And there's nothing wrong with going on a hiatus. I've been on one because of my depression, and now I feel more comfortable and open with myself on my blog. It's the most refreshing feeling.
Ps. I am loooooving your outfit! Definitely envious of your bear sweater ;)
Ummm can I just put in a request that you please not stop blogging! I just stumbled across your blog and I am absolutely in love with it, I want more, and yes, I am demanding like that :) . I can 100% relate to what you're talking about, I however have had such slow blog growth that my question is usually what am I doing wrong, but I admit, I always keep plugging away posting what I want to post because I love doing it.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, this outfit is adorable and so so very wearable-as are most of your outfits, from what I've looked at so far, which, in my little blogger opinion, is way better than having 300 comments about an outfit that no one would probably wear out and about for real, all day. So can we please be blog friendies?! Xo Lori
I know what you mean about the pressure...that's part of why I've started posting less frequently. When you're busy with school and/or work, it gets really hard to be super creative all the time. I feel like blogging is supposed to be fun, and when it's not fun anymore, it's time to take a break (even if it's just for a few days). I love reading your blog and will look forward to reading your posts whenever they come back even if you go on a hiatus!
ReplyDeleteWell, here I am commenting six days late on this ; )
ReplyDeleteI think it's a mistake to conflate comments with readership. I used to get way more comments a year ago (but had fewer eyeballs out there), because I used to reply to comments. Now I basically don't because it's just a spiral and I'd rather focus on getting the blog out there in other ways. I comment on some people's blogs (i.e. yours) sporadically, but whether I comment or not has nothing to do with whether or not I'm reading it. I (almost) always read your posts and I almost always find what you wear cute, and there's no real rhyme or reason to why I might comment on one and not another. Anyway, you should of course take a break if you're starting to feel like you hate your blog, but please don't go away forever!
Also, just look at some of the big blogs... The Clothes Horse for example might only set 20 comments on a post... but you know people are reading and loving it. : )