First off, let a girl get a little cheesy.
I felt nervous and hesitant to start up a style blog, call myself a blogger and do the "blogger thing" since so many people are quick to call bloggers fake and pushing advertorials on social media. Also, how the heck was I going to keep up with it? It was challenge enough to remember to change my cat's litterbox, do my homework and eat three square meals a day (I have to set alarms for this, otherwise I will completely forget to feed myself when I get stressed!) Could I really run my own blog on a regular basis?
I took a leap of faith and dove headfirst into what I now call my passion project.
And that's just what it is -- something I'm passionate about. I remember playing dress up and designing outfits for Barbies at a young age and I see this blog as a continuing exploration of a subject I've always been interested in. I'm not doing this for you, for the social media world or for a good reason other than the fact that it's fun and it keeps me on my toes. I have the coolest side gig in the world: I get to dress up, edit photos, meet cool people, do cool things around the amazing city I live in and, if I'm lucky, inspire a few people along the way.
So here's to you, you human individual who for some reason is reading these caffeine-induced words I am sending out into the depths of the interweb. You have now been a part of my blogging journey, whether you intended on being a part of it or not! As for those of you who religiously follow my posts both online and on Instagram, here is a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouraging comments, emails and DMs make it all worthwhile and I love hearing what inspires you. Bisous!
2016 wasn't the greatest, but I did some cool things anyway.
Like that time I checked off a bucket list trip and went to Morocco? Yes, please. Or the time I managed to pick myself back up after developing a super weird health problem that could have done permanent damage? Not so cool, but still a big life-thing. I did a lot of writing, took a lot of photographs and spent time with some of the greatest people on the planet. Diane Von Furstenburg, I'm looking at you. I know I was limited to a 30 second meet-and-greet window, but I'm thoroughly convinced we could be best friends. Whitney Port, thanks for introducing me to the wonders of carrot juice.
I moved to Hyde Park, dated some assholes and read about eighteen books, each of those things providing me with some valuable insight on life and what it means to grow as a person. I drank a ton of grande iced caramel macchiatos with light caramel and coconut milk, watched all of The Mindy Project on Hulu and even had a quick stint on Bumble. (Results: good. I am now dating someone I couldn't help but swipe right for, and I like him quite a bit.)
As for the professional stuff, I had the privilege of editing for Society Letters, writing for Austin Woman Magazine and photographing some of the prettiest grads on the planet. I started renting my clothing on Garment Exchange, attended some super cool events (my favorite with PopSugar and ShopStyle Collective at Hotel Van Zandt) and felt like a celebrity when I stayed at The Westin for free for the Rooftop Reflections photo shoot. This spring I have accepted an internship for Austin Way Magazine and love the place to death already.
Enough of the feel-good sappy stuff. Let's talk about what really matters.
Like that Mariah Carey New Years Eve performance.
I was a little too preoccupied with my vodka sprite and super hot New Year's date to watch her TV performance live, but I saw it on YouTube the next day and it was pretty terrifying. In case you missed it as well, you can watch the train wreck here (it starts at 1:15 and only gets worse!) Note to self: don't hire her sound engineers when your singing in the car finally becomes pop-star level and you take the world by storm.
No matter how 2017 goes, it can't be more embarrassing than this performance.
And we can't forget...
My Instagram best nine from 2016! This year has been one full of growth and much contemplation when it comes to personal branding. While I'm no expert at branding and still feel like I'm failing a good portion of the time, I've gotten to know my style in a way I previously hadn't before this year and I am so excited to keep seeing where it goes.
Here's what you guys liked the most this year:
I read about this on The Bella Insider, my friend Sarah's little corner of the internet! You can visit her site and see her best nine as well, or generate your own here.
What about those New Years resolutions?
I don't have any.
Much of my giving up bad habits is done during Lent (what's up, my Catholic homies?!) so I tend to stray away from making New Years resolutions that I know will harm my self-esteem when I inevitably break them within the first two weeks. I do like to reflect on who I was as a person in the previous year and who I want to be as a person in the upcoming year, but never really make black-and white changes right away. Instead, I promise myself that I will TRY my hardest to implement habits that will make me a happier, healthier, more accepting person.
Here's to a new year filled with new adventures, new relationships and new accomplishments to be had. Thanks for coming along on my little adventures!
Want to see something specific on MissMadds this year? Comment below or email me through my contact page!
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