~ Outfit Details: Jeans ~ Shirt ~ Monogrammed Sunglasses ~ Earrings ~
~ I’ve been wanting to start this series on here for a while. While I think I tend to sprinkle little life stories in each style and outfit post probably more than most bloggers, I wanted to have some dedicated time to catch up with you all! “Let’s catch up!” is a phrase I’m often texting to my friends, especially now that I’m so far away from everyone. And I consider you all an extension of that…an extension of my friend group as a group of incredible women who all support me and follow along each week. And with that, I love hearing about all of YOUR lives and getting DM’s and e-mails from you all!
Friends catch up with friends, and I feel a little silly ONLY giving you style and travel advice (*and the occasional cocktail recipe) and NOT filling you in on the craziness of my life that’s happening on the backend. It is always my hope that you can relate, learn from my mistakes or small successes, or say “YES, my friend is going through the same thing!” So, grab a tea, coffee, mixed drink or pint of Ben & Jerry’s (because, HEY, this is a no judgement zone), and settle in. Let’s catch up, friends! (BIG updates and life questions answered, below!)
Where are you living?
I’ve been getting this question a lot lately from you guys and from old friends and from family! If you’re new here (Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!), I was living in Milan last year getting my masters in Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising (if you’re interested in the story of how that came about, click here). I returned to the states in August, travelled around, lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard for the month of September (it was a dream and a magical month), and returned to PA (where I was born) mid Oct. It’s always going to feel a little weird in my hometown. After 8th grade, I went to boarding school (The Hill School…whatsup Saturday classes!) and lost touch with A LOT of people really quickly. Any other boarding schoolers reading and understand that disconnect?!
After college (*and lots of summers away), I moved to CT to work for Vineyard Vines HQ and then for FOCUS. Stamford/Greenwich became my home! I still feel that way when I drive back. I miss my yacht club, friends and friends who feel more like family, doctors, grocery stores, and favorite restaurants. So coming back to PA felt less like “YAY” and more like, wait a second…I know NO ONE here! Except…one really big thing happened when I was on the Vineyard: My parents bought a new house.
The best part? It has a little guest cottage next to it that feels like a ski house. It took some back and forth with my parents but they finally agreed to let me live there and THANK GOD. It’s so nice to have some space of my own though of course I am not decorating it. It is temporary, so I’m trying not to get too comfy. The LOVE and time I spent decorating my flat in Milan made it so much harder to leave. All my paintings…my headboard…I left them all behind.
I have however been decorating “my room” in the big house, which is probably where I will stay when I come back for visits in the future. THAT part is fun because my parents needed to decorate it anyhow (as it will also be a guest room), so I have been picking such pretty things and cannot wait to share with you soon!
I’m also traveling to Baltimore more for a client there (more on that below!) So am staying with the nicest friends ever when I am scheduled to work there.
To sum it up: my home base is a tiny, cute, rustic guest cottage here in PA…but I am still a gypsy and have not unpacked a single photo and my jewelry still lives in travel cases.
Are you still doing BBG?
~ I wanted to answer this not only for everyone who’s asked, but because I have NOT given up on BBG! For those of you are unfamiliar, BBG is Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide and I’m doing the app! I am on a mission to get STRONG! 2 weeks ago I was feeling pretty sick and battling a fever and aches and pains. I still tried to do BBG at the gym (because I’m a crazy person) but have been repeating week 2 ever since! Even though I’m a little disappointed in myself for falling back, I am trying to focus on consistency and continuing to do the insane workouts and do them well without injury before I jump up in intensity. This is HARD! Step ups…burpees…and other things I struggle A LOT with. But, I do have to say, that after I finish each session, I kind of feel like super woman?!
In addition to BBG, I am making more of an effort to do yoga every other day. In Milan, I did it in my room almost every single day with my Down Dog app. I don’t like that my practice has become less consistent! I also notice that my stress levels go up when I don’t do yoga as regularly. Anyone else?!
To sum it up: Yes! I am just repeating weeks and progressing slower after being sick and having trouble bouncing back.
Are you even working?!
~ YES! OF COURSE! Oh my gosh! It really hurts my feelings when people say “it must be nice to not work” or “so you’re just hanging out?” and STILL I have close friends who don’t consider the blog actual “work.” Guys…come on.
If you know me…you know I am physically incapable of going a full day without doing work….actually more like incapable of going a full hour without doing work. It’s ok, because I love what I do! BOTH of the things that I do!
SO, another big thing happened this fall: I started freelance styling ecommerce here in PA for Hudson’s Bay Company (specifically for their Saks, Gilt.com, and Off 5th Banners that they shoot in Pottsville). I LOVE the team there. Everyone is so nice and even on the busiest of days, I leave the studio happier and with a full heart. I’m so grateful to be doing what I love <3
ANOTHER big thing happened. I started freelance styling for a studio in Baltimore that specifically shoots Under Armour. It’s been wonderful to be around my close friends from college and I enjoy being on-set shooting my favorite genre of apparel – athletic wear!
On the days I am not working, it has been nice to delve deeper into blog work. I’m learning A LOT and I’m starting to figure out a plan for the “long game” of this blog. There is SO MUCH more I wish I would have done way back in the day when I started blogging over 4.5 years ago! Who would have known that in such a short amount of time, the influencer pool would become so saturated and blogging would be such a “thing”?! I’ve learned that I need to stop comparing myself to other bloggers. I can’t remember where I heard this (I think on a podcast?), but as an entrepreneur (and blogger), it’s best to be like Michael Phelps: Stay focused, do your own thing, and stay in your own lane. (*gosh, I love that)
Lastly, I think in the past I would have misjudged myself for freelancing and blogging. Age and Italy has taught me a lot of things – but if there’s one message worth sharing, it’s that everyone’s path looks differently, and often the “normal” career path that’s expected of us, might not be the right fit.
To sum it up: I am working! I am grateful to be freelancing for such awesome brands and companies! I’m also happy to have a little extra time to work on the blog and create high quality content for you all!
SO what’s the plan?
~ That’s tough. I still refuse to settle into life in Reading, PA. It’s like I’m meant to be somewhere else (you know when you feel that in your gut?)? I am surprised at how much I love freelancing, but I also love stability and structure and working with a team. Working for yourself is a different kind of hustle…I have trouble NOT working and going to bed at a reasonable hour. It would be nice to take a deep breath, settle in somewhere, and get to know co-workers, neighbors, and my surrounding community. I’d like to either commit to freelancing and even though I’ve gone back and forth about it, I think I’d like to find the right agent (as most freelance stylists work with an agent) OR find the perfect in-house position with a team that I love.
I also want to keep growing the blog, make new friends and connections, and use my days off set as wisely as possible! I feel like I can’t plan right now. I really hate not being able to plan fun things and not knowing where I’ll be on certain weeks or where I’ll be living in a couple of months. That’s the trade off for being a freelancer!
It feels like a big change is looming. There are too many “coals in the fire” and that mixed with this unsettled feeling tells me that something exciting is about to pop up very soon. FINGERS CROSSED! GOOD VIBES SENT! I’ll keep you all posted!
How is your spring going so far? I have been getting such AWESOME requests for posts…one of you asked for a post about styling and what my day-to-day looks like…another one of you requested a white dress round up for graduation (LOVE THAT)…another reader asked for a packing list for traveling to Europe! I’m on it! If you have anything else that you would like to suggest, send a note over to wearbowsandsmile@gmail.com.
Love you all a lot!
Gratefully with love,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Rhiana
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