Why Fashion and Other Simple Truths?!?!
Photo by Ariana Clare
This post may seem a little vain because of the title and the pictures but it’s not, trust me, I want to tell you a story…
I’ve been wondering how you feel about the blog lately and I want to talk a little bit. It’s become more well-rounded so to speak in the sense that I’ve broadened my topics to include more fashion and entertaining (and hopefully some travel posts soon). What do you think about that?
Photo by Ariana Clare
I think I’m getting a little sentimental because I’m overwhelmed with life right now and sometimes the urge to write just hits me out of no where and I have major diarrhea of the mouth fingers. This is not the post I had planned for today but since it’s 1:40am and it’s pouring out of me I thought that might mean something.
Photo by Ariana Clare
Or maybe it’s because my other half generously booked us a beach trip but failed to mention…there is NO internet in our rental. What the wha?!?! Yes, a whole week, cold turkey, my addiction will be tested and hopefully the battle over it will be won. Seriously, though I don’t think I have gone a week without the internet since the internet was invented. Needless to say I’m a little panicked because I’m never ahead of the game, always playing catch up.
Photo by Ariana Clare
Let’s get to the real question though.
I’m not a fashion blogger so why more fashion lately? This is a tough question with several parts that make up the whole answer. I was accepted into the Reward Style affiliate program early on (not really sure why they chose me but it’s an affiliate marketing company where I get paid a commission on items you purchase from certain retailers) but I quickly realized that making commission on home decor was difficult mainly because not as many people shop online for that stuff like they do clothes.
Photo by Ariana Clare
Let’s be real, I see the fashion bloggers and they’re amazing and there is definitely potential to make some big bucks. But I know I’m no spring chicken, I’m I’m a 37-year-old, single mom. While others stand in the mirror at night diligently carrying out their beauty routine, I’m going cross-eyed trying to pluck one of the 15 gray hairs I have creeping out of my head and almost too tired to even brush my teeth.
But the main reason I’m adding more fashion here is because I love it, I always have, but more than that it’s a real challenge for me. I don’t know that I have a defined style, I’m not even sure I have a real sense of who I am in that way. I like what I like and a lot of the times I think my outfits come out a little quirky and weird.
Picking out an outfit for a particular event is hard but picking a cute outfit every day is daunting. I think I have this innate desire to simplify the process and help you guys do the same. I don’t like to spend an arm and a leg for a piece of clothing either so most of the time you’ll find budget friendly choices here.
Photo by Ben Clark
I left my full-time career two years ago to be with my son more and started working part-time in hopes that I would figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up…again. And I knew when I decided to start this blog it couldn’t be just a hobby for very long. It either had to turn into something more or I would shut it down once I figured things out.
Fast forward two years and I’m still working my part-time job, barely making ends meet (and barely is an exaggeration), but I am a small business owner now and with so much blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice I’m slowly turning this gig into a business.
Photo by Ben Clark
So, you know what, if you shop online and you happen to like my skirt or a headboard I’m talking about I hope you will use my link to buy it but if you don’t that’s okay too. I appreciate your support and I hope I can in turn support other entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground because this sh*t is hard y’all!
I hope this inspires you to open up new doors. Two years ago I had NO IDEA this world existed and never did I dream I would be a part of it. But it is my dream…now. I don’t know where this journey is taking me exactly. I am passionate about so many areas of it, obviously home decor and DIY but entertaining, cooking, fashion, art of all kinds, you name it. I’m praying I find that little piece of the puzzle that’s just right for me and my family.
Sometimes I wonder why I wasn’t able to discover this hobby/career-in-the-making 10 years ago and only God has an answer for that. But outside of the stress, the self-imposed pressure and the balancing act between life and blogging I absolutely love every minute of it.
95% of the time I’m in the trenches, my house is a wreck, I’m forgetting to be somewhere or behind on bills but I’m learning and I hope I’m setting a high bar for my son. I want him to believe that he can be anything he wants to be because that is what his mommy believes. And she lives it, every day.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is I hope you enjoy the fashion and shopping posts a little and hopefully a few sidebar ads don’t bother you too much. And be assured that I’m not going to fill your inbox with sponsored posts 4 or 5 times a week. But I do thank you from the bottom of my heart for being loyal readers and supporters of us, the brands I do work with and my little small business dream!
This is the very first picture I posted from my very first post almost two years ago. And he is the reason I do what I do. I love you and thank you!
Cheers!
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Summer, it is so hard to share your heart like that on a public platform and I am cheering for you! More good things are coming ahead for you, I”m sure of it! Honestly, I’m not big into the fashion posts, but it’s because I don’t have much time to shop and I probably couldn’t wear half of what you beauties post. I am a healthy size 6 which looks like a size 10 on camera. Sad but true. And I’m tall which just doesn’t work for a lot of the cuts of clothing these days. I think it’s great you can earn extra income from it. I do RS for home decor but barely make anything from it. You have a such a sweet boy and blessings to you both. xo
Thank you so much Kristin!!! I’m also a size 6 and it is intimidating to dabble in the fashion but I try to tackle it in more of a creative way. I’m never very comfortable standing and posing for the camera :) Reward Style is hard with decor so hopefully it will balance out. Thanks so much for your kind words friend!
Summer, you have a beautiful soul. Funny story – When we met at Haven a couple of summers ago, I literally fell in love with you. I was so inspired by you and basically decided I wanted to be you. I love how you do life your own way and your personality is contagious to those around you. I love your fashion posts (and unplanned posts like this) and am excited to see more. I don’t spend much money on clothes either but I love a good outfit!!! Keep being you! xoxo
Claire you are the sweetest and I’m a bit obsessed with you too! You have a killer style, so unique, and you’re doing amazing things! I really want to come to Austin and crash your pad lol! You are my kindred spirit in so many ways! Love u girl! xoxo
Summer, Thank you for so much inspiration! I loved this post! Precious! Press on!
Thank you SO much Jenny! I really appreciate your sweet words! xoxo
I love that you wrote this and love you. I’m proud of you and proud to know you – you are beautiful inside and out!!! Enjoy that beautiful time offline away. It will likely rejuvenate you in ways you have no idea!!
Thank you so much Anneke! You are the sweetest and your support means everything! I think the same of you btw! xoxo
I might be enabling here, but you can always go to a coffee shop, or latch on to an unsecured connection somewhere. When we were at the beach, a storm knocked out the internet county wide for a couple of days and I thought we would all go crazy. Good luck!
You are an enabler! jk :) Kevin and I will have limited access but the kids are a no go! Ha! It’s going to be like a science experiment!
Love everything you do, Summer! I actually love the variety and look forward to all of your posts. I agree, I wish RS was a little more beneficial for home related products!
Thank you Jennifer! You’re such and inspiration to me and I’m so thankful for your friendship!
Congratulations on your success, Summer! I sincerely hope it continues for you because you deserve it! You were one of my first IG followers when I started blogging and I appreciate that to this day! Balancing blogging is SO hard so I understand the messy house, running behind! You go, friend! xo
Kendra you are so kind! The balancing act is super hard and I’m thankful for all of the friends I’ve made along the way, including you, that “get it”. I hope you have a great weekend!
Love your authenticity! Such cute style!
Thank you so much Megan! I really appreciate your support and kind words! Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo
Thanks for keeping it real!! And have a great time on vacation! =)
Thanks so much ladies! I really appreciate all your support!
Your beauty is from within and we can all see it. Listen to your heart and to God and you can never go wrong. Rock on sister!
Thanks Christine! You are the best and I’m so thankful you have always been my cheerleader!!
Beautiful post, friend! So proud of the brand you’ve created! And glad to call you friend and partner in this crazy dreamer world we live in!
Thanks so much Lindsay! I really appreciate it and so happy to have you as a friend too! It is a crazy world and I’m so happy we get to share it!
UM ps diarrhea of the fingers…. is that contagious, because clearly i got it!
Seriously tho :) lol!!!
I have been following your blog since you’ve started and have enjoyed all you’ve done. You are a beautiful young woman and I wish you all the success you are working towards. Keep up your dream…
Thanks so much Claudia!!! Your support means so much to me!
so i am not much into fashion posts but my style is very similar to yours, when i am not wearing paint clothes or yoga pants that is…. so i do like your fashion posts because they are outfits i would put together, but on many other blogs i skip them because it’s just not me or what i am interested in. and i appreciated the honesty of this post. what really resonated was this, “Let’s be real, I see the fashion bloggers and they’re amazing and there is definitely potential to make some big bucks. But I know I’m no spring chicken, I’m I’m a 37-year-old, single mom. While others stand in the mirror at night diligently carrying out their beauty routine, I’m going cross-eyed trying to pluck one of the 15 gray hairs I have creeping out of my head and almost too tired to even brush my teeth.”
i am not a single mom, but i am a tired (i’ll be 37 in 2 weeks!) mom of 2 with a husband who works long hours and is home late most nights. on top of running my blog i am running a business and scarping by as well, but setting the bar very high for myself because i also believe in going for what calls you and teaching my kids that you SHOULD pour your blood sweat and tears into the things that move you and that you dream of. you should work hard and go for it and live the life you know is for you. i might be crazy, and barely have the energy to brush my teeth, too, but i am glad to know i am in good company.
you’re gorgeous, talented, sweet, funny, and a great example to your son. appreciated you opening up today and wish you the best of luck without internet! i have to say when i have been without it for a week, the first day i was twitchy, but then it was heaven and hard to get back to it. ;) go relax and enjoy yourself. you deserve it.
Thanks so much Cassie!!! It is so hard to balance but I believe so worth it in the end. Working for something you are passionate about is such a blessing and I’ve never truly felt that until now! I thank you for your love and support and I always feel that from you! I support you 100% and admire the barn so much! Not sure how you do it all either :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Do what you do, and Thank You for doing it!
We’re still out here reading it. ;)
Thanks so much Tina! I’m grateful for you! xoxo
You are doing a great job and you always look good no matter what you wear bc you’re gorgeous! Love the blog!
Thanks LE!!! Love you!
And this is why I love you…:)
Thanks so much sweet friend! Love you right back to pieces!
I love you!! The internet and all of us are lucky to have you and your weird outfits :) Ps- they’re not weird. You always look gorgeous!
Thanks Bethy B! I know you’ve got my back :)