Stylish Thought

It’s officially winter and damn it, I’m not ready it yet. These pictures were taken last week when the sun was still shining and it was perfectly acceptable to frolic around in a light coat. What a difference a week makes. I bought this vintage leopard coat from Ebay and while it’s a bit big and not a cozy as I would prefer it’s a great cover up for a warm weather day. And I’ve been living in these boots from Target in so much that I think my other shoes are starting to get jealous.

Vintage Leopard Coat from Ebay/ Forever 21 Trench Dress and Headband/ H&M Floral scarf/ Silence and Noise Tights/ Target boots

Satin, chiffon, sequins oh my! Holiday dressing is a peculiar balance of yuletide cheer, concealing  the three two slices of pumpkin pie you’ll eat and spreading love with your loved ones and friends. With office parties, family gatherings and holiday mixers in the mix finding a dress with the right amount of whimsy, goodwill and appropriateness can be as daunting as whether to have that second cup of rum-laced egg nog; who am I kidding, drink up!

To help ease the stress of holiday season, as if meeting your beau’s dysfunctional quirky family isn’t stressful enough, here’s a Holiday Style Survival Guide that will help when maneuvering through the racks of sequins and glitter. Now maneuvering through your office party and inebriated coworkers, you’re on your own.

Hope this lent some clarity to your holiday style conundrums. Now for  proper party shoes, you’ll need a whole new flowchart.

amandaisacat

Three years ago today, I started a blog. At the advice of a international university admissions officer to “Get out and get more writing experience,” I began a journey that I had no idea would continue three years later and would open so many doors. What began as an online portfolio to get fashion writing experience has grown into an online home of my own making and has taught me more about writing, fashion and myself than I anticipated.

For the past week, I’ve been on a blogging hiatus; not because I’ve tired of my love child, quite the contrary. As I continue to build Stylish Thought for the next three years to come, I’ve been reflecting on what blogging has meant to me and more importantly what have I learned in the past three years.

Patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a necessity

Working on a project for an extended period of time teaches you to take things with a grain of salt and that includes growth. Achieving goals takes time and if blogging has taught me one thing it’s that having patience will be a benefit in the long term. From crafting a well written post to building solid relationships you must have patience. I’ve been applying this to my life outside the blog as well, understanding that the goals I want to achieve will come with hard work and time.

Consistency is Key

Nobody likes a wishy washy person and that holds true for blogs and in life.  I’ve struggled with this and am continuing to struggle with it. Sometimes “life” gets in the way and makes writing an article a day (one of my goals) near impossible. The reward of consistency is discipline and committing to it has been one of my biggest steps. With everything I pursue and will pursue I know dedication and consistency must be one.

Plan like there’s no tomorrow

While being consistent is an uphill battle, the past three years have ingrained in me the necessity to make a plan and stick with it. Sure plans change, but if there is no map or guideline to begin with how can one gauge where they’re going or where they’ve been? A beautiful house, amazing friends or having a “successful blog” doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes we have to envision where we want to be and plan for that. Anything worth having is worth planning for.

Change is a good thing

Stylish Thought has undergone many an editorial overhaul; from changing the design to altering its entire editorial mission and it’s still evolving. Maybe the Virgo in me is never satisfied but change has always been necessary and while there were times when I changed out of boredom, even those “random” changes served to help me grow as a writer and blogger. And honestly I couldn’t imagine if I were still writing about the same things I was three years ago. People change and so does, naturally, what they write about.

Be Yourself

While the blogosphere is resembling an “E-high school”, with its popularity contests and social cliques, it’s more important than ever to be yourself. There are millions of blogs out there, millions about fashion, millions by writers, but there is only one written by you. With each evolution I feel Stylish Thought becomes less about what “I think I should say” and more “What I want to say.”

Writing this ends my blogging hiatus and begins my blogging rejuvenation. There are many lessons to learn and hopefully the next 3 years will be the best teacher.

What has blogging taught you and how long have you been a blogger?

Today was the perfect Fall day; light breeze, leaves yellowing in the sun, and the air crisp and clear. One of those days you can take off your jacket and enjoy the weather while it lasts.  Walking along the waterfront does wonders to clear your mind and became the perfect setting for an impromptu fall fashion photo shoot. You’ll be seeing more of this location.

H&M Parachute Skirt and Fushia Turtleneck/ F21 Tights/ Thrift Store Vest/ Target Boots/ Random Scarf

Days off, Halloween, decorating frenzies, guest blogging; life has been busy and I’m working on a bunch of projects including taking on more freelance writing/blogging work, launching Missfit Vintage and keeping Stylish Thought on par! Even with so much going on, you have to make time for fun {but of course!} and this past weekend was filled with imaginary frog friends, playing dress up and creating a place to come home to.

Reunited and it feels so good: I’ve been in love with Kermit the Frog since I can remember and when my gal pal decided to bring Kermie along for a night out, I couldn’t resist a photoshoot and dish session… He’s been hanging with Lady Gaga for pete’s sake.

Home Sweet Home: I’m on a decorating rampage and I’m just about done with the bedroom. I’ve been living in Ikea {Gosh I love that place} and can’t wait to get started on the living room/ office. And yes that is my wig hanging up, what!?

Halloween, Halloween!: An entire day devoted to dressing up, I’m all about it. I went as Cruella De Vil darling and tried to stay in character all night! As you can see from my gal pal went as the blue avenger Mystique and won the costume contest… well played gal!

What were you for Halloween?