I love to style my home decor accessories and photograph fruit.
Pictures of me? In my newest No thank you, I'll leave that to the fashion bloggers.
Years ago, back in the days of the dinosaur, before blogging, before kids, before marriage, before my master's degree in teaching and time spent in primary level classrooms.
Before my many retail positions, both sales and managerial, for Esprit, Pottery Barn and The Children's Place.
Even before my stint as a public relations intern in a New York City museum, mingling among the likes of Brooke Shields and Monty Python, I was a fashion major.
Yup.
I had taken an art class my junior year in high school to fill up my schedule and fell in love. I could draw.
Who knew?
The next two years were filled with tons of instruction, lots of supplies, a local scholarship and an award for The Most Outstanding Senior In Art.
It was only natural that I would go to school for design.
Which, I did. I applied and was accepted to a program that started out in a traditional college setting and culminated with a year at FIT in NYC.
Fashion heaven.
I was set.
Until.
Until I took my first public speaking course and realized that not only could I get credit for talking, but I could eventually get paid for it, too. It was unbelievable, as I was (and still am) a big talker.
My Italian grandmother used to call me her little chiacchierone, so this was the perfect major for me. I abandoned my artistic pursuits and never looked back.
Of course, I never quite abandoned my love of fashion or great design.
It didn't matter if I was going to Tao or Taco Bell, I was always the "why are you so dressed up?" girl.
And I didn't mind a bit.
I loved getting pretty, putting on pearls, wearing fabulous outfits, cutting edge pieces right down to the patterned tights and stylish shoes ~ and I did that until a few years ago ~ when running around with kids, taking care of a very sick mom and scrubbing the house had become my normal routine.
Suddenly, my dressy duds just didn't feel right.
It was all jeans, all the time.
Not yoga pants, just jeans. Truth be told, while I have been known to do yoga, I have never owned a pair of the pants.
I guess with jeans, I felt kind of dressed and I could accessorize.
Yoga pants and pearls? I don't think so.
Anyway, lately, I have had that urge to dress again. I have found a new style that works for me and I am embracing my love of fashion all over again.
I have even posted a piece or two to Instagram.
Shocking.
The girl who hates photos of herself and social media of any kind is now posting selfies on social media.
Truth be told, I did it as an experiment and it's one I can say that I will most likely not be doing again.
The first time I posted, I took a picture that didn't show my face. I guess I was easing myself in. This is good, it's all about the dress, I thought.
Then I noticed my neck.
Thank goodness for that edit button.
 |
| Strategic blur to the rescue |
No kidding.
When I mentioned this fiasco to my teens, they just laughed.
"Mom. It takes that many pictures to get the perfect selfie."
"You take that many photos each time you post?"
"Sometimes. Yeah."
Mind you, they post every day. Every.single.day.
No. I think I'll stick to posting about home decor.
I'll still be embracing my love of fashion, but my DIY and craft projects will take center stage.
They are super photogenic and I can shoot them in about ten minutes.
And most importantly?
They don't have necks.
Did you know that this isn't my first fashion post?
Girl, you have nothing to worry about if that little bit of neck is worrying you...LOL. Just you wait! Now isn't that encouraging??? Not to mention your trim figure!
ReplyDeleteThank you Florence! Haha. That neck is a tell tale sign that I am not 25 anymore! ;)
DeleteThis is so funny....you look wonderful. Just think where you would be without a neck..LOL. Something I read recently, "how I wish I was as fat as.....when I first thought I was fat". We all age, if WE ARE LUCKY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right!! :)
DeleteYou are cute as the proverbial button, pajama pants on the floor and all! I will be sixty-nine in a few weeks and have earned every wrinkle grey hair.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Donna. I hope you have a fabulous birthday!! :)
DeleteI agree with "Vintage" above . . . No worriess about your neck. . . .
ReplyDeleteSvelte and beautiful in that wrap dress . . .
Liked your post and learning more about you!
Thank you, Lynne. I like the dress a lot…especially at that price!! :)
DeleteDarling AND BEAUTIFUL Kim, the fun is discovering your voice, your style, and grasping your passions and going for it! Too many fashion blogs out there anyway! I will never get in front of the camera though some friends think I should, but I prefer, like you, talking about other things. YOU LOOK GREAT anyhow, and you are a delight to read! Thank you so much for coming to visit my post. My changes have resulted in a huge drop in visitors, but one must take a leap of faith regardless of the numbers. Thank you for being number ONE today on my comments page that I enjoy simply for communicating with others. BIG LOVE TO YOU! Anita
ReplyDeleteNumbers or not, Anita, here's to pursuing our individual passions!! :) Big love back to you, my friend!!
DeleteOh girl! You are gorgeous. You should post fashion all the time. I've tried to talk myself into it and just don't have the nerve. :)
ReplyDeleteNecks do show wear and tear...mine does anyway.
Thank you, Stacey…and yes, wear and tear! It’s just like Nora Ephron said!! :)
DeleteBut you are beautiful, Kim, with a figure that makes me want to eat only lettuce the rest of my life! Well, at least for 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI loved learning more of your "before" background, makes you even more of a multi-layered person to know. Keep sharing fashion among your other interests, please!
Thanks Dewena! I was rather indecisive in my younger years. I think it made my mom a little nervous, but it was a fun and interesting time!! :)
DeleteHi Kim, you look beautiful in the long dress and you took the perfect selfie and Pj's on the floor keep it real!! I enjoyed learning a bit more about your background. After I studied marketing I went into design and most of my first background for interior design was in fashion display. I pulled together many a store front window displays and loved it. To this day, I love fashion and dressing. It is apart of being a designer I think. Have fun finding fashion again. I so enjoy every post here and always your incredible style!! Have a nice weekend. xo
ReplyDeleteCelestina Marie, you just made my day with your super sweet words! Thanks for sharing a bit of your background, too. I am sure your windows were lovely!!
DeleteWhat a super cool dress - it looks great on you!! And what the heck is wrong with your neck? Nothing at all!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!! It was a total bargain. I got two!! :)
DeleteI think you are beautiful and I love that dress on you. I would've never noticed the pajama pants on the floor if you hadn't have pointed them out! I live in yoga pants around the house simply because they are so comfortable and I am always working in the house or in the yard. I do dress nicely (nice jeans/pants/capris and pretty top, makeup and jewelry) when I go out though. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie! Comfortable is my priority now too, Melanie. Even when I get dressed, it has to feel good and look good or it's a no go!
DeleteYou (and your neck) are beautiful, girl! I loved your fashion posts on IG. I'm still trying to work up the courage to do a few. Quick question...how did you blur the photo on IG? Did you take the pic with your phone and edit it in an app? I'll need to know if I ever get up the nerve to post a selfie. ;)
ReplyDeleteI actually edited using the IG edit feature, Lisa. It is the tilt shift feature! :)
DeleteGotta chime in on how pretty a dress you picked out! Love that bright blue! and I totally believe you could rock jeans and pearls. I think all moms go thru the phase of uber-practical wear, which looks different for everyone. Mine is pajamas, all the time. Thanks for being so open and honest about the phases of womanhood. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sweet words!! Pajamas days are awesome, Audra! I have been known to wear my bathrobe over my clothes on occasion. It's the best cardigan I own!! ;)
DeleteI'm co-chairing my high school 50th reunion and I have to post things on Facebook. Each time our committee meets, I post a pic of the entire group and I think the next time, I will take the photo because I hate putting my pic out their in the world.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh about dressing. As a teacher, the students used to say I was the most stylish teacher. I changed my purse each day to match my outfit and even my boys would ask me what color purse I was carrying on a given day. That all changed when I retired - Patagonia shorts, tees and flip flops are my uniform now.
Your wardrobe sounds just fabulous now, Carol. Perfect for your new lifestyle!! :)
DeleteHa! I think you are beautiful. You have beautiful hair, hands, smile, face, eyes, and HEART!
ReplyDeleteI think that is the most special thing about that makes you shine. You are honest and have a true heart.
Carla
Carla, you are just way too sweet and complimentary! I am so glad that we met through blogging. Your friendship is a gift!! xo
DeleteI had one fleeting moment in my young life where I wanted to go to FIT....until I heard where it was located in NYC and that I would have to find off campus living. It scared me off! What a great resume you have in the arts and fashion. That dress is so cute on you! I had no idea it was a maxi....it is just so perfect for summer and for a fashionista like yourself! Your neck is fine...when you get to my age you won't care about it!
ReplyDeleteHousing in NYC is a nightmare, AnnMarie. I don’t blame you a bit. I went to a country college, fell in love with the scenery and couldn’t leave for the big city lights! :)
DeleteFun post. Lovely pictures. Cute outfit.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorri. It only took me about 300 to get that shot! ;)
DeleteThat dress is beautiful, and you look beautiful in it. You think your neck is bad?? Darlin, head on over to foxdenrd and I'll give you something to feel good about ;).
ReplyDelete(Not surprisingly, my grandmother called me the same thing lol)
Same nickname, Doreen?? Kindred spirits all the way!! ;) Thanks for all of your comments. I love reading them. You are real and real funny, too!! xxooo
DeleteLOL! you are just too funny Kim! I love fashion too and I love posting selfies and shots of myself especially when I love how an outfit makes me feel! But one thing for sure, I do take 10 shots at least before I post 1 and always, if you notice, not much close-ups!
ReplyDeleteVel, I never would've guessed that you take more than one shot with that fabulous, thousand watt smile!! :)
DeleteOMG this was just was hysterical !! I was taking this all seriously, went to instagram, liked the dress, came back, and then got to the pajama pants and selfie part. LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a laugh, Deb....and nothing I do is serious! ;)
DeleteI'm glad you got the perfect shots- I would have given up. Interesting how life and I am in my forties has gotten better. It's wonderful to hear how you are enjoying yours!
ReplyDeleteWell, perfect is a relative term, Ronda! ;) But yes, I am enjoying (parts) of my forties and trying to find the good…or great!!…in every day! :) Thank you!
Delete