A response to @thecoveted and Devil's Advocate - an opinion piece

*This is an opinion piece.  I have a very strong opinion but unfortunately on some things I'm not as educated as I would like to be.  I simply just wanted to share some of my personal thoughts on the ethics of blogging.  Feel free to not read if you'd like.*

I want to come clean about something.  You, my readers who don't personally know me, should know that I work for a company that specializes in software for online marketing and PR.  I have never tried to hide this, and to be honest just google my full name and  you can see where I work.  That's my day job and in no way is my blog affiliated with my day job.  In fact my day job merely gives me the opportunity to put what I'm learning and doing at work, into what I'm doing personally with this blog.  This being said, and being a "blogger", I wanted to respond to the article "Devil's Advocate" that Jennine posted on The Coveted as well as Independent Fashion Bloggers.

There is a line when it comes to ethics and blogging.  However, since this transformation of the medium of blogging, this line has only become fuzzier.  As a blogger you have to ask yourself a few questions:

1.  Why am I doing this?
2.  What do I hope to get out of this?
3.  How transparent am I willing to be with my readers?
4.  Should I accept money or free stuff?

To be honest, I have not really had to deal with "sponsored content" on here.  Let's be honest, I am encouraging my readers to not go shopping and instead shop within their own closets... not exactly an ideal place for so and so online store to be advertising.  I am still purchasing shoes, tights, bags and other accessories because I can't make shoes, tights, bags (well kinda) and other accessories.  But even then its been of ebay and in thrift stores.

"But what about those icons over in your sponsors area?" Been meaning to address this one, those are affiliate links.  Basically, if you happen to be on my site, and click on those, I get a percentage of the sale...  nothing huge.  Also, I don't overtly promote those two companies on my blog.

As a blog "reader", if I was given content to read that was sponsored content, I would want to know about it.  Unfortunately there are bloggers out there that are perfectly okay with not saying, "Today's content is sponsored by so and so company."  By the way, the FCC has said this isn't allowed anymore.  As a blog writer, say a company approaches me about sponsored content, up front, the article has to say that its sponsored.  If a company gives me something so that I will write a blog post for them, I will say that I accepted a free gift in exchange for content, and report it where necessary.

Today, Jennine also posted a tweet that bloggers were being sent invitations to fashion week in exchange for posting pre-written content from that company.  This makes me a little sick to my stomach.  Yes, going to fashion week would be a DREAM, but damnit, I will not be told what to write and what to say in exchange for an invitation, and these bloggers that are being given this... they need to fess up.  (Just my opinion)

I think magazines and bloggers are in the same boat here.  No one can give an honest assessment of a trend, a line, a designer, if that trend, line, store, designer has their hand in that blogger or journalists cookie jar.  Magazines and editorials receive invitations, gifts, clothing, and goodie bags in hopes that they will write about it in their magazine (come on we've seen in on The Devil Wear's Prada and Kell on Earth).  I think it is unfair for magazines to get their panties in a bunch because fashion bloggers happen to be making a splash in the fashion world.  But to make it completely fair, it is the opinion of myself that bloggers should be transparent with their readers regarding sponsored content.  The good thing, is that from what I can tell, all the ones in my blog roll are transparent.

What I think is so beautiful about the fashion blogger phenom is that these are real women, real consumers, real customers, hopefully writing about what they love to wear, how they love to wear, who they love to wear because they enjoy it and not just because they are getting paid to do it.  Instead of the Ana Wintour's of the world telling designers what to do, fashion blogging gives designers direct access to their target market.  When its done right and when its done honestly, I believe that we as fashion bloggers can change the way the fashion world is.  Maybe one day we won't be seeing these 5'11" little sticks of girls and men prancing down a catwalk, but we may actually see a real woman wearing these clothes.

I think we have a rare oppurtunity in this day and age to directly influence a medium that's still operating on the age old traditions that have been around for centuries.  Although some designers would argue, fashion is for the people and not just for those who have the money and the job in order to flaunt it.

Jennine, your post was wonderfully written and I agree with you.  I hope that comes across in this post.

Soap box surrendered.

Digital Camera Case

Since the arrival of my digital camera that my parents got me for Christmas, I have kept it in my purse.  Unfortunately, I don't quite have a camera case of it.  For a awhile I kept it in the styrofoam like sleeve that it was packaged, but this morning I moved up to a purple ankle sock (clean of course).

Once I get the motivation to purchase a digital camera case for myself, here are a few I would like

 

EllieBJewels - $15.00

 

Tokyoinspired - $15.00

 

dorydesigns - $29.00

 

BoutiqueID - $22.00

 

chet and dot - $12.00

Any other suggestions?  Aren't these all so beautiful!  I love the owl, so fun.  

Picture source: etsy.com

Tiger's Blood, a snow cone story...

 

  

I have very fond memories as a child of snow cones.  I loved snow cones, and never one to be normal, I really loved unique flavors.  Last night Nashville got a light dusting of slush.  Its very snow cone-esque and today's outfit reminded me of Tiger's Blood flavor.  I think it was grape and cherry and strawberry all mixed together but it was my favorite.  It turned my tongue and lips a deep dark red and I loved it.  In fact, I still love it even though my taste in frozen treats has only grown more dignified as I have aged.  I spend my summers longing for gelato and the love nest at Mr. Snow in Waco, TX.  

This weekend I stopped by Clothing Xchange because I had a gift certificate that I was itching to spend.  Of course, I skipped the clothing (oh it was so painful) and went straight to the shoes.  I tried on at least five pairs of shoes and walked out with two pairs (spending under $10).  The ones I am wearing today are a black, brown and tan Florsheim low pumps.  They make me feet look so dignified.  Don't worry, I brought my rain boots to work so that I can stomp around outside in those instead of my new shoes.

Also new, are the tights.  I had an entirely different outfit envisioned for the super bowl party I ended up attending, but wore something completely different.  The first option required tights, and since I didn't want to wear solid black tights and the only other color I had were my suffocating purple ones and blue (which I was not cheering for the colts), I needed some with pizzaz.  Thank you Urban Outfitters and your 2/$20 special on tights.  These are actually incredibly comfortable, and not suffocating (I also bought a bigger size! woot!).  I will say this though, I can't wear something too short with these, I feel like going above the knee and seeing the flower pattern on the tights totally stretched out is not flattering.  

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Dress: Gap

Scarf: American Apparel

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Geaux Saints!

Three days, that's about how long I have had a headache... Life just kind of sucks when you feel like your brain is trying to split itself open.  This means, no outfit post of my Monday because you probably don't want to see me in my pajamas. :)

However, Sunday I got dressed in my black and gold to support the Saints.  I attended the annual boyfriend's delayed holiday party at a local bar here in town.  And this is what I wore on that fun and festive occasion!

 

  

  

Sam took these pictures, and it was so nice to be in a different setting, and having an actual person behind the camera!  We stopped by my favorite resale shop Clothing Xchange because I still had $17 of store credit.  We stopped outside and we snapped a few photos.  I think they turned out great!  This last photo is of a bag that I bought.  I have really been on the lookout for a really great purse.  I thought I found one at Target but there was just nothing special about it.  This was the right price and the right purse.  Its so large, I can stick my head and one shoulder in it.  I LOVE THAT!

Jacket: H&M

T-shirt: American Apparel

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Borrowed from a friend

Purse: Urban Outfitters, $19.99

I'm so glad the saints won the super bowl!!!  Wow!  I am still in total disbelief!

Fashion Tip Friday - How to Wear a Square Scarf, a video blog post

This is my first video blog post, so be gentle!

There are plenty of tutorials out there on how other bloggers and wearing their scarves so be sure to check out Julie from Orchid Grey and her wonderful tutorial, as well as, the ladies from Academichic who have been celebrating scarf week!

The only red I remembered to wear was a dinosaur necklace...

 

  

Today is the day to wear red for the American Heart Association.  I... forgot.  However, I am conveniently wearing my red rose ring and my dinosaur necklace from Tres Cute.  Yes, a dinosaur necklace.  Its a brontosaurus even though technically someone got the bones mixed up and they combined two together so its called something else now.  I. Don't. Care.  Its still a brontosaurus and its still my favorite dinosaur EVER.  When I was a kid, I loved dinosaurs.  I thought it was so cool that Ross Gellar was a paleontologist.  I wanted to grow up and be a paleontologist!  This necklace makes me smile.

Its raining out, and I'm a little puffy because of all the rain and the salty Mexican food I consumed last night.  So I wanted to wear gray because its my go to color when I'm not feeling my prettiest.  The other color I am fond of when I'm not looking too great is red, but we have already established that I forgot to wear that today.

Sweater: Cashmere/cotton blend from Gap

Tank: Target (it was $1!!!!!)

Jeans: Ruehl

Shoes: Striped Cotton Mary Janes Urban Outfitters

PS.  Today, when I was taking my pictures, I kept thinking about Indiana from Adored Austin.  I really like that girl!  She is silly and seriously makes me laugh out loud, and I love how incredibly honest she is.  Be back later with Fashion Tip Friday!  Oh, and wear red today!

What I wore to pulling my head out of my ass, aka what I wore to yoga

I cannot believe I am about to post a picture of what I wore to yoga this morning.  I really can't, but I feel like I should.  I've posted some of my most "real" outfits this week, and I just want to continue on showing everyone how frumpy I am fashionable I am.

 

This pose is a nontechnical variation on warrior 2?  

Okay so my post about two weeks ago where I admitted to feeling totally overwhelmed.  Well instead of being active, I decided to retreat into my butt and not do anything about it, and lost absolutely any sort of balance in my life, my time, my home, etc.  The weight of all of this fell hard on me as I crawled into bed last night and then seeped into my morning.  I really had a hard time smiling for photos this morning, so I didn't.  Today is getting my head out of my ass day.  Yoga was great, and one of the things on my "I Must" list (more on that later).  My shoulders feel like liquid and I feel ready to tackle the day.  However, I'm still totally stressed and hormonal and a tad bit overwhelmed, but I at least feel like I will have the energy to conquer through it.

As if you care but here is what I'm wearing:

Hoodie: American Apparel Track Jacket for work.

T-shirt: American Apparel t-shirt from former work event.

Leggings: Old and from junior year of high school

Leg warmer: Mom

Shoes: Toms

The color navy

 

  

  

 Third day in a row that I am smiling in my pictures... I mean you would think that I am in love with life and full of joy!  Remember several days ago when I wore these tights and these shoes again, and my legs looked squatty and I thought it was because of the length of my dress?  I WAS RIGHT!  This dress is one of my favorites and it was a total steal on clearance at the Gap two years ago.  I love wearing it in the summer with some strappy sandals and wavy beach hair.  I have not yet worn it during the winter until today.  I decided to winterize it up and its also warming up here in Nashville for the time being; which is good because I'm tired of walking like an old woman through the yard.

I also decided to give purple tights another shot.  I am going to try and have better posture which will hopefully not make me feel like I'm being cut in half by my tights.  Oh by the way, that's not a smudge on your screen or a funky thing in the picture, I have a tattoo on my left wrist, you can see it in the third picture.

Dress: Gap

Tights: Gap

Scarf: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Naturalizer's, ebay

This just got real y'all

 

Here is the deal.  Today is one of those days where "life" trumps "blog".  I have been awake since 6:00 AM after a night of really not sleeping well, so that I could take my car into the mechanic at 7:30 AM.  I did not wash my hair, or even brush it.  So its probably a good thing that the top of my head is being cut off in this picture.  You all know what these boots look like, I don't need to show you a full shot of them.  I am exhausted, looking a little rough but ya know what... this is real life!  This when I don't really give two poops what I'm wearing or what my hair is doing (or I would have brushed it...)  I didn't even get coffee until almost 9 AM (thanks to my wonderful, beautiful co-worker Alison).  I had to take my picture at work because there wasn't enough light this morning to take a picture in my usual spot.

Here is what I'm wearing

Sweater: J.Crew, given to my by a friend cause she didn't wear it anymore

T-shirt" White Hanes V-Neck

Jeans: Express

Legwarmers: Mama!!!!!!

Boots: Anthro

If you need me, I'll be napping on my keyboard in between e-mail and IMs. 

Fashion Tip Friday - What I have learned in my 78 days without shopping

I don't miss it that much
I have found that I can still go into a store and look at all the beautiful decadent clothing, and walk out pretty happy without buying anything.  Don't get me wrong, I miss it.  That is for sure; I do miss it, but I have been pretty satisfied with just window shopping.


Inspiration can come from your enemy.
In no way am I putting a giant red X over window shopping.  I still look at dresses, pants, shirts, etc online and I still go into stores.  There are places that I avoid and areas of stores that I avoid.  But I also get super inspired by the look book photographs in catalogs.  I am already dreaming of the beautiful dresses I want to make.

There are better ways to cope.
The whole reason I wanted to stop shopping for a year was because it had become such a dangerous coping mechanism.  I wanted to be able to find a healthy way to cope with stress, frustration, and even joy without running to a clothing store.  The things that have helped me cope are yoga and this blog.  I am blown away at the time, energy, and money that I put into shopping, and to see where I am putting it now.

Getting a little greener.
It does make my heart shine a little bit to know that I'm not consuming like crazy.  I have been thinking what is going to happen when this year is up?  Am I going to go crazy and stock up my fall wardrobe with the latest trendy trend?  Probably not.  I have thought about making myself go through a transitional phase where I only shop at thrift stores for a few months. 

I don't really want to encourage other people to shop.
In starting this blog, I have been a little cautious in linking to exact matches and clothing.  I want to empower people who read this to feel like they don't have to shop, but that they can shop in their own closets.  In no way am I saying that shopping is evil, but I do not want to be saying one thing and then living something else.  I hope that there are women out there who can relate to my story, my closet, and to be really honest the pain that being a "shopaholic" caused me.  An addiction to shopping is not just a funny girlie movie title, its a serious issue that is simply not addressed. 

I don't want to sound like a Public Service Announcement, but if you think you could be dealing with an addiction to shopping, please e-mail me and I would really love to talk about it with you.

I love to create.
I am really loving this time and energy I have to put towards something I love.  Sewing has become a goal.  My fear of failure is something to conquer (hmmm, have I discussed this?  I have a paralyzing fear of failing... but I'm learning to get over it).  I am getting to make clothing that is perfectly me!  From the tiniest detail to the big picture!

I made it! - Cranberry Corduroy Skirt

 

  

  

 So this weekend, it snowed in Nashville.  I know!  SNOW!  By this morning it was all crunchy, but its still pretty.  The good thing was, even though I have 4 wheel drive, I stayed inside most of the weekend.  A few weeks ago, I got all the pieces for my skirt cut out and so on Sunday I decided I would sew them all together.  I really love how this skirt turned out. I had to size the original pattern and accommodate for the fact that the corduroy would make the skirt a little more bulky, therefore, I added a 1/4" on all the side seams.  I also shortened the skirt about 6 inches because I wanted more of a mini skirt.  It really only took me about half a day to do (maybe without the procrastination and the nap).

On a side note, I've never shot in snow before and so the pictures are a little on the dark side and you can't see some of the detail of the top.  It is black with white pin dots.  Also, Sam said I should smile more in my pictures.  I think his almost exact words were, "Alyson, this isn't America's Next Top Model, stop with the blue steel"  So I'm going to try to smile more in my photos and try and make it look natural instead of fake.

Top: Urban Outfitters

Skirt: I made it! Cranberry Wide Welt Corduroy

Tights: Target

Gold flats: Banana Republic at TJ Maxx

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Bag: Urban Outfitters (this weekend for $20! soooo happy!)

PS- Fashion Tip Friday post will be up later today, I took a tiny blog break with all the snow.  Thank you for your patience and for reading this!

Plaidy plaidy, flannel flannel

 

  

 

Yesterday was a lot warmer than it is today... man, I'm watching snow fall outside my window this morning, FOR REAL!  However, this photo is from yesterday and I still need to get some good shots of me today because the ones I took were too dark. 

So plaid.  I love plaid, and I love plaid when it is in unexpected colors.  This warm brown, blue, purple, and yellow plaid is beautiful.  I paired it with some bling (its actually a medal that I put on a necklace).  Nichole from Cut and Sew posted pictures of her plaid and how she dressed it up.  I definitely took a more casual approach, but plaid is one of those things that adding some sparkly can really take it up a notch.

Shirt: Quiksilver
Jeans: Forever21
Necklace: Family heirloom
Shoes: Naturlizer, ebay

Pre Fall Runway 2010 - Celine

I know, its not even the end of winter yet (hello Nashville is getting, what has been deemed by the lovelies at Nashvillest, #thesituation2010).  However, this collection by Celine is too delicious to pass up.  I love her use of neutrals and VERY bold colors.  Here are a few of my favorite looks.

 

Celine is using several looks that incorporate the monochromatic leg, a look that will be easy and flattering come fall.  The use of embellishments and belts is nothing new; I can look all over the blogosphere and see the use of feathers, sequins and splotches of color.  This is fresh though.  Instead of the typical fall hues, a vibrant punch of REAL color.  I love the use of red, especially because red is incredibly wearable by all different body types.  I cannot wait to dive into more of what is going on at Fashion Week this weekend.

For the latest news and updates on Fashion Weeks going on all around the world, please visit Style.com.  

Effortless and mini

 

Holy smokes!  Look at that!  I'm wearing heels!  This doesn't happen often, especially because since my work environment is SUPER casual, and I am one of three females in the office, it makes no sense for me to clomp around.  But I love these pumps!

This top is one of those that spans all seasons.  I wore it this summer, fall, and winter.  It is great paired with skinny jeans and boots, and also a pair of tiny shorts.  I had never thought to pair it with my favorite mini skirt for a look that was so effortless and easy.   

Top: Anthropologie

Skirt: Amy B at Clothing XChange

Tights: Gap

Shoes: Nine West, DSW

Jacket: YesStyle.com

Yesterday, a little poopy...

My roommate and I used to joke around that our lives should be filmed just because you would not believe the stuff that happens to us.  Yesterday was one of those days.  It all began at about 4:30 PM when we had a minor office emergency, and I walked next door to see if they had a plunger (lets refer to this as 1).  However, no one answered.  I came back to the office empty handed... or so I thought.  You see, I started to smell something a little funny.  Passing it off as perhaps my breath, because I had Easy Mac, peanuts, coffee, and hot chocolate, I went ahead and left work and went home.

Last night, I was determined to make cheese enchiladas.  Sam was coming over and I wanted to get some chores done around the house.  I started picking up things and putting them away including a DVD I had left on the kitchen table.  As I set it in the DVD stand, I walked away only to hear the DVD stand crash to the ground (this will be 2, and it happens all the time).  I frantically picked up the DVD's warding off B the dog who had to know what was going on with all the movies on the floor.  I unloaded the dishwasher, and then was going to sweep up a bit.  Over by the trash can I saw a leaf on the ground, and went to sweep it up... however, it was not a leaf.  It was poop (3).  Everything started to make sense, the funny smell, the odd "leaf" on the ground... when I had walked over to the next door office neighbors I stepped in dog poop!  Hobbling outside I frantically started rubbing my foot in the grass hoping for some of it to come off.  I removed my shoe and came back inside huffing and puffing.  Taking a cue from Anne Lamott, I mentally put a note in God's In Box that said, "Seriously?"

Into the bathroom I went, armed with a scrubby brush and ran the poop shoe under water trying to remove as much of the grossness as I could (4).  Then I looked down and noticed that as I was scrubbing the poop off my shoe, the stiff bristles of the brush were flicking the watery sludge onto my clothes!  The entire lower right side of my body was covered in little speckle sprinkles of POOP!  I decided to do the best that I could with the shoe, which mean I stuck it on the first step out to the garage.  Trying to put the whole poop shoe behind me, taking a deep breath, I started changing clothes when I get a call from Sam.  His car is messing up... again (5).  He couldn't come over to my house, I had to go over to his.  Mentally, I took the note out of God's In Box and added an exclamation mark and put it back in, just like Anne would.  Surely, nothing else can surprise me now as I swiffered the entire house.

I packed up the cooking supplies and headed over to Sam's house, where we made the most disgusting cheese enchiladas I have ever eaten in my entire life (6) and watched 3 full hours of America's Funniest Home Videos (quite possibly one of our favorite shows on television)...

Before all of this happened though, I looked pretty darn cute.

 

 

I have had this sweater since high school...  I am not kidding.  I bought it with my own money in high school from American Eagle and I thought I was sooo cool.

Cardigan: American Eagle Outfitters circa 2002

Tank: Gap circa 2005

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Shoes: Naturalizers, Ebay

I took a safety pin and tied a piece of ribbon to it to make the sweater just look a little bit special.  I thought it looked preppy and pretty.

My post poop splatter outfit, was similar but with regular jeans, a blue tank under the sweater and just some shoes I had lying around in my room since I was in a rush.

With that, here is to Wednesday!  And I hope its better than Tuesday.