Hey y’all! Today has been a little less energy than normal for me. Not all days am I hyped up and full of spunk, and today is one of those days. I think primarily because yesterday was a typical Monday and tomorrow is a big photo shoot and Facebook live day for me over at Southern Jewlz.

So my blog has been live for about 2 months so far. And I’ve learned a lot about myself from blogging. Since I just got a few pics back from James Barrett Photography and had already used this outfit for a Reign Lash post, I wanted to use these photos for a new post. And what way rather than sharing my learning experience thus far.

1. Blogging has made me feel like I have an outlet where I can truly express myself. Whether that be with fashion, beauty, life lessons, being Grant’s wife – the list can go on. And I want my blog to truly mirror the look and style that I see for myself and my life. And that is exactly what is starting to shape up. I’ve been growing the Southern Jewlz brand for years, and last year I even freshened up the logo and cleaned up the website to look a little more high end and sophisticated. Well now I’m starting to do so with my own life. And that is a beautiful thing to get to see coming to life in blog form!

2. I’ve had some mean and negative feedback online, but far more positive feedback to offset that, and most importantly I have had so many people tell me personally that they love keeping up with my blog. In this world where there is so much out on the internet and all social media platforms, I have loved creating my own platform that mirrors who I am and what I stand for and believe my purpose is. I am so thankful for EVERYONE who has spent any time on this site. Because this blog isn’t just for me, but it’s for you, too. I hope to get to connect with my blog followers on a much more personal level than I have been able to in the past through my work only. By the way, one of the sweetest letters I’ve ever gotten was in the mail recently from a blog follower taking up for me on a negative follower’s comments and commending me on the class I handled it with.

3. I’ve loved taking pictures and videos of my life in the past, but being able to put them together in a blog presence has really brought even more light into how beautiful life can be. There is a big world out there and so many beautiful souls still out in the world. Since we only get to live once, I want to do it to the maximum potential that I can. Having this blog to look back on in the future years will be a real treat for me personally. I would honestly say that blogging has made me feel even more just how blessed life can really be. Are there bumps in the road? Absolutely. Are there doubts and fears? Of course. Are there days where life isn’t very pretty? Yes, and there always will be. But being able to cultivate my life (which has so many different aspects) into a blog has been a joy for me thus far.

4. For me, it’s probably so fun because it isn’t a job. I’m not blogging to make money. I blog what I want and when I want for the most part. Now I do try to keep a variety. Like I have a fun fitness blog post coming up and I’m about to launch my first big giveaway, but this post I’m writing was not planned. And for me, I want to keep it that way. I have enough deadlines and calendars to meet already in life, so I love keeping this a lifestyle outlet to share and reflect on my life!

5. There’s no right or wrong. I can make this blog exactly what I want it to be or take it in whatever direction I would like to see it go in. That’s a really great feeling to be in control but also able to detour. My blog life is a journey rather than a sprint, and I’m in this for the long haul!

6. To be myself. There are so many bloggers out there and while inspiration can be shared and received, I like to make this journey my own. Maybe there are things I could do better, but for now I’m just doing my style and what being a blogger means to me. Everyone else is taken, so might as well be yourself. I did love a lot of work that other bloggers did, but instead of just living through theirs, I wanted to do my own.

7. To trust my gut feeling. It’s there for a reason. Now running an online only business and being a lifestyle blogger, I’m super putting myself out there very willingly. So I try to stick more to what feels right and truly reflects my style, my beliefs and who I am. That little voice inside is on point far more than it’s off target.

8. Instead of waiting for the perfect post, the perfect picture, or the perfect outfit like the internet can make us do, blogging has made me have to act more on the now and the real to stay consistent and up to date. And I really like that it’s pushing me to expose myself a little more because that means not everything can be perfected. Because real life still happens and trumps the internet life for me!

9. Mind over matter! These past few weeks I’ve been really focusing on being more positive, and making a conscious effort to face everything more positively has been a really good thing for me. I hope it shines through in my work and is contagious for you!

10. I have learned a whole lot more about website building and design because I built this site all on my own. Which has also taught me a lot of patience, endurance and self teaching. (along with watching a lot of how-to videos and spending endless hours on the phone with support when I can’t seem to figure things out)

11. I’v become a lot more style and design critical in things I do in almost every aspect of my life. This may drive Grant crazy at times (because he says I very rarely take any chill time) but I also think he is really liking the outcome of a lot of projects I have taken on. Grant builds houses at times with his job, so now he even talks more home design to me after seeing what all I have done with our own home! I guess you could say I’m really into being inspired by style whether it be a room in a house, an office at work or even the outfit I am wearing. Style can speak to my soul and being a blogger is bringing more of that out!

12. To continue on the positivity, surrounding myself with the right people is key. If I allow myself near the negativity or drama, I swear that stuff is like wildfire. So instead I like to keep away and keep close the people who truly love me, keep that fire inside of me lit and encourage me to keep moving forward and chasing my dreams. I heard a long time ago that you become the average of the 5 people you keep company the most and I 100% agree. And honestly, a lot of the people who are big supporters of my blog have also been big supporters along the way of my business. I’m such a loyal type of a person that I try to remember all those who have been there for me!

I know I have a lot more to learn, because I’m still a newbie to being a lifestyle blogger. And I can’t wait for all that is to come. But then again I have been running an online and social media driven business for almost 10 years now, so I feel I knew a little more of what I was getting myself into before fully jumping in. Thank YOU for following along. I hope that my blog and my lifestyle can benefit or make a positive impact for you at some point in time. And now for my photos from The Stella Hotel here in town taken by James Barrett Photography! Makeup by Versy Picone of Vixen Salon and outfit of course from Southern Jewlz Boutique. I’ll link each piece below!

This cinched cutie tie top comes in 3 colors at Southern Jewlz. You probably know by now I’m obsessed with it. And I’m wearing a small.

These low waisted distressed shorts I’m so excited to wear through Summer and even Aggie Football season. They don’t hug my muscular thighs – so I love that! I’m wearing a medium.

And these earrings are currently sold out in ivory, but they are still available in other colors and sizes here.

xo,