When In Rome?

These are not my best photos, nor my most creative outfit (clubbing last night in Vegas, simple is good enough for me), and I was going to wait to post till I had something better, an outdoor shot or a day time outfit, but there was an issue I woke up and decided I had to discuss right NOW.  In response to my post yesterday I received some really sweet comments!  I also received a couple of very heartfelt, concerned comments, first from my shy friend from Mass. and then this one from xoxo:

Anonymous said...

"Hello, ever since I've learned of your blog, I've been an avid reader since. Every time I visit, I'm always amazed at how you put things together. It's like, "What will she think of next?" Or sometimes, when I'm shopping or looking for outfit ideas or when I'm stuck on how to put together something, you know what crosses my mind? "How would she wear this?" Seriously. I know, right.

I really admire your style and look forward to visiting your blog for inspiration. I'm a firm believer that you don't have to spend a lot of money to look good. Nor does it have to be a designer name. Many will comment on how "cute" your shoes are or how they "love" your dress. But what many don't realize is that It's How You Put It All Together that makes it look good. A person could have the best-looking shoes in the whole world, but if she doesn't know how to wear it, it becomes just a pair of shoes.

The last note that I wanted to let you know is that please don't become another ModCloth robot like many bloggers out there have become. Their prices are high up there for a reason even though these same items are found elsewhere at lower prices: they spend $55,000 a month on advertising, that's $1800 a day. I'm not sure if this is only on pay-per-click through search engines like Google or their advertising as a whole, but that's a hefty sum that they of course pass on to customers.

Your creativity shines through in all your outfits regardless of where you get them.

xoxo"

I  know that this comment was not about Sponsorship or anything like that, and I am so thankful for the warmth and honesty of it.  I respect you for coming forward and telling me what you think. I have had something on my mind though that I feel I should talk about now.  Ever since I was offered my first sponsorship, I have had a funny feeling about it.  I thought about it a lot.  I liked the person who offered to sponsor me, I liked the business, the merchandise (LOVED) the spirit of it all, but I felt really funny about accepting money in exchange for content, a link, whatever.  I did accept an item though. I was allowed to pick whatever I wanted as my gift from the shop (and I went on to buy more from this talented person).  I was sure to disclose that the item was given to me. I decided right then that I will probably not accept traditional sponsorships in the form of banner ads or links, and will only accept gifts from companies or items that I would really purchase if I had the extra dough.  I have been offered many many things, money, giveaways, trips, link exchanges, and some have been from people and companies I truly love and respect, some generic, but as you will notice, I am sponsor free.  If I wear an item I have been given, I wear it because I wanted to, not because I had to.  I only wear things I love to wear.  I have never been dishonest about that. 

I have nothing against blogs with sponsors and my favorite ones are sponsored by numerous companies so please don't think that I judge or anything like that.  I PERSONALLY have always had a strange relationship with Money, particularly money given to me in exchange for my actions.  Don't pay me to do something, I will do it if I want to do it. Jobs are a different story, but in recreation, Ya.  My blog is my recreational hobby.  My shop makes me money, but it's a hobby as well and it is always on my terms.  The moment I mix money with someone else's expectations, the activity feels heavy and contrived. I can't stand that feeling.  I hope this all makes sense.  I am just typing my mind. I just thought I would tell you where I stand on this issue.  I am also a little hungover from last night and maybe oversensitive, but these feeling are true.  

So, to respond to your concerns,  Don't worry!  I will always be true to myself! What would the point of having a personal style blog be, if I was not representing my personal style (good, bad or whathaveyou). Thank you so much for your support and praise.  It makes me feel nice that you enjoy my space.  I will, in turn, just continue to get dressed each day and talk about it.  

Dress: American Apparel

Shoes: Seychelles