I Feel Pretty | Humbled

I Feel Pretty | Humbled

Last week, I sent out my very first reader survey.  When the responses started to roll in, I got that same feeling that I used to get right before a performance review at my corporate job.  The butterflies, the sweaty palms, the fear of finding out what you all really think of me.

The great news is, it wasn’t that scary after all.  You guys are truly the sweetest, nicest, most helpful and BEST READERS EVER!  Even when you did offer criticism or suggestions for improvement (which I asked for), you did it in the most constructive and helpful way possible.  And the positive feedback?  Well it completely overwhelmed me.  I am so humbled and honored to be able to share this blog with you.

On to the results!

The top five pieces of feedback I got were the following:

#1 – You want more personal posts.

This was hands-down the biggest request.  You have NO idea how happy this makes me!  This was something that I had no clue you wanted more of.   There are so many things that I wanted to share here but just skipped out on it because I didn’t know if you’d be interested.   But I’ve been dying to tell you!  Life is exciting right now – our son just got his first acceptance letters for college and we’re scheduling visits.   We’ve had our challenges too – our daughter made the decision to quit gymnastics after ten years.  Lots of changes and transitions going on.  There are so many more things I want to share with you guys and I’m beyond excited that you actually want to hear about them!

#2 – You want less sponsored content.

A million times THANK YOU for being honest about this.  The last thing I want to do is be inauthentic or sales-y.  Yuck.  I would totally suck as a salesperson, that’s why I’ve never been one.  🙂  Please forgive me if I turned you off with sponsored posts and most of all, thank you for sticking around if I did.  I totally get it now and my goal is to strike a better balance.

I wish I could blog for free, I really do.  For the most part I did up, until I got laid off last year.   While I am first and foremost a personal blogger, I am also a digital publisher.  I’ve had the privilege of being accepted into some pretty awesome publishing networks like BlogHer.  They provide me with an opportunity to supplement our family’s income through blogging.    The primary way my blog makes money is through sponsored content and ads.  Affiliate sales are just a small percentage.   Most readers are here for inspiration, not to buy anything, and that’s perfectly fine. But it does put me in a position where I have to post sponsored content sometimes.  Otherwise, blogging can be an expensive hobby and I’m not in a position to have one of those right now.  Especially with a kid going off to college in a few months!

Having said that, monetization is important but what good is it if nobody wants to read your blog?  This has slapped me upside the head.  Unfortunately some sponsored content is a necessary evil but I will try my hardest to only accept opportunities that tie in well with what you want more of.  Much like flipping through the ads in a magazine or DVR’ing your favorite show and skipping the commercials, feel free to only read what you like here too.  I won’t mind at all!  Just don’t let it be something that keeps you away for good.

#3 -You like that I interact with you.

If not for this community, there wouldn’t be a blog!   You truly are what makes this worthwhile.  If you’re a reader who doesn’t comment because you don’t see me responding in the comments section, I want you to know that I respond to every single comment that I get through e-mail (or by visiting your blog, if you’re a blogger).   My reason for doing it through e-mail is because I can get more personal and I know that you’ll read them.  Not everyone goes back to a blog post to see if they got a response on their comment.  I love connecting through the e-mails we send back and forth and have made many new friends through my comments section, some that have become real-life friends.

#4 -You’re here for the outfits.

By a landslide, outfit posts were the winner with 80% of respondents preferring them most of all.  The runners-up were beauty, trend watches, home decor and health.  I hear you loud and clear and will be giving you more of what you want and less of what you don’t!

#5 – You want casual, affordable, easy to put together, age-appropriate outfits, that fit your body well.

Amen sisters!  My goal is to create effortless outfits that are affordable and on trend, yet completely age-appropriate.  A lot of you also mentioned fit and dressing for your body type as challenges.  I’ll be more aware of that and try to offer options and advice for fit when I can.

Many of you also mentioned wanting to see more casual outfits.  So, on Monday I started a Daily Style Diary post of my photos on Instagram to show you my outfits I’m wearing for everyday.  I can’t promise you there will be one every single day but I’ll try to post as many as I can.  You can find the outfits I’ve posted so far by searching hash tag #dailymomstyle.

Again, thank you for your honesty and candor.  Your kind responses were just simply overwhelming.  The fashion and beauty challenges that you shared have given me so many ideas for future posts and I couldn’t be more excited to dig into them.  I want this to be a place you enjoy coming to every day where we can be friends talking about style, beauty and all of the things that girlfriends love to share.

trench-coat-skinny-jeans-boots

striped-sweater-skinny-jeans-fur-scarf

taupe-ankle-boots

tunic-sweater-skinny-jeans-boots-fur-scarf[Trench:  c/o eShakti (similar)/Sweater:  Loft/Jeans:  Paige/Scarf:  American Eagle (similar)/Boots:  c/o Wallis/Watch:  c/o Fossil/Earrings:  c/o Zocorra/Sunglasses:  Ray-Ban]

I FEEL PRETTY

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!

I Feel Pretty
There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin‘)

2. Link up your pretty post.

3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

4. Visit other pretty peeps.

‘); // ]]>


Getting my pretty on with Fashion Friday, Fashion Informant, What I’m Loving Friday, Friday’s Fab FavoritesWhat I Wore to Work, Tres Chic ThursdayThe Pleated Poppy and Shanna.

Spring Style | Five Favorite Looks

Spring Style | Five Favorite Looks

I hope all of you mamas had the best Mother’s Day ever!  Mine was pretty near perfect.  Church, a nice lunch on the patio at one of my favorite restaurants, a bike ride and hike, followed by some shopping.  I just wish it lasted for more than one day.  🙂

Is it just me or has this spring seemed to fly by?  Maybe it’s because the weather hasn’t really been spring-like until recently.  I just can’t believe there are only a few weeks until the kids are out of school for the summer!

 Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, I still had fun with my outfits this spring.  Actually this is the first season since I can remember that I’ve been really happy with my wardrobe.  Today, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of my favorite spring looks.

1.  eShakti Spring Dress

[Dress:  eShakti/Shoes:  Jessica Simpson (similar)/Earrings:  Target (similar)]

2.  Neutral with Pops of Color

Neutral Outfit with Navy and Coral

 [Printed Jegging:  DKNY/Blouse:  Spense/Clutch:  Donna Dixon/Wedges:  Tommy Hilfiger (similar)/Earrings:  Target (similar)]

3.  Military Jacket with Neon

[Military Jacket:  Kohl’s (similar)/Tee:  Forever 21 (similar)/Necklace:  Forever 21/Jeans:  Target/Sandals:  Target (similar)]

4.  Dressed Up Jeans and Blazer

yellow blazer, striped shirt, skinny jeans, leopard heels

[Jacket:  The Limited/Shirt:  Similar/Jeans:  Forever 21/Necklace:  c/o Heather Belle Co./Earrings:  c/o C. Wonder/Bangles:  c/o Alex and Ani/Sunnies:  Michael Kors/Shoes:  Guess/Lips:  Kate Spade]

5.  Bold Colors and Patterns

Printed Denim, Cardigan, Coral and Yellow, Style for moms

[Jeans:  Gap/Cardigan:  Target/Shirt:  Old Navy/Earrings:  c/o Silver Speck/Leather Bracelet:  c/o Fossil/Bangles:  c/o Alex and Ani/Glasses:  Similar/Wedges:  Target]

Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Toria M.!  She won the Kendra Scott Danielle earrings in my Mother’s Day Giveaway.

It’s Your Turn:  What have been some of your favorite spring trends?  Tell me in the comments!

Getting my pretty on with Six Sisters Stuff, Aloha Friday, Friday’s Fancies, Falling for Friday, Friday’s FiveWhat I Wore to Work, MarionThe Pleated Poppy Shanna Style Sessions, Anything & Everything, Real Girl Style, YOLO Monday, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle

Current Crush | Orange + Navy

Current Crush | Orange + Navy

Navy sweater, white jeans, orange accessories

Orange and Blue scarf

Sole Society Orange Wedges

Orange Crossbody Bag

Nepali Scarf, navy cardigan, white jeans

[Jeans:  Lucky Brand/Shirt:  Old Navy/Cardigan:  Old Navy (similar)/Scarf:  c/o Nepali by TDM/Earrings:  Target/Leather Bracelet:  c/o Fossil/Wedges:  Sole Society/Bag:  Tommy Hilfiger c/o Dhruvi]

GET THE LOOK

Have you heard of Nepali by TDM yet?  Even if you haven’t, you may have already spotted their scarves on a few celebs like Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, Gwen Stefani and Courteney Cox.

Nepali Scarves on Celebs

When Nepali contacted me to become a brand ambassador, I jumped at the chance.  Not just because they’re popular among celebrities but because they’re about so much more. 

Each piece is handmade by their community of Nepalese women artisans using eco-friendly processes.  Nepali provides their craftswomen with above-market compensation, access to healthcare, and full scholarships for their children to attend school.  They believe that economic freedom and education are tools of empowerment to help women break the cycle of poverty.  How could you not love this company?

The scarf that I’m wearing today is the Bambi Abbie in Nectarine and Monaco Blue.  It comes in 7 different color combos and is made of 100% lush bamboo.

NEPALI DISCOUNT

 Nepali is offering a special discount just for GYPO readers.  Get 25% off their entire site with coupon code GETYOURPRETTYON.

It’s Your Turn: Do you shop any fair trade, eco-friendly or women empowerment brands for clothing or cosmetics?  If so, what are some of your favorites?  Share them in the comments.

P.S.  Don’t forget to enter my Kendra Scott Mother’s Day giveaway!  Enter to win a pair of earrings in your choice of color HERE.

Getting my pretty on with The Pleated Poppy, Shanna, Wardrobe Wednesday, Style Sessions, Anything & Everything, Real Girl Style, YOLO Monday, Monday Bloom, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, Fashion Informant, Tucker Up, Aloha Friday