Hello Everyone! I am so excited to be writing my first post on this blog. Almost eight months ago, I welcomed my second baby boy into the world. Prior to his birth, I operated a nanny placement service that I have owned for eight years. While I loved my work, I made the leap to stay at home full time with my boys. It was a tough decision for me, and I wasn't sure the stay-at-home/full time mom roll was going to be a fit for me, but I have had the MOST fun ever in these last months! Since being home, I have poured what energy I have remaining at the end of each day into all things creative. With fashion being my first love of creative expression, I submitted a story about my Grandmother and Great Grandmother to Lucky magazine for their back page based on a blog titled My Mom the Style Icon, created by one one hip chick, Piper Weiss. Each month, I read this story and thought to myself how much Nana or Willa needed to be in this magazine.
For me, the creativity part isn't the struggle, it's the implementation phase. Since I wouldn't be answering to anyone other than yours truly for this "try out" of sorts, I thought "What do I have to lose?!" So, I picked my photo, sent Lucky the information for my story, and voila... I heard back from them! Communication exchanges transpired over the course of several weeks, via email, then phone and one last email to fact check. I only told a few close people about my hopes of this story actually getting published. I would believe it when I saw it in print.
Well, over this past weekend I received a message from a friend saying how excited she was to open her Lucky Magazine to read my story about my Grandmother. I could not believe it!!! In the car already, my sweet husband quickly changed our route to the nearest grocery story. The aisles were wide, and I was movin'! My half marathon training pace was put to use, full speed ahead through the doors of the Ingles supermarket. I swished my way through the check out registers, raced through the frozen food section, turned a sharp left, and then a right to the magazine aisle. And, there it was... the December issue of Lucky. Jessica Simpson beaming at me from the cover. I wasn't exactly looking for myself, but I knew this must be the issue! I quickly turned to the back page, and there it was. OH MY GOSH! I can't believe it!? I pulled a reverse race back to the check out line, out the front doors of the store and to the car to my husband, waving the magazine above my head in the air. I was, and still am so excited.
This article has been a source of great validation for me. I must pursue what I love, and that is All Things Stylish. For months, I have contemplated creating a blog dedicated to fashion in the Queen City. Then it hit me, as yesterday's morning alarm was sounding loud, I'll write a blog about ALL things stylish in the Queen City. So here it is. I'll be talking about fashion, home design, entertaining, stylish places to eat, shop, explore, be quiet, pray, learn, share and more. I may never make a dime writing this little blog, but that is no problem for me! I am so excited to be embarking on this new project, and I hope you will enjoy it so.
I decided for my first little project, I would create an ensemble inspired by the one my Grandmother is seen wearing in the photo. I look forward to sharing with you my attempt at reincarnating her fabulous look. And you got it, everything you see can be purchased right here in the Queen City. I can't wait to share with you more stylish things that I love about this city, and I would LOVE to hear from you on anything and everything. Please share some inspiration with me!
For the love of great style, dahling...
Whitley