I’m loving the 70s style that is cropping up in fashion lately. Jean skirts, bell bottoms, platforms, off the shoulder tops – bring it on. I first showed you this jean skirt a couple weeks ago paired with stripes and heels (here). This skirt is only $12. I mean, you just cannot beat that. These a-line button front skirts are a big trend right now. I won’t lie, I want the white denim version and the suede version. Shein has them at such great prices compared to some I have seen which makes you feel like you can justify trying the trend. Today I am mixing it up with this amazing and affordable embroidered floral off the shoulder top from Lookbook (same company as my blush top from last week) and these awesome gladiator sandals. I love these because they are not low ankle or full knee-high. They are the midi of gladiator sandals if you will. I ordered them from Choies. If you’re considering them, I usually wear an 8.5 or 9 and went with the 9. They are a perfect fit.
Lately I have been struggling with social media. I am smart enough to know I shouldn’t compare my everyday with everyone else’s highlight reel. That adage has gotten enough airtime to be familiar, but it’s easier said than done. Isn’t it? I often feel like everyone is living cooler lives than me, and when I finally do something cool, I can’t even get the right angle on the shot to share. Anyone else? In the name of transparency, in case you’re comparing to my highlight reel, my life is pretty ordinary. I hate that I have been tempted to forget that my ordinary isn’t also amazing. Because the truth is my ordinary is awesome. I love my husband. I have stellar friends and family. I’ll tell you, infertility treatment hasn’t been a walk in the park though, and I haven’t even been going through the big guns like IVF. If that’s you, hats off. You have a friend here. It’s hard to highlight reel menopause at 29: hot flashes, and all the emotional and physical side effects that come with changes in hormones. There have been times it has caused me to question my faith. Now that I am on the other side of that feeling, I am thankful to say God is still faithful, and I am stronger because of it. I guess I just share this to say, social media is tough. And I’ve been having a tough time with it. So when I share outfit photos and coffee shop pictures, there is more to the story. There always is. I hope you know that.
Embroidered Top c/o LookbookΒ // Jean Skirt c/o Shein // Gladiator Sandals c/o Choies // Purse: Vintage Coach purchased at a Thrift Store // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Silver Ring // Watch c/o Jord // All other jewelry family pieces
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126 Comments
So sorry to hear about your fertility struggles, and you’re right, it is easier said than done not to compare… When you’re feeling a bit down social media can be a bit tricky, although I find that sometimes, it also has the power to cheer me up and I often go trough my own instagram feed to remind me of all my happy memories… Thank you for your honest post, we need more posts like this in the blogosphere. Oh and your instagram does look very perfect from an outside perspective π xx
Thanks for your kind and insightful comment. You are right, social media can swing both ways. I think that is the struggle, all of our feeds look perfect from the outside because it’s natural to share the best parts of life. I think that is why it is important to remember that is what is being shared when you start to compare. It also helps me to occasionally share the other parts on my blog too.
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with infertility. I haven’t started a family yet either and it takes a lot for me not to compare my life to my friends that have. I hope you know if you’re having a sleepless night worrying about these things, I’m awake and worrying too! I’ll send you throughts and prayers!
On another note, YOU’RE GREAT AT SOCIAL MEDIA! Don’t doubt yourself! You’re so fashionable, but so warm and approachable – which is really hard to do! I, for one, strive to be more like you.
And yes.. let’s get this Seventies vibe on! I love it!
Anyway… thanks for hearing my words too… it’s scary putting down the real thoughts in our heads for all to see. I appreciate you!
Heather Wyancko
http://ForageFashion.com
thanks for sharing Amy! sending prayers your way!
xoxo,
-c.
It’s natural for us to compare to other people’s lives on social media especially when they are constantly traveling to beautiful places, eating all yummy foods and is a size zero or have all high end shoes/handbags. I am guilty of it as well but I try not to bother me. I do use IG to post things that’s happening in my life but I try not to do that much because then you are not living the moment and more focused on the perfect picture to post.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Would love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion linkup.
I am so happy I stumbled on your blog, via Merrit Beck’s blog. Try being a 50+ blogger, who ALWAYS forgets to post, and whose age group doesn’t get the whole social media thing! I find myself feeling the same way, struggling and asking myself why am I doing this? This whole staged life thing is really skewing things in an unhealthy way! Thank you for being so transparent in your feelings! I am sure you are helping and touching other young women going through the same thing (infertility treatments). I am a fairly new breast cancer survivor, and honestly, I am much more interested in getting the word out about self checks and mammograms, but that’s not glamourous enough for social media. If I can help one woman (especially a young one) understand that breast cancer does not discriminate age, then it is all worth it!
I think the key is staying true to yourself and praying that God lead you where you need to be.
You are adorable, and you have a new fan and reader! God Bless You!!!!
I love your cool 1970s outfit and I’m greatful that you wanted to share a bit of your personal life with us. We all struggle with social media at times, I think, as we forget that we only get to see a highly edited section of a person or brand’s life. I reached the point where I only follow bloggers and instagram accounts that live a somewhat normal life that I can relate to — seeing nothing but gifted luxury designer wear and constant sponsored holiday pics just made me feel inadequate and sad, and I also don’t think these people need to use much imagination to drum up their outfits or post content, as the sponsors did all the work for them.
After suffering a severe health issue over a year ago, I’m making a point of looking at the positive things that are happening in my life, hence my weekly column Happy Thoughts on my blog. When I’m feeling down or inadequate, thinking about the next issue of this column helps me refocus on and be grateful for the good things that are happening in my life. We are not all going to be superfamous bloggers who have the blog as their job and make millions from it, and that’s OK. We are all unique in our own way and will be equally happy doing our own thing with the resources we have available. We just have to remember to be grateful and actually pay attention to all the greatness in our lives! And if your life could be a tad better, simply make the necessary changes to achieve your goal, one small step at a time. I’m currently trying to break into the fashion industry in Oslo with no previous experience in the fashion world and though it is hard to stay motivated when nobody seems to want to hire me, I’m not giving up until I’m in!
What a gorgeous look! I’ve also been loving the 70’s trend- off-the-shoulder and A-Line are right up my alley! You look stunning!
http://channelthechic.blogspot.fr/
Oh hon, I love this honest post. And believe me, most of us look at you and want to be you, Dear … so gorgeous and stylish! But reality is always trickier than our pictures, right? And sometimes I know my photos just don’t seem like enough. Hey there’s such-and-such blogger shopping in Paris … and hey, there’s me… in my backyard …again! ;P
I’m going to start praying for you and for the best with your fertility process. And anytime you want a menopausal shoulder to cry on, I’m here. I just started hot flashes a couple of months ago. No fun at all.
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
i totally get the social media struggle. I had to unfollow some of the super popular bloggers because I just couldn’t take the constant vacation photos and designer items. Maybe I’m missing the point and should learn to be content with what I have but it’s hard sometimes. I know I’m super blessed and have a great life but sometimes you get caught up in the comparison game. Thank you for being honest – I really love your blog and sense of style!
~Jessica
I’m so sorry you have to go through that. We had our own share of issues (though I consider myself very lucky) and I’ve had friends that have had their own struggles and I know what an emotional rollercoaster it is. You’re right though, you’re so lucky to have a wonderful husband and good friends and family and at the end of the day, that counts for so much more than pretty (often not real) pictures on social media.
(eyes blulging!) What a fantastic post. You are channeling the 70s for sure, and quite well might I add. The shoes are KILLER!
XO K
http://www.kellmenow.com
First off, love the outfit and I love the 70s too. Second, I think social media gets to everyone here and there, whether they’re bloggers like us or the people who just have a personal FB account. I work my damnedest to never base my self esteem on environmental factors, but every now and again I feel like I’m “behind” in life or blogging or whatever because I see someone who is “ahead.” My two cents and personal solution is to either do a gratitude exercise and focus on what I do have or far I have come, or I use my frustration to inspire me to work harder towards a new benchmark or goal. Hope that helps and I hope you feel better!! XO
-Lauren Blair
http://www.prefertobedemure.com
Awwww two thumbs up to you being so real and honest. IMHO, social media is just an outlet and shouldn’t be a barometer of our reality. It’s still the basics which count and social media shouldn’t be one of them haha. More power to you always Amy!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Great styling as always, Your top is amazing and love the lace up sandals. I too struggle with social media and I know that I shouldn’t compare, but sometimes a photo is just a photo. I like reading this post as well as other’s comments and it feels good to know that we are not alone.
~xo Sheree
http://poshclassymom.com
IG: @poshclassymom
Seventies style suits you well! You look beautiful in your off the shoulder top and denim skirt. I’ve been wanting to add a skirt like this to my wardrobe for a while. I love this style in denim and in suede! I can totally relate to both the social media and infertility treatments. I can’t tell you how many times I get bummed out when looking at Instagram, thinking how great other lives are or wondering how they get such perfect photos. The truth is, when I am out actually doing something “cool” or Instagram worthy, I forget to take a photo, then I get mad later when I realize I missed a great photo opp. However, I should be happy that I was actually enjoying my time and living in the present then on my phone trying to take the perfect picture just to impress other people. Thank you for being so open, it’s nice to know I’m not alone!
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
First of all, love your outfit. You look beautiful.
Second, thank you for this post. It’s so thoughtfully written. I appreciate honestly and transparency, which is why I love you! Social media is so unrealistic, yet the pressure to post beautiful photos (and leave the bad days behind) feels constant. Social media outlets can be so uplifting, but also make you feel very alone… it’s a strange juxtaposition! It stresses me out more than it should.
Hailey
http://www.themiddlecloset.com
Loving the 70’s inspired outfit…but I always love your outfits.
Also, I’m really sorry to hear how much you’ve been struggling – with social media and infertility. I feel like almost all of us feel the same way about social media. I often wonder why some people have so many more followers, how they can get the perfect shots ALL of the TIME, etc. I also feel like my life is so boring, but I’m not one to make up a bunch of stories about why my life is so amazing or interesting to seem “cooler” on the Internet.
As for your personal struggles, it’s not something I’ve gone through personally, but one of my best friends and her husband are having a lot of trouble and while they haven’t gotten to IVF (yet), they’ve been doing hormone treatments that haven’t been working. It sucks a lot. I actually remember you sharing about this struggle a while back and I told her she needed to read the post. I often find comfort in connecting with people going through similar troubles.
OH – and I didn’t mean to ramble on so long…
Jackie
Something About That
Love that skirt! It can sometimes be hard to look at everybody else and see all these amazing things in their life. Social Media is tough!
xo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com