Confession

I don't think I'll ever be a fashion blogger.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. I don't feel like anyone would be inspired by my outfits no matter how much I love them.

2. I'm not comfortable spending someone else's time taking pictures of me in said comfy but cute outfits.

3. Fashion blogs are booooooring! Not all, but if that's all they talk about, yes.

4. The duck face. It seems to be mandatory.

5. Uploading photos is not a hobby of mine.

6. There are more interesting things in the world to talk about than clothes.

Not that I talk about fascinating world subjects that often.

But I do feel that I write about things with a little more depth than heels and cardigans at least once a week.

I think what made me consider if I would ever do this is this button

I think the badge is a great idea to connect women who want modest fashion advice and ideas from each other. But sometimes I feel left out. To me it's a little online clique for girls that fit a certain style. I know that there are few limitations and the widget is freely shared with whomever wishes to participate.

My hope is that the badge never becomes a way to say "Hey I'm Mormon and I do this because it's cool" . I respect people who are willing to share their testimony much more than a knee length skirt or a cap sleeve tee. Now if there were more posts about why modest fashion is so important as a symbol of respect to our bodies and divine creation I would support that. Sadly that is not what I find from many blogs. 

I'll be the first one to state that I love clothes. I really really really love clothes. My focus in school was Clothing Construction. But too much attention on clothing becomes a major distraction for me. Do you remember my post about my hunt for mission clothing? I'm realizing more and more that paying so much attention to my wardrobe is a waste of time. I love to dress up and I want to look nice and presentable, but that doesn't mean I have to spend a lot. And thank goodness I'm losing that desire to have brand names emblazoned across my chest.

I don't want this to sound like I'm hating on well dressed women. And yes, I adore designer things, I just don't buy them! I think this issue hits close to home because it is a weakness of mine that I will probably have to always work on.

 I just want to be better at being like the Saints in Alma's time who "did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely" (Alma 1:27)

Therefore, I don't think I'll ever be a fashion blogger because it would just give me more reason to live with my head in the closet when it should be doing more productive things.

Tell me what your thoughts are on Fashion Blogging/self labeled Mormon fashion bloggers

Shopping

Sucks. 

All of the energy out of me. 

But I have a lot of great clothes for my mission now! 

I took a trip down to San Francisco last week to stock up on past the knee length skirts and conservative but cute and comfy tops. It was nice to not feel guilty for just shopping all day because I really need almost a whole new wardrobe for the next year and a half. As I looked over the checklist before I went I really only had one gray skirt, one dress, and maybe 3 black and white shirts I could take. Hence the shop-o-rama that ensued. 

What I didn't expect was a lesson in humility. 

The dressing standard for sister missionaries has relaxed a little in the past year; hemlines have gone up from mid-calf to covering the knee when sitting and standing, colorful prints and patterns are ok, and nylons are optional!  I began my search on Union square at all of my favorite city spots like Anthropologie, H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Macy's hoping to find modest clothing that would be trendy. I don't want to be a frumpy frump boring dresser. I found only one shirt and one dress. It had been hours and I was frustrated that nothing was turning up. The only long skirts in style right now are these hideous 90's hippie things.

ew see for yourself.

I regrouped with my Uncle and his girly friend over fish and chips and prepared myself for another few hours of little luck. Instead we headed over to Ross (ironic because that is one of the very few stores we have in Eureka) and well, I found 3 perfect skirts, a top, and some low cut socks all for less than the price of my clearance sale dress from Anthro! 

After this success I realized that I had a poor mind frame for shopping for mission clothes. I'm not going to be spending a whole lot of time fussing around with cute fashionable things and the trends are going to change in the next 18 months. I don't even know what's in style in Tennessee and Kentucky and I'm really not prepared for the heat of a southern summer! As I stopped caring about the name brands on the labels inside of my clothing I was blessed to find what I needed at a much more reasonable price.

I stopped at the mall in Santa Rosa yesterday on my way back and scored on a bunch of really cute classy tops at Forever 21 (the one in Union Square is way too hectic to even attempt going in), PacSun, and Banana Republic. Um, hello? Three tops at Banana Republic for under $40? That was a serious blessing waiting for me right there!

So I ended up happy and spent far less than the average $1000 that we are told to prepare to spend. Bring on the 18 months of the 30x30 challenge!

Anthropologie Wishlist

I heart Anthro. Now I just need to keep my eyes open for things like these, only much cheaper.

foxes on tights?? adorable!