Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Can you believe March is almost over? It seems like life is moving so fast lately that these months are just flying by.

Speaking of time passing, I realized yesterday that I’ve been blogging for nearly three and a half years. It feels like just yesterday I was itching to start a blog, with no idea where to even begin. More on that later, but I feel like this is where it’s a good time to mention that I’ll be starting a new series all about blogging! I am by no means an expert. But doing anything repetitively for over three years is going to give you some wisdom and insight over time. I’m going to be calling this new little series “Blog Brilliantly”. That name could change, but I thought it was cute and catchy, so for now it stays.

Blog Brilliantly

I’ve been toying with doing a series like this for well over a year now, but spent so much time thinking and thinking about every little detail, that I never got around to actually just starting it. That sentence pretty much sums me up in a nutshell, and it’s kind of why I wanted to start writing about blogging tips to begin with. I’ve always been a chronic researcher, and will spend hours and days seeking out information on whatever happens to be on my mind. That urge/ability to always investigate and want answers is why I majored in journalism in college.

That same inquisitive spirit stuck with me after college, especially when I discovered the world of blogging. I had never actually read a blog until 2012. The first blog I ever read was Jessica’s. The second I saw that her blog was named “Bows & Sequins” I instantly got excited. I like bows and I like sequins. And I loved everything Jessica wore on her blog. Also, I spent a good hour poking around her site, and then it was a domino effect from there.

I looked at her blog roll, and clicked on every single blog she had in her recommended list. I then spent hours and hours taking it all in. Honestly, I felt like I had just fallen into some secret and amazing world that I didn’t even know existed until now. Furthermore, I had always dreamed of a journalism job in the fashion industry, and I instantly loved the independent aspect that fashion blogging offered.

This is probably where I should note that I graduated college without a job.

It was a terrible time for my age group because the job market was still in a slump and finding an entry level job was like finding a needle in a haystack. It wasn’t the best feeling, especially since I did everything you’re supposed to do in college. I succeeded in journalism and marketing, had awesome internships at a TV station and theater, and also had a campus job to give me some extra spending money. I was feeling pretty lost, especially since the few “entry level” jobs I could find wanted five years of experience or something else that was a total hypocrisy of the job description.

When I discovered blogging, it was like a lightbulb when off in my head. I thought to myself that I could totally do this. I had loved studying journalism in college. But it’s an industry where people burn out quickly. You’re worked to the bone, and none of it is on your own terms. That’s why blogging was so intriguing to me. You could post whatever you wanted, and obviously you’d be sharing what you were passionate about. It took me all of an hour to have a realization that I needed to start a blog. It just felt right.

I didn’t know where to begin, how it all worked or what I even wanted to call my blog, but I knew I’d always regret not starting one.

It was so out of my comfort zone. But it was also strangely calming because I felt like I had nothing to lose. A few months of research later (classic me), I started my blog and the rest is history. To this day, it’s still one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. It helped get me out of a huge slump after college, has allowed me to meet incredible people that are now close friends and has given me opportunities with brands I’ve always wanted to work with.

Of course, there have been speed bumps along the way, and times (especially in the beginning) where I thought I’d never get the hang of this. That’s why I wanted to share some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re a new blogger or someone who’s been doing this awhile, I think it’s always helpful to see how other bloggers operate behind the scenes. I have topics I plan on diving into for future posts. But if there’s anything specifically you’d like me to cover, feel free to shoot me an email: baublestobubbles@gmail.com.

 Pictured Above:

Girl Boss | Kate Spade Polkadot Mug | Laurence King Fashion Journal