I’ve been wanting to do a few more fun, lighthearted posts on the blog lately, so today I’m sharing some of my frustrations when it comes to fashion blogging that I’m sure many other fashion and beauty bloggers can relate to. This post is meant to be fun, not just me complaining about trivial things, because let’s be honest – all these frustrations are definitely #firstworldproblems! Hope you enjoy – let me know if you would like to see more fun posts like this!
1. Daylight Savings Time (in the Fall)
Remember how you had the perfect photo schedule figured out? You can kiss that good-bye when it starts to get dark by 5 p.m. This transition happens every year, and after almost four years, I still don’t have it figured out! I think if you’re a morning person, morning photos work well, but if you’re like me, good luck. Now when I like an outfit during I wear during the week, I hang it up to be photographed at a later time – it’s not as “honest” as I want to be (of course my hair and makeup looks better on the weekend when I have more time to get ready), but daylight photos are just so much better than attempting to get a good indoor photo. That would mean my apartment would have to be perfectly clean and decorated all the time? Thanks, but no thanks.
2. Chipped Nails
Have you ever been ready to take outfit photos or snap a photo of your cool new ring for a post on Instagram and realize your manicure is chipping? Yeah, not a good look. I’m SO lazy when it comes to my nails because it means I have to make plans to get to the nail salon or do it myself (and it’s really something I don’t enjoy doing). DANG YOU NAILS! Lately, I started Manicure Monday for myself, so I have a night every week that I spend pampering my nails and painting them a new color. So far I have done pretty well with sticking to this!
3. Windy Days
Whether it’s messing with your hair, or your outfit – the wind never seems to be our friend when we’re taking outfit photos! I will say though, it makes for a very interesting set of funny-faced photos, am I right?! Mother nature wins this battle every time.
4. Lint & Wrinkles
I’m sure this is a frustration for everyone, not just fashion bloggers. But there is nothing more annoying than wearing a shirt all day and having to re-steam or iron it so it doesn’t look so awful in photos. Or maybe it should look awful in photos because that’s what happens to the material? Also, doesn’t seem to matter how hard I try to keep my clothes lint-free during the day or for photos, still seems to show up! And all I can think is that will be the focus of the outfit I just featured. Like hey girl – where’s your lint roller? I have one, but it doesn’t always seem to make a difference.
5. Explaining Your Blog to People
This isn’t true for everyone in my life, but I’m talking about coworkers or acquaintances who hear about your blog and pretend to care, but probably don’t care, or maybe they do care, but it’s still awkward as *. It’s just an awkward and weird conversation to have. How do you really explain it? Somehow I end up saying something like this: “I take pictures of myself and put them on the Internet” – that sounds awful right? Like very conceited and weird, and I don’t think it is an accurate portrayal of many talented fashion bloggers and writers out there, but I have yet to find a good elevator pitch that represents my “brand” and doesn’t leave one to think we are all shallow, materialistic, greedy people. I love my fashion blog, and I love to share it with people in my life, but not going to push it on people who just don’t care. Because the deal is, not all of my best friends care about clothes, or how to wear a faux fur vest, or why people are now wearing blankets as scarves – and that’s okay! If people ask, fair enough, I will talk about it, but aside from my boyfriend, my friends interested in fashion and my family, I’d prefer to not have the conversation.
6. Finding the “Perfect” Outfit for Everything
Okay maybe this isn’t everyone in fashion blogging, but I get frustrated with myself when I can’t just move on and wear something or get so caught up in what I’m wearing to the next event, or when I travel, or even some days to work. A prime example was when I went to Dallas to visit my friend. I forgot to pack jewelry, and had to borrow my friend’s necklace and earrings. A couple of the other girls joked around and said “shouldn’t you have all of this down and perfect since you are a fashion blogger?” NO. Absolutely not! While I am passionate about what I wear because to me it is how I am able to be creative in my everyday life, it certainly doesn’t mean I get it right all the time (if ever). It’s just something I enjoy and love to share with others. Do you ever feel frustrated by this? Do you feel extra “pressure” when you’re around people who know you run a fashion blog? I don’t really let it hang me up, but sometimes it means I overthink what I’m wearing more than when I didn’t have a blog. And sometimes I just want to wear sweatpants, an old high school t-shirt, and not have to take the time to fill in my brows – someone has to understand this, right?!
7. Awkward Staring While Taking Outfit Photos
Yup, my boyfriend and I have made several “friends” while taking outfit photos out in public. Aka, we’ve seen a lot of people walking by and staring. I’d do the same thing, but it can be really distracting and embarrassing, am I right? Also, even more awkward when it happens near our apartment complex. Our neighbors probably think we are nuts – yup, not a model, not doing this for a project or for work, just taking pictures of myself in this outfit because it is #omgsoawesome. We’ve been thinking about handing out business cards with the blog name and information so people can check out the latest outfit post on the blog, or at the very least understand what we were doing (or find me to be even more crazy than they already thought I was). Also, the worst is when people stop what they’re doing to try to go around you, like NO stop, we will move out of the way for you – yes the normal person here just trying to use the sidewalk as sidewalks are meant to be used, haha.
8. “Hello Dear” Emails
Do I even need to explain this one? I understand everyone has a job to do – and I used to freelance for a company writing blog posts and reaching out to bloggers, so it can be a lot of work and tiresome to try to be unique in your approach to each one, but calling me “dear” from the get go does not mean I’ll agree to $10 for a sponsored post. Sorry, but no, just no!
29 Comments
Rach
November 12, 2015 at 8:18 AMOmg you are so on point in every single one of them! I totally relate!!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Rebecca Ciriaco Sullivan
November 12, 2015 at 2:33 PMWhat an honest and fresh post – I could totally relate!
Rebecca Ciriaco Sullivan
Red Tag Chic Los Angeles
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Tracy
November 12, 2015 at 12:32 PMI love this post. Very honest and so true.
chelsea
November 12, 2015 at 1:06 PMSeriously, love this! I saw you post this on FB and I was like MUST READ NOW! OMG 7 and 8 are exactly what I think too. I don’t claim to be a pro and I hate some of my outfits. Plus, stop looking…I am taking a photo BIG DEAL. I also cant stand the cooler weather and how windy it is, unreal. Not I don’t get up at 4am to take photos…people also don’t know what I do, What’s a Fashion Blogger, you sit at home and stare at your closet. NO not at all… #rantover
I love this post! Cannot wait to read more! Trying to think how we can collab on this topic.
XO Chelsea http://www.shesaidhesaidfashion.com
antela
November 12, 2015 at 3:01 PMedgy and chic look
kisses Blamod
http://blamod.com
Rita
November 12, 2015 at 4:24 PMAhh Rachel….yes to all of the above. I’m so uncomfortable taking pictures in public. It’s super awkward on my end because I’m taking the pictures of myself with the whole remote and tripod setup. The chipped nails….I don’t even put the effort to paint them or get them done (only on rare occasions lol). I hate it as much as you do. Explaining my blog to people…..I don’t even know how to have that conversation. Finding the perfect outfit….I soo feel the pressure all the time. Whether it’s blog related or for events, work, a simple mall run, etc. And daylight savings time….goodness gracious….what purpose does it serve in this day and age lol! Thank you for this honest and relatable post! We’re in this together girl! π
Rachel
November 13, 2015 at 9:16 AMHahaha – I’m glad you can relate! And yes, just thought it would be a fun post to share. I really hate Daylight savings time in general – and my boyfriend and I were on an amazing photo schedule. Totally ruined. We only snap photos on the weekends now because he doesn’t get home until it’s dark!
jessica
November 12, 2015 at 9:14 PMPREACH GIRL!! OMG this Fall is not working for me π Great post!
xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
Happiness at Mid-Life
November 13, 2015 at 4:37 AMTotally can relate to having friends ask about the blog. I get that not eveyrone is into clothes and it's weird when you know they are no into it and feels it's an obligation ot ask. What a fun post!
Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.comWould love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion link up.
Queena
November 13, 2015 at 12:59 AMThanks for your share, and nice post. Very useful tips
KizzyDoll
November 13, 2015 at 3:25 AMAll of these are so true!! It’s already so dark here in Scotland and right now, we are dealing with lots of heavy rains and wind. So ready for spring once more, ha!! Thank you so much lovely for the sweet comments on my blog over my absence, I blogged today to explain π I hope you have been well, and wish you a wonderful weekend xox
Rachel
November 13, 2015 at 9:23 AMOf course, so glad you are back, and what exciting news! Congrats again!
Patricia Luiza
November 13, 2015 at 6:02 AMI have been through these all, I definitely feel the struggle! Especially the daylight saving time, here it’s dark at 4! It’s so complicated to figure out everything and manage to shoot while still making time for Uni and everything else π
Fashionably,
Patricia
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Rachel
November 13, 2015 at 9:22 AMIsn’t it difficult with the time change? Like why, just why?! Why are we doing this haha!
Fictitious Fashion
November 13, 2015 at 7:22 AMI so agree with these points, lady!!! I dunno, 3 can work to your advantage at times π
But 5 and 7.. hello people.. get a life
also 8..
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Hereβs my new post This Time Home Come Have a look π
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Akanksha
Johanna Palka Grange
November 13, 2015 at 1:56 PMOh my gosh…best post ever! I love this!
Amy Ann
November 13, 2015 at 9:02 AMThese are all so true! Ugh, daylight saving time… I also find it hard to have an “off” day when everyone knows I have a fashion blog.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Rachel
November 13, 2015 at 9:16 AMYeah – exactly! And I feel like people super judge me when I have an off day lol.
Sarah Christensen
November 13, 2015 at 3:20 PMHhhhahha, I love this!! I understand what you mean on all these points! To go along with the "Hello Dear" my nother pet peeve is when they get my name wrong… come on!
Great post and have a great weekend! π
xo, The Kissing Booth Blog
Rachel's Lookbook
November 13, 2015 at 3:25 PMHaha – YES! I actually had a company send me an email to a different person and then I got the exact SAME email with my name. So at first, I thought they got it wrong, but then it was just copy + paste, change out the name. I mean I understand each email can't be super unique, I copy + paste a lot of emails when replying back, but come on! Check before hitting send π
Rachel's Lookbook
November 13, 2015 at 3:26 PMYeah, I feel like when some people find out and don't know me well they almost feel like they have to ask me about it – and I just want to say sometimes, I'm so much more than my blog. YES it is my passion but I can really talk to you about anything, no need to make an awkward conversation about fashion if you're not into it π Thanks for your comment!
Rachel's Lookbook
November 13, 2015 at 3:36 PMHaha! Thanks Johanna π
Rachel's Lookbook
November 13, 2015 at 3:36 PMThanks Rebecca! It's nice to know other people understand π
Sweet Sauce
November 13, 2015 at 7:45 PMThis is hilarios, sa and awesome all at the same time! Thanks for sharing and making me feel sane. <3 http://www.sweetsauceblog.com/
Jess Zimlich
November 13, 2015 at 4:09 PMMy favorites are the emails that start out with someone else’s blog/name π Happy Friday!
Sara Strauss
November 13, 2015 at 9:31 PMHahaha yes!!! 100% yes!
~Sara
Rachelle
November 15, 2015 at 1:15 PMOMG all so true
xo
PinkSole
Cynthia @ My Rose Colored Shades
November 15, 2015 at 2:00 PMI can so relate to all of these, especially #1 right now! Thanks for sharing these, enjoyed reading them.
4 Year Blog Birthday! - Rachel's Lookbook
November 20, 2015 at 8:12 AM[…] New YorkΒ (you can see the final ad here)!Β I’m also starting to do more fun posts, like the 8 Frustrations that Every Fashion Blogger Understands post, and hope to share more in the near […]