I’ve been styling some fall looks for a (literal) hot minute counting down the days until fall, but as I realized that that meant the official end of summer I got a bit sad just thinking of everything we did, accomplished, struggled with, and learned this season.
Usually I pop in here to give styling tips, but today I wanted to use these beautiful pictures that my photographer-friend Tuy took of me at Coronado Beach to accompany my end of summer reflections and highlights. For those of you who are interested in this outfit I will still link the exact or similar items.
About the Outfit: Cabi Eyelet Coverup (similar here) | Headband (similar) | Black round sunglasses | Black Slide Sandals
SHOP MY LOOK
Reflecting on Summer 2019
Summer 2019 was interesting because I feel like every summer has a theme – from those partying days of summer where the theme was how many pool parties and Vegas trips can we fit in, to the summer we got married, to my pregnant summer where I was addicted to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream because a cold alcoholic beverage was off the table, to the being a new mom summer still figuring things out- this summer felt like a season of searching for a deeper purpose in different aspects of my life. (I know it just went from 0 to 100 in seriousness real quick and I bet you weren’t expecting that)
When it came to my blog and social media presence I struggled with what I was doing here and if it was worth all of the time and effort I put into it. I am still passionate about what I do here and how I can be creative in my own right which is the main reason I continue to show up BUT I realized that I needed to put strategy behind it for once in my freaking blogging life! I’ve been blogging for over 7 years and I haven’t really thought about the long-term plan here, and since I don’t intend to make this a full-time career because I already have one, I never really took it as seriously as I should. The main thing I wanted to figure out, and still am is my WHY and purpose here – because it certainly isn’t for the free stuff or the followers. And guess what? I’m not going to sit here and tell you I figured it out because I haven’t, but I do feel like I’m closer to it than before. For one, I finally accepted that it is a business and as such I started to invest in it and learn how I can make Lil bits of Chic better and most importantly how I can connect with more of you and embrace the feedback.
The rest of my summer was consumed with motherhood, family and work. Motherhood is one of those things that consumes me and snaps me out of things to be present. When I am in the company of my little man, I can’t do anything else (which may or may not be a good thing). Being a mom is my #1 priority and is the engine to the other aspects of my life, he is my reason why. While I knew my purpose there, the struggles for me are to “balance” or manage everything. Between motherhood, being a manager at work, a blogger, and life it has become increasingly difficult to find time for myself and that is the struggle I currently have.
On the work front, I am developing more as a leader and even took part in a leadership program which again sent me into a tailspin of figuring out my why professionally. After a six week program, I started to feel more confident about leading people and my philosophy when it came to it and finally defined my why there. Are you seeing the theme here? I’m finding those why’s! I finally embraced that I need to steer my team and I need to motivate them just like I would like to be motivated.
Summer 2019 Highlights
Between motherhood, husband, family, work and blog it was a summer on-the-go! Some of my favorite moments of this Summer were the pool days at my mother in law’s house, the family time, seeing Julian experience things for the first time and going through the leadership program at work.
On the blogging front, I had so many great opportunities with some of my favorite brands. I booked some awesome gigs, like the Macy’s campaign at Fashion Valley that heavily advertised my visit to their store and in turn my neighbor, and a few co-workers discovered I was a “blogger”. I also got more into the art of fashion – I scoped out runway shows, I sought inspiration and feel like I have a more defined style now. I am less inclined to give in to fast trends that come and go in the blink of an eye and have embraced the classic styles.
Let me know, what were the highlights of your Summer?
Best {Fashionable} Regards,
Paulina
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Pictures by Tuy of Photography Yours & Mine
