I've had just about every career path that I can think of, at this point. When I was a little girl, I wanted to grow up and be just like my father. When I got to high school and realized that math and science were not my strong points, but that I loved performing, I decided I wanted to be an actress. For the next 10 years, that was my focus. When I graduated from college, however, I realized that the life I had planned out in my head did not revolve around the transient lifestyle of a successful actor. I loved my restaurant job, and threw myself into that, which evolved into an event planning job. And on and on I went, until I asked myself a really important question: what do I spent my free time doing?
This was 2010, just after having moved into a new apartment and at the beginning of my relationship with Raven. I was at the very beginning of what would be 2 really bad (but wonderful in many ways) years, filled with anxiety and lots and lots of pain. I completely isolated myself and spent the majority of my time at home, reading blogs, dreaming up outfits and decorating schemes, fantasizing about being anywhere except where I was. I felt completely creatively drained. I would go to work, come home, sit on the couch on my computer, go to sleep, wake up and do it all again.
Ever present was the aforementioned question: what do I spend my time doing? Slowly but surely, over the next two years, I began to focus more on what I did in my free time; dreaming about style, helping friends with their outfits, and reading blogs. Out of that LRW was born, and while some people may wonder how I randomly ended up working as a stylist (or maybe just my paranoid brain is telling me that they're wondering), when I look back at little Allie, the signs of my fate were clear.
Age 2: Instead of following my father around his office, I accost the mothers in the waiting room. I say things like "I like your neck-a-lace" and "I love your eyeshadow." I also occasionally go through their purses.
Age 3: I wear my bathing suit as well as 15 necklaces to the beach. I bring along a purse as well. My family affectionately calls me Mr. T. I do not find this funny.
Age 4: I ask my mother, "When you die, can I have your wallet?"
Age 5: My mother buys me a romper with strawberries on it. I call it my "strawberry dress" and insist on wearing it constantly.
Age 10: The summer before 6th grade, my mother takes me back to school shopping. Back in my room, I lay out each piece we bought, then write down in my journal all of the combinations I can make with them.
Age 13: My life revolves around the purchase of a Tiffany necklace and a Kate Spade purse. I beg my parents for both (they eventually relent).
Age 16: I find my prom dress at the BCBG outlet. I decide I'll wear it with a smoky eye, a sleek bun, and a single flower. I still love the look to this day!
Age 20: I scour celebrity gossip mags and discover two LA boutiques - Kitson and Intuition. I spend a great amount of time figuring out how I will afford true religion jeans.
Age 23: I buy (to my knowledge) my first ever plaid shirt. A love affair begins.
Age 25: I decide to put all my creative energy into my everyday outfits. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Age 28: LRW is born!
I know it's a bit of a self indulgent post, but I've been thinking a lot lately about starting this series - style stories - where I explore how I got here and maybe even share posts by some of you! So, I'd love to hear - how did you discover your style? What childhood memories do you have about clothing or style?
Happy Monday, friends!
xoxo,
top image by Ashley Caroline.
