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.
This week has been awesome, friends. I appreciate all the love and I'm glad you guys are enjoying my posts lately, because I'm really enjoying writing them. This Sunday I am heading up to CT for my nephew's 3rd birthday; I haven't seen him or his brother in months, so I'm really excited for some QT. Other than that, we're lying low and I've got a lot of LRW work to do! What are you up to this weekend? It's supposed to be in the 70's steady for the next week, woo hoo! As always, you'll find my favorite links of the week below...
