
The holidays have ended. Our Christmas tree has been gone for quite some time, and there’s no more festive music to be heard.
The reality of this year is crashing down around us, and I, especially, am feeling the dread of reality setting in. The first few days of the New Year I was ridiculously pumped up and motivated. I’ve never been so excited about the direction my Instagram and blog are going in, and I’m seeing results by way of actually gaining followers again (slowly, but surely after a plateau that’s lasted for months). However, I also started to realize that my wedding is supposed to be just 9 months away, and financially … we’re not ready in the slightest. I’d love to say that I’m ridiculously positive and believe that we will get there and have a fabulous wedding and honeymoon. But the fact of the matter is: reality isn’t sparkles. It’s not all sunshine and unicorns and fun times (as much as we wish it could be).
That being said – I am doing what I can to keep a positive mindset and keep pushing forward. And I’m wearing as many sparkles as possible to make up for the lack of sparkles in my everyday life. I want to keep it real with you guys. I try to maintain a positive vibe throughout my entire blog, and 99.9% of the time, I’m able to keep up with that. Sometimes I just need to face the butt that reality is, and be up-front. While I absolutely adore what I do as a blogger, I know I wasn’t able to start out the way most people should. I didn’t already have a steady job that I added a side hustle to. I was in bed, battling a stomach disease, hoping that maybe I could make something of myself with this thing. I didn’t have the money to invest in getting it started, and it’s been a lot of work along the way. All I can do is continue making it the best blog it can be with what I have, and keep smiling and being myself – hoping that people will come back for more!
This is me. I wear sparkles even when my life doesn’t seem so sparkly. I love vibrant colors and I always try to keep smiling even when life is getting me down (though I do fail at that sometimes). My fiancé makes me happier than anything – especially when we get to be creative together. One of my favorite things is going to get macarons and a mocha latte at Whisk, the French café that’s stolen my heart in downtown RVA. I’m constantly battling a really horrible stomach disease that there’s no cure for. I can’t wait to get married – whenever that actually gets to happen. And I’m immensely grateful for all of the miracles that God has placed in my life that remind me on the daily that there’s just as much (if not more) good than there is bad in this world. Stick around, and you will immediately be considered one of them 😉
Outfit Details
top | pants | belt | similar necklace | similar shoes | similar bag











Deddeh says
You have a way of putting a smile on my face when reading your blog, you are so beautiful and sweet. Love this look girl.😘
Deddeh says
You have a way of putting a smile on my face when reading your blog, you are so beautiful and sweet. Love this look girl.😘
Morgan Klein says
I couldn’t agree more! Sparkles are the best. I love your jeans too – they have the perfect amount of rips and fit you so well!
Ruth Ridley says
Green is such a great color on you!!! I Love the pop of pink!!
Mary Powers says
The more sparkles, the better! That’s awesome about your growth!! That’s such a great feeling!!
– Mary
http://www.MissMaryPowers.com
Maggie says
Sparkles are always ok!! I love this beautiful green sweater on you – it is perfect!
Haley Stanley says
Hey girl! Thanks so much for being vulnerable and sharing the deeper things going on in your life! That outfit is SO DANG CUTE and I love it. I’m subscribing now! 🙂
Oh to Be a Muse says
Your necklace is so cute and I’m glad you’re keeping the sparkles going. You still have a lot of time to plan your wedding. You’ll find a way to make it work.
Morgan Klein says
I couldn’t agree more! Sparkles are the best. I love your jeans too – they have the perfect amount of rips and fit you so well!
Stephanie Konkle says
These heels are so fun! Love the hot pink color!
xo, Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
Ruth Ridley says
Green is such a great color on you!!! I Love the pop of pink!!
Mary Powers says
The more sparkles, the better! That’s awesome about your growth!! That’s such a great feeling!!
– Mary
http://www.MissMaryPowers.com
Maggie says
Sparkles are always ok!! I love this beautiful green sweater on you – it is perfect!
VERONICA OLSZOWSKA says
I love how positive you are! keep shining girl! xx Vee inloveandlacebyvee.com
Naomi says
Love love love the sparkles and this is such a pretty shade of green. Plus the fun pop of pink from your shoes and that gorgeous necklace ties the whole outfit together. I love that you go for sparkle no matter what time of the year.
xoxo Naomi
http://www.myfairolinda.com
Haley Stanley says
Hey girl! Thanks so much for being vulnerable and sharing the deeper things going on in your life! That outfit is SO DANG CUTE and I love it. I’m subscribing now! 🙂
Anna English says
That green top is so fun! I never would have thought to pair it with coral heels.
Candace says
Sparkles are definitely not just for the holidays. Green is actually one of my favorite colors to wear year round. That pop of coral on those heels is really nice against the green and black. You always look so classy, Stephanie!
Morgan of Traveling Trendy says
That’s all we can do is keep staying positive! I’m with you, when my mood is down, I find that bright colors help me feel a little more cheerful. I’m also obsessed you you styled this outfit with the pop of pink pumps. Adorable!
-Morgan of Traveling Trendy
http://www.travelingtrendy.com
Oh to Be a Muse says
Your necklace is so cute and I’m glad you’re keeping the sparkles going. You still have a lot of time to plan your wedding. You’ll find a way to make it work.
Nataly says
Keep your head up pretty girl! I know that things will work out the way they are supposed to and your wedding day will be so stunning! I love your outfit too!
Kylie says
You are rocking the sparkles!! And green looks SO good on you! ❤️
Julia says
OBSESSED with that belt!
sarah lindner says
Sparkles? Very intriguing, loved the outfit! <3
Xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.TheHouseOfSequins.com
Talina says
I am going heart eyes over this whole look! That sweater, those shoes – omg! Love it! xo
Kylie says
You are rocking the sparkles!! And green looks SO good on you! ❤️
Nicole says
I always love reading your posts! I love your outfits and all the bright colors! Shine bright babe and sparkle on!
Lavenda Memory says
OMG Babe I totally agree! Love me some sparkles too. Great pop of red as well!
Helen says
What a gorgeous story and thanks for sharing girl. I love hearing about how and why people started and to see how far they’ve come on their blogging journeys always puts a smile to my face!!
Your photography and content just keeps getting better and better and you should definitely feel damn good about it babe xx
H xx
sarah lindner says
Sparkles? Very intriguing, loved the outfit! <3
Xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.TheHouseOfSequins.com
Tanu says
You look lovely in this green and your story touched my heart 🙈
Azanique says
This top is gorgeous girl! I love how the shoes are a pop of color 🙂
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
Helen says
What a gorgeous story and thanks for sharing girl. I love hearing about how and why people started and to see how far they’ve come on their blogging journeys always puts a smile to my face!!
Your photography and content just keeps getting better and better and you should definitely feel damn good about it babe xx
H xx
Kileen says
I am totally loving this color combo!! These heels are so cute girl!
Kileen
cute & little
Amanda says
Love how transparent and honest you are, Stephanie! I’m sure your wedding will come together and be everything you hoped for!
Ana says
I really admire your strength and how you stay positive through tough times! The fact that even when you stumble upon circumstances that make life hard and do a small gesture such as wearing sparkles to try to stay positive. The universe knows this, trust me and soon this will all turn around and we’re all going to be reading you post about your GORGEOUS dream wedding 🙂
Sharon Wu says
such a cute look darling! i totally agree with you — it’s never too late for some sparkles, in fact, life would be better if we had some sparkle everyday hehe <3 thanks for sharing some of your sparkle with me today! i love that green sweater on ya 🙂 xo, sharon of http://www.stylelullaby.com
Tonya says
YES! I am loving all this positivism! I have that same dreadful feeling after the holidays sometimes! ANNNNND, your outfit is on point! Love how you styled it with bright heels!
Amber Nall says
Love that you are posting your truth here! So brave as many are scared to do that! Your outfit is so cute!
Ashley says
Yes girl! I couldn’t agree with this more! It’s never too late for sparkles! I love this outfit!
January Rizzo says
Love how you styled this outfit & loving the fun pops of color! Beautiful pictures
Tonya says
YES! I am loving all this positivism! I have that same dreadful feeling after the holidays sometimes! ANNNNND, your outfit is on point! Love how you styled it with bright heels!
Greta says
You should wear green all the time. It makes your eyes and hair pop!
Ashley says
Yes girl! I couldn’t agree with this more! It’s never too late for sparkles! I love this outfit!
January Rizzo says
Love how you styled this outfit & loving the fun pops of color! Beautiful pictures
LuxMommy says
Love everything about this ootd. Those shoes and sweater are so fun together. That belt is my fav!
LuxMommy says
Love everything about this ootd. Those shoes and sweater are so fun together. That belt is my fav!
Steph says
The color combo here is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. The heels are fabulous.
XO,
STEPH
@TRENDYININDY || TRENDYININDY.COM
Brittany Boone says
Sparkles are always a must any time of year and I love this necklace!
BNBstyling.com
Nina says
Looking gorgeous babe! Love the pop of color!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Lacey says
It totally is never too late for Sparkles! Green is your color girl! Gorgeous!
xx,
Lacey
Brittany Boone says
Sparkles are always a must any time of year and I love this necklace!
BNBstyling.com
Nina says
Looking gorgeous babe! Love the pop of color!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog