The Year Past

When I started to think about how to celebrate my one year anniversary I decided that I wanted to recreate my first outfit post, Girls as friends. Looking back on the pictures, it occurred to me that my style hasn't changed that much. Scarf, solid neutral top, cuffed pants, short boots. These are all things I've returned to over and over in the past year. I think the actual achievement for me has been that my non photographed, everyday outfits have improved from what they were a year ago. That isn't to say that I don't represent what I actually wear on the blog, because I do. What I mean is that I can now get dressed without all the stressful planning I had to do before and be happy about what I put together. Whether it's a weekend where I'm taking pictures for the blog, or not.

I didn't set out to change my style when I started this blog, I just wanted to feel like I could put together an outfit that would successfully communicate a little bit of myself to the people around me. I wanted to better represent myself when I went out in public. Not just that I was wearing jeans because they were comfortable, but that I was wearing jeans because that was the vibe I wanted to project that particular day. The majority of the time I get dressed with the intention of doing that now, I think I'm able to achieve it.

I started this blog at a time when I felt really lonely, despite the fact that I was in a relationship and living in one of the largest cities in the world. I was struggling with my friendships, my life choices, and I needed something I could look forward to at the end of the day. Now a year later, I'm happily busy with my life. I have plans with friends (some old and reinvigorated, some new budding friendships), I'm doing things that I want to do, and I'm slowly figuring out what things work for my life and what things don't. I'm making small steps to see all the necessary changes through. 

My goals when I started were to get a better sense of my style, reach outside my social circle to make brand new connections and friends, and get out of my rut by having a creative hobby that was fun and something I enjoyed doing. I have far exceeded all of my expectations. I've said it before, but I have met an abundance of amazing women through this blog. I don't know how well I would have made it through some of the harder moments that have happened to me this past year without them. More than being there for all the big crashing down moments, I have found real everyday friends. People I can turn to for the good and bad, the sad and the hilarious. I am so thankful to this blog for giving me a way to meet people who I would have missed dearly had I not given them the opportunity to become such a huge part of my life.

Sucre Sunglasses, JCrew Shirt, JCrew Pants
Vintage Scarf from my Mom, Vintage Boots from Capricious Traveler

Morgan and Lua has become more than just a style blog for me. It has become a keepsake for some of the most mundane and dramatic moments of my life. I'm glad that I can look back on all the trips I've taken and the things I've done in this past year. More than that, I'm grateful I have it so that I can continue to keep track of all the amazing experiences that have yet to come my way.
The only thing I changed about this outfit is that I cuffed my pants an extra roll. I had to wait a whole year to realize that's all this outfit needed. Even though it might not be that easy to see at first glance, this year has certainly changed me.

  
  
  

Thank you so much for being around this past year. Who knows what I'll be up to this time next year!
Don't forget to check out the One Year Anniversary Giveaway!!