Today, Southern Meets Chic officially turns one year old!! On one hand, it seems longer than a year because so much has happened, in life and with my blog. But, on another, it seems like a short amount of time because there’s so much further I want to go and so many more things I want to do. I never dreamed when I started my blog that in just one year I would be where I am now! My blog has opened doors and brought me opportunities that I might not have gotten otherwise. I’ve had the chance to work with countless local boutiques such as Trés Carmen Boutique, Gwynn’s, StyleDwell and Peyton William. Then there’s all of the amazing photographers I’ve gotten to shoot with, like the lovely ladies responsible for these perfect pictures, Shauntae and Laura of Amore Photography. There’s also Susan Lloyd Photography, Katie Capo of Catherine Ann Photography, Carissa Cady Photography and Terrence Edwards of Current Visuals. In September, I became the Charleston Market Editor for Carolina STYLE Magazine, which has brought me the opportunity to work with some extremely talented and amazing contributors on a daily basis! I’ve contributed to several other blogs such as Coastal Bride and Charleston Fashion Design. I’ve worked as a stylist or style assistant on some fabulous shoots with amazing teams and have another one of those coming up this week! Most recently, I’ve joined the Scarlet Plan & Design team as a Senior Bridal Stylist. And now, I’m getting ready to head to New York City for Fashion Week!! I am SO thankful to have all of these businesses and people in my life and to have been able to work creatively with each and every one of them! Additionally, I’ve made some of my absolute best friends through blogging!! The blogging community in Charleston is thriving and full of amazingly sweet and talented girls and women who all support each other in a fabulous way. Y’all are the BEST and i’m so blessed and happy to have met so many wonderful people with the same interests as me! Y’all know I love ya!!
Let’s reminisce for a minute and look back to how Southern Meets Chic came about… It all started as my New Year’s 2014 resolution! I had followed so many bloggers for so long and always thought to myself how much I would enjoy doing that! Todd and I were engaged, and I hadn’t been working for a year or two. Having worked all my adult life, it was a bit of a struggle for me to not have something of my own to do. I love being home with my husband, but I needed something to do on my own to fulfill myself more. That’s when I got serious about starting a blog. I made it my New Year’s resolution and purchased my domain on January 2nd 2014. I was trying to get everything perfect (which now I realize will never be that way) before my first post. But, mother nature had another idea!! If you’re a Charleston local, you’ll remember the “Snowmageddon 2014” aka the small ice storm that you northerners would laugh at, but, we never get anything like this!! The streets were snowy and trees completely iced over, making a beautiful backdrop for my first shoot! I didn’t have that great of an outfit to blog, but I was determined to get pictures in this rare scenery. To this day, those lavender Hunter boots remain my most pinned picture on Pinterest! I started SMC not with a business in mind, but as a creative outlet for myself. I needed something to put my heart and soul into that was just a project for me! I had no idea that it would grow as quickly as it has and that y’all would actually be interested in what I’m wearing and my silly and sometimes run on writing. I’m so incredibly humbled by all of you and thankful to have readers that engage and stick with me, even through weeks of no posts!! I cannot thank y’all enough for the past year of support and following!! It’s been a truly magical year and none of this would’ve been possible without my readers!!
Last, but certainly not least, I have to thank my husband, Todd. Not only is he obviously a huge part of my life, but he is an integral part of Southern Meets Chic! While I’ve had the opportunity to work with tons of fabulous photographers, the majority of my pictures are taken by him. No, he’s not a professional photographer, but yes, he’s read manuals and taken classes and practiced, just to be able to take better photos for me. I must say, he’s gotten pretty darn good! I’ve dragged him all over town to take blog pictures, with minimal complaints. He puts up with having to take outfit pics in public and not touching his food before I snap an Insta. Basically, he’s the most patient man on this earth and I am so beyond blessed to have him! This blog truly truly would not be possible without him, whether it’s taking photos or encouraging me to do new things and take new business approaches, he is a driving force behind SMC. And although he says he wants to start a blog about how your spouse shouldn’t start a blog, I’m convinced he’s pretty into it!! Seriously though babe, I couldn’t do this without you and I love you so very much!!
I just want to thank all of you again- the businesses and people I’ve been blessed to work with, my readers and my husband and family- down to my Grandmother who reads every single post, I wouldn’t be where I am without any of you and I am so thankful to have all of you in my life! XOXO
Photos: Amore Photography
Outfit 1: Top: Banana Republic | Skirt: H&M (similar here) | Shoes: Valentino | Necklace: J. Crew
Outfit 2: Top: Banana Republic | Pants: StyleDwell | Shoes: LuLu’s (similar here) | Necklace: J. Crew (similar here)
Southern Meets Chic 