In This Post: Even though I wear cute outfits (sometimes) and take pretty pictures, my Sunday Edit posts are all about connecting with you on the real, not so Instagram worthy moments that happen each week. I also include a few of my favorite things!
**This post may contain affiliate links (which means I make a small commission when you shop from them) and gifted items because we all have to pay our bills, and I’d rather keep creating awesome content for you than get a real job. All opinions are my own.**
This Week on The Gem:
- Three Dresses to Add to Your Closet Before Fall Gets Here
- Exploring Savannah, Georgia
- Where to Stay in Charleston, SC: Hotel Bella Grace
- How to Style a Pleated Maxi Skirt
- Most Read Post: How Do You Find Your Purpose When You Don’t Know What It Is?
- Most Purchased Gem Find: Gal Meets Glam Collection Polly Cross Back Pleated Sundress
- Most Clicked Gem Find: London Times Lola Jumpsuit
This Week in Life:
Hi Gems,
Well, I should’ve known that my streak of Sunday Edits wasn’t going to last forever. Between getting the posts up from June’s road trip, all of the sessions I’ve been photographing lately, and a family vacation to the Outer Banks, life has been moving so fast these past few weeks. If feel like the next time I blink, fall is going to be here!
I love my family and getting to spend time with them when we’re away, but vacations together with a bunch of strong, opinionated women can be a lot. After the Outer Banks, one of my sisters and I (along with my little niece) stopped in a quaint little town in North Carolina called New Bern before heading back to Pittsburgh. We stayed at the loveliest bed and breakfast for two nights and it was a really peaceful way to end a week away (I’ll tell you more soon, I promise!). We drove home on Wednesday and I’ve been playing catch up ever since! My anxiety is always crazy the week after I get back from a trip as I start to resettle, so I’m currently fighting lots of overwhelm… still haven’t even unpacked my suitcase…
Looking back though, I am so grateful for all of the travel this summer has included. If I could do absolutely anything, it would be to make a career out of creating content/taking photos while traveling and there were lots of moments over the past months where I felt a few small steps closer to making that a reality.
In other news, in case you couldn’t pick up on it in my recent Exploring Charleston, South Carolina post, I’m MOVING TO CHARLESTON. I don’t hear from my gut often, so when it speaks up, I know I need to listen and Charleston just feels right. I’m not sure when yet as I need to figure out how I’m going to pull this off, but I will definitely be moving to Charleston at some point within the next year. I’m currently planning another trip down there to look more closely at neighborhoods outside of the city and I’m looking forward to that!
Keep scrolling for this week’s shines and struggles, what I’m loving, photos from this week, sales you don’t want to miss, and what I could use your help on!
Shines:
- I had three really awesome family photo sessions this weekend (I’ve included some previews of them below in the “This Week in Photos” section!). I love being able to capture memories that these families will have forever!
- So so so grateful for how many people have been reaching out to me about having me take their pictures. Photography is something that I’ve been doing all along for the blog, so it feels good having two revenue streams that align with each other. It gives my mind fewer directions to think in!
- I confirmed a big blog project this week that I’m looking forward to working on!
- There’s more money than there’s ever been in my business bank account. I mean, I’m not talking anything crazy here, but it means I can start thinking about investing in a few things that will hopefully help me grown (I’m thinking either an upgraded camera or maybe a virtual assistant!)… But then I get overwhelmed about what to invest in and I start to fear making the wrong choice, so we’ll see. Thanks for that, anxiety.
Struggles:
- STILL trying to come up with a new blog name to call this space. Please send help!
- With how crazy life has been lately, I’ve really neglected organization (in my office, house, inbox, hard drive, and basically everywhere) and now everything seems like more of a mess than usual.
- While some things happening right now are exciting and amazing, in a lot of other ways. I’m really struggling right now. I am so overwhelmed, Gems. There’s been so much nonsense going on in the background from a water main break that destroyed my front yard and flooded my basement, to a really shitty family situation that my hands fell tied to help with. My business – writing, photography, blogging, connecting with all of you – that’s my livelihood. When things come up that take away from that, it’s not just taking off from “work”, it significantly heightens my depression and anxiety while taking a direct hit on my income. I’m struggling to find balance in upholding the significant progress my business has made lately while being available to my family for support and taking care of the ridiculous things that you have to handle as part of being an adult. No matter where I put my attention, it feels like something else falls to pieces in the background.
Currently Loving This Week:
- The “My Auntie Is A Gem” onesie my niece is wearing in these photos! I’m pretty sure Carter’s made it just for her (or maybe just for me). Shout out to Chelsey over at Cricket Lane Studio for DMing this to me on Instagram (after which I purchased it in every size, lol).
- This oxblood ruched shoulder crop jumpsuit. I know I’ve already told you about it, but I wore it twice this week and it’s just my favorite thing for looking stylish and staying comfortable.
- This chambray romper is such a steal. It’s a classic piece that you’ll be able to wear year after year. I cannot believe the price!
- I’ve noticed my skin has been looking a little dull and tired in photos recently (probably because I haven’t been taking care of myself as much as I usually do). Coincidentally, Pixi Beauty sent me some of the skin treats from their Vitamin C collection at just the right time. I love the glow and radiance the Vitamin-C Serum, Vitamin-C Tonic, and Vitamin-C Juice Cleanser have brought back to my complexion!
This Week in Sales:
- All AE jeans, joggers, and shorts are currently 25-50% off including these under $20 wide leg cropped pants, these under $30 super cozy joggers, these under $25 high-waisted paper bag pants, and these under $40 playful shiny leggings.
- Get 40% off full-price styles at LOFT with code FUNFUNFUN. Here are my picks:
- Take an extra 60% off with code OMG60 at Show Me Your Mumu. I’m loving this corduroy skirt for the summer to fall transition, this flowy fall-ready dress, and the pomegranate color of this midi dress.
- VIB members take 15% off with code SUMMERSAVE through 8/27 at Sephora.
- Check out what Gal Meets Glam Collection dresses are currently on sale here.
This Week in Photos:
At the beginning of the week, my sister and I were in New Bern, NC photographing The Jarvis at 220 and some fall outfits! I spent the days after trying to catch up on life and content before closing the week off with a few family photo sessions! Oh, and I also shot a campaign image of myself for Reko Pizzelle.
Asking for help on:
- I would really like to start expanding my blog in the travel space more! Pinning any of the images from my travel-related posts would be so wonderful of you. Thanks in advance!
- Please let me know if you ever see typos in my content! I’m a one-woman show and it’s always so helpful when people catch the mistakes a miss.