5/12

Sister Style: Slow Down

Sister Style, Style
By Elsie Larson

Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016In a few months we’ll celebrate ten years since the first post here on A Beautiful Mess. And while there is so much to celebrate, I’m feeling the need to slow down and ponder all that’s happened with our small company. It’s been a miracle in so many ways. Ten years ago no one was trying to be a “full-time blogger”. It was a different world, and one that I often miss. People blogged solely to share, solely for fun. In those days, most of the blogs I followed shared their daily lives and a few just shared random things they found beautiful, like decor and design.

Fast forward ten years and so much has changed. There is incredible opportunity in the blog world, both  for bloggers and for brands. We’ve created our own little industry and I’m so proud of that. With that said, I do feel nostalgic for the beginnings of our own journey. So for the next few months, I plan to set aside time for a lot of reflection. Entering a new decade in blogging is something I never considered. I had no idea we’d do this for so long. And now there’s no end in sight. So I feel like it’s time to try to envision what these next ten years could be, or at least what we dream them to be! Because, really, it’s up to us to decide.

Keep scrolling to hear Emma’s thoughts. 😉

Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess 2016 Elsie’s Wearing: Jacket/Madewell, Necklace/Madewell, Dress/(similar), Purse/Ruche, Bossy Pin/Moorea Seal, Clogs/Swedish Hasbeens (probably my favorite pair of all time!!)

Take it away, sister!!

Oui Fresh Good Vibes tank Pins! Red purse white sandalsMy, my, how the time has gone by so fast! There are a few things, like you, Elsie, that I miss from the good old days of blogging. 🙂 I guess the number one thing I miss would be the low stakes. It wasn’t an industry or a “job” at first, and there were a lot less people reading, so there wasn’t as much pressure as there is now. And low pressure situations tend to be more fun, or at least less stressful. (Obviously) I also think the Internet and social media moves so fast that when you think about having to be creative and keeping up with all of that forever, it can feel overwhelming. Sometimes I think I was built for a slower-paced world than the one we live in right now.

But my goodness I would be remiss if I didn’t point out all the truly amazing things that blogging has given me. I have a career I LOVE where I get to make things and connect with people from all over the world. I get to own a small business, write books, travel, take photos, cook stuff, make things, work from home, we got to donate a house once (!!!!), and the list could go on! Sometimes it feels like I have to give so much to keep up with blogging, but I’ve also received so much in return. It has been a crazy wild ride so far, and I’m excited to see what the next ten years holds for us – no doubt it will be full of changes and new challenges.

I personally LOVE to constantly (maybe too much at times?) reevaluate and try to big picture plan – so glad I’ll be coming to Nashville at the end of this month to shoot cookbook photos, and we can also talk about blogging for, like, EVER while we’re together, sis. Sounds like a good ol’ time to me. 🙂

Emma Chapman Emma of A Beautiful Mess Good Vibes tank Red purseEmma’s Wearing: Shirt and Sunnies/Oui Fresh, Jeans and Jacket/Levi’s, Shoes c/o Seychelles from Threadsence, Purse c/o Modcloth, Flare pins: The Uncommon Place, Georgia Perry, Greenwich Letterpress, Hello Apparel, The Golden Girl Rum Club.

Credits // Emma’s Photography: Janae Hardy, Elsie’s Photography: Amber Ulmer. 

42 Comments

  • HOW (Besides coming to your adorable town to get a terrifying drink with legs in it) can I get my mitts on one of your little Golden Girl pins??

    Reply

  • You ladies are so inspiring! It’s great to hear your thoughts on how blogging has changed. Congrats on celebrating 10 years soon!

    Both outfits are so cute! I can’t wait for Oui Fresh! Elsie, I’ve been saving up for a pair of Hasbeens. Do you think they run true to size? Or do you usually go up or down a size?

    Thanks, Ladies!
    Laura
    http://laurelandfern.com/

    Reply

  • Happy (almost) 10 years! Ya’ll should share some of your favorite posts from your beginning days- maybe from year one. That would be neat to see how things have progressed!

    Reply

  • I love this post!

    Emma- do you happen to know what “number” style your levis are? I love the way these fit and think we have similar body types. I’m on a quest for the perfect jeans!

    Thanks so much!
    Rachel

    Reply

  • For now that’s your only option as we don’t sell them online. But hey, not a bad option, right? 🙂 Just might be a lot of travel depending where you live. 🙂

    -Emma

    Reply

  • Yep, the quest for perfect fit jeans. I know it well.

    I just checked (as I’m at home and these are in my hamper) and I can’t find the number! It should be something in 500s but I don’t see anything on the tags that fits that. Sorry!

    I do like Levi’s though, I usually try on about 5-6 different kinds when I go and most of the time I find one that works for me. Usually jeans with a little stretch is good for my body type (a pear?). Anyway, good luck!

    -Emma

    Reply

  • Congrats to 10 years!!

    You both look adorable. I need both of those purses…. but can’t find them.

    Reply

  • thank you so much Reenie!

    For my purse, Ruche is sadly closing so they’re having clearance sales and it’s probably gone. I’ve had it for a few months.

    xx- elsie

    Reply

  • Congrats! Okay, so I’ve been reading ABM for about six years now. You girls were a big part of what made me want to be a lifestyle blogger in the first place! I used to talk to my daughters about your blog.

    It was so inspiring to take an e-course before e-courses were well-known. It was so motivating to learn about business in blogging, when it was just starting out. Then, things changed. The industry changed

    I decided to take a loooong hiatus, like two years or so, to reevaluate, because of the changing times of blogging. I had small successes with my old blog and shop and it definitely taught me a thing or two.

    Talk about serendipity! It was fortuitous I found this post today because I am rekindling my old blog.

    I too have missed the good ole’ days of blogging! To be honest, I think a lot of people do. I’ve decided to get back to what I do best, which is lifestyle blogging!

    Despite what I’m always reading on the internet, I believe I can make a living with a more personal blog. I believe people need to do what they’re passionate about and what makes them happy. The money will follow.

    The reason for the long speech, is that I’ve been waiting for this moment. I don’t mean it in a smug way at all. I just knew in my heart that if I was feeling the way I was, other bloggers, like you, must be feeling it too.

    I’m so happy for you that you’ve decided to do you! I think you’ve found your happy place and I seriously can’t wait to see what creativity and self-expression comes from it.

    Sincerely,

    Laurali Star

    Reply

  • I have been reading this blog every day for the last 7 years. It is so comforting to know you have no intention of stopping. I want everyone that is a part of this blog to know that you have an impact. I am always inspired by everything that is shared and consider reading a part of my daily routine. Thank you for all that you do! I especially love Laura’s posts 🙂

    Reply

  • SO many congrats on reaching a decade. I think many of use will be yearning to have a post like this of our own in the future. You are right about the want to reflect more and remember blogging when it was a bit simpler. I’ve been wondering that a lot and almost feeling a little stifled by the movement that has hit blogging. But, in the end, I am still inspired everyday by this community and the content they create.
    Chelsey | http://www.chelseythornton.com

    Reply

  • Haha fair enough. Wonder if I could convince my husband to basically pay hundreds of dollars (plane ticket) for a pin…

    Reply

  • The little rug at the entrance of the house for Elsies pic is so pretty. I am looking for a little accent rug like that. Where is it from? thanks ahead of time! xo

    Reply

  • Thanks so much!! I don’t regret anything we’ve tried through the years. Every stage and phase has been a good learning experience. But yeah, deciding where to evolve next is important to us right now.
    Gotta keep it fresh and inspiring (to write!) xx- Elsie

    Reply

  • I can’t believe that blogging has been going for that long now, and that it’s been almost 10 years for you both! It’s amazing what you’ve acheived in all those years and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next! (Also, I am so excited about your clothing range!)
    xo April | April Everyday

    Reply

  • Seriously can’t believe it’s been 10 years for y’all!
    You guys are such a huge inspiration to so many people, including us and our blog! But we’ve admired your work long before we started blogging ourselves, and I think the reason that so many people do is because, despite your huge success (totally well-deserved!), you’ve managed to keep it genuine. Genuine interaction with your readers, genuine emotion behind your posts, and just consistency in who you are as A Beautiful Mess.

    Thanks a million for being who you are and doing what you do!
    Looking forward to see what the next 10 years brings!

    XO,
    Jenna and Cortney
    A Whimsy Wonderland
    http://www.awhimsywonderland.com

    Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.