[Chelsae Anne | Photography]

DRESS, BAG, HEELS: (c/o) Neiman Marcus/SUNNIES: (c/o) Vici/TEE: Similar here

Fact: I’ve never worked in the fashion industry.

I mean, I’ve assisted a stylist but that’s about it. I never attended school for fashion. I never worked at a magazine. I never worked at a fashion PR firm. Now that I think of it, I don’t really have a formal background in fashion. [scratches head]

Fact: So when I sit down at my computer to write about fashion, sometimes I hesitate. Not because I don’t love fashion – I do, I’m obsessed (that’s why I have a blog) – it’s just not always my specialty. I love styling. I know I have a good eye. I’m good at improvising with what I have in my closet. But, truth be told, I’m better at writing about real life.

You know those nights where you’re wearing mismatched pajamas lying on the sofa with a face mask on watching reruns of “Sex and The City” stuffing your face with ice cream at 1AM thinking to yourself, “I love Carrie. She’s so authentic. How can I be like her?” [takes deep breath, stuffs face again] I recently had one of those nights.

Carrie, if you think about it, was a blogging pioneer. And, interestingly enough, never really wrote about fashion. She wrote about love, her feelings and her trials and tribulations with dating. She wrote whatever the hell she wanted to write. And when she wrote, she was vulnerable. Women could relate to her stories. She was successful because of that. Not because of fashion. Funny, right? Because as far as I’m concerned she was a fashion icon during her heydays. And so so fabulous, right?!

She was also honest when she wrote. She was uncensored. Her words came from the deepest parts of herself. She was willing to go out there and discover things (many times, those same life experiences inspiring her stories) and take risks – in dating, in life, with her clothing, in everything she did. And every time she did that, magic happened.

I get it, not everyone loves, “Sex and The City.” It’s slightly unrealistic (i.e. her apartment in NYC, her closet (#goals), her salary, those shoes, etc. – whatever, I don’t care). I get it. But I can’t help but take a life lesson or two from her character…

I recently sat down with a friend who used to work in the fashion industry. (When I say “work” she was a beauty and fashion writer at a major publication for many years so yes, she’s a big deal.) We talked about fashion and what it means today. Something that’s been running through my mind ever since. “What does it mean to me… my blog,” I’ve thought… [scratches head again]

Anyone with decent taste in fashion can make a blog or a career in the fashion industry and peg themselves as “experts.” I’ve never claimed to be that person. When I think of my blog and where it’s headed, I envision a closet full of Manolo’s, much like Carrie a la “Sex and The City” the movie, and well, something more than a place where I talk about fashion as if that’s the only thing that’s important in my life. I’m more than that and so are you because we’re all a product of our experiences, like Carrie.

To me, Carrie included, fashion is about self-expression. It’s an attitude. It’s a preview into a person’s life. It’s about telling a story. It’s about being passionate about something. It’s inspiring. It’s about taking risks. It’s about making a statement. It’s about bringing people together. And so is life. And my blog. And Carrie Bradshaw.

If you haven’t caught on by now, I’ve been interested in pursuing more open writing on here for a while. So starting today, The Style Bungalow will be just that. It will be “me.” A place where I’ll share my stories (be it fashion, life, dating, relationships, struggles, etc.) in hopes that it will connect with you guys on a deeper level…

“In life we do things. Some we wish we had never done. Some we wish we could replay a million times in our heads. But they all make us who we are. And in the end they shape every detail about us. If we were to reverse any of them we wouldn’t be the person we are. So just live, make mistakes, have wonderful memories. But never ever second guess who you are, where you have been and most importantly where it is you’re going.” – Carrie Bradshaw

Xo, Stephanie

P.S. If you’re a fashion blogger reading this, I would love to hear your thoughts on what your blog means to you!

P.S.S. Yes, my bag is on sale.

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