Stepping It Up

I was helping a regular guest in my store out the other day. She, like I, is a huge fan of all things fashionable. As we were talking she started talking about her blog. Which caught me off guard. Not because I wasn't aware of her blog, but because she's honestly a busy, busy lady. She styles freelance and moonlights as a bartender. Plus on top of it all I'm pretty sure she has little ones to chase after... or not not really 100% on that. I shared with her how amazed I was at her ability to juggle it all and shared with her my want to do the same. However, for me, I'm currently working two jobs to the tune of 50+ hours a week. How could she possibly have the time? Then that glorious aha moment hit me. It's not a matter of having, so much as it's a matter of making the time. She gave me her card, her encouragement, and left me feeling inspired. When I got home I surfed over to her blog and was rather impressed. It is well conceived and executed while being true to who she is. Or at least how I perceive her. I say all that to say, it left me charged up! I LOVE clothes! I've always been passionate about fashion, styling, creating and much more. If she could do this, then I definitely could! I've always wanted to have my own fashion/lifestyle blog... but... the time! How do I add to my already full dance card without further adding to my work/life balance struggle? I know it's about making the time, so I plan on being more vigilant about that. I really want to step it up and share things that make my journey richer. It may not be a dramatic, over night change but I promise to definitely give it more than the old college try going forward. My focus is now more defined, since I feel that it will help as far as giving you a better frame of reference of me! So this may be a mini re-re-launch, (and a bit Bob's Burgers' of me to do so) but it is time! Hi! My name is Maria, and welcome to This Doll's Life! It is a lifestyle blog, with a strong focus on fashion and a fashionable way of living! The new focus will be the five Fs: Fashion, Food, Fitness, Fun and Fundamentals! So let me tell you about me and my lifestyle, and hopefully, you'll return. My love of clothes began initially as a love a sewing, instilled in me by my Aunt Pamela at the age of 5. I for all the major glossy mags. At one point in high school I held a double subscription to W; one for cutting... one for keeping. I always drew my own designs in the margins, in lieu of taking thorough notes. A love of fashion is what got me picked by a friend in high school to costume a small production she had. I always loved the theatre and seeing productions regularly (thanks Mom!) while growing up. Naturally, marrying my love of fashion and theatre was a win! So with an indomitable spirit and ready to 'change the world' I set off to college with the 'sensible' major of Technical Theatre. (My parents thought it was more sensible than a Fashion degree). Through a series of (what I thought at the time were) unfortunate events, I ended up a decade after the fact, graduating with a degree in Fashion merchandising, with Theatre and Business minors. It really is funny how a plan comes together, despite life's obstacles. As for the rest of the Fs (food, fitness, fun, fundamentals) they are all areas that I some how have gathered the rest of my knowledge base in along the way. I have always been active. I took dance from the age of two through high school and taught for a year. I was active in track & field and cross country from 4th grade onwards. Add to that a handful more of activities growing up. I come from a fat city full of fat, foodies and fine cuisine. I was raised in the heart of Dixie (Birmingham), surrounded by comfort food, prized family recipes, and some stellar (but not often hyped) restaurants. All of my non-fashion work experience is in the service industry; front and back of the house. Now while fun is objective, I feel I have a solid grasp on it. I've always been of the mindset that if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong! As for fundamentals... I have a host of tips and tricks up my sleeve to hopefully make your life easier at some point. So with all that being said (you made it this far into my ramble ::snaps::) I'm off to figure out what I need to do to get to that next level for you.