Project Revamp is a Total Failure

The truth is that I have been in the process of revamping this so long that my amazing graphic designer is now too busy with real impressive gigs to complete the work. Go me.

Pity party over!

This year I hope for two things. One - I hope to read twelve books in twelve months. (What can I say 50 or 52 is just too ambitious for me, but do it if you can deal with that type of pressure.) Two - I hope to figure out of this is something I even want to continue with. At one point I wanted nothing more than to make this into a career and now... now I am not even sure what this is. Three - pay more attention to my own personal health and well being. So I lied, three things I hope for this year.

Get it Girl: Confidence

Here is a little secret. People are attracted to others with confidence. Yup, it is true. Stop obsessing over the number on the scale or the number on a tag. Stop beating yourself up for the cookie you ate. Stop comparing yourself to every female in your life or on the street. Stop. Stop it all.

Wake up tomorrow and figure out one thing you love about yourself. Wake up the next day and figure out something else. Continue this until you no longer give a shit what other people think. What matters is what you think about yourself. Once you realize that, life just gets easier.

Spread it like wildfire. Build yourself up and pay it forward. Stop surrounding yourself with negative people.

And stop living for anyone else but you.

The End of an Era

If someone could explain to me how I gained more views and followers while on an extended hiatus I would greatly appreciate it :)

But with that said, I'M BACK!!

Reality is, I have no idea where this is going. Some days it will be fashion based, others it will be about whatever I feel like posting.

I've been through hell and back and only hope to show that you are not alone AND you are stronger than you give yourself credit for!

#StopHatingYourself #BreakTheCycle

Sometimes

....I go to write something that would be incredibly awesome, if my thoughts just didn't sound so damn cheesy :)

A Little More of You by Ashley Chambliss

Spent enough time in your arms to know
Just where I want to be
I've heard your voice enough to know
Just what I need to hear
Baby I'm right beside you

All I need is a little more of you
All I need is a little more of you
All I need is a little more of you to go on

Laughed with you enough to know
Just how I want to feel
I've been with you enough to know
Just why I need you
Baby I'm right beside you

All I need is a little more of you
All I need is a little more of you
All I need it a little more of you to go on

Take a chance and open the door to me
Just let me in open your eyes and see
Baby I'm right beside you
I'm right beside you
I'm right beside you

All I need is a little more of you
All I need is a little more of you
All I need it a little more of you to go on

I'm right beside you
I'm right beside you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OROYEN3iklI

Twenty-One

Things I would tell my twenty-one year old self:

• ENJOY THE F*CK out of it. Seriously. And laugh. A lot.
• Work your ass off. Even if you are not interested in what you are doing. Someone will notice AND it will pay off.
• Travel. See all you see. Do all you can do. Let go. Be open. 
• Figure out a way to love yourself. Life gets easier once you do. 
• Get in your car one day and just drive.
• STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP!
• Be careful who you make memories with... those memories last a lifetime.
• Never, ever settle.
• Laugh at the people who tell you it cannot be done. Appreciate the ones who know how great your accomplishments will be.
• Once you thing you have it all figured out, you will be more lost than when you started. Go with it.
• Trust yourself. Seriously. Try it out.
• People will disappoint you. Even the ones you least expect. And there is no way getting around it.
• Break your own heart.
• Understand that many do not have your passion your thoughts, your outlook. And this will break you time and time again. Stop letting it. 
• It doesn't get easier. The pain doesn't lessen. You just get better. And you adapt. 
• And one day something will happen when you least expect it... and all the insanity will just be worth it.

Today was that day for me.

I Won't Give Up

...on myself.

Too Ambitious

Is there such a thing? I've been told over and over and over again that I am too hard on myself and that I never celebrate my accomplishments. But for me... they are just stepping stones and until I am living the end goal, I see no reason to stop. Good is not good enough for me. And I know I am not alone!

The Next Chapter of The Realistic Fashionista

Ladies, when someone breaks your heart remember one thing: you owe them nothing. NOTHING. Yes, I am back. And fresh off a breakup. It took me a long while to figure out the direction of the blog- and now I have it.

This is going to be an outlet for REAL posts for REAL women because although other blogs would love to have you believe that life is picture perfect- it could not be further from the truth. The angle: #thisisthiry

Thirty is not easy and it is not always pretty, but over these next nine or so years, I will bring the realness because I KNOW there are plenty of women out there who have been where I have been and need at outlet.

Years ago someone (Aaron Wilson, London UK) told me they saw me having an 'Oprah type influence.' That was NINE years ago and I did not understand what they meant or what they were talking about.

So, to the next chapter of The Realistic Fashionista.... and to finally trusting my instincts. 

AOTD: Fall is Totes here

Crisp, fresh, cool air! Boot season is sooooo close! Perfect with them and plaid- this tote from Madewell. Crisp, fresh, cool... screams Fall is here! 

Marissa Webb Spring/Summer 2014

What I expected: clean lines with extreme attention to tailoring and detail. What I got: everything I expected PLUS a very long wish-list! Webb just get its. She knows what women want and how they want to feel- sexy, but effortless, girly, but comfortable, edgy, but not to edgy and fashionable, but affordable. If you aren't obsessed yet, then you must just be crazy!

 ...Just a few of my favorites...

Head over to Style.com to check out all the looks!

AOTD: TOMTOM Jewelry

Can never go wrong with some chevron. If I could afford it, I'd own this amount of each piece. For now I have to settle for this picture from their website. A girl can dream ;)

AOTD: NYFW Day 1

Perfect fall addition to any outfit. Happy Fashion Week!

AOTD: I'm back!

Always make a statement with bright colors. (Earrings from Topshop)

Taking Time

I have been posting less and less on all forms of social media- I have decided to take the rest of the summer to decide what direction I want to take this in. Thank you for following me up until this point! The following is what has kept me going :)

Pick my ACCESSORY OF THE DAY

@allisonraff: Pick my next #accessoryoftheday for me to post on #Instagram tomorrow morning! #fashion #blogger #accessoryaddict

Prickly Hearts & Seesaw

@allisonraff: I need something cute to get my long hair out of my face on these hot summer days- which #pricklyhearts #turban should I go for? Check out the entire collection at pricklyhearts.etsy.com #shopping #summerstyle #fashion #etsyfinds #etsy #affordable

The Realistic Fashionista + RocksPaperMetal

@allisonraff: Do you like it? If so head over to RocksPaperMetal.etsy.com to save 15% with my promo code FASHIONISTASONLY off all their products ;) #etsy #discountcode #shopping #fashion #etsy #rockspapermetal #accessories #neonsummer

AOTD: Rocks Paper Metal

Head on over to www.RocksPaperMetal.etsy.com to check out these amazing pieces and so many more! Save 15% by using coupon code FASHIONISTASONLY ;)

Everything is handmade and they even do custom pieces. 

Nails Nails Nails

@allisonraff: Which one? #DIY #nails #nailart #cosmic #metallic #neon #leopard #fashion #styleblogger

I can't decide… which is why I put them on Seesaw! Help me choose which one for my next manicure :)