December skies and the Eve of the New Year

December 9, 2013

Posted 09/12

^^What am I doing? The robot??^^

Coat: Sheinside
Sweater: Sheinside
Tank: c/o Love Threads
Coated Denim: c/o Henry & Belle
Boots: Jeffrey Campbell (sold out but similar)
Tote: c/o Balielf

Its only December 9th, but I already have my New Years resolution…

If you have read some of my more recent posts you may have guessed there has been an inner struggle going on with my role as a blogger. It IS my part time job, but it is also an extension of who I am. They seem to butt heads sometimes. To refresh your memory, I almost quit blogging altogether every month…

I battle the line between wanting to share raw honest content and wanting to share only aspirational work. The fine line between Dirty laundry vs. Highlight Reel. And whileI have had this on my mind all year, the resolution is only now slowly forming.

I guess I am just realizing that with millions of new blogs starting each year, I might as well stop trying to chase what I think this blog should be and just start breathing more naturally…putting out content that is a darn good reflection of what I love most in this world. Surprisingly, clothes are on the bottom of that list. Its fun to play with fashion, but honestly, I could give away my closet and I would be find with a uniform. Maybe I should where a uniform for a week and then see how I feel about that before saying it out loud…but you get the idea;)

The solution to all these stirrings? There is probably no perfect solution, but I have a pretty good idea of my resolution for 2014…
My hope is to blog with more quality over quantity. More intention over obligation. The truth is I will never be able to separate myself enough from the blog to push it as a professional business. It just doesn’t feel natural.

The direction of the blog will remain lifestyle and design, but you will start to see a shift. I will be introducing a new year long project and hope it will make this a space that can continue to be one that pushes me in writing, photography, art direction, and purposeful motherhood. And if you haven’t yet read this post by Sydney, I highly recommend you do so whether you are just a blog observer or a blogger. It echoes so much of what has been on my mind!

Whew! Lets get to it! Just a few weeks here before I will be taking a blog break, so hope you enjoy what I have lined up in the next few days and thank you for always being so much fun to blog for! Your encouragement keeps me going!

x, Anna

P.S. Speaking of not caring all so much about clothes;)….had to share how much I love this awesome leather tank. Layered it in this cold rainy shoot and also wore it out to The Drybar/ Nexus7 event. Its so versatile which why is what I love about it!

*All photos by the ever talented Chelsey Heidorn

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Christin says:

December 9, 2013 at 4:10 pm

i am right there with you on all of this. i totally get it. you need to do what is best for you and your family!

Reply
Francine Weber says:

December 9, 2013 at 4:23 pm

Good for you! I’m excited to see how this changes, and I’m glad to see you trying to do and focus on what you truly love!

Reply
Sandy a la Mode says:

December 9, 2013 at 4:30 pm

i concur with you exactly!!!! i want to blog with more intention and quality… and NOT quantity. it is soo hard though, to not blog 4-5 days a week! but the world will move on if i miss a blog post, haha!!!

Reply
Rachel McClintock
says:

December 9, 2013 at 4:55 pm

Good for you! Lives are always evolving, especially families lives. You don’t have to justify any sort of change if you see the face of your blog changing. Your creative outlet/business is amazing to watch grow and get to read a couple times a week but really, there are more important things like you are alluding to in this post. Thank you for the constant reminder (and Mrs. Sydney!) that this is a piece of your life. You ahve to live your life before you can document it! Do YOUR thang woman! But in the meantime, thanks for sharing all this time. I am excited to see your changes! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Reply
Megan says:

December 9, 2013 at 5:04 pm

I will be right there next to you in this new blogging venture sister. love you and your heart and your blog. xxx

Reply
Andrea says:

December 9, 2013 at 5:06 pm

I’m a new reader here and let me tell you just how much I adore this blog. With that said, I applaud your inner reflection about your blog. I feel that way too, even though my blog doesn’t quite have the following yours does. Quality over quantity is the best thing to strive for in my opinion. As far as the raw vs. professional… trust your heart on each post.

We like you for who you are and what you choose to share.
🙂
Andrea

Reply
Jana says:

December 9, 2013 at 5:13 pm

You’re blog is beautiful and I have loved reading this year. That being said, I look forward to what’s to come on IHOD! I love the raw, honest content type posts. The clothes are pretty, but as a reader it’s more about the other stuff for me. Again, looking forward to it!

Reply
Gina_AcuteDesigns says:

December 9, 2013 at 5:30 pm

I have been making the same shift to quality over quantity and it feels so much better! For a while I pushed myself to blog what I felt my blog “should be” rather than what I really wanted it to be. I am not sure where it all comes from but it feels good to go in a more natural direction. I am looking forward to these changes on your blog in the new year :).

Reply
Jenmarie says:

December 9, 2013 at 7:09 pm

Quality over quantity is important and something I’ve thought a whole lot more about this year! It makes me worry a lot less about my blog and I’m much more confident in my posts!

Reply
Colleen / Inspired to Share says:

December 9, 2013 at 7:44 pm

Love your honesty, Anna. I can so relate! Quality over quantity is my resolution, too. 🙂 xoxo

Reply
jillian
says:

December 9, 2013 at 8:23 pm

love this post and i cant wait to see what’s in store for 2014!

Reply
Allyssa says:

December 9, 2013 at 10:03 pm

I’m seriously loving that tote! SO cute!

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Adri says:

December 9, 2013 at 10:09 pm

Thank you for being to so open. While I’m fairly new to blogging, I think your post just serves as a reminder to go at our own pace with the blog. You’re incredibly talented and can’t wait to see where you take your blog:)

Reply
kelsey says:

December 10, 2013 at 2:22 am

really beautiful coat!
ladies in navy

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Mama Bear says:

December 10, 2013 at 2:38 am

Beautiful post as always my dear. I am so excited for the changes to come! Good for you! xoxo

Reply
Kate says:

December 10, 2013 at 5:18 am

I love this sweater with this coat.

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Victoria | Oh So Pretty says:

December 10, 2013 at 5:37 am

Yes yes YES to everything you’ve said, Anna. I saw Sydney’s post a few days ago and now reading this – everything has resonated with me. I don’t know why or how blogging has become what it feels like a chore… it’s not why I started, and everything you said is right on point. “more quality over quantity. More intention over obligation” – perfect. xo

Reply
Jessica (Coco/Mingo) says:

December 10, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Oh, I am so excited to see what’s in store for IHOD with the new year!! Change is always a hard thing, but I know whatever you have in store, it will be wonderful! And I think that as long as you are true to yourself then anything you do will be fantastic! BTW, beautiful you, beautiful meadow!!

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Plum Pretty Sugar says:

December 10, 2013 at 11:30 pm

Such a lovely candid post! We’re excited to ring in the new year with upcoming changes and prettiness!

xo

http://www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

Reply
Kelly Brito says:

December 11, 2013 at 3:03 pm

I absolutely get you. I’ve been thinking just about the same. Specially because, differently from you, blogging is not even my job.
On a side note, what a kicking-ass outfit! I’m out to check those links! 😉

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Amanda Marshall says:

December 12, 2013 at 8:47 am

Anna I hope you know that you encourage and speak truth to countless women through your blog. I can’t even imagine how many are touched by you on a daily basis. I know I am. You are so sincere and honest, and I admire that you don’t need to wave your dirty laundry on the internet so we know you’re not perfect. You are real in every post, even if it’s a lighthearted one. You are an inspiration and example of a loving Mother, wife, and a woman living out your God-given gifts with joy, creativity and energy. I totally feel you on blogging second to your family – I am with you!! And I know it will make this space even more remarkable. Love you, friend!! Thanks for being such an awesome encouragement to me and sharing with us all on here!!

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