Where did LyvRoxStyle come from?
Where do I get inspiration for topics? Why did I take a break from LyvRoxStyle? What tools am I using to produce a more consistent and productive schedule? How do I decide where to draw the line with social media? What makes LyvRoxStyle different from the others?
I’m discussing all of this today in honor of my 4-ish year anniversary!!
Where did LyvRoxStyle come from?
My friend, Kacy and I, were going to watch football games with the boys one Saturday. She posted a picture on Instagram and used #lyvroxstyle. Kacy and her now husband, Clint (Minimal Cletus), started this conversation about how I should pursue beginning a fashion blog because of my light heartedness towards having fun with fashion.
Sidenote: I am so SKINNY in this picture. I was very into smoothies and running at this time, which made me TOO skinny. I probably weigh 15 pounds more now and I am very happy about that. The Pilates Studio has helped change my body for the better! Gary, Mary and Wendy are amazing!! Here’s the link to their Instagram page.
LyvRoxStyle actually started in 7th grade when I purchased my first Harper's Bazaar and saw fashion for the first time.
It began when I decided to go against the grain and dress how I wanted instead of blending in amongst the crowd. My journey began in a middle school bathroom where I hid crying because my peers made fun of me for dressing different. And when my father sat me down and reassured me that being an original was much more special than being a copy.
So in December of 2014 I built LyvRoxStyle.com through Squarespace and scheduled a photoshoot with Laura Fulmer.
I put together I think four looks for that shoot. The four looks were just outfits I liked! There wasn’t a “plan” or any particular reason I chose the pieces we shot. I just thought ok I have to put together some vibes that other girls aren’t doing on Instagram.
But I hadn’t thought it through, like at all. So when I got these beautiful pictures back from Laura it was just kind of like, what now? When do I post these? How often did I post these? I didn’t have any direction or a plan of action. I didn’t know what my INTENT was for LyvRoxStyle.
I just wanted to help teach others how clothes can channel your inner wonder woman. I also wanted to spread the message that being confident in how you dress doesn’t make you materialistic.
I was trying to be a “fashion blogger” something that I wasn’t even sure was?! This can’t end well or work out right?!
These are questions I ask myself NOW when beginning the thought process for a shoot. How are you going to make this relatable to everyday life? Will there be price point options for everyone’s budget? Is this a trend you personally like or enjoy or are you talking about it just because other people are discussing it?
That last question is a big deal to me because I WILL NOT write about a trend just because other bloggers are pushing that idea or look, if something is not for me, then it’s just not me. So then where do I come up with these ideas?
Where do I get inspiration for topics?
It’s simple. I write about items that are in my shopping carts online or at stores. What are the details of these items? What is the reason I am buying them? Is this a product with longevity in my closet or it something I might throw away next year?
What are people talking about on Instagram etc? For my fall content I wanted to discuss how the presence of 90s fashion was back in our lives! After the first of the year I’m writing about how western influence is back in fashion as well. These ARE NOT original topics, other influencers are discussing them too. I’m just here to tell you how these topics resinate with me and my fashion style.
In the beginning I put so much pressure on discussing topics that other bloggers weren’t featuring.
I remember once in the Summer of 2015 I wanted to write about how I was wearing bandanas. Anyone who knows me and sees me on a daily basis can attest I wear a bandana as a scarf like ALMOST everyday. If we’re traveling I’m wearing one around my neck in case I need a headband later, like it’s my thing. Well I saw another blogger posting pictures of the same subject and content. And I was mad. But why am I mad?! I AM A DUFUSS!!!!!
Now I have a different mindset where, of course we are going to be discussing the same things! It’s fashion!! It’s just up to me to differentiate myself in the feed and for readers to decide if they’re drawn to my style or not. I just have to be ME and I can’t sweat anything other than ME because that’s all I can control.
I see this NOW but in the beginning, I did not and I let it consume me. I had no direction, I didn’t know what I was doing, I was putting all this pressure on myself for what was supposed to be a hobby! It was supposed to be something fun and uplifting. And it was dragging me down and taking away from my personal life and the life going on around me.
I decided to take a break.
I plugged into other outlets that built me up where I felt satisfied.
Ya girl became a full blown fishing chick. I LOVE catching fish! I don’t catch big ones on my own, Chris has to help me with the ole’ bigs!
Even just puttin around on my kayak with Otis catching and releasing Brims became therapeutic.
I was deep in that lake life mindset!!
I actually caught this catfish but REFUSED to touch it.
I started using this treble hook and the catfish loved that damn thing! You’ll notice in the picture before I’m wearing a glove because if I went out without Chris I had to get the hook out myself.
Also, during this break I was helping my mom and family care for my Grandfather who was battling his fight with pancreatic cancer. I would drive them to chemo appointments and there were serval periods of time where he was hospitalized and fashion just wasn’t a priority at that time.
But I missed the writing.
So I started researching the proper tools and ways to get my ducks in a row to produce a better LyvRoxStyle.
What tools am I using to produce a more consistent and productive schedule?
I found a New York blogger, NotJessFashion, who was extremely transparent and upfront about what tools she used to maintain her hectic schedule. Many were apps such as Trello and UNUM. Trello is great for creating a schedule and staying up to date on projects. It displays where each project stands in the process of completion. It’s like a virtual content calendar. UNUM assists with scheduling posts if you know you won’t be near your phone or computer at any particular time. It also gives insight into the analytics of your followers on Instagram so you have better idea on content performance and connection.
I also have a giant paper calendar with sticky tabs of topics for discussion. I utilize the apps, but I enjoy just touching and writing on this calendar myself. It’s my content calendar and as of right now I already have planned out until the end of February what I’m going to discuss each week. Most of these topics have already been completed in photoshoots. I like to stay two months ahead of schedule so I’m not back to scrambling for content or quality visuals to use. I still wear the outfits I post and discuss but I don’t want to ask Chris to take picture of me every time we go somewhere. It takes away from the moment. Chris manages 185 employees everyday, do you think he gives a shit about taking a picture of me in front of a brick wall with the leaves blowing just right?! Of course I ask him to take picture of me still but not like I did in the past. It looked something like this…
More often than not, this is what I look like on a daily basis.
I’m not hiding the fact that I enjoy being make-up free and dirty in the yard or on the kayak, but I also don’t want to share every aspect of my personal life.
How do I decide where to draw the line with social media?
I put together well thought out photoshoots so that I can delivery great visual content; NOT because I’m pretending to be something I’m not. Don’t ever mistake these photos as me pretending to be well put together EVERYDAY. My close friends know that, but maybe you’re new to my site and you don’t know me personally.
If so, let me catch you up to speed! The words you are reading, are me, this is who I am, I’m this way behind a computer and in front of your face. And even though I push out these post with pretty clothes I still go through shit, just like you. Right now at this very moment my heart is heavy and I am praying for a loved one. I’m praying for guidance in how I can support them best.
This is me.
On a day to day basis, we’re a pretty silly family.
But that’s what makes the silliness special, because it’s between us. EXCEPT when Chris crushed me in the clear stand-up ball and I went FLYING in the air, the world most definitely needed to see that and I’m waiting for Barstoolsports to use that video.
What makes LyvRoxStyle different from the others?
Because there’s only one Lyv, the most well known, unknown fashion junkie.
Since I haven’t been writing for the full four years the website has been alive, we’re treating this like a middle school relationship and celebrating 4-ish years!!
I will never be able to express my gratitude enough to those of you who encouraged me to pursue this avenue of sharing my voice for fashion.
And to those of you who take time to read my words and reach out to tell me your favorite parts! I cherish those messages.
I hope that my journey shines some light into your heart and your closet, because being you rocks.
-Lyv
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