Answers to no one

During the holidays it can be easy to get carried away with sponsored posts. Everyday my inbox would yield at least one request to mention, style or feature one product or another. While I try to only work with brands I'm genuinely interested in, there is still a limit to how much I want to do, or how much I should.

When I started out blogging the idea that any company would ever send me free stuff just to wear it on my blog was the farthest thought in my mind. While I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've received over the years, I've come to realize that the more work I take on for others, the less the blog feels like my hobby and the more it feels like a job. Sponsored posts mean working on someone elses schedule and terms - and often they aren't upfront about them.

I want this blog to be a place you want to visit, so I need to make sure it's a place I love to work at. I'm not saying I will never agree to another sponsored post (my collaboration with Shopbop is still on going through this month) but I will make sure the brands I post about are ones worthy of your time, as well as my own.

I'm not the kind of blogger who only wears clothes from the 'new arrivals' section; many of my favorite pieces are vintage or thrifted, TJMaxx is my favorite place to shop, and the jeans I'm wearing in this post are literally 10 years old. (It freaked me out a little when I realized that). And darn it all if these brand new lace-up flats are sold out at Gap already!

I am Chic on the Cheap. Cheers to a new year of celebrating style on a budget!

Striped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-1.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-2.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-4.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-3.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-7.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-5.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora-6.jpgStriped shirt, camel blazer, denim, fedora.jpg
The Rundown
Striped Turtleneck Ralph Lauren via TJMaxx similar
Camel Blazer Vintage similar
Jeans Max Studio via TJMaxx
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Grey Fur Pom Amazon
Navy Fedora J.Crew similar
Earrings Thrifted
Ring Thrifted
Nail Color "Nothing Else Metals" Essie
Dog Chloe
Pearl Leash Fabuleash
Red Sweater TJMaxx




23 comments

  1. You lucky lady, I can't believe you found those Gap flats! I've been search high and low, to no avail. But on a more important note, I completely understand what you mean. When I blogged professionally, I felt obligated to take on as many collaborations as possible, and the more I took, the more seemed to come in. When I went back to working full time, I really struggled with how to do it all and, after a couple of incidents where, as you said, the sponsors weren't upfront about their timelines and expectations, I hit the point where I'd had enough. I took on dramatically less sponsors in 2015 and it was the best decision I could have made. My blog is, after all, about my style, not someone else's, and yours is the same. I genuinely don't think others notice often we do or do not take on sponsors but at a certain point, we start to feel it and when that happens, the best thing to do is reevaluate. Looking forward to seeing what 2016 will bring for you - and to seeing more Chloe cameos! Happy New Year!
    xox,
    Cee

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  2. Ahhh..the pup is too cute! Happy New Year!!

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

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  3. I scaled WAY back on sponsored posts when I finished grad school and started working full time - it was just a lot easier and made so much more sense for me. So your approach seems pretty sensible to me.

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  4. Sometimes I feel at a disadvantage in the blogging world because so many of my clothes are old or thrifted. But as far as my closet goes, there is a reason so many of my pieces have stuck around. They are classics! I wouldn't change that for the world. That is one of the reasons I follow your blog, you have so many classic pieces and have a timeless style!

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  5. I'm glad you chose to do what you liked best! I'm sure it's not easy turning down sponsored posts. Happy 2016!

    xo, Alice | Miss Inconnue

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  6. I feel the same way and it is for that reason that I actually read your blog and not just get inspired by what you're wearing (although there is that too!). I do some sponsored posts, but I turn down a lot as well if they are not something I am into (ahem, fitness gear--did one post but that was when I truly was into exercising) or if they ask me to post about their site and don't expect to reciprocate anything at all (I'm sorry, but that's just bad form). I love your blog and I can't wait to see what it holds in this new year! Happy New Year Lydia!

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  7. I've become more selective with the companies I work with too. I love your outfit! Happy 2016!

    http://elementsofellis.com/

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  8. Happy New Year Lydia! My blog is my little creative outlet space and I try to put up posts that represent who I am and what I love and inspires me. I find that I'm happier putting up content under my own terms. I rarely do sponsored posts anymore because of your very reason.

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  9. I love your stripes with that blazer. Happy New Year!

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  10. Yep! I know what you mean! I haven't had many sponsored post requests lately but I've slowly been saying no to more and more of them because they just don't go with my blog. So good for you for doing the same and keeping your voice!
    (Still super jealous of the Shopbop collab though)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  11. HNY Lydia ! You and Chloe look great in your sweaters, seems like winter has finally kicked in... I am kicked out, but still alive :) Hugs.

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  12. I did wayyyy less collabs in 2015 and I loved it. It's good to be selective. Love this classic look.

    xo
    PinkSole

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  13. I think I love your blog because it's not about the latest things out there. I love that you make what you have in your closet current. Great classic look!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

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  14. I love that you feature both old and new pieces and really stay true to your style. Your blog is one of the first blogs I started reading and I still find inspiration here, so keep doing what you do! Here's to a great 2016 :)

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  15. You continue to do YOU and Live your dream in 2016.

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  16. Great post! I feel the same way about sponsored posts. I wouldn't post anything with a company or product I wouldn't purchase or use myself. Great outlook! Happy 2016!

    Eleventh & Sixteenth

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  17. It's important to stay true to who you are. Although I work with a lot of brands, I make sure to pick pieces that reflect my style. I love this camel blazer with your stripes. I have been on the hunt for one myself.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  18. Kudos to you for being true to yourself! Your style and voice has always been inspiring. Do you chica! Love that hat and the flats :)
    Happy New Year! Xo,
    Annie
    newenglandromance.blogspot.com

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  19. 10 years old or not, this outfit looks fab on you! I totally agree with your sponsored post assessment. It can be hard to turn down sometimes, but I like that my blog is run by my own terms, and no one else's. We got to be true to who we are!

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  20. man! I am so mad the flats are sold out..I would have snatched them RIGHT up...love them- the whole look is fabulous. THAT HAT! thanks for reminding me to pull mine down from the top of my closet! ha.
    Happy New Year.
    C

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  21. What a great post for a New Year. I have not had nearly as many collaborations as you but I swear I have said No to more than I have said Yes to because at the end of the day I have wanted to stay true to myself, my style and my readers. I love this fun relaxed outfit Lydia. The bag with pom charm, hat and shoes make it for me. I wish those laceup flats from Gap weren't sold out either. Darn it.

    Happy New Year Lydia Beautiful! Ada. =)

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  22. You do you, that is what keeps us coming back and you should love where you work. Its your brand for goodness sake!

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