Good things take time.

Good Things Take Time

03.31.14

“Good things take time”. Despite the fact that I’m not a particularly patient person this sentiment has really resonated with me over the past few months. I also thought it was a great way to kick off the second year of Style Bee and reflect on some of the good things that have taken shape over the past year. So here goes…

1. Personal Style – It’s been about 1 year since I published my first post on Style Bee (see it here) and to be honest it actually feels like a long time ago but I can certainly recall shooting that very first outfit. I was so nervous and super awkward with my tripod and remote out in the park where dog walkers and new moms were passing by giving me perplexed sideways glances. It was oddly exhilarating having to just ignore stares and carry on. At the time I thought I had a great sense of personal style but soon started to realize that I had a long way to go in defining a unique look that truly represents me. I’m getting a lot closer these days and learning to follow my instincts rather than impulses has made a big difference. One thing I’ve noticed about people with great personal style is that they figure out what works for them and roll with it rather than trying to keep up with every trend. To me personal style should endure and evolve with you as your priorities and lifestyle change. So year two of Style Bee is going to be about establishing and/or pushing my style boundaries to figure out what really works and what really doesn’t.

2. Self Confidence – Believe it or not I’ve always been shy, I mean painfully and socially debilitatingly shy. So putting myself and my personal opinions out into the world on such a public platform was both terrifying and liberating at once. Something only a few people know is that soon after I launched the blog I was met with a lot of both unexpected support (which was great) and criticism. One individual in particular seemed set on bringing me down. Every time a new post went up, sure enough there was a snarly, aggressive comment ‘awaiting moderation’ in my inbox. Of course constructive criticism is something we must all embrace, especially in a creative field, but blatant insults, not so much. At first I tried to be receptive and positive but the comments became just downright mean. So after a good cry, or should I say a good meltdown, on the phone with my Mum I realized had to decide whether or not to let someone I didn’t know with an opinion I didn’t value bring my blog plans to a halt. Of course, I decided not to let that happen which was a major turning point for the blog and myself personally. In the end I almost have to thank that annoying crumb of an internet critic for forcing me to take a step back and evaluate what I was up to. More so I should thank the ‘blacklist’ plugin that helped me block them from my site.

3. Appreciation – On that note, I must say a massive and official THANK YOU to you for visiting Style Bee and supporting my creative outlet whether today is your first visit or one of many. I am so grateful for those that encourage and support what I’m up to on here. I know I’m not curing cancer or reinventing the wheel by any means but knowing that I can bring even the slightest inspiration to your day means so much to me. You make all the effort that I put into this blog more than worth it. So once more, Thank You from the bottom of my blog and heart!!

4. Opportunities – Blogging has introduced me to some seriously inspiring people and unique brands but it’s also helped me reconnect with friends I’d lost touch with. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with other bloggers, small boutiques and large brands alike and I can’t imagine how that would have ever happened otherwise.

5. Priorities – In the last year a few priorities in my life have switched gears. Buying a 100 year old house in need of lots of help has definitely put a spin on the meaning of ‘free time’ but I am absolutely in love with our little place and just beaming with outrageous amounts of pride at the work my partner Dave has done. “Good things take time,” could not be more accurate in describing renovations.

6. Plans – Now onto the new! As you may have noticed, Style Bee has a new logo, layout and feel to it. I felt it was time to freshen up the blog’s identity to better reflect how my taste and aesthetics have evolved over the last year. What to expect? Lot’s of new style posts, more interior design focus (as our little house comes together more and more) and of course the Bee’s Knees and Wonderful Weekend posts will continue. I hope to bring you lots of great reasons to visit Style Bee in 2014!!

If you made it to the end of this post give yourself a pat on the back, she was a heifer!!

4 comments
03.31.14
Style

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  1. Natalie says:

    This is a great post! I am also coming up on my one year anniversary for my blog and I feel like I was bursting with new ideas for my blog and really wanted a fresh start. I said goodbye to my old title and domain and rebranded and felt awesome about it! I think it’s so fun to refresh a site and start over in a sense, plus it really does bring great inspiration to you. I’ve always loved following along here and your perfect instagrams 🙂 Can’t wait to see what else you have in store for the second year of Style Bee!

    Natalie

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hey Natalie, Thank you so much for the lovely comment! It does feel great to start fresh and realign some plans and goals. Your new site looks incredible and a huge congratulations on launching your freelance and print shop! You’re illustrations are too cute! xo

  2. michele says:

    Wow! love the new look, Lee!

    Thanks for sharing your upcoming plans and always nice to find out more about you! Can’t wait to see what you are up to! You have such a witty sense of humour and effortless style! xx