polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

Yee Haw! I Missed My Own Blog Birthday!

August 25, 2019 / 28 Comments
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
This is not a sponsored post.

Yesterday was my 4th blog birthday and I totally missed it! I was busy fixing some glitches and security issues on my website. So frustrating! And now I am realizing that there are still all sorts of wonky things going on when you view my site on different browsers.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

I personally prefer Safari and I always forget to check how my site appears in Firefox and Chrome and on mobile devices. I don’t even have Firefox installed so I have no idea what all you Firefox users see. I am noticing on some really old posts, the images are all flipped upside down and sideways on mobile view and Chrome. I can’t figure out how to fix it. But they appear in the correct orientation on Safari. I am frustrated to the point to ignore it for now, at least until my technological patience returns (which may be never).

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Top: Target (Old)
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Clutch: Target (Old)

As much as I love my little blog space and the creative process from writing to styling outfits to collaborations with brands and bloggers, the technology piece still baffles me. I try to avoid anything to do with it if I can. I reformatted my entire space about 3 years ago (just one year into my blogging journey) and it caused me so much stress that I vowed to never do it again! I made a few minor changes yesterday, more by accident than anything else, but I don’t think I am quite ready to take on the challenge of a complete makeover.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Jeans: Old Navy (Old)
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Boots: DSW (Old)

I do understand that keeping things fresh and new is super important. But there is something to be said for keeping some things just as expected. Most people resist change anyway. And I want my blog to feel a bit like home when you visit. I don’t want you to get all confused about how to navigate your way around if I start switching things in a dramatic way. (See how I can justify my own resistance to change?)

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Earrings: Shelbee’s Shoppe (Old)

That being said about keeping things in the realm of the expected, I also relish in doing the unexpected. Quite often actually. A creature of habit, I am. But I do love to add a bit of shock factor into things every now and then as well. I like to escort people straight out of their comfort zones and push them to look at things somewhat differently than they normally would. I also like to open the conversations on topics that most of us are uncomfortable discussing.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Slouchy Hat: Linda Gibbs Handmade
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

There are too many people in this world for us to ever feel so alone when we are coping with uncomfortable things. Chances are if you are dealing with some obscure issue, there is someone somewhere who has traveled that path before you. But you will never know unless you open up the topic for discussion. Put it out there, whatever it is, and you will find a community of people to help you navigate your way through it. This blog as made me realize how very true that statement is.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Lace Bralette: Torrid (Old)

We are surrounded with this crazy technology that has the ability to connect us to billions of people in the world. Our daily lives are inundated with social media connections. All we have to do is put something out there and we will get a response of some sort. And it is the connections that help us survive the insane journey through this chaotic life. We have always been connected by certain forces, our reach was just a little smaller. It seems now that our reach is without limits.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Necklace: c/o Happiness Boutique (Old)
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

So for now, I am not going to give you a list of all the things I have learned in the past 4 years of blogging. I have learned a lot and sometimes I think I haven’t learned nearly enough. I have not grown tremendously in following and readership, but my personal growth has been astounding. For that I am ever so grateful. I will keep trudging along, nurturing this baby of mine, for as long as it brings me joy. You should do the same. With whatever is bringing you joy.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
Belt: Bed|Stu McCoy Belt
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

To celebrate my blog birthday, a day late, all I ask is that you keep reaching. Keep sharing. Keep connecting. Keeping reading. Keep writing. Keep creating. Keep spreading kindness. Keep shining your beautiful light into the darkness. Keep living because living is what were put here to do.

polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired
polka dot top, crop top, cowgirl boots, fashion over 40, distressed denim, Western inspired

Here’s to four more years of blogging. May I have that much staying power!

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Shop my look:

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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