First blog post of 2025 and I must say, I’m feeling a wide range of emotions. For starters, this will be my 10th year since I’ve created my brand, “A Styled Mind,” and what a journey it’s been! Countless photos, videos, fashion weeks, and consistent writing has all lead me to this point. Though I’m not sure I could’ve predicted where I’d be, and still feel like I have a ways to go, I am beyond grateful for how much I’ve grown and the gradual elevation that’s come with each year. After a decade, I’m definitely looking forward to refreshing my platforms in a variety of ways while staying true to my core love of fashion, continuing to share personal style tips, and providing encouragement to build a wardrobe that makes you look and feel your absolute best! This was actually the last outfit I shot before the holidays and like the previous one, I was determined to pull majority of the items from my closet. Being a fashion content creator, it’s no secret that I am shopping more than the average person. That said, there are still times when I feel like I have “nothing to wear,” and that is a mindset I am aiming to diminish this year. Not saying that I plan to give up shopping entirely, but I want to put forth the effort to get more use out of the pieces I already own while challenging myself to create new looks and rework those I’ve previously worn. I am slightly ashamed to say that this blazer dress had been sitting in my closet for at least 3 years with the tags still on. For whatever reason, I either forgot about it or the opportunity to showcase it never came up; that is, until now. I was honestly debating rocking this embellished frock on it’s own with a pair of sheer tights, but I figured, “why not step further outside of my comfort zone?!” I also remembered I had this metallic pleated maxi skirt, and despite absolutely hating the first ensemble I created with it, I decided to give it another try. To my surprise, the layering created a chic and sophisticated take on “occasion dressing,” while still maintaining modern and playful elements. Since I chose to ground the look with a classic patent pump, I added a bit of edge with some sleek black sunnies, and finished it off with a minimal box clutch featuring silver hardware. As I enter this next chapter, I’m excited to expand and push the limits of my capabilities both personally and professionally. At the end of the day, we can either be our harshest critics or our biggest cheerleaders, and I’m choosing to make strides that I can reflect on and be proud of. Thank you for your continued support and I can’t wait to see what is yet to come. Happy New Year!