One Year Later
So, it’s been a year. Officially. One year since I was like, “okay, I’m going to do it.”
Starting a blog is hard, keeping up with a blog is even harder. This year was a massive change for me. Right around the time I started the blog, I quit my job, and with it I quit a lifestyle I had grown very much accustomed to. I started a new 9-5, began taking freelance design clients, worked with Joe on our home renovation, all while trying to keep up on the blog. One year later, first I have to say it’s scary how fast a year goes, and second, I’m nowhere near where I wanted to be. I realized I needed to re-evaluate how I get things done, why I post what I post and who I was my new brand.
Looking Back to Look Forward
Recently, I took on more at work. I took on more business. I focused less and less on the blog. As I started to write and post less, I knew it was time to take a step back. I wasn’t sure if I was “worn out” or I didn’t have the time or there was no point. So, prior to the last few posts, the last few weeks before that, I actively chose to not post anywhere, I limited my social media posts, and I focused on design work. I wanted to see if consistently doing design work for others, and not worrying about all things blogging (searching topics, writing, spellchecking, SEO-ing, taking, editing, and posting pictures, coming up with creative topics, linking links, and tagging tags) for the simple joy of sharing what I know and love, would satisfy me.
The answer? Not a chance. I missed this. I crave this. It’s what I’m good at, what I want to do.
My New Brand
So if you haven’t noticed already, I am no longer “With White and Wood”. Even though I will forever love that name, I knew that if I was going to cohesively brand myself as a designer/styler/blogger it was going to have to be in one place. After I built an entire website geared towards being my “professional business” site, I realized I was probably never going to use it. It was really confusing having my blog and my professional page. Then I was like, wait a minute, it’s truly all one. I have clients because of my blog, and I want to blog about my experiences helping clients.
With a plan to help others find a lifestyle they love, I also want to share how I find what I love in life. I want to show others how they too can find their own personal style, and maybe it’s because I’m sharing my style? So, when it comes down to it, I want to showcase my brand as just, well, me.
Olivia Quinlan Style & Design
So, without further ado, I am proud to announce, I am officially, “Olivia Quinlan, Style & Design”
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. It just makes so much sense. It took me a lot of back and forth. I questioned what I was doing, complained of being “lost” (poor Joe), asked my sisters and girlfriends for advice. I’ve finally found my way, my vision. (Plus, it’s a heck of a lot of work to redirect an entire blog to a new name so better now than later!)
It’s so important to me that what I’m sharing with you all is authentic, truly what I love, and most of all things you want to know, see, learn, and become inspired by. I want to help you find excitement and also peace in your everyday life because you truly love what you’re doing, where you’re going, where you live, what you wear, what you create. It’s not always that easy to figure out, which is how I’m here to help.
True Content
I know that this “rebrand” isn’t a huge deal to a lot of you. (Except it will be easier to find my website or my social media channels being that it’s just my name.) BUT I want to further explain what it means for the content I plan to share. I share with the intent to inspire and I need you to tell me if I’m falling off my brand. What I do here is for my readers, for you. If it’s not helping you then there’s no point to any of it.
Regardless of how many lifestyle bloggers there are, I have my own personal style that no one can replicate. I hope in some way shape or form I am unique enough to spread inspiration. As a designer, it’s natural to have an appreciation for many styles. I try to apply this appreciation to my everyday life. I understand different points of view, I appreciate the old and the new, and I believe you really can do it all.
Modern, Millennial Living
When I define “modern” I just mean today’s day in age, aka the now. When I define “Millennial” I’m not specifically talking about the generation as a human object, but more so as a noun. Millennial to me means creative, inspirational, unconventional, and in-between. We are creative in how we make money, and how we style our home. Travel is inspiration but so is simple advice. We believe in the art of cooking, cleaning, and having a well-kept home while working and earning. The in-between comes from always searching to see what’s next meanwhile soaking up everything around us.
We live in an age where there is always a newer, shinier, way of life, but I want to help you find peace in yours. I am still figuring mine out so we might as well do it together. It’s a crazy, comparative world out there because of the digital world we live in. I’ve realized that it’s important to stay true to who you are. So, here’s what works for me and maybe I’ll be able to help you find what works for you!
Define and Design Your Life
There is always going to be a reason on how what I’m sharing helps me cultivate good habits, become inspired, or discover my personal style. There is going to be a sense of “design” through the ways in which I tackle everyday life. I want to share content that inspires and brings fulfillment to your day. So, I’m back baby! And I promise, to all of you who so amazingly follow this little biz of mine, to keep writing and giving advice. I’m not worn out, I will find the time, and it’s going to be better content than ever. From here on out this blog is officially where I share my advice to defining and designing a life you love through cultivated habits, creative sourcing, and discovering personal style. I hope to inspire a modern, millennial lifestyle both in and out of your home.
