Desert Style + Ode to a Friend + Blogging Rants

Renee and I headed out to Palm Springs last week to shoot her label 16thColony's SS16 Collection; after a long production day, we decided to wind down by staying the night in the desert. After dinner with the crew, we spent the rest of the evening with each other divulging all about our lives while sipping on wine by a fire pit. The next morning we ate a delightful breakfast and explored the area.

Renee and I are coming up on our "1 year anniversary" of our first coffee date meeting. I think that when we first met, we definitely vibed with each other, but didn't even know how and to what extent that our friendship would flourish to support each other in so many ways both personally and professionally, as well as exponentially feed each other with creativity and artistic passion.

I am so honored to get to see her grow as an artist, whether she be practicing photography, film, design or styling; she is so humble, so talented, and so willing to help me pursue anything my heart desires. She has helped me become a stronger and more independent individual and understand my self-worth. We always understand each other, and she has proven time and time again that she is a true friend.  Not someone just trying to get something from me.

"One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood." -Lucius Annaeus Seneca 

I feel that the blogging community can be superficial and glamorized, especially in the 'OC' where there is the stereotype of everyone having plastic surgery done and living a luxurious life. On a regular basis, bloggers are meeting each other on social media then in person at numerous events and relationships are formed, usually you feel obligated to form relationships as that is the nature of attending 'blogger events'. More often than not, you have to carefully decide whom to be friends with as many seem to just want to use others to get to the top (but of course you don't discover that until they've already stepped on you to get to the top).

I originally started blogging to share my interests and apart of myself with those interested enough to read Feast.Fashion.Faves. Once I saw the opportunities to connect with others and the whole world of being apart of the press; I grasped it and took blogging seriously to cover events, fashion, food, travel, etc; it was a way to bring a more personal touch to press coverage. The blogging industry has become heavily saturated and, don't get me wrong the more the merrier, but bloggers shouldn't forget why they started blogging.  Whether it be to grow it into a business or as a hobby; don't get caught up in the amount of followers, who liked what, posting an item just because it was sent to you for free or this blogger is better than that blogger.

I made a vow to stick to my style, my voice, and who I am as a writer, blogger, influencer; and I therefore turn down products and services that I feel don't represent who I am or resonate with my brand. I may not always have the nicest things, or be able to afford purchasing the latest styles, but I have my fashion sense. I have 100% grown my following organically and specifically on Instagram, have not purchased followers or hosted 'loop giveaways'. Yes, being apart of a 'loop giveaway', and doing many will exponentially grow your following. I see this as an opportunity for bloggers and influencers that take this on, as it gives you tremendous exposure and a way to grow your audience, but have quality content to back you up. Know what you are trying to convey through your blog and social media feeds before jumping on the loop giveaway bandwagon. I feel that many brands and companies are immediately awestruck by influencers with large followings and these influencers might not always have the best fitting audience or content to align with those brands. To have just the follower number as your wow factor is doing an injustice, give the brands a reason to want to collaborate with you, have you wear or use their products other than because you have a big following (even if that's what they're looking for). Have integrity and authenticity whether you're a blogger, instagrammer, or influencer.

I usually don't go off on rants like this but felt compelled to do so because a) I drank some wine so feeling a bit more outspoken and b) It's time I said something, weird things were happening in my blogging community and I couldn't take it!

To end this post, and kudos to you if you actually read through to the end, anything lace, chiffon, and oversized fedora hats are perfect for a desert backdrop and scenery. I paired my 16thColony Narrative Dress with a black fedora hat and statement necklace from Raptor Jewelry. If you're absolutely swooning over 16thColony, use my code FFFBOHOBABES for 20% off your order, because I'm pretty sure you're gonna look dang beautiful in one of Renee's pieces.