August Fashionable Feature: Becca from Super Style Me

A new month means a new Fashionable Feature over here on Sans Scrubs and I'm happy to be introducing you all to Becca from Super Style Me. Becca been making quite a statement with her fearless attitude and southern charm, and I'm happy to have her here as this months feature.

Becca and I became Instagram friends over a year ago, and that friendship soon evolved into a blogging friendship as well. I suppose I'll throw in a #Fashiontruth moment here and call out a store that's totally adored by Becca and I, and also a reason for many of my internet friendships. ModCloth has become one of the most loved online stores not only because of the wide ranges of styles and sizes that they carry, but also because they have brought together people from opposite sides of the world and have played a role in forming friendships between fashion lovers whose paths otherwise would have never crossed. It's funny how the internet makes the world so flat, but I'm grateful to have connected with so many wonderful people.

Now without further ado, I give you Becca!

Hello, there! My name is Becca, and I’m from the blog, Super Style Me.  I’m so very, very happy that Amanda invited me to guest post on Sans Scrubs, and I’m even more thrilled that she’s featuring me during my birthday month. Yay for August babies! First, a bit about my blog – Super Style Me is all about retro fashion with a modern twist and looking great at any size. I also provide shopping resources for women size 24 and up, but there’s a little something for everyone since many of the brands I wear come in a full range of sizes. I’m also trying my hand at YouTube with tutorials for crafty wearables to complete your retro chic look. As for me, outside of my fashion life, I’m a writer, belly dancer, knitter, and music nerd who has too many hobbies and not enough time!

I’ve been blogging for a year and a half now, and I still consider myself new to the game. It feels like an adventure, and I’ve been lucky to meet so many supportive fashionable friends. I’ve also acquired a few life lessons along the way, some of which I’ll share with you in this post. It’s interesting how so much about fashion blogging has nothing to do with clothes. There’s so much to find about business, technology, and networking, among other things, but some lessons are even bigger than that. So, if you all will indulge my as I get a little contemplative, here are the top five things I’ve learned since starting my blog: 

Picture by Crystal McElroy, Studio 7 Photography 

1. Start where you are.

When I began blogging, I didn’t have a ton of clothes, a fancy DSLR camera, or any technical knowledge of how to put together a website. It was just me, a few outfits, and my cell phone taking pictures in my parents’ backyard. Along the way, I found out what I needed to make my blog more professional and polished, and accumulated more of the “toys” to do so, but I had I waited until I had all these things, I would have lost valuable time I used for meeting other fabulous bloggers on Instagram, developing my style, and getting a feel for what I want the blog to be. There’s a saying, “You don’t have to see the end of the staircase to begin your journey,” and that’s often the best way to approach any adventure.

 

2. You’ll be wrong…a lot, and that’s okay!

Confession: in the beginning of my blogging days, I hated Facebook, and I vowed I’d never have a Facebook page for Super Style Me. I had some bad experiences with Facebook personally and had been away from that form of social media for more than two years. In my prejudice I convinced myself that Facebook was antiquated, on its way out, and newer social media platforms, like Instagram, were the only way to go. My friends eventually convinced me that it wasn’t all bad, and with much kicking and screaming, I joined. Now, I wish I had signed up sooner! Looking at my analytics, most of my traffic comes from people clicking my links on Facebook. The moral of the story is I was wrong, and it didn’t destroy me or the blog. I’ve been wrong about many other things, too, but the lessons from those instances seem to stick better. I guess I’m the type that has to learn the hard way!

 

3. People are generally nice.

Trolls are a fact of life - which is especially true for plus size bloggers. There are people out there who have nothing better to do than leave hateful comments about others’ bodies and appearance. I prepared myself for this reality, and I was pleasantly surprised by how rarely it happens. Instead I encountered people who are as psyched as I am about fashion, wanted to see me succeed, and are still there with a virtual high-five when I need one. Trolls are so much easier to handle when you know you’ve got a fierce support system that has your back!

 

4. Don’t always hide behind your computer.

As a blogger, it’s easy to get wrapped up in writing, social media, and shopping online - especially if you’re nervous about dealing with people face to face (like I am). However, one of the best experiences I ever had happened a few weeks ago when I decided to leave my little blogging cave and hand out business cards to people who work in the cool little shops on Magazine Street in New Orleans. I thought I’d chicken out and not get much accomplished, but it was much easier than I thought it would be. What made it even less stressful is I wasn’t always the one who started the conversation – another point for people being generally nice!

I’ve also started taking pictures in public. I’m lucky enough to live in a part of Louisiana with lots of parks and pretty places that photograph well. It would be a shame if my own self-consciousness kept me from taking advantage of that. I noticed the pictures my photographer friends and I took away from home looked way better, so I’m willing to be the weird girl with the camera for that reason alone.

 

5. Live a little!

When I’m boring, I know my blog will be, too. Spend time with friends, travel, or get involved in an offbeat hobby. It will inspire your creativity! If I didn’t belly dance, knit, or have the occasional girls’ night, I’d have serious writer’s block. How can you have stories to tell if you’ve never done things to make them happen?

 

There you have it! I still have a lot to learn, both about blogging and life, but it’s good to look back and remember how far you’ve come. What do you all know now after taking a journey through fashion? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments! Thanks to Amanda for giving me this opportunity on her blog, and I hope everyone has a happy August!

Follow me on social media

Instagram: @superstylemeblog

Twitter: @superstyleblog

…and Facebook: Super Style Me Blog

Thank you again Becca! And be sure to follow her on all of her social media platforms. It will be a connection you'll be glad you made, as she is just a total doll! 

Other Fashionable Features:

Sara Lily - In A Nutshell