Today marks the five year anniversary of The Fashion Faux Pas of Gabrielle and to say I’m stunned that I’ve been at it this long would be an understatement! I will apologise in advance to those of you that have read this story on previous anniversaries, but I will tell you how it all began…
We’d just welcomed the new year of 2016 and as I was laying there wondering what to do with my spare time, my mind started to wander and I thought about all of the terrible purchases I’d made through online shopping, how you’d imagine something being delivered that looks unreal, only to find out it must have been sewn together by a drunkard that decided they wanted to become a seamstress. I then thought about how it could be fun to share those experiences online and thus, my blog was born!
Dark pixelated photos were my starting point with short to the point posts that barely exceeded 100 words. As time passed I grew more obsessed and the posts got longer, I broadened my topics from fashion and hair to include mental health and beauty. I’ve spent a lot of time researching, reviewing, sharing my experiences with purchasing online and how you can spot a fake designer item.
To be honest, I’ve really neglected the blog over the last year and especially so since COVID-19 rocked the lives of the entire globe – gone were my regular photo shoots after having a Sunday roast at my in-laws due to lockdown restrictions and instead my time has been spent watching pretty much every series I possibly could on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
My hope is that 2021 is going to be the time that I can turn this around into something more – I want to get my passion for writing back, but I also don’t want to feel like a slave to social media. Covid-19 showed me how much we all obsess over the online world and how we crave validation from strangers. I don’t “get” the direction everyone is going where TikTok videos of girls and guys showing before and after videos of themselves after putting on makeup or getting toned up at their home gym – it feels alien to me and I don’t want to conform to something that cringes me the fuck out. I’m well aware that I’m vain, but I don’t feel these types of videos that are continuously going viral are my jam. To be honest, my short stint on YouTube showed me that videos just aren’t my thing at all, despite how much I love a chat!
Therefore, I’m going to make sure to set time aside to write a post once a week (once a fortnight as a minimum – I’d rather be practical than set unrealistic goals!) and put together some how to’s, delve a bit more into the unethical world of fast fashion, start doing some reviews of ethical fashion companies and continue to share any of my secondhand favourites, because let’s be honest, I do love to share a shopping haul! I’ll continue to share my thoughts on acne lotions and potions, as well as sharing reviews on any new makeup I’ve been testing out (I should have some coming up on some bits I received for Christmas, so stay tuned!) and finally, as Aaron and I prepare to purchase our first ever home, I’ll share the whole journey with anyone that’s interested in buying a house – something I’ve never explored on here due to the name of my site, but could be helpful nonetheless!
I’d like to thank you for supporting this blog and my journey over the last five years. So much has changed in that time from my hair, makeup and fashion, right to my surname! I hope you’ll continue to stick with me and that 2021 is going to be a hell of a lot better than the shit show that was 2020!
Happy New Year everyone! 🥳🥳🥳
bloggerversaryblogging anniversaryfashion blogger anniversaryfive years blogging
