RD's Obsessions

cancer update

What Blogging Has Done For Me

Floral Off the Shoulder Dress

Floral Off the Shoulder Dress for summer

 

What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me
Off The Shoulder Dress for summer

 

What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me

 

What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me
Fashion Blogging pros
What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me

 

What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me

 

Fashion Blogging inspiration
What Fashion Blogging Has Done For Me
Floral Off the Shoulder Dress: Boohoo ($40)
Lace-Up Sandals: Nordstrom Rack (old), similar here ($69.95)
Ark Bag: Cult Gaia ($128)
Sunglasses: c/o Zenni Optical

What Blogging Has Done For Me

I learned to appreciate my uniqueness more. I definitely did not grow up in what most people would say is ‘normal’. When my parents decided to move to the suburbs later in life, we stood out like a sore thumb. What I thought was the norm, others didn’t see it or get it. I always did things my way but as I got older, I got slightly ashamed of what made me, me. As I continued to blog, I started to come out of my shell. I dressed the way I wanted to, I wasn’t as shy (although I still am, but working on it!), and I learned to love myself even more. Even friendships were created and it was so cool to find friends that accepted me for who I am.

Then I was hit with the ‘C’ word.

I knew going through chemo would change things, but I also knew I wanted to continue to do the things I love and one of them is to keep this fashion blog going. During chemo, it was hard to get myself to get out because I felt so sick or just not up for it. There were instances when I would feel ‘totally blah’ (haha that is the best way I can describe it), and when I had to get out of the house, I noticed that I was able to feel better. This is where I think fashion blogging somewhat saved me.

It was hard to motivate me to get out of the house even though I knew getting some fresh air would help me. But what motivated me was that I needed content to post. So I would get ready: put on my makeup, create outfits, and went out and took photos. Each time I prepared for a photoshoot, I noticed I felt better. My nausea would slightly go away and I was able to ignore the body aches.

Fashion blogging gave me a reason to take care of myself and made me feel like me.

When I lost my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and had slightly discolored skin, I sometimes couldn’t recognize myself and it would make me sad. I had learned to love what was me and it felt like it was taken away from me. However, I was motivated to keep blogging and creating outfits and it pushed me to find different makeup brands and get creative to feel beautiful, to feel and look like me. I’m so glad I made the effort because something about recognizing your face in the mirror was a relief. This reassured me that not all of ‘Rach’ was gone and that it was possible to bring ‘me’ back. It still may be a bit of work, but this gal didn’t go away!

So what started out as a way to just share my favorite fashion trends and outfits, became a way to help me heal.

Floral Off The Shoulder Dress

I initially thought about only talking about this floral off the shoulder dress in this post. Like how much I love the watercolor style and the florals on this dress. I am a sucker for anything floral after all and off the shoulder! It just creates a feminine, but still classy look. And how I wanted to share that this dress is also great to wear to a wedding (if wedding season is still going strong for you!). There is so much I can say about a dress. And that’s when it got me thinking about the impact fashion blogging has had on me.

I started a fashion blog because I loved fashion and shopping. I also enjoyed putting together outfits (obviously). There were times that I just wanted to get out of the house so I had an excuse to put an outfit together. But honestly, I was so scared of the idea of fashion blogging. I was nervous about exposing myself to the world wide web even though probably only a handful of people were reading my blog when I first started out. I’m not a very open person and I actually limit what I share with most people. I also can’t stand looking at photos of myself. It’s not that I despised my looks, but I felt weird looking at my face. But nevertheless, I started this fashion blog and as it grew and grew, what it has done for me was totally unexpected.

xo RD

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Comments

  8. What Nicole Wore says

    Rach, it brought tears to my eyes to hear how much blogging means to you and that it brought so much happiness into your life during such a difficult time. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  10. Nataly Schma says

    This is so awesome! You bought a tears to my eyes! I am so happy to hear that blogging has helped you feel better! Keep up the good work girl. You are beautiful!!!

    Reply

  19. Oh to Be a Muse says

    I'm so glad that fashion blogging has been a positive in your life. I really enjoy visiting your blog every week and reading your posts and seeing your gorgeous looks. You really know how to rock dresses. Boohoo should make you an honorary model!

    Reply

  21. Violette Daily says

    I'm so touched by your personal story and what you've been through. I can relate to the agression I had few years ago because I "lost" my hair (because of head surgeries)… I started my blog after this sad story and I felt so good to express myself and talk/see other things because I was tired to spend the day seeing doctors! You always look beautiful and I love this dress!

    http://violettedaily.com

    Reply

    • Rach DiMare says

      I'm so sorry to hear you had head surgies and lost your hair. That is tough. Losing our hair is almost like losing our identity. I'm so glad you took a positive approach. I am hope you are doing well and/or on the road to recovering.

      Reply

  36. awhite says

    You are a total inspiration, lady- your strength through your treatment + battle was amazing. I'm glad blogging helped you, too! It's awesome when this little ol' community can come together and support each other. 🙂

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    Reply

  41. Straight A Style says

    I love this! I identify with it in a lot of ways. Blogging has brought me out of my shell some too and also gives me reason to take care of myself and get dressed up which always makes me feel better when I otherwise wouldn't. This dress is amazing on you!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    Reply

  43. Auna says

    Rach! I am so glad you started a fashion blog so I have gotten the chance to meet you (through the web) and follow your journey. You are an inspiration and I always enjoy your fashion post, you have wonderful style!

    xx Auna | http://simplyauna.com

    Reply

  47. Laura Yoder says

    Gosh you are SUCH an inspiration! First off, you're right, the dress is adorable and perfect for a wedding:) Secondly, I so love that blogging has not only helped you to rediscover yourself, but mostly, I'm beyond happy for you that even when you weren't feeling your best photoshoots made you feel better. How AMAZING is that????

    Laura
    Black Coffee Beautiful

    Reply

  53. Lacey Spruce says

    That's so awesome to hear! I feel the same way about blogging – it can really help you get through some touch sh*t!!

    p.s. this dress looks amazing on you!!

    Reply

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