I owe each and every single one of you an apology.
I really do.
Of late, I’ve fallen out of love with clothes and styling myself, and it’s shown in the way I’ve thrown things together. There’s been an absolute lack of creativity and passion in the outfits I’ve worn. Nothing looks effortless (save maybe that red dress), and I’m nowhere near enjoying myself. Life has taken a huge toll and you’ve been paying the price for that. You shouldn’t need to and for that, I am really really sorry.
No matter what’s been going on in my personal life, fashion and clothes should always be a form of stress relief. A detox, if you like. Something I do to maintain my sanity and have fun. Always with loads of fun. When the fun is no longer apparent, that’s when I know I need to step away and re-evaluate. Which is precisely what I did and it, in turn, led me to come to the conclusion that I’ve been shortchanging you. I’ve been faking it, never making it.
I can’t promise you it won’t happen again, as in riding the rollercoaster of life (I’m only human and working on living and meeting my responsibilities) but I can promise you that I’m going to put more thought into the content I show on my blog. The outfit posts? They might still be haphazardly put together but they’ll be me. They’ll be representative of me and what I love about fashion. Posts will be published regularly, I’ll have a system and schedule in place, and I’ll keep working on improving everything. This, I do promise you 🙂
For starters, I’m going to immediately stop with the hit-and-run #ootd posts. You know what I’m talking about. Those posts which feature an opening paragraph, a gazillion photos and closing with a “where to buy” guide. No more. Each post will have a little story. Some days, it might be longer and elaborate. Other times, it might be a spontaneous ditty, succinct and straight to the point. Today, it’s going to be a hybrid of the two. I’ve written at length about what’s been messing up my game, and now I’ll share details of what I’m wearing.
As I’m want to do, whenever the Fab 40s showcase a theme for which I have absolutely nothing to wear, I go shopping. And in multiples. It was the same in the instance of our most recent do namely The Fab 40s In Lace. Consequently, in the same breath of purchasing that Beaded White Lace Top, I also bought this STUNNING Black Lace Maxi Skirt with a Nude Underlay.
There are, as it turns out, benefits to being short. Especially when a maxi skirt becomes a maxi dress as lovely as this black number here from Forever21. I love love LOVE how expensive it looks. And I knew from the moment I laid eyes upon it that I wanted to wear this with leather so when Greetje of No Fear Of Fashion mentioned being on the hunt for a Red Leather Jacket, it was my light bulb moment.
Once the dress skirt dress came together with the Zara jacket, picking the right bangles was really easy. These gorgeous Horn pieces are inlaid with 24K Gold. And that rose thumb ring is from The World According To Eve.
You know, I regret selling my Ankle Booties. Those wedges had the most amazing stained glass effect. Can you see them from the pictures?
I had a really good time taking pictures for this post. Can you tell?
Love, Sheela
p/s photos by Eve
Linking up with Style Elixir, Style To Inspire, Turning Heads, Let It Shine, What I Wore Wednesday, Myriad Musings, Style Me Wednesday, Confident Twosday, More Pieces Of Me, On The Daily Express, Personal Style, How I Spring, Watch What I’m Wearing, Walking In Memphis, Tremendous Tuesday, Sweaters Stripes & Sweets, Pumps & Push-Ups, Cappuccino & Fashion, Who’s Wearing What Wednesdays, Fun Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, Whitney a la Mode, and Midweek Muse.
Sheela Goh 
These photos turned out amazing.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Often our own expectations are higher than others.
bisous
Suzanne
LikeLike
I know, I know, I can’t help myself but I’m trying to learn to ease up a little 🙂 xoxoxo
LikeLike
Your style is so bold, beautiful and unique. That red jacket is amazing. Love it…xo
LikeLike
Thank you so very much, my friend xoxo
LikeLike
What an honest post! love that dress!
LikeLike
Thank you, and thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Gosh… a shout-out!! How lovely… Thank you very much.
I love the combination of this outfit. The fun red jacket with the unusual sleeves with the fine lace of the dress (previously known as skirt?). The combination makes it 1+1=3. The bracelets are perfect.
Question: have you also analysed whether your frequency of posting is right? I found out last year I had to cut back to once a week. Because then I could deliver quality (well… according to my standards LOL) and otherwise it became WORK. It is different for everybody, but I thought I’d mention it.
As for your apologies.. A blog is as much about what is going on in your life as it is about OOTD. We all go through high and lows. Don’t you worry.
Greetje
LikeLike
Hahahaha Prince would’ve approved 😉
My problem is I create a schedule which would only work in utopia and then get all frazzled because I can’t keep up, then sink into the darkest of depressions, kicking myself in the butt, and so on so forth as only an overachiever can achieve (insert deep breath). In moments of clarity and practicality, I do realise that I can realistically deliver 3-4 good posts per week, max. I just feel as though I should be able to do more, you know? And more than only outfits. There’s so much more to life and to me than mere clothes, and I want to express that but I often feel as though I shouldn’t because that’s not what my audience is expecting. And I just went off on a tangent, didn’t I? Sorry, Greetje, I didn’t mean to bare my soul 🙂 anyway, in summary, I need to sit down during moments of calmness, and plot a timeline which actually works and which is comprised of things/topics I actually want to write about 🙂
LikeLike
I love the red jacket with the such pretty lace dress. Of course you knew I would , No apologies needed. Life is often hard and complicated, and I think one has to do what is best for onesself, whether it means taking time away from a blog, posting less etc. I put pressure on myself too, but you want it to be fun. do the best you can! I enjoy your posts. 🙂
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
LikeLike
That’s exactly right, you want it to be done in fun 🙂
LikeLike
Having fun with it is the most important part to me. You always look fashionable and chic, Sheela!
Thanks so much for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Awwww, thank you, Dawn Lucy!! I never feel as though I do, though, look fashionable and chic. Well not always. I’m hoping to gain more confidence with each year 🙂
LikeLike
I love the lace dress, you look so beautiful.
Gaby
http://www.stylishsalat.com
LikeLike
OMG thank you, Gaby, thank you so much 🙂 xoxoxo
LikeLike
Dear Sheela,
I find all your posts exceptionally written. Please don’t be too hard on yourself, k?!
Big hug!
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
LikeLike
We are often our toughest critics and harshest taskmasters 🙂 thank you, for saying that about my posts. I put so much of myself into everything I write, I bare my soul.
LikeLike
I love the mix of the leather with the soft lace dress, you look great 🙂
Nora
http://www.jacketsociety.com
LikeLike
Thank you so very much, Nora, I really appreciate that coming from someone whose style I appreciate tremendously.
LikeLike
I adore you, your blog and your honesty immensely Sheela. Do what you enjoy most. Much love, Kirsten xx
http://www.thelifibssue.com
LikeLike
Thank you, Kirsten, that really puts balm on the soul. Many of us put our hearts and bare our souls into each post we publish, it’s like walking naked in the park, or pouring everything out during a therapy session. It’s hard. Much more than just the pretty pictures people see 🙂 thank you for being so kind and visiting often, I appreciate it a lot, a lot, a lot xoxo
LikeLike
Oh and I forgot: Telling a story behind an outfit seems so you, you are a great great writer and all of your readers, including me, will appreciate it I’m sure. Love, Kirsten
http://www.thelifbissue.com
LikeLike
Awwwww, that IS the best thing I’ve heard all day XOXOXO
LikeLike
great look, I liked your last work out video looks like fun:)
LikeLike
Thank you!!
LikeLike
I think everyone sort of gets in a rut with their blog from time to time. I hope you find your passion for clothes again! The lace in this dress is so pretty! You did a great job of bringing some edginess to the outfit with the leather and platform wedges!
Thanks for linking up to Flashback Fashion Fridays!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
LikeLike
I am, I mean, I have, Jessica, thankfully!! I can’t imagine a world without the wonders of clothes. It would be utterly bland and blah and boring 🙂
LikeLike
I love the mix of lace with the edgy jacket and those shoes are so fun too!
Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you Thursday.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
LikeLike
I miss those shoes. I should never have listed them in my Poshmark closet. Ah well 🙂 gives me the perfect opportunity to go hunt for another, yes? And thank you, Alice, for your kind words. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Hi Sheelah. You look lovely in the outfit. Good styling girl! I was a customer of yours on ETSY when you made such beautiful jewelry master pieces like no one else. I was looking for you and found you here. Surprise!! I’m the customer in Las Vegas, NV with the same birthday as you. I purchased a BEAUTIFUL pair of earrings, “Fly With Me to Verde Island”. I really do miss you on Etsy. I check often looking for you because YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST FINE JEWELRY STAR CREATORS!! Are you too busy to come back to us?
You look marvelous by the way.
Stay Blessed and Prosperous
Shirley
moodykind on Etsy
LikeLike
I remember you well, Shirley 🙂 ahhh, Eclettica. I do miss it. Quite a bit. I’m no longer able to touch metals and wires due to several autoimmune conditions hence the absence of jewellery creations 🙂 xoxo
LikeLike