The next phase for the blog + where I’m (physically) going next

I’m going to try and not make this too super long, while also giving you the rundown on what I’ve been up to and what’s next in my life, and for my presence on this slice of the internet.

You may have (or may have not) noticed that I’ve been MIA on the blog, and my presence has been sparse on Instagram. I’ve been doing a lot of ruminating in the last six or so months and trying to figure out what it is I really want. If I’m being honest, I’ve never truly felt like my online presence and the brand I cultivated for myself really truly reflected who I am. It’s some parts of me, for sure, but I managed to put myself in a box that I couldn’t really figure out how to get out of.

I’m not sure I ever wanted to be a “fashion blogger”. I do enjoy getting dressed every day, even if its just in my jeans and a t-shirt (which it mostly is these days), and I have a lot of fun expressing myself through my fashion choices. But every time I had to do things to keep up the “fashion blogger” side of things, I would feel like I was being forced, and would have to tell myself that it was for the good of my brand, blah blah blah. One day I realized that this is my blog and my brand, and if you don’t want to be a fashion blogger, stop doing fashion blogger things. 

This is just one example. My point is, I think when we all start this blog journey, or any journey, we put ourselves into molds that are already there. Even when it’s drilled into you to “just be yourself”, I think for awhile, we think we really are. Figuring out what that really means is part of the journey too.

I’ve put a lot of thought in the first part of 2020 into what I do want this place to be. I enjoy having a blog and I enjoy the community we have here and on Instagram. I LOVE being a source of inspiration for travel or home cooking or things I’m using daily that better my life. I love sharing all of that with you, just like I would tell my friends that I’ve been loving a certain product lately, I love telling all of you in case that fits your needs of the moment.

SO, moving forward, this blog is going to continue to be where I share my recent travels. Travel will always be a part of my life, and I have a lot of fun sharing that part of it with you. One of the highest compliments I can receive is that one of you went somewhere I wrote a guide on and utilized any of my suggestions.

I want to write more, so I will use this space for life thoughts that may be rattling around in my head around any given phase I’m in that maybe even just one of you can relate to.

And I will continue to share things I’m currently loving. I used to have a weekly series where I shared what I read that week or a new product I tried or meal I made for myself, and I want to continue to do that.

I want the blog to be a timeless place you can keep referring back to for your travels, discussions, ideas, etc. Instead of fashion and lifestyle, it will be much more lifestyle.

Instagram will be a little bit of a different story. Not much is going to change in that arena. I will still post outfit photos, but am going to incorporate much more than that to my feed. I’ll be doing more video and I’m trying to be better about daily stuff. Having a presence on social media is such a funny balance – when you’re doing it, it’s hard to imagine anyone could possibly care, but in watching other people, I like the daily ins and outs because life is in those little moments.

And finally, my big announcement…

I’m moving to Montana! This has been a long time coming, and I don’t think a single person close to me in my life was surprised when I told them. Some people I only know in my periphery have even guessed. I went to college in Missoula, and it stuck with me. As much as I’ve been drawn back over the years, I knew it wasn’t the right time yet. I didn’t push it, and I knew that when the timing was right, I would know, and it would just work in my life. Now is that time. Both my brother and sister live there, my mom just bought a vacation house there, and my dad is toying with the idea of the same. It’s in our blood, it seems. 

As right as it feels, this decision has not been taken lightly and will not come without it’s share of heartbreak. I love Seattle. I’m from Washington, and I’ve truly made Seattle my home in the last 5.5 years. I’ll miss the downtown streets, and the secret neighborhood spots, and I will miss our restaurants SO much.
But most of all, I’ll miss the people. I’m so lucky to live down the hill from my mom and stepdad, and see them for dinner at least once a week. And of course my friends. I can’t say enough about the group of people I have grown to love as family. This could quickly turn into a love letter to them, but I’ll spare the rest of you.

I have a couple new projects I’ll be starting. One is part of the reason I’m moving to Montana – a film I’ve been wanting to make for a long time. The second is made harder by my move, but I’m determined to make it work. My dad and I are starting a podcast. I’ve wanted a reason to have a podcast for quite awhile, and one day it just dawned on me – my dad and I have some of my favorite life chats. To know him is to love and appreciate him, and to hear him is a whole other thing entirely. (He used to do voiceover work and my whole life I’ve been hearing about what a great voice my dad has).

More on all of that soon, (and this was not short, but it could’ve been much longer), but that’s what this space is going to look like moving forward.

I’m here to be true to myself, but I’m also here because I’ve created this wonderful community of and for all of you. It really is like having an extended group of friends, and your thoughts matter too. So if there’s anything you want more of, please please let me know. You’re as much a part of this conversation as I am.

Be well and be good! Thanks for being here.

XO, Brittany