Champagne, Chanel & Courage

Hey y'all!  I'm having a super fantastic Friday morning so far and now being able to feature another guest blogger only makes it that much better!  So I have never reached out or collaborated with a fashion blogger, primarily due to the focus on the Southern Jewlz Brand models, but everyone knows how I feel about supporting local.  And here in College Station we have one of the most up and coming fashion bloggers around - Miss Emily Herren.  She actually graduates from Texas A&M University this weekend!

I figured if I was going to reach out to a fashion blogger, I should start local.  So Emily came to meet and chat with me a few weeks ago.  She told me her story and how Southern Jewlz was the first boutique she ever shopped at in College Station due to the fact that we sold the Miranda Lambert wine!  Anyways, I figured her story and recent quick-paced road to success would be perfect to feature during graduation weekend.  I know there are a lot of you out there trying to figure out "what to do" with your career, so I hope you enjoy Emily's store and advice below.  She is seen wearing the Chloe Ponte Dress by Z Supply that we have in stock!  She is wearing a small and you can order here.

Since I was 16 years old, my parents had my career path laid out for me. I remember sitting in the kitchen, discussing “safe” and “practical” career choices with my mom. While she always had my best interest at heart, my dreams and passions were never the main topic of discussion. It was all about finding a career path that would give me a guaranteed job at the end of college. Pharmaceutical Sales Rep is what we eventually came up with, and for about five years, I thought I was content with the plan. 

However, I’ve always had a love for fashion, hair, and makeup. Putting outfits together, trying new hairstyles, and playing with makeup has always been my favorite way to express myself. But was fashion a “practical” career choice in my household? Nope. 

During my freshman year of college, I started discovering fashion bloggers, and instantly found comfort in reading their blogs. Reading the words from creative girls who shared the same passion as me was inspiring. While I always loved following their blogs, I never in a million years thought I would be able to start my own. Putting myself out there and having absolute NO idea how people would respond is quite intimidating. You know what else is intimidating? Telling your mom that you want to be a blogger, instead of a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep- the job we’ve been set on for five years. Let's just say, that didn’t go so well…

While I absolutely love my mom, and value her opinion immensely, I knew that this was the right choice for me. On January 20^th, 2016, I launched www.champagneandchanel.com, which was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This past year has been a TON of hard work, but SO rewarding. I am truly overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received, and thankful for the knowledge I have gained. 

If there’s one piece of advice I have for girls who are making career choices, it sounds so cliché, but follow your dreams. People will doubt you, especially since you’re young. Just work your ass off, and prove them wrong. 

Steve Jobs once said, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become”.

Be sure you're following along with her on instagram as her full time career life begins after graduation weekend! Linked here: @champagneandchanel

We wish Emily all the world full of success and we are so proud of her for being brave and going against the grain to follow her dreams!

Until next time, get to shopping because there's only a few business days left before Christmas!  Our order cut off date to receive by Christmas is December 20.

xoxo,

Randa