A Little Story
For a long time now, I’ve wanted to write this post.
In early 2015, I read somewhere that having a blog would be a great way to reach new customers for your business. It helps you connect with customers on a more personal level. I already had a blog in Shopify, my ecommerce platform, but it wasn’t really anything special or particularly good. I decided to invest a little time and money into creating a custom WordPress blog for the sake of cuteheads. I figured I’d post some kids OOTD posts, some mom-related content, nothing too crazy.
Very quickly, the blog started to take off. It wasn’t random or luck, I was working just as hard on it as I was on my business, and it started to become yet another non-human baby that I had to take care of. But I was really loving it, and enjoying the creative writing outlet. Nothing I was writing was earth-shattering, but I was really having fun doing it, and it was never a chore.
So I kept doing it.
I quickly exceeded 10,000 monthly page views, and started getting offers from all kinds of businesses wanting to work with The Cuteness. It was fun, and it was exciting.
Even better, I was meeting all kinds of cool people. I was making actual friends who also blogged, and I loved being a part of the blogging community locally and all over the country. I’ve met some incredible people, like Veronika, Jessica, Jessica, Ailee, and Candace, just to name a few.
It’s been such a fun journey, and now, a year and a half later, I still love doing it.
Here’s the thing though: I’m STILL self-conscious about it. Even though I’m really proud of it, I’m still kind of embarrassed by it. I still wonder sometimes if people think it’s stupid that I’m doing this, if they’re wondering, “Why does she think SHE can have a blog?” If they’re talking about me behind my back. If they think I’m a fraud.
I wonder these things kind of a lot. To the point that I don’t share my blog with people I know, even though a lot of people are reading it. I don’t talk about it that much, and sometimes when people are asking me about it, I downplay it. I don’t want people to know about it, and when they do, I’m embarrassed.
I had a post go viral on Scary Mommy. And as it turns out, EVERYONE I KNOW reads Scary Mommy. Literally thousands of shares, comments, and texts from strangers and friends alike, and every time someone would post the link to my Facebook wall with a nice comment, I would cringe a little. Because it’s very, very hard to share your heart and open up about difficult things without worrying about people judging you.
A Lightbulb Moment
I saw a blog post once featuring a girl wearing a chambray shirt with a cool, poofy tulle skirt and I loved it. I thought, “I want to do that.”
My next thought was, “I can’t do that.” And then my brain went to all the reasons why I shouldn’t do it.
And then it dawned on me that yes, I absolutely CAN do that. I can do whatever. I. want. It’s my blog, it’s my tiny space in the Universe, and it’s from my heart.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt Is Born
I worked with my team of cuteheads seamstresses, and we made the first-ever piece of adult clothing: this cool, poofy tulle skirt. And this skirt is so much more than a skirt. It’s a declaration to the world that we can conquer our fears, and recognize that even when we’re afraid to do something, we’re going to freaking do it anyway. Because fear really is a construct of the mind, influenced by so many outside forces we can’t control. But we CAN control how we react to that fear, and we CAN control what we allow it to do to us, both personally and professionally.
I styled it as over-the-top as possible (because why the heck not?), with these adorable sparkly Minnie Mouse ears from my girl @shophouseofmouse, and got this awesome, empowering tee from Mulberry Press Co. The shoes are by Louise et Cie, a brand I always gravitate toward.
And can we talk about the custom donut piñata from Pinatas by Martinez? It is the real deal, my friends. My friend Joseph West — the owner of West Studios, where we shot this (and his wonderful wife Melissa shot Tova’s newborn pictures) — even took a swing at it. We agreed that every photoshoot should include a piñata from here on out.
So with that, I introduce you to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt. This skirt is currently being passed around Houston for people to style and shoot however they like, and from there, it will head to Atlanta. After that… who knows where it will go. It will come with instructions, so whoever receives it next will know exactly what to do. They will get to style it however they like, and post something personal and meaningful. You can check back here whenever you like to see the updated list of people’s posts. You can also search the hashtag: #sisterhoodofthetravelingskirt.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt is for anyone who thinks they’re too old/too young/too fat/too skinny/too inexperienced/too self-conscious/not smart enough/not pretty enough… not enough.
You are SO enough.
Even if you’re embarrassed, even if you’re self-conscious, even if you’re afraid… do it anyway. Don’t let fear stop you from becoming who you want to be.
Photos by Ailee Petrovic
Follow the Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt and see who had it last:
I am so enough. Wonderful idea and that skirt will be an inspiration to other women.
This fantastic!!!! I can relate on so many levels, and what a great idea!
Such a good post! Please count me in if there is a waiting list for the skirt. Since I became a mom, it is crazy home many insecurities pop up; am I a good mom? Is the blog suffering? And so on. I know that I am doing my best at all my ‘jobs’ so I would like to think that I am good enough for all of them
What a beautiful idea! You are so enough! You rock that skirt. I can’t wait to see where it ends up and how many women it inspires 🙂
<3
This is such a great idea! So glad your blog took off so quickly. Mine hasn’t been so lucky but I’ll keep working on it. Love that skirt….I’d wear it 😉
I LOVE this, Esther! I so wish I could get my hands on this skirt this year. I’ll be 35 in November, a new mom to two, and I have a feeling I’ll be itching to do something big. You’re such an inspiration, and I’m so glad this blogging community has allowed me to know you. Xoxo
How is it possible that your cool factor just increased tenfold? Oh my gosh, Esther, I love the message of this post, the fun photos, and your INCREDIBLE traveling skirt idea! Why don’t I live in Texas?!?!
Thank you so much Lindsay! I so value you, and the kindness you spread! xo
Loving that skirt! So fun and such an amazing idea.
xoxo, Jenny
I am enough!! Thank you! 🤓
You, my friend, are an inspiration and an amazing person!! xo Julie
Esther, you are the absolute COOLEST! What a fun, unique and downright empowering idea. Work it, sister- you are doing thangs!
With admiration,
Lauren
I want this!! Such an awesome idea. Xo
A traveling skirt–fun idea! It will be fun to read about the women who wear it. Do post!!
This is the BEST idea! I often feel self-conscious of my blog, and that no one is reading it….which maybe they’re not. BUT, who cares! It’s my little space too, and I’m going to make it the best I can. If the skirt ever finds its way to WI, I hope I can try it out and your inspiration will rub off a little bit 🙂
I think I saw that same photo of the tulle skirt and chambray top and pinned it to my private board I call “Can I Rock This?” And yes, you most certainly can. <3 (and thank you for linking to the shirt because it is the first think I was going to message you about)
LOVE this idea. If I can’t have the Pom Pom dress then I am totally down to do a maternity shoot in the Traveling Skirt.
This is amazing! I would absolutely love to be a part of the “traveling skirt tribe”:)
Oh my gosh, How cute are you!!! I just love that tulle!
http://xoxobella.com
I love this post! And your skirt is adorable :).
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
I absolutely love this idea! It is true we can do whatever we want!
I couldn’t love this post anymore than I already do! I love how open you are with your feelings about blogging, I adore your idea for the traveling skirt, and I am honored to have met you and become your friend!
I LOVE THIS 🙂 !!!! If you want it to spend some time in Hawaii I would GLADLY take some great beach pics with it 🙂 such a fantastic idea. You are awesome!!
Seriously LOVE this post. It’s so sweet and inspiring. I feel the exact same way about my blog. I’m both proud and embarrassed by it because, when I mention it, people are like, “You have a blog???” and then I get all closed up… especially since mine isn’t even a huge thing! Great inspirational post x
xo, Kimberly
http://www.lifeofkimberly.com
I love this shirt and this great advice! We all have to remember to build ourselves up and not only let things tear us down
I love this! It’s so easy to get down on ourselves and let our insecurities take over, but as long as we are TRYING then we will succeed. If the traveling skirt ever comes to UT, I hope to be a part of it.
OMG! Love but then I’ve always been a fan of yours! You move mountains! How do I get in on this? I’m in town this weekend to brainstorm and then back again in November!
Oh my gosh what a cute idea! Love this post, good for you!!! P.S. I am totally obsessed with the donut piñata as well!
Girl. You have SO much to be proud of, especially your BLOG! It blows my mind that you have such a thriving creative business AND can put up killer content on a blog… it’s like running two businesses! Major props. This skirt project is sooooooo awesome. You really are #GOALS
Oh my gosh, that means so much coming from you. You are one of my blogging role models! You are so proud and unafraid and such a natural at this… I definitely admire what you’ve done, and think you’re just an all-around awesome person. xo
This is SO wonderful Esther! Thanks for sharing your heart and also for starting something that will end up being super empowering for so many women.
I sure hope so. Thanks for always being a supportive, kind friend!
I love everything about this post. The skirt thing is adorable. And all of your thoughts about being self conscious about the blog are exactly how I feel. Thanks for the encouragement!
I feel like we all feel this way sometimes, no matter what we do. But the trick is definitely to keep going in spite of those feelings. Which you’re doing! xo
You are awesome!!! I totally get what you are saying because I have felt the same way. But, be proud of your success and embrace the compliments. You have worked hard and it shows!! Congrats in all your new adventures!!
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
I think we all feel that way sometimes, and now I KNOW it, based on the response to this blog post! That’s why it’s so important to build each other up. We get enough negativity from ourselves without getting it from each other! xo
Literally in tears after reading this post. This is so good, and exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for being such a boss and an extreme source of encouragement to many! I will keep dreaming!!! xo
You are doing AMAZING things just by being creative and sharing that with the world! Keep going!! xoxo
This is so neat! I love that tulle skirt!
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
Such cute pictures and I love how you’ve taken your blog and made it your own! I just bought a skirt yesterday that looks almost exactly like this one and I can’t wait to wear it and feel like an adult ballerina, haha! Also – I adore that shirt – you are so enough <3
Love this– the skirt, the ears, and the message! Keep on doing what you’re doing 🙂 xoxo
Girl you are so talented and creative! I absolutely love this idea!!!!!!!
YES!!!!! You, me, they-We are ALL ENOUGH!!!! Love this Esther!
OMG! I LOVE this idea! If only the skirt could travel to Canada. Congrats and girl you are rocking that tulle 😉 xoxo
Fear/embarrassment/self consciousness have always held me back, it’s only within the last year that I’ve been able to break down some of the walls, and I finally feel ok being who/what I want to be, so with that said…I LOVE this post!!
This is the cutest. I just LOVE it!
How adorable!
Amazing idea and great post!
I’m also guilty of downplaying my blog when talking to people I personally know, even though it’s a big part of my life and how I landed a new job. I’m getting better though, and I think one of the reasons is that people are a little more receptive, now that we hear more and more about people blogging/vlogging for a living.
Oh and I loooove tulle skirts! 🙂
love this idea <3 I love tulle skirts I'm glad you made the decision to not let fear control you.
Such a cute outfit. I loved all your pics.
This is the cutest idea! Love it!