{Top – Tucker for Target (similar or here), Skirt – GAP (similar), Necklace – Forever21 (similar), Boots – Report (similar)}

I have a confession. In my thirty years of life, I have never once traveled on an airplane by myself. Actually I had never even been on a plane until I was 17 and flew to France with a group of friends (heck of a first flight, huh?). The second time I flew? My honeymoon. We country gals don’t get out much. Thursday that all changes as I am pulling on my big girl pants (sorry, I don’t like that other “P” word) and flying to California for the BlogHer Entrepreneurs conference. Thanks to a sponsorship from BlogHer and Tagged, I am going to not only learn tips and tricks to starting my own business, but also how to be independent. My husband (who claims I lack any independence) will be so proud. Who knew one could gather so much from one little ride in an airplane?

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for all my travel woes and conference highlights!

{Top, Jeans and Jacket – Old Navy (oops!), Heels – Chinese Laundry, Necklace – c/o Versona}

One of the best feelings I have had in a long time was on November 6 last year, the day I ran the NYC marathon. Sure, it was hard. And sure there were moments I felt like quitting (mainly due to what I would later discover as plantar fasciitis). Was it painful? Absolutely. Yet somehow I still managed to cross that finish line and proudly proclaim that I accomplished something so incredible that I NEVER would have guessed I could do. A few years prior, I could barely run a mile. I trained hard and put all my time and energy in those previous months to preparing for the race. The last thing I wanted to do was fail and luckily all that hard work paid off.

In a lot of ways, trying to start your own business is a lot like running a marathon. You doubt yourself. You work harder than you ever have. Your family and friends offer immense love and support, whether they truly believe you can do it or not. It can be painful. It may not go exactly as planned. But much like the marathon, the key is to cross that finish line, no matter how hard or how long it takes you. Parts will be painful. Parts will be fun. And I can do it. The only thing stopping me from crossing that finish line is myself. I better get a new pair of shoes, I’m going to need them to make it past this finish line.

{Blouse – Collins Blouse c/o The Limited, Skirt – Thrifted (similar), Heels – Vince Camuto via heels.com, Jacket – Aryn K. via StitchFix (similar and similar), Necklace – Forever21 (similar)}

I still remember my first time stepping into a Limited store. I was in the 5th grade and my best friends and I had just finished a drama performance in Columbia, SC. Our moms took us to the “big” mall where we were so excited to shop at national brands that our small town didn’t have. The Limited was one of them. I even remember we all bought blue and green sweatshirts emblazoned with LTD across the front, along with matching plaid skirts and velvet chokers (in my defense, it was 1995). That shopping trip began my love affair with The Limited and to this day I still turn to Limited for pieces to make me feel good, both for work and play. I feel honored to be working with The Limited in the upcoming weeks on their Spring campaign, starting with this gorgeous pink blouse. How did they know pink is my favorite?

What better place to take my working girl style from The Limited than my own place of work? Well, actually the park right outside my workplace. The same park where Claire Danes was injured by a bomber in the award winning show Homeland. Luckily there were no bombs or snipers, only sunshine and blue skies. That didn’t stop me from pretending I’m a top secret CIA agent on my lunch break though.

Be sure to head over the The Limited’s Facebook page and like them to see more new styles from their Spring campaign and keep up with their sales and promotions. You might even find a familiar face!

All tops are also B1G1 50% off today at The Limited!

{Sweater – Old Navy (similar), Pants – GAP Really Skinny Pant (30% off right now!), Wedges – Forever21 (similar), Blouse – J.Crew (similar), Necklace – Versona (similar)}

They (whoever “they” is) say good news comes in threes and that couldn’t be truer for me this week. Monday started off pretty rough at work, but my day was instantly made better when I found out I won a $100 gift card to The Limited! As if that wasn’t enough, Tuesday I received some news about a fun collaboration project coming up next week that I am SUPER excited about. Don’t worry; you’ll know all about it come Monday. As if that wasn’t enough to turn my frown around, yesterday I received a sponsorship from BlogHer and Tagged to attend the BlogHer Entrepreneurs conference in two weeks in California. Good things are happening, good things. And I like it. I like it a lot.

{Pants – Old Navy (similar), Sweater – Banana Republic, Blouse – J.Crew, Necklace – Express (similar), Heels – Vince Camuto via heels.com}

In trying to blaze a new career path for myself these past few months, I have been thinking long and hard about what it is that I dislike about my current situation and what I desire in the future. I believe this job would be the perfect fit, don’t you?

Looking for a unique and talented self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and penchance for bringing home stray animals. This energetic and stylish individual must have a flair for fashion, drawing, and all forms of social media. Creative writing and photography skills are required, as well as the ability to multitask by blogging, tweeting, and pinning all while editing photos in Photoshop and cooking dinner. An outspoken person with a competitive spirit and desire to help others (even stray animals) is a necessity. Ability to balance multiple tasks while wearing high heels is a must.

Company 27 offers the following benefits:

Bottomless chocolate and coffee. Calorie free of course.

Bring your dog(s) to work. Teach them to fetch your boss a soda while you’re at it.

Daily workouts of zumba, yoga and running during lunch are encouraged and in some cases required for your mental health.

Work with the best, brightest and most stylish individuals. No weirdos here like most stuffy old offices.

As many holidays or personal days as you need.

Dress code? What dress code?

Work from home, work from the office, work from the Bahamas. Who cares where you are as long as you’re working?

Anyone want to work with me?