I was famous for being a quitter. When the going gets tough, I was known to cave. The main reason I got mediocre grades in school wasn't because I didn't understand but because I'd get overwhelmed by assignments and just not turn them in. I've had great ideas but never put them into action because I quit before I can even start. To have a blog reach its 10th birthday is a big deal, but when it's me who is writing that blog, it's huge.
Last Thursday,
DC Style Factory, a personal styling company, hosted a party to celebrate Wardrobe Oxygen's 10th anniversary. A private event took place at
DC Noodles; reusable tote bags provided gifts for attendees from
Dagne Dover,
Jag Jeans,
Karen Kane,
RestoPresto, and
South Moon Under. That night there was food, there was drink, there was fashion, there was fun, and there was plenty of laughter and plenty of tears.
As the guests entered the private room that held the party, the tears began to fall. Bloggers who I have admired over the years, friends who I always am glad to see at fashion and blogger events, friends from high school and college, Twitter and Instagram buds I was meeting in the flesh, neighbors, ex-coworkers, relatives, and blog readers.
It meant so much to have all these great people from so many different parts of my life come together to celebrate. Even cooler was to see a blogger friend deep in conversation with my high school friend, a blog reader laughing with my sister, a fellow ex-Washington Post columnist and Twitter bud bonding with Karl, and how there weren't any cliques - everyone was having fun with everyone.
DC Noodles was amazing; owner Sak Pollert is the sweetest person with the most amazing energy. They set the private room so beautifully, staff walked around offering Thai-fusion bites and bringing guests their drinks. They provided proceeds from the party's signature cocktail to
Dress for Success and ensured the evening was a perfect.
The event couldn't happen if it weren't for the amazing sponsors. One of the coolest things about blogging is getting to know the people behind brands I love. Again, tears fell when I heard what wonderful companies wished to be a part. Thank you so much to
Anthropologie, Betsy Fisher, Dobbin Clothing, GoodWood, Jag Jeans, Karen Kane, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Lifetherapy, Nora Gardner, Proper Topper, RestoPresto, Scratch DC, Social Shop Media, South Moon Under, Talbots, and
Zophia. I am honored to have partnered with you, and honored you were part of this celebration.
A big thank you to
DC Style Factory. The owner Rosana and I met through mutual friends a few years ago, and we became friends. I respect her business ethics and her thoughts on style and fashion are in line with mine. For years when readers have reached out to me looking for a personal stylist I have recommended DC Style Factory and every time a reader has used them they have come back and told me what a wonderful experience it was. To have not just a friend but a businesswoman I respect offer to host this event was tremendous and it tears me up just thinking about it.
The pictures above are of a few of the women Rosana and I am in a group with - women who are smart, business-savvy, creative, and support one another in reaching our dreams while still staying wholehearted. One of the biggest lessons I have learned during this decade with Wardrobe Oxygen is the power of female friends. When I was younger I practically prided myself on not getting along with fellow women; through this blog I met so many different women and saw how important it is to support one another, help each other rise. Allie of a decade ago would have never had such a great group of women friends, and Allie of a decade ago wouldn't write the blog that Wardrobe Oxygen is today.
So my last but biggest thank you is to all of you. YOU are the reason why Wardrobe Oxygen can celebrate its 10th anniversary. You are why I never wanted to be a quitter when it came to this blog and what helped me stop being a quitter in other aspects of life as well. Over the years blogging has changed a lot, but what has stayed consistent is the community built here. The relationships I have made with you, how much I have learned from you, and how much you have enriched my life and inspired me. You are amazing people, and I look forward to many more years with you here at Wardrobe Oxygen!
Photos by the amazing Emma McAlary who truly captured the spirit of the event. You rock!
Yeah, this pretty much sums up how I felt last Thursday evening.
