If you’re wondering how my week went, I was thoroughly convinced that it was Friday all day Wednesday! I don’t have any updates for the week. It was one of those “the stars aligned” weeks where I didn’t have any major plans.
Instead of a recap, I’d love it if you could leave a comment with an idea for a post you’d like to see! I did this on Instagram and got some great suggestions from everyone! I’m currently building a big log to plan my editorial calendar for the rest of the year, and I really want it to be influenced by what you guys actually want to see and read about! Ready, set, go!
Here’s what was on my radar this week:
ONE // Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?
This is a long read, but worth bookmarking to read later when you have time. I was very fascinated (and horrified) by the research. The article made its rounds among a couple of my friend groups. I’m SO glad we didn’t have technology as we do now as a kid. (I did get an AOL account in 1995 but we couldn’t use it without disconnecting the phone, haha!) I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a kid right now with an iPhone.
TWO // Great Oxford Button Down
I am always on the hunt for great oxford cloth button downs. They’re harder to come by than you’d think, for women at least! My favorite one (that I wear at least once a week, year round) was sadly discontinued. I saw this one from Abercrombie though, and it looks like it could be a top contender. I love the sleeve detail and the peter pan collar.
THREE // Inspiration from Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock had some pretty inspiring things to say. “But that’s not your problem, that’s their problem.” Watch if you need an extra boost of confidence today!
FOUR // A Viral Facebook Page
A son shared his father’s business’ Facebook page on Twitter, and it went viral! Talk about a great marketing plan! His dad has a floor resurfacing company and has been posting about the Employees of the Week… but instead of people, they’re the pets of the home he works in. It’s so cute, and everyone’s been showing the Facebook page extra love.
FIVE // Multi-Level Marketing Companies
I have a feeling this might be a little controversial to post, but I think it’s an important read about MLMs. This was another article I saw swirling among my friends– it seems like this is a peak year for MLMs on Facebook. (Getting added into those party groups drives me nuts.) I think people can absolutely find success and earn extra cash in an MLM (like Lularoe or Mary Kay), but often people aren’t 100% sure what they’re getting themselves into, and that can be a detrimental financial decision.
SIX // Madeline & Company
Remember when I featured sweet Madeline and her growing backpack company? They just launched a line of slim bags, and they’re too cute. I love them all, but I think the navy with the light blue stripe is my fave.
I would love to see a post about interview outfits for various seasons/event types. I’m currently on the hunt for good medical school interview outfits, but I’m willing to bet other people would like to see ideas about college/job interviews as well!
I love TCP but have you checked out Franish the blog. She’s a first year Ob/gym resident and she has blogged all through her medical school journey.
I follow that blog, but happen to be the same build/size as Carly, so it would be helpful to see her ideas too! Thank you!
Agreed! Exactly what I was going to suggest.
I love Madeline and Company!! (She’s getting featured in O Magazine, talk about a #girlboss.) I’d love a post titled “My Perfect Day.” 🙂
I’m so glad I went through my childhood without technology as well! I can’t imagine the pressures of seeing perfectly PSed “influencers” daily growing up – hard enough in itself!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I would love to see an updated post on self discipline and also self positivity. These are a couple things you have blogged about it the part which I have bookmarked and go through often, but some fresh ideas or perspective you have now would be awesome!
I love your weekly wrap ups, Carly! That oxford button down is so cute, I love the neck tie detail!
I hope you have a wonderful Friday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
I absolutely loved the short video about Sandra bullock about all the haters, and they fact that she never let that stop her from doing what she loved or from being confident in her own skin! Love your blog! Read it all the time!
I’d love a post on the best way to freshen up your wardrobe without going out and buying a new one.
I’d love to see some content on budgeting and saving like maybe money spending challenges, eating on $25 a week or $100 a month for all your purchases. Have you seen Refinery29’s money diaries? They’re addicting to read! Also on FOMO or feeling like everyone’s getting married. Perhaps on refreshing your closet without buying new clothes. Or maybe shopping your mom’s closet. Or maybe how our parents style influences us!
Maybe a dating series…dating in 2017…online dating or experiences getting set up. How to manage expectations etc.
I love reading TCP and I feel this way with all the blogs I read but I’m looking for affordable pieces of clothing. I feel like everybody posts things that are on sale but a good sale to one person isn’t a great sale to me. I’m a teacher and I rely on my teacher discount when I’m able to. But realistically if I’m in Target, I’ll check out their clothes or if I’m out shopping and I see a store that might be out of my comfort zone but has a great sale, I check it out. I just want to see practical clothes for a practical 25 y/o at a practical price point. Don’t get me wrong I love my J.Crew, VV, Nordstrom, Lilly etc but I’d happily wear something a season or two behind just because it was on sale versus being on trend or a new item. I understand you have to stay on TCP brand but I feel like I can’t relate to you sometimes because I’m not spending $200 on a dress. Like I said I’m a teacher, at the end of any given day my hands are covered in crayola marker or I have random stains on my clothes so I can afford to spend over $100 on any work item if I know there’s a chance it will get ruined. Perhaps you can do a series on dressing for various jobs featuring your readers! A Cup of Jo features 5 outfits a week from people on various fields and I LOVE that except usually they’re all older than me. So if TCP did that featuring 20 something year olds that’d be awesome!
I hope this is helpful and useful to you. On another note, I applaud you for being so authentic and transparent in your posts. Sometimes bloggers don’t come across that way. But you do. So thank you!
I love that feature on COJ too but the style is a little too modern for me; love that idea!
If you do any reader job posts, I’d be more than happy to be the teacher. I live in Westchester and teach in the Bronx. 🙂
I love all those post ideas! Especially the one about dating and relationships in 2017 (yikes, so stressful) and FOMO/dealing with everybody around you getting married haha.
All the articles you shared are so interesting. I especially like the MLM one — I am honestly just so tired of having people message me to buy their body wraps, etc. Never going to and the sellers’ messages all feel so unauthentic/fake nice.
PS: Carly, I have been loving your blog and social media stories lately. You seem real and I love your posts.
I love the idea of a less expensive version of the “CP look”. I’m a few years out of college and the student loans hit hard. I would love to see a wardrobe post from Target and Old Navy for the fall. How to style 5 things in 10 ways under $100 or something like that! 🙂
You have posted in stories a few times that you have been trying to meal prep. I would love to know a bit more about that!
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com
I have that coming up!
Forgive me if you’ve already done something like this, but I’d love apartment tips/advice for people living in their own apartment for the first time, and best ways to find an apartment; questions to ask, etc…
Agree! I’m still living at my parents for at least another year but would love help since I’ve never looked for an apartment.
It would be cool to see a twist on some fall outfit posts. I feel like when fall comes around a lot of fashion blogs post the same content (apple picking with Hunter boots, pumpkin patch with bean boots etc). Don’t get me wrong- I love those posts! But there’s so much more to do than just that! Hiking, kayaking, water fire festival in RI, wine/beer festivals, or trying a theme 5k or charity run. Some of that stuff you can do almost year round but it’s so much better in fall with the cooler weather and beautiful leaves.
Carly – I LOVE all of your posts and look forward to reading them every day! I especially love your seasonal staples posts. Even though a lot of what you show our classic pieces, it’s always fun to see any updates or current trends added too. I like to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe to rotate each season and use your guide to help me make some of those purchase decisions. Right now though I’d love to see a Fall staple post …I’m looking for some fall shoe/flat ideas (possibly other than mules.) You always have great ideas!! Thanks for sharing!
As a mom to 5, and literally the last generation to not have social media while in college, (I graduated in 2003) a lot of the stuff happening with kids and technology is perpetuated by the parents. Here’s an idea, don’t buy the kids a phone. End of discussion. It’s not hard, I have a 14 year old. She doesn’t have a phone. When she drives, then we’ll get her one. She also doesn’t have facebook, and doesn’t suffer one bit. I am sure most of us have seen the horrific articles on peoples’ self-contentment and all the other crap that social media can do (not always, don’t freak out!). But I really do think how our kids deal with the world is framed by the parents and the example we give them.
YES 100%. We had “computer time” but it was a family computer and we were NEVER allowed to play video games because my dad thought we’d sit in front of the TV all day. So glad they did this!
Well said, Jess! I graduated college in 2002 and honestly don’t think I would have graduated w/ all of the distractions there are now. It was bad enough having AIM and *NSYNC Fan Fiction sites. 😉 I think you are making the right call by not giving your 14 y/o a cell phone. I had my first cell phone at 20 and I only turned it on in case of an emergency when driving between my college and hometowns.
As a fellow Connecticut resident, I would love to see more posts about your explorations around the state. CT has so much diversity and a lot of culture to offer!
More workout posts would be really interesting! I think that’s an area of your life that is new and different from years past (I’ve been reading since 2011) and something you could really expand on! Also maybe outfit posts where you take one shirt or one pair of pants and wear it a few different ways? I always like to see how versatile an item is – especially if it’s a little more expensive, it’s a great help to see it worn multiple different ways before I decide to purchase it or not. And I really enjoy Lou’s recipes, definitely keep them up!
OH! Sorry for the double post – but as a personal request, I’m moving into a new apartment soon and would love to see your favorite places to get art pieces (prints/pictures). I love preppy prints but am looking for something more sophisticated in my new place. You have some great posts about frames you’ve found, I’d love to see a recent round up!
Hey, Carly! I’d love if you’d post something to do with marketing! How you market yourself, what you’ve learned about marketing from a bloggers perspective, etc. I’m a marketing student, specializing in social media and I’d love to hear what you have to say!
Carly, I love your posts and look forward to reading them every day! But maybe I would like to see how you decorate your flat, some deco, what do you do in a typical day, the serie tv you look at, travel and what did you do, and even if i love too much j crew (it’s way too expensive in france I can’t spend 200 $ in a dress) so maybe more affordable clothes for all day in a week. I love to look at your outfit even if I can’t shop anything because it’s american clothes lol (even if most shopping site send international, fee and tax make the cost too much for my wallet); I like you post on the sports you practice also.
You might have already done something similar, but a post with wardrobe “staples” under $50 (even with different options for different price points) would be great to see!
oh by the way i forget to say i like very much the packing list,I never know what to take on a journey, it is horror. I always take too much. I’m going to make a roadtrip in the americans park in september yellostone, bryce canyon, zion etc then las vegas, san diego, los angeles, san francisco and i have no idea what to take as clothes so here is for I like your packing list. For ideas for your blog why not your playlist. I also like clothes per season, can be an article on the basics to have per season etc. Here for ideas
I love seeing seasonal wardrobe essentials…and maybe wardrobe essentials for different seasons of life? I also agree with an earlier poster that it’s nice to see more budget friendly stuff. I think your riding boots for every budget post did a great job of that.
I like your “what’s in my bag” posts. I would love to see posts on travel tips, your favorite destinations, what you pack, practical flying/driving tips, etc. Thanks!
Estate Sales!!! Would love to see more young men and women made aware of estate sales! It kills me when I hear about kids out of college starting out in their first apartment and struggling to buy furniture, kitchen items, etc at retail prices! You can seriously hit an estate sale and buy whatever you need from furniture to cleaning supplies to everything in between! And usually for better quality than what’s out there and always for way less money! Happy to answer questions as I’ve been working for a company on the north shore of Chicago for years, but a great place to start is estatesales.net and search using your zip code. Most companies post photos so you can decide if you want to go to their sale. Do you attend sales, Carly? I would imagine there are excellent ones near where you live!
I would love a post on your favorite wool coats of the season, classic trenches and wrap coats!
Hi Carly! Thank you for all of your inspirational posts! Also, thank you for mentioning the Head Space App, I have been using it for about a month and can tell a tremendous difference in my anxiety levels and my everyday life! I am graduating from college in December and am nervous about the changes it will bring to my life. I would love to read an article on how you handled this major transition in your life from college student to a full fledged “adult”. Thanks again!
I would love to see more of fashion, home, etc. finds under $50 or under $100. I love your style as well as Sarah KJP, but most the time I can’t afford it and have to find similar items that are in my price range. You’re such an inspiration for my style. Hopefully one day I will have a budget that can buy everything you post because all of gives me “butterflies”.
Carly!
I love you vlogs so much! I would love to see more of those, even the “boring” every day stuff of life. I feel like I got to/get to know you so well through those and they just bring me joy. Simple.
I love all your posts as well. As a blogger I would love to read about how you schedule and manage your time. I love those types of posts and I am sure it’s always evolving.
Thanks!
A xo
Hi Carly,
I’m a long time blog reader and faithfully check your blog every day. While not every post is relevant to me, I really appreciate the diversity you have in your content. It’s not all retail-associated, which is great. It’s what keeps me coming back!
Anyways, I do have some things that I would enjoy reading about if you posted, however, I understand that the posts may not be applicable to everybody in your reader base.
1. I would be interested in reading about your routine/any tips you may have when you leave your dogs alone in your apartment. Even if it’s just an hour to go to the gym or go grocery shopping.
2. I think you might have done this once a long time ago, but I love “what’s on my phone” posts about the different apps people have on their phones. It’s always fun to learn about apps beyond the top 50 list on the app store.
3. I love your gallery wall! Any tips/tricks you have about arrangement/what to include, etc. would be a lot of fun to read.
4. I’ve loved your recent posts on skincare, and would be interested in haircare as well. What your daily routine is, what products you use. I know you’ve posted on your “go to” styles before, but more info on daily products, any masks you do, would be interesting.
5. This idea might be more personal, but perhaps a post on being alone? I know you don’t write about your relationships a lot which is totally understandable. But if you ever were willing to, an article about living alone would be greatly appreciated.
Love the apps idea!
Love that you included an interesting mix of things that are “on your radar”! The articles on screentime and MLMs were super interesting.
More blogging tips! What your writing process is like (draft, calendar, adding pictures, promotions, etc.), how you started monetizing, what you wish you could go back and teach yourself in your first year, etc.
Hi Carly!! I’d love to see a post about decorating an office/cubicle and making it stylish/cute/comfy without being unprofessional or immature. I just started my first job after college and my cubicle needs some personality!!
Ooh, I second this!
Going to listen to the Sandra Bullock inspo !
http://www.lottiegibbons.com
Hi Carly,
I would love to see personal finance related posts again! I think I read a few before and you had wonderful tips on saving! I’m in my late 20s and I have a lot more to learn!
Also, on how to keep your delicate clothes (laundry tips, how to make cashmere sweater last long etc…) 🙂
Saya,
Have you ever checked out learnvest.com? It is a fantastic resource for educating women on finances!
love reading your blog! i know balancing personal & public life/personas can be tough for bloggers but as a fellow (late) 20-something, i’d love to read more posts about just how hard it can be to be this age. all the decisions, options, pressures, expectations from ourselves and others .. it’s a lot. i *know* i’m not alone in feeling that way, i just feel like no one else talks about it.
thanks for your encouraging and inspiring space, keep on keeping on 🙂
I would personally love to hear more about how you grew TCP, especially leaving your job to make it full-time. Your story is so inspiring! Also a fan of A Day in the Life, how you set up your work day, etc.
If it’s not too personal, I think it would also be interesting to hear your thoughts on being single/dating. I was recently in a relationship that made me think for the first time about how hard it is to manage a full-time job and side hustle while dating someone, and it really gave me pause. I want to be going for what I want, and I resented having less time to work on my stuff. But at the same time, relationships are important. Ack, what to do!! I’d love to hear your take, or if you’ve experienced this now/while growing TCP.
Been following since high school and you’re still one of my faves! Keep slaying girl. 🙂
I’d love to see a post with advice on how to balance blogging with college (fellow Hoya here eyyyy) and also a post on your favorite methods of self-care. Also, absolutely adore Sandra Bullock <3
Hi Carly, It would be cool to see your favorite apps or websites!
What a cute backpack!
Kari
http://sweetteasweetie.com/cord-blood-awareness-month/
I would love to see easy/quick dinner recipes with simple ingredients! As a teacher, it’s so difficult to get home and get dinner that’s delicious and easy on the table and you always share the best recipes 🙂
Bonus points if you can add a Fall twist 😉
xoxo, SS
Southern and Style
I always look forward to your on my radar posts and this was one of my favorites! I’ve always wondered what your take on MLM companies was, and your opinion on LuLaRoe. I just don’t see the hype!
I’d love to read about how you got from your college major to the career you have now, and if applicable, all the career switches in between as well! I also know that for a lot of people, their career isn’t that related to what they studied in college, which is always interesting to hear about. I’m about to start my senior year of college, and I’m getting nervous about starting my career and entering the real world! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I would love a post about maintaining long-distance friendships. I feel like a lot of my friends are starting to disperse and I’d love some advice about keeping those friendships strong!
I would love to know what inspires your style and outfits (celebs, movies, weather etc.)
I don’t think you’ve done a post about this before (and if you have, please point me to it) but I would love to see a post on how you get ready for blog photo shoots (and what goes into each of these shoots)–getting outfit shots is definitely a challenge for me.
Also, if it’s not too controversial, I’d love a post about all those Facebook groups that help promote blogs, comment pods, etc and what you think the key is to really be successful as a blogger.
xo,
Dee
http://www.everybodygirl.com
I’d love to see a post about adjusting to post college life.
Also, what age did you start using anti-aging cream/ getting facials (if you have started using them)? Any recommendations?
Hey Carly, what is the brand of the favorite oxford you mentioned? I’m looking into buying some for work. Thanks!