tolly dolly posh

I’ve wondered whether to re-write this post and make it more exciting; I’ve wondered whether to make a countdown of content and list my favourite blog posts from over the past eight years and fill it with throwback photos. But really, this post only needs simplicity.

It is equally as nerve-wracking as it is exciting to write. This marks a new era in my life, as hyperbolic as that may sound.

On March 29th 2012, I started this blog. Today, on September 3rd 2020, I am publishing my last post on tollydollyposhfashion.com and launching a new website – tolmeiagregory.com – tomorrow, on September 4th.

It’s also a little uncomfortable talking so directly about myself; it feels a bit icky and unnatural due to the nature of the work I’ve now committed myself to and how it’s not really being about me but the world and us, as a collective. However, this is is my space after all and even though I don’t get often share overly personal things, I recognise that it’s always appreciated more than I usually expect it to.

If you’ve been a follower for a while, you may have noticed that my blog has become increasingly inactive (and if you’ve only followed me recently, you might not know it even exists!). In the early days, I was posting daily updates, made up of outfit pictures taken on an iPhone 3 and collages of product photos to showcase celebrity style inspiration. In the latter days of covering climate activism and sustainable fashion? You’d be lucky to see me publishing once a month.

This change has been entirely natural. It has come after years of pouring my heart and energy into frequently uploaded content, after writing 830 blog posts (yes, you read that correctly; 830) and after growing from an 11-year-old to a fully independent 20-year-old who has her own bills to pay.

My content gradually evolved and blog posts went from taking half-an-hour to complete to several days, from photography to research. It’s not that it became unenjoyable but it was taking time away from what was becoming a more valuable use of my time.

Instagram and its many uses were slowly becoming a more powerful tool and it was freeing up that time. Instead of compiling long-form content, I was able to keep important conversations going around the clock. I could make things more personal, allow my content to become more accessible to all and share other people’s work and educational content in a much easier way. My platform has blossomed into something stronger than it was before. I’m also more than certain that most people’s digital attention spans have lessened since 2012, as sad as that may be.

Along the way, I’ve even become self-employed and started a career as an illustrator. Launching GIPHY stickers in 2018 was one of the best decisions I ever made because it has given me freedom and flexibility and the skills to run my own business.

As a now self-proclaimed activist – the ability to share and inspire people instantly is more important to me now than having to maintain a platform fit for consistent levels of high-quality long-form content. After all, we’re facing a Climate Emergency – time is of the essence. Of course, I’ve always appreciated quality over quantity but there are now more conversations to be had and topics to cover than there ever was before.

I will note that alongside this, personal wellbeing has to come first. At the time of writing this, I am coming towards the end of a month-long break from keeping on top of my social media platforms; the first time I’ve ever done this. The only Instagram and Twitter-ing I’ve engaged with have been for my local activism group back home, where I live-tweeted an action from my parent’s house in Italy as they mass-cycled down a dual-carriageway in the UK. Proof that everybody can get involved, even if you aren’t physically on the streets!

I also never aimed to keep up my blog for this long. It was a summer project, initially. It was just an idea that 11-year-old Tolly had, to combine her interest in fashion and the digital world into one. It was never my goal to become an ‘influencer’ or to have my work featured in publications and to be nominated for awards (and most recently, turn them down, especially when the nomination is coming from a publication promoting consumerism and unhealthy diet culture for women). Just as it was never my aim to become an activist. This has all been a truly organic progress; I’ve just been going along for a ride with what this has all become.

I’m sure my 11-year-old self would be proud of everything she’s achieved over the years and would be even prouder to know that I am using my platform in such a positive way. Letting go of this blog is much like letting go of my aspirations of becoming a fashion designer – yes, it’s a big decision to make but it makes sense. It’s making room for something even better and more fulfilling.

However, I’ve decided to not let go of this blog entirely. I want it to carry on existing because it is much more than a fashion blog. I’ve only archived or deleted a handful of blog posts. Every other bad blog post is still up. Every outfit post taken by my dad from dodgy angles before we discovered what ‘bokeh’ means, still lives on. Every most-likely problematic thought that I’d yet to educate myself on, is still there (because it’s possible to evolve, grow and learn and unlearn).

Every post dedicated to a fast-fashion brand or a company I wouldn’t dare support nowadays is still available for all to see (something that often surprises new followers is that I haven’t always been an ethical fashion advocate). The blog post that documented the traumatic experience of surviving an earthquake a few years ago, is still up to revisit.

It’s a time capsule that is still full of resources for young people just finding their footing in things like sustainable fashion or becoming themselves. It would be a waste to let it go, but it also wouldn’t feel right to carry it all with me as I keep riding along this journey. I tried that; I copied old content – the really good stuff – over to my new website, and it just didn’t feel right.

I want to thank each and every person who has ever sat down and read even a sentence of this blog. You have been a part of my growing up, my childhood and my ‘becoming’. I know – dramatic.

It’s not as if this is goodbye forever, it’s just a goodbye to this slice of my internet pie. And if you’re curious what the next chapter looks like, you can go and have a read on my new blog or, of course, continue to stay updated elsewhere like on Instagram and Twitter. I’ll also have a limited run of art prints available, which is another new exciting venture for me.

I will still be writing content that is longer than an Instagram caption but it’s not something I’ll be tied to. There will no longer be the pressure to be a ‘blogger’. I can just be me and when something worth talking about comes up, it will have a new home – the home that will also belong to my work as an activist and a digital artist.

And to be completely honest? I think I may have slightly outgrown this nickname or ‘brand’. It was lovely and endearing in the beginning, taken from a story my mum made up when I was little but I’ve admittedly reached the point where I feel a little bit embarrassed every time I share my username with someone in person because, really, I’m not Tolly Dolly anything…

I’m Tolmeia.

Today marks 6 years of my blog and in honour of that, I want to get real with you. Currently, I feel as if I’m in a unique position with my blog. I’ve been working on it for a decent amount of time – a third of my life! – yet my progression and growth have been slow compared to others…

Photography by Olesya Gonta – shot in Florence, Italy in the summer of 2017.

WHAT I WORE: Yellow Leather Jacket (Vintage) // Blouse (Second-hand) // Skirt (Second-hand) // Recycled Denim Chokers (Yours Again)* // Hair Bow (Unknown)

This is just a commentary, not a piece written out of jealousy or desperation. I understand that there are many easy to pinpoint and fairly recognisable reasons for the rise and fall of my blog. I also understand that there are probably hundreds of other bloggers and writers who fall into the same boat (and if you are one, perhaps you’ll relate). Well, perhaps not the same; I did say I feel like I’m in a unique position after all.

For those of you who don’t know or perhaps need reminding, I started my blog just before I turned 12-years-old, an age of which I now look back on and realise really was as young as it seemed to others, and that’s coming from the girl who has always seen herself as more mature than I am (I’ve never feared or shied away from growing up. The idea excites me more than anything because there’s so much more potential to be lived out as you age).

At around 13, my blog somehow gained attraction. I usually try not to use terms like “somehow” because it almost implies it was for no good reason. I use it here, however, because, in comparison to my blog now in 2018, it baffles me to think I was deemed as an impressive creator (sorry, younger version of myself but you’ll be glad to know you haven’t settled for what you were writing back then).

It doesn’t bother me to say this and I am unashamed to admit it but honestly, in terms of numbers, audience interaction and what is normally deemed as “online success”, my blog peaked around that time.

One of my most frequent click-backs is from an article I was featured in, in The Telegraph Magazine. To this day, I still get people finding my blog through that piece discussing teen bloggers, even though the image which depicts me is of my 11-year-old-self wearing an admittedly, culturally appropriative headband.

Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of that feature (albeit the offensive accessory) and grateful for what followed it but that isn’t me now – unsurprisingly and thankfully, I’ve changed, learned and evolved as a human being and ultimately, as a blogger.

The content I’m creating now is the content I am the proudest of so far, yet the traction it receives and the audience it now lends itself to is vastly smaller. My numbers peaked at the point where I was really only learning and finding my feet but my blog itself is now peaking when I’d say it’s most in need of being seen. As much as I blog because I love it, I also blog for a bigger purpose, now.

As I said, there are many reasons for this. First and foremost, I was a teen blogger at a time when there weren’t that many who were visible. I was part of a small and niche group of young and spritely voices. I was labelled as a future “Tavi Gevinson” on multiple occasions (which is extremely flattering – Tavi has gone on to do wonderful things).

But now, it’s fairly common to see a blog link in a teen’s Twitter bio or for an opinionated thread of tweets to gain thousands and views, for it to turn out to have been written by an intelligent and forward thinking 14-year-old. A Tumblr post can gain thousands of notes compared to a website I’ve put blood, sweat and tears into for a good portion of my life so far.

The internet has grown and changed in a way nobody would have expected, leading blogging and YouTube to become aspirational career paths (whether that’s a good thing or not, is another conversation to be had). There are magazines dedicated to advising teenagers on how to get started online and that’s only really happened in the past three or four years.

Secondly, I’ve never had a huge audience in the first place. When I say my blog and my platform peaked a few years ago, I’m obviously not implying I used to be as well-known as Zoella.

My numbers are small and magazine features never gained me much more than experience and behind-the-scenes opportunities (more on that later – I value this a lot). It’s only recently that I’ve reached 2,000 followers on Instagram when some teenagers are reaching millions within a matter of a year or two, and maybe this is rightly so.

Lastly, and perhaps more obvious as of late – the topics I write about just don’t interest people in the same way other subjects do. As much as I’d rather it didn’t, the world of blogging (specifically within the beauty, fashion and lifestyle sectors) relies upon well, the consumerist culture and that doesn’t sit too well with somebody interested in the matters of sustainability.

There are many opportunities I’ve been given and reached out for that would easily have progressed me further in the direction of what this new industry would claim to be “success”. There are brands I could have worked with who would have been able to expose me to a wider audience.

There are clients and companies who would have benefited me financially if I’d started dismissing my moral and personal beliefs. I could have scrapped my rule of being organic across the board and added Google Ads to my sidebar years ago and I probably could have afforded to re-design my site by now (yes, this is a cry for help for any web designers looking to add to their portfolio!).

The truth is, a Primark haul, a make-up tutorial or tips on how to style up current trends, are always going to attract more people than a discussion on Cradle to Cradle design and how our clothes contribute to climate change.

If that’s how I described my content to a new reader, I think even I would be turned off by it. My outfit and style posts are a great example of this in themselves; they’re far easier to read, consume and digest meaning they’re often more popular than anything else.

That’s not to say discussing ethics and sustainability can’t equal success. Take a look at the likes of Eco-Cult; what Kestrel Jenkins has done with Conscious Chatter and what many other sustainably focused content creators are doing.  Even myself; I am a success story in my own right, it just might not look like that on the surface because I’m not attracting millions of views a year anymore (sadly).

2,000 followers on a platform don’t let you in on who is included within that 2,000, though. I’ve been very fortunate in being able to connect with people who I admire and who will be of more help and support to me and where I want all of this to lead than say, 200,000 unknown strangers. Although I’m not going to turn that down (*insert all my social media links here so you can follow me*), I believe this is all a lesson in the old adage of “quality over quantity”.

I mentioned that I would talk more about behind-the-scenes opportunities and I believe this is important to highlight, especially for those who also struggle with the numbers game. I try my very hardest not to be one of those people who vaguely posts about the exciting news they have but can’t share (I mostly keep quiet due to the fear of jinxing whatever good news it might relate to) but more often than not, I wouldn’t be able to do that anyway. Some of my success is almost invisible and completely unknown because it often ends up never coming to fruition.

Towards the end of last year I was given an opportunity that would have been a large milestone for me but it was taken away within a couple of email replies simply because it turned out that I had to be 18 to be involved (I’m impatiently waiting until I’m in the 18-24 age bracket so that never happens again!) and I’ve been offered many other experiences that have left me speechless but alas, we aren’t all flooded with enough money to travel and be a part of every single one.

A few thousand followers and unseen opportunities also don’t demonstrate the value of the effort and time that goes into everything I create. The fact that I haven’t reached a larger number of followers or the fact that my blog doesn’t generate me a stable income, could easily have knocked me back and made me question why I bother with any of it (this would be a great starting place for that aspirational career path conversation). I’d like to think I put in as much work as a full-time blogger does, without much in return.

A post I read recently by Megan from Wonderful You, discussed success similarly. She explained her own version of slower progression and growth and it interested me because, from my perspective, she is a very obvious success story. The grass is always greener.

I also have to factor in that I have spent a good majority of these past six years growing, whether that’s literally (my blog will soon see me into adulthood) or metaphorically. Most bloggers who started back in 2012 were already the age I am now, leaving them in their early or mid-twenties with whatever success they’ve achieved.

I’m only just turning 18 in May of this year and starting to feel fully content and confident in what I’m producing. If I wanted to compare my story to other “more successful ones”, it could take me another 6 years to reach that with what I’m currently doing.

I suppose I would never want to fit neatly into the box of an ordinary and successful “blogger” though because the assumptions that tie into that don’t align with me at all.

My Instagram isn’t a constant stream of outfit photos and selfies (okay, admittedly I’ve been posting more of them recently), my photography doesn’t look as if it’s been torn right out of a glossy magazine (this post excluded, thanks to the wonderful Olyesa) and I still have no real interest in properly entering the world of YouTube. I am not a “blogger” blogger, or an “influencer” or whatever other vague terms the industry and media want to use to characterize a humongous spectrum of people working, living and creating online.

I did say I blog for a bigger purpose now but this post wasn’t intended to have one. Perhaps you can take it as a letter I wrote to myself, to remind me that although I am not what most would see as a hugely successful or well-esteemed blogger, there is so much more to it than digits, followers and the amount of money it all generates me.

Six years has been a long, exciting and unexpected journey and out of all of it, the achievement I’m most proud of is just sticking with it.

Follow Olesya Gonta on Instagram & Behance

Speaking of… thank you to all my readers who have stuck with me since the early days and those of which who are new to all things TDP. Here’s to another (who knows?) six years 

~ LOST SHAPES X TOLLY DOLLY POSH ~
Shop the ethical t-shirts collection

I’m so excited to announce that I have officially launched my own ethical and sustainable t-shirts with Lost Shapes! For a large portion of this year, I’ve been working closely with Lost Shapes to bring you something that we’re both incredibly proud to be sharing with you all. A lot of projects like this often don’t seem like much on the surface but I can tell you now that a lot of love and hard work went into making these t-shirts possible, so I hope you appreciate them as much as we do!

In case you aren’t aware, Lost Shapes are an independent clothing brand from back home in the UK. The wonderful owner, Anna, has built her brand upon ethical and sustainable values to go along side her traditionally hand-printed designs. You might recognise Lost Shapes from my ethical directory.

I couldn’t release my first sustainable pieces without making them all about what I believe in. In this post, not only can you scroll through and get a taste of the lookbook, you can also find out the inspirations behind each piece and why they ended up looking like they do.

However, if you’re ready to shop already, click the link above. I can’t wait to see you all wearing your Lost Shapes x Tolly Dolly Posh pieces!

Make sure to tweet @TollyDollyPosh and @LostShapes with the hashtag #LSxTDP so we can see how you style them.

~ MANY QUESTIONS T-SHIRT ~
100% Organic Cotton with 90% Reduced Carbon Footprint

This design is inspired quite simply by the idea of questioning the supply chains across the fashion industry. It’s a bold inspiration which might not come across to just anyone but it started to be put across from the very first pages of my sketchbook. The question marks are linked like a chain and if you look very closely, the colours cross over each other with slight transparency – that of course was very intentional.

As the name suggests, there are so many questions that need answering when it comes to our clothes, so this is like wearing all of them on a t-shirt which supports answering them. The racer style makes it all the more striking and looks rather good against the backdrop of the lookbook (it’s a Keith Haring mural, open and on display in Pisa, Italy).

I styled both t-shirts with a denim skirt (second-hand, of course), as there are definite yet subtle 80s vibes in each design. Although the bright pink and orange may seem rather summery, there’s no reason these t-shirts can’t be worn throughout the colder seasons. I’m ready and set to pair this design with a biker jacket.

~ KEEP ON ASKING T-SHIRT ~
Fair Trade 100% Organic Cotton with workers premium

The other t-shirt in my little collection took a while longer to perfect (well, both of them did – a lot of time goes into making colours perfect when they’re being hand-printed), simply because slogans of course have a lot to shout about.

We want these t-shirts to be open for everyone to wear (man or woman, they’re unisex!), hence why the ‘Many Questions’ design is a symbolic pattern and hence why the phrase ‘Keep on Asking’ hopefully, applies to a lot of other things.

Of course, the ‘Keep on Asking’ I’m referring to within my designs, is the idea of asking those who are in charge and capable of real change, to answer questions. This stems back to great initiatives like Fashion Revolution and #WhoMadeMyClothes, as well as just conscious consumerism in general. In order to become more transparent, we need questions to be answered. Once again, the transparent layering is intentional and I’m really happy with the outcome, especially with the 80s style, bubble font.

I’ve already worn this t-shirt a dozen ways with different skirts and bottoms (it may or may not be my favourite design of the two, with the Fair Trade cotton being the cherry on top) and I think the versatility definitely comes down to the shirt being grey.

~ WHO MADE MY T-SHIRTS? ~
Every Lost Shapes item is sourced sustainably before being hand-printed by Anna Brindle, the creator of Lost Shapes, with each design in the collaboration designed lovingly by Tolly Dolly Posh.

I’m really proud to have worked with Anna on this little collection. It took a lot of back and forth work but I believe the overall outcome was most definitely worth it. I really hope to see some of you wearing them in the near future, or at least to hear you have them on your wishlist! All the important links can be found below… happy Lost Shapes x Tolly Dolly Posh shopping!

FOLLOW LOST SHAPES:
Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

DOWNLOAD:
Press Release // Lookbook

Special thanks to Kayleigh Adams Photography for capturing the t-shirts in all of their glory. Follow Kayleigh on Instagram for more photography and visit her website if you’re interested in using her for your own project. 

Whew boy, I can’t believe that I have officially been writing my blog for half a decade! Blogging is a weird and wonderful word and over the past few years I have definitely realised how many blogs and websites there are out there now but I couldn’t be more chuffed with how my very own is turning out. On previous “blog birthdays” or “blogiversaries”, I’ve answered questions about how I blog but this time I wanted to get some of my frequent readers and commenters involved and see how it’s been to read my work and join in with Tolly Dolly Posh along the way. Hell yeah, I’m not only championing my hard work (because yes, it’s been challenging), I’m championing you too!

🎉 HAPPY 5th BLOG BIRTHDAY TOLLY DOLLY POSH 🎉

Without trying to big myself up, I wanted to ask some of you who frequently interact with my content why you read my blog and how it’s helped you over the past few years, months, weeks or days you’ve been reading it! It’s a slightly more personal version of one of my previous reader surveys. Hopefully, it will make things a little clearer for new readers and will also celebrate the community which has been created ever since I started writing because obviously, I probably would have stopped or at least pulled back a little if it wasn’t for your continuous support. I may be a small fish in a big sea but it’s definitely a good sea to be in…

Jayne – Nabila – Eleanor – Edie

When did you start reading my blog?

How has my blog inspired you?

Has my blog helped you become a conscious consumer?

WHAT I WORE: Zenith Dress (Fame & Partners)* 

What would you like to see more of? 

Receiving these responses really solidified how happy and proud I am of the work I’m doing right now. I think I’ve definitely found my feet even if it’s taken me five whole years to get here. Of course I’m always looking to improve and make things even more accessible and enjoyable for you, the readers, so please feel free to send over your own responses! Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see and perhaps I can make it happen!

For now though, once again, thank you so much for reading and giving me such incredible opportunities over these past few years. I suppose we should say ‘here’s to another five’ but perhaps this site will be a platform for something even greater by then. Take a look back at some of my favourite posts in the meantime and keep updated by following me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and all those magical places.

THANK YOU! 👊

It’s been a while since I’ve posted some designs on here. I’m pretty much a perfectionist so I only ever like to share things that I’m genuinely happy with or I at least think are worth sharing. After fiddling around and practicing my watercolour painting techniques and watercolour repeat patterns, I doodled up a quick one and was set a small brief to draw up some rough ideas to make them come to life… and they’re worth sharing, I suppose! Plus, it was totally an excuse to try out the illustrative style I’ve fallen in love with…

© Original designs by Tolly Dolly Posh. More info here. 

~ LOOSE V-NECK CAMI & JERSEY PRINTED SKIRT ~

The brief was to sketch up some simple items that could be easily cut and put together, and my first thought was loose and unfitted. I personally love layering, so most of the low-cut v-neck items in this blog post are ideally meant for that purpose. A ditsy floral print would work really well, especially if layered over a contrast blouse or shirt. It genuinely would be a straight up and down cami with the only detailing being the deep neckline, making it a simple throw on and throw away piece (by throw away I mean, into your drawers).

The skirt would be a thicker jersey material, in a simple circle skirt/A-line fit. Stretchy and comfortable, but thicker than the more silk like cami to match. I love experimenting with different colour ways and print scales, hence why the skirt and top mismatch. The addition of the ruffled arm cuffs and collar are based around the seasonal trends at the moment, which are also in a mixmatched colour way.

~ LOOSE V-NECK MAXI DRESS ~

Another flowing v-neck design in a powder purple. Similar in shape to the cami already mentioned, it’s simply straight up and down and due to it’s extremely relaxed and loose nature, has no zips or buttons as it can be taken on and off with ease. I understand that it looks like a rather daring neckline, but once again, it’s intended for layering, but for these sketches I didn’t want to take away from the main idea.

~ LOOSE V-NECK PLAYSUIT ~

Almost identical to the maxi dress, this playsuit is again just straight up and down and simple; the fabric being loose enough for a no-zip access. It’s a rather ‘boyish’ fit, with lots of room in the legs and body for movement not only for the wearer, but also for the fabric. A slightly bigger print scale allows the green to contrast against the darker greens within the print, and adds for a more camouflage, botanical feel.

~ MOCK-UP DESIGN (Original item via People Tree) ~

I also wanted to do a quick mock-up using an ‘already in production’ item as it gives you a real sense of how the print would work with certain fabrics. You an also see the print a little closer up here. It’s a combination of large flowers and foliage, with scattered leaves and small daisy like flowers. The colours could easily be adapted for a more autumnal feel, but with the blues included, I could see this piece going into winter too.

I hope you liked this quick little insight into some recent rough designs! You guys requested for me to post some more of these illustrations, so I thought I’d give you just that! I put a quick poll out on Twitter (closed now, I’m afraid) to see if you’d be interested in seeing daily illustrations over fashion week instead of general reviews, and the answer was definitely a yes to illustrations! I’ll let you know how that goes and if I stick to it!

(Reference images)

Would you wear any of these designs? Which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!

I’m sorry for the rather boring title of this post but I really had no other ideas on how to describe this one! The thing is, I’m in a bit of a pickle… well, not literally; my head is not inside a small chunk of gherkin (although do feel free to imagine that scenario)… I’m just in a bit of a puzzle about blogging… once again, not literally, but do feel free to imagine that as well!

~ OOH, AN UPDATE ~

The weird thing is, a few weeks ago I was actually rather stressed about my blog and I was panicking over pleasing brands and not cramming too much in… and now I’m at the complete opposite end of the scale.

I’m not having a “blogger’s block” but I’m completely dried up. I’ve been busy with my offline life and suddenly my online one feels a bit deserted. My blog schedule has been empty and when I go to write a post, the idea has gone and the motivation has been used for something else.

I strive to make this blog interesting… I know that it has the capability to develop even more so I have to have 100% concentration, and right now I don’t. I’m one of those people who gets stuck in ruts very quickly and it’s a real shame because I have definitely not given up or anything like that.

WHAT I WORE: Crochet Top (Jumble Sale) // Zebra Top (Jumble Sale) // Necklace (Chelsea Doll) // Bun Crown (DIY)

I believe one of the main reasons I’ve been quiet is because of the very exciting thing that is, Mooi en Lief by TDP. It’s all coming together and I know that once it’s off the ground I’m going to be full of energy again. It’s like watching a big wave come towards you. You know it’s coming but when the water crashes, you realise that you rather underestimated the size of it. I guess I just really don’t want that to happen.

I’m a perfectionist too, so I always like to make sure what I do is tip-top-a-roo, and letting down people can really make me feel rather paranoid. So, I suppose this is me saying to you that you should just hold your breath whilst this wave comes because I promise you it’ll be worth the wait… does that make any sense at all?!

Here’s to the next month or more and this blog taking on new and exciting adventures. Sometimes it’s nice to take a breather even if it’s unexpected, hey? …seriously, I have genuinely know idea if any of this made a single bit of sense!

…also, here’s to new profile pictures! Cheers 😉

~ WELCOME ~

Eeeee! HOW, crazy is this?! Welcome to Tolly Dolly Posh Fashion 2.0! I’m so excited to finally show you the new design! I literally cannot contain my excitement! I hope you have had a little nosy around and got used to all the new functions and features… it’s a little different isn’t it?

Where do I begin… for ages now, I’ve been thinking about giving this place a bit of a re-vamp, but have never just ‘gone for it’. It’s hard to let go of certain things when they just seem so comfortable and normal to you. My old design had been with me since Day 1, which I believe is fairly unusual for most bloggers. I’ve seen many bloggers change from design to design every month or so, but I was pretty happy with the way it was. Recently though, it just felt a bit dated. The whole look and feel was a bit old fashioned (in my opinion), and I was just simply growing out of it! I started blogging properly when I was 11, and now I’m 14, so clearly my tastes have changed.

The scariest part for me was leaving my header behind. The aztec headband and peace sign poses were not me at all anymore, and needed to go. They had been a big part of my journey, some might say they were my ‘branding’. The old header pictures were featured in magazines, so how I could I not feel a bit hesitant on letting it go?! Plus, you guys seemed to love the old design, so it’s been a tough decision. I’ve done it though, and I don’t regret it one bit! I hope you adore it as much as I do! The design is much more me. It’s still colourful and has a lot of my personality injected into it, but it’s cleaner and more professional. It also gives me the opportunity to change it up every now and again, seeing as the header is a collection of my favourite outfit posts. The other images can also be changed and that makes me so much happier.

With my old design I was held back by everything being so uniform. My Twitter, Facebook and Instagram profile pictures all matched, and whenever I liked a picture of myself (okay, that doesn’t sound vain at all), I couldn’t just quickly switch it around. It might have been the perfectionist in me, but that needed to change, and now I can do that whenever I want. YAY to freedom!

~ NEW IDEAS ~

When I finally finished the main bulk of the design, I realised that I needed to actually think about what I want to do with my blog. You may notice that my header no longer says ‘Tolly Dolly Posh Fashion’, and I don’t want this to alarm people, because look at the URL! I’m stilling calling this a fashion blog, because it is one, but I also want to reach out to other topics. I enjoy writing, so I want to share my other opinions and feelings with you too! I’ve also come to the realisation that I need to go for ‘quality over quantity’ within my posts. Ever since I posted my tennis court photoshoot, I’ve been so inspired by photography and fashion editorials, that I’ve decided that’s the route I want to go with certain elements of my blog. From now on I’ve decided to focus on the quality of outfit posts rather than the amount that I post. I know you guys absolutely love them, so I want to make them the best they can be! I’m actually soon to be investing in an even better lens than I already have which is super duper exciting, so hopefully that will all tie in nicely.

Another new idea I have is called ‘Series Sunday’. Every Sunday from now on (excuse tomorrow, you can let me off just this one time) there will be a post from a set series which I am running. I’ve noticed that I never really carry on series posts so I thought it would be a good way to change that. One Sunday you might see an A-Z Fashion post, the next you might see a Scrap Social post, who knows! I hope you like this idea and that you are now looking forward to your Sunday’s 🙂

~ A PRESENT FOR YOU ~

So after all of this excitement, I have decided to give you guys a little present! I’ve teamed up with Johnnie B (Boden) for a give-away! It’s just a little thank you for supporting this blog for such a long time, and to celebrate the launch for the new design! Here’s all the details you need to know…

PRIZE: 2 pieces of choice from Johnnie B at Boden! Don’t be alarmed if you are 9 or 29, because there are some awesome accessories and shoes on the site, which I’m sure would be suitable for any age!
WHERE: This is a worldwide give-away! (Please check T&Cs for more info.)
WHO: I will need your postal address to send onto the team at Boden, so please make sure you have permission to give it to me.
WHEN: This give-away will end on 8th November 2014. I will be announcing the winner via Twitter and will email them directly.
HOW: Use the Rafflecopter widget below. In order to win you must: leave a blog post comment (telling me what 2 pieces you would like to win from the Johnnie B range) & follow @BodenClothing and @TollyDollyPosh on Twitter. You can also grab yourself more chance of winning with the other optional tasks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I suppose that’s it then! How exciting?! This is rather a big step for me, and I hope you appreciate it as much as I do. Hopefully things can only get better from here on out, and that this blog will be an even better place than it already is. I’m excited to take you on my future journeys, and if you’re new here, I hope you enjoy the ride… *apologises for the cheesiness*

(A big thank you to Johnnie B at Boden for sponsoring this give-away! Read my full PR disclaimer here.)

A few weeks ago I did a post on my first Clothes Show Live, with a few old pictures of me. Well, I went to check my emails and there was an email from my sister saying ‘Sorry Tolly, you never stood a chance, you were always destined to be in-front of the camera!’. And I thought, what?! I then looked and found that there were a few attachments, and I saw the pictures of me when I was about 5 or 6, when me and my sister did a photoshoot in our village. I was her little ‘Model in The Making’. So here they are…

These pictures make me laugh so much. They’re so cute (If I do say so myself), but so weird at the same time. Just look at that one with the mobile phone, what was I doing with my chin and nose?! The weirdest thing is that I was called Tolly Dolly even then, because the file name was ‘Tolly Dolly’ and my sister hadn’t changed them. Weird. Haha. I wouldn’t really want to be a model unless it was really good pay. I don’t like the fuss of the modelling world. But, you know I wouldn’t mind trying it out again…

Photography by Big Sis’ Saskia Posh

Okay, well this is a secret of mine, I didn’t even mention it to anyone! But here it is… Yes! I am BLOGGER OF THE WEEK 🙂

Please look at the FULL ARTICLE here!

This goes to all you readers, and every one who has helped me 🙂 Especially my big sis 😉 Love you guys, my Posh Dollies 😉

I was looking at some super cool things, and I just thought you might like to have a look at the things that I love most… 🙂

Kluke Art, Asos, Saskia Says, Beyonce - Love on Top, Bombay Duck, River Island & San Pellegrino Lemonade 🙂

1- Kluke Art: I absolutely love their illustrations, I just think they are so cute!

2 – Asos: As I have said before, I think Asos is great for cheap & pricey clothing & accessories.

3 – Saskia Says: Of course any sister would love their big sister, but I do seriously love her blog & site!

4 – Beyonce – Love on top: I love this song! It is so catchy, and I just can’t get it out of my head!

5 – Bombay Duck: I love their charms & I have a very heavy charm bracelet now!

6 – River Island: I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair of River Island’s print jeans! AAAH!

7 – San Pellegrino Lemonade: So darn TASTY!