Yeah, this pretty much sums up how I felt last Thursday evening.
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 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!
Amazing!! What a fabulous event to celebrate! Congrats on 10 years, you should be so proud 🙂
Author
Thank you Kimberlee!
Hi Ally
Congratulations. Although I haven’t been following you for ten years, i have gone back and started at your first blog, and read forward. I am intending on catching up on all you did, before i came on board (about 2013). I will say I love your blog, and enjoy your insight on so many things. i find you inspiring because you are actually so real and refreshing. I am hoping that you write for a very long time, becuase you have helped me feel more confident and stylish in my clothing, and also because Marylanders stick together. So very proud of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing yourself with us.
Author
Thank you so much Patti!
It was SO amazing to finally meet you and your fabulous family. Your blog has been such an inspiration to me- thank you for it!
Author
Oh Lisa, it was so nice to meet you after all of these years. I am so glad you came! <3
Congrats, Allie!!! What a wonderful way to mark this huge milestone. I do hope that the memories of this celebration and the people who celebrated with you will linger on in your heart and mind forever. When you are feeling discouraged or some poopy-pants leaves you a snarky comment … please refer back to THIS party celebrating YOUR success. You rock. Carry on!!! xo
Author
thank you so much Gayle!
Happy 10th Birthday!! Congratulations on what is a HUGE milestone in the ephemeral world of the internet. Looks like everyone had a ball at the party 🙂
Never stop being you; I enjoy the ‘real’ posts more than any others (e.g. when you’re pissed about something). Façades are not a good basis for connecting properly with others.
Enhorabuena (again) from Cádiz, in southern Spain!
Ursula
Author
thank you so much Ursula!!
Congrats on your continued success on WO!! I have enjoyed reading your blog over the years. This looks like such a fun event!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Would love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion linkup.
Author
thank you so much Alice!!
Congrats! Ten years is incredible. You’re incredible and an inspiration! So glad I got to meet you via this big ol’ blogging world <3
Author
Aww thanks my friend! <3
Congratulations! You should be incredibly proud of such an amazing accomplishment. Wishing you many more years of great blogging! I love your blog 🙂
Author
thank you so much Dee!
Congrats to an OG style blogger! Don’t ever stop!
Author
Thank you to an OG style blogger, and the same to you! Been following your fun fabulous style all these years Kasmira, you make the blogosphere a better place! <3
It looks like it was an awesome party. If anyone deserves a grand celebration, it is you. You do so much good for so many. Thank you so much!
Chris
Author
Aww thanks Chris! <3
Congratulations! As they say, “you’ve come a long way, baby!” It looks like you had a great time. Thank you for all the work you put into this blog. It really is a wonderful creation you’ve got here.
Author
thank you so much Karen!
Congrats on ten years!
Author
thanks Susan!!
Such a great accomplishment…you should be tremendously proud & happy!!! I laugh because my mom just asked how long I’m going to do this blog thing and I told her 10 years (of course, then I’ll have to change it to women in their 60’s, 70’s. & 80’s.) jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
Women of all age could benefit from you advice! 🙂
And yours!! 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog since college (2007!) and have always loved your writing, fashion advice, photos, and everything in between. Congrats on celebrating 10 years of blogging!
Author
Thanks so much Emily!!
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition of your impact on the blogosphere! I’ve only been reading for about a year, but always look forward to your posts. I get so many good ideas from you, even though I’m old enough to be your mother and have a very different body type. You are fierce and fabulous, and I wish you at least another decade of successful writing!
Author
Oh thank you so much!
Interesting. I don’t think I ever recall you mentioning South Moon Under.
Author
A few of the brands that sponsored may not be ones I have featured on the blog but have connected with in person as they are local businesses and I have supported them in the past with their events and promotions. I have shopped South Moon Under but usually mention the actual brand purchased at their store instead of the shop.
Awesome and so inspirational. Congrats to you and here’s to much more success….XO!
~Whitney
http://www.whitneynicjames.com
Author
Thank you so much, friend! Hope to see you soon!
Congratulations, Allie, on your 10th anniversary! I was there in spirit and proud to be an avid and rabid fan of Wardrobe Oxygen. Here’s to another 10 years and even more fans!
Author
thank you so much Sonia!
Big congratulations! Ten years is *forever* in blog-land, and you have done it so well! xox
Author
Thank you so much Patti, and thank you for being a bloggy friend and inspiration all these years! <3
Wow, that is so cool! Congratulations on 10 years of great blogging!
Author
Thanks so much Pam!
Ugh, that second-to-last paragraph…I seem to have something in my eye…
Author
LOL <3 I mean what I wrote!
Congratulations — 10 years is a wonderful achievement! As a regular reader, I am so glad you persevered.
Author
Thank you so much Cynthia!
Happy 10 years! What a huge milestone!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Author
Thanks so much Erin!
Oh, Alison! What a great recap of what was a fantastic event. I had a blast! Once again, congratulations on 10 years and wishing you more success along the way.
BTW, Emerson is truly adorable.
Author
Thanks Vivi! I was impressed with Em, she was amazing that night. Girl is growing up! 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years!
Author
Thanks Emily!! <3
So much fun! Congratulations and here’s to many more! 🙂
Author
thanks Jamie!
congratulations! shouting it from the rooftops!
so glad i was able to make it and see you and give you hugs in person (especially that i came out of super-shy comfort zone and actually WENT!)
you’re a lovely gal, allie, and i look forward to continuing to read your work (and maybe more in-person meetups!)
Author
I am so glad you came, adore you and hope to see you soon!
Mazel tov! Congratulations — you have earned every last bit of your success!
Author
thank you!
Oh my, what a celebration that looks like! And you deserve every bit of it. Congratulations on this 10 years! I hope you look forward to the next ten as much as your readers do!
Author
thank you Linda!
Congrats! You have an amazing blog!!
Author
thank you!
Congratulations on 10 years!
Author
Thanks Keri!
Amazing and proud of the Allie of today who is clearly killing it! What a fun event — look forward to the day when we can meet in person!!
alyson
http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com
Author
Aww thanks Alyson, I too can’t wait for us to meet! <3
Congrats!! I wish I could have been there (as a reader/fan), but I was out of town. It looks awesome and you deserve it!
Author
thank you Carrie!