Blog :

So, I’m doing a little series with this baaaassssic white t-shirt. They’re like gold in a wardrobe, after all! A clean, blank canvas to build on. My next handful of posts will include this tshirt & a few different ways you can style it with accessories! .
Let me reiterate for just a moment how much I LOVE to style & inspire people! I love to work with petite women, plus size women, tall women, average women, (all the women!!! And all the men!!) & I’ve had the honor of supporting all of those body types to help them embrace and feel confident with their personal style. That’s what this whole shindig is about, it’s not to build a brand around my face, even though I have no shame putting myself out there. It’s not to show myself off, (which may be hard to believe considering I’m the one in all these pictures, but not for long!) it’s about inspiring you! I hope to show you styles that you can tweak and twist to fit your body type and wardrobe. (And if you can’t do it alone, that’s what I’m here for!) I realize there are endless body types and what I show in my feed doesn’t work for everyone, it isn’t meant to. It IS however, meant to inspire everyone; women of all shapes & sizes and I dream of the day I’m able to feature every body type on my feed! I understand that I’ll be critiqued and my content will be judged, this is social media and that’s the name of the game. But that doesn’t change the heart behind why I do what I do. Right now my business is me and the few people behind the camera working really hard to connect with you and inspire you. From the deepest place in my heart guys, THANK YOU for supporting me! I have been so encouraged and empowered by the community I’ve built here and I am so grateful for every single one of you! SO many great things are ahead! .
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#womenempowerment #livstyled #grandrapids #momtrepreneur #entrepreneur #michigan #michigrammers #fashion #fashionpost #fashionstylist #fashionblogger #accessories #layers #whiteshirt #inspiration #darling #dreamchaser #girlboss #community #personalstylist #personalshopper

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I am feeling all the feels today! Today, right now, at this very moment I am marking a significant moment in my career! I am SO proud to share with you, my website!! www.livstyled.com
*I also decided to some blogging from the heart!*
I guess I never really understood the vulnerability that is attached to creating a website, an image, a brand that represents who you are. I am thrilled and excited to share this journey with you all and feel the deepest gratitude from all of the support I have received from SO many of you since the beginning and even before that! So, here she is! My newest baby! I have BIG vision for LivStyled & have held tight to a verse in Zechariah 4, “Do not despise small beginnings, for the Lord delights to see the work begin!” This is just the beginning!! I can’t wait to hear what you all think! XO!!

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Why in the?!

I mean how many times, every single day, do you ask yourself that question?! WHY IN THE?! For instance, today I decided to make some coffee, same as any other day. I picked out the mug that was giving me the best vibes for the day & no, it’s wasn’t the fishing themed mug that my dad left at my house, noooope definitely not using the broken one that I refuse to throw away and although I love the souvenir mug from NY, it can hold 4 cups of coffee at once and I never feel like I can conquer the world when my mug is only 1/4 of the way full. Hmmm… Anthro mug it is! (Let’s be honest, it’s always an Anthro mug. They’re like magic.)

I get out the sugar and spoon and go to grab the creamer when I can’t seem to find it! I always have half & half, WHY (and so it begins) can’t I find it?! How it possible that I’m out!? Alright, I’ll settle for the hazelnut creamer that I don’t love. I set it out on the counter and then got distracted by something, or should I say someone… one of the small people I own – they always seem to need something from me at the most (in)convenient time! I come back to my already cooling coffee and reach for the creamer when I can’t find it… So, I turn around and then from the deepest place in my soul I yell, “WWWWHHHHHYYYYY!!!!!!!”

The creamer was everywhere. Except in my coffee.

Why just happens. A lot like that other saying… something about Sh*t, I’m sure you’ve heard it.  It’s interesting how those two words are so interchangeable when used in this context. Why am I working my butt off but I’m still struggling to pull it all together? Why do I work so hard only to have no one notice? Why do I buy the healthier foods and work hard to make it all taste delicious just to have my kids refuse to eat it and ask for goldfish and why is the floor covered in sticky food for the third time today?! Why am I doing this?! WHY am I working so hard when it is so not easy?! Questioning why things are so hard is an opportunity for us to get stuck there, in that moment of wondering why, when we’re not even entirely sure it will end how we want it to anyways.

Try this on for size. Ask yourself why, feel the frustration of the moment and then breath and stop asking, start telling. Tell yourself why you work hard, why you believe in yourself and remind your heart why you choose to be who you are. I have really great days with LivStyled, most are really great! But when I get a hard one thrown in the mix, I find myself asking the why questions back to back until I’ve questioned myself enough to think I should throw in the towel. When I stop asking and start telling myself why, things ease up.

WHY do I keep pouring energy into a business that I don’t see an end result for?! I’ll tell you. I pour my energy into my business because it makes me feel alive when I get to work one on one with someone to encourage them and boost their confidence! I push through the uncomfortable tasks because when I finish them I feel proud of myself! I work hard to be an example of female success as a mother and as a business woman to my daughter, to show her that she’s capable of making her dreams happen. I buy my kids healthy food because someday they’re going to try it and love it and I’ll know that I’m offering them the best nutrition I possibly can! I work hard to make this business happen because when one of my clients says, “I needed your help so bad!” I’m reminded that if I gave up, she would remain stuck without the help she needs.

At some point I stopped only asking why and started believing IN my why. My kids are my why, my dreams are my why, my husband is my why, my joy and peace are my why. Jesus is my why and YOU are my why!

 

Summer, I can’t get enough of you!! Or this dress!! Or @horrocksmarket flower selection!! Although, I have to apologize because this dress is off season and isn’t available – so, what’s the point??? To show you that on oldie can most definitely remain a goodie! Some prints are timeless, some silhouettes are timeless… and if you’re lucky (or if you have my help!), you’ll find a dress with both of those qualities all wrapped up into one great find! This is one of those dresses. It has a muted color pallet, simple silhouette for my body type, dress it up or down and always know it’s there to depend on! Just like iced coffee! For help finding timeless statement pieces to add to your selection, email me to set up some personal shopping! Oliviajanae.stylist@gmail.com
Now go get your weekend on!!! Photo: @kelseyhettinga .
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#fashion #flowers #farmersmarket #bossbabe #personalshopper #personalstylist #fashionstylist #grandrapids #michigan #peonies #dress #topknot #feminine #darling #darlingweekend #dreamchaser #entrepreneur #momtrepreneur

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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You better believe there’s a cupcake shop behind me! That’s right, those eyes are fixed on only one thing… a goat cheese cupcake that was everything I wanted it to be!! (For real though guys, a goat cheese cupcake is like my dream come true! More on the tastiest cupcake shop will be featured on my blog soon!) And oh yeah – these pants are also pretty great! ? Easy, breezy, stripey & paired perfectly with a cotton tank! Don’t mind if I do!!
Photo: @kelseyhettinga .
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#grandrapids #michigan #personalstylist #personalshopper #stylist #styling #fashionpost #darlingweekend #bossbabe #stripes #cupcake #fashion #summerstyle

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Photo taken at: The Salted Cupcake

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Oh heeeeey, Saturday! Strolling through the weekend with a skip in my step because why not?! It’s the weekend!
@kelseyhettinga .
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#girlboss #dreamchaser #personalshopper #personalstylist #stylist #fashionblogger #fashionstylist #mules #denim #grandrapids #michigan #darling #darlingweekend #weekends #fashionpost

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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A small website hiccup means you get a SNEAK PEEK!!!! Which is almost as exciting as the full project, riiiiiiiight?! This beauty (sometimes beast) is full of heart! That’s how life goes sometimes, isn’t it? Give it your best… sometimes it doesn’t go as planned, sometimes unexpected victories happen that keep hope alive and sometimes you gotta really fight for what you want. But almost always, if you push through and remind yourself that what you are doing is worth it, then the sacrifices & moments of frustration seem to have a lot less weight. I choose to keep building this thing brick by brick, with the finished product always in mind. Otherwise the bricks start to lose their magic and you forget what you were working so hard for. Every brick, every moment, every set back & small victory are a significant part of the end result. My dream is worth it, I am worth it!
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#michigan #grandrapids #personalstylist #fashion #fashionstylist #fashionblogger #stylist #website #worth #personalshopper #dreamchaser #girlboss

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Walking in wildflowers, but also through this wild life! I’m sitting outside a clients house, waiting until 2 minutes before our session starts to knock on the door… the thrill & anticipation of what we are about to accomplish always leaves me feeling like I’m floating! Tomorrow I am launching my website and decided to add in a little blogging so I can share my heart, business & pieces of my world with you all. Keep an eye out!!!
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#girlboss #fashionblogger #fashion #fashionstylist #stylist #personalshopper #personalstylist #flowers #topshop #grandrapids #michigan #l

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Photo taken at: Frances Jaye

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I never thought I’d be one for red pants, but I’ve learned that if I go into a store specifically to try things on that feel outside of my comfort zone, I often feel pleasantly surprised! That’s also something I encourage each of my clients to trust me with – does it make you feel a little afraid and excited on the hanger?! Good. Just imagine when you get it on! Right… you might throw up… but you might immediately start dancing! So, what about you?! Do you have an adventurous side that might surprise people?! Surprise yourself?! It’s my goal to tap into that and show you what you’re capable of rocking! Maybe it’s a splash of color or maybe it’s mixing 2 bold prints, everyones got it in ’em! That’s why I love my job, not only do I get to help you awaken an exciting side of your personality through your wardrobe, I also get to build trust with you, there are few things more rewarding! I’m proud to be a personal stylist! Ps. Website AND blog launching this week!!!!!!!! Until then, please email me at oliviajanae.stylist@gmail.com for inquiries.
Photo: @kelseyhettinga .
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#fashion #personalstylist #personalshopper #grandrapids #michigan #stylegram #stylist #red #denim #coffee #coffeeshop #fashionblogger #momlife #girlboss

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Photo taken at: Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

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A little heart.

So, this is what a first blog post looks like! Well, what do ya know!? What I’m still trying to figure out is why I’ve dragged my feet about taking this plunge into the blogging world. I suppose part of me didn’t want to get lost in the endless sea of blogger-beauties out there and I’ve always had to fight the urge not to be the fish swimming up stream, ya get me? So my pride aside, here I am. I had the realization recently that I’m cool with blogging as long as it inspires, bleeds authenticity and offers a place for you feel like you belong. A place you can turn the switch off in your busy day, if only for a moment.

 All of that aside (for now) I’m here because of a life long dream to be a fashion stylist! Some one who can support the every day woman through her personal style journey. I’ve quickly learned through my work that the journey encompasses seasons of life that hold significance for each woman. Some that have had new babes, some that have lost weight and feel like they’re dressing an entirely different person, some that simply feel lost when it comes to their personal style and wonder if they’ve even got one at all! Every single woman is different; each one beautiful with a story worth sharing.

Coco said it best,

I hope to offer you a way to connect to the fashion world but also to my world! I wear so many hats like so many of you! My days are full of running kids around, fashion research, exhaustion, personal styling and shopping, wife-ing, grocery shopping, coffee, emotional days and days to celebrate! I hope this can be one of the places you come and feel understood. Where whatever hat you’ve got on for the day is being worn by other women too, even if it’s styled a little differently.

 Today I’m wearing my mom hat, stylist hat and I just picked up this blogger hat that I’m still getting a feel for! You’ll have to let me know what you think sometime. So, I suppose that’s it then. I’m a stylist and I’m a blogger. Maybe. We’ll see.

Thanks for being here, I am SO glad you are!

Olivia