xoKellyNicole

Happy New Year! It's a New Year for New Opportunities and New Beginnings! I know you're probably wondering what in the world is going on and what is happening. I simply ask that you be patient with me as I work through these minor growing quirks. I've been blogging for a total of 8 years. I officially walk into my 8th year of blogging this year. Although I'm a bit amazed that I've lasted this long and I haven't literally deleted my blog and moved onto something else, I keep finding myself here with fresh ideas and wanting to offer the world more of my voice.  I've gone back and forth for quite some time about my blog, it's content, and the title of my blog over these past 8 years and I do believe I've finally arrived at a place where I have tapped into my authentic self. Since I'm embarking on my eighth year, which I'm aiming for it to be my Cardi Year in the blogosphere (yeah, the aim is that high), let me recap these 8 years briefly and explain to all of my readers and the brands who I've worked with in the past what is happening in this moment and what to expect from me moving forward (my next few posts). 

My goal when I first started blogging was to simply offer a platform that answered all of your questions before you asked them. I grew up in a salon and I was ALWAYS asked a ton of questions by my peers about what to do to with their hair. I decided after graduating with a BFA in Fashion Design (Which I DO NOT REGRET) that I wanted to go to school to receive my cosmetology license because I had a plan. This plan, although it has not been fully played out the way I desired, is slowly working itself out (I'm simply trusting the process). Somewhere in the midst of all this was an unexpected blog that has taken me places I've never imagined going.  It was in hair school that I decided to start my blog. I loved writing (I've journaled since the 3rd grade) it made perfect sense. I had no idea I'd be one amongst many. I had no idea what a beauty blogger was or that I fell into that category. I was simply winging it (which explains 90% of my life to this point *facepalm). I named the blog MISS NIC'S ELEGANT EDGE. I looked through my beloved stacks of hair magazines and found a phrase Elegant Edge and attached my Nickname to it and BAM... A blog (with little to no thought) was born. I don't regret the name or the decision after all the title of the blog landed me several AMAZING/HUGE blogging experiences.  It wasn't until I told a random person (I had never met before) the name of my blog and she questioned why that name and why so long? It confused me a bit and I thought maybe I needed to change it, maybe I needed to be more fresh and relatable. In true Kelly fashion, my wheels started grinding. 

I tried to shorten it, starting with the URL. Completely unsuccessful. I decided to keep the same URL (which you probably found me using that same URL) and just go with Elegant Edge. It still didn't resonate with who I was becoming as an individual. I couldn't fake the funk with you any longer. I knew I was the brand (blog) and the brand (blog) was me I needed to relay that message to the public as well as the brands I worked with and desired to work with. During this process, I was going back and forth about my makeup artistry business. Thus Blushed & Co. was born. To cut some corners, I'd thought it would be a good idea to combine both. It didn't sit well with me. I didn't want to confuse myself or my potential clientele. I had to separate the two. Blushed & Co. is far from gone, heck my baby is still fresh and ready to take off. I'm excited about what's to come from the business. My portfolio is still available to be found here and ready to be viewed here, but I didn't want to be limited to simply makeup and makeup only. I have so much more to offer. 

This is why we are here today. As I mentioned, I am the brand, the brand is me. The reason why many have connected with me, including brands both internationally and nationally, is because they loved my voice and what I had to offer, just being authentically who I am as a person. Someone who simply loves all things beauty and hair. However,  I don't want to be a one trick pony because as I've already said, I have so much more to offer. I've begun to produce digital content that is downloadable and still available in the store, and that is simply the beginning. My goal through this new platform is to not only continue to share what you love about the content I've offered in the past but to also open up a new door/opportunity to share more of my skills and knowledge with you. I welcome you to continue to follow me on this quirky journey called life as I simply continue to be me. I invite you to continue to grow with me. You may just have a front seat to my Cardi Year Glo Up. After all, I've visited the McBride laboratories (just the beginning), I've been on the scene about town in Atlanta (just the beginning), and I've been featured in a Magazine (just the beginning). I welcome you to my new blogging platform and the world will finally know me and remember me as Kelly Nicole. The blogger, the Artist, and Businesswoman. 

Follow me on this journey called life here: Instagram and Twitter

-xo Kelly Nicole