Happy 5th Birthday to Avenue 57

I just got some 'wow can't believe it's been 5 years' messages on Linkedin. And so I looked back and it is 5 yrs ago to the month that Avenue 57 (in its original form) was born! It started out as a desire to know where others bought their clothes and to learn from other women how to wear clothes in certain ways. So I invested a lot of money in creating a website. This was on the cusp of apps and Instagram popularity. I was just at wrong time (should have gone straight for an app) and so it never really quite worked out in terms of recouping the investment. It was fun, there were lots of women who gained so much from it but that didn’t pay the bills.

So I closed it down with a heavy heart around 18 months ago and started on Facebook. What we have today is the end result of Avenue 57. It doesn’t make a single penny in money but that doesn’t matter. The value it gives to those that need it (whether it's inspiration to get up and get dressed in the morning or to just look and admire those online around us or to ask for help and advice) is all I need as I’m now working full time/part time (every day but only 6hrs per day). I guess what has come out of it too is the popupshop which is fun to run after 3pm!

After all that rambling what I wanted to say is thank you to everyone who looks/lurks/likes/loves (trolls excluded!). Keep it up!

Fiona

xoxo

PS I feel I've broken the blogging drought .. maybe I'll pick this up again?!

Not sure what to do

UPDATE: I have decided to focus on the shop now. Come on over to see all new stock:
https://www.facebook.com/avenue57popupshop

I haven't blogged in a while and I don't think I miss it ... why? For me, there are a number of reasons.

I think I am easily satisfied by style/what others wear on Instagram.
Avenue 57 on Facebook (contact me if you want an invite) is popular
I have no spending budget
I'm working now

Instagram has, in my opinion, killed off some blogging traffic. It hasn't killed it off completely though. I haven't blogged (or read any - sorry!) for a long time and I still get traffic. Should I carry on? I have a feeling that I can't add anything more that other established 40+ mummy bloggers do. I have no real style, I just cobble a bunch of outfits together and I don't buy anything really.

Avenue 57 on Facebook is going really well. Such a shame I can't do that full time and make a living out of it but it's a great hobby and I love it. I get from there all that I need. I get to see stylish women dressing every day and I get to ask questions about fashion or style.

I have very little disposable income. Last year was a really tough one financially for me. I was working very part time, the shop was doing ok but not great and I loafed a lot. In November I was 'let go' from my very part time job and I cried, even though I hated it beyond hatred I cried! Then a week later I got another job and I stopped crying. I was very lucky, I know that. I am now working every day 9-3 and I suddenly don't have that much time to loaf, read, post, think. I'm enjoying work and "work" is now in a work box (before "work" was 24x7 for me). I'm still doing the shop too so I'm kind of busy and the family and house have to fit in somehow too! Oh and the husband!!

I'm waffling I know. I don't know what to do with the blog. Let it go naturally and not make a song and dance of it? Post daily outfit video's like the one below?

I've seen a few other bloggers successfully diversify their blog and it's worked for them but I'm not that great at cooking (I cook from scratch most nights but it's just boring stuff), I bloody hate exercise and I'm not doing my house up.

I wouldn't be overly sad if I never blogged again and I do know when something comes to a natural end. I started blogging in October 2011, I can't believe it that was long ago if I'm honest.

What do you think? Give up? Carry on? Do something different? Is there anything more I can add other than what I show off on Instagram and Facebook?

Here's that daily outfit video I was on about. I OBVIOUSLY need to work on quality!

Fiona
xoxo