A Fashion and Wellness Blog

Happy Thursday sweet souls! Today I wanted to re-introduce myself and explain what you can expect to gain through reading THE AUDREY REEL. This is my first post with my new blog design and I’m excited for the future of this community. This blog is about both physical and mental wellness, as well as fashion that sparks confidence. Next, I will fill you in on the down-low of where to find this perfect summer outfit!

A SHORT SNIPPET OF WHO I AM

First, if you are new here: I am a chemist and product manager at a chemical company. I am a hot yoga teacher and avid yogi of 6 years. I love staying fit and hiking, cycling, running, working out, disc golfing, tennis, and more. I’ve been married to the love of my life, Bradford, for just a week short of 3 years! There is no doubt in my mind that God made him for me. Although we are house-divided in football, we are together in happiness, love, & life. We have a little girl boxer, Crescent, whom we adore! I love to meet new people, explore deep conversation, encourage others, and hang out with my huge family. I paint watercolors in my free time, drink a ton of cold brew and caffeine, and always try to hit my 10K steps a day.

Fashion, style, and aesthetics are among my hobbies, as well as the obvious, writing. Read along for what you can expect to find on THE AUDREY REEL, a wellness & fashion blog, and to get the down-low on this outfit!

REALISTIC FASHION

As you know, THE AUDREY REEL is a wellness and fashion blog. My goal here is to share tidbits of life and wellness in my journey toward my best self. I hope you can treat it as a buffet. Take what will help you in developing YOUR beautiful, imperfect, yet REAL best life; leave the rest. I feature a lot of REALISTIC work outfits as well as on-trend styles. I want to help you achieve looks that will give you put-together feelings to start your day with power and confidence. Finally, I show how to be a repeat offender with classic closet staples by styling them multiple ways.

WELLNESS

Next, you can expect wellness tips. Of course, obvious fitness topics will be included. I am passionate about creating a strong, healthy body in which I am confident. However, I will also share things to help your MIND feel healthy and in the present. You will find mental health tips, nutrition, self-care, self-love, beauty, yoga, and meditation. Readers can discover new ways to grow or heal through holistic wellness approaches. I write a large range of modern wellness approaches that are less common like acupuncture, hydrofacials, adaptogens, phototherapy, float spas, and more. My goal is that both women and men can learn about new techniques he or she may apply to create his BEST, REAL self. At time these posts will be practical while other times they may be a bit ‘out there.’

BE REEL (REAL)

THE AUDREY REEL blog is a photo reel and website full of a unique range of information to create your best, REAL self. In a world of social media, we are constantly comparing our journey to someone else. Most often, anothers’ journey is just your start. It is unhealthy to compare my success to that of my parents as they have a generation of experience on me.

The common motivational phrase, “You have the same number of hours in your day as Beyoncé,” has always struck a nerve with me. For one, God did not intend for us to live a journey as a successful singer. We did not grow up with her cards as she did not grow up with our cards. Beyonce has spent her entire life knowing what she wanted to do. Her parents knew how and spent the time to reach out to the appropriate contacts. How can we compare our level of success to someone in an entirely different field, of differing circumstances, and perhaps decades short of her experience in her field. I think growing a loving family and living a financially independent life is just as successful as being a multi-platinum singer. There are pros and cons to all jobs.

I believe we can use the foresaid phrase to find inspiration for smart productivity, but I do believe it is too much comparison. After all, the phrase infers we are not busy enough, yet we are always busy!

BUSY IS NOT BEST

Our society glorifies busy. Busy does not always mean productive. Will you feel full on your deathbed if you did nothing but run, run like a busy-bee straight toward death? The societal strive toward an impossible goal of perfection is a key component in increased anxiety and depression in our society. With the age of the internet upon us and social media, we are subliminally comparing ourselves to everyones’ highlight reel on a constant basis.

Anne has a new house, Brittney has a new car, Catherine is in the Bahamas, Danielle got a new job, Evan just got married, Francis just has a baby, Gale is celebrating her new masters degree, Hailey just went to a Gala, and it goes on. We forget that everyone only shares their highlights. We all have a limited number of resources, time, and energy. If we are not doing all of the above then we MUST be behind, right? No wonder there is such an increase in depression.

LET’S BE REAL… God did not always intend for us to stay so busy, but to love our neighbors and ourselves. Whether you believe in God or not, I believe that we are here to love others and enjoy our time here. We only get a spec of time on the forever that has been time on earth. I want to help you make the most of that time. Live your happiest, fullest life, and embrace your imperfections as they are what makes you uniquely YOU. There is so much more to life than the rat race.

This is the story I want to tell. You are the only you in this world. You are REAL. THE AUDREY REEL will share new ways to create your best life, but these tips will be realistic and applicable. Look for WELLNESS WEDNESDAY posts, STYLE AND FASHION on Mondays, and fashion BEAUTY, SELF-CARE, TRAVEL, and ETC posts.

Let’s get back to our child-like nature, get of faces out of a phone, be the best we can be, and be proud of ourselves as a result. Know I am always available to talk or offer motivation through email or direct messages via Instagram. I love connecting with readers and like-minded individuals without judgement. We are all trucking through this world with similar fears, worries, insecurities, and struggles. Openly discussing REAL world experience and working together develops community, love, and courage.

A GREENVILLE NATIVE AND LOCAL

Growing up, I wanted to get away from Greenville so badly! The second I got to college (The University of South Carolina) I could not wait to go back! I love my hometown and will be sharing healthy, local restaurants, the best places to hang, as well as local businesses that I love. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts on unique businesses that can help you improve self-care and wellness. Then I have an upcoming post on the perfect weekend in Greenville.

Finally, know that you are more powerful and strong than you have grasped thus far. If you think the little dress in these photos would make you feel like a million bucks, shop it with the direct link to Goodnight Macaroon in the shoppable photo below. The earrings are on sale from J.Crew Factory. These shoes are quite possibly the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, albeit every bit of 5 inches. The metallic color is on trend and I also love the nude beige ones. They are from DSW and ON SALE for $80. They are beautiful, classic heels with an espadrille-style wedge.

All links for what I am wearing, down to my lipstick, are found in the shoppable widget below. I hope you are enjoying and continue to enjoy THE AUDREY REEL. Let’s be real together. Follow along on Instagram @theaudreyreel. Have a sunny, relaxing Friday and memorable weekend with your loved ones! Go make your magic.

SHOP THIS POST

With Joy,

Audrey

All photos by Tillman Ingram of TillmanSloanPhotography.com. Find her on Instagram at @tillmansloanphotography