LINCOLN PARK

Photographer: Maya McDonald, 2016 // Coat Zara // Sweater French Connection // Jeans Zara (similar) // Handbag Henri Bendel // Boots Zara (similar) // Sunglasses LC Lauren Conrad // Earrings Kate Spade // Lipstick Stila

10 years ago I started my first blog called The Naked Dreamer. To my surprise, it still exists in all of its 16 posts glory! The year was 2012 and I was a Senior in high school about to embark on my college adventure. I was preparing my portfolio to apply to design schools and was documenting my process along the way. Somehow that portfolio got me into Parsons which is still one of my greatest achievements in life (The design school studios they use on Project Runway!). It is completely cringey to look back but also fun to reminisce on falling in love, finding my style, defining my taste in music, searching for inspiration, and struggling with moving away for college. It feels like a lifetime ago. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that all the hard work and struggles will be worth it someday both professionally and personally. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t keep up blogging all through college. Thus prompted my second endeavor into the world of blogging.

Exactly 6 years ago today I started my second blog, Styled by Madalyn Joy (now Designed by Madalyn Joy), and the content above was my very first post I shared. One of my greatest mentors was and still is Maya McDonald of Charmingly Styled. I heard her speak at a fashion week panel in college and reached out to see if I could intern for her that summer. I learned so much from her and still visit her whenever I am in Chicago. We did the shoot above back in 2017 and it was so much fun! I think it shines through in the photos. Maya has always supported me and given me the confidence to pursue my dreams whether it be blogging or designing. I love how photos can capture all the memories from a specific day/time/period in your life.

Now starting my third blog, Madalyn Joy Rennicke, makes me feel a bit nostalgic to think back on all that has happened in the past decade. As I mentioned before, one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t stay consistent with my blogging; however, I don’t necessarily know if I had the same vision for it like I do now. I received my first mean comment about my blog this past week. It definitely hurt my feelings and I cried about it but the lesson I took away from the experience was the most valuable part. I created this blog because I love it. I love to create. I love coming up with the concepts, visualizing mood boards, styling outfits, scouting shoot locations, planning and executing the photo shoot, curating final shots, and putting together the blog posts. I love sharing the outfits and concepts I create with all of you. I love sharing images you can use as inspiration to get your creative juices flowing in your closet. I love sharing what I love to do. It has always been a cliche and always will be but fashion is my passion and I love to share it no matter what people may say even if it is friends and family.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with me yet again! Props to the people who have been around since day one-we’ve been through a lot together! I have a good feeling the third times the charm. :)