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So, not only is today Valentine’s Day, it’s also Fashion Schlub’s two year anniversary! Though it still feels pretty new to me as the first nine months of last year were pretty much a loss with all that cancer nonsense. Thank goodness THAT is behind me!!!

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I really enjoy doing the blog. I get frustrated when I can’t make it be exactly the way I want it, when the pictures are not the quality I envision, etc. But as much as I enjoy doing it, there will be a time soon when I want to start monetizing it. I know followers can be divided on how they feel about bloggers making money from their blogs, and I that’s why I wanted to talk to you about this now.

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I would never endorse or recommend anything I would not use myself or do not like. I have had brands approach me in the past year, but none of them were for products that I thought made sense for my readers. There was a company selling like really over-the-top,  Southern-belle-esque prom-type dresses. And while the contact person thought their company and I were A Great Fit…uhm…huh?? There was a shoe company with really stylized shoes – very high heels, very trendy…and not only would I not wear them, I can’t really imagine any of my readers wearing them either. So, pass. There was a fitness leggings company that approached me, and I did like their leggings and would have liked to try them out, but the email came last year while I was in the hospital and I just missed the opportunity.

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The point is, if you see me sharing links to items in a post, you can be assured that I would wear or use that item…I would never recommend something to you just for the money.

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So, yeah. I would love to think that the blog (and offshoot opportunities) will someday make enough money to supplement my retirement income and I won’t have to work forever and forever! Doesn’t that sound lovely??

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And now for something a little more fun – this Valentiney red kimono from Johnny Was via Gwynnie Bee. It’s the perfect Valentine’s red with just a nod towards wine. I wore it to the arboretum a few weeks back over a black base layer of Faded Glory leggings and a Joan Vass tunic – both plus-sized. And my Payless black flats that I Will Never Ever Ever Wear Again because they cripple me in a matter of minutes.

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It was a perfect day in the Camellia House at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY. Freezing outside and just the right amount of cool inside the greenhouse. My girlfriend and I did pictures then sat on a bench and just talked and talked. Until we got hungry and then we moved on, ha.

fs valentines 2I’m in California for Valentine’s Day, with my daughter and extended family. It’s good. So good I don’t want to go back home. But I never want to go back back home after spending time in California.

So, Happy Anniversary to Fashion Schlub…Happy Valentine’s Day to all y’all…and xoxo to my friends and family.

Thanks, Mochi, for the beautiful pictures!!!