Let’s Discuss: Backgrounds

Y’ello! As you may have noticed on Instagram, I’m back now from my week-long blogging hiatus (all of last week’s posts were prescheduled). If you’ve been following Graceful Rags from the beginning, then you may have noticed a bit of a change in the content I write. I used to just put words down to match the pictures I posted; I would discuss the outfit I was wearing and different pieces. Now, I try to treat my blog as a high-end fashion magazine, with each post being a new article.

As a result, it takes a lot more time to come up with post ideas and topics that would actually be interesting and relevant to you. That’s why I need your help! I would LOVE to know what you would like to see on Graceful Rags in the coming months. A closet tour? A back-to-school/fall shopping guide? Ways to wear red shoes? I’m open to anything! I want you to really enjoy reading my posts, so it’s important to me to make sure they are living up to your expectations. If you have any suggestions or posts you want to see, drop me a comment below!

(Can you tell what the backdrop is in the above picture? I’ll give you brownie points if you know 😉 )

As for today’s “article”, every now and again I want to have “discussion” posts where my readers can get involved and we can talk about all things fashion, beauty, or blogging related. I want to get to know you better, and what greater way to do that than talking about the common things we love? So today, I thought we could talk about backgrounds for blog photos.

I was really excited when I found this mint wall that matched perfectly with my green belt. Generally, I don’t pay much attention to the backgrounds of my photos. Sure, I want it to be pretty, but I’m not going to spend hours to find some mural that perfectly matches my outfit. I feel like some bloggers actually do this! I mean, props to them because it turns out awesome, but I’m just not willing to do that. Plus, I can never find pretty murals/colored walls!

So for all you fellow bloggers, what do you do about backgrounds? Do you make sure they match your outfit, or do you just find a place and call it good? And for all you readers, do you prefer a matching background? Do you like just seeing the outfit in its natural habitat, or do you prefer a picture-perfect setting? I’d love to know! I try to make my backgrounds pretty, but in the end, I figure it doesn’t matter that much since the post is about the clothes/outfit anyway.

(I’m probably thinking about bacon.)

Shop Your Closet: This outfit is all about the accessories, so go wild with your purses, hats, jewelry, and belts. First, pick either a color scheme or a special piece (I started with my belt) and choose matching accessories based on that. Then layer them on top of a plain, “base” outfit, such as a simple dress in a neutral color, a white on white look (tee and shorts/pants), or jeans and your favorite plain shirt. Have fun with it!

Thanks so much for stopping by Graceful Rags today! I hope you are having a wonderful summer day, chilling without school if you’re still a student or killing it at your day job if you’ve already entered the work force. See you on Wednesday!

Miles of smiles,

Grace

Dress: hand-me-down, last seen here // Shoes: Carlos Santana via DSW, $45, last seen here // Hat: San Diego Hat Co via Nordstrom Rack, $21, last seen here // Sunglasses: hand-me-down, last seen here // Belt: JCrew, $25