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Hello hello! Along with today’s casual Valentine’s Day outfit inspiration, I’m excited to announce that I’m starting a new linkup for college-aged bloggers/content creators/influencers. If you haven’t heard of a linkup before, keep reading to learn more and find out how you can participate!
But first, the outfit. I wore this look a couple weeks ago and surprisingly got a lot of compliments on Instagram, considering this outfit is pretty plain. But I figured, if the people loved it so much the first time, why not take some ‘real’ photos of it and share it in a proper blog post?
My mom gave me this adorable heart-print handkerchief last year for Valentine’s Day, but I’ve been having a really hard time finding ways to style it. I thought, “Oh, I can tie it in a bow in a half-up hairstyle like all the ~cool~ Pinterest girls do!” But let me tell you, I thought wrong… I don’t know how those girls get their hair just-so because I had the hardest time even making it look good enough for this sub-par pic. My half-up pony was funny looking to start, and I couldn’t get the bow to lay straight! But hey, at least I tried, right? I had all these cute visions in my head of the perfect pic for Instagram—my head turned slightly to the right so you could see my eyeliner and lip gloss but also see the bow in the back, with my soft curls cascading perfectly down my back. But nope. I guess I’ll just leave this hairstyle to the Pinterest professionals.
Now that I got that mini rant out of the way, let’s talk about the star of today’s blog post—my new college linkup! For those of you who don’t know, a linkup is where a bunch of bloggers come together to share links to their most recent blog posts. (You can check out all the fashion-related linkups in which I participate on this page.) While linkups can boost engagement and get more eyes on your content, their main purpose is to build community. My hope is that the College Creator Linkup will provide a place for college-aged bloggers and content creators to read each other’s posts, connect + meet new people, collaborate, etc. I’m excited!
So, how does it work? I’ve made a few simple ground rules to participate in the linkup. First, make sure you’re following me on Instagram (@graceful_rags) so we can stay in touch! Second, make sure you visit and comment on at least one other post in the linkup. The whole point of this linkup is to build community, so stick around and browse what other like-minded college students are creating. Third—and this is optional—you can provide a link to this linkup in your blog post so that others can find it, too. I made a special page for all the linkups I participate in so that they’re all in one place. Of course, the final stipulation is that everyone participating in this linkup must be college-aged! If you’re in high school, or even post-grad, that’s okay too. I just wanted to create a linkup dedicated to this age-group so that we can all get to know people in our target audience better. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to commiserate together about how hard it is to blog and create content while in college!
Now, click the blue button below and start linking! It’s easy-peasy once you set up a quick account. You will just be prompted for a link to your blog post, a caption (usually the blog post title), a photo from the post (which you can crop to your liking), and your email. Make sure to check the box at the bottom and you’re all set! I can’t wait to see everyone’s posts!!
Oh! And I almost forgot to mention, this linkup will be weekly—check back every Thursday to link up at the bottom of that day’s post!
Have you tried this hairstyle before?? Were you more successful than me? Thanks for stopping by today, and for those of you who linkup, thanks so much for participating! I’m really excited to see where this linkup leads, and I’m hopeful it will foster a sense of community for bloggers my age.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
Pink Sweater: JCPenney, $18, last worn here | Heart Scarf: Loft, gift | Skinny Jeans: Francesca’s, $20, last worn here | White Mules: Rebecca Minkoff via Saks Off Fifth, $70, last worn here | Black Fringe Purse: Gift, $50, last worn here
Well your hair looks adorable even if the bow is crooked! Love those waves! You’re right, it is a simple outfit but it is really cute so no wonder everyone liked it. I am actually curious to read some other college age “kids” blogs even if I can’t link up lol!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Haha thanks so much for the support, Mireille!
This is such a beautifully put together outfit, Grace. I know it’s only jeans and a jumper, but the colour and the pattern of the sweater are just perfect with the jeans and suits you so well. Not to mention your glossy locks; they are to die for! Take acre 🙂 Aiva 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much Aiva!!
* Take care 🙂
Aw I absolutely love the bow in your hair I think it looks beautiful, especially for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks so much!!
Such a cute bow! Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Thank you Lizzie!
Your bow looks cute! The pink sweater looks great on you!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks Lovely!
Your hair looks so good, it doesn’t matter what you wear in it, it will always look good! What a good idea to host a linkup party! I am joining!
Thank you Nancy!!
your hair is adorable and I love the idea of your outfit. I love the idea of hosting a linkeup party! such a great idea
http://www.chez-rama.com
Thanks so much!!
This is kewl you are doing this for college kids..I am not one…both of my kids graduated college a few years ago but wanted to stop by and say I love your sweater, saw you on another link up!
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
Thank you so much Valerie!! Hope you’re having a great day!
Congratulations on your new link up! I think it’s such a great idea and love all of the people I have met through link ups. I also adore your hairstyle. It looks good in my opinion.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thanks so much Maureen! I appreciate it!
Grace, I love this outfit and I think you did a wonderful job with the scarf in your hair and the hair photos! I love all your loose curls cascading over your shoulders and back! So very pretty. Those shoes and bag are fabulous, too! What a great idea for a link party, too. I am excited for you! Even though I won’t be linking to it, I am going to add it to my link up page so others can see it!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you so much Shelbee, that is so thoughtful of you!! I have been marketing the linkup to college bloggers I know, but nobody seems interested in joining… I don’t think they understand linkups! I’m starting to think I should change the name and just open the linkup to everyone… I’ll let you know. Feel like I should give it a few more weeks thought to see! Though I doubt anyone will suddenly start joining, haha.
This is such a cute outfit, I like that pink knit on you and the bow in your hair is the perfect finishing touch! I struggle with getting cute bows too! I do the backwards knot trick sometimes it seems to make it look a lot prettier when I tie a scarf onto my bag but I’ve never tried one in my hair like this before (I call it backwards knot, I don’t know what else to call it, it’s when you are looping around the “bunny ear”, you go front to back instead of back to front like normal and it seems to create a prettier bow! Super hard to explain!
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup, and good luck with your linkup even if I am too old to join haha!
I know what you mean Mica! I think I’ve tried the backward bow trick too and sometimes have better luck, but it’s still difficult, haha.