Yes, do not judge a book by its cover. Something we learn in grade school NOT to do, YET, it does not matter how old we get, it still seems to be a “thing” at times. While this seems to be the trend as of late, I want to fill you in on what transpired this week. It is something I deal with – nature of the social media beast – but this was a punch to the gut.

I don’t want to go into too much detail BUT what I did receive one night this week, looked a little something like this…

“You are a gold digger.”

“You are after nothing but a guy’s money.”

“You are materialistic.”

“You waste your money.”

“Your Instagram is disgusting.”

“No wonder you do not have many followers.”

“You have no sense of reality.”

“Don’t put your emotional baggage on someone else.”

“You are gorgeous but that is it.”

There were some more but I think you get the point.

My platform focuses on food, fashion, beauty, and travel. These are things that I LOVE, and I WANT to showcase. If this is not something you align with, I completely understand. Move on. 

Do not judge a book by its cover.

Just because I like the finer things, and share that I have “champagne taste on a beer budget,” does not mean that I am looking for my next husband to be filthy rich so he can support me, or that I have NO sense of reality either. In fact, these points could not be further from the truth. My ex-husband put me through the ringer, emotionally, financially, mentally, etc. You name it; he did it. If I don’t know reality, well, I know reality VERY WELL.

For those who know me, know I am independent, kind to a fault, generous to the point of having nothing in my wallet, work my ass off 24/7, want to create a better life for myself, and, you know what, I don’t need to defend myself.

The pictures you see on social media come with a story; one that I don’t know if most people read. If you do, I really appreciate it! I talk about the hardships and struggles of operating 2 businesses; I talk about how this whole post-divorce piece has sucked; I talk about the credit card debt being real and how I keep reinvesting in my business ventures because I believe in them THAT MUCH.

You can have all the money in the world, but it is lonely at the top. I keep witnessing it, and, somehow, I keep being pinpointed to be “that kind of person.”

The very individuals that think I am about “money,” are the very ones who ONLY talk about money, and investing, and savings, and retiring early, etc. Yes, I GET IT. Did I, also, mention they are the very one’s who are all about themselves as well?!?!

The very individuals who prop themselves up about what they have done in their career are the same ones putting me down for what I do. Why does it matter if I am showcasing a pair of $400 pair of shoes. It may seem materialistic to YOU but what if that very picture or blog post goes viral, and lands me a lucrative opportunity with a brand.

How silly and “wasteful” are those $400 shoes now?

Why do you care so that I am showcasing it in the first place?

At the end of the day, it is another reminder, to me, that I will never apologize for who I am. Get to know ME, for ME. Not by my picture or what you perceive…because I have a whole lot to give besides what you see behind the camera lens! Yes, do not judge a book by its cover, or in this case ME.

Keep your car in your own lane.

Just remember, judging a book by its cover is not a good look on you. It’s not a good look on ANYONE.

Here is to a great weekend! I will get out of my funk – I promise!

xoxo