So, I often start my posts with a small paragraph about what’s happening in the Darling household before each post.

But on a long car ride, I had time to truly reflect on my present.

And you know what, it’s pretty damn fabulous.

Let me just squeeze in some of the boring stuff! Ha! Check me out on Instagram here! I also started a Twitter account! Find that here! I also have a selling Instagram page where I sell some of my old clothes/styles so that I don’t drown in my own wardrobe. I just listed a few new things – so check that out! All my affiliate codes and links to things are posted in my Spiel Section.

 

But let me talk about some really positive things in my life that I really want to share.

I don’t mean for this to come off at ALL as braggy. I’m just full of happiness and I want to share that with all of  you!

 

1.) A Year Ago I Made a List

My friend Afa asked me to make a list of companies/brands I wanted to work with as a goal starter. These included: ModCloth, Eloquii, Under Summers, Vendula London, Zenni, Society+, Not Your Mother’s, TJ Maxx, Poshmark, Neutrogena, Dove, Gabe’s, and others!

I’ve worked with EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM and they are equally fabulous! It feels unreal. Like, Dove paid me to do a campaign. That feels WILD! I’m just Abby from Pennsylvania.

As of today, the only three brands that I didn’t make: Kate Spade, Torrid, & AirBnB.

2.) I haven’t gone into an office in 11 months.

I haven’t had to get up and GO to a job where I work for someone else in almost a year. I haven’t had to work for someone else for almost a year. I haven’t dreaded work in almost a year.

Although, my boss can sometimes be a little crazy.

3.) My bachelorette party was super awesome.

Camp Tanner (what we nicknamed our getaway!) with my squad was absolutely amazing. Better than I could have ever imagined. I never knew what I expected in a bachelorette party – but mine was nearly PERFECT.

 

4.) I tried on my wedding dress for the first time.

Still no pictures for this one yet – but I literally cried seeing myself in it.

5.) I really love therapy.

My therapist, Blake, is the most amazing woman. She has literally changed my life and I am now a hardcore therapy advocate. And if you didn’t know, I used to have some hang ups about my mental health. But therapy & anti-depressants have changed my life for the better and I’m glad I finally allowed myself to do it.

6.) I won a contest…and money!

I was in an influencer contest with Simply Be! They divided us into four tiers, gave us coupon code to share, and if ours got used, we could win a prize! And I won! And the second round is going on now! So if you want to shop at Simply Be – my code is SBSummer123 for 50% off your whole order!

 

7.) I have kicked some serious business ass.

Penny Darling is busier and more fabulous than ever! I’ve been SO busy in the last two months that it almost feels crazy how well it is going. I haven’t talked about it much because it felt like I was going to jinx it.

8.) Preston started a new job this week.

I’m really proud of him!

9.) I’m heading to Chicago tomorrow!

I’m taking a roadtrip with my BFF/MoH to Chicago and I am SO excited to go back. I had such a great time the last time I was there! I’m getting to do ALLLLLL the things!

10.) I get to experience some amazing things and try amazing products and meet amazing people because of my job now!

I have gotten to fly to Detroit, speak at colleges, submitted articles, be interviewed for a textbook & magazine (separately), gave feedback during app development, been published in a magazine, sampled products before they were released, and had opportunities that I literally didn’t think were possible.

11.) My growth is nearly unmanageable!

In January of 2017, I had 1,300 followers on Instagram. By May of 2017, I had 10K, by Thanksgiving I had 20K, by May 2018, I had 27K, and I currently have more than 31.5K. I am so excited and proud of the community I’ve been in and the amazing group of friends I’ve made doing this!

12.) My life is so different.

If you had told me three years ago that I would be a month away from my wedding with the love of my life, was running my own business as a fashion influencer, and going to therapy and loving it – I would have laughed in your face. I didn’t think or even know that I could do this. I didn’t expect to be married before 30, let alone at age 26. I didn’t think my entrepreneurial dreams would come so far true…

13.) I cry a LOT less about money.

I am so very blessed and fortunate after some low-paying, entry-level, no benefits or perks, starter jobs that I landed somewhere where I can control how much money I make. Despite graduating with a killer resume, great experience, and honors – I have NEVER had a job that was full-time or paid more than $12 an hour. I was so frustrated. And now I do what I love, I make my own schedule, and I make my own salary.

14.) My wedding is like, a month away.

Repeat. My WEDDING is a month away. It feels surreal and unreal and really close but also super far. I’m jittery and excited about the wedding. I’m pretty set in stone about the marriage – but the wedding is SO many logistics!

15.) I have a HUGE piece of news….

That I can’t tell you yet. Don’t worry, it’s killing me to not tell you, too. I have an AMAZINGLY UNREAL OUT OF THIS WORLD opportunity. I don’t want to jinx it before I have even gotten anything official. But it’s the most freaking exciting thing of all time.

 

SO HERE’S THE “END OF BLOG” SPIEL!

If you are at all interested in doing a collab or working with me – please feel free to check out my new Contact Me! page!

Follow me on Instagram: @thepennydarling

If you want to follow my darling, Preston – you can click here!

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Check out Simply Be’s all new, size inclusive, and awesome swimwear line here!

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Check out my Society+ affiliate page here!

If you’d like to donate to help me keep Penny Darling going – click here!

Comment for topics you would like to see me cover! Like to help my self esteem! What do you think so far? More fashion? More lifestyle? Do you like the mix?

Thank you for all that you do. You are truly extraordinary.

Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!

How Very,

Abby