Hi, my name is Monica Shipley. I created this blog. I want to tell you a little about myself
before I go on.
I have always been quite the girly girl. I never played
sports, (or wanted to); I never liked anything outdoorsy (too dirty), or wanted
anything to do with jeans, or the color orange. My favorite color has been pink
ever since I was a teeny tiny, and it’s never changed. I was always the friend who would braid my BFFs’
hair when we were bored, and tell them what to wear, what to buy when we
shopped, and how to look. What Not to Wear, Project Runway and America’s Next
Top Model, were my go-to TV shows, and I would always think of what I would recommend
if I was in their shoes. Clueless was my motto – AS IF! In high school, I went
to beauty school because I had then decided I wanted to be a hair stylist.
During beauty school, we would have hair shows and for both years, I was one of
the models in it. I did NOT want to be the stylist in those situations. I had
more fun dolling up and walking on stage having a kick booty time! I wanted to
be someone people looked up to and modeled after. I love being a
guru/teacher/role model to others! The
last year in beauty school I was nominated and (later voted) to be that year’s
Miss Evit. Miss Evit was associated with United Way. Basically, whoever raised
the most money, (got the most votes), would win the crown and be names Miss or
Mr. Evit. I won for my class, rap parody of Ke$ha and all, and raised the most
out of the 3 or 4 other girls nominated. It was one of the greatest
accomplishments in my life. Not only did I raise money for charity and be able
to be the face of my school that year in charity balls and walks, but I did
something for myself and got to wear a crown all at the same time. We did a few
photo-shoots and like the prima donna I am, soaked it all up. Needless to say, I even wore my crown to my
graduation at the end of the year….I was the only one that ever did that, and
looking back I am like (what was I thinking?!) All in all, it shaped me to
become more of who I wanted to be in my life. {{Bear with me; I’m done talking
about my cheesy life}}
Monica, the name itself, means counselor, or one who helps
others. I have always found joy in making others happy, or giving them
guidance. So, my example of Miss Evit
was a perfect combination of two things I love the most: Fashion/style/beauty
and service. After I graduated from beauty school, I began going to the
community college to get my degree in social work. I love styling hair, don’t
get me wrong, but it not my one passion, NOT my “career”. As time goes on, I
will tell you more and more about my childhood that drove me to go in that
direction as well, but I digress. I want to make a point and also say that my
childhood was hard, (VERY hard), and I am now a normal, happy, healthy, happily
married woman now of 21 years. I want to show that anyone can rise out of what
they went through in their past and come out strong, and on top. My religion is the most important aspect of my
whole world. I am Mormon, (LDS), and service, charity and loving others are key
points in what I believe. In a very sacred, special blessing I was given as a
teen, it tells about how my duty in life is to serve others and for that reason
I was brought to this Earth. At times, I forget about this and live life trying
to figure out what to do with it, but then I always remember this.
That is why I made this blog in the first place. Granted it’s
been a year since I’ve done anything with it, but I failed myself. I want to
make this world a better place and I want to inspire. Ship set sail was
supposed to be about dreams and aspirations. Well, I want to live mine! Here is
my dream! I want to inspire others to be
happy, be healthy, be stylish, be beautiful and confident in your own skin, rise
up out of the darkness, and follow your dreams.
My dream is to start
a company non-profit, (or maybe for-profit), for confidence of children. It
will be geared more for girls. That is why I came up with the name Ship Set
Sail. It’s a little play on words for my last name “Shipley”, and also what
the point of the organization even is! If you let go of all your fears, and let your
ship sail, you can go anywhere. You can do anything you set your mind to. My
idea was to have classes, confidence classes, beauty classes, fashion classes,
cooking classes, exercise classes, (tips and tricks and inspiration for those
who may struggle). Being a teen is hard, being a child is hard, heck, life is
hard, but that shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals. I want to put kits
together with reminders how to take care of yourself, know that each and every
single one of you is gorgeous inside and out! I want to feed your brain, feed
your confidence and feed your soul. I want to help you realize that you don’t
have to be any certain way to be able to follow your dreams; you just need to
be you. I want to put together boutiques where we all can showcase our talents
whether it’s making adorable headbands, or playing piano, we all have something
to share. We all deserve to be inspired;
we all deserve to be able to follow our dreams. WE ALL DESERVE TO KNOW THAT WE
ARE BEAUTIFUL. –And to be confident.
I started this blog to get my dream going. I am confident in
myself. I am confident in others. I know I have something to give. I want
others to share what they have too! Goals and dreams- what keeps them living
day to day? When I really began a year ago, I got really depressed after only a
few posts, because after the 20+ people I asked to please help me share my
dream to share their life goals, I only received 2 responses. To a newbie
blogger, that was a huge kick in the tummy.
I now realize, I don’t need anyone else, but me, to get my blog going.
After all, everyone’s life is crazy; I can’t withhold my own dreams to wait for
theirs!
So, I will in the meantime start my blog myself. I will try
to inspire with what I know. So, I will post what makes me happy: Fashion,
hair, advice, vintage, crafts, and my testimony.
I will share what I know to be beautiful inside and out, and
how to be the best person I can be.
Because that’s my
dream: To be an inspiration, so others can be an inspiration too.
Here’s my first fashion picture, because fashion I love!
Showing that you can be “fancy” (as a little girl at church told me today)
on a budget. This was the outfit I wore today:
Head band: Rue 21 -$5.99 Shirt:
Forever 21: $17.99* Skirt: Pitaya $6.99* Shoes: Ross $13.99* (*approx.) I love
me a good sale. I will share how you can be trendy, MODEST, and girly in future
posts. Also, I will share how to be smart with the money you have. Also,
(random side note), Goodwill is a YES! Don’t ever be ashamed if you shop
there! It’s probably my favorite store!
Be inspired. Be an inspiration. Let your ship set sail.
If you are interested in helping my cause, whether it’s to help me start up my little charity, or to enter in a blog post for your hopes and goals and dreams (or even just what you are passionate about, (mothering, cooking, exercising, teaching ect.) Please do. Email shipsetsailblog@gmail.com . Email if you have comments, or questions. Email if you have knowledge or advice. Until then, I will try and inspire, by sharing what I know and enjoy! I want to see this get big, so we can help those around us gain confidence, follow their dreams, and feel beautiful.
You truly are an inspiration. I am very proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Momma, and thanks for reading my blog. I love you! <3
DeleteI truly believe you can do anything you set your mind to Monica. I've seen you become the woman you are todayand I've been amazed constantly. Let me know if I can help you in anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paige! You just made me tear up! You are too sweet and I miss you! Please share your story if you are comfortable. That is the best thing right now that you can do to help! <3
Delete