Introducing, Christina Darling

When I first started blogging, close to 10 years ago, I was living in Cleveland and working as an associate editor at a medical trade magazine for ophthalmology. After years of schooling and promise of a great future, it wasn’t exactly what I had pictured. In other words, I wasn’t the Anne Hathaway, assistant turned fashion editor, in the movie of my life. But, after all of the turmoil in the financial world in 2008 and the reality of student loan payments, I was happy to be an English major who was gainfully employed and actually putting my degree to use. It became pretty clear, however, that there was a void in my life. I was looking for a way to fully exercise my creativity without holding back. Inspired by bloggers like Cupcakes and Cashmere and A Cup of Jo, I started my blog, the Cosmopolitan Clevelander. I immersed myself in the world of blogging, learning best practices and becoming a part of the community. It ended up being fulfilling in more ways than I had imagined. I was introduced to a style community in Cleveland that I wasn’t aware existed and hundreds like it all over the world, all through my computer. I felt like I was plugged into this creative, inspiring universe full of people just like me. 

Fast forward to 2011. I get this great opportunity to work as a copywriter at a global lab supply company based in Pittsburgh. Finally: a chance to express my creativity at my 9 to 5. So I packed my bags and moved. Over the last seven years, a lot has changed. I got my MBA, turned 30, went to Rome, got a Triple A card. Serious adulting has happened! Along the way, I’ve changed and evolved too and so has my style. I’m more drawn to classic, simple, enduring pieces that will serve me for years to come. And when I do introduce a trend, I make sure it satisfies my own personal style criteria, editing out anything that doesn’t work for me. I’ve adopted the less is more approach for more than just my wardrobe. It’s become a guiding principle for my life, and in turn, will define the type of content I’ll be sharing on my blog.

Recognizing this internal shift, I felt like it was time to move my blog forward with me. Working with one of the great designers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting since I moved to Pittsburgh, I’ve refreshed the name and look of my blog to reflect the classic everyday looks I’ll be sharing. I also want to start sharing more of myself and my everyday life on the blog, which is why I’ve incorporated my name. To put it simply, I’m making the blog more, me! I hope you’ve enjoyed following The Cosmopolitan Clevelander over the years and that you’ll join me as I share charming everyday style on my new blog, Christina Darling.