Sharing what’s to come next for this site and where to find me in the meantime…
I feel like this post has been a long time in the making. I won’t bury the lede so here it goes. My site is getting a complete overhaul, including a new name and URL!
You can still expect to find classic outfit ideas, recs for what to pick up at Trader Joe’s and Wegmans, snippets of life, recipes, and posts about how to brighten up the everyday. The content will be the same – just with a different site aesthetic and name.
Don’t worry, there will be a URL redirect once my new site goes live. It’ll be tough for my own muscle memory to not type “dcgirl” into the address bar haha!
Okay, now that the bandaid has been ripped off, here’s what has been going on in my head for the last year.
My Thoughts On The Name Change
I started my blog in May 2011 when I had a month-long break between the end of my junior year of college in DC and starting a summer internship at Ogilvy. In fact, the name “DC Girl in Pearls” was inspired by my internship application. One of their questions was to write a brand statement for yourself and part of mine mentioned wearing pearls.
It’s a moniker I’ve worn (not to be too punny) online ever since. But, in the last year, I found myself feeling a disconnect with “DC Girl in Pearls” as my personal brand, particularly in the long-run. I really, truly enjoy writing and sharing the content that I do here. It’s been a large part of my life for a long time and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I was in college when I first created this site, which doesn’t feel that long ago. Yet somehow 12 years have gone by. In 2023, I no longer would consider myself a “girl.” I’m a 33-year-old woman who has built a career in public relations, I’m married to my wonderful husband, James, and there are many more exciting chapters on the horizon.
Which brings us to another aspect of the name and why I felt it needed to change. DC. I’ve lived in DC since 2008 when I arrived for college. I still get chills when I see the monuments at night and love that the Capitol dome is a fixture in my daily life. But with James’ military career, moves are expected. It’s very likely I won’t be living in DC forever although we could always end up back here. I’d feel like a phony saying I was a “DC Girl” if I were actually living outside of the DMV area. Plus, I think it would just be confusing.
Site Refresh Work Will Begin on Monday
Starting on Monday, dcgirlinpearls.com will go into maintenance mode. You’ll see a lovely placeholder page. Behind the scenes, my web designer, Monica, will be working to get our new site up and running. We’ve been working together on its look and feel and I’m so excited to see it all come together!!
Where To Find Me In The Meantime
While it’ll be quiet here on the site, I’ll be sharing my blog posts on my newsletter. Once my site is back, think of this weekly newsletter as an exclusive bonus post just for you! Expect classic outfit ideas, Trader Joe’s recipes, and more to brighten your inbox.
I’d love for you to sign up so we can stay connected!
Thank You For Being A Friend
Since this will be the last official post shared under the “DC Girl in Pearls” header, I’m feeling more than a little sentimental. To all of you who have been here from the start and to everyone who has joined along the way, thank you for being a friend.
Thank you for all your kind comments and emails. Our DM conversations are the highlight of my day and I cannot wait to begin this new chapter with you all. So excited to have you along for the ride!!!
Talk to you soon!
– Lauren
