The Perfect Gold Holiday Cocktail Dress

D.C. blogger Alicia Tenise styles the Shoshanna Greta Dress from Rent the Runway | The Perfect gold holiday cocktail dress featured by top Virginia fashion blogger, Alicia Tenise: picutre of a woman wearing a Rent the Runway dress, Steve Madden sandals, Kendra Scott earrings and rings and Baublebar bracelet

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Brocade Dress for Holiday Party, Steve Madden Heels| The Perfect gold holiday cocktail dress featured by top Virginia fashion blogger, Alicia Tenise: picutre of a woman wearing a Rent the Runway dress, Steve Madden sandals, Kendra Scott earrings and rings and Baublebar bracelet

Kendra Scott Winter 2016 Collection| The Perfect gold holiday cocktail dress featured by top Virginia fashion blogger, Alicia Tenise: picutre of a woman wearing a Rent the Runway dress, Steve Madden sandals, Kendra Scott earrings and rings and Baublebar bracelet

SHOP THIS GOLD HOLIDAY COCKTAIL DRESS LOOK:

Dress: ℅ Rent the Runway | Shoes: Steve Madden | Earrings: ℅ Kendra Scott | Bracelet: ℅ Baublebar | Rings: ℅ Kendra Scott

Guys: I’m about to make a pretty big, crazy announcement on here. 

I’ve mentioned this many times here: having a full-time job and a growing, demanding blog was something that really was burning me out and taking a toll on me, both mentally and physically. Over the last 3 months alone, I found myself in a vicious cycle of getting super sick, not getting enough sleep, and getting several migraines a week.

I wasn’t sure what I needed to do, but I knew I really couldn’t continue both. And then, as I was on my last bout of energy, I walked into work last week, and my company, unfortunately, was in the position where they needed to do a round of layoffs. I was one of the team members laid off.

Sadly, this is not the first time I’ve been laid off since graduating from college three years ago. As much as I love marketing, it’s usually the job that gets cut first if a company needs to scale back. I thought about what my next move should be, and I started to look at other full-time gigs when I realized: I just want to give full-time blogging a shot

In a weird way, I saw the layoff as a sign: a sign that maybe it isn’t in the cards to me to have a typical 9-5 right now. Maybe I can rock at being my own boss. Now to be completely candid here, I actually do have plans to do freelance social media for other companies as well in the area so blogging will not be my only source of income, but at the age of 26 I will be my own boss. This is exciting and terrifying at the same time, but I’m eager to get started and see what I can accomplish!

That being said: I really wouldn’t be able to do this without the support that you guys have given me over the last 5 years. Thank you for making this dream of mine a reality, you guys are the real MVPs here! 

Loving this Holiday cocktail dress? Click here now for all my Holiday essentials!!
Photos by: Rosa Loves DC

Leave a Comment

45 Comments

  1. Ellen wrote:

    Congratulations! I’m sorry the circumstances in which this decision had to be made weren’t ideal, but I hope it’s a blessing in disguise. Wishing you all the best.

    Ellen | A Pop of Pink

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Thank you so much Ellen! I’m totally hoping it’s a blessing in disguise as well. I appreciate your support so much!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  2. Elle wrote:

    Good Luck Alicia,

    You’re one of the most consistent bloggers out here, So I’m hoping this works out for you!

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • This means so much to me — thank you so much! I’m so happy blogging introduced me to you!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  3. India H. wrote:

    Good luck with everything! So happy to hear this!

    India | booksandbighair.com

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Thank you so much India, and thank you for reading along!! I really appreciate it!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  4. Whoohoo! Good luck! You’re gonna kill it!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • THANK YOU, seriously, you’ve been an absolute saint over the last few days and I can’t tell you how much it has helped!!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  5. Lauren B. wrote:

    That dress is adorable and congrats on going for it! I am sorry you got fired, but everything happens for a reason and I am glad you are going to use it as an opportunity! You are going to do awesome!

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Thank you Lauren, I totally appreciate it! I didn’t get fired, my company had to eliminate jobs because of budget cuts unfortunately so it was a lay off, but It’s exciting to use it as a chance to try it full-time!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  6. Dana Mannarino wrote:

    So happy for you girl, everything happens for a reason!

    Pink Champagne Problems

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Yay thank you so much!! Hoping I can squeeze in more NYC trips and see you IRL more now!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  7. nelle wrote:

    Congratulations, sometimes you need a push to get where you belong. Good luck!

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • So thankful for the push! Thank you Nelle!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  8. Sher wrote:

    Sometimes the hard time open the door for new opportunities. Best of luck with the full time gig 🙂

    Sher
    http://www.shershegoes.com

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • I totally agree girl! Thank you so much!!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  9. This dress on you is STUNNING on you!

    xo Jessica

    My Style Vita

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
  10. Ida wrote:

    Such an exciting change! Wishing you the best with it. And that dress looks completely gorgeous on you!

    http://livelifefullyalive.com/

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
  11. Megan wrote:

    I can’t wait to follow along, Alicia! You are an inspiration! Sending you all the good vibes.

    Megan
    Sweet Sauce Blog
    http://www.sweetsauceblog.com

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Thank you Megan! Now that I have more time, I totally need to plan that RVA trip now!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  12. Nicole Parise wrote:

    Good luck, sounds like you have a lot on your plate but also a lot of solid plans. And you look great!
    xx nicole
    http://www.nicoleparise.com

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Awww Nicole thank you so much, you are so sweet!!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  13. Rose wrote:

    Good luck to you! It sounds terrifying yet extremely exciting at the same time. Best wishes in everything.

    Posted 12.5.16 Reply
    • Thank you Rose! Yes I agree, it’s a little scary, but I’m excited for the future. I appreciate your support!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  14. Jenny wrote:

    Yes to being your own boss! I am taking the leap into full time self employment next month and I can’t wait.

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Jenny — congratulations girl! You’re going to rock at it, your work so far has been amazing!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  15. This dress is to die for! Such a perfect holiday party dress, and so flattering!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Thank you Kelsey!! Rent the Runway’s selection was too good this season!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  16. Courtney wrote:

    Love your dress! Also congrats! Being your own boss at 26 is a great accomplishment!

    champagneandcitylights.com

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  17. Sharon Glascoe wrote:

    You got this girl! I heard Steve Harvey say yesterday “There’s never a right time to accomplish your dreams.” Sometimes you just need the push to get there because you couldn’t take the leap on your own. I am so happy to hear that you’re taking this opportunity to go for what you really want. Good luck! I hope to join you soon! And this dress is to DIE for !! I gotta check out Rent the Runway for a cute holiday party outfit!!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • GIRL — I love this quote so much! I completely agree, I don’t think I would have ever done it on my own. And yes, I highly reccommend Rent the Runway! THANK YOU for your words of encouragement, it means a lot to me!!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  18. April Serio wrote:

    Congratulations girl! You got this….follow your dreams.I’m excited for you!

    http://www.aprilwashere.com

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Thank you April!! Kind of scary to live out my dreams, but so thankful I have your support!!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  19. Dana wrote:

    That’s such an exciting announcement, you’re going to do great blogging full time!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Thank you Dana, I majorly appreciate the support!! <3 <3

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  20. Crystal Marie wrote:

    Sorry to hear about that and GO GIRL. You can do it! Love your blog!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  21. Lyddiegal wrote:

    Sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I hope it works out splendidly!
    Also, you are looking stunning in this dress!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Thank you so much! And I totally reccommend this dress for sure!

      Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  22. Genean Cros wrote:

    What an amazing testimony, some times God will close doors that are holding bus back from doing that which has been ordained by him for our lives. As long as we hold onto those safety nets(jobs, family even ourselves) we will never understand nor experience “the faith walk”. Especially when it’s unfamiliar territory with no clear blueprint. I applaud you for taking this major step and becoming the determing factor of your future! ?? Cant wait to watch the journey.
    Genean

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Genean! My mom is a minister, and she said almost the same exact thing, so this is incredibly reassuring! Thank you so much for the kind words, I really, really appreciate it!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  23. Joules wrote:

    Best of luck! I’m a big fan of your blog, so I hope it pans out.

    Love that dress on you!

    Style by Joules

    Posted 12.9.16 Reply