I immediately cracked up when I read this post on my friend Krista’s blog yesterday – it all stems from this article here unveiling the truth behind many of the beautful, almost artful, photos that crowd my Instagram feed on a daily basis. I’m definitely guilty of sharing only the most flattering parts of my life on Instagram. I mean, who really wants to see a photo of my seamless takeout order, a makeup-less selfie because I was rushing to get to work or my New York street on trash day (aka everyday). I’m embarrassed to admit it but I am guilty of staging an Instagram and Nick scolds almost every time we’re out to eat for taking photos of our food before he can get a bite. Those poor blogger boyfriends right?
Alright so here it goes… the truth behind 6 of my latest Instagrams!
1. Bedroom Shot
What I’m Trying to Portray
My perfectly decorated bedroom of course! Not only is my bed made but my throw pillows are expertly styled. Any day you walk in my apartment it looks like this!
What’s Actually Going On
Let’s be real, we never make our bed. Ain’t nobody got time for that! You also can’t see that the end of our bed touches the wall – gotta love New York City living! #FML #cantwaittomove
2. View From Above Shot
What I’m Trying to Portray
Not only is my outfit cute today, but this is how I look everyday on my walk to work! My comfy walking flats always match my outfit and my first meal of the day is a chia seed fruit smoothie that I drink out of a cute mason jar tumbler.
What’s Actually Going On
It took me over 20 tries to get this picture to look right. Bend to the side, bend to the back – somehow I can NEVER get these photos to look normal. Also I typically will wear yucky flip flops to walk to work. The only reason I’m wearing these espadrilles is to cover my ratchet chipped pedicure. There was also a homeless guy sleeping underneath a sheet two feet away on the ground. Of course I didn’t realize until after I’d been standing there snapping for two minutes.
3. Favorite Beauty Products
What I’m Trying to Portray
The cosmetics I’ve been using on a daily basis gorgeously sitting around my apartment.
What’s Actually Going On
This was so staged. Who actually just leaves their makeup sitting out like this? No one. I styled this on our storage bench out in our living room and as soon as I was done I put all the makeup away. I wasn’t lying though about the mani – as you can see my nails do not look ratchet and those Jouer shadows are really as long-lasting as they say!
4. Couples Selfie
What I’m Trying to Portray
I just casually snapped this selfie with my sweet boyfriend during a day of touring Washington D.C. We are having the best time and he was as excited about taking this photo as me!
What’s Actually Going On
Getting Nick to take a selfie is worse than pulling teeth. There’s almost ALWAYS a struggle and after one photo the boy is done and will actually run away from me to avoid taking another. Ashamed to admit it, but a few of our arguments have stemmed from a selfie. Here we were sweaty, dying of heat and had missed our scheduled tour of the capitol. I tried to stop another tourist to take a cute picture of us but Nick was being so pissy and would only agree to this one selfie. I take what I can.
5. Junk Food Shot
What I’m Trying to Portray
Delicious burgers, fries and shakes that my boyfriend and I ate on our Saturday night date! I was wearing skinny jeans of course.
What’s Actually Going On
We did indeed eat the above Shake Shack but almost immediately after we finished eating I got THE WORST stomach ache. We had spent the afternoon Citi biking and were about a 15 minute ride from home. I knew I wasn’t going to make it so I had to divert our date to the Eataly bathroom while Nick sat outside waiting for me. So embarrassing. I need to stop eating so much Shake Shack and carry Pepto Bismol with me at all times. #TMI
6. Bikini Shot
What I’m Trying to Portray
Look at my hottttt bod chilling at the pool.
What’s Actually Going On
Again, this was one of those shots that took 50 tries to get right. Nick wanted to drown me in the pool when we were done. Of course the photo had to be cropped right below the booty to hide my vericose veins (thanks Mom) and my nonexistent thigh gap. I will give myself credit for the perfectly round bun though. Why can’t it always look like that??
Haha so what did you guys think? Hope you don’t think I’m too phony… we’re all guilty right? I’m tagging Southern Curls & Pearls, Life with Emily, Corals & Cognacs, College Prepster, Bows & Sequins, Poor Little It Girl, Just Dandy, Skirt the Rules, The Right Shoes, Sequins & Things, Lauren Nelson, Caviar Taste and any of YOU who got an unnaturally gorgeous Instagram feed to spill your secrets – let me know below!
Kate says
Hahaha, I love this post! I love instagram, it’s my most favorite form of social media, but it is so, so, so staged! Do all bloggers really have perfect white floors, walls & counter tops to shoot their photos on? Or have they propped up a piece of white bristol board near a window? And I’m not sure about you, but I’ve never started to put lipstick on and then realize “oh! my macarons have arrived, I better set my open lipstick down beside them before I eat them!” I feel your boyfriend selfie pain though, I can usually get one or two with just an eyeroll but beyond that he gets annoyed. Great post – the honesty is SO appreciated!
xo!
Kate
http://www.omyheartkate.com
Katie says
Thank you Kate and everything you say is SO true! Haha our poor boyfriends!
Lauren says
Love this post! I think everyone has had those experiences and I love that you can laugh about it!
-Lauren
http://www.prettypiecesblog.com
Katie says
Thanks Lauren! xo
Alyssa Freitas says
I loved reading this post (and no, you definitely don’t seem phony to me)! I hope the other bloggers you tagged will be brave enough to do this as well.
Alyssa |http://www.alyssajfreitas.blogspot.com
Katie says
I hope so too! Thanks Alyssa!
Emily Helm {life with emily} says
I nearly got fired from my job yesterday because I was laughing HYSTERICALLY over Krista’s instagram post! Loved yours!! I will definitely be posting mine- because let’s be real here… not everything is what it seems!
Katie says
OMG! Thanks Emily hope you do this post 🙂
Grace says
This is such a great tag! I had a fun time reading, I had no idea what the real situation was like when you took the photos, could’ve fooled me 😉
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Katie says
Makes me wonder the funny stories behind everyone else’s photos… 😛
Melissa says
LOVED (and laughed at) this post! Nice to get a better look into the “real” side of your life and how you go through the same everyday hassles as the next person.
Melissa
xxx
Katie says
It’s true I’m just like everyone else 😛
Kim says
LOVED this post!!!! Thanks so much for keeping it real!!!
Katie says
Of course! Thanks Kim!
Jess Zimlich says
Haha our poor blogger boyfriends! I paused him at dinner last night and felt so guilty. But one thing I can say, I’ve learned to let go and not take a thousands snaps. Just a couple and if it doesn’t turn out perfect – life will go on 🙂
Katie says
So true Jess!
Jennifer K says
Finally, someone who isn’t hiding behind their instagram pretending to be perfect! I so appreciated the genuine and honest person behind this post. THANK YOU!
Katie says
Thanks Jennifer!!
Lindsay @LovelyLifeStyling says
I love this post and the honesty behind it! It is so true that we have to try so hard to make our lives on IG look so pretty and perfect! When in reality, I know I could be doing something more important with my time! But, I do love a good IG feed 🙂
Katie says
It’s embarrassing how much time I spend on Instagram… LOL!
Jamie G says
LOVE this! Thanks for the {hilarious} honesty.
xo
Jamie @ SnapGinger Blog
Katie says
Of course!! 🙂
Amber C, says
Guilty of ALL of these. You are not alone in the partner battle–my husband is always embarrassed by my constant Instgramming! This brutal honesty is too good. Love it-thanks for the laugh!
Amber C.
http://littledipperlife.com
Katie says
Omg we must drive our men crrazzzzzzyyyy 😛
Jessica @The Paper Plume says
Love this! Although…I will still enjoy your Instagram feed staged or not! We can all strive for perfection, right?
Katie says
Agreed!! xo
Tori McKimm says
Omgsh this is great–because lets be real–we alllll do this 🙂 I was cracking up the whole time–especially the couples photo–my hubby HATES them!
Tori
fashionblingandothergirlythings.blogspot.com
Katie says
SO TRUEEEEEE 😛
Patrícia Marques says
Oh Gosh! I’ve absolutely loved to read this post, lots and lots of fun! I must admit that I’ve already made some of these.
<3
http://zazzish.blogspot.pt/
Katie says
Glad I’m not alone 😛
Arianne says
this is probably one of my favorite posts from you! I love that your personality was completely in the post and I personally understand the need for staging. I can’t even imagine how much time it takes you to get these. I have yet to master it; most of the time I’m too conscious especially because people around me don’t know about this world… *le sigh* haha
Katie says
Aw thank you Arianne! Staging Instagrams is the most annoying thing – why can’t things just look perfect naturally? LOL
Katherine L says
Love this post (and it’s in almost complete contrast to Hallie–Corals & Cognacs) post on IG feeds. Number 2 is surprisingly hard to achieve, especially in a skirt/dress, and either results in short, stubby legs, or freakishly contorted, cirque-du-soleil positioning. And the last one? It always seems like such a good idea, especially when you are starving, but it never ends well. I always have either gas-x or imodium with me, juusssstt in case.
-Katherine
http://thegreenbows.blogspot.ca
Mary McGunigal says
Honestly, reading this made me love your Instagram even more- everything said here is so relatable and true. NYC apartments ARE small, and boyfriends DO hate taking selfies. I was laughing so hard reading this post because 1 is exactly the limit my bf will allow for selfies (he also loves going to Shake Shack- the one by 86th and Lex never has much of a line!-but would probably kill me if I tried to delay his cheese-fry consumption with a picture!!) Yet part of the reason I like Instagram is that it is so positive- and even behind the veneer of filters and staging are some truly gorgeous pics on there! Aren’t we all just trying to put our best, most colorful and flattering foot forward?
Lauren Hughes says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. It has made me and the girls in the office laugh lots 🙂 xo
http://www.hikinginheels.co.uk
Keri Ann says
This post was amazing. As a just-starting-out blogger I am learning all these nifty little secrets to master the art of convincing the world I am perfect. The tricky part is convincing my manfriend that this is a viable hobby and something he should fully get on board with – “Come on babe, it’s FUN! Take a picture of your ice cream cone and your shoes before it starts to melt! You can DO IT”. Love the honesty, one of my favorite parts about your blog – you go girl!
XO Kerri Ann
atrendypeace.com
Christina Storm says
I love this post! It is so true, we are all guilty of it! Instagram is such a beautifully staged place of the ideal world. I think that’s what makes it inspiring!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
Linna says
Your honesty was so refreshing. Great post and it was so funny, too 🙂
Physique 57 says
Katie,
This post is hilarious! We would LOVE to have you visit our barre studio and post a real #barreselfie after class on IG. Let us know if you would like to hit the barre with us and we’ll get you set up with a class.
We look forward to hearing back from you.
Best,
Natasha Attal
Digital Marketing Manager
Physique 57
http://physique57.com/nyc/
Madison Lane says
Loved this post! It was great to see what really goes on behind the Instagram pictures! I know I do the exact same thing!
xoxo
Katie says
Thanks Madison!