Q & A with my Blogger Inspiration: Kelly ~ Roses and Rain Boots .

Friday, April 8, 2016

Q & A with my Blogger Inspiration: Kelly


When I first started blogging I really tried to reach out to a variety of different bloggers whom I admired and one blogger in particular stood out to me and her name is Kelly. I'm sure you have heard of her blog: KellyintheCity.com or seen her on Instagram. Kelly is definitely a Style Inspiration for her readers and fellow bloggers. Besides her incredible style, Kelly just announced a few weeks ago that she and her husband are expecting! Definitely be sure to check out their announcement post to watch the most adorable video of when they share with their families the exciting news.

For having thousands of followers Kelly is extremely down-to-earth, genuine and gorgeous, as you can tell from the photo (above) she is absolutely glowing. Kelly is always quick to respond to my nagging questions and provide some helpful tips or suggestions. And as a result, she was extremely excited and willing to partake in a Q&A session with me: 

Alright now let's get to it:
1. The million dollar question: Why did you start blogging?
Also: when did you start? And do you feel the same about it now as you did when you started it?
After college, I interned with the Hartford Courant as a reporter, and then took a position in New York as an online editor with Nielsen Business Media. A year and a half later, I decided that life inside a cubicle wasn’t for me. I was unfulfilled in my job and down in the dumps about the monotony of my day-to-day. When I saw an advertisement on the subway for the New York City Teaching Fellows program, I applied on a whim, thinking it was just the change I was looking for. And it was! Through the fellowship, I taught middle school English at a large public school in the South Bronx for seven years.

I launched my blog in 2013. It was winter, and I’d fallen in love with a J.Crew coat on final sale but didn’t know what size to order. I started surfing the web in the hopes of finding reviews, and stumbled upon the blog Bows and Sequins. I’d never heard of a style blog before, but I quickly fell in love with the concept. I followed along with Jess—who is now a friend!—for a month or two before I decided to start my own blog. I truly enjoyed my teaching career, but it didn’t serve as a creative outlet for myself. Blogging, however, did… and it incorporated so many of my hobbies and interests: writing, photography and style!

For the most part, I really loved teaching in the inner city, but I have to admit that particular aspects of it were very taxing. Last year, my husband was offered a job in Chicago, and we decided that he should take it. That left me with a big decision, though: Should I pursue a teaching position in Chicago? Or should I take a break from the profession and try something new? In the end, I decided it was time for me to explore other outlets, and blogging (as well as taking on freelance photography and writing work) on a more full-time basis was one of them!

So much has changed since 2013. In New York, blogging was a hobby, whereas in Chicago, it's both a hobby and a job. While there are parts of me that miss the days when the two weren't intertwined, I also feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have found a "job" that I enjoy so much. (I still love it just as much as I did back when I started!) Blogging is also going to allow me to stay home with my baby, which is the greatest gift my readers and the blogging industry could have ever given me. I'm so thankful.

2. What is your favorite blog post from Kelly in the City and why?
My favorite post I've ever written, ironically enough, is "Why I'm Not Teaching This Year." It doesn't incorporate photography or style, but it's the most honest piece I've written for Kelly in the City, and I think it made an impact on my readers. 

Don't get me wrong: clothes and shoes are fun, and I love them just as much as the next girl. But right now, I'm at a point where I've lost interest in writing about those things every single day. Writing more deeply takes time and presents its own set of unique challenges, but I'm happiest when my blog has a balance of light and fluffy posts and deeper, more engaging content. Connecting with readers is my absolute favorite part of blogging, after all!
* I enjoyed reading this post and getting to see a different perspective/side to Kelly and her blog!

3. What is the one beauty product you can't live without?!
MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer! It’s a tiny little thing, but boy, is it mighty. Frankly, THIS STUFF IS MAGIC. My skin has been breaking out lately as a result of being pregnant, but I've found that this concealer somehow covers the trickiest blemishes, and prevents me from hiding away in my house during “bad skin days.” It’s waterproof and lightweight, and it lasts all day. (And the tiny container will likely last you a few years.) To be honest, it’s changed my life, haha. (I use “NC15.”)

4. What are your go-to shoes?
Sperrys! My feet always hurt, but Sperrys get me through my days, and never dig, pinch or rub. That said, I typically keep a pair of navy blue or tortoise pumps in my tote for when I need to dress up my look.
*Who doesn't love Sperrys?! Also, definitely stealing her trick of keeping a nice pair of pumps with me in my tote or car. 

5. Many people like myself look to you for fashion inspiration, where do you get yours from?
Most of my inspiration comes from my mom, grandmother, aunt and cousins, but I also collect inspiration from the city streets, other bloggers, and Pinterest! While I sometimes have to make exceptions for certain campaigns, I typically just dress for my day. I also try my hardest to stay true to myself and my style, and remember that my differences make my little slice of the internet stand out!


6. What do you LOVE to do for fun? 
I enjoy traveling, exploring the city, spending time with friends and family, playing the guitar (poorly), working on our home (my husband and I are first-time homeowners!), writing, photography, going to concerts, trying new restaurants, spending time on the ocean, and playing with my dog.
*Side-bar: she has the CUTEST dog.

7. Being a teacher I love reading, so What is your favorite book?
It's probably a tie between "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I actually think I've read "To Kill a Mockingbird" at least 35 times! But I was a middle school English teacher, so... ;)
*This is MY favorite too, so you can imagine my total #womencrushmoment that happened when I heard this!


I knew from the start I liked this girl. Her style is so "real."  She models things we can actually afford. And then I knew she was definitely my style guru when I found out she has previously been a teacher before! Starting my blog has been one of the BEST decisions I have ever made, it has helped me find myself and my personal style and introduced me to wonderful people like, Kelly. 


PS- Shout out to my girl, Kelly, for participating in my getting to know you chat!

Also, speaking of expecting...with Mother's Day right around the corner stay tuned for my amazing product reviews for a gift-giving guide and my retail collaboration give-away
Thanks for stopping in. xx, LO





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3 comments:

  1. I love Kelly's style too- thanks for sharing a bit more about her! This was a great post, girl!
    xoxo, Jenna
    Boston Chic Party

    ReplyDelete
  2. loving q&a post!

    jess x | wellwellgirls.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great q&a post!

    http://chicglamstyle.com

    ReplyDelete