Hi girls!! I’m so excited to share a little ‘get to know me’ post with y’all since there are so many new faces are around here!! Welcome to Fashionably Kay and I’m so glad to have you! I’ve been getting some requests to share a little bit about myself and I love that idea. I had asked you guys over on my Instagram to send in questions so all of these are from you! Hope you girls have a wonderful weekend!! xoxo
How old are you? Where do you live?
I just turned 26 in July! We live in Ohio! Cleveland area to be exact.
How did you get into blogging?
I’ve always been into fashion (I went to school for merchandising!) and when I was studying for a midterm one afternoon, I decided to create a Blog on Google and it kind of spiraled from there. I spent 10 straight hours learning HTML codes and creating a website on Google’s Blogger Platform and started sharing my outfits on my Instagram and doing little blog posts here and there. I’ll never forget all my friends and family asking me why I kept posting so much and sharing random outfit photos on my Instagram… they all thought it was so weird at first! I started in 2013 so I just celebrated my five-year blogiversary in March!! SO crazy to me!
What did you do before you were a blogger?
I worked in retail ever since I was 18. I started off at Ralph Lauren as a sales girl and then went to Calvin Klein as a manager. I even went to NYC to visit Calvin Klein’s Corporate and had such a wonderful experience! At that point, I knew that blogging was what I wanted to do full-time so I decided to stay in Ohio and focus on blogging until I decided to go full-time in 2016.
When did you decide to become a full-time blogger?
Alex and I always talked about this since he knew I wanted Fashionably Kay to be full-time job and we agreed that once I started making the same or more of my income at the time, that I could quit my current job and take on the blog! It was the best decision I’ve made and has allowed me to be such a happier and more creative person all around. It’s so fun getting to know all of you on a personal level and sharing things that inspire you!
How can you make blogging a job?
This is one of those questions that I get very often! Blogging can be monetized in a bunch of different ways. The most common ways are sponsored posts (when a company approaches you to share their products on your social channels + blog… I only share products that I truly love and would share regardless of the sponsorship!), affiliate commissions (whenever you guys use any of my liketoknow.it links, I make a commission off of that!) and content creation (taking photos/modeling for brand content). I appreciate your support more than anything! It allows me to continue to do what I am doing (sharing new items with you, shopping sales for you, sizing, try-ons).
How did you and Alex meet?
I first met Alex when I started at Calvin Klein and he was a sales associate. I started as a manager so once we started “talking”, it had to be a secret, lol! He eventually became a manager as well and we managed the store for about a year while we moved in together and became waaay more serious. We both left Calvin in 2015 around the holidays. We’ve been together for almost five years now and it’s been the best five years ever!!! I was 21 when I met Alex and he was 19! Fun fact: he’s two years younger than me even though it looks like the opposite!
Did you know Alex was proposing? Asking from your nail color choice for the trip!
This made me laugh!! I always told Alex that I wanted to have blush nails when he proposed and for our wedding so I had a suspicion when I asked him what color to get for our trip and he said “get you favorite pink!”. But then again he had told me to get that color for Italy, too! We knew we wanted to be engaged soon so it wasn’t a complete surprise but it definitely shocked me when it happened! I don’t think you can be prepared for that moment… it was really just perfect and everything I could have dreamed of.
Have you picked out your wedding venue yet?
We have not booked anything but we know exactly what type of wedding we want! We have three venues that we are choosing between and touring in January. We are only taking engagement photos this month and then waiting to really dive into the wedding planning the beginning of 2019. I am seriously so excited to start and to start sharing with y’all!
Did you set a wedding date?
We haven’t set an exact date but we did decide on month & year!! June of 2020 is what we are aiming for! (Had to have peony season!!)
Why such a long engagement?
I shared that we were aiming for June 2020 a few weeks ago on my Instagram so some of you may have caught that! We are planning on buying our first home in June of 2019 so we did not want to shove all of that into less than a year. I have always wanted a May-June wedding so I could have peonies as my flowers (my absolute favorite!!) so we decided a year after that would do. I’m totally okay with waiting 20 months (I actually didn’t think that it was a long engagement?! lol) since I want to be able to plan everything to a T and really enjoy myself while doing so… I hate rushing and I thoroughly enjoy planning!
Did you go to college and if so, what did you study?
I went to Kent State University and studied Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. I’ve always known that I wanted to be in the fashion industry but before I started blogging, I either wanted to work in corporate for a brand that I love, doing their marketing/graphic design. I’m really big into marketing and graphics, one of my favorite things to do!
What does Alex do for a living? Is he an actual chef?
I get this question so often! Alex is a finance manager but loves loves loves to cook. He is fully self-taught (meaning he has watched You-Tube Videos and bought Masterclasses but has never been to an actual cooking class). It started about two years ago when he would watch Gordon Ramsey shows and it all went from there. He is amazing in the kitchen and he always talks about opening his own restaurant one day! I think that would be amazing for him to do and fully support that down the road.
What do you see yourself doing a year from now?
I see us (hopefully) in a new home, most likely renovating it room by room and planning for our wedding! I will still be blogging full-time and absolutely love it. I’m so blessed to be doing something that I love everyday!
What is your dream job?
This kind of aligns with the last question but I feel like I do have my dream job right now. I love what I do and it never feels like “work”. It may sound cliche but it’s what I’ve dreamt of doing and I’m very happy with where I am!
Who takes the majority of your photos and do you ever take your own?
I’m an extremely lucky gal because my mom is a professional photographer and owns her own business! We’ve been a mother + daughter team since I started my blog (she has had her business far longer than I’ve been blogging!). She takes all of my blog photos and the majority of my Instagram photos. My bestfriend and of course Alex take some of my Instagram photos while I’m on-the-go or need a quick shot!
What kind of locations do you typically look for when you’re taking outfit shots?
This varies on season but I always try to find specific locations that will go with the outfit! In the fall, I search for the prettiest fall foliage (even if it’s in an awkward spot) and make it work. For winter, I love finding pine trees with snow covering them or basic street shots downtown. Spring and summer, I try to find colorful background or basic backgrounds (white walls, colored walls, pretty doors, etc.). Luckily, my mom has her photography business and spends all days finding great locations around us so she is a tremendous help!
How often do you have photoshoots and what kind of makeup do you wearing during your shoot?
My mom and I try to meet at least once a week to stay on top of my campaigns. Sometimes, we have to meet twice if I have a lot of things to shoot! Depends on season and also the weather. Since she runs her business full-time and I’m doing the same, we squeeze it in here and there! We take turns driving to one another or meeting in Chagrin Falls to make it easier (she has a ton of clients there). I actually wear my everyday makeup while shooting since I wear the best foundation (no lie, it’s the best I’ve ever tried!!!). You can find the foundation, here, and also the full blog post of my makeup routine, here!
What part of Cleveland are you from?
I was born in Cleveland and lived downtown for the first two years of my life! Both of my parents are from Strongsville so they built a home in Medina and have been there ever since. I left Medina when I went to KSU + stayed on the “East Side” in the Streetsboro, Hudson, Chagrin area. We are planning on buying our first home in Hudson or Chagrin Falls since we love this area so much! We are about 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland and love being that close but also being surrounded by the smaller communities. Best of both worlds!
Favorite place in Cleveland to eat?
This is such a tough question! Depends on my mood honestly but I love Barrio and Coastal Taco. I’m a huuuuge taco girl so those are no surprise! I’m thinking of doing a roundup of our favorite places in Cleveland to eat soon on here… let me know what you girls think of that!
What is your favorite store?
I have two favorite stores! I think for the everyday kind of trip that I can grab everything and anything, Target, hands down! I also 100% love Nordstrom for everything as well (makeup, shoes, clothing, etc.). They are kind of on opposite sides of the spectrum but both are my favorites to run to! (+ obviously we have our daily Home Goods runs, too! LOL)
Which High-End Designer Bag is worth the buy in your opinion?
I would definitely recommend the Louis Vuitton Neverfull. I personally have the Medium size (MM) and use it everyday. It’s the perfect size and seriously indestructible! You get every pennies worth with that bag. I don’t have too many designer bags (still growing my collection!) but my next buy is going to be a light mauve Gucci Marmont crossbody. I’ve been hinting at it for Christmas…. Alex 😉
What’s your favorite word?
“Honestly…” – I don’t think it’s my favorite but I always start my sentences with it especially when I’m stressing out about my puppies eating everything LOL. “honestly…. why are you guys doing that” or “honestly… can’t we just eat chipotle tonight?”. Alex is always calling me out for this!
Who is your biggest fashion influence?
For years and years, I’ve always looked up to Jules from Sincerely Jules & Christine from Hello Fashion Blog. They are both the season I started blogging (I just adore them!!!). I get a bunch of my inspiration from Pinterest as well, I could be on that site for hours! Follow my Pinterest boards, here!
Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled?
This would have to be between Italy & Banff/Lake Louise! We traveled to Rome earlier this year (May to be exact) and had the most incredible time. We are planning a longer trip back to visit more cities and spend some time in Rome again. I can’t wait to take you guys along! Our trip to Banff was so beautiful and relaxing, I couldn’t believe it. And of course, we got engaged in the mountains on Lake Louise so that will forever be a special place for us!
What do you do for exercise?
I wish I had a designated routine right now but I don’t! I’m not 100% dedicated to working out and I really need to get back into habit. It’s not that I don’t like working out – it’s just “finding the time” AKA getting off the couch and driving my butt to the gym! My bestfriend motivates me (her and her hubby are into fitness!) When I do go to the gym, I focus 30 minutes on cardio between cycling, stair stepper and walking and then do a full 30 minutes of strength training!
What are your favorite meals to eat throughout the week?
This changes all the time but my current favorites to eat for lunch are chicken sausage (Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple is my favorite!), cucumer salads (recipe is saved on my food highlight on my IG!), regular salad with champagne viniagrette, fried rice and butter chicken (another Trader Joe’s find!). I’ve been getting a bunch of requests from you girls to do a full Trader Joe’s favorites post, too! I think that would be super fun!! Alex makes us dinner on the evenings that he is home and I’m so thankful for that – I personally don’t love cooking so he is a God send!
How do you stay organized with your closet when you are always getting new pieces?
This is one of those things that I wish I was organized with but unfortunately sometimes, I’m not (AT ALL). I have a garment rack in my office that I rotate and add all my new clothing that I’m focusing on and planning on sharing with you guys but my master-closet is somewhat insane! I try to go through every season and get rid of things that I’m no longer wearing and either sell them or give them to my little sister!
Where do you get your planner inspiration at? And do you follow a certain layout?
Literally one of my favorite things to do…. plan!!! Something about writing things down and making lists to do, relaxes me. I usually just start writing down what needs to be completed for the day and look for stickers that would correlate with that day and go from there. I don’t really follow a certain layout but I’ve definitely referenced my previous pages for inspiration if I’m stuck and can’t figure out how to plan a day out! For more planner info, you can see my whole lifeplanner post, here!
Flatlay Tips?
One of those questions I get asked and I never know the answer to! I worked in retail for years and years so I think it’s just from practicing and training on making presentations and dressing mannequins all that time! I usually lay out my pieces and try to make sure they look “cozy” and close before I go in and add any accessories like a hat, small bag, lipsticks and jewelry. I’ll take a few photos and check the photos to be sure everything is in place and symmetric! I’m a perfectionist so it takes me a few tries before like I feel like I have “the shot”!
What’s in your bag (LV)?
Ahhhh y’all, I HIGHLY recommend getting a bag organizer!!! I have this exact one and LOVE it. I usually keep two pairs of sunglasses in my bag (one black pair and a brown pair), my wallet with CCs and ID, hand-sanitizer, breath mints, usually my hair brush, lipstick and other misc. beauty products I throw in there! I’ll carry my planner with me if I’m going somewhere like a photoshoot to see which days align with my mom or if I’m going to work at a coffee shop but other than that, I try to keep my bag light!
Do you have any tattoos?
Yes, I have three! My first tattoo was when I was 18 and I hate it (shocker, I know). It’s on my foot and is my Leo sign but there is a heart intertwined with the sign and doesn’t look the cutest, lol. I also have an infinity sign with the word “faith” on one wrist and an anchor on my other wrist (in memory of my grandpa! My mom, sister and cousin all got matching ones in honor of him this summer! I’ve had mine for five years).
Where do you want to go on your Honeymoon?
Since we are planning a trip back to Italy this upcoming May down the Almafi Coast – we are thinking of Greece for our honeymoon!! But we will see, things might change 🙂
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope to be in a beautiful home, married to Alex! I also see us having our first baby by then. Alex and I are both so excited to be parents and since we both come from big families (he has two sisters and two brothers. I have four sisters and one brother!), we both want a large family. I’ll be thankful to have a roof over our head, healthy and happy babies and still loving our careers!
What music do you listen to?
I literally listen to everything! My go-to’s are country music and pop. I could listen to country music 24/7 but I’ve been loving A Star Is Born Soundtrack!
Top 3 things that have helped you succeed as a blogger?
I love this question! I think consistency is definitely key. Once your audience knows that they will be seeing a post from you everyday, they’ll start to look forward to it. I try to be consistent and possible and keep my content fresh and on-season. Retail is always one step ahead of the season – so it’s important for us bloggers to be as well! For example, I’m getting my holiday home decor tour live here soon and it’s important for readers to be able to shop the decor so that they can enjoy it this holiday season. It wouldn’t be helpful if I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving and two weeks later uploaded a blog post with links to everything since they’d already have shopped for their own decor! I hope that makes sense.
(Contd.) Another thing that has helped was being engaging with my audience. I try to answer as many DMs and comments from you girls when I am asked questions so then you know that you can count on me for anything! I love the community we have here and am so grateful for all of you!
Last thing is content is key. I know you hear this a lot but it’s 100% true. Make sure that you have great content and the following will come along! It’s a long process and doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve been working on this blog with my heart and soul since 2013. I am so grateful to be in the place that I am now!
love the new layout! Also loved getting to know you more! Can’t wait for the wedding pics to roll around even tho it’s so far away! lol
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you love it! I can’t wait to share our engagement photos on here soon! xo
Hi,
I’ve been trying to purchase your layering coin necklaces from The Sis Kiss.
Could you tell me exactly which ones you have? When i go to the link you provided it”s rather confusing by offering 5 options (24″ chain, gold bordered coin 20″, greek goddess 20″, greek god 16″, & 16″ gold coin).
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
I have three of their coin necklaces! I have a 16 inch with my Zodiac sign, a gold choker coin and then the 20 inch gold bordered coin I believe! I love all of them though! Very unique and easy to layer with together. Don’t forget to use my code KAY15 for a discount! xoxo