Today's blog crush, Lauren of Seventeenth & Irving, is more of a life crush. Lauren and I have known each other for a few months now, and I feel so lucky that we have become real-life friends. She is one of the most generous, smart, and lovely people you could ever meet. Lauren has impeccable taste, and her blog is truly representative of the way she moves through life--with grace, style, and candor. If it isn't already there, I highly recommend that you add Seventeenth & Irving to your must-read list, especially if you love fashion, interior design, and generally beautiful things. I'm so honored to be able to feature Lauren as today's blog crush, and I hope you'll enjoy learning a little more about her:
When did you start blogging and what inspired
you to start blogging?
I started writing/blogging online as far back as 2000 - I had a LiveJournal that I didn't tell any of my close friends or family about, but the connections I made to others like me, across the United States, was fascinating. I even have friends today that I originally knew through that site. In 2009, I started blogging seriously online, under my freelance interior design business Studio 1270, then later as I was exploring gluten free life as Gluten Free & Southern, and now as Seventeenth & Irving.
The ability to connect with like minded people I might not otherwise meet, while having a much needed creative outlet for myself, inspired me to start and continues to fuel my drive to blog.
What is your favorite aspect of writing
your blog? What do you find the most challenging about blogging?
Writing my blog is challenging because it forces me to find a balance between work, blog, and personal life. I'll admit, I struggle with that and don't balance it perfectly all the time, but I do the best that I can. But my favorite part is the kind emails or comments that tell me I helped a reader with something, or that they bought and loved an item I recommended.
What is your favorite post you've
written that made you feel like Yes! that was awesome!?
One of my favorite posts will always be "Two Weeks In A Carry-On." It's what brought a lot of new readers to my blog, and the comments include so many helpful tips from those readers.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My boyfriend jokes that I can't turn off the inspiration. We'll be sitting in a bar and he's telling me "stop checking out the light fixtures!" It sounds silly, but my brain is always absorbing and working. That was the advantage of going to design school - learning to find inspiration everywhere. It can be a tile pattern in a corner store, or a color of a flower as I'm walking through the park. Outside of environmental stuff, I love a good restaurant or retail design for color palette and texture inspiration.
What is your favorite pair of shoes and why?
My Madewell Sidewalk Skimmers in Python. They
match everything, they're comfy for pounding the city pavement, but the pointed
toe makes them a little more chic than a ballet flat.
What was the last great book you read?
I just finished up The Fault In Our Stars. I realize I'm maybe the last person on Earth to read it, but it was beautiful. I cried, I laughed, and I finished it in a day.
What current dream or goal are you working towards (big or
small)?
I'm working towards 30 goals, actually. On my Thirty Before Thirty list! I am coming to
realize I will never finish them all before August, but it's been fun to work
towards them and just do the best I can.
What's your go-to meal?
I live for taco night. I don't have recipes, and nothing is ever exact, but I make "my" guacamole, my boyfriend makes a delicious seasoned & pulled chicken, and then lots of red onions, cilantro, black beans, and sriracha to top it off. We have this at least 3 times a month because it's just so easy but flavorful.
Do you have a personal motto? If so, lay it on us. If not,
do you have a favorite quotation or inspirational piece of art?
I don't have a personal motto per say, but I printed out a
quote some time ago that I keep on my desk. It's just a nice little reminder to
not let the little things get to me, to see the positive in challenges, and to
be present. It's by Jack Kerouac - "Be in love with your life. Every
minute of it."
Who are your top five blog crushes? Is there
a blogger that would you love to meet in real life?
1) Oh Joy - I think she has amazing style, I love seeing pictures of her daughter Ruby, and when I met her at her book signing, she couldn't have been more authentic.
2) Frock Files - Maybe it's something about women named Joy. I think Joy is not only incredibly talented, she is one of the nicest, sweetest, and most sincere people I've met blogging.
3) Elembee - I always tell people that Lisa is a ninja. She consistently cranks out amazing design and development work for some of the best blogs out there, all while maintaining her own blog. Her "Blogkeeping" series is a favorite of mine!
4) Note To Self - Let's be real - I want to be Sarah Tolzmann in my second life. Her taste in everything, and I mean everything, is flawless.
5) Blame It On Fashion - I want to steal her whole closet. Nothing much to read there, just drool over her incredible clothes. I think she's perfected the art of a limited color palette, and shows the sophistication of it.
Don't you just love Lauren? She really is the best. Make sure to check out her blog: Seventeenth & Irving.
You can also follow her on twitter, facebook, pinterest and instagram. Don't be shy!
Interested in meeting my past blog crushes? You can find them here.
