What’s your blog name?
Where did the name come from?
Where do you live?
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tell us more about you and your blog
A started a blog (a lifetime ago) called Preppy in Pittsburgh as a creative outlet when I was a Biochemistry major, which I hated every second of it, in college. After college I started managing and was head of a personal training group at a gym. I worked 60 hour weeks and didn’t have much time for myself, and thus let PIP go. Once becoming a mother, I was able to slow down with my work a bit, I am now a stylist for Stitch Fix & teach several group fitness classes, but felt like I was missing my creative outlet. I love writing, love pictures, fashion and fitness, so I started a blog once I finally had the time, called Style Her Strong. Surface level it is about style, mommy and my fashion, fitness, healthy living, travel but at a deeper level, it is about my journey through motherhood and raising a strong (willed) daughter. My hope is to inspire other mothers who are in similar walks of life as myself.
What people don’t realize about blogging is…
How much work goes on behind the scenes. The content creation, the editing of content, the writing and link ups, then crossposting on social media, and the immense amount of website work
What are 3 things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
- Content creation is timely. I spend a lot of time working on mommy + me outfits. It takes a long time to find the outfits (online shopping time). It also takes longer to get “the shot” with a toddler, so the actual capturing of the content takes a while. Then there is the editing stage.
- A good post takes time. I would say each blog post I create takes upwards of three hours to create between the linking, editing, and cross-sharing.
- You will find a whole new community of amazing bloggers who become fast friends, and that is a big part of the reward.
What’s been your most memorable moment as a blogger?
This is from my previous blog, Preppy In Pittsburgh. I am going to sound really old when I say this, but I started blogging at a time when it wasn’t easily monetized. There were not many affiliate programs, and big brands didn’t understand the importance of using a trusted source to campaign for them. I was about 19 years old, and received an e-mail from Brooks Brothers that they wanted to send me several major pieces to feature on my blog. It was a dream come true.
Give us your best tip for maintaining a blog work/life balance
The early bird catches the worm. Because I still work and have a family, I have found that my best blog posts come from the early hours of the morning. I try to wake up two hours before my family to accomplish a few things for my site. I feel that it starts my day off right, and I spend less time feeling distracted about what else I need to do for the blog and get spend more time with my family.
Instagram or Twitter?
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
My dad. He didn’t have kids until he was 41, and really lived life before settling down. He was a professional tennis player and spent lots of his young years traveling and exploring. The stories he tells are always inspiring and captivating. He has always taught me to pursue my dreams, which is what I am doing with Style Her Strong
What is your guilty pleasure?
Peanut Butter M&Ms and eating my daughter’s snacks after putting her to bed
What’s one product you can’t live without?
Batiste Dry Shampoo
What’s your most memorable trip or vacation?
We went to Maui when my daughter was 18 months. I loved that we were hiking volcanos in the morning and snorkeling with sea turtles in the afternoon. I wanted to up and sell our house and move there that instant. Fortunately, my husband is a little more realistic than I am.
What’s been your favorite part of being a member of The Blog Societies?
I love finding other TBS members through the social networks!
