Hey Kellyann, what’s your blog name?
This Blonde’s Shopping Bag and you can follow me on Instagram here
Where do you live?
I’m in Orlando, Florida
Tell us more about you and your blog?
I am a licensed mental health counselor and school counselor who loves fashion and believes every woman deserves to look her best! My blog focuses on affordable, budget-friendly finds and my style is classic, chic, and elegant. I believe that how we present ourselves to the outside world is a reflection of how we feel on the inside – my goal is to help middle aged women like myself, present the best versions of themselves each day. Let’s make midlife the best life!
How long have you been blogging for?
For 6 years!
What people don’t realize about blogging is…
How scary it can be to hit “publish” – it’s a very vulnerable spot to be in. Will anyone read what I write? What will they think of me? It goes on and on!
Give us your best tip for maintaining a blog work/life balance?
I keep a running list of topics I’d like to write about. It helps me to plan content.
What are 3 things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
- I wish I knew more about technology before I began. I should have done more research prior to starting about that! Everyone says how much time blogging takes but I don’t think I realized it until I started.
- Patience is another thing all new (and old) bloggers need to have – I had no idea how much time it would take to learn new things and try them out.
- Lastly, photography is a lot harder than it looks!
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I work full time from home so my day is a mix of both blogging and my full time school counseling job. I’m an early riser – up by 4:30am to catch up on blog reading, work on my own blog a bit and then hit the gym. I’m an empty nester so I do not have kids to care for and that certainly lightens my load.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional influencer?
Good writing and communication skills are key along with confidence. You have to feel confident about what you offer as well as your beliefs!
What has blogging taught you that no other career or job has before?
I am my own boss! I am the founder and CEO of my blog and that makes me responsible for every success and trial.
If there’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Give us the inside scoop, is there an app or tool that you swear by?
I swear by the Golden Hour App – it has made a huge difference in my pictures!
While you cover a few topics on your blog, which do you enjoy the most to write about and why?
Feeling confident to try new fashions and take risks to wear the clothes that truly reflect one’s personality. Women say “I could never pull that off” and to that I say “Oh, but YOU can!”
We love to speak our goals into existence. What’s a current goal you’re working on?
I want to improve my SEO, set up a weekly newsletter, and grow my community.
How has your content evolved since you first started out? What would we see if we went back into the archives?
My style has become more refined and I have found my voice!
What’s been your most favorite blogging memory to date?
I have had the opportunity to meet with other bloggers in person and that has been the absolute BEST! I’ve met many and have even vacationed with a few I’ve become very close to. These ladies have become my best friends.
Okay, we’re grabbing a Starbucks for a coffee date, what are you ordering?
Tall, skinny vanilla latte
