Lifestyle Blogger, Lavenda On The Power Of Fashion & Motherhood
Lavenda is a life & style blogger with a baby on the way! She started her blog, Lavenda’s Closet as a personal style diary and it has now become a fashion and lifestyle destination for many. She shared with us how she pivoted from being a professional fashion photographer to becoming a full-time blogger. Check out her profile feature below!
Q: Your career as a blogger began as a side project! How did you make the transition into pursuing blogging full time?
Lavenda: “I was a fashion and portrait photographer for over 7 years before I fell into blogging. When I realized blogging had the potential to offer me more flexibility as a single mom at the time, I decided to pursue it head-on. I spent 6 months working on the back-end and creating a business plan so that once I started creating, I could have a running head start.”
Q: What advice would you give to people who want to start blogging but don’t know where to begin?
Lavenda: “I would say, write out a business plan and vision board. It helps to ask yourself what you want out of the blog: if it's a hobby and more of a side passion, then create an outline of what you'd like to create and publish each week anyhow. If it's something you'd like to commit more time and energy into, start researching the niche by following the star bloggers of that field. For example: look up the top 3 food bloggers if that's your passion and see what they do consistently to stand out. You'll begin to see some commonalities as far as trends, signature content and style goes that may inspire you in your course.”
Q: You have a baby on the way!! What has your pregnancy journey taught you about yourself? What does motherhood mean to you?
Lavenda: “Isn't it crazy? The last time I was pregnant was 11 years ago!! Who knew it would be such a long stretch and yet it seems like yesterday too. Motherhood has always been my greatest blessing in life. It has offered me the lessons of humility, self sacrifice and true, unreciprocated love. It opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of God and strengthened my faith along the way. I believe children allow (or perhaps force) us to grow in ways that most other relationships won't ever do.”
Q: We really love your blog, “Lavenda’s Closet” ~ What are your 3 all-time favorite closet essentials?
Lavenda: “I really appreciate that! When life becomes the most busy, I am grateful for IG, because I can post so much more quickly and efficiently. But my blog is such a foundational piece of my business and I look forward to a more consistent schedule once our baby girl arrives! My 3 closet essentials are a black fitted blazer, a pair of perfectly fitted denim and a flat brimmed hat. Always a hat, please ;)”
Q: Go-to outfit to throw on?
Lavenda: “That used to be denim, blouse, hat and boots. But these days (ahem, 37 weeks pregnant over here) I am more into a sweater belted over a flowy dress with boots and a hat.”
Q: If you could represent yourself as a certain type of clothing, what would it be and why?
Lavenda: "It would be a stunning tweed Chanel skirt suit set. I ADORE Chanel's classic designs, but vintage is always a bit more unique and fun. It would have a classic silhouette of course, but some kind of unique broche and pop of color. I consider myself to be a loyal, dependable human, with a streak of spontaneity and drive!"
Q: What does the word, “fashion” mean to you?
Lavenda: “Shoot, my analytical brain steps in and I automatically think of a dry definition, haha. Fashion, in the context of one's personal style is such a fun opportunity for creative expression though. That has always been by drawing to the world of fashion. It's a physical expression of the stories we tell ourselves and others, an emotional landscape that we get to reveal or hide aspects of ourselves within.”
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? And where do you hope to see yourself in 10 years?
Lavenda: “Oooooh. I don't know. I guess I would tell myself to slow it down before burn outs. Yeah, that's what I would say. When I was younger, I didn't understand the signs that led up to burn out like emotional and physical exhaustion. It's cool to slow down even when you're ahead or riding the waves of success for a season. Better to slow down then crash head on!”
Q: What do you root your identity in?
Lavenda: “God. I was kind of raised by him as a father figure and always loved him from a young age. I learn more and more about Him as I get older and am constantly in awe of how blessed and lucky I am to have a father like that. Second to that would definitely be family. I'm a family homebody kind of girl ;)”
Thank you for speaking with us Lavenda! Lavenda is wearing our Black Spots Slit Satin Skirt from our Fall 2020 collection.
Connect with Lavenda on IG @lavendascloset and check out her blog!
Photography by Lavenda
