Happy FriYAY, loves! I am so excited to announce that my mini series is back and I have a whole new list of amazing blogger babes I am going to feature!
For those new Blush Babes out there, Friday Favorite is a post I started doing weekly as a way to showcase off other bloggers I love and think you should check out:). I am asking them a few questions about blogging so you can get to know them better and hopefully want to start following their blog!
Today’s feature is a blogger named Michele who is the creator of ย the fashion blog Classic and Gray! I got to know Michele through Insta and fell in love with both her feminine style and how sweet she was. We clicked instantly and I can honestly say she’s become a friend and a blogger babe whose site I look forward to looking at! She is a master as mixing neutrals and patterns to give anyone who stops by her blog some serious #styleinspo! I asked Michele a few questions about fashion and her blog. This is what she had to say!…
Why did you decide to start a blog?
Well, letโs jump right in! I tossed around the idea of blogging for a whileย but it came to fruition in a rather unusual way. In October of 2014, Iย became suddenly ill after a common virus triggered some severe underlyingย health issues. Within a matter of days life as I knew it, along with all ofย my hobbies, were put on the back burner so I could focus on my health.ย After 10 months of being house-bound in leggings and a t-shirt, I decidedย to get back to the old me, or should I say the *new *old me. I am a firmย believer that โif you look good, you feel goodโ and although I am no whereย near being back to my healthy self, I am determined to no-longer look sickย in the process. I decided to create a life and style blog because I wantedย a positive space to share my love of fashion, beauty, and home dรฉcor butย also document bits of my life in a relatable way. Most importantly, Iย wanted to make the best of my current situation and use it to motivate andย inspire others to pursue their passions, despite the obstacles that may beย thrown their way. In August, Classic & Gray was finally born!
How did you come about picking your blog name out?
That was a tough one. Given I was creating a life and style blog, I neededย a name that wouldnโt limit me to a certain category but also be relevant toย my content. I have a serious love for neutrals with gray being one of myย favorite colors. As gray is a mixture of black and white, it is aย transitional color which (wait for itโฆ) also represents this period of timeย in my life. I knew that needed to be in the name somehow! I thought of aย whole bunch of adjectives to pair it with but didnโt fall in love with anyย until one night around 3 a.m. I was thinking of words that describe myย overall style and โclassicโ was the first thing that came to mind. Boom.ย Who said insomnia is good for nothing?!
What are some of your favorite stores to shop at?
Oh boy, where to begin! I absolutely* love* Loft; itโs the perfect place toย find closet staples that are classic, feminine, and wonโt break the bank!ย Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor are my go-to department stores and I love goingย to outlets or TJ Maxx when Iโm in the mood to treasure hunt! Pottery Barnย and Homegoods are my fav home stores and for beauty buys, who doesnโt loveย Sephora? Since my health changed, Iโve also become a big fan of onlineย shopping. Jcrew.com is a go-to and Iโm going to let you in on fashions bestย kept secret: The Real Real. It is *the* *best *website for finding high-endย brands at a fraction of the price if you, too, have โchampagne taste on aย beer budgetโ (so my mother says). I discovered this amazing website aย couple years ago and it has been a game changer!
What is your fashion philosophy?
Quality over quantity, for sure! In the past (does last week count as theย past?), Iโve had a very bad habit of buying things more so because theyย were a good deal rather than because I actually loved the item. This hasย led to a ton of never-worn clothing now stuffed into storage bins and a lotย of wasted money. Iโm not saying I donโt slip up every once and a whileย because helloโฆsale racks, but Iโm really trying to practice what I preach!ย My style has really evolved as Iโve gotten older and fine-tuning it is aย work in progress. I find that by spending a little more on timeless piecesย and sticking to staples, Iโm able to get much more wear out of my wardrobe.ย This also allows me to mix in some inexpensive, trendier pieces that wonโtย spend their shelf-life in a Rubbermaid. Buy what you love!
What do you enjoy most about blogging?
When I first started my blog and Instagram account in August, I was a bitย unsure of myself and felt a little lost.ย Itโs a new world to me andย maintaining it all can be overwhelming! I knew that before I could inspireย others, I needed to inspire myself. I started sharing my love of style andย in doing so, wound up connecting with some ah-mazing people! The bloggingย community has been a source of encouragement, positivity, and endlessย inspiration. Itโs so empowering to connect with like-minded women who haveย similar dreams and passions. I never thought such a thing was possible overย social media but Iโve been gladly surprised!
If you could wear an outfit that describes who you are, what would thatย outfit be?ย
Likely neutral, no-fuss, feminine, and comfortableโฆyet polished (is thatย even a thing?) Iโm all about keeping it simple right now. Yes, I want toย look put together, I just donโt want to spend a lot of time and energyย doing it! Iโd say at this point in my life, the outfit that represents meย best is a pair of fitted, lightly distressed jeans, Ferragamo bow flats,ย and a slouchy, oversized turtleneck sweater. Topped off with mascara, aย pink lip, and a top-knot, of course! Simple and chic ๐
Make sure you show Michele some love today and check out her blog and Insta @classicandgray!
Thank you so much for stopping by Blush & Camo!
xx Julianna
Danielle says
I did not know Michele’s blog. I really like all her looks and her beautiful hair! Have a great weekend!
Danielle
http://www.spring2spring.com
Julianna says
She’s the best and has such a great sense of style! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog, beautiful!
xx Julianna
Vanessa @ Living in Steil says
Love your blog and this series! I met Michele through Instagram and have been following her blog ever since. We have a lot in common, but more than that, I admire her for inspiring others to “look good, and feel good.” She has a great sense of style, and her personality really comes through in her posts. Thanks for sharing this Q&A!
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Julianna says
YES! I could not agree more Vanessa! Michele is a total #girlboss and I love her style! Sending you tons of love today and happy FriYAY!
xx Julianna
Michele says
Thank you SO much Julianna for the amazing opportunity to be featured on your blog! It is truly an honor. You have been the absolute sweetest person from the beginning and your style is such a source of inspiration #girlcrush! I hope that we can meet in real life one day because I know we’d become fast friends! Thank you again so very much xoxox
Julianna says
AHH thank you SO much for being apart of this series! I am sending you tons of love this weekend and I want to meet so badly!
xx Julianna
Tilley says
Love the series! I always look for new bloggers to follow but it is so much easier when someone makes a great suggestion ๐ just stalked her insta…love it!
Julianna says
Thank you so much, Tilley! I totally agree with you! Happy FriYAY!
xx Julianna
Jalisa says
What a great inspirational story behind Michele’s blog! It’s amazing that in spite of what she’s gone through in terms of her health, she’s pushed back against the emotions that come along with the healing process by getting up and dressing her best. She’s so right, when you look good you really do feel good and she looks amazing! I love to read stores like these, they connect us all on such a deeper level and really do serve as inspiration.
Thanks for introducing me to Michele, I’ll be sure to check her out! I hope you have an amazing day and start to your weekend, beautiful!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Julianna says
I could not agree more Jalisa! She’s a total inspiration and a complete sweetheart! I hope you have wonderful day gorgeous!
xx Julianna
Shveta says
What an amazing feature! <3
Julianna says
Thank you so much, beauty!
xx Julianna
Diane says
I love this idea to do a feature Friday, I didn’t know about this blogger, and now I’m super excited to check it out!
Diane
http://www.petiteinparis.com
Julianna says
Thank you so much Diane! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xx Julianna
Jaimie Felix says
Great to know about Michelle! She’s one hell of beautiful woman.
Jaimie of MERMAID IN STILETTOS
Julianna says
She certainly is! I hope you had a wonderful weekend:)
xx Julianna
Annie says
I loved this write up – and I can identify with SO MUCH of what Michele said. This was great – my two favorite people coming together ๐
xo Annie
https://www.collectivepassions.com
Julianna says
Thank you so much Annie! That means so much and I hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday Sunday!
xx Julianna