BLOGGER RECOGNITION AWARD!

Today I am very proud to announce that friend and fellow blogger, Monika from Violet Roots has spread the style blogging love in a major way by nominating me for the "Blogger Recognition Award!" What an honor. I am continually inspired by the empowering, encouraging and uplifting women I have the pleasure of meeting through my personal blog. 

SO I'VE BEEN NOMINATED, NOW WHAT?!

1. Select 5 other blogs you want to give the Blogger Recognition Award to. (Excluding yourself and the bomb ass individual who nominated you!)

2. Write a post to show off your award. Write a brief story on how your blog got started, and as always give it back. Provide some advice to new bloggers!

3. Comment on each blog and let them know you’ve nominated them. Provide a link to the award post you created.

HOW DID KELLMENOW HAPPEN? TELLMENOW TELLMENOW

Truthfully, I was working at LinkedIn and bored out of my mind. I was busy with work, yes, but nothing was satisfying my creative edge. A co-worker commented on how into fashion I seemed and why don't I start a blog? I thought to myself, why haven't I done that already? www.kellmenow.com was born. How did I choose "kellmenow?" Funny story, it was actually already my Instagram handle. I remember in 2011 when Instagram first arrived on my doorstep and a good friend of mine was hounding me to make one (isn't that how it always happens?) However, I was real blocked on creating a cool handle, it was actually insanely frustrating. I remember thinking, "Wow just kill me now.." I think you can see what happened :)

ADVICE TO NEW BORN BLOGGERS, PS: WELCOME!

Don't think you aren't good enough, ever. It's normal to have doubts and a lowered sense of confidence in starting something new that's, well a really big part of your creative self. But guess what: you are good enough. It takes a lot to put yourself out there in line for ridicule. Just getting started is half the battle and already something to be really proud of.

NOMINATIONS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, BUT SERIOUSLY THEY ALL ROCK)

1. AMBER @ ALL THE CUTE
2. KIA @ HOUSE OF KTS
3. ERICA @ EGG CANVAS
4. TIA @ TIA CHERIE
5. IRA @ JOURNAL OF STYLE

XOXO K

my wcw: sophia bush will change the world, and in many ways she already has

I must start out by saying that I follow Sophia on Instagram and was inspired to create this series, when I noticed that every Wednesday she posted a "wcw." It wasn't photos hot girls in bikinis that she was posting (which is what I was used to), it was promoting women that were changing the world. Given my deep admiration of her and her work I figured that by trying to be more like her, I too, could make the world better. All that being said, where do I even begin? Sophia Bush: 33, actress, advocate, activist and overall amazing human being, an inspiration to women everywhere. My role model. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Sophia yet, but I along with the rest of the world have been inspired by the strides that she has taken to change the world as we know it today.

If you're unfamiliar with Sophia, she got her big break playing Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill (2003-2012). Even just watching Sophia's presence on screen you get the feeling that there is something different about her, something special. I always connected with Brooke as a character and that in turn made me curious to know more about the woman that played her; and a few years back I did some digging on the effervescent Sophia Bush. 

Sophia is as devastatingly beautiful as she is tender hearted and her involvement in a multitude of charities is indicative of that. From Invisible Children, Pencils of Promise, Beach Clean Ups, Animal Rights Organizations, Gay Rights, Environmental Awareness Campaigns, Youth Voting Initiatives and of course, Women's Rights. Specifically Women's Rights in terms of global education and body image. Sophia has a hand in it all and she's not stopping anytime soon. 

"I will not stop until every girl in the world has the same right to education that I had."

Sophia recently co-founded a brand i smell great, which is a perfume/mist line for women. After turning down many opportunities to partner with high profile beauty lines, this choice befuddled the public. Sophia's reasoning was her dismay in watching beauty companies tell women they have to change something about themselves to be beautiful. She felt the overall message to be incredibly disempowering. Sophia chose i smell great because it builds women up, unlike virtually every other beauty product that exists today. Each product at i smell great, just by the saying it's name, you say something positive about yourself. This is a different kind of beauty company and I must say, it has my full respect.

Sophia works as a full-time actress but has been quoted saying,

I love my job, but if it ever started to interfere with my ability to help the world, I would have to find a different job.

I believe that if more people were like Sophia Bush, the world would be a better place. It starts with you, one person can make a difference. I honestly believe that because I've seen it. If we all tried to be a bit more like Sophia, I think we would all start noticing the world begin to change. Go on, start today! You have the power :)

XOXO

Kelly

my wcw: kristi pawlowicz of 522 envy

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be a part of such an empowering community of bloggers. I, in fact, am so inspired by the women that I have had the privilege of interacting with and getting to know, that I was moved to action. When a woman strikes me as encouraging, passionate, and above all working to empower other women, I take notice. The world gives women a hard enough time as it is, the last thing we should be doing is tearing each other down. Growing up I had no positive female role models, this was something I always yearned for. I want to change this for any other women that may have had a similar experience, or perhaps be that woman for young girls.

Starting this week, I will be featuring a new series on my blog: Woman Crush Wednesday. Each Wednesday I will be focusing on a woman that works to enliven others through her work, or simply just by being herself. This week’s feature, and kicking off the series is fellow blogger, owner of 522 Envy, the intrepid Kristi Pawlowicz.

Exhilarated by her urban surroundings in Chicago and how that influenced her style, Kristi created 522 Envy. Envy 522 is an online boutique with a diverse selection of garments ranging from bra-lettes to blazers, catering to young professional women in their 20s and 30s. 522 Envy even has a storefront in Chicago where Kristi is based – if you are in the area do yourself a favor and check it out!

I had the good fortune of being able to sit down with Kristi and find out what really drives and inspires her. I found Kristi’s message overwhelming positive and thought it would benefit not only myself and my endeavors; but also the aspirations of you, my dear followers! In my eyes there is nothing more forceful then a self-made woman and Kristi is one deserving of admiration. Now do us all a favor and check out 522Envy.com!

The Interview:

Kelly: What makes your online boutique stand out from others? What is different about it?

Kristi: 522 Envy is a business, but we are also real people. The same girls that are modeling the clothes on Instagram are also helping customers every day in the boutique. We get to know our customers on a personal level, and people seem to really love that personal touch that translates from their phone to the physical store.

Kelly: What inspired you to create this brand? Is it what you thought it would be? More? Less? Exactly?

Kristi: I say that 522 Envy was just born a few months ago when I decided to end my licensing agreement with a group of stores called "Envy." I rebranded the boutique by adding the 522, a nod to our address at 522 Davis Street, and we thought about our customer much more carefully.

The 522 gal is much inspired by my life in Chicago. Like many of my customers, my urban lifestyle affects my wardrobe as well as my taste. There is a practical aspect of living in or near a city, but there is also very vibrant and creative spirit that lives within Chicago and the near suburbs like Evanston. I look around to the girl standing next to me on the train, or to the table of girls grabbing drinks after work, and those are my inspiration for what to curate into the boutique. 

Kelly: How do you feel about the Nineteenth Amendment?

Kristi: Obviously the 19th Amendment opened the doors for women to take an active role in their government and their livelihood. I always take the time to vote, and I also am very vocal about supporting candidates that support small businesses. I think it is important that we don't allow the government to get in the way of our community's businesses, because they are the building blocks of local economies. It's great that the 19th amendment allows me to voice that opinion with my vote.  

Kelly: What kind of woman are you trying to attract with your brand?

Kristi: Our typical customer is a young professional in her 20s and 30s. She is busy with work but her lifestyle always presents her with fun things to do in the evenings and weekends. She mixes comfortable with fashionable, and needs interchangeable pieces from day-to-night.

Kelly: Let's say 522 Envy blows up (which we all think it will) - who is your direct competition? 

Kristi: 522 girls also really love Zara, Top Shop, and Akira, to name a few!

Kelly: What is 522 Envy's mission statement?

Kristi: I don't think I've ever formally made one, honestly! However, on our "About" Page on 522envy.com, we always say, "We love helping you feel good in everything you wear, but most importantly, we love outfits that are affordable for everyone." I think that is a great description for our on-trend and affordable style combined with our personalized customer attention. 

Kelly: What motivates you everyday? Where did you get your dedication and drive from?

Kristi: I've always been a self-motivating and competitive person by nature. However, it's not always easy to sustain it on a day-to-day level. First and foremost, my customers motivate me. I am the happiest when I hear stories from my customers about how they got compliments all night, or they felt so good in what they were wearing. That is not only motivating, but inspiring. On a more personal level, my fiancé is a huge source of motivation. He keeps me accountable to all my crazy ideas, and always provides a "can't quit" attitude when I need it.

Kelly: What advice would you give other young women on how to cultivate dedication?

Kristi: I think it's easiest to be dedicated to something when you are able to see the situation realistically. Being dedicated to something means you are 100% all in. You're 100% in even when you're sick, even when you're tired, and even when you hate it. You have to be okay with hating it some days, because you probably will. In my experience, it becomes much easier to stay committed to something when you understand that it is not always glamorous and fun. I hope that doesn't come off as negative, but I think people lose their motivation when it becomes too hard. But the reality is that it IS hard, and that's just part of the process. 

All in all, I had a wonderful time getting to know Kristi better and I hope you did as well! What do you think of my new series?

XOXO

Kelly