About Me
My blogging journey began back in March of 2006, as a way to share our life with friends and family from afar. Over the past 15 years, it has evolved into an everyday style destination and community for women looking to look and feel their best at any age. Here I share my latest fashion finds, wearable outfits, and practical style tips. I hope to help you hone your personal style and curate a wonderful working wardrobe that you love to wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you get started blogging?
I started Musings of a Housewife in March of 2006, and it was completely spontaneous and without any strategy whatsoever. I thought blogging might be a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover a supportive, encouraging community. Eventually opportunities started coming along to work with brands and make a little extra spending money, and gradually my fun side gig became a full-time job with a full-time income and some great perks.
What is your job, and how do you support your shopping habit?
This blog is my full-time, self-sustaining job. It's a lot of fun, but there is also a lot going on behind the scenes that isn't glamorous. I spend anywhere from 40-60 hours a week working on the blog and my social media channels. I have two part-time assistants who help with admin, but all content, comments, and communication is directly from me.
What sizes do you wear?
I'm 5'5" and I weigh around 135, depending on how much pizza I consumed over the weekend. I usually wear a small in tops and sweaters, an 8 in dresses, and a 6/28 in pants/jeans. If you ever have a question about how a featured item is sized, please don't hesitate to ask.
Who takes your outfit photos?
For a long time, my husband took my pictures, now I work almost exclusively with Allison Cornell. She also does a lot of family photography and newborn sessions, so if you're local, be sure to check out her portfolio!
Do you keep all of the clothes you feature?
Goodness, no! I try to keep my personal wardrobe pared down because I get overwhelmed with too many choices. I return what hasn't been worn, pass some things on to friends and family, and sell to stores like Clothes Mentor and Style Encore. I donate the rest to a local thrift shop.
What is your fitness routine?
I walk/run 5-10 miles a week (it used to be a lot more) and lift weights 2x a week. Regular exercise is key to my sanity. Running is my outlet, my me-time, and my only regular hobby. I was injured for a while and couldn't run, and I thought I was going to climb the walls. I don't enjoy the weight lifting as much, but I do like the results.
What do you eat?
I practice intermittent fasting, and I try to eat clean as much as possible without being legalistic about it. I eat a lot of meat, eggs, and veggies, and I buy local and organic as much as possible. I try to avoid gluten and sugar, but I'm a sucker for a bag of potato chips and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. (And yes, I often enjoy them together!)
What do you do for fun?
I love good food and wine and enjoy dining out with my husband and friends at farm to table restaurants and BYOBs. I'm really quite a homebody, so cozying up on the couch with a good book is pretty much my favorite way to relax. Honestly, I have more fun with blogging than I do with any of my hobbies. I absolutely love what I do, and I admit that my blog takes up most of my time outside of friend and family commitments.
What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Blogging takes a tremendous amount of time and patience and determination. When you start out, I think you have to have realistic expectations. Most people don't grow an audience and start making an income overnight... or even within the first year. My best advice is to be consistent, be yourself, and be patient. Stay true to yourself, and you will eventually find your people. It’s far better to have a small, loyal audience who trusts you and wants to support you than a large audience of drive-by readers that drop in from a giveaway or a Google search.
Where do you live, and do you have kids?
Yes, I've been married for 25 years, and we have three children. They're currently 15, 18, and 21. I grew up in southwestern Virginia, and I met my husband when I was in college in Massachusetts. We live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, near where he grew up. I love this area, and I doubt we will ever leave.
