q: how did you start your blog? i would love to- any advice?
a: before i started my blog back in 2015, i would always get asked about my outfits and accessories on instagram. one day i was browsing pinterest and came across all of these fashion blogs! just a few years ago, having a fashion blog wasn’t the craze it is today so i had no idea some of these websites even existed! i did probably 8 months worth of research on anything and everything regarding website design, coding, owning your own business, fashion trends, the list goes on and on… finally, i launched my blog and haven’t looked back since! what started out as a passion project, is now a career i’ve been doing full time for two years. i was able to leave the corporate world to work for myself!
q what do you love most about blogging
a: i love the flexibility i have, being my own boss, knowing if i put in the work, i know what i’ll get out of it. i really love meeting others in this industry- the blogging world is tight knit community and some of my best friends i met through blogging!
q: least favorite thing?
a: the work never stops. literally never stops. if you stop- so does your business. i’m pretty much my only employee so i can’t just “ pass stuff on” to someone else to complete while i go on vacation or take a weekend off. campaigns have deadlines and due dates and you have to meet them.
q how do you make money blogging
a: i make money blogging 3 different ways.
- commissions through affiliate programs such as liketoknowit. when you purchas something through my links, i make a small commission.
- working directly with brands on campaigns and collaborations
- hosting/ speaking at events.
q what is liketoknowit? how do i use it
a: like to know it is an app for you to shop all of my outfits on instagram. it’s a one-stop shop so you can easily access everything i shop for/ what i’m wearing or what beauty products i’m using. when you make a purchase from one of those links, i make a small commission
q: how do you make your moodboards/ instastory posts?
a: i ideally like to use photoshop when creating mood/inspo boards for my blog, but sometimes i’ll use canva or unfold for instastories or other boards!
q: what camera do you use?
a: we have a nikon d7200 and a sony a6000. the nikon is great for blog photos- i like to use a 50mm lens- that’s where you get the blurred background. the sony is great for travel and video. My photographers use Canons. I typically do iphone photos for IG and DSLR photos on the blog!
q: how do you edit your photos?
a: in lightroom mobile using my presets! I sell a pack of 5, you can purchase them here. use code aubrey for $20 off! i love how using a preset makes my feed very consistent and it creates a pleasing aesthetic! i’m actually working on a new pack for summer, so keep your eye out for those!
q: what advice would you give someone starting a blog?
a: keep going, keep pressing forward, put your blinders on, but be aware of what’s going on in the industry (basically- don’t compare yourself to others.) be consistent, engage with readers and followers and don’t be afraid to network. do your research and use resources to help you hit the goal you’ve set for yourself. above all, it has to be your passion first. if you start your blog with a goal of “just making money” you’ll get burnt out real quickly, it will cause a lot of stress and you’ll lose the joy of being able to create content wherever and whenever i did 6 blog posts a week and posted 1-2 times on instagram every.single.day. for at least a year before i started to consistently monetize my blog at a level where i could support myself as a full time career. focus on what makes you, you. find your niche and the more specific you are- the easier it will be to grow.
Q WHERE DO YOU LIVE, GROW UP, WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED
A: We currently live in Ponte Vedra Beach, it’s right outside of Jacksonville, FL. I grew up in Orlando, FL and moved to PVB when I was in 8th grade (my dad was my high school principal which is why we moved!) I then lived in San Diego, CA for a little over a year after I graduated high school- I went to SDSU on a division 1 Lacrosse scholarship, but transferred to Florida State University and finished up studies there. After college, I moved back to Jax and now we’re living in PVB!
Q: WHAT MAKEUP DO YOU USE?
A:I have everything linked on my LikeToKnowIt page and I have a tutorial on my IG highlights!
Q: SKINCARE?
A: Linked on LTKit page as well! I have a couple of older skincare posts if you search “skincare” they’ll pop up, but I’m working on an updated post 🙂
Q: WHO DOES YOUR HAIR? DO YOU HAVE ANY TUTORIALS?
A: Stephanie Murray from Studio Sage in Jax Beach for all of my local girls! I have a whole blog post about it right here
Q:WHAT DO YOU USE TO STYLE YOUR HAIR
A: I use all T3 styling tools, batiste dry shampoo, Purple Riot shampoo, Dry Bar detangling spray, ouay leave in conditioner and Kerastase oil on my ends
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS IN JAX?
A: There are so many! I really need to work on a Jacksonville Fave Spots guide blog post! But for now, we love 3 palms and the Inn and Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Downtown St. Aug for restaurants and walking around, the Atlantic Beach town center has great restaurants- Coop 303, Flying Iguana etc.. The St. Johns Town Center has the best shopping and Cowford Chophouse or River and Post are fun rooftop bars in downtown Jax
Q: HOW TALL ARE YOU?
A: I’m 5’6
Q; WHAT ARE YOUR SIZES
A:Currently wearing a M/L or 6/8
Q: WHAT SKINCARE PRODUCTS DO YOU USE NOW AND WHILE PREGNANT?
A:Working on an updated skincare routine post! When I was pregnant, I mainly used Indie Lee skincare products– they were the most “clean” but effective.
Q HOW DID YOU AND JUSTIN MEET
A: We actually knew each other in high school through mutual friends (we both went to different high schools and were dating other people) when I transferred to FSU we were single and I invited him as my date to my first sorority function, after that the rest is history!
Q: what sorority were you in?
A:Alpha Delta Pi
Q HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BLOG NAME, HELLO ALLEY
A:I wanted something that incorporated my last name as i knew this fashion blog would eventually morph into more of a lifestyle blog being married and once we had babes. “hello alley” lets me share the whole fam and more of my life if that makes sense.
