Feature Friday : Alissa from Lipgloss & Labels

I’m so excited to host my first “Feature Friday” and collaborate with my amazing & stylish friend Alissa from the blog Lipgloss & Labels. We became friends through Instagram a little over 6 months ago (yes, friends on social media can happen and I love it!) and since then, we’ve found that we have so much in common. Let’s get started!

Happy Friday Alissa! I’m so excited to be featuring you on my blog today! Before we get started on more in depth questions, tell us a little bit about yourself.

“Thanks so much Ashley! Hello everyone! My name is Alissa and I’m the fashion/beauty blogger behind Lipgloss & Labels. I’m also a wife and mama (to a three-year-old boy), “retired” hair stylist, and Registered Nurse. My world can be summed up in three words… family, faith, fashion.”

When did you start your blog & what made you jump into the blogger world?

“Lipgloss & Labels launched in March of 2015. Blogging is quite the roller coaster ride, but I have to say, it’s the best job I’ve ever had! I’ve been into fashion & beauty my whole life, and people always come to me asking for advice on both. When fashion blogging because a “thing”, I tossed the idea around for a while, but it took me a year or two to go for it! What started as a dream, has grown into something I am so passionate about, as well as a career.  As a blogger, my goal is for women to feel inspired. I want women to feel confident in who they are and how they look. If I can accomplish that by helping them find the perfect outfit or pretty pink lipstick, then my job is done.”

How did you come up with your blog name Lipgloss & Labels?

“I wanted the title of my blog to reflect the content, beauty and fashion. I’ve always been a lover of lipgloss (and lipstick), so I knew I wanted to include that in the name of my blog. “Labels” (as in ‘fashion labels’) represents the fashion side, which encompasses ALL brands. I love to mix high end-pieces (especially accessories) with low-end fashion (hello Target). I hope by doing so, that my blog appeals to a wide variety of readers!”

We have the similarity of both being nurses and bloggers…What are your tips for balancing both?

“Most days I feel like I’m failing at this. Being a mom comes first and foremost, so I try to do the majority of my blogging at night when my son is asleep. I’m very strict with my posting schedule. I’ve always posted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (which is a tip I’ve learned to help grow your blog). My posting schedule helps me stay organized as far as writing posts and planning my content. Being a nurse is really stressful, and blogging is actually a great distraction. I work as a nurse three days a week, but the rest of the time, I’m in blogger mode! 😉 Blogging is my priority, and if I had to give up my full-time job to keep my blog going, I don’t think I’d hesitate! My heart is so fully invested in it. And when I feel like I’m being pulled in too many directions, my faith is what keeps my grounded.”

What have been some of your biggest accomplishments since starting your blog?

“Well, NYFW comes to mind right away! When you love fashion as much as I do, going to fashion week is basically a dream come true. My first time was very surreal. In my first year of blogging, I was names on of the “Top 25 Beauty Instagram Moms” by Mom.Me, alongside some other well-known bloggers. I was shocked and so honored. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of my favorite brands including Kendra Scott, Bourbon & Bourbon, Marc Fisher, and Baublebar. But most of all, it’s the comments I receive from readers that make me feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. One in particular that stands out, is a woman who told me that I inspired her to lose weight and look her best. As a blogger, you reach so many people, and whether you realize it or not, you have an impact on their lives. As much as I love fashion & beauty, it goes much deeper than that.”

If you had to only pick one outfit to wear, what would be your go-to style?

“This is a tough one, Ashley!!! It depends on the time of year, because our seasons are so drastic here in Pennsylvania. In the colder months, I’d say over-the-knee boots with a casual sweater and skinny jeans. I love denim, so even in the warmer months, I’m still usually in a pair of distressed jeans or shorts. I love to wear a simple white tee, and accessorize it with a lot of jewelry. In the summer, I basically live in my Tory Burch Miller sandals. So much so, that I have to buy a new pair this year, because they are falling apart. They are the perfect summer sandal, because they literally go with everything. My everyday style is casual, but I’m never without my lipgloss or lipstick!”

Thanks Alissa! It was so fun to work together and collaborate! Make sure you follow Alissa on Instagram (@lipglossandlabels) for some seriously great fashion tips and some amazing outfit inspiration. Want to know where a certain item she is wearing is from? Head to her site….it’s all linked there!

(Also, I’m answering some questions over on her blog today as well. Go check it out!)

Happy Friday everyone!

xo

Ashley

*** All photo credit to @cagphotography ***