Blogger Spotlight with Jennifer from Just Add Glam

• Tell us a little about yourself.
  • Hi everyone, Jennifer from Just Add Glam here! I love sharing my insights on all things fashion, beauty, and lifestyle and have been loving being a blogger and digital influencer! I recently moved into a new house so have been loving adding decor elements to my content.  I’m also a mama to my two fur babies @pennyandlolabear and have loved building up their content too!
• When did you start blogging and what made you want to start a blog?
  • I started in November 2011 and it actually started out of boredom from working on an all-male technical consulting team and I just needed something girlie in my life. I read other blogs and I loved the idea of making something from nothing. Growing up I loved doing crafts and art projects, and this seemed like the digital “art project” I was looking for.
• So many bloggers have set goals to blog FT; how would you make the transition from the corporate world to blogging full-time? 
  • I’m very much a planner where I don’t do things on a whim (I’d never quit a job without having my next one lined up, I need to know where my next paycheck is coming from, etc.). Since this is the case for that Type-A mentality, it’s important to review your blog/social from an objective perspective and ask yourself the following:
    • Are you able to support your lifestyle with your blog income? Do you currently meet or exceed your job paycheck with your blog work?  
    • Looking at trending — Have you been able to monetize your blog for six months/12 months/18 months? Is your income reliable or cyclical?
      • One of my favorite blogging tools to use is QuickBooks Online because I can load in all of my income and expenses, generate invoices, and with a click of a button see my reports for the month and year. It’s been so helpful to see the big picture of blog finances when making the big jump to full-time!

• How did the evolution of the name Just Add Glam come to be?
  • I started out mainly fashion focused but as I’ve gotten older my interests have evolved naturally. With the new home purchase, it’s been so fun to play with decorating and organization so I’ve definitely seen a shift towards that kind of content. Additionally I experimented with YouTube beauty videos this year since it’s a great platform to showcase another side of you. I love that it continues to evolve with my interests!
• How do you stay true to yourself while continuing to evolve and be relevant in the blogger community?
  • I can honestly say that probably half of my phone’s camera roll is screenshots. I’m always seeing inspo on Instagram for “I want to make an outfit like that,” “I want to wrap a holiday gift like that,” “That would be a cool post idea,” so I feel like it can be hard to not be inundated with “trends to follow.” I try to find ways to make inspo my own so that it’s not a direct copy but given a twist to make it different and perhaps even better!
• How has your style and blog evolved since starting your blog journey? 
  • It’s been a rollercoaster of evolution! It’s crazy to look back at some of the things that I wore years ago and think “Omg what was I thinking?!” That’s the fun thing about styles and fashion, you can change things based on your mood! I think that in my old age of blogging (five years in — ha!) it’s become more about me as a person and interests than “go to Just Add Glam for skater skirts and statement necklaces outfit inspo.” You and your audience evolve together.
• Do you have any fashion or lifestyle bloggers you admire and follow yourself? 
  • So many! One of my favorite things about being a blogger is meeting all of these amazing women online and in person. The SF blogger community is especially tight-knit and I am fortunate to have developed friendships with some real go-getter women who create amazing content.
• Any advice for bloggers on networking or pitching themselves for a project who aren’t so comfortable with it?
  • Learn to be uncomfortable. The second you get out of your comfort zone, that’s when things really start happening.
• Do you have any tips for bloggers starting out or bloggers looking to focus on a vertical like lifestyle/fashion?
  • Make sure your content stands out from the rest to make it different — wear a signature lip color, use colors in a unique way — find something that is unique.
• What’s the one thing you do during the holiday season as a blogger to better promote your blog/brand?
  • Holiday is a very busy time of year for brands and bloggers. Publish gift guides of your favorite holiday finds, link up with other bloggers on holiday giveaways, think outside the box on how to get your blog in front of more people.
• As a fashion blogger, you get to wear some incredible brands; which are some of your favorites? Please send me a product widget if you want so I can add it into this question
  • I love discovering new brands but some of my favorites are Vince, ASOS, For Love and Lemons, and tons more. I love the idea of boho and whimsical, but also adding edginess to a look with a moto jacket. Right now I’m loving cozy pieces for at home since it’s getting cold and I’m prepping for holiday gifts.

• What is the one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
  • I’m actually a hilarious person, which might not come across on my blog. I’m always the one cracking jokes at an event or laughing it up on the group text with the girls.
• Insta-stories or Snapchat? Your social media handles?
  • Insta-stories for sure!
  • IG: @jenniferhenrynovich for me, @pennyandlolabear for the pups
  • Twitter: @justaddglam
  • Pinterest: @justaddglam
• What do you love about ShopStyle Collective?
  • I’m always trying to do more with less time so I love having a great platform that helps me find great products and get content created faster!   

If you want to be featured next on our Blogger Spotlight email us at helop@shopstylecollective.com and tell us why!

xo,

Carlina