Collective Voice

Hey ladies and gents meet Karlee from Madam Andrews . . .

Tell us a little about yourself.

Ever since my maroon velvet turtleneck days in kindergarten, I’ve always had a deep love for fashion. My ‘90s-kid style may have made me look a little insane (velvet tops and patterned stretch pants galore), but it has instilled a kind of creativity that thrives when paired with fashion. There’s just something about putting the perfect outfit together that’s hard to beat. With my intense adoration for the industry, I plan to do big things (like, real big) and make my wildest dreams a reality. Because, why not?

When did you start blogging and what made you want to start a blog?

I started my blog about a year ago now. I’ve always been obsessed with fashion, but to be honest, I wasn’t very familiar with fashion blogging. I started following a few fashion blogs and then I had a few friends start fashion blogs so I thought, “I could do that.”

So many bloggers have set goals to blog full time; is this something you aspire to do?

I would love to be able to blog full time; it’s such a passion of mine. I’m not quite there yet, but I have a lot of goals that I plan on tackling this next year.

How did the evolution of Madam Andrews come to be?

It’s kind of a funny story actually. My husband and I like to tease each other and we joke around a lot. He’s very sweet and is always opening my doors for me. When we first got married, he would open the car door and say things like, “Here you are, Madam,” in a old-time British accent, gesturing for me to get in. It became common occurrence and so when I decided to start a blog, Madam Andrews just seemed fitting.

How do you stay true to yourself while continuing to evolve and be relevant in the blogger community?

This is kind of a constant struggle. It’s very important to stay relevant, but I believe that it’s even more important to stay true to yourself. Just because everyone else is wearing a fedora doesn’t mean that you have to wear a fedora if it doesn’t fit in with your style. It’s just all a balance. Stay up to date with the trends, but you have to adapt them to your style, not just copy someone else’s.

How has your style and blog evolved since starting your blog journey?

My blog has allowed me to be more comfortable in my own skin and my own style. I made a goal to never say to myself, “I can’t pull that off.” I would often feel that way when I saw cute girls in these awesome outfits, but when I started my blog, I knew that it would push me in many different ways, so I had to decide from the start that I would avoid negative self talk. If I like something and I feel comfortable in it, I’m going to wear it and style the heck out of it. I’m not afraid of what people think any more because I’m just being me.

Do you have any fashion or lifestyle bloggers you admire and follow yourself?

There are so many amazing women that I admire as bloggers. Too many to count! But Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam and Mary Seng from Happily Grey are two of my favorites.

Any advice for bloggers on networking or pitching themselves for a project who aren’t so comfortable with it?

Don’t be afraid. It’s super nerve-racking when you very first start out, but the more you reach out to brands, the better your pitch will be and the more comfortable you’ll feel doing it. You kind of just have to jump in and give it a shot.

Do you have any tips for bloggers starting out or bloggers looking to focus on a vertical like lifestyle/fashion?

My advice is similar to my answer to the previous question — jump right in and don’t be scared. Like anything new, it’s going to feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. But don’t get discouraged. There’s not really a handbook for blogging that you can follow; you have to blaze your own trail and that’s what can get really fun.

Photography is a big deal for a fashion/lifestyle blogger — what kind of camera and lens do you shoot with?

I’m still trying to figure that out. I don’t know much about shooting and I’ve worked with a lot of different photographers that have various preferences. The majority of the time, my photos are shot with a Canon Rebel T5 and I’m thinking about getting the Sigma Art Lens 50mm.

As a fashion blogger you get to wear some incredible brands — which are some of your favorites?

I’ve done a few collaborations with 7 For All Mankind and they remain one of my favorite denim brands. My softest and most comfortable jeans are from them. I’ve never worked with the brand (it would be a dream come true), but Kate Spade continues to be a favorite and I also really love ASOS.

What is a go-to look you’ll be wearing this Fall?

I’m really excited for duster coats this Fall. They are so versatile and easy to dress up or down. I’m also crazy about boots. Sam Edelman has some really great retro leather boots for Fall that I’m dying to get my hands on.

What is the one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

I really love college football. I grew up as an Oregon Duck fan and I’ll always be an Oregonian at heart! I’m also an ameteur oil painter.

How do you toe the line between how much to share with your audience?

This is also something that I’m still trying to figure out. Although it’s something that I want to do and something that I think is important, it’s difficult for me to share personal stories. I’m getting better at it, but I really like my privacy so it’s not something that I feel 100% comfortable with yet. I think it’s a really personal decision and you have to figure out what you’re comfortable with.

Favorite social media outlet? Your social media handles?

My favorite is probably Instagram — t’s the one that I utilize the most. But I also really enjoy Pinterest and I’m working on growing my audience there.

Instagram: @madamandrews

Pinterest: Madam Andrews

Snapchat: madamandrews

What do you love about ShopStyle Collective?

I enjoy ShopStyle Collective for many reasons. First off, the user interface is easier to navigate than any other platform that I’ve seen. For me, there’s already so many new things to learn all of the time, so having the ease of ShopStyle Collective is SO nice. I also think that the way you earn money through ShopStyle Collective gives you the potential to earn a lot more than through other platforms. It’s by far my favorite!

Thanks, Karlee! Always love reading honest and helpful insight like yours! Want to be featured in the next spotlight? Email help@shopstylecollective.com and tell us why you want to be featured!

Shop Karlee’s favs:

xo,

Carlina