How can I contact you?
Just email me at grace@thestripe.com. You can also tweet me or connect on Facebook.
What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Fujifilm X-T10. I love this camera! I have since bought a few different lenses for it. I initially bought it as my “travel camera” as I wanted something a little more lightweight and portable but now I use it for everything.
How do you create your collages?
I use Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. I took Blogshop a few years ago and can not say enough good things about it. It was an investment, but a very worthy one. Not only will you learn important tips & tricks; but you’ll also learn time-saving shortcuts. Life changing, if you ask me.
I just started a blog. Got any advice?
I get asked this ALL THE TIME. So I wrote a post about it! Anything and everything I could think of can be found right this way….
Can you look at my blog and give me advice?
I wish I could, but no. if I always said yes to these requests, I literally wouldn’t sleep! I’m sorry! But please refer to my post about blogging – it really does have all of my advice.
What hosting company do you use?
I use Flywheel! Love their service.
May I use your photos on my site?
Sure! Just please link back, and don’t use more than one or two photos. For DIY tutorials, I do ask that you publish no more than two photos (one final shot and one shot from the step by step.) Under no circumstances can you publish the full article.
How did you get a job in social media?
I hate to say it, but it happened rather accidentally. Before I was at BaubleBar, I worked in very corporate jobs – doing brand management at Procter & Gamble and then at Coty. I was in need of a creative release so I started this blog. As I learned more about the world of blogging, I got active on social media. I always loved covering start-ups and smaller designers, so I began emailing my posts to a few brands… one of them being BaubleBar. First it was just sending them links to my posts, but then it became more about giving them ideas for working with bloggers and expanding their social media presence. I hadn’t even thought about the prospect of them hiring me, I just liked helping them. One thing led to another and a position ended up opening up. I put together a proposal and they hired me. Keep in mind things were different back then… BaubleBar was a little baby and I was their sixth hire. Most companies have a more formal process… but if you are looking for an in with a start-up, that’s the way to do it! I talk a little bit more about my career here and here.
How can I get a job in social media?
Start a blog. Get on twitter, on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Produce great content. Read sites like Mashable every day. Prove that you can build a following. Your blog, twitter feed, and facebook page will speak for you and communicate your abilities better than any other resume. Email brands you love. Don’t ever ask for anything. Your efforts should be focused on building a relationship with them. You never know what will happen next.
What are your favorite NYC spots?
Check out my City Guide. Williamsburg guide to come! I get asked all the time to give just one pick for my absolute favorite and for that I would say go to Polo Bar. It’s such a fancy, NYC thing to do. That’s a big splurge though so I would also recommend cocktails + oysters at Maison Premiere in Brooklyn, or dinner at Claudette… another favorite – it’s a charming French bistro in Greenwich Village.
All of the hair questions?
I got my Keratin treatment at Frederic Fekkai in Soho. That’s what it is called – there are no fancy terms for it. You can read my whole Keratin treatment blog post here, which should answer all of your questions. It was pretty expensive – $550, but I’ve heard friends with less hair paying around $300 or so. I go to Erica there, who also does my color.
For a hair cut I see Fabrice at Fekkai!
For other recommendations on the beauty front, check out my NYC pampering guide – tons of recommendations!
Tell me about those shelves you just put up in the bathroom?
They are from Amazon! I got these – in a mix of the small ledges for the shower area and the longer shelves above the toilet. Note – I don’t advocate getting these wet. My shower area has quite a big distance between the shelves and the water so they don’t get wet.
More frequently asked about home items:
Bedroom –White + Gold Jewelry Armoire (in bedroom) // Gold Curtain Rods // Marble Nightstand // Palm Tree Lamp
Living Room – Bookshelves (I have two of these exact ones, many of you thought they were just piles of books – they’re shelves!)
Other – Real Simple Christmas Ornament Storage Box
Who did your redesign?
Victoria McGinley (a close friend) did the branding and redesign, and for the coding/development I worked with Lisa from Elembee. Both are massively talented. I talk more about my redesign and my experience with working with them in this post.
What do you do for fun?
I love a good movie night… am hopelessly addicted to entirely too many TV shows (Good Behavior, This is Us, Scandal, The Blacklist, Netflix everything and old 24 + Lost reruns are my favorite right now.) New York has so much to offer in terms of food + culture so I try to check out a handful of restaurants every month, and to get to museums, etc. To me, nothing is better than a good bottle of wine and a cheese plate shared with friends.
