Spotlight: Julia Dzafic
Today, I’m excited to feature yet another one of my favorite bloggers, Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes. What I love about Julia’s blog (and you will too) is that you feel as though you’re hanging out with a good friend when you read one of her posts. Julia’s writing style is eloquent, witty and refreshingly honest. Her unique style, sunny disposition and her approach to living a healthy life are just a few reasons why I tune into Julia’s blog everyday. Oh, and last but certainly not least…she’s super sweet and incredibly gracious! So, let’s get to know Julia a little better..
1. What was the inspiration behind your blog?
My friends and family were constantly coming to me for style advice so I figured I must be doing something right fashion-wise. I started the blog as a creative outlet to share my thoughts with them and it somehow blossomed into a money-making highly trafficked website. I never thought in a million years that I’d have thousands of followers looking to me for fashion and lifestyle advice. Sometimes I have to pinch myself
2. How do you balance it all…a full time job and blogging?
If I had a good answer for this, I’d probably feel a lot less exhausted right now! It’s a constant struggle to balance my many projects. I am beginning to realize that I have too many pots on the stove and I need to pull back somewhere. In the meantime, I am hyper-organized and try to make a schedule for every day down to the quarter hour (no joke!). Turning off and relaxing is probably the most important thing that I do for myself. Even though it’s rare, it makes me much more productive in the long run. Exercise and date nights are like gold for me too. Without those two things, I would for sure lose my mind!
3. How would you describe your personal style?
Clean, preppy, and full of patterns! I love stripes, I love plaid- and I love to mix them.
4. Name three beauty products you cannot live without…
Burt’s Bees lip balm (I’m an addict), SW Basics toner (only 5 ingredients!), Benefit Boi-ing conealer
5. You’ve recently made the move to the suburbs…what is the biggest
difference between style in the burbs versus style in the city?
It’s definitely preppier in Connecticut. A lot less black, less heels, more colorful! And there are no hipsters out here which is refreshing.
6. What do you miss most about life in the city?
Being able to see my sister more regularly. We are incredibly close and being so far from her has been really tough! Also, being able to easily order in… I definitely miss that!
7. What are you enjoying most about life in the burbs?
All the space. My apartment feels palatial compared to our tiny space in the city. And I certainly don’t miss taking the subway every day.
8. Describe an ideal weekend…
Brunch with my sister, Soul Cycle, some shopping on Greenwich Ave, cocktails with girlfriends and dinner and a movie with my husband.
9. What has been the most rewarding thing about blogging?
I bet no blogger ever says this but they’re all thinking it: Getting free clothes is amazing. You have no idea how many boxes of amazing things I get every week. It’s awesome. On a less superficial level, I’ve met incredible people with similar interests and creativity. The women I’ve met in the blogging world have become some of my closest friends. I also love having a space where I can just be me and no one else can dictate how I do that. I post what I want when I want and it feels good to have that control over a project.
10. What advice do you have for aspiring bloggers?
My advice to new bloggers is boring and obvious but BE AUTHENTIC. There are so many bloggers out there now and I find half of them copying each other’s styles, designs, and even writing. People will want to look at your blog for you so own that. The biggest challenge in blogging for me has been to find my voice. At first I tried to do everything that Emily (Cupcakes & Cashmere) was doing, then I found myself trying to emulate the styles of other top bloggers. It just looked ridiculous. Now I’m 100% me all the time and people really resonate with that!
Rachelle
Nov 09, 2014 @ 21:26:49
Love her style and great interview.
Roxanne Carmen
Nov 08, 2014 @ 04:30:29
awww this is soo cute I love when bloggers feature other bloggers in their post. I am exited to check her blog out! It is funny because I just found your blog as well and I am def going to stay tuned for new posts. Come check out my blog when you have a chance.
-Roxanne Carmen
http://www.myfashionontherox.com
Julia
Nov 07, 2014 @ 09:50:36
Thank you so much for the feature, Kate!!! And you guys, your comments are making me blush 🙂
kate dunphy
Nov 07, 2014 @ 10:49:29
Thanks so much for participating Julia! It was fun getting to know you better and thank you for your advice for us aspiring bloggers! xoxo
Kate
Cara
Nov 07, 2014 @ 01:11:29
I love this interview so much and must start following her!
xx Cara
http://www.carascliche.com
Andrea
Nov 06, 2014 @ 18:40:18
This has to be the best of the series so far! I love Julia’s blog and her honesty! Such a great interview!
xoxo,
Andrea
http://www.andreaeveryday.com
Love CompassionateLee
Nov 06, 2014 @ 18:13:56
I enjoyed reading this interview. I can’t wait to read my 1st post on Lemon Stripes. Happy Thursday, Kate 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/
Maggie
Nov 06, 2014 @ 18:06:37
Thank you for introducing me to yet another amazing blogger! I can’t wait to read through her blog!!
Maggie
http://www.PolishedClosets.com
Wishes & Reality
Nov 06, 2014 @ 17:24:33
Thanks for sharing this Kate! I’m a big fan of Julia and Lemon Stripes. She’s just so real!
Heidi D.
http://www.wishesandreality.com
Diana
Nov 06, 2014 @ 15:22:33
Oh I like her style! Definitely going to check out her blog. Great post Kate!
x Diana
http://www.TheColeCollection.com
Michaela Jean
Nov 06, 2014 @ 14:05:51
Aw she is great! Thanks for sharing her awesome blog!
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
Carrie
Nov 06, 2014 @ 13:04:30
How cute is she?! So nice of you to share.
Megan
Nov 06, 2014 @ 12:45:06
She’s so pretty! I love her casual chic style!
poshprime.com
~~Megan~~
Lyndsay
Nov 06, 2014 @ 12:35:49
That is such fantastic advice, to be authentic. As simple as that is, to be yourself, there are so many copycat blogs out there. I mean, people notice. They know we know, right? I also really admire Julia’s honesty. It has been really nice to read about her, this is a really wonderful series you’re doing!
prosecco in the park
Katie Urban
Nov 06, 2014 @ 11:38:20
I sent Julia an email just last week – she is fabulous! This is an awesome addition to the series, Kate!
xo katie // a touch of teal
Shannon
Nov 06, 2014 @ 11:30:06
Love getting to meet Julia! I will definitely have to go and check out her blog now!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Ashley
Nov 06, 2014 @ 11:24:35
I like Julie’s style! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Ashley Minck
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:50:19
I love a girl who is honest and her answer to the best part of about blogging was pretty hilarious. It’s true that the friendships and stuff is great but I can imagine getting boxes of goods being pretty up there too! Lovely interview as always Kate! Thanks for introducing me to a blogger I didn’t know about yet. She is amazing.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:17:26
I LOVE this interview. You asked such great questions! And I loved her answer to “how do you balance it all,” because that’s pretty much exactly how I feel 🙂
Simplicity Relished
Biana Perez
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:12:01
I follow her blog and loved getting to know more about her!! I have a feeling when I move to the burbs, space will be #1 on my list too!
Merritt
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:08:17
LOVE Julia! Such a sweetheart.
The Style Scribe
Dylana Suarez
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:04:57
She has lovely style!
xo
dylanasuarez.com
Joanna
Nov 06, 2014 @ 10:03:01
She looks so stylish! I’ll definitely check out her blog. Thanks for sharing! xx
lovejoanna.com
Ivete
Nov 06, 2014 @ 09:16:23
This is a great feature, Kate. I did not know the blog Lemon Stripes and now thanks to you, I do. She has great style and I will definitely be visiting her site. 🙂
http://www.girlinahotcity.com
Pamela
Nov 06, 2014 @ 07:12:22
Love this! And definitely loving her blanket scarf! 🙂 Checking out her blog now!
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com