Thursday, August 18, 2011

Interview with Tara from Haute Lunch

I am very excited to introduce you to a very special friend of mine today, Tara. 


She was one of my first Twitter friends and official followers when I started I Look Good Today. Her blog, Haute Lunch, and words of blogging wisdom were some of my biggest inspirations to give blogging a whirl, and I'm so glad I did! She is a constant source of fun, smiles, support, fashion, and the girl has a serious knack for finding the hottest deals and trends out there! I love keeping up with her daily happenings, most recently her adventures with her new Etsy Store Tara Lane Designs.

Recently I asked Tara to share a bit about herself and her new store with all of you. And because she is just the most amazing girl out there, she is offering I Look Good Today followers a special 15% discount through August 31 to her new Etsy store when you use the code "ILOOKGOODTODAY" during checkout. YEA! Make sure to head over to her shop and take advantage of her most generous offer!

So without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Tara. . .

Please tell I Look Good Today readers a little something about yourself.

Well, to start, I have been living in Chicago for the last 8 years of my life, but I originally grew up in a small, blue collar town in southern Indiana. I come from very modest means, so I have always known the value of hard work and the meaning of a dollar. Thanks to my wonderful parents I became a responsible and independent person with a strong sense of adventure (when I moved to Chicago at 19, I didn’t know a single person here).

Although I’ve always been pretty girly, I do love watching and playing sports. Volleyball has been a huge part of my life, and when I first when I college I was lucky enough to get a combination of academic and athletic scholarships to cover my tuition. Since then, I have bounced around a little in my academic and career life (I like to consider myself a renaissance woman since I have interests and knowledge in a wide variety of topics). I have attained degrees in two very different fields (psychology and the culinary arts), and although I started my career as an event planner, I’m currently back in school and paying the bills by teaching undergraduate psychology classes. Quite a whirlwind, huh?

So tell me about your blog, when and why you started it and how you came up with the name for it?

Haute Lunch is a beauty and fashion blog that’s geared towards women like you and I who aren’t going to spend a fortune on beauty and clothes, but still want to look fabulous. The name came from a little brainstorming, and my inability to take anything too seriously. J I figured the name “Haute Lunch” conveys the general topic of my blog, but in a way that is inviting and lighthearted. While I love beauty and fashion, I think being too serious takes the fun out of it.

I started my blog back in February of this year (my six month blogiversary was just a few days ago) because I needed a creative outlet and wanted to share my thoughts, opinions, and experiences with other women like myself. I am currently in a doctoral program for cognitive psychology, so my “normal” life doesn’t allow for a lot of creative writing. Since starting my blog I have renewed my love of writing, and better yet, made so many friends (like you) that I would have never found without entering the blogging community! I feel grateful everyday for the opportunities blogging has given me!

I love your new Etsy store Tara Lane Designs. How did you come about opening your shop?


Thanks so much, Jamie!  The funny thing is that I wasn’t the one who came up with the idea. I had been making bracelets for myself and some friends when one of them said “you should sell these.” I was instantly sold on the idea because it allows me to share my love of jewelry making with many more people all over the world and challenges me to come up with new, creative ideas all the time!

What will I find in your shop?

Right now you will mostly find lots of fun and unique bracelets made with a variety of materials including leather, embroidery floss, metal, and more! I also make earrings and necklaces, and plan to start a line of men’s bracelets in the near future!

What is your favorite item in your shop?

I don’t think I could pick just one favorite. Some pieces take me many hours to create, and to be able to put that much time and effort in, you know I must love it (and I do)! Since I put a lot of thought and effort into each piece, I love them all, but I think right now I’m really digging the colors of this wrap bracelet and the elegance of these chandelier earrings.

What is your favorite Etsy shop? 

Tara Lane Designs, of course! Oh…you meant favorite shop other than my own? I see. Well, I’d have to say that my current favorite is Ele Handmade, which specializes in lovely leather ballerina flats and unique leather handbags and wallets. Although the prices for handmade leather goods can be a bit high, I am hoping to get a pair of those gorgeous flats for my birthday (in December) if not sooner!

10 comments:

  1. Tara is such a sweetheart and it's been great following up with her these past 6 months!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  2. Thanks so much for all your kind words, and for featuring me on your blog today! You are such a sweet person and I am thrilled to share more about myself with your readers!

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  3. Yes Tara is a sweetheart. I am so excited to feature her on I Look Good Today!

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  4. You are very welcome Tara. They are all true. You are just an awesome gal that I am so happy to have met!

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  5. Fabulous feature!
    Love Tara's blog!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  6. Glad you liked it CC. Hope you will visit again in the future!

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  7. Lovely feature - great interview you asked some really interesting questions - always lovely to find a fellow sporty fashionista :) will definitely be popping over to haute-lunch soon!

    Sarah
    http://fashionismyh2o.blogspot.com/
    xx

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  8. Cognitive psychology and fashion..wow! She seems very interesting as a person. Love the earrings link. Wonderful interview!!

    xx
    Heel in Mint
    www.heelinmint.blogspot.com

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  9. One of my absolutel favorite bloggers!! So cool to showcase her, and loving your blog, too, of course. :) Always so interesting to get to know the REAL people behind these more fashion-oriented conversations. xo

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  10. Tara is wonderful. Definitely check out her etsy shop!

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