Behind The Blog: Prosecco & Plaid

Truth be told, I’ve been a huge fan of the lovely Jess from Prosecco & Plaid for some time now. We recently connected and let me tell you, she’s even lovelier than you can imagine (and that’s saying something if you’ve seen her instagram account). Today we get to take a little look into her gorgeous life in Newport, and find out what really makes her tick (spoiler alert: margaritas are involved – see why I love her so?).

SMP: Some words you live by?
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take”

SMP: Any guilty pleasures?
Margarita on the rocks w/ salt … and bacon, always bacon.

SMP: What did you think your dream job was before your dream job found you?
I’ve been all over the place with what I’ve wanted to. I wanted to be a vet for a long time because I have such a deep love for animals but the whole dealing with blood thing sort of turned me off of that. I studied journalism in college and wanted to work at a magazine but realized I couldn’t live in NY off of a starting salary at a fashion magazine so I ended up taking a job in the corporate world at a consulting firm. I thought maybe I’d follow that track but it didn’t make me happy. I started my blog as a creative outlet that I needed from my consulting job and as a way to try and get a job in fashion, and when I realized I could make a living doing it everything just sort of fell into place.

SMP: If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
Follow your dreams. Scare yourself. Take risks. It wasn’t until I truly did those things that I found happiness and fulfillment.

SMP: What is one piece of advice you would give to a blogger just starting out?
Know your vision and stay true to yourself. There are a bajillion bloggers out there. What sets you apart is important. Don’t try to be like everyone else. Be you. That’s what people connect with.

SMP: What’s your best tip for balancing work and personal life?
Allow yourself to check out. We live in a 24/7 world now and at my old job I would sleep with my blackberry under my pillow. I never took vacation and answered every email the second it came in. With blogging I was doing the same thing and I love it so it doesn’t feel like work, but you have to take a break and put your phone down. When I go out with friends or sit down to dinner I don’t even look at my phone. You’ve got to live in the moment and observe whats around you. Life is short you have to enjoy actually living it.

SMP: What is the hardest lesson in business you’ve ever learned?
Particularly in the beginning of my career I had a difficult time taking criticism. I am my own harshest critic so being critiqued by someone else would crush me. But criticism and feedback is actually incredibly helpful and can teach you things about yourself you might not otherwise learn. And don’t take no for an answer (I think as women we do this way too often). You don’t want to piss someone off or be obnoxious but you’re not always going to get the result you want on the first try. Keep going and keep asking until you get what you want.

SMP: Stranded on a desert island question… what’s the one cocktail you would take with you?
Margarita (on the rocks with salt). And probably a coconut water for the next morning.

SMP: What color do you think will stand the test of trend time?
An all white or all black look are always chic.

SMP: If you could buy yourself a single gift of any cost, what would it be?
A 1969 mint green Ford F100

SMP: One thing you can’t live without?
In terms of fashion, sunglasses

SMP: Your secret to success?
Probably not a secret but hard work, determination, supportive friends and family and a sense of humor

SMP: Number one interior design tip?
Fresh flowers make all the difference

SMP: One place everyone must visit in their lifetime?
It’s a toss up between the Alps in Switzerland and Mal Pais in Costa Rica. Both absolutely breathtaking.

SMP: Best moment of your career so far?
I was featured in Marie Claire this month so that was pretty cool. I think the best moment(s) have been the friends I’ve made through blogging who I never would have met otherwise.

SMP: Advice you’d give to your younger self?
Chill out. I stressed out WAY too much, particularly at my first job to the point that it was making me sick. Sometimes you’ve got to just take a deep breath, smile, and realize everything will be ok.

SMP: Your go-to recipe? Beer margaritas.
You haven’t lived until you’ve had one.

SMP: The best advice you’ve ever received?
Changed my whole perspective, my Great Aunt said to me “find what you love and do that.” I had it

SMP: What’s a typical work day for you like?
One of the best things about being a blogger is that everyday is different (however I start every day with coffee no matter what). A lot of days I’m doing stuff that isn’t really very glamorous, planning content, corresponding with brands, scouting locations, editing photos, tracking projects, but the nice thing about working for myself is that I get to take my dog for a walk whenever I want. In the summer I swim everyday no matter what. We only have four-five months of summer here (and the winter is BRUTAL) so you have to take advantage of every single day.

Photography: Craigs Mackay | Styling: Jess Kirby Of Prosecco & Plaid

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Behind The Blog: Prosecco & Plaid