It's Thursday....and that means it's time for my 'Behind the Blog' feature! Thanks to Sabrina over at Hands and Hustle for putting this week-long series together. I've tried to be as candid about all of my answers as possible in hopes that you'll get a better sense about me and my life behind House of Her. I hope that you enjoy!
*What time do you wake up and what's a typical breakfast?
I'm normally up between 6:30 and 7:00 every morning - and since I'm currently living in Germany, the time change between here and my connections to North America make me feel like I am getting an even greater jump on the day. Breakfast always consists of a cup (or two!) of coffee and a green smoothie. Always.
*Do you have a day job? If so, what do you do? How do you find the balance between blogging and work? What are the pros and cons? – If blogging your full-time gig, please explain how that came to be.
Due to my husband's job, my home base flip flops between Canada and Germany. I run my own business Hilary Ramsay Interiors - which luckily is able to work for me from both locations. While in Germany, I completely rely on online work through my E-design projects. With so many online platforms and great sources for online shopping, the ability to communicate a clear design idea electronically is easier than ever. Of course, I can't implement it myself from overseas, so those jobs are saved for when I'm back in Canada. I'm also in the process of getting set-up with Decorist as one of their designers. Exciting things are happening!
House of Her came to be as simply an outlet for me and all of the inspiring ideas, homes and products that I come across on the web and in my everyday life. I consider it my online mood board full of things that inspire me and guide me to a beautiful and stylish life. I hope that it will also inspire others!
I feel like blogging is a part of my work - but work that I love! For me, creating an online presence is important if a large part of my business is done online. People want to know more about who they are hiring and what my design aesthetic is. Also, keeping up-to-date with trends and new product launches and posting about them is a form of research to me...I love doing it. It also keeps me current. Sometimes people think that running a blog is simple stuff, when in fact, it's quite the opposite. If you're like me and are a bit obsessive-compulsive about that you put out there and how it appears, then you know that there is a lot that goes into blogging. From brainstorming content to researching and editing photos and creating appealing images - it's loads of work. Especially when you're new to all of the software and programming. Photoshop is my new best friend, but learning the ins and outs of things didn't come over night. I'm still learning! Also, House of Her is very new and there are so many other great design and lifestyle blogs out there. The content that any blogger posts needs to be appealing in order to draw people to their site. I am continuously trying achieve this and to create a greater following. I think that this will always be the case.
Where did you grow up (what city/town, do you have siblings? And where do you currently reside?
I grew up in Haliburton, a small town about 2.5 hours north of Toronto. I am the youngest sibling of four (two girls and two boys). Growing up in a small town was great - but when university time came, I couldn't wait to move to the big city. I lived downtown Toronto for almost six years. I loved it...I miss it, actually! Currently, I live in a small city in Germany. I spend 8 months of the year here and the rest of the time back in Ontario.
*Outline your average, typical day. Be as transparent as possible.
} First things first...coffee and smoothie :)
} Catch up with some of my favourite blogs and websites. When you are going to bed 6-9 hours before a big part of the world, a lot happens! Pinterest is most likely in the mix as well.
} Research and or write a blog post for House of Her.
} Get some form of exercise, whether it is heading to the gym, taking my maltese, Stella for a long walk, or doing a yoga video in my living room...I always try to make the time.
} My husband usually arrives home from his job around lunchtime, so we spend this time together. He is a professional hockey player (which has brought us to Germany) so his training is done in the morning and unless it is a game day, he usually has the rest of the day off. Often times we will head to a local cafe for a midday coffee, I'll grab the days worth of groceries (small fridges here is Germany!) and get to any errands.
} My afternoons are for getting work accomplished. Client projects make the top of my list! I am currently enrolled in an online design diploma course so that keeps me busy, as well.
} Get some form of exercise, whether it is heading to the gym, taking my maltese, Stella for a long walk, or doing a yoga video in my living room...I always try to make the time.
} My husband usually arrives home from his job around lunchtime, so we spend this time together. He is a professional hockey player (which has brought us to Germany) so his training is done in the morning and unless it is a game day, he usually has the rest of the day off. Often times we will head to a local cafe for a midday coffee, I'll grab the days worth of groceries (small fridges here is Germany!) and get to any errands.
} My afternoons are for getting work accomplished. Client projects make the top of my list! I am currently enrolled in an online design diploma course so that keeps me busy, as well.
} After my work day is done, my husband and I love sitting down for a bit of binge t.v. watch - the only way to do it in Germany (Apple t.v. is a lifesaver over here). Scandal and Suits make the top of our list. Check them out if you haven't!
} I'm usually in bed by 10 or 10:30. Does that make me old?
*What's your dream job/career? How are you working towards that?
I feel like I am currently enroute to my dream career. I know that the possibilities are endless and am always striving towards something more. In the past, I have worked for Canada's #1 design and decorating magazine - House & Home. I have been fortunate to work as an assistant stylist and decor producer for The Marilyn Denis show. I can definitely see myself heading back in that direction when I am living in Canada full-time. In conjunction with Hilary Ramsay Interiors, of course. I'd love to continue to design residential spaces for clients and do freelance editorial and television styling.
*What would be your dream dinner-party guest-list? Explain why you chose each person.
Sarah Richardson - We've worked together before during my time at The Marilyn Denis show, but I'd really love to sit down with her and pick her brain. She's successful, determined and has great style!
Candace Bushnell - those Sex and the City story lines had to have come from somewhere ;)
Ellen DeGeneres - because who wouldn't want to have dinner with her?!
*What's one thing you'd like to start, one thing you'd like to stop, and one thing you'd like to continue.
I'd like to start using my DSLR camera more-often and with more confidence. A crash-course in proper photo taking maybe? iPhone cameras are easy and convenient, but I'd love to be able to take better pictures.
I'd like to be able to stop putting things off...the world if full of so many opportunities!
I'd like to continue to take advantage of my current lifestyle and working from home. I feel as though I am in the perfect situation to tackle more projects and take on more of the things that I love to do.
What's your current obsession?
The Fall 2014 home collection from Threshold for Target. I'd take it all. I'm OB-SESSED.
} I'm usually in bed by 10 or 10:30. Does that make me old?
*What's your dream job/career? How are you working towards that?
I feel like I am currently enroute to my dream career. I know that the possibilities are endless and am always striving towards something more. In the past, I have worked for Canada's #1 design and decorating magazine - House & Home. I have been fortunate to work as an assistant stylist and decor producer for The Marilyn Denis show. I can definitely see myself heading back in that direction when I am living in Canada full-time. In conjunction with Hilary Ramsay Interiors, of course. I'd love to continue to design residential spaces for clients and do freelance editorial and television styling.
*What would be your dream dinner-party guest-list? Explain why you chose each person.
Sarah Richardson - We've worked together before during my time at The Marilyn Denis show, but I'd really love to sit down with her and pick her brain. She's successful, determined and has great style!
Candace Bushnell - those Sex and the City story lines had to have come from somewhere ;)
Ellen DeGeneres - because who wouldn't want to have dinner with her?!
*What's one thing you'd like to start, one thing you'd like to stop, and one thing you'd like to continue.
I'd like to start using my DSLR camera more-often and with more confidence. A crash-course in proper photo taking maybe? iPhone cameras are easy and convenient, but I'd love to be able to take better pictures.
I'd like to be able to stop putting things off...the world if full of so many opportunities!
I'd like to continue to take advantage of my current lifestyle and working from home. I feel as though I am in the perfect situation to tackle more projects and take on more of the things that I love to do.
What's your current obsession?
The Fall 2014 home collection from Threshold for Target. I'd take it all. I'm OB-SESSED.
*Link to 5 websites/blog you can't go a week without?
The Everygirl
The Editor at Large
Elliven Studio
Glitter Guide
Pinterest
The Everygirl
The Editor at Large
Elliven Studio
Glitter Guide
*Tag and mention 1 blogger who you'd like to partake in this feature.
Amanda from Natural Mommie. Not only does she blog about healthy recipes, fitness and nutrition - she's got amazing style, too. Check out her instagram account to prove it!
Thanks so much for reading!
Now, head over to Wild Rose Buds to meet Katie, a fellow Canadian blogger who is also participating in the 'Behind the Blog' series today.