Meet The Blogger: Pink Julep

Posted on

This week we had the pleasure of speaking with the wonderful Ashley, editor of Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle, Travel and Food Blog- Pink Julep. This interview takes an inside look at Ashleys life, her transition from the US to the UK, as well as some great style and beauty tips for the gal on the go...

What made you start your blog?

I was living in the Cayman Islands at the time after having been in New York for 4 years and I was quite frankly, very bored. Some friends of mine started blogs and shared them on MySpace and I decided to follow suit. I started the blog to keep up with what was going on at home in America, keep in touch with friends and to have a creative outlet. I had no idea that 8 years later, I’d be doing it full time… It was indeed a happy accident.

You're clearly a very creative woman, with a background in theatre management. Tell us a little bit about that?

I started doing theatre when I was about 11 years old. My parents were both music teachers and later my mum became a drama teacher, so it wasn’t much of a stretch. I started with school productions and by the time I was 15, I was performing in professional summer stock productions in the next town over. I wanted to go to university for theatre, which I did, but after a few weeks, I was offered a scholarship if I would change my major to theatre management because I had a knack for it. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse and it enabled me to get an arts business degree while also taking performance classes and performing in university productions. When I moved to New York, I performed in only a few productions before putting my degree to use working in fundraising for a non-profit Broadway theatre and a non-profit art film house. I also had a PR & Marketing job for a while at a global cultural entertainment vendor. I don’t work in the arts anymore, but I have found that the business part of my education has been invaluable throughout my entire career, particularly my years as a blogger.

How has the transition from America to London been for you?

In the beginning, like anything else, it was a bit of a challenge, but I knew it would be because I had previously lived in the Cayman Islands. I think I acclimated fairly quickly, though there are some things I still struggle with or don’t know… I think if you want to live abroad, you have to look at even the most mundane things as little adventures, be open-minded and be very willing to change or else you might find that you’re very unhappy. I never wanted to live in an American bubble geographically located in Britain. I wanted to be a Londoner and I think I’ve accomplished that… I’m so happy here that I’m not sure I’ll ever move back to the US, but I still celebrate Thanksgiving and the 4th of July every year and this year I voted in the Presidential election for the first time. At the same time, I’ve been making a serious effort to understand the government and the voting processes here in the UK and I find it all very exciting!

Has your style changed since moving over to London?

I have definitely learned to favour boots over heels since moving to London. Navigating cobblestoned streets in stilettos is too much of a mission for me! Other than that, I think my style is usually dictated by my mood and how I’m feeling rather than where I am. I still get style influence from America and because we’re in the digital age, I’m getting it from all over the world too. London style is very easy-going in my opinion and that has definitely influenced how I dress. There’s something very effortless and chic about European style, regardless of what country you’re in and I embrace that as much as I can.

We see you're really into reading in your spare time. Whats been your favourite read?/ Anything you'd seriously recommend?

My favourite books that I’ve read this year have been #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso and Love x Style x Life by Garance Doré - both are so lovely, entertaining and inspiring! They are non-fiction, but I’m also just about to finish the novel The Girls by Emma Cline and I’m loving that too!

No.1 beauty tip for every gal on the go?

Find a great lipstick and always have it with you. It will always have you looking put together and in a pinch, you can use it as a blush too by just dabbing it lightly on your cheekbones.

Favourite fashion designer and why?

That’s a hard one… Yves Saint Laurent - the man, not the brand. He was a visionary and really paid attention to what makes women feel good, sexy and powerful! In terms of brand I’m a major fan Chloe, which is in my opinion one of the chicest fashion brands ever with a wonderful history of amazing designers behind the brand which has included Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo and Karl Lagerfeld in the past.

Pick your favourite item on signofthetimeslondon.com, how would you wear it/style it?

My favourite piece on signofthetimeslondon.com is this fab yellow bag by MCM. I would pair it with a black turtleneck sweater, a tailored black wool peacoat, skinny dark denim jeans, leopard print flats, gold stud earrings, a chunky gold statement ring and a pair of big tortoiseshell sunglasses for a chic casual weekend look!