Vogue’s ’73 Questions’ has become such an online phenomenon that I thought it would be a fun addition for my Gorjess visitors to get to know me a little better. I searched the web for a variety of random fashion, beauty, and life themed questions that would give viewers a glimpse into who I am. Some answers are short and sweet, while others get a little lengthy. I do write for a living after-all! 😉

1. When did you discover your love of fashion and beauty?
I think I was about 8 when my appearance really started to matter to me. I would notice little details on clothing like the buttons on sweaters and the quality of a fabric. As for beauty, I was always paying attention to the nail polish my teachers were wearing when they would write on the chalkboard. Or what shoes my Mom would wear to church. By the time I got to high school I was full-blown obsessed. I would devour fashion magazines in between classes and on long car rides. I kinda knew then those ‘distractions’ had a purpose in my life.

2. Who is your number one fashion inspiration?
I stumbled onto an Audrey Hepburn movie when I was about 10 years old, it was “Roman Holiday” and I was just mesmerized by her. After that I begged my Mom to go rent every movie she could find of hers and the obsession only grew. To this day no film influences my taste level quite like “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. There’s not one scene of that movie that she doesn’t look effortlessly chic. Even when she’s suppose to look a mess, she’s killing it.

3. What made you decide to start blogging?
I’ve done it for years for various outlets, but the time finally felt right to make a website of my own. I always get so many questions about products and style, that it just felt like a natural continuation. Plus, it’s a great way to interact with other people who are interested in the world of fashion and beauty.

4. Favorite Fashion Magazine?
Magazine’s aren’t quite like they use to be, greatly due to the internet. But I still subscribe to so many. I love Allure and New Beauty for makeup, hair, and skincare. InStyle for my celebrity fix, Glamour for inspiration, and Harper’s Bazaar for high fashion.

5. Who or what made you get into makeup?
Kevyn Aucoin was an absolute genius. I always loved makeup, but he made me see it in a whole other light. His work was a form of art. He proved how makeup can truly transform a person both inside and out. I loved his books, I still look at through them quite often. I was so heartbroken when he suddenly passed away in 2002. It was such a tremendous loss for the beauty community. As for who inspired my aesthetic, it has to be Elizabeth Taylor. I have dark hair and light eyes and growing up I didn’t see a lot of that, so I related to her in that way. I loved her heavily kohled eyes and bold brows.

6. What are some of your current fashion obsessions?
I have never been big on trends. I’ve always been drawn to the basic staples that never go out of style. A little black dress, a chic blazer, a cool t-shirt, a cozy sweater-the classics. But I am very into Gucci in general right now, especially their bags and shoes.

7. Celebrity Crush?
Chris Pratt. I loved him chubby, I love him fit. Not only does he look amazing, he has the funniest deposition and always comes across so down to earth. He also seems like a great Dad and all around nice person. Being a good guy is definitely sexy.

8. Favorite print?
I have loved leopard print since middle school. My closet looks a little bit like the jungle.

9. Heels or Flats?
I use to cringe at the very thought of flats! But thanks to years of abusing my feet in nothing but heels, they’re my only option now. Which is fine, they aren’t as glamorous but they’re more practical.

10. Favorite Designer?
When it comes to fashion, I’m a couture girl. I love looking at construction and details, and when a piece tells a story. Ralph & Russo, Christian Siriano, Giambattista Valli, and Elie Saab are my favorite for a ‘wow’ moment. I love Jenny Packham, Marchesa, and Zuhair Murad when I’m in a sparkly mood (which is pretty much 24/7.) For sexy, fitted looks it’s all about Tom Ford, Mugler and Versace. As for daytime designer pieces, I like Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Roksanda, Michael Kors, and Saint Laurent. For more affordable wear you can’t go wrong with Ann Taylor, J.Crew and good ole Target!

11. Favorite Makeup Brand?
I’m boujie when it comes to cosmetics, I will admit it. As much as I can appreciate a great drugstore find, I love high-end products. Tom Ford and Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are my favorite. I love Nars for blush. For eyes and brows I love Anastasia Beverly Hills. Her eyeshadows and brow pencils are my holy grails. For brushes, I l mostly use Morphe, MAC, and Wayne Goss. As for skincare, there is absolutely nothing like La Mer. I am trying more and more drugstore products though, I really like Milani, L’oreal, Maybelline and NYX.

12. 90s Grunge? or 60s Glam?
60’s glam for sure. I grew up during 90’s grunge and hated it. There was no glamour, no pride in your appearance. Then “Clueless” happened, thank heavens for Cher Horowitz!

13. Favorite Classic TV Show?
“Friends” is an obvious choice, but it’s just so good. “Beverly Hills 90210” was everything. Growing up in a small Southern town those characters seemed so glamorous to me. And of course my all-time favorite, “Sex and The City”, that show made such an impact.

14. 90’s trend you tried and wish you hadn’t?
Thin eyebrows! I had these full, dark brows but I desperately wanted to look like Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh, so I plucked them away. They never did grow back the way they once were.

15. Favorite lipstick shade or signature fragrance?
I love nudes. “Blush Nude” by Tom Ford is always my go-to. I also love ‘Kim K W’ lipstick paired with the ‘Pillowtalk’ liner by Charlotte Tilbury. When it comes to perfume I am pretty picky. I tend to have a Marc Jacobs nose, his scents always appeal to me. ‘So Daisy Fresh’ is my favorite. I also love Tom Ford’s private blend ‘Fleur De Portofino’.

16. Go-to outfit?
A black dress, with a well tailored jacket or a long, airy cardigan and a great pair of earrings is always chic and glamorous to me.

17. Tattoos?
I don’t have any. They’re not really my style, but they certainly can work on the right person. If I ever had to get one I’d put it on the bottom of my foot where it can be well hidden. As for what I’d get….a pair of eyelashes of course.

18. Which celebrity’s closet would you love to raid?
Blake Lively. The woman never looks bad! At 9 months pregnant she still looked so well put together. And I will forever love Sarah Jessica Parker’s style. She is iconic in every way.

19. Which celebrity’s makeup bag would you want to steal?
I think Adele has the best makeup in Hollywood, it’s flawless. But I love how Jennifer Lopez is always having fun and taking risks with her looks. I will never forget her red fox fur lashes at the 2001 Oscars. it was such an iconic beauty moment.

20. Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook?
Instagram.

21. Favorite nail color?
I love nail art. It can be an extension of your entire look, like an accessory. So glitter, decals, jewels, I’m in for it all! On a day to day basis I stick to feminine shades like red or pink. I keep my nails natural, fake nails always look a bit dirty to me. Also, I do makeup part time and no one wants a claw in their eye.

22. Favorite quote?
Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

23. Car or Plane?
Plane. Flying doesn’t bother me, I like that you can get somewhere faster, and with no traffic!

24. Place you would love to travel to?
Paris. I’ve been dreaming of Paris for so long, it will happen eventually. I also am a huge Disney fan and would love to visit all the Disneylands all over the world.

25. Favorite place to visit?
It’s cliché I know, but I really do love Los Angeles. The weather, the laid-back vibe, it’s such a beautiful city. There’s a constant air of possibility there, you can feel the city’s energy and hopefulness. I want to live inside The Beverly Hills Hotel. Also, it doesn’t hurt Disneyland is near by!

26. Speaking of Disney, favorite princess and villain?
Belle. I’ve always related to her on so many levels. She’s the princess with the most depth and heart I think. As for villains, no one is more delightfully evil as Maleficent.

26. Fashion and Beauty trends you are so over?
Workout clothes worn as actual clothing. Ladies, they are not! Keep those black spandex pants at the gym. It just looks lazy to me. I also despise holey jeans, always have. With beauty I am so beyond over lip injections and fillers, everyone looks swollen and puffy these days. People in their 20’s getting Botox kinda disturbs me.

27. Best beauty advice you ever received?
One of my favorite teachers told me to never touch or fiddle at my face unless absolutely necessary. She had beautiful skin, so I listened to her, and it was solid advice.

28. Best kept beauty secret?
It’s not really a secret, but Vaseline as eye makeup remover. It takes it off better than any high-end product. Plus it’s gentle on the eyes, and bonus-it prevents wrinkles!

29. Any advice on love?
The only thing that I can say that is tried and true is that you can’t make someone love you the same way you love them. And you should never feel like you have to. It’s very important that equal effort and respect are present. It’s also important to know that it’s rarely a fairytale. It’s a very complex and often times complicated thing, but almost always worth it. Even if all you walk away with is a lesson.

30. Three most important things in a partner?
We have to be able to laugh above all. He has to be truthful not only with me, but with himself. And kindness- it is not overrated.

31. Any wise words on friendship?
I’ve been very blessed with great friendships. The best friends I had over 20 years ago, are still in my life. Even friends I might not talk to day to day, I can pick up right where we left off. You naturally run across a couple of disappointing duds along the way, but I find the real ones always stick.

32. Book you’ve read over and over?
“Delta of Venus” by Anaïs Nin. She had such an interesting, vivid mind. She was decades above her time.

33. Biggest pet peeve?
Bad manners in general. Mouth noises like loud chewing or snoring drives me nuts! Not replying to messages is a big one. Plan breakers- keep your word people.

34. First concert?
Whitney Houston. Looking back now it was a pretty big deal. They’ll never be another Whitney.

35. Favorite song?
That’s tough because I LOVE music. “Moon River” by Henry Mancini, “At Last” by Etta James, “Ribbon In the Sky” by Stevie Wonder, “Ordinary Love” by Sade, “Halo” by Beyonce, and “Ex Factor” by Lauryn Hill all come to mind.

36. Favorite thing about makeup?
That there are really no rules. You just gotta do you and wear what makes you happy.

37. Movie that always makes you laugh?
‘Bridesmaids”. That cast of women is just phenomenal. I also love “The Hangover” trilogy.

38. Guilty pleasure movie?
Like a lot of women I’m a sucker for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” films, it’s all about the fantasy aspect. I will also, always love the “Twilight” movies. They hold a special place in my heart.

39. Favorite Flower?
Peonies, Roses, Ranunculus and Hydrangeas. My mom is a retired florist, so to say I’m a flower person would be an understatement.

40. Favorite color?
To wear- black. People always feel the need to comment on black clothing for some odd reason. I think it’s so effortless and chic, that it’s a no-brainer for me. My favorite color in general has always been pink, it just makes me happy.

41. Childhood Crush?
John Stamos and Tom Selleck. Then in my teen years, Paul Rudd. I clearly had a thing for brunettes.

42. Fictional place you’d love to visit?
Wonderland. Lewis Carroll’s “Alice In Wonderland” is one of my all-time favorite stories.

44. Favorite fictional character?
Miss.Havisham. She’s glamorous, yet devastating.

45. Person you call the minute you have good or bad news?
My mom is my best friend, there’s nobody that has ever or will ever offer me the support that she does. My aunt who is also my ‘Momager’ is my other go-to, she is the best cheerleader a girl could ever ask for.

46. Cats or Dogs?
Cats! I grew up with all kinds of pets, but I have always been a cat lady at heart. When you don’t have children, they become that to you.

47. If you could have any pet what would it be?
My weakness is grey kitties, and I am so in love Scottish Folds. So one of those is definitely on my wish-list.

48. Last TV show you binge watched?
I just rewatched ‘Grace and Frankie” on Netflix for about the 5th time. Lily and Jane are the ultimate, inspiring bad ass women.

49. TV show you can’t miss?
I love “Little Women LA”. I know reality shows get a bad wrap, but I can’t help it, it’s just so good! Rupaul’s Drag Race is another favorite of mine. I have always admired Ru, and I love that he has created this world where people can express themselves so freely.

50. Last book you read in a day?
“Letters To Women Like Me” by Mirtha Michelle. I find her poems and stories very relatable .

51. Thoughts on soulmates? Favorite love story?
I like to believe it’s a real thing. I’m not sure everyone finds it, but I do think it exists. My favorite love story is Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. They would spend years apart, but somehow always stayed insanely connected to one another.

52. What disappoints you most?
Lying is obviously on the top of the list. But I think one of the most hurtful things someone can do is “ghost” you. Just walk out of your life without looking back, and never even tell you why. It’s both puzzling and disappointing, not to mention quite cowardly. Friends, love interests, the hurt is all the same. Thankfully I’ve learned that usually has more to do with them than with me.

53. Do you play an instrument? If not what instrument would you like to pick up?
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano. It’s the most elegant of instruments to me.

54. Favorite food or dessert?
I think I could probably live on chips and queso/salsa. It’s so addictive. I am not a big sweet eater, but I do enjoy things that come in small portions like a cupcake, cotton candy, a churro or a macaroon. They give you just enough of a sugar rush.

55. What did you want to be when you were younger?
My life ambition was to be a Barker’s Beauty on ‘The Price Is Right’. I thought those 3 women were so glamorous! Dressing up every day, showing off merchandise, and having Bob Barker introduce them. That seemed like a dream world to me.

56. Something you would never do in a relationship?
I try to never say never, but putting my personal life online has always been a hard line for me. I would never hide my relationship, but I also would never cheapen it by peddling it to the public. Some things just need to be protected and feel 100% yours. Plus, I like my privacy.

57. Who should everyone be following on social media?
Sassy Red Lipstick. There’s only a handful of fashion bloggers that I keep up with and she is by far my favorite. Sarah is a great example of body positivity and embracing what others might see as imperfections. She also has an amazing shoe and handbag collection.

58. What turns you on/off?
On: Someone who doesn’t feel the need to impress anyone. A strong, chiseled jawline also doesn’t hurt!
Off: Narcissism masked as confidence. It’s like an epidemic.

60. Thoughts on marriage and kids?
I think those two things can absolutely work for the right people. I don’t have either and it’s been a personal choice. I am not opposed to marriage, I actually think I would be good at being someone’s life partner. I just haven’t met anyone that has ‘fit’ that role yet. As for kids, I have never been one of those women who dreamed of being pregnant. Kids can be great, but it can also be great to send them home. Ha!

61. Who do you think is a good role model for young women today?
I have two teenage nieces and the selection for girls to look up to is pretty bleak. Everything has become about how you look and taking selfies. And if you don’t like something about yourself we’re now encouraged to rush out and get plastic surgery. It’s really just a horrible message about loving yourself in general. Rather than a specific person I think girls should just know that it’s okay to be themselves and to love their uniqueness. I also think it’s important for young girls to know you don’t have to have a significant other to be complete. There’s way too much emphasis put on that, there always has been.

62. Biggest thing you splurge on?
Makeup/Skincare. What you put on your face and present to the world is an investment and money well spent.

63. What do you consider romantic?
In today’s technology saturated world, I really appreciate when a man can pick up the phone and call versus text. Don’t get me wrong, I love texting but I also like to have a real conversation and hear someone’s voice too. Good old fashion love letters are always a win too.

64. When it comes to blogging people don’t realize…
How much work it is. It seems like a fun, carefree position to be in, but it’s a lot of dedication. So much time, energy, and thought goes into every post. And I am a stickler for details! I see so many people in their 20’s today using social media numbers to make a quick buck and name for themselves, and I find it kinda disheartening. When you don’t work hard and struggle a little you don’t appreciate success as much.

65. Favorite season?
I love winter. It has the best clothes! Beautiful coats, scarves, gloves, boots! I know everyone hates snow, but I think it’s so beautiful.

66. Least favorite season?
Summer. I was born in July so you would think I would love it, but it’s the worst to me. Southern humidity is no joke. The only part I do like is laying by the pool (with sunscreen of course.)

67. Favorite model?
I grew up in the era of REAL supermodels. It was all about Cindy, Naomi, Tyra, Claudia, Christy, Iman, and Linda. I don’t think they can ever be topped. But today I really like Ashley Graham and the body positive message she puts out.

68. Something you hate doing, but you have to?
Working out. I will never understand those women who love it and go on and on about it. I find it so boring, it doesn’t stimulate my mind. But it’s become a necessity for me to not become the size of a house! And I do always feel better afterwards.

69. Diamonds or Pearls?
Both. Why chose? 😉

70. Piece of advice you would give other females following their dreams?
Just never give up on it. It can be a long journey with a lot of disappointment along the way, but when you follow your passion you will eventually get there. I am still a long way away from reaching my goals, but I figure the harder you work, the better the payoff. And as Oprah always says “do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.”

71. Who would play you in a movie based on your life?
Mila Kunis. I really enjoy her as an actress , plus she has the right look.

72. One thing I’ve never done but would love to do is…
Travel more. I have been overseas, but was working the whole time and didn’t really get to take it all in. I’d love to spend a few weeks in France, Ireland, Amsterdam and Italy.

73. Guilty pleasure?
Frappuccinos. When I’m on the West Coast I have to have Coffee Bean every single day. They also have Del Taco, which only strengths my love for the great state of California.