Blogger {View} Wednesday: Mindy Rohr of Love, Lexington

Today, we're starting an exciting new feature here on HerKentucky. Blogger{View} Wednesday will introduce y'all to our favorite Kentucky bloggers -- folks who are taking the internet by storm with their style, sass, and love for the Commonwealth. today, we're talking to Mindy Rohr, the fabulous blogger behind Love, Lexington. Mindy's website reads like a love letter to Lexington -- an exploration of the latest trends in food and drink, snapshots of the city's gorgeous scenery, and tips on the greatest Kentucky-themed swag. And did I mention Mindy's stunning SJP-esque ombre hair? Thanks so much to Mindy for taking some time to chat with us!

Tell us about yourself.

Hi I’m Mindy, the blogger behind Love Lexington. I was born and raised right here in Lexington, Kentucky. I love traveling and checking off places I’ve never been (like Napa this summer!) I am a horrible cook (note why we eat out so often)…our fridge and pantry usually only have tea, Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate only please…and yes we keep them in the fridge!), and cheddar skinny pop. What else does one need to survive? Bourbon…we always have bourbon on hand. I’m obsessed with my dogs! They really are the best and bring so much happiness into our lives. My favorite food is so cliché but I’d choose pizza over everything!

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How did Love, Lexington get started?
Love Lexington came to me as an idea after reading the “Love Letter to Lexington” (published in the Huffington Post and written by my friend Megan Smith). Having personally deciding a few years back to get out of my Hamburg neighborhood and experience more of the downtown Lexington, Mr. Love Lexington and I started trying all the new local restaurants, going to Thursday Night Live every week, and just making a point to be a part of the growing downtown scene. Friends had suggested that we write a food/review blog but I didn’t want to be a food critic…I’m not into bashing anyone. From all that, Love Lexington was born. Ideally it is a love letter from Lexington to its people…and a way for me to share all the things I love about our city! 

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What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?
My favorite thing about Kentucky is how absolutely stunning our state is! The beautiful rolling hills, the horse farms, the historic little towns…it is simply breath taking! 

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
For someone just starting out, I would recommend using a free site like Blogger or WordPress. It can get expensive to purchase a hosting site, a url, a theme, etc. and might feel overwhelming. Once you have figured out the technical part of getting a blog up and going, then you have to find your voice. Most readers relate to bloggers who write as if they are having a conversation. There is a lot of competition in the blog world…your voice is what will make you stand out. 

People will say you do not need a good camera to take good photos…but I disagree. If a blog has low quality photos I am less likely to revisit the site. If you are serious about your blog (and photos are a necessity i.e., fashion, food) then invest in a starter DSLR or a similar camera (I started with a Nikon1). Once you have the camera, you must learn how to use it…if not, you might as well keep using your iPhone because you won’t be able to tell much different. 
People will say and do the most random things. They think that because you are behind a computer screen that common etiquette doesn’t apply. They say things they would never say to a person in real life. Try to not let that bother you and if you truly love blogging then Keep On, Keeping On. The haters will move on and you will find people to follow you because they are behind what you are doing. 

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Now the important questions:
Cats or Cards? I bleed blue!  

Louisville or Lexington? Should I even answer this?? ☺ Lexington…duh! 

What’s your favorite bourbon? I’m not super picky when it comes to bourbon. I like Maker’s Mark in my diet coke; Woodford, Noah’s Mill, or Four Roses small batch in my cocktails. When I’m feeling cheap it’s not below me to order a good ol’ Kentucky Tavern and diet Ale-8! 

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Where’s your favorite local restaurant? If I have to choose only one and only one…I couldn’t live without County Club.

What’s your favorite local shop? My favorite “local” shop has to be High Street Fly. I cannot get enough of their awesome t-shirts. I do love Morton James too…my husband and pocket book however do not☺. 

Check out Love Lexington for a dose of Lexington love!

The HerKentucky Interview with Adrienne Jones, Founder of coveRumps

You know when you see something that is so brilliant you wonder why you didn't think of it? That's exactly what happened when I saw coveRumps by Kentuckian Adrienne Jones. They literally cover your rump when you want to layer or get extra length from your top. They're super cute and can be worn so many ways from workout to weekend. Check out our interview with Adrienne below, and then enter to win your own coveRumps!

HK: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Are you native Kentuckian? 

AJ: I am a native Kentuckian, born in Pineville. I currently reside in Lexington where I moved after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University. I am a wife and mother to two beautiful daughters. As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to have a career in the fashion industry and own my own business. I still can’t believe I’m finally doing both & I couldn’t be happier.

HK: What exactly is a coveRump? What inspired you to create them? 

AJ: A coveRump is a layering piece for women. I like to refer to it as an accessory, or ASS-essory! It functions in so many great ways, not only by helping women achieve a layered look without all the bulk, but also provides just the right amount of coverage to the rump area when wearing leggings or workout pants with tops that are a little too short. coveRumps complete an outfit, by adding dimension and color. They are fun, fashionable and functional! I was inspired to design coveRumps from a need of my own. I was tired of tunics and wanted to wear shirts with my leggings, but found them to be just too short, making me feel self-conscious and too exposed. I just knew there had to be a product already on the market, but found there was not. It didn’t take long to get my business plan together and turn my idea into a business.

HK: What’s the best part about being a business owner? 

AJ: The best part about being a business owner is the freedom. I make all the decisions that work for me and my business; I love that! I also love having enough freedom in my day to pick my children up from school, as well as attend school parties. I absolutely love being able to surprise my kids once a week and join them for lunch… priceless.

HK: What advice would you give to Kentucky women wanting to start their own business? 

AJ: My advice to all women is to go for it! You only live once. Believe in yourself and have passion about what you’re doing. The passion will drive you through the struggles, and there will be struggles in starting a new business. Keep a positive attitude, even when facing obstacles… tomorrow is another day.

HK: What can we look forward to in 2014 for coveRumps? 

AJ: 2014 is going to be a great year for coveRumps! I’ve been testing out a new avenue: in-home trunk shows. Our test markets have proven successful and we are very excited to add this fun way to shop. We are also attending more retail shows in 2014; check our website, www.coverumps.com and our coveRumps Facebook & Twitter accounts for event information. I’ve been sourcing new fabrics also, we want to focus on some fun prints to add into the line. I’m excited about the potential 2014 holds for us.

Quickfire Round: 

• Bourbon, martinis, or beer? Martinis 
• One bucket list item: Visit Paris, France 
• Favorite way to spend a Friday night: My favorite way to spend Friday night is at home eating pizza and watching a great Disney movie with my little family. We do this every Friday night and it never gets old. 
• Celebrity/Personality you’d most love to see wearing coveRumps? Well, I’m not going to be picky… I would LOVE for any celeb/personality to be seen wearing coveRumps. But if I did have to choose one, I would say I would love to see it on Bethenny Frankel or Kelly Ripa. Both are strong working mothers with talk shows that reach millions.

Giveaway:

Want some coveRumps of your own? Enter below to win 1 of 2 coveRumps. Winners can choose their preferred style. Enter before midnight, 12/21/13.

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The HerKentucky Interview with Kijsa Housman

Kijsa Housman has been taking Etsy by storm with her burlap pillows, chalkboards, and Verses of the Week. Of course, everyone here at HerKentucky first noticed all the My Old Kentucky home pieces  that now grace every single one of our Christmas lists!

Best part? She lives in Paducah and we are totally friends! So, I sat down (actually we stood because that's how crazy busy she is!) with the incredibly talented Kijsa for a quick chat about art, Kentucky, and dual citizenship.

HK: How long have you been doing this?

KH: This art thing? 20 years! I started with large scale murals and a lot of theatrical design. My first studio was in Lexington and I was there for eight years. Some notable projects I did were The State Theater - that was a 10,000 square foot mural I did by myself on 30 feet of scaffolding and it  took several months. That was a state commission. I did a painting for The Children’s Theater, The Children’s Hospital, the PBS affiliates, and PBS products. 

That morphed in to doing residential murals as well. I did a combination of that. We moved to Paducah about 10 years ago. 

HK: Are you from here?

KH: I’m originally from Dallas. I’m a Texas girl. My husband is from here and my children are from all over! One was born in Lexington. One was born in Paducah. One was born in Seoul. 

HK: We’ll give you a pass! Did you study art or are you self-taught?

KH: I'm classically trained. Undergraduate BFA in painting then graduate degree in art history then moved to Kentucky. I supported my husband through school on art! That’s pretty much all I’ve done professionally is paint. 

HK: When did you start doing the Kentucky pillows and Old Kentucky Home signs?

KH: I moved into the decorative aspects here and there just as filler in between. When you’re the sole income, you get real creative as an artist. I really started emphasizing a lot of the Kentucky stuff in the last few years. 

My motto is accessible art and I think the decorative arts is great for that. 

HK: Do consider yourself a Kentuckian after 20 years?

KH: You’re asking a Texan that! I will claim dual citizenship.

HK: I know the Verses of the Week are a huge project for you right now. Tell us about that.

KH: The Verse of the Week I started doing a little over two years ago and that has become a very signature thing. It started with a gift for a friend - coming up with something that would be useful and beautiful and inspiring all at the same time. It’s really turned into something that I consider more than work. It’s a ministry. 

I’ve had so many people tell me that the simple act of putting the verse on the board made it intentional. I even offer my signature writing on a decal so if you already had a chalkboard you can put it on there. It’s the simple act of making it intentional. 

HK: Any advice to aspiring artists?

KH: Lots of caffeine. No sleep. And work 28 hours a day!

Kijsa is giving away a Verses of the Week vinyl so you can create intentional art in your own home!

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. The contest runs through midnight on Wednesday, December 18th. 

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