Interview with Teenie Genie + Outfit Details

I was so lucky to have been able to go with Gina (Teenie Genie) to Palm Springs for the Coachella events this year! She has gone the past four years and since this was my first time it helped so much to have someone who knew their way around. I met Gina at a blogger meet up in LA and I was so excited to go with her. It’s so much easier to go with other bloggers because they understand the need to stop for pictures or when you want to take a fun story for your Instagram. Not only did we go to lots of fun events, but we also got some great shoots in.

I have not done a blogger interview in a while and I wanted to continue that series! I also added lots of outfit shots and pieces to this post because I just could not resist!

Visit Gina’s Instagram and Blog!

What made you start a blog? 

It was about a year ago where I found myself bored in my personal life. I spent a lot of time on Instagram having fashion blogger envy, wishing I could do something like that. I was at a networking event with a group of pretty-high level marketing executives talking about the marketing strategy I had taken at my company, and the programs I had implemented in my short six months there, “You built a website by yourself?” “How did you generate that many leads in one month?” “What’s that platform you used?” “Wow, you are so creative.”

It was at that moment, the floodgates opened. I realized I knew a lot. My positions at startups had helped me cultivate a unique skill set that many people didn’t have. Was I creative?

These conversations ultimately gave me the confidence to start my blog. I desperately wanted to explore fashion, but I didn’t want to leave my job, and I didn’t want to work for someone else. I knew I wanted to do something with petite fashion since I was experienced and it was something I could help others like me with. My nickname in college was Teenie Genie and it was my Instagram name so I chose the name TeenieGenie Style. If these girls could do it, why couldn’t I? There was nothing stopping me. Nothing to lose. I dove in head first and haven’t stopped swimming since.

What is your favorite part about blogging? 

Connecting with my followers and other bloggers! I love to write, but sometimes it can be really hard to buckle down and get into a creative zone. A lot of time, I’ll stay up all night writing. I put a lot of effort into my posts and try to make my content meaningful for my followers.   I absolutely love it when I get comments that my readers found something relatable, helpful, or inspiring.  It’s what motivates me to push forward and continue blogging. 

Which post was your favorite to shoot?

My tie-dye post!  I do a lot of research into where I am going to shoot.  It’s easiest for me to shoot in my home town because grew up there and know it like the back of my hand.  I remembered I did this biology project in 9th grade and had discovered these really cool beach caves.  I thought it could be a cool place to shoot, and it ended up being amazing! I feel like the shot of me in the pink dress looks like I’m off in some far off foreign place, but really I’m just about a mile down the road from where I grew up.  In fact, the other outfit I shot for that post was taken only 500 feet away from the cave picture!  It’s amazing how when you can utilize your surroundings to produce such different effects.

What is your favorite piece in your closet? 

That’s a tough one! I have a denim jean jacket with stars on it from Pistola that is one of my favorite go-to pieces.  I think of my style as “California Cool” and I think it’s piece totally embodies that.  A basic jean jacket with a little bit of edge that looks effortless.  That’s what I try to achieve with my style.  I wear it all the time in the Summer at night when it gets chilly in Santa Monica.

Can you share your go-to fitness tip?

Challenge yourself, but enjoy yourself at the same time! I used to push myself to do HIIT classes, but would feel like I was going to throw up the entire class because it was so hard.  At the end I would just be happy it was over and I wasn’t suffering anymore! If you hate your workout, chances are you will eventually give up. Instead, find a workout that you enjoy.   I love barre and pilates so those are my core workout classes.  Each class I challenge myself to go a bit further or harder.   That’s what makes it rewarding and has me coming back!

Jacket : Missguided // Swim Suit : (similar) // Chain Belt : (similar) // Hoops : Sterling Forever