Hello! I'm Vanessa.

Living in Steil

Lifestyle ·

Liebster Award

Liebster Award

I am excited to share that I have been nominated for a Liebster Award! This award is given to newbie bloggers by other bloggers as a way to support and promote each other. It is great to be recognized for this creative space, and I am beyond grateful to my loyal readers for visiting my site, their lovely comments, and all of their support.

I would like to thank Michele at Classic & Gray for this nomination. Michele and I connected through Instagram, began following each other’s blogs, and soon realized we had a lot in common. I love Michele’s fashion sense and the story behind what inspired her to start blogging. It’s a site I return to frequently and one that I think you will enjoy reading as well. So head over and show her some love!

The Rules:
1. Post your award to your blog.
2. Answer the questions that you were given from the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate a few new bloggers you’ve discovered.
4. Create 10 new questions for the nominees.
5. Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to their blog.

Here are my answers to Michele’s questions:

1. What is your favorite type of food?

Does chocolate count as a food? No? Well, then anything that you would find on a brunch menu is my favorite food. In case you couldn’t tell — and don’t know me — I have a serious sweet tooth. Since the question is “type” and not “favorite food,” I’m going to answer this by simply saying — anything sweet!

2. Who is your style icon?

While I appreciate the fashion sense of icons from Audrey Hepburn to Charlize Theron, these days I find myself inspired by the looks I see scrolling through Instagram, what’s on trend for the season, and what’s in my closet.

3. Describe your fashion philosophy?

My fashion philosophy is simple. I believe it’s better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy lounging in yoga pants just as much as the next girl, but when it comes to leaving the house I’m all about being as stylish as possible. I think when you look good, you feel good and I happen to feel my best when I’m all dressed up!

4. What is your favorite fall trend?

I’m slightly obsessed with over-the-knee boots at the moment…okay, really obsessed! They are the only fall staple missing from my wardrobe. I’ve found a few affordable options and I plan on purchasing a pair as a birthday present to myself.

5. Best advice for a new blogger?

Be yourself, find your own voice, and give it time. Blogging is a lot of work, and growing your audience takes time. When starting out, don’t get discouraged about your stats — how many comments and likes your post received, and how many followers you have. You should blog for the love of writing and connecting with an audience and you will eventually find your niche.

6. Coffee or tea?

Definitely, coffee! A White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks is my drink of choice.

7. Go-to stores to shop at?

I’ll try to narrow them down, but my list gets longer each year. I love LOFT for their classic pieces, and because they are the only store where I can get skinny jeans in petite and not have to shorten them. Banana Republic is my go-to for all things work wear — every one of my dresses is from Banana and all of my pants. When I need blazers and summer dresses, I head over to H&M. And then there is Target. I always tell myself that I’m just going to browse, but Mossimo is one of my favorite brands and I seem to be unable to leave the store without buying at least one piece from the collection.

8. What is your favorite blog for inspiration?

There are so many wonderful blogs out there and I read lots (sorry, I can’t quantify that number for you) on a daily basis. I am particularly loyal to my friend Christina’s blog, Musings of a Mom, Esq. She is a full-time lawyer, wife, mother, fashionista…and blogger. Her blog was one of the first blogs I ever read, which planted a seed in my head to start my own. Aside from that, I love perusing The Fresh Exchange Blog for travel and lifestyle tips, Camille Styles for entertaining advice and beauty reviews, Elana Lyn for career advice, and Memorandum for work attire inspiration.

9. If you could get a free trip anywhere, where would you go?

I wish I could say somewhere exotic, but after spending some time in California last spring my heart is still in San Francisco. Now that it is getting colder on the East Coast, a West Coast adventure would be most welcome!

10. What is one thing you want your readers to know?

I am so thankful for my readers and their support! My blog has opened up a whole new world for me. I am the happiest I have ever been writing new content every day and engaging with my audience. When I left my full-time job at the end of July I was hesitant about this next chapter. But it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I get to spend my days writing about topics that I’m passionate about and making new friends with people who constantly inspire me. What could be better than that?

My Nominations:
Christina at Musings of a Mom, Esq.
Jalisa at The Style Contour
Samantha at Gold Coast Girl Blog
Annessa at Seeking Sunshine
Jamie at Treats and Trends Blog

My Questions for the Nominees:

1. Describe yourself in three words?

2. Why did you start blogging?

3. What’s your favorite way to spend an afternoon?

4. What does the perfect outfit look like to you?

5. If you could move anywhere in the world for one year, where would you go?

6. What three things in your life could you not live without?

7. Business or casual attire?

8. What advice would you give to a recent college graduate?

9. If you could have dinner with any living person, who would you choose?

10. If you won the lotto, you would _____________?

I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to these questions. A big thank you to Michele at Classic & Gray for the nomination!

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Comments

  7. Congratulations on being nominated for such a fun award, Vanessa; and thanks for nominating me!

    It was fun getting to know you more in this post. You are so right with LOFT, I use to work there, their petite section is always on point and very rarely did I hear anyone say they would need to alter anything! This is where my love for styling for different shapes came to form because of their different pant styles “names” 🙂

    I’m also a huge chocolate lover, especially with almonds and currants….girl, now you have me craving, gotta make a trip to Mrs.Greens now, lol!

    I hope you have an amazing day, beautiful!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

    Reply

    • Thanks, Jalisa! I can’t wait to read your answers to the questions. LOFT is the best! I have so many pairs of skinny jeans from them. And they all fit me really well. It would be dangerous to my wallet if I worked there!

      Reply

  10. Loved this! So fun getting to read your answers and chocolate totally counts as food! It’s an essential part of the food groups as far as I’m concerned! Thanks for the little shout out! You’re the best xo

    Reply

    • Thanks so much for the nomination, Michele! I’m so glad that you enjoy my site and that we have connected through blogging. I’m glad you agree that chocolate counts as food. I think since chocolate comes from cocoa…which is a tree…that makes it a plant. So chocolate is technically a salad! How’s that for logic?

      Reply

    • Thanks, Danielle! I love the petite section in both of those stores. I wish more stores catered to petites — since I hate to have things altered. Hope you have a great week!

      Reply

  18. Love the insight in the interview and totally agree with your answer on starting your own blog and finding your own voice! Keep up the amazing work girl! You rock 🙂

    Sending kisses from Sydney xx

    Would love if you would check out my page – I’ve just posted on the Balmain x HM collection after visiting their showroom here in Sydney and the collection is amazing. Check out the post here: http://ch1k.com/fashion/balmain-x-hm

    Helen xx
    http://CH1K.com

    Reply

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hey there!

I’m Vanessa E. Steil, a board-certified patient advocate, equestrian, and the blogger behind Living in Steil (pronounced ‘style’). Thanks so much for stopping by!

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