Interview with Barely Blonde: A Fashion Blogger & Law Student
Q&A:With a time management master
You don't have to scroll too deep into The Barely Blonde's Instagram to tell she is an expert at constructing the perfect outfit, conducting herself in front of the camera, and working with big name brands.
What do those warm hues and happy tones not immediately give away?
She is a full time law school student who comes up with these creative collabs and coordinates her photoshoots in between classes from her full course load and trips to the library.
Whether you need some TLC for your time management skills, are interested in going to law school, or looking for some Insta inspo – read on for a candid look into all three.
I hate that coffee cup saying – "You have the same number of hours in the day as Beyoncé."
...Because I'm like ya – but I don't have the assistants, drivers, personal trainers, stylists, home managers and countless other resources women like her has in their wake. I'm aware. I'm not Beyoncé. However, though the responsibilities of millennial women are quite different, they are no less all-consuming or stressful.
I want to bottle up some of The Barely Blonde's energy, exquisite taste, and joyful spirit!
Q: Welcome! Introduce yourself Christine!
A: Hi y'all! I'm Christine Lozano, a Texas fashion blogger pursuing her law degree in the heart of Texas. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and have always had an interest in the art of persuasion - anything from advertising strategies to legal representation. During my 1L year of law school I found myself feeling overwhelmed with heavy material so blogging became an outlet to take my mind off of heavy material and relax with my friends.
My blog is a carefully curated compilation of outfits, opportunities, real women and brands that inspire my personal style. It covers a range of my favorite things – from fashion to travel sprinkled with my own ideas along the way. I love life in San Antonio and while I spend most of my time studying, it's not uncommon to find me exploring the city and connecting with other creatives. Beyond the fashion perks, blogging has allowed me to relate with others who I share interests with or are polar opposites.
As women, we overlook so many of our strengths
“...and once we can recognize that, I think we can accomplish so much more. I know I definitely felt inferior to men when I was working just because I was a younger female, but after gaining my confidence you recognize you can do it too.”
on time management
Q: How do you perform in your classes, run a blog, and have a social life all at the same time? (You are seriously a super woman Christine!)
A: Haha thank you Danielle! I think "insane" might be a better word :P But all jokes aside, I needed to balance my life out and blogging has been such a happy medium between intense reading and lively trends. It forces me to put the books aside. set some time for myself and just have fun. That often comes in the form of scheduling time with store managers or photographers who are always so gracious and supportive.
Q: Time is our biggest asset. How do you manage your time with so many balls in the air?
A: I definitely live by my planner. I tend to have the stereotypically "blonde" moments at least once a day so my planner at least prevents me from missing any big deadlines. I carry it around all day and it details everything: photoshoots, brainstorming for brands, school assignments and even grocery lists. Besides my planner, I am pretty go with the flow. I have checklists in my head of things I need to do for the day and as long as I can cross those off I am happy... Oh yeah... and get lots of sleep.
Q: What are some tips and tricks you have learned for time management?
A: One thing I have to do is write things down or I forget, but other than that don't sweat the small stuff. As long as you are doing your best you'll be okay. 24 hours will never be enough time so be patient with yourself and have fun!
Q: Any advice on how to best care for yourself in time of great stress?
A: Try to respect other people's time. You never know what they have on their plate and if you help them when you can you never know if that really impacted their day.
on content creation
Q: What inspired you to start barely blonde?
A: I have always loved various forms of art and been drawn to Instagram. After realizing many of the girls on my feed were my age, I started to wonder whether I could do it too!
Q: How do you stand out amongst the crowd?
A: Hmmm that's an interesting question. I think with blogging you always try to have the best content possible but you also need others to help make that happen. Pretty much everything I have done has started with someone shooting me an email with an idea and it just flows from there.
Q: What is your favorite part of creating barely blonde?
A: I love all the positivity blogging has shown me. At first I was so nervous people would be judging me in anyway possible, but truly I have met the kindest most talented people through it. I love getting messages about how my post has impacted someone's day or how they love a new product they bought because they saw it on my feed. It's amazing to connect with people all over the world and just see everyone being supportive of each other's accomplishments and perspectives.
Q: any Tips for posing for photos or spotting the perfect backgroung for a gram?
I try to find areas with lots of space in the background so you don't look closed in. As for posing tips, I try to think of natural movements and do them slowly. I hate stiff looking photos so I always ask whoever I am working with to remind me to move. Sometimes it feels awkward but it looks way more natural than it feels.
Q: Your color palate on Instagram is so unique. It’s warm honey and orange tones are so striking when paired with your Rapunzel blonde hair. When creating your Barely Blonde brand, how did you choose your colors and other brand assets?
A: It took me a while to figure out what my "brand" was and I finally feel like I am getting there. The words that kept sticking with me after looking at other inspirational feeds was "fun," "warm" and "positive." I wanted people to feel light-hearted and blissful when they stumbled on my feed so I am hoping to do that.
on law school
Q: Why did you decide to go to law school?
A: I had just graduated from UT and I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with my life. I was working for an advertising company which I loved but a part of me wanted to return to school to open more doors. I went ahead and struggled through my LSAT and applications and fortunately got in! There wasn't a specific moment just the idea I wanted to push my education and myself a bit further before settling into a career. Having a law degree not only will allow me to practice law but has helped me become so much more knowledgeable about life and the way this country runs, anything from paying a mortgage to the laws governing customs import tax.
Q: What do you hope to do with your degree? Does everyone CONSTANTLY ask you that?
A: Haha that's a pretty accurate description of every conversation I have. I really don't know specifically what I want to do. I have loved my classes dealing with real property so maybe something along those lines. It can be really stressful when people are always asking about the next step but right now I really have no idea. I would love to one day run my own business whether that be a law firm of some sort, an ad agency or a blog!
Q: What is the greatest lesson it has taught you so far?
A: To listen to all sides of an argument. I have "a lot of feelings" as my friends like to say so I typically have a feeling before I have reason. But law school has really taught me to listen instead of reacting immediately. I've learned to think things through a lot more than I used to because there can be sooooo many factors and different outcomes. They really teach you a whole new way of thinking that encourages you to see it from someone else's perspective which transcends every aspect of relationships.
The second greatest lesson I have learned is that your brain is capable of so much more than you think. I always thought I had a terrible memory and wouldn't survive my first semester, but our minds are incredible and can remember so much. This was just another reminder to trust that hard work pays off and somehow you'll pull things out you thought you'd forgotten.
Q: What is something that surprised you about law school?
A: People always told me law school teaches you a different way to think and I didn't get it. I thought I knew my study skills and that I could "reason" well enough. Well that definitely changed. Law school has altered my perspective on a lot of things and taught me to be much more thorough when working through issues or even making decisions in my own life. It cut out a lot of the emotional reactions I use to act on and instead forced me to look at both sides and weigh them.
Q: When someone is trying to decide if is law school is/is not their next best choice after college, what would be your advice to them?
I would say definitely start by taking the LSAT. Its a grueling process that forces you to truly evaluate whether you want to be an attorney and if you can handle the demands this type of testing will require. It is not fun but once its over you'll at least have an idea as to whether you want to keep putting in the effort or choose another passion.
woman to woman: lessons learned
Q: What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in life and how has it made you a stronger woman?
A: I think realizing that I was the only one stopping myself from jumping at opportunities. This was one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned. I still find myself struggling to let myself go but after doing it several times I've realized we often hold ourselves back more than anything else.
As women we overlook so many of our strengths and once we can recognize that I think we can accomplish so much more. I know I definitely felt inferior to men when I was working just because I was a younger female, but after gaining my confidence you recognize you can do it too.
Flowing from that lesson I also learned to always be kind. Whether it is on social media or in person, give your friends, family and co-workers the time of day.
Q: did a particular struggle teach you something you'd be willing to share?
Never forget your worth.
Throughout the past couple of years I have moved a lot. During that time I had to start over many times and it was always a really hard adjustment being somewhat introverted. It left me feeling lonely and discouraged but forced me to remember who I was and what my values were. I had to realize my worth came from me, and not the people or places I lived.
I had one manager in particular who would make inappropriate comments to me about being a woman or how I should treat him. It was hard to cope with what was happening in a new place. I didn't want to talk to other co-workers because I thought I might get in trouble for repeating what he said and lose my only friends (there was also a lot of heartache going on in my personal life so I lived for my friendships). But as time went on he kept making remarks and I finally started to respond back. I told him he couldn't say those things and told him I would be adjusting my assignments so I wouldn't work under him anymore.
It was incredibly hard to say these words out loud but it ended everything. No, he never apologized, but I knew my worth and he wasn't meeting my standards for myself. It was one of those moments I felt truly proud of how I handled the situation. I never said anything mean but requested he stop and told him I was no longer part of his team. I truly think we should always be kind but you definitely shouldn't allow people to walk all over you.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
I'd have to say my role model is my dear friend Emma Faye. She is such an inspiration to everyone and she handles every situation with grace. She has been profoundly deaf all her life but has learned to sing and bridge gaps between the Deaf and hearing worlds!
Q: Do you have a motto, daily mantra, or quote that keeps you going through the good times and the bad?
A: I try to remind myself that opportunities are a luxury, so we shouldn't waste or overlook them.
9 Things Christine Couldn’t Live Without:
Skin product -
Argan oil! Josie Maran
Lipstick or lipgloss -
Definitely lipstick! But I am obsessed with Mary Kay's moisturizer!
Clothing article -
Heels (I wish I was taller)
Clothing brand -
Kristin Cavallari
Piece of jewelry -
Statement earrings always
Food (particular restaurant or dish would be great!)
CRAVEEEE in El Paso!!! But since I am rarely home I love ice cream!
Work out class or type of work out -
I love Barre!
Kitchen Utensil -
Whisk
Study/School related thing -
Highlighters! I love to make my notes colorful
Follow along
Join Christine's journey as she seeks to spread positivity and fun fashion on social media by following her Instagram here.
