20 Questions With Kara Of The Bostonista

To kick off a new series, we chatted with The Bostonista‘s very own Kara Weymouth!

This year we’ll be chatting with some of our favorite bloggers, web personalities, career-women and maybe even you! The series is called 20 Questions and it’s exactly what it sounds like.

We compile 20 questions―some random, some not―and get to know some truly inspiring people.

To get things going, read what Kara has to say about blogging, beauty and shopping.

What do you collect?
Other than books and magazines, I don’t really have a collection of things. I had a friend growing up, Stephanie, who loved elephants and for every event or holiday people would give her elephant related things. Her bedroom was dizzying. I think it put me off ever wanting to be a collector.

What’s your favorite city?
Obviously, I love Boston. It’s home. And you can’t beat the energy of NYC but I recently went to Miami for the first time and I fell in love.

Coffee or tea?
It used to always, always be tea (earl grey with milk) but lately I’ve been drinking a lot of coffee. I think I have a tea personality.

What are three guilty pleasures of yours?
TV meant for teenagers (Pretty Little Liars, Jane the Virgin and Reign are personal favorites), inaccurate historical fiction (bring on the Phillipa Gregory) and Pinterest. I waste so much time on Pinterest!

What splurge is well worth it?
A monthly deep tissue massage. Not only does it help keep my anxiety in check but when you’re hunched over a laptop as much as I am your shoulders HURT!

What is your go-to shower (or car) song?
I’ve been perfecting Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” over the past few weeks. It’s my anthem!

What is on your nightstand?
Three candles from Jo Malone, a small lamp, a stack of books I’m in the middle of reading, my phone/iPad charger, and a little dish for rings and earrings. Oh- and my contacts and glasses.

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
Various pieces of jewelry from my parents and my late grandmother.

Name one beauty product you swear by.
Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser! It’s inexpensive and keeps my skin soft and clear. It’s really the best cleanser out there.

Where would you like to travel?
I’d love to visit Marrakech in Morocco! I also really want to experience the midnight sun in Norway or Sweden someday.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m pretty shy. New people make me really anxious and tongue-tied- it makes all those networking events and fashion parties really intimidating!

Chocolate or peanut butter?
Chocolate! But I have a sugar addiction so I won’t turn down peanut butter if you offer it!

In one word, tell us the theme of your 2015.
I’m turning 30 in July so 2015 feels like a whole new chapter- I’m looking forward to 2015 being a reinvention.

What’s your go-to meal to cook?
My mom’s pan-fried chicken breast recipe with jasmine rice and roasted vegetables. It’s impossible to mess up and is surprisingly easy.

Whose style are you inspired by?
Lately, I’m much more inspired by other bloggers and my friends than I am by any celebrities or public figures.

When and why did you begin blogging?
I started my blog officially in 2008 after I graduated from college. At the time, being a professional fashion blogger wasn’t really a thing. I thought it would be a good way of putting together a writing and styling portfolio while I looked for a full time job at a magazine. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great time for traditional publications- no one was hiring and many titles were closing. Bostonista was one of (if not the first) fashion blog in New England and it sort of just evolved into it’s own thing.

What are some of your favorite places to shop online?
I’m so boring! I love ShopBop, Etsy and Piperlime. Oh and Violet Grey for beauty products! The site is so well curated and I always discover something new.

What charities do you support?
Does Planned Parenthood count? I always give money and sign all of their petitions. I adopted my dog, Daisy, from the New England Westie Rescue. She’s the love of my life so I’m also a big supporter of the work they (and all animal rescues) do!

What do you hope to accomplish in 2015?
Personally, I’m taking a big, solo trip for my 30th birthday and I want to live healthier. Professionally, I want to get back to writing essays and maybe having one published nationally. I have a lot of plans for my blog for 2015 but I don’t want to jinx any of them so for now I just hope that it continues to grow and entertain people.

What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
I saw the Steve Carrel movie, Foxcatcher, a few weeks ago in the theater. I hadn’t heard of it or seen any trailers so I went in completely blind, not knowing the story. It was a really good movie and a tragic story that I probably wouldn’t have seen normally. But it’s also not something I’d watch again.