I started blogging after lurking on some homemaking blogs.  I had recently found a new passion for domesticity and the home…I couldn’t get enough of it!  I wanted to read books, look at how women ran their home, learn new decorating techniques, find ways to live more frugally.  As a young girl recently graduated from college and far from having her own family of children to manage, this whole new world of womanhood was opened up to me and I wanted to have a part of it even as a single girl. All my friends were starting their careers or going after their masters degree and I wanted to craft and bake!

When I thought of the name Domestic Fashionista I had no idea I would be creating a name for myself!  I wanted to blog about domestic things but also tie in my creative side which brought in the “fashionista” part.  At the time I started my blog I did not share my real name and so I wanted to come up with a unique name that people would remember and still be a reflection of the type of things I blogged about.

What does being creative mean to you?

Creativity for me is an expression of who I am…what I love…how I see things.  I like to do everything creatively, meaning unique to who I am and how I am gifted.  I have always been one who liked to do things differently.  So whenever I set out to do something I like to make it my own–an expression of who I am.

I hear so many women complain they are not creative…but I think many of them simply lack the time, resources, or self confidence to be the creative person that they are.  I think there is this level of creativity we are always comparing ourselves to–it has to be perfect, it has to be as pretty as what she does it.  But with this attitude we set ourselves up to fail.

I have learned to explore and appreciate my own creativity, whether or not it works for anyone else.  Of course it is encouraging to hear other people say how much they admire my creativity, but deep down I have to do it for myself knowing that it makes me happy and keeps my life sane to have a creative outlet.  I think that it is important to keep the focus on creating an outlet for ourselves first and not put the people pleasing part ahead of that.  I have found that most women have this natural desire for beauty and I think by being creative we are able embrace that piece of us and it makes us happier women!

What kind of creative things do you do every day?

Every day?  I wish I had the time or motivation to say that I sew or paint or hot glue everyday…but when it comes to real life there are many little things I do: straighten things up in the morning, doodle on a sticky note that has a reminder written on it, cook, get dressed.  Though mindless, I consider all of these things as creative moments in my day.  When I put things away in the morning, I place the pillows a certain way on my bed and I organize my closet personal to me.  When I cook and get dressed, I put together items that I think fit together.  I try it out, if it works I stick with it and perhaps do it again.  And if it doesn’t I try something else.  And when it comes to food that doesn’t work, sometimes you just have to throw it out (I guess the same could go for clothes as well!).  I think we don’t realize how much of our creativity streams into everyday life.  Just thinking about it makes me smile!

Tell me about your family.

My family includes my parents and an older brother who is married.  My parents both have a background in the floral business and I think a lot of my creativity comes with growing up with parents in a creative business.  My mom and I have very different design preferences, but we both share an eye for creativity.  I really am thankful for the creative freedom I had growing up and can see how they allowed me to find ways to express myself in my own way.  I also have a fabulous fiance named Brent.  He is the one who all the ice cream cakes and cookies are for!  He is also very supportive of my creative endeavors and I absolutely adore him! I hope to have my own family one day and maybe if my readers stick around long enough, they will be able to experience that with me!

Favorite food?

I love anything with garlic and am a huge fan of frozen yogurt!  And usually anything Italian or Mexican can be scarfed down in minutes!  I am a lover of food and like to try new things.

Do you like to dance?

To my own beat and in my own room!  If I can get Brent to dance in public with me, I am all over it, but besides that I get down in the privacy of my own home…and let me tell you, I have some pretty sweet moves!

If you could take a trip with anyone and go anywhere, where would you go and who would you take?

I would love to go to Italy, for the food of course–and the gondola ride.  My mom is from China so I would love to go there to visit and learn more about my heritage as well.  And I would take Brent…because he is my favorite travel partner and plus he would let me make the itinerary!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?

A free gym membership…I know, how lame.  But really, it is expensive and I love to work out.  And I need to work out with this love for food.  We are going to do a step routine after this interview, right Blond Duck?  Followed by one of those pies of yours?

Duckie Note:  We’re doing Queen Bitty’s Chiaerobics!

The other best gift is the Artisan empire red Kitchenaid Mixer…oh wait, I don’t have that yet!  E-mail me if you need my address, anyone!

What’s your ideal pet?

You don’t want to know.  I’m not the biggest animal fan, I know you all hate me!  I will go hide under a table now.  But I like the stuffed ones that little girls have all over their beds and the cute ones in Disney movies…really, I like those ones!

We accept stuffed animals as pets in the Pond.  There’s an enormous present waiting on the kitchen table for you.  What’s in it?

My kitchenaid???  How about some red velvet cupcakes and some vintage linen and ribbons…that would make me happy!  Oh, and an endless supply of white spray paint!

Where did you get your interest for crafting and decorating?

I’d really have to say blogging.  I did not do nearly as many projects as I did before I started blogging.  There are just so many wonderful ideas and inspiring ladies here in blogland!  I also think my interest comes from the home…wanting to make it beautiful, comfy, and welcoming.

How did you get so good at making things?

Trial and error!  I just throw things together and cross my fingers!  To me, it is nothing, but I understand to others it is an art.  I think I am very free spirited in my crafting.  If it doesn’t look right I try to figure out a better way to do it.  Many of my projects never come out the way I envisioned them to…but they are beautiful the way they turn out.  And lets be honest, I make cheap things, so I am not afraid to totally screw it up!  The worst thing that can happen is I hate it and it cost me five bucks and I am going to throw it away now.  But really I think it came from growing up in a home where I was free to create.  I was able to build a confidence in trying new things which has resulted in what I am able to create today.

What’s your favorite thing in your house?

I am really in love with my dining room wall…the one with the white fence and heart and candles on each side.  I just love it.  It is right in so many ways and I have no desire to change it.  Many of my home decor is a work in progress–whether it is something I want to change or it gets moved with the holiday decor.  But this wall is for keeps.  I am in love with it.

What projects are you working on now?

I am working on the backyard, trying to create a shabby outdoor cabana.  I have a whole closet full of thrift store goodies that need to be painted and worked on.  I always have a project to work on.   have that problem of buying more projects and not working on them!  My goal for the summer is to save some money by doing less shopping and tackling more projects.  I have a ton of pillow forms that need covers and some electrical things to learn in regards to a chandelier I am dying to get up.

What are your goals in the future?

I am a dreamer.  Owning my own boutique or something else of that sort seems so glamorous.  I opened up an Etsy store this year and it has been fun but it is not what I am passionate about.  I think when I started trying to make an income from my crafting I started getting stressed out.  I wasn’t enjoying it like I should.  I have found that sharing my ideas through blogging has been the most fun and I hope to do that more.

What’s the most asked question you get about decorating or crafts?

People usually ask about painting and all the steps.  I realize there are “proper” techniques to painting, but trying to figure these out and take the time to do them would never get my furniture painted!  I just start spraying or brushing away.  If I am feeling extra zealous or the wear on the furniture is really bad, I will sand it…but please know that this is not very often!  Things get chipped and nicked and I have to touch them up or let them mix with the shabby decor but I am happy with my shortcut painting habits!  I also buy my paint at Wal-Mart…can’t get much cheaper than that!

What’s your favorite part of a house?

I like the parts where people gather…this is different in every home.  Whether it is the kitchen, dinning room or living room, I like to see how different people make this space warm and welcoming for their guests.  I also drink a lot of water so I like peeking at people’s bathrooms since chances are likely I will make at least one visit!  Not everyone decorates their bathroom so I can appreciate a decorative, tidy, and clean bathroom where it is obvious people were intentional in having guests enter.  If I didn’t pee so much, this might not be so important!

What makes a home home to you?

Feeling comfortable and photos.  Even the most beautiful homes seem so sterile and unlived in.  I like a couch with lots of pillows and blankets.  It makes if feel welcoming and home-ish.  Also, seeing people’s families hung up around the house show life and tell stories.  I love that!

To learn more about Ashley, visit her at Domestic Fashionista!

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We’ve got a week full of whimsical fun–and a terrifying confession by the Blond Duck!