Get to know Annie Lawless. She is a yoga instructor and a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Her appetite for Fashion, healthy eating and exercise will inspire you. Today, she blogs at Blawnde.com and video blogging on Blawnde YouTube channel. Whether it's a post about recent outfit inspiration, a What I Ate or her latest travel adventures, she intrigues an impressive number of readers. Annie took time out of her schedule to speak to JOLIEGAZETTE about fashion, style, health and wellness.
How did the idea of creating a blog come about?
I started my blog in January of 2013 because I was seeing through my social media channels that people wanted to know more about me as a person. I was the face of our juice brand, but people wanted to connect beyond a product. What I was wearing, where I was going, what I was eating, and the products I was using on my hair, skin, and nails were all topics of curiosity and the uestions people were continually asking me. I created my blog as my own little orld to connect with, inspire, and share with my audience in a deeper way.
What is the meaning behind the name Blawnde?
My last name is spelled Lawless and I’m blonde, so I merged the two into "Blawnde”, which is really just an alternate spelling of the word “blonde”. I wanted to give a cheeky nod to the notion that people assume girls like me with fashion blogs who care about makeup and clothes are dumb blondes. On the flip side, I am a business person and an entrepreneur, and I pride myself on being very hardworking and savvy. I wanted my blog name to acknowledge the stereotype and play into it as my carefree little fashion space on the internet, but show that I can also be smart and driven as well. There are no rules and we don’t have to fit within the boxes people put us in.
What is a perfect formula between foods you put in your body and how you look and feel?
There is no “perfect” formula. Our bodies and needs change all the time. The most important thing to remember when selecting the foods you put into your body is to consume them in the most whole, unprocessed form possible. When you listen to your body and treat it with love and care, you want to nourish it with the highest quality foods that leave you energized and feeling good. Your meals will change with your life and your schedule, but always make the highest quality choice you possibly can, and your body will respond favorably with glowing,hydrated skin, bright eyes, and energy to do all of the things you love.
What are the no-nos you see people from the health and wellness industry do online?
I see a lot of judgment happening in the health and wellness industry among those with contrasting dietary and wellness philosophies. Some people can become very consumed with their beliefs on health that their minds close up to other ways of being. The internet has become an easy way for healthy, productive conversations to turn ugly and escalate to an unkind place. I have been vegan, vegetarian, raw, and now I eat a little bit of everything, so I understand many different dietary perspectives from my own personal experience. They all something wonderful and beneficial, so finding what’s right for you will look different than it does for others, and that’s ok. We are all evolving and changing throughout our lives and different things work for us and feel good at different times. There is no need to feel that one way of eating is superior to all others and berate people for their choices. We are all doing the best we can to be healthy and live our best lives.
What are your beauty and health tips while traveling?
My biggest tip is to stay hydrated! This is such an underrated concept, but we really get dehydrated when we fly and run around more than usual. My other important tip is to enjoy yourself and try not to stress so hard about being perfect. If you want pasta or gelato in Italy or a margarita in Cabo, let yourself indulge a little bit without beating yourself up. You will be back to your normal routine soon enough and it is good for the mind and our health goals to loosen the reins from time to time. The key to indulging safely is to treat your diet like a bank account and know you have a little extra in the bank while traveling, but spend it wisely and don’t overspend. Try the pasta OR gelato, not both in the same day. Have ONE margarita, not four. If you keep yourself in control while making smart indulgences, your waistline won’t suffer and you will come home from traveling
feeling great.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Salty, greasy anything! Always and forever. I don’t have a sweet tooth at all, but a bag of salty chips or greasy Mexican food is not safe around me.
What is your style philosophy?
Keep it simple and invest in the classic, timeless basics. I would rather save up for a few beautiful, well made, designer pieces a year than buy a bunch of cheap crap I will be done with after a couple wears. Having a few key items like a classic flap Chanel bag, a black or nude patent Louboutin pump, a great fitting pair of skinny jeans, and a cashmere sweater will stand the test of time and work
for so many different looks and occasions.
What inspires you?
Life! Everyday when I wake up, I am inspired to make that day the best yet. Life is so short, so spending my time doing things I truly love each and every day with people I love is what inspires me to do everything I do.
What is next for Annie Lawless and Blawnde?
You will have to wait and see! I might have a couple ideas up my sleeve…
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