Behind the Scenes with Cardigan Junkie

Meet Haley, a fellow Texas gal and author of the adorable blog Cardigan Junkie. Haley and I have recently gotten to know each other via email and through each other’s blogs — she’s currently chronicling a big house re-decorating project, and I love seeing her picks! She’s also started putting together great outfit posts based off reader requests (so if you have a clothing conundrum, send it her way). But more than a great sense of style, Haley is a down to earth girl who can keep it real, and you know what? I like that. Take it away, Haley!

name and age: Haley, 28
your blog: Cardigan Junkie
current city: Dallas, TX

5 places I want to visit in my lifetime:

I have been blessed/cursed with wanderlust since I was a child, and there are so many places that I want to see before my husband and I have kids and make excuses to stay stateside.  My current top five list includes: Spain, Australia, Sweden, Greece, and the Italian coast.

4 books I want to read in the next year:

one,  two, three, four

My taste in books is all over the map since I’m constantly reading.  After I finally read The Help and see what the big deal is, here are four more books I will be buying.   (Yes, I admit to the internet that I read Tudor biographies for fun)

3 photos that exemplify what I want my life to look like in 5 years:

all images via Pinterest

In 5 years, I hope to have a cute baby or two, an awesome job where I can be creative from a killer home office, and still enjoy a happy marriage.

2 goals I’m currently working on:

all images via Pinterest

Right now, my husband and I are in the middle of replacing all the flooring in our house, and I just spent 18 hours repainting more walls than I care to think about.  Finally being finished with house projects is goal #1 and it’s going to be amazing!  I’m also trying to learn to cook more than my usual southern lady staple dishes and branch out to more foreign cooking styles.

1 thing I’ve been dreaming about is… 

 I daydream about being able to walk away from ad agencies forever and becoming a freelance personal stylist to help women clean out their closets and buy new clothes that fit and make them look great.  I’m starting the lay the framework for my dream career, but freelancing full-time is still a long ways off.

How did your blog get its name? 

Back when the store Martin & Osa was still around, my office building was across the street from the mall and I was a regular customer.  I came in at least once a week to browse the sale section, and amassed quite a collection of cardigans.  At one point, the sales associate I always chatted with proclaimed that I was a Cardigan Junkie and forbid me from buying any more until I branched out a bit.

Who serves as a source of inspiration for you?

I’m inspired by so many things, especially my hardworking husband and loving family.  They make me want to try harder and be better.  Creatively, I get tons of inspiration from decor magazines like Living Etc and House Beautiful and from other blogs, not to mention my Pinterest addiction.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

via

I was always very dedicated to school, and managed to land a generous academic scholarship to college that allowed me to leave home and have a traditional college experience.  Looking back, I’m not sure I’ve been so focused on any goal in the ten years since then.

Where is your favorite place to rest and recharge? 

Nothing relaxes me more than laying on our giant sofa with my husband and dogs while watching a movie with truffle salted popcorn and frozen yogurt.

When did you first start blogging and why do you keep doing it?

I started blogging in early 2010 after I was interviewed by a tv station in Dallas for a story on bargain shopping.  The reporter who filmed the segment proclaimed that I knew way too much about shopping and should try writing a blog.  A few weeks later, when the city was shut down for snow and I had a whole day by myself at home, I decided to give it a try. To be honest, I’ve almost quit blogging a few times because my job is very stressful and I do not have time to work, maintain my personal relationships and take part in the activities that bring high levels of traffic to a blog.  I like to do everything as best as I can, and having to accept that I might always be a small time blogger was frustrating.  However, I keep blogging because I honestly enjoy writing my posts and playing stylist and meeting the people who are nice enough to stop by and read what I write.  I’ve grown a lot in terms of my ability to style clothes and decorate thanks to my countless hours on the internet, and am just happy to have a hobby that I enjoy!