Every Monday we bring you a feature on a talented blogger who inspires us. This week we are happy to feature Kelly Lee of Kelly GoLightly. Her Beverly Hills based fashion blog is adventerous, chic, and can’t help but remind us of East Coast class and Audrey Hepburn. She and her blog have been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, The Zoe Report, HGTV, WWD, Vanity Fair and many more. Read more about here Here.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? 
I wear many hats (most of them oversized!). I’m a lifestyle expert, writer, creative director, and editor of KellyGolightly.com — a style guide for the modern-day Audrey Hepburns of the world. I first came to blogging as a writer, but I now also art-direct and style magazine shoots, as well as produce branded content and events. I love taking an idea from concept to completion. It’s thrilling and gratifying.
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
Playful, optimistic, jet setter.
What profession other than yours would you love to attempt?
I majored in radio-television-film at UT Austin with plans to write for TV and still think that might be fun to try out. Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey, call me! I love Nora Ephron, romantic comedies, and all things Audrey Hepburn, and am also addicted to talk shows. I could see either working behind the scenes in a collaborative creative environment or maybe even co-hosting a talk show a la Kelly Ripa. I’m also a huge fan of Ina Garten and could see following a similar path, though less about food and more about entertaining.
What is your favorite quote?
Happy girls are the prettiest girls.
What inspired your blog?
I first started blogging as a way to share my writing and everything that was going on in my head. But I wasn’t so interested in pitching ideas to editors for approval or having to climb the totem poll at a traditional magazine. I thought, I can either slog away working my way from intern to assistant to assistant editor at someone else’s publication or I can invest the same time and energy in building my own publication. Admittedly it’s taken a lot longer than I initially anticipated but has been worth every minute. When it’s your own company and brand, you have total creative control and freedom, which is the ultimate luxury.
What is your favorite social media platform and why?
Instagram! It’s snappy and allows you to share and see the behind-the-scenes of people’s lives. Plus, it’s where the majority of my readers comment and interact, so it’s the most fun. I also have a somewhat secret addiction to Wanelo, which is like Pinterest (another favorite) but purely for shopping. I have somehow amassed over 100,000 followers there! It’s fun to save items to your wishlists and see what others are into in real time. Try it, but be warned, it’s deliriously addictive.
Where do you find inspiration for blog posts?
Everywhere, my mind is always reeling! It’s a problem, truly. I am lucky in that my husband and I split our time between Beverly Hills and Palm Springs and between the two I am never short on inspiration. We also travel a lot for both work and play, which provides endless inspiration. And Slim Aarons and Audrey Hepburn are always top of mind. I try to apply their playful, charming spirit to modern-day life whether it’s through an outfit or an interior or a party.
What do you think it is about your blog that keeps people coming back for more?
I thought long and hard when creating and naming my blog because I really wanted something that channeled the spirit of Audrey Hepburn, hence Kelly Golightly (after Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s). The reason being that people who adore Audrey Hepburn, like I do, already have a built-in common bond – an appreciation for the art of charm. I really wanted that cheeky, optimistic spirit to shine through and I hope that’s what keeps people tuning in.
How does a brand get your attention for a feature?
We’re all so short on time these days and I get hundreds of pitches per week, so I like my pitches like I like my men: short and sweet. Wait, that’s not right. But seriously, a brief personalized email with a link to the brand’s website and images attached is the way to go. I want to know what the brand is, I want to see a few photos, and I want to know how they hope to collaborate. Go on, spell it out for me. It will save us both time. And a compliment never hurts either.
What do you love most about blogging?
Community, creative freedom, and collaborating. Most of my readers comment on Instagram which is great because you can actually see your followers. It’s such a treat to see their faces! Comments are really uplifting too, as we tend to create in vacuums, so it’s refreshing to know that people around the world actually see and enjoy your work. I’ve also made so many dear friends through blogging. A good 90% of my friends are digital influencers. You might think it would be really competitive but I’ve found it to be the exact opposite. The LA blogging community is truly extraordinary in that way. We’re all pioneering this new industry together and it’s exhilarating. Finally, getting to collaborate with so many talented people. Whether it’s teaming up with other bloggers on videos or posts, or getting to style, write and art-direct magazine covers and spreads, I love getting to work with other creatives. Of course, my favorite collaborator is my resident photographer (and hubby) Fred Baby. Working together is a dream come true.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I have no idea and I like it that way! Blogging as a career didn’t even exist when I was in college, but if I still get to create everyday (whether it’s blogging, writing books, art-directing campaigns, or designing a product line), I’ll be one lucky lady. And as long as my Fred Baby is happy and by my side (okay, and Swannie Golightly too), I’ll be set.
In your opinion, what separates a great blog from an unsuccessful blog?
A strong point of view, pretty pictures, lots of personality, and passion.
Read more from the blog here: http://kellygolightly.com/
