The Girl Behind The Blog

by Rachel McCarthy
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Happy Friday Eve, friends! Today’s post is a little different from the ones I usually share and something that I have been meaning to compile for a while. With so many new faces around the blog, I wanted to share a more personal post: the girl behind the blog. 

Having an online life is funny: you can read blog posts everyday and feel like you really know someone without having met them in person. I have “met” so many wonderful people and friends through A Blonde’s Moment, but I’ve actually only met about a handful in person! If you aren’t in the blogging community, I’m sure this sounds absolutely, positively insane!

 My goal for ABM is to create a little spot on the Internet where anyone can come and find inspiration — whether it be fashion, food or anything else — and have a virtual friend to bounce ideas off of.  I feel like I may mention some personal things, like weekend plans or other things I am up to, but there is still a lot that you probably don’t know about me. Needless to say, as a virtual friend, it’s time that we get acquainted! If you would like to play along, tell me something I don’t know about you in the comments section below!
Ok, here we go!
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Why did you start a blog?
A Blonde’s Moment started off as a way to keep up with family in Ohio. We were living outside D.C. and it was an easy way to share what we were doing, what I was cooking and what new clothes I had found. My day job is spent working with legislation (more on that later) and ABM is a creative outlet that allowed me to share and express everything I love, including fashion, food, cooking, exercise and anything that happens to be pink. Yes, A Blonde’s Moment is my creative outlet. I know, how many times have you heard that from a blogger? It really is true though! 
I took a Web 2.0 class my senior year of college to learn all about “the wave of the future” aka blogs and social media. It counted towards my English minor and my friend and I often referred to it as “Facebook class” because it seemed like such a ridiculous class to have in college! Obviously, I regret that comment! It’s ironic how things have turned out. If you would have told me that today I would be using what I learned in that class 7 years ago, I would have thought you were crazy. And if I could count the number of times I have said “I wish I would have started my blog in 2010” I would probably be in triple digits by now.



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Where did the name “A Blonde’s Moment” come from?
I will never forget the moment I thought of my blog’s name: I was driving home from work, stuck in traffic (welcome to Washington, D.C.) and brainstorming ideas. I had always felt there was a lot of repetition and similarities in so many of the blog’s names, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted this space to be a place where I could share anything and everything and really did see the opportunity as a “moment” of sharing. And if you notice the placement of the possessive “blonde’s”, I like to think this blog is a place where I can share all my moments, whether it be fashion, food, beauty, or anything else. I have always hated the reputation blonde’s get and by using this name, it was a positive spin on a not so positive saying. Although, I can’t say I’ve never had a blonde moment 😉

What is your full-time job?
As a political science major in college, I knew I was going to move to the Washington, D.C. area as soon as I graduated. Thankfully, I was able to find a job and moved just outside the city the summer after graduating. I work as a legislative analyst in Arlington where I spend my days reading, interpreting and summarizing each state’s laws, regulations and recently introduced legislation. You can see why I needed a creative outlet!

Where are you from?
I grew up in a small town in Ohio, I went to college in Pittsburgh and now live in Northern Virginia! 

Who takes your pictures? 
My husband takes the majority of my pictures and when he is too busy with work, my mom takes them. They are by no means professional photographers. It’s been a learning process for all three of us, with lots of reading and watching of YouTube videos!

Favorite food? 
Avocados and pasta, and sometimes together. 

Current exercise? 
I love running (I’ve run three half marathons!), Pure Barre and recently started BBG. Let me tell you, I like to think of myself as a pretty fit person, but BBG is no joke! I will be sharing my experience in a fitness post in the coming months. 
A few fun facts: 

I’m an only child.

My husband and I grew up in the same town (he’s 4 years older), 5 miles from each other, but only met when he moved back to Ohio from D.C. to run for State Representative. I had just completed my sophomore year of college and was in Ohio for the summer, volunteered to help on his campaign and became his campaign manager. He likes to say that he lost the election but won me haha!

I played Division 1 tennis in college (GO DUKES!) and hold the record for most wins in school history. 

Ella is our cute, 15 pound puppy that we treat like a human. She will be 5 years old in March and is a Maltese/Yorkie mix.

I was 23 when my husband and I got married. We were married on May 21, 2011 — the day the world was supposed to end haha!

I can’t live without coffee. The darker and bolder the better, and no cream. Unless it’s a cortado 😉

….

Thanks for stopping by! I will be announcing the winner of the $25 Nordstrom gift card in Monday’s post. There is still time to fill out the reader survey and enter your e-mail for a chance to win — you can fill out the survey here. 

26 thoughts on “The Girl Behind The Blog”

  3. What a cool post! It's amazing what a variety of careers bloggers have, our careers might be so different from what we blog about!
    Kelsey
    acupofteawithkelsey.blogspot.com

  5. I loved getting to know you better! That's so awesome that you played tennis in college and that you still hold a school record! Blogging really is so weird because I really do feel like I know you and other bloggers, even though we've never met in real life. Obviously when I make it back to DC, that will have to change!

  8. Omg I love this! Loved learning so much about you! I never knew what you did for a living!Sounds so cool! My cousin and my husband's best friend live in Arlington! Its so pretty up there! So cute how you and your husband met too!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

  9. I loved reading this, Rachel! It's so fun learning about our fellow internet friends! It's funny, because I'm working on this same type of post for next month, and I really like how you used the black and white shots. They are perfect! And cute story about your wedding date too. Looks like it turned out to be the perfect day after all 🙂

    Shauna

    http://www.lipglossandlace.net

  11. Rachel… just more reasons to love you!!! I didn't remember you are an only child, I am too!!! And a Poli Sci minor. I taught HS Govt. And wow were you ever fierce on the court!!! Your pics are gorgeous and I love how supportive your man is of the blog. Sometimes I tell my husband, I like my blog friends better than ones here, lol….bloggers just "get it!" Have a wonderful weekend beautiful babe!!

  16. This was so fun to read, Rachel! I loved getting to know you more! I had no idea you worked in politics — I can definitely see why you needed this blog too. 😉 You and Ella are such cuties!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

  17. What a fun post! I definitely know what you mean about feeling as though you "know" so many people online whom you've actually never met in person before. I love your site and your content and approach does indeed come off as a friend sharing her favorite finds and experiences. Omg, how cool is that how you and your hubby met! I too love avocados and pasta and sometimes together lol, as well as my coffe bold and strong! I've never taken a BBG class before. In fact, I've never even heard of it before, but now you have me curious! Thanks so much for sharing more about yourself, it truly is a fun and great read! Have a wonderful weekend, beauty!

    Xo,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

  18. Rachel!! I just LOVED reading this post! Your dog Ella is the cutest, and I had no idea that you work as a legislative analyst! That's impressive! I actually worked in the government field myself (for years) until I left to pursue blogging full-time! I really enjoy your blog so much, I think you are fabulous and SO talented! I hope we get to meet one day in person because like you said I feel like I've known you for ages!
    Have a wonderful weekend, love!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com

  24. Your job sounds so interesting! I work in the legal field too so my blog is totally my creative outlet!! That's awesome about holding that record at your school!

  26. I'm so impressed with your tennis skills!! That's AWESOME!! I played D3 tennis for a brief moment in time and definitely didn't set any impressive records. Maybe some completely unimpressive ones. 😉 I can TOTALLY see why you need a creative outlet but I appreciate the work you put into your day job! 😉

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