Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I am originally from a very small and rural town in the state of Vermont. And when I say small, I mean it. My home town has approximately 2,000 people in it. As my Dad always says, it’s the kind of town where everyone knows what everyone is doing, but we read the newspaper to find out who got caught. Yes, my Dad is a funny dude. Or at least he thinks he is funny. I went to high school in a neighboring town (of approximately 6,000 people), and there were 94 people in my graduating class. Yes, I am a small town girl through and through.
I currently live in the Bay Area of California after a four year stint in Boston. When I first moved out here I lived in San Francisco, but with my small town roots, I craved something a bit more suburban and moved down to the South Bay after a year, to San Jose. Now I have split the difference and live between San Jose and San Francisco.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to college at Boston University and graduated in 2007. I absolutely loved it there. The school is fantastic and I had an amazing experience. Though I will be paying student loans for the rest of my life, it was worth every penny and I do not regret a minute of it. As for what I studied, well that is an interesting question. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (and a minor in History). What does that mean, you ask? Basically I studied the history of religion. It is absolutely fascinating, and though it may not be the most practical degree (right up there with Philosophy), I learned how to read, write and think critically, so it was quite worth it to me.
Do you ever want to go back to school? And if so, for what?
Absolutely! When I graduated in 2007 I knew that I would eventually continue my education. However, at the time of graduation I was ready for a break from homework and studying, as well as unsure of what I would go back to school. Over the last four years I have thought a lot about what I want to do. For awhile I considered Nursing, but my fear of vomit quickly crushed that idea. I thought about Law School, but then I took the LSAT and realized it wasn’t something I was interested in. There was even a time where I considered getting my MBA. Finally after a lot of back and forth, I have decided, who cares about practicality, I want to study what interests me and will get me excited. Eventually I will go back to school to get my PhD in Anthropology. History, sociology and the study of religion and cultures? Yes please.
Do you have a job? What is it?
I do have a daily job. While I know the 9-5 grind is not for everyone, for me it works, at least until I go back to school and can then spend the rest of my life buried in books and research. For the last four years I have been working in the Video Game industry, first as an Associate Producer, and now as a Community Manager. It has it’s moments where it is fun and interesting, but it is not as glamorous as it sounds. It can be a cut throat world, with long hours and low pay. It definitely works for now though!
Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend?
I am not married, though I do want to be someday. However, for now I am in no rush and am happy where I am. Yes, I do have a boyfriend (who I occasionally mention on the blog), and I am quite happy with him. He really values his privacy, which I respect, so all I can say is that his name is Alex, and he is older than me, and is awesome.
What do you blog about? What kind of blog is this?
Though I don’t like to classify it, if I had to, I would say this is a Personal Lifestyle Blog. I blog about a little bit of everything. Fashion/style, travel, movies, television, food, health, animals. You name it and I will probably blog about it, if I haven’t already. And I am always looking for new things to blog about, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!
I see lots of pictures you have taken on your blog. What kind of camera do you use?
My camera is a Panasonic Lumix FZ40. It is a really high end point and shoot. Basically a step before a DSLR. It is a fantastic camera. The auto-mode is phenomenal, better than any camera I have ever seen, including a DSLR. If you want you can get fancy with manual settings, but 90% of the time, auto, or presets will do the trick the best. I highly recommend it for those who want high quality pictures, but aren’t ready for a DSLR.
My boyfriend also has a Canon T1i DSLR, and some of the pictures here are taken with that. We are both still learning how to use it, so the pictures aren’t always the best, but I am sure we will get better with time. Practice makes perfect.
So you say you like fashion, what would you describe your personal style as?
Fashion/style is a very new world to me, and I am still finding my way in it. Off the top of my head, I would say preppy casual. I like to be comfortable, but look polished. My favorite pieces of clothing are perfectly fitting jeans, Chuck Taylors, and a properly fitting button down shirt. I am starting to wear more dresses though, and am always looking to expand my wardrobe.
What is your favorite clothing designer? Shoe designer?
I actually don’t really have one. I have never been one for high fashion or designer labels. In fact, to me, most of the clothes look ridiculous, and are far too expensive for my budget. Many of my clothes are thrifted/second-hand. Those I do buy new I tend to get from “fast-fashion” places such Forever 21, and department stores like Target, JC Penny, and Macy’s. I also like to shop at Express, New York & Company, and when I can afford it, J.Crew. Jeans are about the only thing I will splurge on, mostly because it is hard to find a pair that fit perfectly, so I am willing to go the extra mile.
For shoes, I am all about comfort and practicality. I don’t like to put myself through pain, so this means I wear a lot of flats, and sneakers. I rarely pay attention to the designer of a shoe. Yes, I know what Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks and Christian Louboutins are, but I have zero interest in owning a pair. For me, Converse are my favorite shoe designers. I also enjoy Seychelles, Nine West, Steve Madden, and anyone who makes Oxfords.
How much do you spend on clothes per month?
Not a lot. Though I have a steady and well paying job, thanks to my student loans and adult bills, I don’t have a lot of leftover money after I pay my bills each month. Most of what I do have goes towards food, or into my savings. I would say on an average, I spend no more than $100 per month on clothes and shoes. Though, since I mostly buy through thrift stores and consignment shops, this amount can go a long way towards building my wardrobe.
What are your top five beauty products?
- Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation – Hands down number one is Bare Minerals Foundation. I do not leave the house without applying it. It not only gives me the perfect complexion, but it helps my skin get and stay healthy.
- Urban Decay Naked Eye Palette – This eye palette comes a close second. If I don’t wear eyeshadow I look exhausted. The Naked palette has the perfect colors for every day wear. There is a reason this thing is sold out everywhere.
- Blistex Herbal Answer Chapstick – I am not a lipstick person, I only wear it on average once every two weeks, but I must always have a chapstick on me. I prefer Blistex and I have a tube in my purse and my backpack, that way I am never without it.
- Nivea Essentially Enriched Skin Lotion – My skin is prone to being quite dry. When this happens, this lotion from Nivea can be a life-saver. It is extremely think and moisture-rich, but it does not leave me feeling greasy and gross.
- Benefit “Coralista” Blush – When I used to not wear foundation I would never wear blush, as my cheeks were natural rosy. Once I started using foundation on a daily basis, I realized how pale I look without the blush, and thus went searching for the perfect one. I found it in Benefit’s Coralista blush, which is a perfect coral-pink. I like it because one or two sweeps of it and it is perfect, and isn’t too bright. You can build it up if you would like a more pronounced look, however.
It appears that you really like movies and television. What are your top five movies and tv shows?
- Movies: Schindler’s List, The Notebook, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Iron Man, Super Troopers
- TV Shows: Friends, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Dexter, Bones
What are your political views, and are you religious?
I put this one on here, not because I want to be controversial, but because I want to be honest, and because both of these are crucial elements of who I am. For more political views, I am neither Democrat nor Republican. This does not mean I do not care about the government or my country, it simply means I do not agree with ALL of the beliefs and stances of these two parties. I can say that I am quite liberal, which is common being from the state of Vermont. I border on Socialist at times, but I tend to simply vote who I think will do the best job for the country. Each person is welcome to their own political beliefs, but please, do not push them upon me. I am up for friendly and academic debate. I am not up for mudslinging and name calling.
As for my religious beliefs, my time studying the religions of the world taught me one thing…All religions and lines of belief have a place in this world, people follow those religions for their personal reasons, and a person should never be judged for their religious beliefs. This also means that I do not want others to push their religious beliefs on me. For a long time I did not want to make a decision on where I stand, for fear of angering others, but after much thought, I can say that I am an atheist. Religion is not a part of my life, beyond my studies. I do not go to church, and I do not pray, though I will if another asks me to in a time of need. Please know that I am respectful of others’ beliefs at all times, and I expect the same from you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If there is something you are dying to know about me, send a question to me via my Ask Me page, or in an email to kate@kateolmstead.com. Additionally, you can also find me on Twitter.
I want to give a huge thank you to my dear friend Nick who not only hosts my site but is my go to person when it comes to maintaining the site, including asking endless questions about whether or not my layout looks good. I couldn’t do it without you, Nick.
