{Community} Welcome Merrie of Petite Career Girl

I am so excited to announce the latest contributor to join Zadry, Sean and I here at Curvatude. Merrie is the curator of Petite Career Girl (soon to be Curves, Curls & Careers) and I love the perspective and vibe that I know she will contribute.

Jaye: Hi Merrie, How are you? I am so glad that you have decided to join the team.

Merrie: Hi Jaye. Me too!

Jaye: Tell me how Petite Career Girl came to be.

Merrie: I’ve always really been into fashion. I used to love reading fashion magazines and books about fashion. Then, when fashion blogs came on the scene, I got really into them. I started playing around with the idea of starting one because I thought it would be a lot of fun, but I didn’t have anyone to take my pictures.

Jaye: Ahh…picture taking..it can always be a challenge.

Merrie: Then one day, I was looking at one of my favorite blogger’s sites and noticed that she was holding a remote. A light bulb went off in my head and bam! Next thing you know I’ve got a blog and an expensive and very complicated camera – I was officially a blogger. LOL

Jaye:  LOL…yeah I have had mine for a few years now and still have moments when I just chuck it and use my iPhone.

Merrie:  Girl, you have no idea…the last time I’d used a camera that wasn’t a point and shoot was when you still had to develop the pics with chemicals.

Jaye:  Oh WOW! LOL…yeah that was a bit ago, We are totally dating ourselves. But so why did you decide to focus on the Career Girl angle?

Merrie:  Well, because I’ve always been petite and once I started working it became very difficult to find “off the rack clothing” that fit and was professional. (I’m 5’3″) It’s sort of easy to be petite in college, because all you need are jeans and casual dresses, but those won’t cut it for work.

Jaye:  True and so I can’t wait for you to share all your petite style tricks of the trade.

Merrie:  I invested a lot of time figuring how to alter my clothes and how to pick clothes that would fit off the rack, so I wanted to share that knowledge with everyone.

Jaye:  What one major thing do you wish brands that make petite clothing would do?

Merrie:  MAKE PETITE PLUS SIZES!!! Sorry for all caps, but I can’t emphasize how impossible it is for a petite woman larger than XL to get a blazer or sheath dress that fits properly.

Jaye:  Yes, I can imagine it is a big problem, that is why I was excited when I saw that you were addressing it. What are you go to stores?

Merrie:  When I was still in corporate america, I could fit into Ann Taylor and Banana Republic and they were my “go-to” stores. I’m blogging full time now, so I don’t need a lot of work clothes. Plus, I can still wear a XLP, so I hit up Old Navy hard!

Jaye:  I do Old Navy a lot also. Especially workout gear.

Merrie:  Yes, they really do a good job with exercise clothes (which they also sell in petites online).

Jaye:  Now, What is the one thing that people ask all the time that brings out the major eye rolls?

Merrie:  LOL I was afraid you would ask me that. I think the “is that your real hair” is the one that bugs me the most.

Jaye:  People ask you that a lot? In person or online?

Merrie:  In person. Thankfully never online.

Jaye:  And how do you respond.

Merrie:  I usually answer truthfully and say ‘yes’ although occasionally I’ll follow up with “what about you? is that yours?”

Jaye:  LOL.

Merrie:  And for one second I’ll see the look of confusion cross their face before they tell me that it is theirs. At that point, I think they realize that no one likes being asked that question.

Jaye:   LOL. I love it. People can be so extra. Hopefully they realize how silly it is. Sighhhh.

What “Fall Fashion” are you most looking forward to?

Merrie:  Teal, teal and more teal!

Jaye:  I love teal, I just ordered this faux leather teal skater dress from Ashley Stewart (which keeps coming up with everyone I talk to).

Merrie:  I love that they brought that color out for fall. I will wear or buy anything in that color LOL.

Jaye:  Yes, they have it in three colors, black, marsala and teal and since I don’t own much teal, I went with it. I hope I love it. Some faux leather fails tho.

Merrie:  True, but they’ve been stepping up the quality lately. Like that green skirt you had on your site today…the textured print made it look very luxe.

Jaye:  Yes, that skirt is so AWESOME. And yes for the most part, brands are getting it right but when they get it wrong, it’s painful.

Why did you decide to come on board & join our team?

Merrie:  Because one of my main goals is to help women feel comfortable in their bodies and I think that finding fashion you love is a big part of that. Your site sends the same message to people. Plus I like your clothes 🙂 and I get to meet new people…it’s a win win!.

Jaye:  Aww thanks and I agree. Some people try to downplay it but having clothes that make you feel good effects everything about you. It’s really important. And YES, total win, win on both ends.

And finally, I like to end on this fun question, If you were a piece of fruit, what would you be?

Merrie:  Grapes…because they are sweet and yummy (ok, maybe take the ‘yummy’ part out..lol).

Jaye:  LOL

Merrie:  What about you? What fruit would you be? Heheehe

Jaye:  So funny, no one ever asks me LOL. Hmmm.

Merrie:  Actually, considering all the candy I eat, I probably am yummy.

Jaye:  LOL…love chocolate but I would be a watermelon. It is my favorite fruit
It’s colorful and can be turned into so many other delicious things that I love, like smoothies and blends really well in drinks, which I REALLY love!

Merrie:  Ahh ok. Watermelon is good…hmm you are making me think about spiked watermelon slushies.

Jaye:  Now you see why I chose it LOL So good..

Merrie:  Suddenly I want a drink.

Jaye:  LOL..You and me both and all we have is pumpkin stuff, although I am not complaining LOL.

Thanks Merrie, I am so excited to have you join the team!

Merrie: Me too! super excited and I’m so glad you asked me to join. I think we are all going have a lot of fun!

I know we are going to have a lot of fun and I hope that you, dear readers will join in on it with us!