• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • Privacy Policy
  • PRESS
  • CATEGORIES
    • BEAUTY
    • FASHION
    • MOM LIFE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • GIFT GUIDES
    • RECIPES
    • TRAVEL
    • HEALTH & FITNESS
    • MENSWEAR
    • VIDEO
  • SHOP MY INSTAGRAM
    • GIFT GUIDES
  • TAHOE A-FRAME
  • ARCHIVE
  • DISCOUNT CODES

Just Add Glam

the San Francisco lifestyle blog by JENNIFER HENRY-NOVICH

May 30, 2017 / GLAM GIRLS COLLECTIVE

Glam Girls: Shawna from Shawna Leeann

Our first feature on the Glam Girls Collective comes from the sweet Shawna Leeann Rivera from Shawna Leeann.  This San Diego beauty features beautiful photography on her blog and keeps it real about investing in quality clothing over fast-fashion.  She’s also a barre instructor–one of my favorite workouts!  Check out our interview below.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started!  What inspires you?

I first started blogging in 2010 as an online diary of sorts to keep track of miscellaneous musings –most notably my (abysmal) dating life. In 2012, through the counsel and assistance of a tech-savvy friend, I purchased my own domain and Shawna Leeann was born. For the next three years, I continued to use the space primarily as a place to hold my personal essays, while also occasionally incorporating my love for fashion and personal style. On a whim, I began posting my “daily outfit,” which at the time was nothing more than an iPhone photo shot in my closet door’s full-length mirror, but to my surprise, it was well-received. I was shocked as anyone to learn that my readers actually wanted to know what I was wearing each day! It wasn’t until October of 2015 that I made the decision to transition Shawna Leeann from a space for my personal musings to a fashion and lifestyle blog focusing on my love for finding and celebrating one’s personal style. Thankfully, my dear husband jumped right on board with the endeavor and has become my personal photographer. He’s the mastermind behind all of my photographs!

One thing I am continually inspired by is the concept of a capsule wardrobe. For a time they got very trendy but I think it takes so much discipline and creativity to cultivate one well. While I’m not certain I could subscribe to the capsule philosophy in its purest form, I have recently tried to employ many of its principles to my shopping practices. Other than denim (which I’m not able to wear at my office), I do my best to purchase items I know I can remix in both my professional and weekend wardrobes. For its versatility, I tend to stick to a neutral color palette and before I purchase any item, I mentally pair it with at least three things in my current closet. This practice helps me avoid buying things just to buy them –or worse yet, just because they’re on sale. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I am starting to find myself willing to spend a little bit more money on a better made item that I know I’ll get a ton of wear out of rather than a piece of disposable clothing that may only last one cycle in the washing machine.

Ultimately my goal in sharing my personal style is to make others realize that it doesn’t take a celebrity-sized closet to look stylish –only a little ingenuity, a little creativity, and a commitment to remixing your pieces for every aspect of your busy life. 

Who are your role models and those you look up to?

My mom is and always will be my hero. She is my best friend and the most generous person I know. She has been my biggest cheerleader in every endeavor I’ve pursued and constantly inspires me to challenge myself by chasing new goals. Aside from my mother, I’d have to say Shauna Niequist, author of one of my favorite books, Bittersweet, is also someone I really admire. Aside from her clear literary talent, I love her entire outlook on life. She made me realize that there is beauty in being your most authentic self –flaws and all. One of my favorite quotes of hers inspires me to find the best in every situation –““When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”

As far as bloggers go, I really look up to Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam. I have been following her blog for years, back when it was just a hobby as she finished up college. Now she has over a million followers on Instagram! What she and her husband have accomplished in such a short time period is truly inspiring. You can tell they work extremely hard at creating content that is not only informative but visually stimulating. Their photography is hands down the best in the business. While I love Julia’s girlie girl style, I also love following her and Thomas’ trips around the world. My husband and I joke that we’d like to be them when we grow up.

What does women empowering women mean to you and how do you want to do your part?

When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing. Now seven years later, I still feel that way, just on a slightly lesser scale. Everything I have learned has been through trial and error, at the hands of Google, or most importantly, from the sweet advice of a blogger friend who most-likely once made the same mistake. Despite the clichés that girl-dominated fields are filled with cattiness, I have found quite the opposite to be true. There’s an undercurrent of “paying it forward” that I find in working with fellow bloggers. Most ladies remember what it was like when they first started out and how hard or discouraging the hustle could be. It has been so refreshing to find ladies with much larger blog and social media followings happily collaborate with me in the sole interest of having me succeed. I only hope on continuing to pay it forward when the opportunity arises for me.

How has beauty or personal style had an impact on your life, and what does it mean to you?

I wore a uniform for most of my adolescence so I feel like I didn’t really start the journey of finding my personal style until college. And even then, it was mostly just a rotating system of comfortable t-shirts and jeans. When I got my first real job at the age of 20, I knew I didn’t want to be another suit-wearing professional. I wanted to find a work style that still allowed for my personality to shine through. This may or may not have resulted in a few questionable years of sporting oversized flower pins (a la Miss Carrie Bradshaw) and unexpected color combinations but I look back on those times with fondness (and a good ol’ chuckle) because they allowed for me to experiment with clothes until I ultimately found a style that suits me best.

At the end of the day, I subscribe to the mantra that “life’s too short to wear boring clothes” and I truly believe that. It takes just as much effort to throw on an outfit that makes you feel meh about yourself as it does to slip into something that makes you feel like a million bucks. There’s no reason that you can’t feel like a supermodel every time you get dressed. The key is about finding clothes that fit and flatter your body just as it is (because what it is is amazing!). Like many girls, I’ve struggled with distorted body image in my past. One way I’ve been able to overcome those feelings of self-doubt is by honing in on a personal style that celebrates what I like to think are the best parts of me. And for the record, that style is comprised mostly of frilled-sleeve blouses, wide-leg pants, midi-length skirts, and a palette of black, grey, white, and blue.

What are your “desert island” must have beauty products?

Having battled acne throughout my teens and young adult life, I feel like my beauty routine has evolved over the years. One staple that has not wavered in my makeup bag, however, is my L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in Carbon Black. I have used it since high school and it is still the best mascara I’ve ever found. Like half of America, I’m a huge fan of Glossier’s Boy Brow brow gel (I use the brown shade) and am happiest in a simple baby pink lip gloss, like Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Baby Doll. My make-up artist for my wedding turned me onto Tata Harper products and while they’re a splurge, the Resurfacing Mask is a GAME. CHANGER. Since my skin is so sensitive, I try to use all-natural products and I’ve found the Acure line (sold at Sprouts and Target!) is great at keeping my skin nourished and happy. I also believe that there isn’t anything coconut oil can’t resolve.

Find Shawna here

Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest

 

Next Post
Previous Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Ewa Macherowska says

    May 31, 2017 at 8:13 am

    Love your photos! 😉

    http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Kathryn says

    September 22, 2017 at 12:55 pm

    This is great! Love the idea. Did something similar myself on my old website and when I moved to a new one I lost all of my blog posts… love the idea of empowering other women. We are all just trying to make it happen!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I think about this ALL. THE. TIME. ✨ I think about this ALL. THE. TIME. ✨
✨ Harrison Finnley Michaels 12/8/2019 ✨ Three ✨ Harrison Finnley Michaels 12/8/2019 ✨
Three months with this little guy and our worlds are rocked. He’s gone from just opening his eyes to rolling over, pushing himself up, grabbing at toys (and my phone as I type this out). He loves to laugh and talk in his baby language all day long 🤣 and sleeps all through the night 🙌🏼 How did we get so blessed with him?! @kmichaels216
Wedding Bells 💍 We are finally diving into some Wedding Bells 💍
We are finally diving into some wedding planning after our engagement last year and not going to lie, it’s overwhelming! We are super laid back and are looking for something small to celebrate. For me, this day isn’t about a big, fancy dress, or hundreds of guests to entertain. It’s about spending time with Kevin and I together committing our lives to one another. I was recommended to check out @shutterfly’s The Wedding Shop and mocked up an invite in this beautiful botanical print perfectly personalized to us and our style. Love our custom candle (smells so good!) and champagne flutes too! Check out my stories for more behind the scenes of unpacking our wedding items and some close ups! #MyShutterfly (ad)
CATCHING UP, what do you have going on this week? CATCHING UP, what do you have going on this week?
• This morning I had an eye exam to check my contacts / glasses Rx. I shared new glasses on Stories but turns out the Rx was wrong in them. I’m TRYING to wear my glasses more around the house and splurged on a pair from @ysl hoping that would help me do it 🤣🤓
• I haven’t been a big concealer wearer but I’ve been testing out the @urbandecaycosmetics naked concealer and have been liking how light it feels on my skin (I’m wearing it here, dress is new from @urbanoutfitters!)
• A work-related project this week—I’m trying to get my inbox of 700 emails down to zero. My problem is that I’ll get an email with some great piece of info in it and think “oh this is great! I can’t work on this right now but I’ll save for when I can” and I mark it unread. Well over time that has added up to 700 😬 I’m thinking of tackling it by sorting through and noting down whatever idea it is in my notebook (paper planner for LIFE! 📒) to reference it and have them all in one place. Maybe this will work!
• I’m currently sitting here watching this little baby sleep and the whole “I want to eat this baby” thing is SO REAL. What is it about babies where it makes us say that?!? He loves his @bibs_usa and @mushie_co!
• I’m considering cutting 3-4 inches from my hair....but here’s the kicker...I have this weird urge to DO IT MYSELF. Maybe I don’t want to put it off until I can get an appointment but I just want to cut it now. Please you guys, talk me out of doing this with scissors in the bathroom 🤣✂️
• Kevin and I have been binge watching @abcscandal and it’s SO ADDICTING. If you haven’t watched it, join us on Netflix but don’t blame me when you’re 2 episodes past your bedtime 😜 we are currently on season 4 of 7!
• WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS WEEK???
NEW MOM FASHION AND BEAUTY HACKS: 💁🏼‍♀️
1️⃣ Style your hair once ride that beautiful hair through the week with minimal effort. I use the @t3micro curling wand on day 1 fresh hair to put a little curl in it. On days 2-4 I use dry shampoo—my favorite is @livingproofinc to soak up oil, and then on days 5+ when dry shampoo doesn’t cut it anymore I throw on a cute beanie
2️⃣ Still trying to “bounce back” (whatever that means...) after baby? Same mama, same. @spanx leather-look leggings suck it all in and help as a postpartum support during healing. Win win!
3️⃣ Duster coats are the ONLY thing I want to wear. Not only do they keep you cozy as we wait for spring, but having pockets is NECESSARY for me. Phone in one, pacifier in another, and whatever other random things I need to bring with me when my arms are full with a baby
4️⃣ Lots of undereye concealer for that 8 hours of sleep look. @tartecosmetics shape tape is a favorite but I’ve been testing out @urbandecaycosmetics stay naked concealer and really like it for more natural coverage
MAMAS, WEIGH IN: What are you mom fashion and beauty hacks?! #newmomhacks
Our morning walk ritual ☺️ It’s still been a Our morning walk ritual ☺️
It’s still been a bit chilly out in the mornings but that doesn’t stop us from bundling up (in matching hats no less!) and going for a walk around our neighborhood. Baby carrying is a wonderful thing once you get the hang of it! I love how it gives you a bit of a workout with the added weight of a baby (Harrison is 11lbs now!) and gives them a chance to look around with a different view than the stroller. I can’t wait until he’s big enough to be front facing and then he can really look out at the world. I’ve been using the @nuna_usa @potterybarnkids CUDL carrier (this fabric is the broken arrow caviar) and my favorite feature are the magnetic clips that automatically snap into place to hold baby snugly. #lovemypbk

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

ASOS

Target

Nordstrom

 

Take our Reader Survey

Categories

  • BEAUTY
  • BLOGGER TOOLS
  • FASHION
  • GIFT GUIDES
  • GLAM GIRLS COLLECTIVE
  • HOME
  • LIFESTYLE
  • MENSWEAR
  • MOM LIFE
  • RECIPES
  • TAHOE A-FRAME
  • TRAVEL
  • VIDEOS
  • WELLNESS

Archives

  • Email
  • YouTube

Shop my favorites

Copyright © 2021 · Just Add Glam · Designed by Bella Creative Studio