Everyone has their favorite blogger, but who knew there were bloggers making a name for themselves right at the College of Charleston? Senior, Victoria Futrell, is doing just that with her blog, Coastal Comfort Life + Style. This Ohio native majoring in architectural preservation and community planning and business has transformed her passions into a creative space and created her own brand that many students identify with. What does she have to say to her fellow collegiettes about her blog, life and future? Find out in our exclusive interview with this Charleston blogger.
Marissa: What made you want to start your blog? What inspired you?
Victoria: I’m one of those people that’s inspired by almost anything. It’s in my blood to gravitate toward great design and creativity in general. Over the years, especially during my time in college, blogging has become extremely popular. I always find myself sharing little life instructions and style with people, so one day I decided to start a blog and go at it in full force! I wanted to share things that inspire me everyday and just give a “tell all” about what friends and family would ask me on a daily basis.
Victoria shows off her style and go-to pieces of her wardrobe on her blog as well as where to buy them.
M: What is the focus of your blog?
V: When I first started blogging, I actually only wanted to focus on fashion. Although I have stronger passions in life, fashion has always kept me sane. I have better days when I dress like a productive & professional human being, and my creative mind gets a workout when I shop/put patterns & styles together. On top of that, I’ve always been a person who will save money in any way possible, and wanted to share my way of doing so, while still buying quality items.
I took a break for a little while with my blog, and then came back at it with a completely new twist. What most followers didn’t know is that I am also a freelance graphic designer/website & social media manager/small business consultant. I have always done this work under the radar and decided to start showcasing it, along with more about my life + style. My blog went from Coastal Comfort Blog to Coastal Comfort Life+Style, and for me, the name is extremely significant because it encompasses all that I love. I’m a coastal girl at heart, with a passion to have a healthy life and good style that’s all easily in reach.
M: Is your blog something you’re wanting to keep up with in the future/use in your future career?
V: I would LOVE to keep this blog and turn it into my full time job. I’d like to think that my new updated blog is mostly to post fun content that is easy to follow, while really promoting my freelance business and services though. So I guess that my main goal would be to turn that into my full time job, while continuing to create content that is inspirational, helpful, and fun! I follow a ton of bloggers and it always amazes me that they’ve turned what they love into a business, simply by sharing it with the world!
M: What is your favorite content to post?
V: I post all of the different topics I do for a good reason. Switching it up keeps me on my toes and loving the excitement of it all! But I must say, I LOVE showcasing interior design, decorating tips, and all things home. That’s my true passion in life (it always has been) and one day I hope to restore old homes that most people would ignore.
Victoria took on ‘buddha bowls’ recently on her blog to show off her favorite snack.
M: Why should collegiettes follow your blog?
V: I think Coastal Comfort Life+Style gives a ton of advice on healthy living & eating, and finding yourself through creative inspiration like fashion, food, and home decor. It’s extremely hard, as collegians, to do these things because we’re often on a tight budget and what seems like little time. My blog (hopefully) shows college women how to make time for the small stuff, because in life, the details really do matter–especially when it comes to your health and lifestyle.
M: What is something you think all college women should know about starting a blog/advice for starting a blog? Why should they (or shouldn’t) they start a blog?
V: For me, starting my blog was all about having a creative outlet and a way to relax. I know it may sound crazy, because planning content and writing it out/taking pictures can actually take a lot of time, but writing about things I love puts me in such a safe place and allows me to focus my energy on the good in life and helping others. My piece of advice would be to really have a set plan when you start a blog. What is your underlying theme/purpose? What days are you going to post on? It’s very important to be consistent, have the same setup in each blog post, and have a creative, easy-to-navigate theme on your website. You want to look professional even if you don’t know what you’re doing! PS – spend the money and make sure you buy a domain!
I offer a lot of blogging help and website management to start-ups, so anyone could always reach out to me to learn more: victoria@coastalcomfortlifestyle.com.
Victoria’s love for design came out in her blog post about how she decorated her apartment.
M: What is something, in general, that you think all college women should know?
V: I think all college women, whether bloggers or not, should find what they love and pursue it. Sometimes I think it is so weird to write to this “space” called the Internet, not knowing who will come across my words. At the end of the day, however, a lot of women I know tell me how inspiring it is that I put myself out there, take care of my body, showcase my designs, and take the time to do what I love.
M: As a senior, what advice do you have for students as they start to decide what they want to do with their lives and start to pursue their passions?
V: I think that students need to do what they love with full force. The “system,” meaning college, has a way of making students think there’s an order to life. It’s never too early to take an internship (or start working full time), travel, and treat yourself because of all your hard work. I often feel like an outsider because I work more than I’m in school, and for a great real-estate management company too! But I wouldn’t trade getting to say “I’m already working where I want to work after graduation” for the world. It’s liberating to create your own schedule, make your own money, and learn what kind of lifestyle you can afford. You’re only young once so you might as well make the most of it instead of sitting around waiting for a certain date (graduation, senior year, etc.) to take a step forward toward your passions.
Follow along with Victoria’s blog on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
All photos courtesy of Victoria Futrell.