Personal
How old are you?
I’m 31!
What sizes do you wear?
This is a tough one- it varies a lot depending on the store! However, on average I wear:
Tops/Dresses: Small
Sports Bras: Medium/Large
Bottoms: 26/Small
Shoes: 9.5/10
How tall are you?
5’6″
What do you do for a living?
Currently I’m a Software Consultant specializing in custom Salesforce implementations. I also run The Hashtag Company, a consulting firm where I provide web design, software, and digital marketing consulting.
How did you meet your fiancé Stephen?
Stephen and I met on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel in 2016. On our first date, we went to a local sports bar and ordered the same entrée and craft beer. We’ve been inseparable ever since!
How did he propose?
It was the final night of one of our Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. I had just killed the final boss. Our DM offered me a small gold chest as a reward. When I opened it, I saw a beautiful diamond ring inside- and Stephen kneeling right next to me! He asked me to marry him, and I said yes! We celebrated with our friends after.
Health & Fitness
What type of diet do you follow?
I don’t follow any specific diet at the moment. Overall, I try to eat 80% clean or whole foods, and 20% “fun” foods. I also eat about .8 pounds of protein per pound of body weight per day to maintain muscle mass. When traveling, I (mostly) eat whatever I want!
I have a lot of food allergies, so I can’t eat peanuts or tree nuts. I’m also gluten intolerant, so I limit my intake of gluten to special occasions.
What’s your workout plan?
I switch up my workout plan every few months. Currently, I’m lifting weights 4 days per week. Two of those days are leg days while the other 2 are upper body.
I also do a little bit of cardio every day. Because I get bored easily, I like to switch between different types. My most common cardio is using my spin bike while playing video games or jogging with my dog!
Beauty
Do you wear hair extensions?
I sure do! Right now I wear hand-tied wefts from Halo Couture that were custom styled by Patty at Hair by PV. In the past, I’ve worn Natural Beaded Rows and clip-in extensions.
Do you do your hair and makeup every day?
Definitely not- I’m too lazy! I do my makeup 2-3 days per week. I tend to “stack” content creation on those days to save time.
Blogging
Why did you decide to rebrand your blog?
Originally when I began blogging, I created the brand “Ciao by Shay.” While that was a great introduction to blogging, I focused too much on posting daily outfits instead of creating content that could inspire and educate others. I began to feel “empty” and wanted to create content with more meaning.
Happy Healthy Stylish was the result!
What inspired you to start blogging?
Honestly, it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was in college. I’ve tried to start a blog several times over the last 10 years, but kept chickening out. In August 2019, Stephen finally pushed me to take the leap!
Another reason I started a blog was to help overcome my fears. I’m a naturally private person. Blogging has helped me open up and learn to share more of myself with others.
Who takes your photos?
Almost all of my outfit photos are taken by Stephen, while all other photos (travel, beauty, etc.) are taken by me.
What camera do you use?
Currently, all of my photos are shot on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. I’m hoping to invest in a “real” digital camera soon!
What software do you use to edit your photos?
I typically use Adobe Lightroom, but I have been known to use Photoshop once or twice to remove lipstick from my teeth.
Do you earn money from your blog?
I sure do! Whenever you buy products listed under “Shop the Post”, I earn a small commission. I also earn money through LIKEtoKNOW.it and brand partnerships.
Just a note- whenever I partner with a brand on a post, I’ll tell you! I’m very selective about the brands I work with. I won’t ever promote a company or product that I wouldn’t personally spend money on even if we weren’t collaborating.
When I was younger, I went through a period where I spent a lot of time on social media. I was easily “influenced” to buy a lot of products that I thought would make me happy. However, I didn’t need any of these things and, truth be told, I couldn’t really afford them. I put myself in a ton of debt that took years to pay off.
I am passionate about ensuring that I don’t influence others to make the same mistakes I did. While I’m grateful every time you use one of my commission links, please be mindful about your purchases. If you can’t afford something, don’t feel pressured to buy it!
I truly want to inspire you to lead your best life, and you don’t need to buy tons of material goods to do so.