Got a question you've been dying to ask this fashion and beauty loving gal?
Email her: RunwayDaily@RunwayDaily.com
Welcome to RWD's About Page. Maybe you're popping by because you've been dying to put a face to the name and witty writing skills? Or quite frankly, maybe you're dying to find out how RWD got started? Are you wondering if this is a full time job or just something RWD does on the side? Read below to get the scoop on all things RWD.
What's your real name and what city do you call home?
Morgan Elizabeth Cullen (maiden name - Horner)...currently residing in Austin, Texas.
Where did you grow up and how far back can you track your love of fashion?
I grew up in Vero Beach, Florida. I am the second of four children. Another second...my parents as an awesome support system. The first? RWD hubby. Growing up I was always 'all about' fashion. It was my passion and one of the ways I expressed my creativity. I loved scouring Goodwill, Salvation Army and my grandmother's closet for that rare vintage find that no one else had. I will never forget showing up to the 8th grade dance donning the same dress as another attendee. It was devastating and I actually felt sick to my stomach. I never wanted to wear what everyone else was wearing. My parents have told me stories about 'tiny me' sporting seriously styled looks as far back as pre-school.
Do you have any formal fashion training or schooling?
Actually, yes and no. Yes to formal schooling in the form of a college degree. I have a Bachelors of Business Administration from Stetson University in Deland, Florida. I also played Division 1 soccer for Stetson and was a Tri Delta. I have no formal fashion design schooling but I have dabbled in different areas of fashion design during both my high school and college years. After designing my own wedding gown in April of 2006, I designed an entire Collection of contemporary and fashion-forward gowns shortly thereafter. I've had the chance to work with one-on-one with numerous brides to create their custom gown. I dream of one day creating a ready-to-wear dress collection or possibly an eco-friendly collection of beach/sun friendly pieces with an SPF factor incorporated into the fabric.
When, where and why was RWD born?
The hubby and I were living in St Thomas and I would devour fashion blogs daily. We literally had stacks and stacks of fashion magazines all over the condo too. One day I actually just told him that I knew all the upcoming trends way before other fashion bloggers even began to mention them. He then looked me dead in the eyes (it was the first week of September 2007) and said, 'What are you waiting for? Go for it, Mo!' That was all I needed to hear. After numerous days continually researching the pros and cons of all the different blogging platforms, I signed up with TypePad and the rest is history.
So growing up in Florida your entire life, then college...then you spent some time in St. Thomas and now you're in Austin, Texas. Am I missing anything?
Yep, you're missing a few years in between. This might be a long answer. So shortly after finishing my senior year at Stetson University, I moved to Manly Beach, Australia and lived/worked there for a year. It was an amazing and self-defining year for me. I lived with a local Australian woman who opened up her own life to me in so many wonderful ways. We are still very good friends. It was beyond empowering to travel, work and live in Australia and be completely by myself and single for the first time in my young adult life. I missed my family dearly but it was a pivotal time for self-exploration and sowing a few of my wild oats.
After a few month stint back at my parents home in Florida, I then headed to live with my cousin in St. Thomas. After being on St. Thomas for only three days, a certain extremely handsome Irishman caught my eye and the rest of that love story is history, folks! RWD Hubby and I were married in Vero Beach, Florida at McKee Botanical Gardens (yep, that's us) on April 8, 2006. We also spent two wonderful years living in San Francisco, California before moving to Austin in July of 2009. We absolutely adored living in San Francisco and miss all of our dear friends there but we are very happy owning our gorgeous home here in Austin and we so appreciate the affordability that Austin offers.
So back to blogging...you make it sound so easy. Is it? I've tried blogging and I literally lasted one week!
I love blogging, writing, sharing and expressing! I have an intense creative drive and this is a wonderful way for me to express my love for fashion and beauty on a daily basis. Do I get writer's block from time to time? Of course! Are there days when I just mentally need to take a break and step away from my computer? Absolutely! But when I wake up in the morning and I have a wonderful, positive or uplifting comment waiting for me...now that's what it's all about.
Ok, so walk me through a normal 'everyday' day for you?
Ha ha...that's a good one! Truly, no day is ever the same around CasaCullen! But there is some sort of morning routine that I can attempt to explain. RWD Hubby is up and at 'em pretty early and I usually get up around 7:30/8am. Hubby makes our morning coffee because he always makes it perfectly. He's usually out the door and on his way to work somewhere around 8 and that's when I sit down to start formulating my daily posts and begin writing. I've recently been working from our new sectional in the tv room and Zola the Yorkie is always hanging out, attempting to be my hairy helper. My morning tv routine usually rotates between Regis and Kelly, The View, Ellen and the Food Network.
So does that mean you get everything done in the morning?
I usually aim to have both posts done on RWD and CasaCullen before noon. I'm also working on some other business projects so I've dedicated my afternoon to those and any extra time I have I utilize for making both sites more user friendly for my readers.
Is this your full time job? Do you do anything else?
Actually, if you want to know the truth, the hours I put in are more than most full time jobs. Many evenings I have to make myself close my computer at about 6:30pm to get dinner ready. After dinner we either watch a movie, take Zola for a walk, catch up on our fave DVR'd shows or hop into bed early and read. Usually 2 nights a week I'll re-open my trusty MacBook Pro and do a few more hours of work. I've even been known to gather all the info for my next day's post all laid out and ready to go. This saves me about an hour the following morning.
So the big question, where do you see RunwayDaily in ten years?
Oh my goodness, I have so many different visions about where I want RWD to go in the coming years! I can't give away all my secrets but I can tell you that RWD will be launching a sister shopping site in the coming months. I'm also currently talking to numerous Austin area companies/publications about wardrobe and accessory styling for upcoming photo-shoots and editorial spreads so I know I'll be adding that component to growing list of creative endeavors.
And lastly, are you still modeling and acting? I know I've seen some mentions on RWD in the past.
Absolutely! I've recently signed with Acclaim Talent here in Austin, Texas and have been attending quite a few auditions and have had some call-backs. I find that acting and modeling are another way for me to express my creativity and meet other creative people. The acting and modeling communities have always been open, warm and welcoming in all the cities I've lived in so I'm eager to get my feet wet here in Austin, too!
Got a question you've been dying to ask RunwayDaily? Email her: RunwayDaily@RunwayDaily.com
