From big, bold hair to bright, fun lip hues, Mattie James of Mattieologie has got the art of stylishly commanding attention down pat. In addition to beauty and outfit posts, the Atlanta-based blogger shares her shopping hauls, creates tutorials and teaches readers how to treat their own blogs like a business—something she knows well, having used her blog to secure partnerships with brands like Macy’s, H&M and RACHEL Rachel Roy; as well as to gain a coveted position as style editor of CocoaFab.com. Keep reading to find out why Mattie blogs and how she finds balance between work and being a wife and mom.
Mattie, tell us who you are and a bit about what you do.
I'm always the girl who believes in living what she loves. I'm Chris' wife and Maizah's mom. I'm the blogger behind Mattieologie and I also freelance write and host. To be honest, I'm all of those things - wife, mom, blogger, writer, host - it's hard to "separate" or isolate one of them because I love doing...being all of those things. So I created a way to make a living doing all of them.
What inspired you to begin blogging at Mattieologie?
It was escapism at the time. I was in retail management and HATED it. Honestly, I wouldn't wish retail on a war criminal. But I had this idea to start my own blog after reading lots of them like Concrete Loop, Nicole Bitchie, Nitro:licious & others. It really started as a way to get out ideas and share what inspired me.
“With so much on my plate, I fall short on at least one thing everyday. And you know what? That's okay.”
Is blogging your full time occupation?
I approach it that way, but I have a "regular" 9 to 5. I'm a showroom manager for a home decor company. And I'm also the style editor for CocoaFab.com.
Was your blog an asset in getting the job as style editor for CocoaFab?
Absolutely. I tell people this all the time: "your blog is your resume". And it really is. Angela - who is the co-founder of the site - reached out to me about the position because she loved Mattieologie. A year and a half later, not only do I write for the site, I also host their pop culture webshow, The Countdown. You never who’s watching you, so producing great content for my blog has paid off in many ways.
How do you balance work and blogging duties with being a wife and a mommy?
Balance. LOL. What a unicorn. I mean I really try my best - like all of the fabulous working moms and wives out there - but the truth is with so much on my plate, I fall short on at least one thing everyday. And you know what? That's okay. You work hard and keep going because tomorrow's another day. I use Google calendar for everything and I have a physical calendar to write things down. It tends to help me remember things better. And I have to give a lot of credit to my husband. Having a great partner in life and business makes me look waaaaaay more "together" than I actually am.
How has motherhood influenced your personal style?
It's certainly made it more practical. I pay a lot more attention to silhouettes and lean on the side of neutral colors. I still love an in-your-face print or color, but I give that to you in conversation pieces or a little pop via my lipstick or nail color.
Let's talk beauty. Do you have an everyday skincare and beauty routine? If yes, please walk us through it.
I do. I wash my face with a vitamin C cleanser to keep my skin bright and tight. The JASON Super-C Cleanser is excellent. I try my best to exfoliate twice a week especially because I have larger pores and oily skin. I go back and forth between the LUSH Dark Angels scrub and the GlamGlow POWERMUD DualCleanse treatment. I'm seriously obsessed with those two products. I'm a drugstore beauty buff so I really enjoy the St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer. It’s very much a cold cream. I also cannot get enough of the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. So fantastic and doubles as a primer before you apply makeup. I don't wear make up everyday but when I do its very much camera ready. I swear by Maybelline's FIT foundation and concealer because they are just as good as any department store makeup brand. Milani has great bronzers and lipstick that I swear by. Wet N Wild has the BEST liquid eyeliner. Their MegaLiner eyeliner is nothing short of superb. And as far as eyebrows are concerned, Anastasia Brow Wiz (in Brunette) is the greatest eyebrow pencil on the face of the Earth.
What seasonal lip colors have currently got you swooning?
Obsessed with the new Milani matte lipsticks!!!! The Matte Orchid and Matte Glam are my faves.
What three products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you just can't live without?
Glossier Priming Moisturizer
MAC Lip Liner in "Soar"
Anastasia Brow Wiz in "Brunette
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us--what's next for Mattieologie?
I have some really great content coming up on Mattieologie! I've been creating much more content for my YouTube channel and lifestyle content on the blog. But I get questions all the time for blogging and branding tips so I've been creating posts to answer those questions as well. I'm also working on curriculum for blogging and branding to offer readers to help them with their blogs and/or small businesses. That will be available on Mattieologie in March. And of course, check out "The Countdown" on CocoaFab.com!
You can learn more about Mattie, and dive into her posts at Mattieologie.com. Connect with Mattie on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Mattie, tell us who you are and a bit about what you do.
I'm always the girl who believes in living what she loves. I'm Chris' wife and Maizah's mom. I'm the blogger behind Mattieologie and I also freelance write and host. To be honest, I'm all of those things - wife, mom, blogger, writer, host - it's hard to "separate" or isolate one of them because I love doing...being all of those things. So I created a way to make a living doing all of them.
What inspired you to begin blogging at Mattieologie?
It was escapism at the time. I was in retail management and HATED it. Honestly, I wouldn't wish retail on a war criminal. But I had this idea to start my own blog after reading lots of them like Concrete Loop, Nicole Bitchie, Nitro:licious & others. It really started as a way to get out ideas and share what inspired me.
“With so much on my plate, I fall short on at least one thing everyday. And you know what? That's okay.”Is blogging your full time occupation?
I approach it that way, but I have a "regular" 9 to 5. I'm a showroom manager for a home decor company. And I'm also the style editor for CocoaFab.com.
Was your blog an asset in getting the job as style editor for CocoaFab?
Absolutely. I tell people this all the time: "your blog is your resume". And it really is. Angela
How do you balance work and blogging duties with being a wife and a mommy?
Balance. LOL. What a unicorn. I mean I really try my best - like all of the fabulous working moms and wives out there - but the truth is with so much on my plate, I fall short on at least one thing everyday. And you know what? That's okay. You work hard and keep going because tomorrow's another day. I use Google calendar for everything and I have a physical calendar to write things down. It tends to help me remember things better. And I have to give a lot of credit to my husband. Having a great partner in life and business makes me look waaaaaay more "together" than I actually am.
How has motherhood influenced your personal style?
It's certainly made it more practical. I pay a lot more attention to silhouettes and lean on the side of neutral colors. I still love an in-your-face print or color, but I give that to you in conversation pieces or a little pop via my lipstick or nail color.
Let's talk beauty. Do you have an everyday skincare and beauty routine? If yes, please walk us through it.
I do. I wash my face with a vitamin C cleanser to keep my skin bright and tight. The JASON Super-C Cleanser is excellent. I try my best to exfoliate twice a week especially because I have larger pores and oily skin. I go back and forth between the LUSH Dark Angels scrub and the GlamGlow POWERMUD DualCleanse treatment. I'm seriously obsessed with those two products. I'm a drugstore beauty buff so I really enjoy the St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer. It’s very much a cold cream. I also cannot get enough of the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. So fantastic and doubles as a primer before you apply makeup. I don't wear make up everyday but when I do its very much camera ready. I swear by Maybelline's FIT foundation and concealer because they are just as good as any department store makeup brand. Milani has great bronzers and lipstick that I swear by. Wet N Wild has the BEST liquid eyeliner. Their MegaLiner eyeliner is nothing short of superb. And as far as eyebrows are concerned, Anastasia Brow Wiz (in Brunette) is the greatest eyebrow pencil on the face of the Earth.
What seasonal lip colors have currently got you swooning?
Obsessed with the new Milani matte lipsticks!!!! The Matte Orchid and Matte Glam are my faves.
What three products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you just can't live without?
Glossier Priming Moisturizer
MAC Lip Liner in "Soar"
Anastasia Brow Wiz in "Brunette
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us--what's next for Mattieologie?
I have some really great content coming up on Mattieologie! I've been creating much more content for my YouTube channel and lifestyle content on the blog. But I get questions all the time for blogging and branding tips so I've been creating posts to answer those questions as well. I'm also working on curriculum for blogging and branding to offer readers to help them with their blogs and/or small businesses. That will be available on Mattieologie in March. And of course, check out "The Countdown" on CocoaFab.com!
You can learn more about Mattie, and dive into her posts at Mattieologie.com. Connect with Mattie on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.