Awakening Bohemia At Free People Walnut St.

I met Taylor Reynolds, the creator of the blog Awakening Bohemia, last fall when she came to Home Office for a special FP Me day. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working with her a bit more, and this girl truly has a love for Free People. She’s taken part in many FP Me events, and most recently, she held an event at Free People Walnut Street here in Philadelphia where she showed customers and fans how to create her one-of-a-kind dream catchers that she makes! Everyone gathered to watch as Taylor lead her dream catcher tutorial and showed off her artistic talents. Drinks and treats were provided, and Free People Walnut Street created the perfect backdrop for the event. Taylor recapped the night for us, and also answered a few interview questions. Get to know her a bit more, and be sure to watch the event video below!

When did your love for FP start?

In my Sophomore year of high school (four years ago), I was bored in my computer math class, and started Googling bohemian clothing brands, and FP popped up! I remember being in awe of the clothing…because it was so different from other stores, and it totally spoke to who I was, which I had never experienced before.

Do you remember the first FP item you ever owned?

Yes! I had two tops that I bought along with a pink druzy ring, that I unfortunately lost not long after purchasing. :(

What inspired you to start your blog?

About four years ago, I began following some fashion blogs, and I thought it was such a great way to collect and broadcast people’s personal inspirations. At that time I met Julia from the blog at the Home Office, who was just amazing, and showed me around the campus. It was right after, that I knew I wanted to be a blogger. I was also tired of just dropping images into desktop folders on my computer, and wanted to be able to see them laid out. I’m more introverted, and blogging became a way for me to reach out to other bloggers, as well as brands. My first blog, For Sure J’Adore, lasted three years. I became in need of a fresh start, and created Awakening Bohemia, which covers fashion, lifestyle, and art.

How have you benefited from being a part of the FP Me community?

FP Me is such a great way to express my personal style! It has allowed me the opportunity to connect with women from around the country not only online, but at events. A couple of the girls who are from my area came to my dream catcher event at the Walnut Street store to support me, which was so sweet! Sometimes I see a piece online that I love, but don’t know how I would style it in multiple ways, so I love checking out other users’ outfits for styling inspiration.

How did the event at the Walnut Street store come to be? Have you ever done anything like that before?

I have been making dream catchers for a few years now, and had made one for Jess, who has been running the FP Me events, and she and some others had the idea to create a DIY event! I have never done an event like this…I had so much fun!

I heard it was an amazing turnout!! What was your favorite part of the night?

The whole thing was insane…the store was packed as soon as the event started and it didn’t die down for hours! My favorite part was walking around and instructing people on how to make the dream catchers, and seeing my friends and family support me, as well as some folks from Home Office that I know.

What was the most valuable thing you took away from this experience?

I think that seeing the whole thing come together like it did was confirmation that my hard work with blogging, networking and FP was paying off, and will continually do so. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to have thrown an event like this, and hope to do more in the future!

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring bloggers, what would it be?

Make an effort to reach out to people who are successful in fields that you are interested in. Being an art student, I do a series of posts on my blog called Artist Spotlight, where I interview some of my favorite photographers, designers, and fine artists on a monthly basis to show my readers the process behind their work. Connecting with them usually includes sending them an email or message on Facebook asking if they would contribute. There’s always someone who’s going to decline, but I have found that the majority are really interested in what I’m doing and say yes immediately. Just be persistent, and keep going.

What are three things you can’t live without?

My family (including my three schnauzers!) and friends, art, and country music. ;)

What does being free mean to you?

To me, being free is having the courage, and passion to find and chase after what you love. I have found that freedom in creating art, blogging and in music.

Thank you, Taylor!

Photos by Janelle Munro

Visit Taylor’s blog, and be sure to follow her on Instagram!