Guest Post: Deacon Does DC

Good morning! How is everyone today? I have a very special guest blogger for you today, McLean from Deacon Does DC. We 'met' via the greatest link up ever, Friday Francies, and I was immediately drawn to McLean's beautiful writing and sense of adventure, not to mention she went to Wake (located in our previous city, Winston-Salem and currently resides in DC, where Kev and I are from.) We did a little post swap with some get-to-know-you questions, so be sure to hop over to Deacon Does DC to see my answers. And if you are visiting from Deacon Does DC, be sure to leave a comment and let me know you stopped by. Thanks McLean for sharing with us today!

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Tell me about yourself- why did you start blogging, and how did you decide what you wanted to write about?
I started Deacon Does DC in 2008 as part of a project for my grad degree at Georgetown University. At the time, I was writing for a few magazines and wanted a place to share my work as well as things that didn’t make it in magazine / blog pieces that would be interesting to the DC community. I started writing about the things I like – fashion, food and fun, and have since expanded my “beat” to cover what I’m writing about for other publications – namely, luxury lifestyles.

Do you have any regular series on your blog? What is your favorite? I’ve been a Friday’s Fancies faithful for a weekly linkup with Long Distance Loving. I actually lived with the founder {av} when I started Deacon Does DC and am so in awe of her awesome blog and how much it’s grown in just a year. She’s quickly become my blog inspiration, particularly for web design. I have a few series I’ve played with over the years, but my new favorite is Travel Tuesday. I’m primarily a travel writer now (in real life) and love to share where I’m going with friends – it’s a play off of the Twitter hashtag #TravelTuesday. Say hi – I’m @DeaconDoesDC.

Have you ever been to Cali and/or where would you like to visit in California and why?I am sad to say I haven’t explored as much of California as I’d like! I’ve been to San Francisco and loved it, though. I am really hoping to visit the Napa area soon and go wine tasting – I love wine and am always up for a great “girlfriend getaway” destination.

When you aren't blogging, what can you be found doing?More blogging? I’m lucky enough to write for a living and you’ll see that for my day job, I write about many of the things that I blog about on DeaconDoesDC. I’m definitely a girly-girl – I love to shop, go to the spa and travel, but I also love cooking and hanging out with friends. As I get older, I’ve become way more into working out and am obsessed with pole dancing – it’s such a great workout and very fun.

I’ve recently become obsessed with Pintrest (linked to my other Tumblr, Wanderluxe) and have found some great recipes and inspiration for my favorite things there too.

What about the holidays gets you most excited?I love everything about the holidays! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite – it’s so simple and about the pleasures of being with family and friends. Of course, the food is great too. I love cooking and decorating, so for me, Thanksgiving is the kickoff to a fun holiday season. The entire season is great- I also love making and buying gifts for friends, even though I start ridiculously early – I’ve had most of my holiday presents for people since August! 

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Thanks McLean! Doesn't she sound like so much fun?? I might stalk her down for a Blate next time I'm home :)

PS- Interested in post-swaping? Leave me a comment or email me and let's set it up!