Behind the Blog: Melissa of Design, Eat, Repeat

We are so excited to have the lovely Melissa of Design Eat Repeat on the blog today! We've always been amazed by Melissa's amazing deisgn & photography skills, and we're big fans of her inspiring and colorful blog. Get to know her a little better and make sure to stop by & say hello! 

1)   When & why did you start blogging?

I started my blog back in 2011 the summer after my sophomore year of college, simply as a little summer hobby & an excuse to craft. I had zero idea of what I was going to blog about & really had no idea what kind of “niche” I wanted to take the blog. As I went through design school & experimented with a bunch of different design projects, I decided that I might as well share some of these designs as printables on the blog. My blog really helped me narrow down my focus and allowed me to share my passion for crafting, baking, and design. 

2)   What’s the greatest thing that’s come out of blogging?

Like I just mentioned, I started it on whim after a friend told me that I should start one. I literally did not think I would stick with it for more than a few weeks. I had no idea what blogging really meant, and I had zero intention to ever turn it into something more than a little summer hobby. It has completely taken me by surprise, but it was one of the best spur-of-the-moment decisions I made. My blog has allowed me to connect with other creatives all around the world and grow my client base for my business. It has also given me a creative outlet where I can share free printables & family recipes, in hopes that they make someone’s day/party/get together a little brighter! I recently left my 9-5 job to pursue my graphic & blog design business and there is no way any of that would have been possible if I had not started my blog.

3)   When you’re not blogging, what can you be found doing?

When I'm not blogging, I'm usually working on client design & styling projects (workaholic alert). Since going full-time freelance, I've found that work & what I used to consider hobbies all kind of mix in together now. When I do actually decide to take a break from all work (which is rare! Ha!), I'm probably binging on Netflix (Hello, Parks & Rec!) or dreaming up some vacation spot.

4)   If you were stranded on a desert island, what would be the one thing you would take with you? 

This will probably sound shallow, but probably my computer considering I wouldn't be able to carry on business without it!

5)   What’s the one piece of advice you would share with bloggers just starting out? 

For me, the hardest part of blogging at the beginning was finding my voice on what I wanted to blog about. My advice is to write on your blog the same way you would talk to a friend. It's easy to get caught up in writing all prim & proper, but sounding like yourself is going to help people get to know you and your personality. A friend recently told me that she can hear me talking (aka rambling) when she reads my blog and I was like, "yesss, mission accomplished!" For example, I tend to be a dramatic storyteller in real life, so my posts usually end up a little dramatic too.

6)   What’s your “can’t live without” piece in your closet, kitchen,  home etc?

In my kitchen, it would definitely be my Kitchenaid mixer! That thing is my baby.

7)   On a Friday night, what can you be found doing? 

*Laughs out loud* Well, my normal Friday night consists of watching Sharktank, doing a little personal design work, and then going to bed. I swear I'm not always that lame (okay, yes I am), but going out just seems like too much work most days. Who's with me?

8)   How do you balance blogging with a work/social life? 

Honestly, I've been a bit of a terrible blogger lately because I've been working on lots of fun client projects - but I think the key to balancing blogging with work is to make a schedule and stick to it! Something I need to take my own advice on. Back when I was blogging in college & then with a 9-5 job, I took most of my photographs on the weekends and then edited pictures/wrote the posts during the week. I always say that if it matters to you, then you'll make the time for it no matter how busy you are. I started my blog while working, freelancing, and going to school 80hrs/week, but I made time for it because I loved doing it!

9)   What’s your favorite quote? Or what’s a quote that describes you? 

One of my favorite quotes is "Do What You Love and Love What You Do."  As cliche as it sounds, life is too short to spend your days not doing something that fulfills you.

10) What’s your dream job if you haven’t landed it yet? 

I used to have ideas on what I thought my dream job would be, but at this stage of my life, my dream job is simply to be doing something I love doing and something that fulfills me. Right now that dream job is growing my business, but as we all know - time tends to take us in different paths, so who knows what I'll consider my dream job in a few years!


11) Guilty pleasures?

Cupcakes, Sprinkles, Cupcakes with Sprinkles, and pretty much anything sweet (with sprinkles). You know how some people have a sweet tooth? Well, I have a whole mouth of them.

12)  What’s your favorite “little thing” in life? 

Can I say tacos? Just kidding. No actually, I'm going to have to stick with tacos. True love right there.