TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU.
SYDNEY: I grew up in Raleigh, NC and am a southern girl at my roots. I moved to San Diego, CA in 2004 to get a BS degree in Interior Design. After I graduated, I worked for a firm in downtown San Diego for about 7 months, then got laid off and decided to try modeling full-time since I had only done it part-time through college. I’ve been modeling/acting since then and have been blessed to make a successful career out of it. I started The Golden Natives with my best friend Jen Hawkins because I wanted an artistic/creative outlet. Being involved in something creative, visual and informative is the best part of the blog. I designed the entire site from a limited template, teaching myself HTML and website design along the way.
JENNIFER: I’m a Pacific Northwest girl at heart. I was born in Northern California and grew up in Seattle. I come from a family of 5 kids, and we are all so close. I don’t know what I would do without them! After getting a degree in advertising, I got my first job at a big Media company out in New York. I worked in advertising for four years, then became restless with agency life and started working as an event planner for an innovative start-up company, driving a huge company RV around the country, planning parties and events to entertain clients and pitch our concept. Now I live in California, doing print and commercial modeling and freelancing my media and events skills! The blog has become such a fun outlet for Sydney and I to combine all of our skills. I feel so lucky I get to collaborate on something with my best friend!
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED BLOGGING TOGETHER?
SYDNEY: We became best friends after being introduced by my husband, Jason Maughan. I was drawn to Jen because I loved her outfit when I first met her! We stayed close while living in different States, but became closer when Jen finally moved to California last year. Since our friendship began, we would always notice the similar wardrobe pieces we shared. Our styles are so similar but just different enough to balance out a wide variety of styles for the blog. Basically, we are a good mix.
JENNIFER: It was one of those things we talked about for a while, and finally decided to quit talking and start DOING! I was loving modeling full time, but also needed another outlet to stay sane. And Sydney is such an inspiration to me—one of the things that drew me to her in the beginning of our friendship was her zest for life. She’s pretty magnetic! So I thought why not share that with more people? I think everyone should have a friend like Sydney in their life—for beauty tips and laughs!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BLOG AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FOLLOWERS?
SYDNEY: The Golden Natives is a creative blog for the classy-with-an-edge woman. We focus on fashion because that’s kind of how our own friendship started. We believe fashion can bring friends together, and we truly hope to befriend our follower friends. Since working in the modeling world for so long, I have come across a lot of makeup/hair artists and stylists. I am surrounded by different brands and products all the time and want to share what I’ve learned along the way. Also, just like so many people on Pinterest, I’m always looking for inspiration for life. I’m constantly seeking out new outfit inspiration, food recipes, health tips, and makeup products. I love sharing what I’ve discovered.
JENNIFER: It’s a place where we can share the things that make us feel good, whether that’s a really great outfit, a healthy recipe, or a fun activity. We hope it becomes a place where we can collaborate with other people who have their own ideas to share.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? AND THE WORST?
SYDNEY: As a model, the best thing is meeting new/creative people. Working on-set with creative directors, make up artists, brand consultants, marketing gurus…I just soak it all in. The worst thing about modeling is the roller coaster ride. There is no consistency in your schedule. You have to keep your schedule as open as possible as jobs come so last minute.
JENNIFER: What Sydney Said. I love the variety and how many amazingly talented people we get to meet! The inconsistency is definitely hard, but it keeps life exciting.
YOU BOTH HAVE GREAT STYLE! WHAT/WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST STYLE INFLUENCE?
SYDNEY: I love Lauren Conrad’s style mixed with a Free People feel. I like to call it free-spirited sophistication. I can shop at Zara or J.Crew for a fabulous buttoned blazer and lace blouse, but then head to Free People or Cleobella for a fringed leather jacket and bell leggings.
JENNIFER: A few of my style icons are Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and Blake Lively. I love to be simple and comfortable, but put together. I love the idea of not letting the clothes wear you…you wear the clothes!
Jennifer is wearing the BB Dakota Vendome Jacket
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE BEAUTY PRODUCTS? DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL BEAUTY TIPS?
SYDNEY:
Beauty Products:
« E.L.F Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
« Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick by Giorgio Armani
« A beauty blender for makeup application
« Sally Hershberger Cleantech Shampoo
« Root booster to get lasting volume
My favorite beauty tip: Feel beautiful from the inside-out. I know it’s so cliché, but it’s true. If you eat healthy, drink a lot of water, and take time for yourself, you start your day with a solid, beautiful foundation. Makeup will just enhance that inner beauty!
JENNIFER: Oh man, that’s a hard question! That’s like asking what my favorite song is.
I’d say basics I would hate to be without on a daily basis are:
« Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
« Anastasia Duo Brow Powder
« Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
« Pearatin Fortifying Reparative Serum
« Jergen’s Ultra Healing Lotion
And my beauty tip—I’d say less is more! Let your beautiful self shine through!
Sydney is wearing the BB Dakota Thekla Leather Shorts
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT?
SYDNEY: It’s a tie between Lemonade and Café Gratitude.
JENNIFER: I just ate at Seed Kitchen in Venice for the first time the other day…so good! And I love The Vine in San Clemente. And Active Culture…oh gosh now I just want to keep going. I LOVE FOOD!
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
SYDNEY: If you visit our blog, we would love to hear from you. We love making new friends! Thank you Soca for making this all happen!
JENNIFER: We love Soca!
Tomorrow Sydney and Jennifer will be taking over our Instagram! Follow along as they share a day in their lives, and be sure to follow @thegoldennatives for a special giveaway!
xoxo,
Soca & The Golden Natives
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