Blogger of the Week: Taylor Pierce of Stop Being a Hag
Who: Taylor Pierce
Blog: Stop Being a Hag
Where: Dallas, Texas
Bio: A badass girl who doesn’t take doesn’t take shit from anyone (and who we totally want to be friends with)
Maniac Magazine: What’s in a name? Why did you choose Stop Being a Hag as your blog title?
Taylor Pierce: The name Stop Being a Hag actually has a double meaning. Most people know it for it’s surface meaning. A funny, quirky, name that makes people giggle and goes along with my usually dry writing style, referring to fashion and what have you.
But I actually came up with the name for a much deeper meaning. Our generation, I feel, doesn’t know how to appreciate their youth. They don’t take advantage of it, I should say. People have started achieving success at such a young age these days, that success in all aspects has become the number one focus. It’s all about becoming the CEO by your early to mid twenties. Don’t get me wrong, if one achieved that, bravo. Even with relationships. But this expectation has created stresses that our parents didn’t face until their forties. Stop Being a Hag is a mantra I want people caught up in this to tell themselves. To be young. You only get to do so once. Don’t settle for the s*** job that you have no passion for just to make good money and eventually resent. Chase your passions whatever they are, let them grow with you. Don’t settle for a relationship for the sake of being in one. Don’t waste time being hard on your body (unhealthy) because you’re “young.” Take care of yourself while you are ahead and give yourself a better quality of life in the long run. Don’t be basic with your wardrobe, or afraid of what people will say because you are wearing something totally different. F them. Fashion, and style, is whatever you make it. That’s the point of it. To express yourself. So take risks and go for it. That’s what Stop Being a Hag is about. Taking risks and going for it, in every aspect.
(Longest answer EVER, I apologize for the novel)
MM: How did you get into blogging?
TP: I actually started blogging several years ago. I co-owned a wardrobe styling and image consulting company, and my business partner and me had a blog. Problem being we put too much stress on it right out of the gate, and focused our outfits on what we thought people would like more, or would get us more followers. Speaking for myself, I never fully enjoyed it because of that. I started SBAH about 10 months ago, maybe? I should look. I decided no, I’m going to post strictly on what I love and what I want to wear, and if people like it, awesome!
MM: Was fashion something you always knew you wanted to get into or how did it happen?
TP: Absolutely, from a very early age. I used to draw fashion sketches in my free time, starting when I was about 9 or 10. I’ve always been fascinated by fashion.
MM: You lived in LA for a while, THE city for fashion, so what brought you back to Dallas?
TP: My business at the time.That was back when I had the styling co., but that industry is entirely too saturated in LA. So, we thought, why not bring it to Dallas where the fashion scene is growing.
MM: Where do you find fashion inspiration?
TP: Gosh…all over the place. The streets, social media, magazines. In fact, I was just traveling and bought a vogue that I was going to look through for some inspo (I love editorials) but it fell in the toilet at the airport…so. Will try that again soon, I guess.
MM: Describe your personal style in one word.
TP: Ever-changing
MM: What is your favorite fashion trend that’s big right now?
TP: I’m so into the fit and flare jeans right now. I’m all about the 70’s revival that’s happening. Funny enough, I don’t own a pair. I should probably fix that.
MM: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten and who was it from?
TP: All the best advice I’ve gotten in life is from my parents. I’m not just saying that as a default answer, I promise. They always told me “never settle.” That has stuck with me in everything I do.
MM: How do you pick the men for your ManCandy posts? (Besides the fact that they are ALL hot)
TP: To be honest, I wish there was more of a process. So far it’s just a matter of me asking my buddies or a guy one of my girls is dating at the moment. Like, “hey friend, you’re good lookin, wanna take some pics for me?” Eventually I’m going to run out of friends to ask and I’ll have to start reaching out to people.
MM: “Everyone has stress. No one has time. No one has money. Love yourself and Stop Being a Hag” is in your bio. How do you deal with stress and love yourself?
TP: I haven’t always been good at either one. When I was young I was really insecure. As I think most teenage girls are. I wasn’t sure of myself. I focused on my weaknesses and short comings, or things I didn’t like about myself. Over time, I learned and trained myself to do the exact opposite. Look at my strengths, and look at myself in the mirror and make my eyes see the features I love about myself. Of course, no one is perfect. I still have moments of insecurity. That’s natural. But I try and always get to that place of self-love. It in-powers you in situations like dating and work. Especially dating. If you know in your heart all of the fantastic things about yourself, you notice when someone doesn’t appreciate them or see them at all. Then you can say “BYE” because they aren’t worth your time. Managing stress has definitely been a matter of trial and error. I deal with anxiety, which makes dealing with stress a bit more difficult. I personally find relief through my faith, fitness, and I always try to set aside time once a day for my self. Even if it’s just sitting in a peaceful place in my house and taking big breathes.
MM: You seem to lead a very “no-bullshit” lifestyle, have you always been like this or is it something that you grew into as you got older?
TP: Is it weird that I was so flattered by you saying that? I definitely aim for that. I’d say that I grew into it. The more time passes and the more I learn about who I am, the less bullshit I deal with. I used to be apt to dealing with it. Would brush it under the rug or just let it fester. It’s not healthy. I’m also not dramatic, so if there’s something or someone in my life causing bullshit, I simply remove/cut them out. No reason to waste anyone’s time, especially your own.
MM: You can pull off a wide range of styles; your style seems to change everyday. Is there anything you haven’t been able to pull off?
TP: I am definitely all over the place with my style. It literally depends on my mood for the day, the vibe I feel like rocking. Oh, there are plenty of things I can’t pull off. Culottes for example. WOOF. I’m very curvy from my waist down, and I think you need to have a relatively straight frame to pull those off. If they’re flowy it’s not bad. Bermuda shorts, another one that just looks…. not correct on me. They always give me a camel toe. No one wants that.
MM: What are you currently digging? (tv shows, music, movies, books, food, etc)
TP: I don’t watch much TV. In fact I just cancelled my cable and got one of those Roku things. But I love HGTV, that’s my jam. The Golden Girls, I’m always digging that show. I’m all over the place with music but right now I’m loving “No Sugar In My Coffee” by Caught a Ghost, anything the Pentatonix sing (major fan), and can we talk about Adele’s new song? Girl is always killing it. I also love the artist Sza. Have also had “Middle” by Dj Snake on repeat. <- See, such a spazz with tunes. Food in general I’m a fan of. If you want to know what I’m really into, and have been for a while, it’s antique stores and malls. I’m basically 80.
MM: Where is your favorite place to shop?
TP: One of my top picks is randomly Wasteland on Melrose in LA.
MM: What is your most MANIAC moment?
TP: Dang, that’s a great question. Probably (co) starting a company, dissolving it, and then (co) starting another one. It’s definitely been a journey. But a great one I wouldn’t trade for anything. Always fun to do something really ballsy.
Subscribe to Stop Being a Hag and follow Taylor on Instagram
