Styled On

Our muse of the moment is Grasie Mercedes, a blogger, host, stylist, and actress living in the City of Angels. She has a versatile style and a wonderful outlook on life, and brings her joie de vivre to her daily looks. We had to learn more about what makes this girl tick – and were thrilled to find she's just as nice as she looks! Get to now Grasie Mercedes now...

StyledOn: Tell us a little about yourself – how did you get into blogging?
Grasie Mercedes: I'm a born and raised New Yorker who moved out to Los Angeles about 6 years ago to pursue acting and hosting. When you're an actress, you usually have to have some sort of "day job" to sustain your living between gigs or before you get your "big break". Most people wait tables, but I waited tables all through high school and college and was over it, so I got into styling. Once I started styling, I learned about fashion blogging and got addicted. Then, one day, I thought "I should do that!". That's when I turned my personal "actor" website into a blog. I've been blogging for 2 1/2 years now and I love it! It keeps me busy and gives me a creative outlet, plus it's fun to see how my blog and style has evolved over the years.

SO: You’re also an actress. What’s your dream role?
GM: When I first started acting, my dream role was one that was super dramatic and emotional; like Halle Berry in Monster's Ball; something that would win me an Oscar. Ha! But then I got into comedy. I'm an improviser who performs all the time with my team Triggerfinger and also a sketch performer who performs with Top Story! Weekly here in LA; now my dream roles are comedic. I would LOVE to be on a sitcom like "Modern Family" or "Parks and Recreation" or in a film like "Bridemaids." But really, when you get deeper into your acting career, the real goal becomes being a "working actor," dramatic or comedic. Someone who makes a fantastic living doing what they love to do. At this point in my career, that's my dream. Then maybe an Oscar when I'm 50! Oh and I want to host SNL!!! That would be incredible.  

SO: If you could collaborate with anyone on a project, who and what would it be?
GM: Acting wise - Kristen Wiig on a film. She's so freaking funny and smart, I can't take it. She's my comedy idol. Fashion/Blogging/Styling wise - Alexa Chung on ANYTHING!!! I love her. Her style is flawless and perfect. 

SO: What do you do when you’re not acting/blogging/hosting?
GM: If I'm not acting, blogging or hosting, I'm usually eating with my boyfriend Damien or hiking with my dog Hayden. Damien and I are foodies and constantly eating out. Sometimes, it's fancy gourmet, sometimes it's In N Out or tacos. Our friends are always making fun of us because 50% of our Instagram photos are of food!

SO: What is the most treasured item in your closet?
GM: Not technically in my closet but my favorite, most treasured item is my "Grasie" name ring. It was given to me in the 8th for my Confirmation (I was brought up Catholic and went to 12 years of Catholic school). Name rings were all the rage when I was younger and my aunt, who was also my Confirmation Sponsor, bought me one as a gift. I still have it and wear it almost everyday.

SO: What inspires you?
GM: My mom, great acting and photography all inspire me. My mom for her strength and generosity. Great acting (a la Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Robert DeNiro) inspires me to be a great actor myself. To work harder, take more classes and do something every day to better my craft. Great photography, the creativity, scale and beauty involved, is beyond inspiring. It's where I get style, decor and even cooking inspiration. 

SO: Is there something you think every woman should have in her wardrobe?
GM: Statement costume jewelry! Fun jewelry will step up any outfit and is extremely accessible and affordable. I think fashion can be very intimidating and that bugs me. I want people, especially women, to realize that fashion and style should be a fun expression of you. Not something high-brow or stuffy. That's why I think style blogs are so awesome; because there's someone out there for everyone. There's a blogger out there with a sense of style similar to yours (or what you want yours to be) and that's a fantastic thing. 

SO: We love your blog and read it on a regular basis. Which blogs do you read the most?
GM: Thank you!!! That really means a lot. There are so many blogs out there to choose from and it's really cool when you meet readers, who choose to take time out of their lives, to read yours. My favorite style/fashion blogs are Because I'm Addicted, Natalie Off Duty, Song of Style and Oracle Fox. For DIY and home, I love Mr. Kate and Amber Interiors and for food Lookbook Cookbook and Smitten Kitchen. But seriously, the list goes on and on. You can find all my favorites on my blog in the "Clicking" section. 

SO: Tell us something about yourself that we might not expect.
GM: I'm a HUGE dork who gets a kick out of singing loudly, even though I have a TERRIBLE voice, and dancing around like a fool. Also I'm 100% Latina (both my parents are from Dominican Republic) but my Spanish sucks. Something, I'm super ashamed of and plan to remedy one day! 

Are you loving Grasie's style?

http://www.grasiemercedes.com/