About Us

Hi!  I'm Erin - a Windy City Blogger Collective co-founder, blogger, freelance writer & content specialist, style maven, crafter, foodie, wanderluster, and wife.

I was born and raised outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, studied Public Relations, Marketing, and Philosophy at the University of Dayton, moved to Santa Cruz, California for a year before settling back in Chicago with my then boyfriend, then, fiance, and now husband, Danny.

I technically began blogging in 2008 with Life Guide by Erin, took a break, then launched Daily E in October 2010.  After jumping into the Chicago blogging community I felt there was more for me to share than cell phone uploads and re-blogs so I poured my creative energy into Color Me Styled. 

I love all things fashion, style, beauty, social media, food... I rarely find a topic I don't find interesting in some way.  My style icons include Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence, Rachel Bilson, Kate Middleton, and MK&A.  I'm not afraid to take some style risks but Prepster-Chic is my wheelhouse.  I will rock a T, trousers, and round toe pumps, with stacks of jewelry and statement pieces on the daily.  And my go-to hairstyle is a top knot (now with bangs!). 

Blogging has opened my world and has brought an array of amazing people into my life!  I've been lucky enough to work with brands like Lush Cosmetics and LensCrafters, publications like CS Magazine and Refinery 29, Chicago boutiques like Langford Market and Smitten Boutique, and I've met blogging superstar, Joy Deangdeelert Cho, and Gold Medalist, Natalie Coughlin.

Since I want to bring the best and most reliable content to you, my fabulous readers, I've enlisted the help of my friends to share their expertise.  As Color Me Styled grows and evolves, so will our team of contributors, and I'm proud to have these ladies writing for me!

Daniela - Beauty Contributor

Daniela has been an Esthetician for over 13 years and in the beauty business for over 20.  After years of languishing between retail sales, palm reading, tour operations and contemplating her navel she began training in the art of Skin Care and Makeup at Pivot Point International in Evanston, IL, graduating with distinction in 1998.  

After working at two salons in the Chicago neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Lakeview, she took the plunge and opened her own Skin Care Salon in Lincoln Park in the Sheffield Gardens neighborhood right down the street from DePaul University.  

It was a dream come true as just 5 years before, when classes were offered in Aromatherapy just down the street, a future was envisioned right at the spot where her Studio exists now.  Daniela has since dedicated her career to educating clients about acne control, sensible, non-comedogenic anti-aging regimens, healthy makeup application and keeping skin clear and radiant at any age.

Daniela also creates products such as ointments and balms for lips, bruises, cuticles and elbows as well as masks, room sprays and a revolutionary body powder designed for inflamed breakouts and itching called FerroRosa FrictionFixTM.  In 2013 she launched a line of mineral make-up and began blogging as The Acne Whisperer!

Got a beauty question for Daniela? Email her for a free skin care consultation courtesy of Color Me Styled (just mention us). And if you're in the Chicago area... schedule an appointment already! 

Meredith Rachek – Literary Contributor

Meredith is in her mid-twenties, single, living in Chicago, Illinois and working on her first novel.  While she currently works in finance her true passion lies in using her imagination to write something that impacts someone’s life one day.  She started create stories during her senior year at the University of Dayton and since then has created stories inspired solely by a break up, news article, relationship with a good friend, or a funny joke.  She started her own blog Write Until There is Nothing Left which highlights the creative process, its highs and lows. 

Her first novel is scheduled to be finished by year end 2012. With a little luck, and a lot of talent, maybe one of the new, great, must reads of 2013 will be Accidental Happiness.  At that point in time she will have to take a break from recommending and reviewing books as it will be hers posted on here...hopefully.

It isn’t just writing books that Meredith loves, but music, movies, and reading anything from Jane Austen to John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks to John Steinbeck.  Her favorite book is One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey.  Her favorite song is Bruce Springsteen’s Secret Garden and her favorite movie 10 Things I Hate About You. 

Check her blog "Write Until There is Nothing Left" for a more in depth look at her writing process and continue to check CMS for more recommendations to fill your nightstand, entertain you on a commute to work, or curl up with next to a fire.

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