September GOTM: Love Fashion and Friends Founder, Dileiny Baron

Meet our September Girl of the Month, Dileiny Rodriguez Baron. She is the content curator and founder of Love Fashion and Friends, a style guide for modern women and mothers on the go. We love that Dileiny strives to build confidence in woman by sharing easy-to-follow style tips, showing that looking put together can be simple because “when you look good, you feel good."

It's been almost a year since Dileiny left the stability of her job to pursue her passion and invest in her brand full time, a story and journey that had us truly inspired!

Get to know more about our inspiring Girl of the Month, Dileiny, and read our interview below.

Alma Dress in Orchid Ice / Artic Ice

Tell us a bit about yourself, what inspired you to start your blog Love Fashion & Friends?

Love Fashion & Friends started out as a creative outlet for me to share my love of writing and a way to share my style tips and budget-friendly finds. It has evolved into a place where women who don’t have much time to themselves can take style advice/ tips to be able to look good and stylish with little time to invest in getting yourself ready before work.

We were inspired by your style story and journey, can you tell us what ultimately motivated you to leave your full-time job and focus on your blog?

My motivation came from wanting to wake up every day and be happy in what I do. I exhausted all avenues at my workplace to make me happy. I started a wine club, I was part of the party committee, I worked hard at some points and got promotions, made more money, changed my pay structure to a bonus pay then went back to a higher salary with no bonus, I planned vacation after vacation -- none of which brought me happiness. I woke up one morning with a very strong urge to never go back and I called my dad (he owns his own business) he told me to leave. He said, “Worst case scenario you can come back and live at home.” I said, “Dad, I’m a grown woman I cannot go back home.” And he responded, “Some people don’t even have a family to fall back on, you are lucky to have that option.” And he was right. If all failed I can fall back on my family. That morning I walked into my boss’s offices and told him I was leaving by the end of the year.

What is your advice for someone who may be in the same position as you were looking to pursue their passion?

Follow your heart. There is always going to be fear but you have to let your heart lead not your fears. Also, make a financial plan -- I saved enough money to cover my bills for 6 months, it helped me focus on my passion. I also had a plan for worst-case scenario, I literally signed up to be an Uber driver. I said to myself, if it ever gets to that point I will drive for Uber. Thank god I never had to go there but I would, that’s how much I wanted this. I was willing to give up my comfortable, well-paying job, risk it all and drive for Uber.

Talullah Dress in Black

You give a lot of amazing tips on your blog, especially for the busy mom and woman, what tips do you have for transitioning your summer wardrobe to fall?

One of the things I always do for this transitional period is I cover either the top of my body or the bottom. What does that mean? If I am wearing shorts, I’ll wear a long sleeve top -- if I am wearing pants I’ll wear either a thin, dainty top or a tank top. It’s the safest way to stay warm/cool for this bi-polar weather. Another favorite of mine is a summer dress and boots.

How would you describe your personal style?

I’ve tried to come up with a term for my style and what I’ve realized it doesn’t fit in a particular category. The closest I’ve ever gotten was Bohemian-hipster-street chic, lol! My style is very much my own, I don’t know anyone who dresses like me. My formula is always to be feminine but with an edge.

What essential pieces do you think should be in every woman’s closet?

Every season is packed with different essentials but these essential are the ones that I’ve noticed I take across all seasons:

• White, black and gray t-shirt
• Classic fitting jeans
• White sneakers
• White button up
• Black dress

 What was your favorite trend this season?

Puffy sleeves!

Clara Dress in Sorbet 

The Pitusa Quiz

 Star sign?

Sagittarius

Preferred workout?

Boot camp-style class

Favorite vacation destination?

Lisbon, Portugal or the Amalfi Coast in Italy

Any morning rituals?

Every morning, as I am making my French pressed coffee – I am thanking God for another day and for all my blessings. I want to get to the point where I can actually kneel and pray but right now speaking them as I move around has been working.

Coffee, tea or smoothie?

Coffee, hands down

 Any guilty pleasures?

Yup, Love and Hip Hop and Basketball Wives

 Favorite charity?

I can’t say I have a specific charity. My mother spends a lot of time helping the poor in our country, The Dominican Republic. When she needs me to help her, either with donating clothes or purchasing children school supplies -- I help out and try and get my friends involved.

Favorite cocktail?

Moscow Mule

 Favorite quote? “

I get it now; I didn’t get it then. That life is about losing and doing it as gracefully as possible… And enjoying everything in between.” – Mia Farrow

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As an honor to this inspiring beauty, take 20% off Dileiny's selected styles and colors! Use code DILEINY20 at checkout!

*Limited time only