The Power of (Expat) Bloggers: “When You Don’t Find Content, Create Content.”

By Yael Kimelman | March 11, 2015

1. How can you describe your expat experience?

Being half American and half Israeli (born in Tel Aviv to an American mom and an Israeli dad), I consider myself to be “the constant expat”. At home, we only spoke English and I was raised on Disney movies and American candy and baked goods. All my clothes were from the states, as we would frequently visit, and I’d stand out because of my American accent. Even as a little girl, every time I visited New York I felt at home and I’d cry my eyes out when it was time to leave. I started to dream of moving there when I was 8 years old, and finally got the guts to do it when I was almost 28 – it was worth the wait. I lived in NYC for 18 months, where I managed to score (and quit) 2 jobs in the fashion industry, 1 sleazy bartending job and 1 perfect job at an office, which became a second home for me. I then followed my heart (which was wrong, but whatever 🙂 ) to LA, where I was unhappy for 6 months before deciding to bail on my US adventure, due to my mom’s illness.

 

2. Did it influence your life?

It most certainly did! Being away from everyone and everything you know has its downsides, but it also forces you to leave your comfort zone and discover a new you.

3. What was your biggest lesson learned while away?

Do not attempt to use a hair highlighting kit at home. Leave hair care to the professionals 😉

4. How did you get the idea to create the blog “Life by b”?

As an avid blog reader and content consumer, I was in search of fashion and lifestyle blogs that were based here in Israel. When I was unable to find content I related to, I decided to challenge myself to the mission of creating such content 🙂 I’m a former journalism major, which gave me the basis to start writing. My husband is a DJ, but also turned out to be quite good with a camera, so he was quickly hired as the blog’s chief photographer. Life by B was then created as a way to express my daily inspiration, thoughts and love of everything that is beautiful on planet earth.

5. What is the blog about?

Like Yin and Yang – the blog is a part of my life and my life is a part of the blog. Life by B is a personal look inside my world of style, fashion, food, beauty, travel and design.

6. What’s your target audience?

Women who love life and style and who are interested in adding a touch of glam to their everyday routine. Life is more fun when it’s stylish, and I like to feel that I add a touch of chic to everything I do. I take time to gift wrap, I love writing notes on pretty stationary, collecting elegant greeting cards and throwing tea parties. Yep – tea parties 🙂

7. How do you plan to take the blog even further?

For the past year, while blogging in Hebrew, I’ve been thrilled to see the blog grow here in Israel and am lucky to have collaborated with brands I love. I’m currently launching an English version, which is super exciting for me! It is my dream to be able to deliver my view of Tel Aviv to ladies all over the globe.

I also secretly want to be the Israeli Martha Stewart, when I grow up.

8. Where does your daily inspiration come from?

A lot of coffee, lol. I start and end every day by browsing through dozens of my favorite Instagram accounts.

9. What’s the difference between street fashion in the US and Israel?

Maybe the hot climate is to blame, but we don’t try very hard here in Israel. It’s nice to be low key and casual – I love it too, sometimes. But I would love to see people try harder here. I feel that in NY and LA people try harder to develop their personal style, which I love to see.

10. What about life in Israel vs US?

It is so hard to compare. Tel Aviv and New York will always be my 2 favorite cities in the world.

11. Where do you see yourself living 5 years from now?

I honestly have no idea. I love Israel and love being by my friends and family, but on the other hand – am open to new adventures. Home is where my hubby is, anyway 🙂