Behind the Scenes with Meggan Morehead, Somewhere Lately

You know those people who put their dreams on the sideline to opt for a path that they ‘should’ take? Well, Meggan Morehead is not one of them.

After a year at a desk job that simply wasn’t cutting it, she made a courageous decision and left the corporate world behind to pursue something that’d been a lifelong passion: fashion. Since doing so, she hasn’t wasted a second of her time looking back.

Instead, she charged full steam ahead, landing an enviable job at Nordstrom and turning her hobby into a “full-time project.” That project, Somewhere, Lately, is a fashion and lifestyle blog that Meggan co-authors with her longtime high school friend Brooke Tredway, who now resides in NYC. But it doesn’t end there: she has M-A-J-O-R plans for her dual-perspective blog. “We are determined to make it our full-time career!” she says.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Meggan’s only 25 years old young. It’s safe to say this small town, Iowa native has wasted no time adopting and embracing the big city ambition in her three short years since moving to Chicago. What’s the only thing to do when you meet someone with as much gusto (and might we add,style!) as Meggan? Pick her brain, of course! And maybe ask for a little peek into her closet…obviously.

IGT: First off, when do you start falling in love with fashion?
MM: I started getting into fashion in high school but my love for it really escalated once I was in college!

When and why did you start blogging? Tell me about your first blog, Trying to Make Fetch Happen. 
MM: I started Trying To Make Fetch Happen in June 2012 as a creative outlet, a place where I could put all my visions. It started out as making collages of my favorite items, “wish lists”, gift guides, etc. I eventually I bought a camera and decided to start doing outfit posts! That took a lot of courage because you never know how people are going to respond when you put yourself out there like that.

IGT: You slowed down and eventually stopped Trying to Make Fetch Happen to pursue your current blog, Somewhere, Lately, with your friend Brooke. What was the reason for the transition and how did it come about?
MM: Brooke had an amazing interior design blog before Somewhere, Lately. It was so nicely done – clean, inspiring and genuine. I read it daily and loved all her posts! She was actually one of the reasons why I was inspired to start my own blog. She contacted me last May and presented me with the idea of starting a blog together focused on fashion. We started collaborating and launched Somewhere, Lately in July! Having a blog partner is so much fun. We are always influencing one another – constantly texting ideas and photos of things we love, and we ask each other for help. It’s great to have someone to lean on when you’re blogging.

IGT: Brooke lives in NYC. How do you manage to coordinate while halfway across the country?
MM: It’s actually pretty easy. We switch off doing posts every other day and we pretty much chat all day everyday – communication is key!

IGT: What’s your favorite thing about blogging? Least favorite thing?
MM: My favorite is sharing favorite outfits and connecting with our readers and other bloggers. My least favorite is that it can feel like a lot of pressure at times.

IGT: What’s your goal for Somewhere, Lately. Do you see it becoming a full-time project in the future?
MM: Brooke and I have big visions for Somewhere, Lately! It is already our “full-time” project, but we are determined to make it our full-time career! There’s so much opportunity in the blogging world and we are trying to grow in every way possible. Right now, we are working on something really exciting, which will hopefully launch by the end of May.

IGT: Oooo, a secret project! Can you give us any hints or an idea of what to expect in May?
MM: Can’t tell!

IGT: You work as a Sales Associate at Nordstrom (so jealous!). Did you always know you wanted to work in a fashion-related role? Was it something you studied in college? Tell me a little bit about your career path…
MM: Working at Nordstrom has been dangerous; it’s so hard not to leave work with a shopping bag everyday! Before I started at Nordstrom last July, I was at a marketing company, Mindshare, for over a year. I wasn’t happy sitting at a desk all day and wanted to do something that would benefit Somewhere, Lately. It was risky leaving my job to work retail but my passion is Somewhere, Lately and Nordstrom seemed like the better fit. Not only do I get inspired being around fashion all day, but I also love helping people build their wardrobe. It’s so rewarding helping people pick out things they feel great in!

IGT: How do you juggle your day job and blogging? Do you think it helps your blogging to work in a fashion-fueled environment?
MM: Working at Nordstrom helps so much with juggling the blog. My schedule isn’t always 9-5. Some days I will work 12-7 or have a random Tuesday off, so that gives me plenty of time to put energy toward the blog. Usually on my days “off” I am running around the city with my friend [photographer] Mike Mohr doing blog shoots. He is so creative and always finds the best spots. I’m so lucky to have him on my team!

IGT: You’re originally from Iowa. What is it about the city that compelled you to move here?
MM: I knew after college I didn’t want to go back to my small town. I’ve always known I wanted to move to a big city but didn’t want to move too far from my family. Almost all my girlfriends from college are from Chicago, so moving here was a no brainer.

IGT: As we love food and cooking at In Good Taste, I have to ask: What are three items/foods you always have in your kitchen?
MM: Quinoa, hummus, and fruit for smoothies. I love a good green smoothie.

IGT: When you host a dinner party or contribute to a potluck with your girls, what’s your go-to dish to make? Where’d you learn it?
MM: Taco dip, using my mom’s recipe. It’s always a hit.

IGT: What meal do you look forward to enjoying at the end of a long day of work and blogging (I’m assuming a beverage would be involved too!)?
MM: A big glass of wine accompanied by a fresh salad. One of my favorites is grilled salmon, mango, tomatoes, avocado and sweet corn with a vinaigrette – so yummy.

IGT: I’ve read that you love brunching as well as enjoying drinks on patios in Chicago’s warmer months. What are your go-to spots for both?
MM: Yes, my friends and I are the brunch queens! We usually hit up Zella (hello bottomless mimosas!), Bongo Room, and a new favorite spot is Toast in Lincoln Park. My favorite summertime patios are Big Star and Cedar Hotel.

IGT: In your free time (I can’t imagine there’s much!), what are your favorite, non-blog related activities to do in the city?
MM: My favorite non-related blog activities are long walks around the city (the best “me” time!), music festivals and nights out with my girlfriends!

IGT: Something most people don’t know about you:
MM: I’m shy and a perfectionist.

IGT: If you had to pick one person that best embodies your style, it would be:
MM: I don’t know if one person embodies my style, but my icons are Rachel Zoe, the Olsen twins and Sincerely Jules.

IGT: You always use our beautiful city as a backdrop for your photos. Where are your top three places to shoot for your blog?
MM: Olive Park (best skyline!), an abandoned lot in the South Loop and any rooftop!

More About Meggan 

Top five favorite items in your closet: Faux fur jacket, over-the-knee boots, classic LBD, Nike Airmax, leather skinnies and my Alexander Wang Rocco bag.

Go-to Starbucks drink: Dirty chai.

Favorite shoe brand: Hmmm this is tough…I really love Sam Edelman – affordable and trendy.

Favorite Nordstrom department: Shoes.

Top five places to shop in Chicago: Nordstrom (duh!), shops on Southport, Zara, Neimans and Bucktown.

Favorite drink: Moscow Mule

Favorite restaurant: Yuzu Sushi, for BYOB and fire rolls.

Biggest dream: Traveling the world.

Biggest regret: Not following my dreams earlier in life.

Favorite quote: “Seek to be worth knowing rather then well known.”