Friends of Tabletop: Meet Kelsey Clay from Catching Up with Kels!
Friends of Tabletop is a place where we share who we love working with. This can range from a client, influencer/blogger, or special someone who simply means a lot to the Tabletop Team. Colleagues and friends who we’ve met throughout our journey with Tabletop Media Group make us a part of who we are.
This month, we’re featuring Kelsey Clay of Catching Up with Kels!
Tell us about Catching Up with Kels.
Catching Up with Kels is a lifestyle blog on Instagram focused on fashion, beauty, family and pets! My blog is all about connecting with my audience and sharing brands that resonate with them. I am very passionate about using my platform to inspire others and also speak out about important topics! I share a lot about my marriage, my endometriosis journey, my family, and even open up about my past as a domestic violence survivor. Catching up with Kels is a place where women can come and feel heard. It’s also a place where they can find new stores, restaurants and products that I genuinely love. My community is like a family!
Why did you start Catching Up with Kels?
I started Catching up with Kels in college when I worked as a victims advocate at the local hospital and also served as the founder of a nonprofit for victims of abuse in college. I started my blog because so much of my time was focused on very heavy and serious topics, and I wanted an outlet to have fun! The blog started as a hobby but quickly became a business as I grew. I promised myself I’d always use my platform for good and share more than just my favorite sweater or lip gloss. I try to share experiences and real life too! My audience is MOST engaged with the “behind the scenes” and real life content!
What are you currently watching?
I watch tons of TV and absolutely love reality TV! It’s my guilty pleasure and my husband enjoys watching it with me too!
What are some of your favorite places to shop in Raleigh?
Crabtree Valley Mall is by far my favorite place to shop because it has literally all my favorite stores! I love people watching and just the whole experience that Crabtree brings. Some of my other favorite “local” places are Pelican’s SnoBalls, Grand Street Pizza, and Cristina’s. I love the feel of a mom and pop shop and supporting a small business!
What is your least favorite food?
My least favorite foods are fish and meat! Vegetarian girl over here!
What about your favorite food?
My favorite food is anything Italian! I LOVE pizza and pasta! I will never get sick of it! Lol!
Bar order? If you don't drink, what's your coffee order?
Mimosas no matter what time of day it is! That’s my go-to drink!
What is one of your unpopular opinions? (i.e. opinion you have that goes against the norm)
Not all water tastes the same! Haha!
If you could redo one thing in regards to your social influencer career what would it be?
I would try to live in the moment more! It’s important to capture photos and videos of my life for my followers but sometimes I wish I stopped to enjoy it in real life more.
What's the most useful lesson you've learned from being a social influencer?
The most useful lesson I have learned is that everyone has a story and everyone deserves a friend. This world can be so lonely and it’s important that we bring as much positivity and kindness onto social media as possible!