Where are you from & where do you live?
I was born and raised in Lansing, MI and moved to Chicago (Wrigleyville) immediately after graduating college. I then moved to the Chicago suburbs for 14 years. In 2010, I remarried and moved to Louisville, KY where I reside in Springhurst with my husband Rick and our four kids; Ella, Hayden, Jenna and Libby. To learn more about them read the post Six in the City.
Where did you go to school?
I completed my undergrad studies at Central Michigan University with a BS in Political Science/Business Law. I received my Masters degree from Governors State University in Chicago in Political and Justice Studies. I also attended Trinity Christian College for a post graduate teaching certificate in Education.
Where have you/do you work?
I am an Associate Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company licensed to sell life, LTC and Disability Insurance in Kentucky. Before moving to Louisville I was the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in a small town outside of Chicago and before that I was an Analyst for the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy traveling, re-decorating and re-organizing my home (it’s in constant flux), DIY projects, shopping and perusing antique malls and vendor villages. I’m a volunteer for the KY Humane Society and an avid reader. I continue to challenge myself to new heights (trained for and finished the Ironman Triathlon in 2016 and now creating this website and blog!)
Where did the idea come from for your blog and blog name?
I’m “in between” a lot in my life right now. I’m not old or young (I’m 50 so in between 1 and 100), fancy or drab, rich or poor, my kids are not dependent or independent (they are all in college) and my views are not right or left. So the “in between” just felt right. With my name, it flows so I went with it. Originally, I struggled with a blog focus. My initial thought was a blog about “life, death and everything in between”. However, it was too broad so I began writing content and realized most topics were about middle age modern style and fashion and home DIY projects and decorating. Therefore, the website’s focus is on thriving in middle age and doing it by #agingstylishly! To find out WHY I started a blog read Birth of a Blog.
How do you know how to create a website and write a blog?
I don’t!! I had zero knowledge about either when I decided to start a blog and create my own website. I educated myself by talking to people in the technology field, Googled, YouTubed, read (and read some more) and researched other blogs that I follow and am inspired by. It’s been a leap of faith and although the technical process has been VERY slow, the creative process has been VERY rewarding.
How can I contact you?
I can be reached at t4m1kraus@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram or Facebook anytime!
Where do you shop?
- J Crew
- J Crew Factory
- Madewell
- Banana Republic
- Banana Republic Factory
- Dudley Stephens
- Kate Spade
- Target
- Pottery Barn
- World Market
- NorthFace
- Columbia
- Athleta
- lululemon
- Nike
- Sunglass Hut
- TJ Maxx
- Draper James
- Anthropologie
- Nordstrom
- Nordstrom Rack
- Von Maur
- Ulta
- Sephora
- Cupshe
- Lilly Pulitzer
- Vinyard Vines
- Gucci
- Louis Vuitton
- Goyard
- Etu Home
- Chappy Wrap
- Sara Fitz Studio
- Home Goods
- Hobby Lobby
- Middletown Peddler’s Mall
- St Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop
- Habitat for Humanity Restore
- eBay
- The Real Real
- Poshmark