5 Minutes with Lindsey Kelk!

I've always dreamed of living the NYC/ Carrie Bradshaw-esque lifestyle. Even more so after I read the wonderful works of 'I Heart NY' by the very lovely Lindsey Kelk. 'I Heart NY' still stands as my favourite book to date, probably because it mirrors my dream lifestyle. I was very lucky to catch the best selling author for a whirlwind interview...

Hi Lindsey! First of all - How did you get into writing?

I’ve always been a writer. I used to write stories in school and at home, even from when I was in infant school – I grew up with a lot of books, it didn’t occur to me that it was weird. When I got older, it was something I did to relax and for my own enjoyment, it seems crazy to me now that the books are out there in shops and that people are reading them.

Do you feel you're living the dream?

Ha, that’s such a difficult question. I love my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything but there’s plenty of non-glam nonsense going on in the background all the time that I’m pretty sure isn’t officially part of ‘the dream’.

Where about's in New York are you based?

I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and I love it. It’s very chill and friendly and there are lots and lots of very yummy restaurants and fun bars. Vital.

Do you think you'll live in the big apple for the rest of your life?

My friends are here, my life is here. I just can’t imagine being anywhere else right now but I guess never say never? I love London and I spend a lot of time in LA, who knows?

Out of all the books you've written, which book do you think best mirrors the antics that have happened in your life?

It’s hard to say. Obviously I live in New York, just like Angela, but I wrote that book before I moved here. As much as I wish they were based entirely on real life, the books are fictional. Sniff.

Would you say Angela Clark is somewhat a spin off of Carrie Bradshaw?

I’m a big Sex and the City fan but Angela wasn’t based on anyone. She and Carrie both live in NYC, they both like a nice pair of shoes and they’re both writers but I think that’s really where the similarities end.

When you were at school, what was your dream job? 

Definitely a writer. I flirted with the idea of being an actress for ten minutes but I’m a storyteller at heart.

Who is your favourite fashion designer?

I love lots of different designers and I’m always finding new ones to fall for. I’m definitely a big Marc Jacobs fan though, just like Angie. Shoe-wise, I am constantly crushing on YSL and with bags, I would take my arm off for anything YSL, Alexander Wang or Mulberry.

Who is your style icon?

There isn’t one person in particular, I don’t think. I often find myself in similar styles to ZooeyDeschanel and Alexa Chung but I think that’s maybe because we all have a real love of vintage shapes and styles. 90% of my clothes have stripes, polka dots and Peter Pan collars – too many of my clothes look like they belong to a four year old or a nana. It’s a curse.

If you could take 3 items of clothing on a dessert island what would they be?

Striped t-shirt, polka dot shorts, t-shirt with a cute collar dress. Done and done.

What is in your make up bag at this very minute?

I don’t have a make up bag so much as a revolving handbag full of crap that comes out of three drawers full of slap. I’m disgusting. I have so much make up. Because it’s SO hot right now, I’m just wearing the same stuff every day – Pore-Fessional Primer from Benefit, La Mer SPF colour tint, Maybelline The Eraser concealer, Estee Lauder Cello Shots cheek stain, Dior Lip Glow balm and MAC pressed powder. On the eyes, if it’s a daytime, I’m just wearing MAC Shroom with Benefit They’re Real mascara and in the evening, I love Chanel Fresh Effects cream shadow in cool gold with Nars liquid liner in Koala and Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof in Espresso all blended together. If I’m smoking it out, I’ll add the sparkly dark brown from the Nars ‘And God Created Woman’ palette. I know that all looks like pretty high end stuff but when the weather is sticky and humid, I find the better brands last that bit longer and I don’t like to wear too much bright make up in the summer. When it cools down, I’ll be back playing with my drugstore haul!

What is your favourite food?

Oh god, there’s no way I could choose one thing. Living in New York is so hard, everything is delicious. I love pizza, tapas, Chinese, BBQ… it’s impossible. Sorry.

What drink do you have on a night out?

I’m a cocktail gal, preferably gin, preferably something tart and lemony. Yum.

What would your ultimate summer playlist?

I love Desire Lines, the new Camera Obscura album. It’s gorgeous.

What inspires your books?

Everything really. Mostly I look at what’s going on in my life and how that might affect someone like me, then build a story around that.About A Girl came out of a lot of my friends losing their jobs and going through huge life changes – obviously none of them nicked their flatmate’s lives and took off to Hawaii but going to Office Angels and getting a new job wouldn’t have made a very good book…

What beauty product do you swear by?

Hydraluron is AMAZING and really helps my skin when I’m travelling, plus I love Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. After that, I can’t be without Benefit They’re Real mascara or Dior Lip Glow balm and shed loads of Jergens moisturiser.

What would your ideal day consist of?

Sleep. Lots of sleep. And probably a couple of chilled out hours on the sofa vegging out to Law & Order: SVU and then lunch with a friend, a bit of shopping in the afternoon, maybe get my hair did or pop into a spa and then dinner and drinks with one of my favourite people. Bliss.

How did you go about getting your first book published?

Same way as everyone else with a twist. I actually just a made a video explaining it all on my website which you can see HERE.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

The best advice anyone can give you is to just write. When I wrote I Heart New York, I was writing a blog, a diary and the book, just to get used to putting words on a page. Read as much as you can, write as much as you can and just keep going – don’t edit or second guess yourself until your first draft is done.

In a nutshell, how did you get where you are today? 

Perseverance and taking chances. Life’s too short not to try.

Lindsey is launching her new book 'I Heart Christmas' very shortly. You can pre-order it by clicking here. 

Follow Lindsey on twitter: @LindseyKelk

What is your dream lifestyle? Do you love I Heart NY?