Meet Kristi Elong, the Founder of Currently Crushing - a platform created to inspire women of all ages to take chances with their personal style. Beyond taking the time to look good, Kristi stands by the idea that how you feel about yourself can alter the course of your life, and she uses this philosophy to empower women to be well from within. Kristi has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Cosmo Magazine. 

We got a chance to speak with Kristi about life, memories, self-care, and all of her unique qualities, that she wears oh so well.

What song lyrics best describe the year you've had so far?
Actually "You Wear It Well" from Rod Stewart.  The line 'A little old fashioned but that's all right' sums it up perfectly for me; I'm at a wonderful place right now where I'm not trying to fit into any mold of how a woman of my age should look or 'be' or dress.  A few months ago I decided to open up more about the aging process, rather than try to outrun it, and that has made all the difference in my mindset, which has led to some wonderful new opportunities. 

Beach, river, pool or lagoon?
Definitely the beach. I love the warmth of the sand more than just about anything I can think of right now.

Favorite Summer memory?
A month spent with my college boyfriend up at South Lake Tahoe in my early 20's, a couple of years before I got married and started my family.  I lived in swimsuits and dolphin shorts every single day. I'd swim and then when my suit was dry I'd pull on the shorts and go eat at a local pizza place and then go back to the lake for the afternoon. It was so relaxed and fun and I'm hoping when I'm older and ready to retire I can recreate that same life.

What led you to embark on your current profession?
I started a blog and an Instagram page back in 2012 as a way to share my life and the things I love: vintage shopping, remodeling our home and our travels.  I had no idea that it would open so many doors for me and create the opportunities that it has. I've made some amazing friends that I wouldn't have otherwise met and am having more fun than I ever dreamed of at this stage in my life.

What is the best piece of self-care advice you've received?
Oddly enough, this piece of advice came a few years ago from a complete stranger on a flight home from NYC.  We were chatting about what we 'do' and basic hobbies and things like that; it was a good 'real' talk about who we are as women, not just the persona or the 'public face' we share on social media. And then she said something that has stuck with me ever since "Sometimes the things a person doesn't share are the things that are most interesting about that person".  That simple statement helped me open up and share more of my real self, not just what I think people want to hear or see from me.  When we share our real lives and stories we open up the lines of communication for a genuine connection with people. Now when people want to know about me I tell them the things I normally wouldn't: I'm a mom, last year I had a skin cancer on my hand, I ran a marathon when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I lost my husband when my girls were small, I'm a drummer...

What is your current state of mind?
I'm excited for longer days and warmer temps!  It's just starting to stay light a little bit later now which means that Summer is on its way and I've survived another Winter. I'm a 3rd generation California native (making my daughters 4th generation and my baby granddaughter 5th generation Californian) and I truly live for warm, sunny days.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?
To live in the moment and enjoy the 'little things'.  There's an old saying about enjoying the little things because someday you'll look back and realize that they were the big things; this is one of the truest lessons I've learned as a mom.

You can find Kristi on Instagram @thecurrentcrush.