Meet Caroline Baudino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Baudino.

Caroline, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A happily married mom of two boys, seven and nine years old living in Encino, California. I have the life I always dreamed of and yet, honestly…I felt like something was missing. As if, a piece of me was gone that I really missed. I had given up my own television show when I became a mom and I soon found myself longing for the old “working” me that had a reason to get dressed every morning, meetings to attend, things to say, people to see, places to go…you get it! When I first discovered Instagram, I was late to the game. I had no idea what influencers were but, something about what they were doing resonated with me. I loved the idea of sharing your life and your favorite finds through photos for others to enjoy. I quickly became addicted and felt like this is something I could do. Little did I know how hard it would be to even break in. I started posting my own life and gained some followers. I was at about 500+ when I woke up one morning to a hacked account. I was devastated, to say the least. It was my teeny tiny little something of my own that made me feel human again and suddenly it was gone in a flash. With zero luck from Instagram, my account was gone forever. I lost hope right there.

It was the encouragement of my husband and dearest friends that convinced me too to give it another try. So, I started over and this time I was going to be brutally honest and transparent about how hard it is to be mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, and a human being. No one truly warns you how difficult it is to “have it all.” Balance means something different for everyone and I wanted to use Instagram to show my journey and my daily life. The real the stuff. But, I also wanted to inspire other woman to get up every morning and get dressed and just go for it. That it’s ok to be a fashionista and a mom. It’s ok to get dressed up for school events or a day of running errands. Trust me, I love it too. My blog and Instagram page will be a lifestyle blog inspiring women to dress up, live it up and pursue their dreams!

I’m a 47 years old mom of two that loves to travel, eat, shop, watch movies, hang with my girlfriends, workout and enjoy family time. I want to help women who are starting over in their lives after emerging from the fog of motherhood. I want to inspire them to get dressed for everyday life because fashion is truly something I have always loved and been passionate about. They say to do what you love and you will never work a day in your life! It is work because it’s all a balance but, it is so worth it. My new blog Being Caroline is launching this summer and my Instagram handle is Shop.with.Caroline. Would love for everyone to Follow along for fun!

Has it been a smooth road?
There were many struggles getting this business off the ground because life can get in the way. I was not at all prepared for my parents to get old, sick and needy. When the roles reverse it’s terrifying. You no longer have anyone to turn too for support or advice. Now, you are the supporter and advisor. With two small children and a husband that has to travel constantly for work, it was overwhelming to say the least.

But, it also opened my eyes to what I was missing and what I didn’t want for myself when I got older. My parents lost touch with all their friends over the years, because my dad valued work over life. My mother had given up everything for my father and her kids and now later in life, she has no one to turn to for companionship or help. It forced me to realize I need to have a life of my own and a strong relationship with my husband and friends as well as be a dedicated mother to my children. Being a good mom doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything you love. You can have a balance if you really want one. I knew the time was right for me to make a new reality for myself that gave a sense of purpose and a feeling of success. I refuse to fail.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My Instagram page is my job and my handle is Shop.with.Caroline. I will be launching a lifestyle blog this summer. I would consider myself a micro influencer, future blogger, and extreme sharer. I open up about my daily life and bare my soul when I feel necessary. Like a mini-reality show in real time. I share my favorite finds and post my daily outfits for inspiration. I also discuss motherhood, travel, my workout routines, my friends, my family, and everything in between.

The blog launching this summer will go into detail about my life and fashion inspirations. I hope to have the shop it app so, everyone can shop my daily affordable looks.

I think what sets me apart is my brutal honesty. I say what a lot of women aren’t willing to talk about. I ask for help and admit when things are difficult which you don’t find very often. I take my own photos and do my own hair and makeup nothing is professional which I think people can appreciate that in a world that has become completely photoshopped. People feel like they know me and can trust me. I’m a very real person in an extremely fake world. Yes, I’m seen with no makeup on all the time!

What makes me so proud is receiving DM’s from women sharing their stories with me. Opening up about their very personal experiences and thanking me for being so transparent and for having the guts to open up about something they were afraid to ever talk about. That makes my day! The clothes are a perk and a fun addiction but, it doesn’t fulfill me. Connections with people do! So, I love this community of women lifting each other up while, being well dressed!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
There are so many places to go eat, shop and explore. I also love how many different environments and climates there are in such close proximity. From the snowy mountains to the super hot to dessert and down to the beach. We have it all here! There are endless adventures to be had here with your family or friends. I love that about LA!

Encino is my area. It has the shops and the restaurants from Beverly Hills here without the traffic, parking issues or crowds. That I love!

What I least like is the homelessness. It is out of control here. My area feels like there are homeless encampments on every corner it’s so depressing and quite scary. The crime has risen too and that terrifies me. Having to have cameras in every corner of the house and outdoors plus a ring, private security driving around, gates all around, dogs, I mean you name it we all have it. It’s insane and I hate it! Praying this city gets cleaned up somehow someday!

Contact Info:

• Email: shoponlinewithcaroline@gmail.com
• Instagram: Shop.with.Caroline Instagram
• Facebook: Caroline Barba Baudino Facebook

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.