Interview by T’keya Marquez & Photography by Chris Lampkins" /> CONVERSATIONS: KALEY DIGNEN - Local Wolves Interview by T’keya Marquez & Photography by Chris Lampkins" />
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Lifestyle

Having your own platform makes for the perfect opportunity to be expressive. Blogger Kaley Dignen (KD), uses her voice to speak of everything she adores, but as she says, “You’ll learn who I am”, when reading her posts. Her positive messages of being comfortable in your own skin and standing up against conformity are what makes her raw, real and vulnerable.

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How did you get the nickname; Kale?

KD – From the time that I was little my older brother started making up nicknames and one of them was hard to say so instead Kale caught on. Now, Kale is what my whole family calls me. I feel that it’s so fitting because kale is my favorite food too.

You live in Florida; The Sunshine State. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

KD – So I am currently in the process of moving back to Florida after living in GA for the last 4 years. In my free time, I love to sing, write, exercise, cook, volunteer, play sports or go to the beach. Also, a good movie day sounds good to me.

You have a twin sister. What was life like growing up?

KD – It was so fun and continues to be! I love having, a so to say a “girlfriend” that I can go too for anything. You know some girls are super dramatic and catty so having one to go to that’s planted in who she is, makes life so much easier and fun. Even though we purposefully don’t try to trick people anymore like we did when we were little, somehow people think we do. Haha. It’s just because they are confused.

Speaking of duo, you and your sister play music together?

KD – We sure do and I love it! Ever since we got our first karaoke machine at the age of 4, singing has almost taken over more than talking!

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You two released your debut single in 2015. What was that process like?

KD – It was the biggest blessing ever. I was praying for an opportunity to arise and it did. Money was tight, so production costs weren’t going to happen. After we toured last summer to a range of cities and sharing out heart through our single, “Jesus Had Mine”, we crave to do it again!

Is there anything new in the works at the moment? If so, what do you hope to accomplish?

KD – I wish I could tell you that we are going on tour again but until that day comes, we continue to write and draw inspiration when we are in separate careers and states. We are constantly calling and going back and forth saying, “That needs to be a song.” Ultimately we want to release some music videos about our story with an EP. To dream a little bigger, hopefully get signed to a label and sing for the world.

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Has playing music always been something you enjoy?

KD – Yes, no question about it! I know I am called to do it and any opportunity that’s given to me to share inspiration through music, I am there!

Along the topic of things you enjoy, you run your own blog. What inspired this decision?

KD – My heart was pounding to share a ton a range of topics with the world. I sat down one day and completely made my own website and started to type away. It’s become a personal diary that I want people to see coming from a real life standpoint!

In what ways have you been able to express yourself with your writing voice?

KD – I can express in all ways like fashion, modeling, writing and simply just posting the content that I do. I love being able to share my heart behind a computer screen for someone else to feel something and hopefully gain inspiration.

For our readers who would love to take a look at your site, what kind of content do you create?

KD – I am all over the place but I don’t want to hide that! My passions are everywhere and I take it all to the site and blog. On my site, kaleydignen.com you can find all things from fashion, thrifting tips, videos, real life stories, posts about dating and love, life and more!

What and who is your biggest influence? How have they changed over the years?

KD – As I was growing up, I never was a huge fan girl of a bigger influence because I didn’t agree on how some were using their platform. Considering I had to grow up fast, I learned truly what an influence was. Jesus gives me inspiration and whenever I have a certain topic on my heart, on the blog it goes. My mom is my hero as well.

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Inspiration comes in many forms. Your style is very versatile. Where do you pull style inspiration from?

KD – I love pulling inspiration from trends that are overpriced and creating my own looks from thrifting or find the same pieces for way cheaper! I also love drawing older inspiration from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. I love a good mom jean. Haha!

In your bio, you mentioned that you loved thrift shopping. What are a few of your favorite things to hunt for?

KD – Anything I can cut up, distress or layer onto other pieces found! Also, here’s a tip: I love using super cute cotton shower curtains for tapestries on the wall! Trust me, once you find the right one you won’t pay for another tapestry in store!

You promote a lot of self love on your site. What is one word of advice you’d give to young people growing up in today’s society?

KD – To not find fulfillment in worldly things and people. If you are searching for someone or something to fill an empty whole in your heart, don’t. You need to know that you are loved , valued and worth it.

Where do you hope to find yourself in the next five years?

KD – I would love to be wherever God wants me to be. If I could choose, I would love to have a successful blog where I can speak to girls of all ages, a music career that’s continual and a modeling career that portrays modesty and purity in all that I do. Also, in 5 years it wouldn’t hurt to have met Tim Tebow by now (a girl has got to dream, right?).

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