Friday's Finest: The Woman Behind OJ & CIGS

In a sea full of fashion bloggers and the many slouchy poses in front of the lens, it's always a breath of fresh air when you come across a unique voice. In this case, it's Jana Rose Carrero the girl behind OJ & CIGS, not only do you have to admit you really love the name but, the style taking over her page is top-notch. I love learning a thing or two about up and coming bloggers and this Miami based lady has some things up her sleeve to learn about. From Miami to NYC,  here are 10 questions after the jump.


    •    Age: 27 years young, but I look like I’m 17.  And I’m proud!


    •    What was the inspiration behind OJ and Cigs, and how did you come up with the name?

  OJ AND CIGS came about as a medium of self-expression and a way to document my inspirations through photographs and text. It’s all about discovery…I absolutely love finding and collaborating with new stores & designers, and exploring new music and places to share with everyone around me, while staying true to my voice.

I wanted the name to be feminine yet quirky, memorable, and dichotomous. I had been peeling oranges in my apartment (leaving it smelling nice and fresh) one day, and left for a few errands. When I returned, I guess the neighbors’ cigarette smoke traveled through the vents, and I told my boyfriend, “It smells like orange juice and cigarettes in here…” – to which he replied, “That’s the name of your blog.” Some people think it sounds gross, but I find it has a certain “je ne sais quoi” [liberating] ring to it.


    •    What do you think sets your blog apart from all the rest?

I love quality, and I am a fan of clean and simple aesthetic. Sometimes I’ll choose to wear the simplest outfit depending on my mood, but will spice things up with interesting backdrops to get a cool image. I also like to work with local/emerging stores and designers from not only Miami where I currently live, but from Puerto Rico and NYC as well.  And I’ll always stay true to my voice. 


    •    Best things about living in Miami?

The weather! Hands down. And access to the one of the world’s largest open-air street-art galleries known as Wynwood.


    •    Something that your readers don't know about you:

#1 – I was a DJ at my college radio station, which plays the best music ever (and also streams online) WVUM 90.5 – “The Voice of the University of Miami,” and I have a bachelor’s degree in film.

#2 - I am insanely OCD. I am a total clean freak who vacuums multiple times a day, leaves no dirty dishes in the sink and leaves nothing out of place. My family knows not to leave papers out, because I will start organizing and throwing out anything that looks like it may be scrap…and this has gotten me into trouble!


    •    Hobbies aside from blogging:

Sounds cliché, but concerts, photography, road trips, travel and the beach are my life. I collect cameras: Super 8, Fuji, Polaroid, Lomo... I also like to peruse YouTube and discover music (I Shazam everything!).


    •    Most memorable moment in your blogging career has been:

Attending Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference in NYC February 2013


    •    Currently on your summer playlist:

Twin Shadow, Velvet Underground, Alt-J, Tame Impala, Wild Belle, Los Wálters, Azealia Banks, Sky Ferreira, Leatherette, Owlle “Ticky Ticky,” Bonobo, Disclosure, Toro Y Moi. Jamie XX.


    •    If you could live in another era, when would it be and why?

I always say the 60s and 70s because it was a beautiful and creative time in fashion, film, and music…But after watching Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” I would love to go back to the Roaring Twenties too.


    •    Up and coming for you and your blog:

More collaboration with Miami and Puerto Rico-based talent (photographers, designers, retailers) soon on OJ AND CIGS!

Keep up with OJ & CIGS on instagram and Twitter!