Meet this week’s Ruby Assembly Digi-Ninja – Chrystal Psaltopoulos! All-round nifty lady, vintage fiend, enviable parent and Number One Member of the Shahs of Sunset fanclub. She’s also the writer behind Melbourne lifestyle blog Chrystalovevintage (often syndicated on Mum’s Lounge and Style Hunter) and fellow studio pal at THEMANROOM. Find out more about Chrystal’s path as a blogger, collaborative workspace community leader and Melbourne style aficionado.
RS: How long have you been blogging? What kicked off your blog, and how did you settle on your key focus?
C: I started my blog a few years ago as a way to share my vintage finds with people. One of my favourite things to do is visit markets and op shops where I’m always guaranteed to find something beautiful and unique to take home. I love the idea of something having a story attached to it. I think it’s so much more interesting and romantic than just buying generic things from a chain store. My blog really just evolved from there. I found I had so much more to say and share- on everything from beauty and fashion tips as well as my love and appreciation of Danish design and Mid Century architecture. I’m also currently a regular columnist from Mum’s Lounge and Stylehunter. I’ve found however that my most popular posts are my personal stories that I occasionally share. I like to give people a real insight into my life- both good and bad. When sharing a personal experience, I’m always touched when I person takes the time to write and say how it helped them in some way. How they too have gone through a similar ordeal and feel less isolated once reading my story. That’s what I truly love about writing on my blog.
RS: Tell us about THEMANROOM – how are you involved with this project? How does a collaborative work environment enhance creativity? Is it more or less productive than a corporate work environment?
C: THEMANROOM is a coworking space that was the brainchild of my husband. This year I’ll be taking on the role of Community Manager so I’m really excited by that. THEMANROOM concept is all about creating a collaborative community where people from all backgrounds- creative types, tech heads, start ups, entrepreneurs can come together and innovate. We have big communal tables and our members pay monthly or weekly to be part of our community and have access to all the facilities. THEMANROOM in Richmond is located in the beautiful deco building of Burnley Street Studios. It’s a creative hub which houses artists and designers. Coworking is a great way to work and I believe a more productive one as you’re surrounded by an array of creative types rather than staring at the 4 walls of a cubicle in some office. It’s a great way to network, collaborate and innovate. It’s the way of work in the future and we’re part of that which is very exciting. 
RS: Share with us your favorite blogs.
C: I used to follow hundreds of blogs in the early days but quickly realised I had no time to read them all! I love design blogs like The Design Files, which always manages to inspire me with their extensive range of topics – architecture, art, homewares etc. I also love the fact that it’s in my Inbox without fail at the same time each morning. I love consistency! Fashion wise I love street style blogs – International ones like The Sartorialist, Street Peeper and Face Hunter, as well as local blogs What Would Karl Do, Busichic and Cecylia.
C: This question is a hard one. I love and admire so many people that it’s hard to narrow it down to 3. Jerry Lewis would definitely be in there- simply because he’s one of my first comedic idols. I love the simplicity and innocence of his comedy. Always guaranteed to make me laugh out loud. For fashion advice I would love to sit opposite Patricia Field. Did you know she’s half Greek? Explains her flamboyant sense of style doesn’t it? I would love for her to give me a Carrie Bradshaw makeover! And thirdly it would have to be Prince- simply for his kick arse playlist.
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