I'm a big fan of Heather from Pearls and Paws. Not only does she have impeccable style, but her dog (who makes quite a bit of appearances on her blog) is too cute. Plus as both of us are UW alums, I knew she would be a smart lady to talk to ;)
Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you
following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?
Before blogging I was unaware of the fabulous blogging
world I was missing out on! I started
the blog as friends/coworkers asked me where I got my clothes – and they’d
always be surprised when I said places like Old Navy, H&M, Target, etc.
Most people assume you have to spend a lot for great style. My blog is all about looking fabulous for
less (and my dog Rex).
Which
blogs do you read every day?
I
read many different blogs that have the same philosophy as I do about fashion
for less. I used to follow some of the
big name bloggers, but I’ve found that the ones I have real connections with
via commenting and social media are the ones I like visiting the most.
Who
takes your pictures? What camera and lens do you use? Have you ever been caught
in the act of taking these?
My
wonderful boyfriend takes pictures for me (we use a Nikon D3100) and I work
with several fantastic photographers (Belkis Cruz Photography, Dave Haas
Photography, and Nicole Lai Photography).
I’ve been caught in the act several times and yes it’s embarrassing and
awkward – but like anything else over time you get used to it. I try to think
like Rex in those moments... who doesn’t care what anyone thinks ;)
Do
people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they
found out about your blog?
Most
of my friends and family know about my blog
- and everyone has been extremely supportive… which I am very grateful
for. And they keep me honest! If I’ve gone too long without featuring Rex
they will make requests for more paws.
You
showcase a lot of cute work outfits. What restrictions do you have when it
comes to work wear, and how do you keep your outfits fresh?
When
it comes to work I’ve certainly broken my own rules (sequins and/or leather in
the office to name a couple). Fashion is
fun and certainly has a place at work. I
live in pencil skirts and dresses and add personality through my heels and
accessories. I also try to remix pieces
as often as possible – you can give your clothes new life by wearing a dress as
a skirt, layering a shirt under a dress, belting a scarf, etc. The possibilities are endless, and other
blogs and Pinterest have been great sources of inspiration.
Many
fashion bloggers hop from one trend to the next. How do you manage to stay on
trend without breaking the bank and just blindly following each trend?
Trying
new trends is a great way to push your fashion boundaries, and since there are
so many different ones you can certainly spend more than necessary. I pick and choose the trends that align most with
my style (classic, polished, and feminine). The easiest way to incorporate a
trend is through accessories – and places like Forever 21, Old Navy, and
H&M are great places to pick up the hottest trends for less. And never underestimate the power of scarves!
Putting
yourself on the internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will
always love what you are wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of
these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?
I’m
so grateful that I haven’t had any negative comments on my blog. And style is so personal I can see how those
comments can feel like a personal attack. Anyone that takes the time to put
negativity on someone’s personal blog probably isn’t the happiest person, and
isn’t worth more time than what it takes to roll your eyes and delete the
comment.
What
has been the best thing to come out of blogging?
Most
definitely meeting fabulous ladies all over the world... it’s a wonderful
community of women supporting other women!
When
it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot
of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups?
I
use the typical social media avenues – facebook, twitter, instagram… and I love
finding other blogs through comments.
Instagram has become one of my favorite social media outlets.
What
tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers?
Don’t let anyone else’s blog or rules define your own… there
will be trends when it comes to outfits/blog style/posts, etc – it’s your world
and you can do whatever you want!
Thank you for being willing to answer all of these questions Heather! Make sure you visit her blog, and then come back next week to learn more about Jessica from Bedknobs and Baubles!
