behind the blog: marionberry style

This week's Behind the Blog is Marion from Marionberry Style. If you haven't, you really need to check out her blog - she has impeccable style but also always keeps it hilariously real on her blog. Her style is definitely something I try to emulate - she was even one of my 25 style inspiration pictures! She just recently gave birth to her first child - we're all so excited for us to learn more about the little guy. Marion also holds a monthly trend link-up that I always try to participate in. 

Tell us what motivated you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

It’s hard to say exactly what motivated me.  I think if I were to give one answer I would say other bloggers!  At the time, I was reading a few blogs and just admired how these women had an idea for a blog and acted upon it.  At the time, I really didn’t have a creative outlet and I had just moved to Denver where I knew no one…so it just seemed like the perfect solution to start a blog! 

Which blogs do you read every day? 

I vary the blogs I read every week…but try to read the blogs of the women who comment on mine and who I’ve formed some type of connection with over the past year. 

Who takes your pictures? What camera and lens do you use? Have you ever been caught in the act of taking these?

So I actually take all my own photos.  And yes, I’ve been “caught” by strangers several times and each time is just as embarrassing as before!  That said, I am naturally a shy person so I’ve decided to think of my blog photography as an “exercise in self confidence.” 

I use a Canon 60D with a 50mm f1.4 lens.

Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

Haha…nope!  I would guess that no one I work with knows about my blog. My own dad didn’t know until a few weeks ago.  It’s funny…I work so hard on it and I am very proud of my blog, but it goes back to the shyness factor.  I just don’t like to talk about myself (maybe that is why I am a school psychologist so that I can spend my days talking about other people!) 

When people in my “real life” do discover my blog, their response is always sweet and enthusiastic.  They don’t make fun of me (too much!)

What restrictions do you have with your job as a school psychologist? How do you manage to stay professionally dressed while still having fun with your outfits?

I don’t have a ton of restrictions with my wardrobe as a school psychologist and I probably “overdress” most of the time.  That said, dressing professionally is a priority to me.  I believe that just because I work with elementary aged kids doesn’t mean I shouldn’t put forth a polished image.  I like to have fun with colors, patterns and textures at work…all while remaining professionally dressed. 

By the time this is published, your bouncing baby boy will be here. What is the biggest piece of advice do you have for any pregnant ladies out there when it comes to dressing your bump?

Oh gosh…dressing for pregnancy is hard work!  I really tried to limit the amount of maternity attire I purchased.  I work my “normal” clothes up until the middle of the 6^th month and then just invested in a few key pieces (maternity jeans, a couple dresses, tank tops and a couple long sleeve tops) that carried me through.  I had to get creative…but it is possible!

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?

I am kind of picky when it comes to which trends I will follow.  My rule is if I feel as though I am just doing something to be “on trend” than I just won’t do it.  That seems so fake.  For instance, I know for a while there was this trend to have half of your blouse untucked in the front.  I don’t know about you…but I just this look was so weird.  It looked like you just left the bathroom and forgot to check yourself in the mirror! 

So if it doesn’t “feel” right to you…pick another trend to try!

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?

Oh sure.  And again…I have to think of it as a confidence building exercise (you’re never too old to work on a healthy self perception!)  I usually just sniffle a little bit and then move on J 

What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

I would have to say the best thing so far has been the friendships I’ve made with other bloggers (even if it is just through the internet for now).  I am inspired on a daily basis by all the amazing + positive women who I meet through my blog.

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 try to dedicate time each week to commenting on other blogs, but I refuse to do this as self-promotion.  Instead, I comment on other blogs when I want to respond to what they have published or I want to connect with them in some form.

 

As far as promoting my blog, I try to connect with others through Facebook and Twitter.  I also like link-ups for discovering new blogs!

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers? 

I still feel like a rookie in the blogging world, so I don’t know how helpful my suggestions are…but I would encourage other bloggers to stay true to your own voice and try not to make your blog all about “you.”  Instead, it should be about ideas and dialogue.  I hope people who visit my blog either 1) laugh 2) learn something or 3) are inspired a little bit. 

I also think it’s important to be unique.  Just like it real life…if you are always trying to be someone else, you’ll never truly experience the authentic “you!”  In blogging, there are so many incredible sites out there that you have to be unique in order to stand out.  Don’t be afraid to be different! 

Thank you so much for participating in Behind the Blog Marion even though you have a lot of important things (ahem, baby Cooper) going on in your life. Make sure you visit Marion's blog and then come back next week to read about Katie from Hems for Her.