Featured Blogger: Elyse of Give Me Bows

I've just been thrilled to introduce you all to this lovely lady, Miss Elsye of Give Me Bows. I came across her blog not too long ago, and she is just the sweetest thing, and mind you, with the sweetest dress collection and style to boot! Not only that, but her DIY's are just as lovely. After doing this little interview with her, I couldn't  help but like her tons more, (and also be slightly envious that she got to see The National!).

Give us a little something about yourself. What makes you you?

I grew up on an organic fruit and vegetable farm on the coast of Australia. As soon as school ended, I packed a small suitcase of belongings and moved to Sydney to study/explore/play/meet new friends/grow. I have never looked back! I am a little shy and introverted, but also friendly, creative and open-minded. I am striving to be more thoughtful, generous and forgiving.

What made you initially start blogging? and your favorite thing about it?

Oh, there are so many reasons! To keep a diary to read, cherish and giggle about later in life + to appreciate the beautiful moments in each day + to share creative/DIY projects like my first handmade skirt + to explore and refine my style + to engage with people on the other side of the world with shared interests. My favourite thing so far would be the community spirit of blogging – everyone is so kind, supportive, and generous with tips and ideas.

 

What are some of your passions?

I have a big fear of ‘floating through life’ without making the most of each day, so I aim to always have lots of hobbies + go on adventures + learn new things + self-reflect and grow. I am passionate about sewing, craft, mixed media painting, reading, philosophy, psychology and travelling. Lately I have also taken an interest in photography, cross-stitching, vegetarian cooking and ‘to do’ lists!

What influences and inspires the way you dress and what brought about your interest in fashion?

I am inspired by 50s fashion + quirky fashion labels like Nadinoo and TBA + fashion bloggers + all things feminine and ladylike. I love little details like tulle, velvet, lace, pearls and bows. I didn’t always have an interest in fashion... I guess my interest grew from the realisation that when you embrace and enjoy getting dressed each morning, you begin the day with a more positive outlook.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

You have one of the sweetest collection of dresses I have ever seen! What to you, embodies the perfect dress?

Thanks so much! I love collecting dresses – to me they are beautiful, comfortable and an outfit-in-one (meaning an extra 5 minutes sleep-in each morning!) I look for flattering shapes + cute prints (such as flowers, animals or bows) + cotton or silk blends. I recently finished sewing my first ever dress from scratch, it wasn't perfect but it was okay for a first attempt!

What are some of your favorite blogs out in the blogosphere?

I love to ‘blog surf’ and always stumble upon new inspirational blogs. Some of my favourites at the moment include: on dressing up, with lavender and lace!, the Tragic Sense, Scathingly Brilliant, Pretty Little Pictures, Lulu Letty and Louder than Silence.

What item are you lusting after right now?

We are heading into winter in Australia and I was very thrilled to recently hunt down the TBA ‘Francescia’ Coat in navy – it has a velvet collar and sweet gold buttons! I am now lusting after cute printed stockings with hearts, bows and polka dots. (Admittedly, it is a little hard to get excited about winter fashion when there are so many gorgeous Spring outfits popping up on Northern hemisphere blogs!)

What are some of your favorite listens at the moment?

I recently saw The National when they were in Sydney, they are amazing. I am also loving The Wombats, Hot Chip and Yeasayer.

Now, you can't tell me that you didn't love this interview as much as I enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out the rest of her blog, Give Me Bows, follow, and all those sorts. Elyse is just all kinds of wonderful. ♥

Featured Blogger: Elanor from Missing-Lovebirds

 As my first featured blogger of 2011, I am ecstatic to introduce you all to the lovely Elanor from Missing-Lovebirds! I've been following her blog for a few months now, (I'm going to throw out September because I think that's about right) and fell in love with her vintage vibed wardrobe and perfect, cropped shaggy do, which has since turned into a wickedly wonderful pixie cut that she rocks so well! Elanor is definitely one of those people gifted with the ability to mix and match patterns and pieces and make it look impeccable. Not only that, but her blog is always so relatable and fun. A truly gorgeous person in more ways than one! ♥

 

Give us a little something about yourself. What makes you you?

I'm 17 years old - born in Minnesota, currently living in the San Francisco/Bay Area. I'm a junior at an arts school, and I sing in an advanced chorus and in rockband. I have a passion for vintage and antiques of any sort, and thrifting has become one of my favorite hobbies. I love all things creative and blogging has become a branch of that for me over the past 7 months.

What made you initially start blogging? and your favorite thing about it?

I discovered Lookbook.nu and was introduced to bloggers like Selective Potential and Delightfully Tacky. For the next few months, all I could do was read continuously through their archives then move onto all the other amazing blogs that I found out about thereafter. It wasn't before too long that I thought, why can't I? My absolute favorite thing about blogging is plainly, the community. Not one person has ever been mean, or catty, or rude to me. Everyone is so classy and lovely and their comments are always so encouraging and sweet. The other reasons for blogging, is the inspiration gained from others - and the ability to share your style and hopefully inspire those around you.

What are some of your passions?

As I mentioned before, I have a passion for anything creative. I love singing - from classical to funkadelic-jazzy-nonsense. In fact, I love music in general, as it brings so many emotions to me. Personal style is probably my biggest passion. I love piecing things together till I come up with the outfit I've envisioned. Blogging, too, has definitely become one of my passions, as well as photography.

What influences and inspires the way you dress and what brought about your interest in fashion?

Personally, I don't ever say I have an interest in "fashion", I say I have an interest in "style". But to answer your question - everything and anything influences and inspires me. Other bloggers, vintage magazines and movies, as well as just strangers on the street. My interest was brought up initially, actually, by a girl at my school freshman year. I have never even told her, but she had an interesting style and I attempted to emulate her. From that, I grew and changed and developed a style of my own.

What are some of your favorite blogs out in the blogosphere?

The list would be endless! But I'll name a few! Some of my favorites include, Calivintage, Fancy Treehouse, Lulu Letty, Bleubird Vintage, Flashes of Style, The Upside of Wonder...and so many more.

What item are you lusting after right now?

Currently, I'm desperately lusting after a pair of tall brown boots from Zara, that lace up the front with buckles. They are amazing! I saw them while I was in D.C., but unfortunately couldn't get them for obvious reasons.

What are some of your favorite listens at the moment?

At the moment I've been really into listening to all of Cake's old albums, along with their newer ones. I love their sound and all the quirky instrumentation they've got going on! Another band I'm into right now is Uh Huh Her, with the album Common Reaction. Every song on that album is great. Go listen. :)

 Now if you haven't already, make sure to head on over to Elanor's blog, Missing-Lovebirds, follow, comment, do your thing, and just generally check her out because she is very well worth it! Hope you dolls enjoyed learning about Elanor and reading this interview as much as I did! ♥

Featured Blogger: Bethany from Snakes Nest

You have no idea how delighted I am to introduce you all to Bethany from her blog, Snakes Nest. When I first met path's with her blog, I was blown away by the beautiful photography in her posts. I realized she is much more than just a gorgeous doe-eyed doll with great style, but a truly lovely and talented person. Just from the few conversations I've had with her, she is such a sweetheart. There's honestly nothing not to love about her! ♥

Give us a little something about yourself. What makes you you?
I'm a teen mom. That really is my life and who I am now, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. My daughter has made me a stronger person and helped me mature and grow in ways I never would have otherwise. So I would say, my daughter completes me :)

What made you initially start blogging? and your favorite thing about it?

I started blogging because my cousin and a few of my friends told me to. They said my life was too crazy not to share with the world haha. I think my favorite part about blogging so far is all of the feedback I get from people all over the world. Its really incredible how many amazing and beautiful people are out there that I wouldn't have even talked to in my life. I love feeling connected and sharing my life with everyone who cares to look. :)

What are some of your passions?
I have passion for life in general. There are so many things that I can do and nothing can stop me, ya know? Right now my passion is in photography, fashion, music, and acting. I just love capturing moments with my camera. I have been writing music since I was 6 and acting since I was 8.

Your photography is stunning! What or who are your favorite subjects?
Thank you so much :) My favorite things to shoot are portraits. My cousin was my favorite subject, but she moved away for college. So now my daughter has been in the spotlight the past couple weeks. Hopefully I can get my sisters to model for me again because there's only so much a one year old can do! haha

What influences and inspires the way you dress and what brought about your interest in fashion?
The way I dress reflects my mood of the day I guess. The Olsen twins have always been my inspirations in fashion. I absolutely love every one of their outfits. They both have different styles and thats perfect because my outfits go from feminine and pretty to edgy and dark.

What item are you lusting after right now?
Right now I really want the MONSTERR Wedges and the CALAH booties by Steve Madden. I love the military style shoe trend! I probably will never have them due to putting every bit of cash away in my savings to travel the world, but its good to dream right?

Sorry for making this so picture heavy, but how could you possibly mind, right? I really hope you enjoyed my featuring Bethany! Don't forget to check out her entire blog, Snakes Nest. You definitely won't regret it! ♥