ANSWERS PART II

vintage Loretta Lynn tee // Zara snakeskin pants // Celine platforms

FASHION

What got you interested in fashion/who's your fashion inspiration?

My grandmother and mother were both adept with sewing and knitting and taught me both at a very early age. That's what got me into the construction aspect of clothes. In high school, I was a weirdo punk/ska/skaterat kid that wanted to dress crazy so I used my rudimentary skills to make myself tutus and dresses out of smurf print bedsheets. I guess that was the actual starting point of me getting into "fashion" before actually being exposed to designers and trends. I just wanted to be different and dressing outlandishly was my outlet. People who know what they like and really commit to it inspire me more than anything. It's not about racing to get the hottest new item or competing with everyone else, it's about knowing yourself and what you're comfortable in.

If you could get rid of one designer, who would it be and why?

I'm not a big fan of the Heatherette-types.

Who are your top three style icons?

Diane Keaton, Francoise Hardy, Tina Chow, Janis Joplin

Who's your favourite designer and where do you get your fashion inspiration from? Does it change with the seasons?

I never have a favorite anything in life! My tops are Ann Sofie-Back, Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe, Jun Takahashi, and Takahiro Miyashita. There are always new ones coming and going with the seasons. Phoebe Philo can do no wrong at the moment.

Whose closet would you raid if you had the chance?

I hate to admit it, but Vanessa Traina? Not a fan, but I do envy her access to designers.

What is a current trend that you hate and want to set on fire?

Not really a trend, but I can't stand inconsistency in the way people dress. It comes off as a lack of self awareness. Not to say you can't have different styles on different days, but there should be an underlying "you" through every look. Some people are extreme boho one day, biker the next, then demure, one day sexy, and on "off" days grunge. Too much trend is never a good thing. Find your identity!

Hi! What fashion item will you splurge on this fall?!

Eyyy! uh I really need to stop with the shoes and finally get myself a new bag. I would really love the perfect pair of red boots too.

What is the one piece in your wardrobe you could never live without?

My RVCA jeans. With every new torn seam I die a little inside. I need to find the perfect replacement pair before they completely fall apart.

What is your most valued purchase of all time and why is it so special to you?

The first time I bought a car on my own, the second time I bought a car on my own, and buying my dad a nice suit for the first time - for all the obvious reasons! Fashion-wise, my Rodarte jacket, Fendi bag, Celine platforms, Chloe Susans, Ann Sofie Back jacket - all the steals that were the rewards of patience and aggressive hunting.

Who or what inspires you when it comes to fashion?

Like mentioned above, just all the people who really know themselves and dress accordingly. All the people that inspire me aren't necessarily how I want/like to dress (some are), but I admire their ability to stand out by looking like themselves. You can tell when someone is just doing a trend. I appreciate people who bring something fresh to the table. Oh and the Japanese, they make the bizarre look totally normal.

What's your fashion faux pas and what's your fashion DOs?

DON'T always have to look "pretty"

DO dress comfortably - literally or figuratively

Where in the fashion industry do you see yourself in 10 years?

In my own little boutique with my own humble little line.

How do you stay involved with the fashion world, outside of blogging?

I don't. I hate talking about fashion or being around fashion people. Clearly, I love fashion, but it doesn't rule my world. It probably also has something to do with the fact that I'm not a very social person. Also, too much exposure sometimes taints your views. I like being inspired by other things and applying those to the way I look at fashion.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the need to keep up with fashion or just to stay looking so great? If so, any tips as to how to get out of that funk? I know I get caught in that feeling often -especially because I work for minimum wage.

I never feel overwhelmed. I'm in my early 30s now, so I left all those feelings in my 20s! You just have to stop caring at some point. Always trying to keep up with people or trends is going to result in a confused style and a tired you. It's not a competition, no one's rating you. Do what you feel and make no apologies. Don't be fooled, I don't look great all the time, or even half the time! And never ever let your wallet dictate your style. Make do with what you have - that's where creativity is key. This is where you separate yourself from the pack.

What do you think of the styles of those "It Girls", say, Alexa Chung?

She's pretty, but her style does nothing for me - along with any of the "it girls" - come to my hood in Echo Park/Silverlake and you'll see a million hipster girls that have dressed like that for years. It amazes me that fashion people are just now praising styles that have been around for ages. Granny chic is not new. Neither is punk, people.

BLERG

I was wondering if you want to reach a goal with your blog. I mean, I've opened mine because I'd like to share with my readers what I find/discover on the net about fashion. Why have you decided to open yours?

There are lots of different blogs out there - uber creative ones, inspirational ones, informative ones. Mine started out of complete boredom as a place to house all my random, shallow, ridiculous thoughts - almost like a dialogue with myself. I've never had a goal for the blog. I think if I had other motives, it would sway the content drastically and that's not what I want. It's all in good fun here.

Your top 3 websites you visit everyday?

my friend's brand blog thehundreds, bloglovin, and eBay (it's an addiction)

Your top 3 blog sites?

See the sidebar for my tops! --->

How long did you think about getting a blog before you actually made one?

The second I thought of it, I just jumped in - thus the sketchy early posts. But I like where we're headed.

What blog are you addicted to?

FAIL blog.