FBFF: Take Your Best Shot

FBFF

This week's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions came as a bit of a challenge for me to answer.  I love photography but do not have a blog where I take and post pictures of myself.  I tried to answer them anyways and plan on posting more pictures later from my home PC (if I can find them, see question #2.*UPDATE - went home, searched around, memory card still missing.)

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...) I don't take pictures for my blog.  If I want to share a photo of something, I do so on my Twitter account or will send friends the links. I enjoy photography and have a very old (film) SLR, A Sony digital camera, A Cannon Digital and a tripod for personal use.

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system,photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)For the last two years, I've used Picasa Web Albums.  This is great because I can stick my memory card into my laptop, they upload right into my Picasa and will sync with the Picasa Web Album.  I do have a Flickr account but don't update it often.  I've also used Photobucket, SnapFish, Digg, and a few others (that I wish I could remember right now.)  The past use of multiple sites has caused some of my favorite pictures to be lost in cyberspace. 

3. What is your process for taking pictures? I really love taking pictures.  I find that ones that I set up or don't come naturally, don't turn out well.  I've done alot of photojournalism in the past and enjoy taking pictures in the moment.  These feel the most authentic to me.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily? Well I definitely don't scout locations, especially since I don't take and blog pictures of myself but in regards to taking pictures for general use inspiration for taking a great shot comes while driving in the car, visiting a new place, seeing things from a new angle, the weather, or light hitting something in a particular way.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying? A digital SLR.  There's really no other way to get a quality picture without being able to adjust your lense.

Interested in a behind the lense point of view from other FBFF members?  Check out ModlyChic.

XXoo

FBFF Finding Uniqueness In A Cookie Cutter World

In a world of competition and comparisons, it becomes increasingly hard to find someone truly authentic.  The same goes for blogs.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

1.) Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read.  How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?  I think it is really hard to find blog authenticity.  I would describe it as a page that contains content set up in its' own unique fashion with fresh material -something you wouldn't read or see elsewhere.

2.) When it comes to your blog how do you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling?  My blog is a little rugged.  It doesn't look like a website and sometimes the editing and format is extremely basic.  While I want to continue working on little things to make it better, I really like the raw, basic, old school blog-like feel to it.  You don't see many of those those these days.

3.)  Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months?  What made you lose interest?  I wouldn't say that I have lost interest in any blogs recently.  There are so many I enjoy reading, sometimes I just don't have time to get to them all each day or week.

4.)  We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life...what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?  Well, I write a fashion blog about shopping, mainly online shopping, and I do a hell of a lot of online shopping.  The trends that I am writing about and the pieces that I am sharing with my readers are things I am following or buying a version of for myself.

5.) Give a shout-out...Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?  I have to give shout outs to my other Three T Mafia (inside) girls, Taliah and Ty.  Check out www.fashionwashere.wordpress.com and www.heybellablog.com for some great genuine blogs.  Fashion Was Here covers Taliah's personal style, street style, shopping, and beauty tips.  Ty writes about high fashion, runway shows, new designers, vlogs her personal thoughts, and features so much else on Hey Bella Blog.  They are both refreshing and unique everyday reads.  Plus, they are both awesome and unique people too.

What are some of your favorite authentic blogs?  Have you ever stopped reading a certain blog?  Why?

Wanna read about more great blogs?  Learn more about Fashion Beauty Friend Friday and then join the Google Group.

XXoo

FBFF “Dresstiny”

“How much of it is just random selection and how much of what we see is pre-determined?” – Katy from ModlyChic.com

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day? In a rare occasion, I think of what I am going to wear for work the night before.  Most of the time, I dress according to my mood (and the weather) each day.

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month,
weekend? I rarely plan outfits for work unless I have an event, meeting or presentation.  I will admit that I OBSESS over planning super far in advance (far enough that my friends might consider me crazy,) for big events and night outs.  (This could be anything from someone’s birthday to New Year’s Eve.)  (Example. I started looking for the perfect dress to wear for my bachelorette party almost a year in advance.)(Disclaimer. This anal retentive craziness is sometimes a double edged sword.  Sometimes I find the perfect outfit and by the time the event comes I’m over it and have to find something else to wear.)

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already
worn so you don't repeat?  I have an almost photographic memory of what I wore (and what other people wore) and when.  In high-school my friends used to call my house around 6a.m. to ask me the last time they wore something so they wouldn’t wear it again too soon.

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?
(Trial try-ons? Hanging items together?)  I don’t really play around with outfit combinations.  Every now and again I see something that inspires me and I think, “Oh, I have something like that and it would look great with this.”

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do
to cut down your dressing time?  Shop more.

Interested in seeing how other fashion bloggers responded?  Check out Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.

XXoo

How Big Is Your Measuring Cup?

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

Sometimes we can be our own worst critics.  We judge ourselves harder than others would judge us.  This is especially true when we put ourselves out there, literally, with something like a blog for the world to see.  Having a blog opens up a world of readers (judgers?) and could leave us second guessing ourselves.  With accessibility to so many other blogs, sometimes we might find ourselves setting unreasonable standards based on what we view on other blogs and if you aren’t sure of what your voice is you might begin to worry about never measuring up.

As most of us bloggers know, no matter what topic you’re writing about, it is extremely easy to get lost in the “is my blog (am I) good enough?

1. Have you ever looked at someone's blog and thought yours will never measure up?  Never.  My blog’s “success” isn’t defined by other people’s blogs.  My blog is an extension of my thoughts, my style and if people didn’t think it was as good as another’s, they shouldn’t read it.

2. Do you (did you) feel pressure to meet some kind of undefined standard for fashion bloggers?  I’m not really sure what this standard would be.  I think I feel pressure to post more often, to make my blog more credible but that’s about it.

3. Many established fashion bloggers are also extraordinary DIYers, bakers, and crafty people. Do you think you need to combine all of these things to be successful at blogging?  You definitely do not need to combine all these things to be successful at blogging.  I actually prefer when a blog has just one focus and the writer puts all of their energy into just that topic.  I prefer to read fashion blogs and when they include things like baking and "look how I organized my closet today," I don’t tend to read those posts.  (Just my personal preference.)  If I wanted baking inspiration, I’d be more apt to find a blog strictly about baking.

4. The most successful blogs are the ones that have their own personal voice - how are you developing your voice or how did you find yours?  While I’m still working on technical aspects of my blog, such as photo editing, I know what my voice is.  I’ve been writing since I was very young and my style has always been the same.  I stay true to myself and write from the heart.  If something doesn’t inspire me, I don’t write about it.  Don’t force your voice to be like someone else’s, write from your soul.  That’s my advice.

5. Toot your own horn... what's one thing you do that is unique to you and your blog? What gives your blog an edge? I don’t do outfit posts.  I love looking at them on other people’s blogs (it's is probably my favorite thing to view actually) but my blog is strictly for putting together outfits and online shopping.  Finding anything and everything online is one of my talents and I really look forward to sharing this with everyone!

Interested in seeing how other fashion bloggers responded?  Check out Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.

XXoo

In Good Fashion

Ever interested in what different fashion bloggers wear during the holidays?  Katy from Modly Chic did too.  Once again, Katy has come up with great questions to help you know your favorite fashion bloggers better.

1. Which holiday party are you looking forward to attending this
year? Out of all the holiday parties this year, I’m actually looking forward to the one thrown by my husband’s side of the family the most.  He has a ton of relatives that still live in the same area so every year they throw a Christmas Eve party at someone else’s house.  This year, there are so many of us it will be held at a private hall.  Let’s just say it involves a ton of great Italian food, copious amounts of drinking and great people.
2. What is your go-to holiday party outfit? I actually don’t have a go to holiday party outfit.  I’m a firm believer in every party is different so every outfit should be as well.  If I have to pick one item that I know I will wear to more than one party it will be my new faux fur coat.
3. Do you go dressed in something that would be impractical to wear at any other time of the year? This is a tough one!  I’m going to go with maybe.  I try to only spend money on pieces that I love and would wear to many different places, things that are true to myself and are what I like to wear year round.  That being said, I did buy this black lace tutu-like skirt this year that would be perfect for a holiday party but I personally might not wear it any other time of year.  (I think other people would be able to wear the skirt year round, it’s just not something I usually wear so it might be impractical for me.)
4. If you are going to a house-party what gift will you bring to the host/hostess? I’m a huge fan of picking out nice bottles of wine for people.  This is hands down what I always bring.  (I did bring a nice bottle of champagne once and it went over very well.)
5. If you could buy only one trendy piece to update your holiday party wardrobe, what would you get this year?  I want velvet leggings.  I don’t know why I haven’t gotten any yet since I’ve seen them for under $10 plus shipping but I think they are really fabulous.

Interested in seeing how other fashion bloggers responded?  Check out Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.

XXoo

A Day Late But Not A Dollar Short

So it may not be Friday anymore but I don't mind.  Here are this week's questions and answers to Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.

1. How important do you think reader connectedness is to the success
of your blog?  I think reader connectedness is the key ingredient for blog success.  If you connect with your readers (which everyone should strive to do, unless they are keeping the blog for their own personal reasons,) you will keep you readers coming back for more.
2. What do you do to draw readers in and create that writer-reader bond? I started this blog as a site for my friends to check my latest online shopping finds and trend cravings without me having to email them 20 times a day; so I write the same way I would speak to my friends.  I think this helps to create a writer-reader bond.  Some of the things I say are more intimate and my style of writing is pretty informal.  I think this helps make the readers feel like they are my friends even if we have never met. 
3. What is one way you could improve this connection?  I would like more of my readers to engage so I could get their thoughts and suggestions.  This would help to improve the connections between myself and my readers.
4. Is there a blogger you think does a great job creating that writer-reader bond? Why?  I think Melissa Blake from http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com does a fantastic job creating a writer-reader bond.  Her posts are so honest.  I feel like we are sitting in the same room together just hanging out.  She does a great job of letting the reader get to know who she is while keeping us going back for more each day.

5. What do you do to cultivate new readers? How do you get them to your site in the first place?  I’m still working on this one.  I started off by sending the link to my blog to all of my friends.  Since I don’t have Facebook, several of my friends have posted the link on their pages.  (However, I’m sure if I had Facebook, this would be a great way to extend my reach.)  I currently Tweet the link to new posts and last time I checked my Google Analytics, I was extremely surprised by the number of views.  Some of my followers retweet the post which is extremely helpful in reaching some people I wouldn’t have with just my post.  I still don’t feel as though this is enough to cultivate new readers.  I’ve tried StumbleUpon (but don’t really know how this has worked.)  I also recently signed up for BlogLovin’ and I hope this helps me get some more readers as well!

Interested in joining in the conversation? Learn more about Fashion Beauty Friend Friday and then join the Google Group. This will get you access to the Friday questions a couple days early as well as the off-blog conversations we have on any number of topics.

XXoo