Q+A with Tieka of Selective Pontential

Remember this post, when I began a Fave Blogger Q+A series? Well, it’s been a while since I posted the first one so I thought it was about time to post another. Before I hit publish, let me introduce you to Tieka, the lovely lady behind one of my favorite blogs, Selective Potential (as if she needs an introduction!). Besides her adorable, enviable style sense (I’ve lifted many an outfit right from her blog!), there’s another reason I find her blog so gosh darn loveable. Her candid, expose detailing her path to weight-loss and her daily journey to be a healthy and happy weight, is just so inspiring and hits really close to home for me. I started blogging in 2008, when this whole style blogosphere was still in diapers, but eventually stopped because people were so cruel and mean about my weight (I was about 20lbs heavier). I never really lacked confidence about the way I looked but it was the haters that took the fun out of it for me and I took a long hiatus from blogging until just recently. In retrospect, I wish I had stuck with it, like she did! So her posts about weight loss and her struggles with it are some of my favorite ones because I find such inspiration in them! I got to ask Tieka some questions about life, style and all the rest. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit better as much as I did. If you have suggestions for other bloggers you’d love to know more about, leave them in the comments!

Age/ Hometown: 26 // Grand Rapids, MI

How/Why did you start blogging? I lost 35 pounds almost four years ago, and I was instantly excited about the many new ways I could dress my body! I started getting more into fashion and personal style, came across an article on fashion bloggers and have been hooked ever since! I’m about to celebrate four years in September!

Do you have a day job (besides blogging)? What do you do? I’m a full-time graphic designer. Right now, it consumes my life! But I love my job so much. I went to college for graphic design/digital media, so it’s always been a dream to have a job doing something I love.

What’s your greatest inspiration when it comes to personal style? I’m definitely inspired by other personal-style bloggers. I’m constantly reading blog after blog and pinning photos on Pinterest! I also get a lot of inspiration for my outfit choices from locations I’m going to. I do a lot of research before we take any big trips!

What other blogs do you read? My favorites are Skunkboy Creatures, A Beautiful Mess, Delightfully Tacky, Jen Loves Kev, Orchid Grey, Rockstar Diaries, the list goes on and on. I mostly love bloggers who are themselves, down-to-earth and inspiring.

What would be your dream come true? I’d love LOVE to somehow come into enough money to buy a lighthouse and fix it up into a home. I’d start a blog about my family + life living there. 😉

How were you able to gain the following you have now? Years of hard work – no joke! I’m just a small-town Michigan gal with no serious connections, but I worked hard at my content and got lucky with making some amazing blog friends who have supported me along the way. I also joined fashion communities like Chictopia which helped me majorly build my audience, and have taken almost every opportunity I’ve been given! I feel super blessed to have the most amazing readers.

What trend are you loving right now? I’m a huge fan still of the aztec/tribal print trend going on right now. I just bought some really cute white/black shorts with a print on them for summer! Paired with chambray and moccasins? Perfect for summer!

What’s the one current trend you wish would go away? I’m not a fan of those platform sneakers (sorry to anyone who has those, haha!). They just aren’t for me. But I’m a pretty feminine, vintage-inspired blogger, and the most tomboy I’ll go is probably a pair of keds + jeans.

What camera do you use? A Canon t2i Rebel! I use a 55mm lens.

What are your favorite places to shop? I love ModCloth, Ruche, Urban Outfitters, Forever21, Target and Francesca’s Collections. Ooh, and Old Navy!

For those just getting started with fashion blogging, what would your advice be? Work really hard on your content – make it good, while being yourself. Find your niche before really promoting yourself. Because once you start driving traffic to your site, and it’s not to where you want it to be yet, readers won’t stay. I built my content/voice for six months before I really got any comments on my blog. It takes time – so have patience! xo

Fave Blogger Q+A with Breanne of Flattery

One of my favorite things about blogging is the warm and welcoming feeling of community. If you’re anything like me, you have a long list of go-to reads that you check religiously (hopefully mine is one that’s on your regular circuit!). The other blogs I read are written by totally cool chicks, with spot-on style, gals I just know I’d love to be friends with and know more about! So here’s a peek, my lovely readers, at the other rad girls that inspire me daily.

Starting things off right…Breanne of Flattery. Our neighbor to the North, Breanne, is probably best known for flaunting her fashionable threads amidst a wash of snow (Oh, Canada), but her simple style is divine and totally enviable. Plus, what outfit wouldn’t look fab topped off with the best accessory? Those long, flowing locks! And, she’s as sweet as she is pretty. Win! Win! Get the inside scoop on this Canadian fashionista as we talk jobs, trends, and more…

Age/ Hometown: 21 / Winnipeg

How/Why did you start blogging? I started blogging after discovering the style website, Chictopia. I posted on there for several months before deciding to create my own blog so that I could share things beyond outfits. I basically wanted a creative outlet and somewhere to get feedback on my outfits!

Do you have a day job (besides blogging)? What do you do? Yes I do! I work for a Social Media/Web PR company as a Social Media Strategist. We manage a number of company’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc).

What’s your greatest inspiration when it comes to personal style? Browsing other blogs or lookbook! Also window shopping. I don’t really look to celebrities. I prefer normal people.

What other blogs do you read? TONS! To name a few: K is for Kani, Knottus, Oh So Lovely Vintage, Neon Blush

 What would be your dream come true? To win the lottery and be able to travel all my life!

 How were you able to gain the following you have now? Slow and steady wins the race! I have no real strategy, but posting on other websites like Chictopia and Lookbook certainly drives traffic!

 What trend are you loving right now? Strappy heels although I haven’t bought any yet.

 What’s the one current trend you wish would go away? Maybe those bart simpson t-shirts? I don’t really absolutely loathe anything though, it’s just not my style and it’s fine if other people wear it. I’m not one to shun things…except maybe lazy wear (lulu lemons)

What camera do you use? Canon Rebel T1i

 What are your favorite places to shop? Forever 21, Asos, Urban Outfitters, Zara, etc etc etc!

For those just getting started with fashion blogging, what would your advice be? The most important thing is that you are enjoying it – not just trying to become famous or get free stuff. Don’t put yourself in a box or give yourself rules. Just blog about whatever you want.

Thanks Breanne! Hope everyone is savoring the last few hours of the weekend! If you loved reading about Breanne and know of another awesome blogger you’d love to get the dirty on…let me know in the comments! xo