Featured Blogger: Third Edition

For my third featured blogger, I'd love to introduce you to Bonnie from Flashes of Style (if you haven't already met this beauty through her wonderful blog!) When I first started blogging, I came across Bonnie's Chictopia and instantly fell in love with this first image below. It was the perfect look to me and I found her blog and have been following ever since. I read through every post starting from the very beginning loving her amazing talent at thrifting and ability to layer gorgeous outfits. She has a love for florals, like I do, and she pulls them off effortlessly. Bonnie has most definitely been an inspiration to me and I know she will be to you too!

1. What made you decide to start a personal style blog?

Well, I have always had a strong interest in fashion. Whether it be getting inspiration from magazines, street-style, or putting outfits together from my closet, and even creating my own mini "photo-shoots" with my friends, fashion has always been a prominent hobby of mine. I eventually decided, why not share my passion with the world? That is how my blog came to be!

2. You're a fashion student - what are your future dreams/plans?

I would eventually love to be a fashion stylist. I think that having a fashion blog is such a great way to develop your own distinctive personal style. I think that after I fully discover it, styling would be my dream career. I also have taken several fashion merchandising and PR classes. So in the meantime, I would love to do something creative like visual merchandising.

3. What is another passion of yours besides fashion?

Film photography has become a very strong passion of mine. I have been collecting an assortment of 35mm cameras, and I just love experimenting with them. As of recently, I just learned how to develop my own photos in a dark room, which makes it even more fun. Music is another love of mine. Although I do not play any instruments, I always surround myself by music! And of course, books are great. Characters in novels are my friends.

4. Did your semester in London affect your style?

Absolutely! I lived in central London, so basically everyday was like walking on a street that was a runway. I would get on the tube to go to class and see these immaculately dressed people. The styles I saw definitely inspired me, and also being in such a fashion forward environment allowed me to express myself more freely.

5. What are some of your current favorite blogs?

One of my absolute favorites blogs, and a very popular one, is Cherry Blossom Girl. I just adore her photos and how she makes every single post so enchanting. I am also really into Seriale-Moduse. She makes the BEST collages which are so inspiring. A few other favorites include Gala Gonzalez, Garace Doré and Alice Point.

6. A favorite band?

My top three favorite bands are: The Kinks, Beach House and Wilco. I also love anything folk, alt. country or indie.

7. You are wonderful at thrifting! Any secrets?

Thank you, first of all! I suppose a secret would be that I look through absolutely everything in the store, and even look through the racks twice. The best pieces I have thrifted are items which I have altered. For example, a lot of my dresses used to be floor-length or had big puffy sleeves or something silly like that. Basically, just keep one eye open for ways to customize the clothing you find.

8. Where do you get your inspiration for your style?

Oh so many places! Of course I get inspiration from the obvious, like magazines, blogs, runway, and the street. I also love when inspiration surprises me in new places, like an art museum, an old film, a pretty sunset or anything like that. Inspiration is everywhere!

9. What do you love most about your hometown in Texas?

The people, the food, and good thrifting! Also the comfort of southern living is quite nice.

10. Any tips for new bloggers trying to start up?

Just go for it! I spent months just

browsing other people's marvelous blogs before I got the courage to start up my own. Everyone is different, and it's so exciting seeing what new bloggers have to say.

I hope you all enjoyed learning a little bit more about Bonnie! Be sure to head over to her blog, Flashes of Style, for more wonderful inspiration. If you enjoyed reading this feature, be sure to check out my first featured blogger, Delightfully Tacky, and my second blogger, Modern Day Charm! I do a featured blogger every season, so be sure to look out in fall for a new lovely lady!