Interview: Elsa Billgren (Need help dressing?), the redish vintage queen.

I'm so happy today about sharing this interview to all of you, because Elsa is one of my muses. I love her not only for being the most beautiful redish girl around the net, but also because her love for vintage clothes, specially dresses.

Elsa is a gorgeous woman who works for Beyond Retro, writes for swedish Elle Magazine and has a progam in the swedish tv, where you can see her showing some amazing vintage shops.

She was recently married with a handsome man who makes her always smile, the wolf -as she likes to call him-; and I can assure you that her wedding was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

As you can see, I don't have words for saying how amazing I think Elsa is... but...

Who's Elsa Billgren?

(click for the interview!)

Thank you so much for accepting doing this interview, Elsa! First of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you?
A: I'm a 24 year old married and vintageloving girl from Stockholm who can not live without high heeld shoes and strawberries.

Oh, I cannot live without them too...!What do you do? What do you like to dedicate?
A: I love to picnic in the park, mostly everything that you can do outside in the summer time. I love to cook and have friends over so we can play cards and drink wine.

Can you talk a little about your interests?
A: My main intrest is vintage fashion. I work as Press and PR officer for Beyond Retro Sweden and a dedicate all my time to beautiful things. I love to shop old stuff I don't need and then just take pictures of it.

That's a great hobby, haha! Ok, so, tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live.
A: I read Tintin when I travel, maybe it's not a book, but close enough... I listen a lot to JJ's latest album and I think I watched Edward Scjssorhands about a hundered times.

Would you share with us a memory that makes you smile?
A: I will never forget my wedding day. It was a rainy saturday in May and now I will always think about how happy I was that day when the rain falls in May.

Any favorite quote?
A: "A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." - Marilyn Monroe

So, talking a little bit about fashion, at what age did your get interested in the fashion world?
A: When I was about thirteen I think. But it wasn't pretty...

That's really difficult to imagine for me! Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
A: I was white trash when I was young. Horrible outfits that showed to much. But then I saw a movie with marilyn and I was hooked.

How would you describe your actual style?
A: Like a young girl trapped in a Disney movie from the sixties mixed with a german woman who bakes cinnamon buns.

What inspire you in choosing your clothes? Do you follow a pattern to match your clothes or just choose randomly?
A: I just buy stuff I think are beautiful. They are often in bright colors and in cotton.

Where do you usually get your clothes? Do you customize or sew any garment to you?
A: I buy almost all my clothes from Beyond Retro. I do put a bit more money on shoes and I just love Sonia Rykiel!

Sonia Rykiel is one of my favourites too, I adore her! Have you got any special obsession (like shoes, bows, skirts...)?
A: Dresses. I only have dresses. Not a single pair of jeans and that's the trouth!

I think that all the people who reads your blog already knew that! Ok, so now, about blogging... When and why did you decide to start writing a blog?
A: Swedish Elle magazine asked me in december 2008. They got in touch with me from my work with vintage fashion and said they needed someone just like me.

What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it?
A: It should be an inspiration and an opposite to all the blogs out there who makes you feel worse about yourself. It shoul be beautiful, colorful and honest.

That's so honest, and makes me say "tahnk you" to you again!
As you may know, you're such a great inspiration for people all around the world -as me-; what do you feel when someone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
A: I get surprised and flattered every time! They are the reason I love blogging so much! It gives me strength to proceed and continue wanting to give people positive energy!

What do you think about the actual Bloggers' world? Do you think they've got some influence into the fashion world? In wich way do you think they make the fashion world evolve?
A: I don't read a lot of blogs accually. I just read my friends blogs. It's very easy to be judgemental towards all the young girls who write about fashion and their lifes. Internet is a harsh place. I'm not vety interested in trends and fashion. I like people more.

Have you had some experience with any fashion or beauty brand for being a bloggers, just to promote them? Wich ones? How it was?
A: A lot of companys send you stuff. I don't write about anything I don't just love. It would chabnge my blog into something else.

How did you started to colaborate with Elle Magazine? Do you think that promote bloggers between magazines is a good idea?
A: I worked with Elle before I starded to blog. I borrowed out a lot of clothes for photo shoots. Working wioth Elle has been pure joy!

About your recent entry of the desing of bowties, how was the collaboration with Flugorna? Have you done something like this before? Would you like to do this kind of things more often?
A: They asked me if I wanted to design bowties ages ago, in my early blogging days. I said yes because I didn't get a lot of proposals like that. Now a days a get a lot and I try to be careful with what I do. I do love the bowties though and really enjoy illustrating patterns!

And finally (but not less important), tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them.
A: Don't take life to serious. Enjoy yourself and spend time with only people you love. Surround yourself with beautiful things and never let anyone tell you you're not fab. You are. Abfab.

Thank you so much, Elsa!!

You cannot imagine how happy and inspired I was when I made this interview, it was really great for my final project and I learned a lot about this gorgeous woman!

So... did you know about Elsa?

PS: By the way, I'm thinking too seriously about moving into Sweden... so, if there is some swedish readers around here or people who lives there, could you please tell me a little bit about living there and working? I really would love moving into Stockholm, but I don't know if there's a job for a psychologist and coolhunter as me (with poor swedish but excellent english and a little bit of german!)
I would really appreciate any comment about it!!

I ♥ Much Love: Interview to Anna Paramita

The cutest thing about Anna is how creative she can be in every single entry she writes; when you come around her blog, Much Love, the first word that comes to your head is inspiration. Creativity, fashion, photography or vintage, Anna's entries are always looking for something that can make our brain work inside creativity oceans. And that's how I met her little box of secrets, searching for some inspiration, searching for the originality inside our lifes.

Another thing I really admire about Anna is that she always shows that the simple things are what makes us happier, and our lives filled with beauty; we don't nedd such expensive things for being happy, imagination can takes us wherever we want so, why waste it?

Normally, Anna doesn't post pitures about herself; so the mistery around herself is a little bit more interesting.

So who's Anna?

(Interview here!)

Q: Thank you so much for helping me dong this interview, Anna!So, first of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you?
A: Well, my name is Anna. I'm an Indonesian, but have been living in Australia for about 8 years. I'm 26 years old.

Q: What do you do? What do you like to dedicate?
A: My most recent profesional work was as a multimedia/graphic designer. I have also been running my Etsy shop (muchlove.etsy.com) as a tiny side business for the past 3 years.

Q: Can you talk a little about your interests?
A: I have always loved all things creative. I like to try a bit of everything. Since I was little, I loved to draw. Also, apart from the jewelry making I do for my shop, I've been getting into photography a lot lately.

Q: Now, a question that everybody says that it's really difficult... Tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live.
Q: Oh this is a hard one. Book: any classic Peanuts comic books. Movie: Amelie. I can't think of an album though (sorry!)

Q: Would you share with us a memory that makes you smile?
I have vivid memories of when I was little, every Sunday, sitting in the back seat of my parent's car, my mum and dad in the front, on the way home from the market, munching on crispy spring rolls, whilst listening to my dad's old Bee Gees cassestte tapes. It was a very
comforting feeling.

Q: Any favorite quote?
A: “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls” (Audrey Hepburn)

Q: At what age did your get interested in the fashion world?
A: It wasn't until my late teens/ early 20s that I actually started paying attention to fashion. That seems so late, doesn't it?

Q: Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
A: When I was young, I didn't really care about fashion. I only dressed in whatever was comfortable – which would be tshirts and jeans. I think once I left home and went to University, I started exploring what was “fashionable” and enjoyed shopping at fashion chain stores. After a while, I started to realize what I really like instead of following the latest trends. Nowadays I buy most of my clothes from thrift shops and vintage stores, keeping in mind what suits my personal style.

Q: How would you describe your actual style?
A: Feminine, vintage, sweet, and a little quirky.

Q: You've got a section in your blog about vintage; what's the most special thing about vintage for you?
A: I think there's a certain charm about all things vintage (including the fashion) that is so wonderful and timeless.

Q: And about the editorials? Any favourite one?
A: Probably vintage Vogue editorials are some of the best ones out there.

Q: Have you got any special obsession (like shoes, bows, skirts...)?
A: Lately I'm loving lots of lace and florals.

Q: When and why did you decide to start writing a blog?
A: I started the blog around 3 years ago, after I opened my Etsy shop. At the time, I did it because every Etsy seller had a blog so it just seemed like the right thing to do! But after a while, it became less about my shop, and more about my personal interests, especially
fashion and photography.

Q: What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it?
A: It's a very visual blog, with lots of images but only a little writing. I only post things that I myself love, but I also hope that my readers would love it to.

Q: As you may know, you're such a great inspiration for people all around the world with those romantic and inspirational entries; what do you feel when someone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
A: I would say THANK YOU!!! I still find it really unbelievable that so many people read my blog and are even inspired by it. That makes me really really happy, and it makes it all worth while. There are some comments that are so sweet that it can completely make my day.

Q: What do you think about the actual Bloggers' world? Do you think they've got some influence into the fashion world? In wich way do you think they make the fashion world evolve?
A: I think the bloggers' world is growing so much and so fast in these past couple of years! People nowadays don't just seek fashion news/advice from magazines, but now they're also looking at their favourite bloggers too. Fashion labels recognize blogs as a new medium for them to promote themselves, and fashion enthusiasts see blogs are a new place to seek out new looks and trends. So I definitely think a lot of fashion bloggers are becoming increasingly influential.

Q: Have you had some experience with any fashion or beauty brand for being a blogger, just to promote them? Wich ones? How it was?
A: No, I haven't.

Q: In the USA is very common asking for a sponsor; something that in Europe people don't usually do (we expect the brands to come to us). Can you please explain us a little bit more about this? Wich one was your first sponsor? Have you got a favourite one?
A: I'm not in the USA or Europe, so I'm not sure what the difference is. Personally, I make sure the sponsors on my blog are those that suit my own interest. So most of them are small online businesses that are related to vintage fashion, photography, and crafts. I think it's fine to ask for a sponsor if you like their work, and not just doing it to get paid. I think one of my very first sponsors was Susannah Tucker photography. She is still one of my most loyal sponsors to this day.

Q: Wich ones are your top 5 bloggers of the moment and why?
Pugly Pixel – lots of lovely images and a great resource for free clip arts and design tips
Little Reminders of Love – this blog always makes me smile!
Here Comes The Sun – for neverending dreamy photography inspiration
Thrift Candy – wonderful thrifted outfits, with snippets of her sweet family life too.
Lisa's Likes – great fashion outfits and some photography too.

Q: And finally (but not less important), tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them.
A: For bloggers, always always post what you love! 

Thank you so much, Anna!! This was really charming and I hope that everybody enjoyed the interview...

So... did you know about Much Love? What's your opinion?

Interview: Aya Smith (Strawberry Koi); cuteness, vintage and country life.

So here you've got, another interview from the ones I made for my final project. I've decided that, once a week, I'll publish one of them, so you can enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them... hope you like it!

When I first started blogging, long time ago; one of the first persons I totally falled in love with was Aya, from Strawberry Koi. Her lovely style, full of vintage clothes; her natural form of being, simply adorable... Aya is not a person who likes to pretend something; she's so true as you can read on her posts, full of lovely stories and dreams. Her passion for vintage clothes and a romantic style makes her one of the most beloved bloggers right now...

But who's Aya Smith?

(interview here)

1. Thank you so much for accepting doing this interview, Aya! So, first of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you in your own words?
My name is Aya Smith, I'm married and have been for 5 years. I also have a 3 year old son, who is my proudest achievement.

2. What do you do? What do you like to dedicate?
I work at a vintage store, run a fashion blog and an etsy store. My life wrapped up in one word: Busy, but also very much Happy.

3. Can you talk a little about your interests?
I feel so eclectic, because so many interests come to mind! I love studding languages and culture, and I also love arts and music. Fashion, traveling, web design and sewing... I think I like to try my hands at everything just for the variety of it all!

4. Tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live.
"Alice in Wonderland", Lilly Allen's "It's Not Me, It's You" and Jun Henson's "Labrinth".

5. That's one of my favourite films too! Lovely! So, would you share with us a memory that makes you smile?
When my mother would say she she's proud of me.

6. Any favorite quote?
"If you have lemon's, make lemon-aid" I like the concept of using what you already have and making something very good out of it.

7. At what age did your get interested in the fashion world?
Hmm... it had to have been during my late teens that I felt a spark, but after I got married I wanted to fit the role of a woman and I re invented myself to look more feminine and mature.

8. Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
Mainly other fashion bloggers. I love browsing through a variety of looks and pulling away a little something from every look that inspires me.

9. How would you describe your actual style?
Eclectic, feminine, whimsical, vintage.... yeah, I think that about covers it.

10. What inspire you in choosing your clothes? Do you follow a pattern to match your clothes or just choose randomly?
I try to mix elements that make an outfit interesting as well as attractive to look at. I'm still learning how to do that, but first I pick a dress (and/or blouse/skirt combo) that are soothing in colors and comfortable to wear. Then I try to add accessories that are unique and quirky... At least that's the ideal plan!

11. Where do you usually get your clothes? Do you customize or sew any garment to you?
I buy all over! Online stores, boutiques, vintage/antique storesm H&M, Urban Outfitters... There aren't too many stores I'll turn down!

12. Have you got any special obsession (like shoes, bows, skirts...)?
Hm... unique details. I'm especially drawn to items that are embelleshed with an unusual/unique tetail, like cut-out backs and rick-rack trim. Gets me every time!

13. When and why did you decide to start writing a blog?
I started my blog almost 2 years ago. After following a couple of my favorite blogs, I wanted to give it a try... and it's been my obsession ever since.

14. What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it?
I want my blog to be a piece of art. I want it to be visually stimulating as well as inspiring... I'm still working on that, but I hope one day I will be sure that's what it really is.

15. As you may know, you're such a great inspiration for people all around teh world; what do you feel whensomeone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
My heart explodes with happiness! I really believe there is no bigger honor than to inspire someone... it makes everything I do feel valuable and worth my hard efforts. Such a reward! 

16. What do you think about the actual Bloggers' world? Do you think they've got some influence into the fashion world? In wich way do you think they make the fashion world evolve?
Oh, I completely believe bloggers have an effect on the fashion industry! So many times I see something done through a few of my favorite blogs, I see it in a new published collection! It's a little creepy, but also pretty darn cool.

17. Have you had some experience with any fashion or beauty brand for being a bloggers, just to promote them? Wich ones? How it was?
Yes, there have been a few. I think it's to be expected, especially with online brands because they know we are a part of a community. It's only natural that we would make a good advertisement for them... I don't blame them, it's actually a very intelligent move.

18. In the USA it's very common asking for an sponsor; something that in Europe, for example, isn't very common. Can you explain a little bit more of this, please?
I think it's a bit of a trend. It spread like a virus! But it's a good way to connect with the community, while offering advertising opportunities to fellow bloggers and store owners. Done with good intentions, it can be a very heart-felt and heart-warming collaboration!

19. Wich ones are your top 5 bloggers of the moment?
I think this is a big of un unfair question, because I really do enjoy so many! I don't know, what to say, because I like following any blog I can find!

20. I understand you, it's a really hard question.... And finally (but not least), tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them).
Don't give up! Whatever it is that you are tempted to put forth all of your heart and effort into, just keep it up! Whether it's fashion, blogging, writing, acting, singing, work or a relationship, it doesn't matter, just don't give up and please continue putting your whole soul in to it! It'll pay off, I promise.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Aya! This was very helpful!!

Sos, what did you know about Aya? Did you like her?

Interview: Rebecca (The Clothes Horse); a world full of color and magic.

As I mentioned some days agoy, I released my final project last tuesday, and today I come with one of the interviews I want to show you: Rebecca, from The Clothes Horse blog.

One of the things that made me contact with Rebecca is the fact that not only I love her style, but also I think she's a very experienced blogger and that she could tell me lots of interesting things about the blogger's world. And I was right, because her interview was very successful.

But, who's Rebecca ?

(click here for the interview)

1. Hello Rebecca, and thanks for attending to this interview... so, first of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you?
I’m Rebecca, the author of The Clothes Horse blog. I’m 23, petite, and extremely introverted.

2. What do you do? What do you like to dedicate?
I just graduated from college with a degree in Marketing. Right now, I’m working on a couple of different projects and dedicating a lot of time to my blog. Next fall I’m going to law school.

3. That sounds so interesting! Can you talk a little about your interests?
I really enjoy old movies, reading, and art—admiring it and drawing every now and then. I also really love to visit and explore new places; other countries and in the wilderness near where I live.

 4. Tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live.
Book: Martin Eden by Jack London. Album: The Crane Wife, by the Decemberists Movie: Bringing Up Baby

 5. Would you share with us a memory that makes you smile?
I studied abroad in Greece and on weekend a group of friends and I visited Aegina during the off-season—we were the only tourists on the island. We stayed at this quiet villa with a private spot to dive into the ocean. I lost a contact lens from jumping into the water and had to spend the whole weekend half-blind, but it was just a glorious time. Whenever I think of it, the weekend is a haze of golden sun, good food, and extremely welcoming people.

 6. Have you got a favorite quote?
“Behold I do not give lectures or simple charity, when I give, I give myself.” –Walt Whitman

7. That was a good one! So, at what age did your get interested in the fashion world?
When I was young I liked to go to the fabric store with my mother and she would make me dresses from the pattern and fabric I chose. In junior high I started to follow Japanese Street Fashion through Fruits. However, I never actually read an American fashion magazine or watched a runway show until I was a senior in high school. So, part of me feels that personal style has always been an interest for me, but the fashion world of designers and runways didn’t come until late high school.

 8. Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
When I was very young I wasn’t really afraid to experiment and try things out, but around junior high school age I got very self-conscious. For many years I wore a uniform of jeans and a tee shirt and just wanted to blend in with the crowd. In college I studied abroad in Sapporo, Japan and no matter what I wore I stuck out like a sore thumb! So, while I was there I started to wear clothes that I actually liked. I get more comfortable in my own skin every year and my style gets progressively closer to wearing exactly what I want to wear.

 9. How would you describe your actual style?
Due to my penchant for dresses and skirts it is considered feminine by a lot of people, but I add quirky and retro details. I don’t always wear vintage, but I like vintage silhouettes and I like to mix up basic outfits with unique jewelry, interesting tights or socks, and fun headpieces.

10. What inspires you in choosing your clothes? Do you follow a pattern to match your clothes or just choose randomly?
I just start every outfit with one piece; that piece can be a dress, a pair of shoes, a hat, or even a ring. But I always just start with one piece I feel like wearing that day and then build everything else around it. Things tend to come together organically.

11. Where do you usually get your clothes? Do you customize or sew any garment to you?
I buy clothes from everywhere! I buy a lot of things online because I live in a rural area, but around my home I like to go vintage shopping at thrift stores and antique malls. I do occasionally sew garments, but I’m more likely to customize by adding some small detail or hemming a dress.

12. Have you got any special obsession, like shoes, bows, skirts...?
Headpieces are probably my obsession. I have a large vintage hat and fascinator collection and a number of flower and shell tiaras. I haven’t worn all of them, but I keep collecting more!

13. And  now, a little bit about blogging... when and why did you decide to start writing a blog?
I started my blog shortly after my semester in Japan; it was the summer of 2007. I was back at my college in rural Pennsylvania and I was bored out of my mind! My blog connected me to people with similar interests and became a creative outlet because I started taking pictures and writing posts regularly.

14. What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it?
With my blog I just hope to express my love for personal style and the beauty of art and nature. I hope that people just find it a nice bit if escapism from their routine and possibly brings them some inspiration.

15. As you may know, you're such a great inspiration for people all around the world; what do you feel when someone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
I usually just try to say thank you! It’s really flattering to hear that someone thinks of me as an inspiration and I’m actually not very comfortable with it! I’m working on getting over my awkwardness!

16. What do you think about the actual Bloggers' world? Do you think they've got some influence into the fashion world? In which way do you think they make the fashion world evolve?
I think fashion bloggers reflect a change the fashion world is going through—I don’t know if fashion bloggers push the change more than they are an example of it (if that makes sense). Bloggers are definitely having an impact; several designers have put bloggers on their mood boards as inspiration for collections and bloggers with a large audience have become a new form of media and advertising—stores can have more impact sending a blogger a dress than they could buying an ad in a magazine.

17. Have you had some experience with any fashion or beauty brand for being a bloggers, just to promote them? Which ones? How it was?
I have worked with some smaller and independent boutiques and I’ve had inquiries with larger brands. It can be a great experience and I’m always flattered when a store or brand approaches me. It can also be abused though, because some stores want the bloggers to write about them, but don’t really offer anything in return. Quite often I get invited to write about a product, but the brand or store isn’t interested in sending me the product, but I always respond that I can’t review something I have no experience with!

18. In the USA it's very common ask for a sponsor; something that in Europe, for example, isn't very common. Can you explain a little bit more of this, please?
It’s not too common in the USA to ask for sponsors and it is still in the beginning stages. I actually know several European bloggers with similar arrangements, but they might be less open about it. Sponsors are stores or brands that treat a blog like a magazine or brand representative: they partner with you to promote their products and often pay you (although sometimes in clothes rather than cash) for what you do. When you write a post on a product, you’re reaching a significant audience and you’re also generating words and images for them as if you were part of their marketing or advertising department. Small boutiques can benefit a lot from a blogger’s exposure and it is cheaper than traditional media. When you write, “now accepting sponsors” it just lets stores and brands know that you are open to partnerships with them. I can name several French and British bloggers who have similar arrangements with brands, but are less vocal about it. The US government has made full disclosure necessary here and some bloggers are pursuing this as their full-time job, so we aren’t too shy about asking for more sponsors. 

19. How many sponsors do you have at the moment? Any special one for you?
I think I’m working with eight different sponsors right now. There’s several that I have been working long-term with. All of my sponsors are special to me; I’m working with stores I actually enjoy shopping at and they bring discount codes and giveaways for my readers. My sponsors also make my blog possible: I wouldn’t be able to dedicate as much time to my blog and every post that do if I didn’t have their banners in my sidebar!

20. And finally (but not less important), tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them.
I think the best advice I’ve ever heard is “be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Plato said that and it’s so true. Even when I’m having a terrible day and I get angry at people I try to imagine that they’re experiencing as bad as me or worse.
Fashionwise: don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes getting dressed can be an adventure and it should always be fun.

That was a great advice, Rebecca, thank you very much!!

Did you know about Rebecca? You can visit her blog here, enjoy!

Mr. Schuman at Santa Eulalia: Sahakiel meets Scott.

"I believe that bloggers have a brilliant future into the fashion industry, but only if they've got something interesting to say about the world."

- Scott Schuman for Not Here to Please You-

(Read more about this great event and what Scott told me!)

I think that Mr Scott Schuman, also knows as The Sartorialist, doesn't need any introduction here. And, as you all may know by now, he was yesterday here, at Barcelona, in a private press conference at Santa Eulalia Boutique, one of the biggest one of the city that contains the most exclusive brands and who were releasing their new digital identity, with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and a blog account... so great!

Scott looks like quite person. He answered all the questions that people in the press and through internet made to him with a detailed explanation, serenity and nice words.
He shared with us some of his opinions about the actual bloggers around the world, saying that most of them only wants to sit downs in the front rows of the biggest fashion events; but there's a lot of work behind those people who has finally get to this. I really felt very proud of me when he said that, because I'm not here beause of the fashion events or the brands; I'm here because I love fashion (as Mr Schuman).

He also said that he loves Milan, and thinks that Barcelona is a very beautiful city, with a lovely architecture and very stylish people. He thinks that here, people has got their own style, as in Stockholm; but we dress in a more sexy way, because of the weather.

When the press conference ended, I talked to him about my career and my final report od the Coolhunting postgrade. He thought that it was quite interesting and told me what it's at the begining of the post, as a quote for my report. This words (and a few more about this, as his opinion of all the Zara-Betty-Pandora war), coming from him are a great introduction for my final repot, don't you think?

And, of course, there was lots of lovely people there yesterday, but I spent mostly all the time with my dear Cristina, from La petite Nymphéa; and the lovely Saray, fron DansVogue; it was a very big pleasure, girls!! I met Rocío, from Diary of Style too, but as she came from Madrid, she had to leave early! I hope we could meet again soon.

With Cristina.

With Saray.

And the three of us! 

Thanks to cris for this pictures, my camera died after the press!!

And for the event, as you can see, I was wearing my lovely 50s vintage dress, one of my favourite ones; with a pair of red socks and my Mustang heels; you know, always on my line!

So as you can see, it was a great evening!

And if you want to read an interview to Scott Schuman, click here (in spanish only, sorry!)

Interview: Maria Confer (Lulu Letty), cute drawings, handmade bows and red lips with a vintage style.

I could say lots of things about Maria: as a blogger, as the designer of lovely handmade bows, as a woman with a great style or as an drawer... but first of all, I consider Maria as a friend. And I want to say that because, when I started blogging, for me, was strange get in touch with a person that is miles and miles away from me, a person I haven't met in person. But Maria gives you the confidence and friendship with her kind comments and appreciations.

I can't remember when I started to follow Maria, but I read her blog every single day. I love her posts about DIY, music (she's got an excellent taste), outfits, drawings and outfits; and how she shares her life piece by piece with us.

So, I'm sure you all know some things about Maria, that vintage lover who makes lovely drawings of herself, dogs or gorgeous people... but...

Who's Maria Confer?

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Q: Thank you so much, Maria, for letting me ask you this questions... first of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you? 

A: My name is Maria, I’m 28, I live in Michigan with my husband, Cole, and our two dogs, Wellington and Pipin.

Q:  What do you do? What do you like to dedicate? 
A: I’m mostly a blogger, than a drawer and than an Etsy shop owner. I love to dedicate my time to sewing, reading and relaxing with Cole.

Q: That sounds really good! Can you talk a little about your interests? 
A: Hmm, I feel like my interests are all pretty common. I love music, movies, art, books, photography and most importantly fashion.

 Some of Maria's drawings, I adore these lovely dogs!

Q: Tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live. 
A: Tough question. For a book, I would have to say The Catcher in the Rye. I read it in high school during a really hard time in my life. It helped me realize that other people had screwed up lives too. Plus, I loved how much Holden cursed. ;) An album that’s really important to me is The Beatles, Please Please Me. It opened my eyes to amazing music, classic rock and the 60’s. A movie I can’t live without would be Clueless. It made such a huge impression on me when I was 14. It made me want to live a life of fashion.

Q: I think that film changed me too when I was a teenager... Would you share with us a memory that makes you smile? 
A: Meeting my husband for the first time as freshmen in college.

Q: Wow, that's really lovely, and I'm sure that Cole would blush if he reads this! Congratulations, Cole! ;) So, continuing with this... have you got any favorite quote? 
“That sounds like dancing!” from The Philadelphia Story.


Q: At what age did your get interested in the fashion world? 
A: Very young. I was about three years old when I used to put on my Mrs. Potato Head jewelry, lips, glasses and purse and walk around feeling fabulous.

Q: Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
A: It’s gone through many incarnations. From hippie to punk to extremely preppy to now a very classic vintage preppy style with a dash of menswear.

 Q: Punk? Wow, I really would love to see that! How would you describe your actual style? 
A: Classic preppy with a twist.

Q: What inspire you in choosing your clothes? Do you follow a pattern to match your clothes or just choose randomly?
A: I choose what I love and go from there. I try to find items that would transition smoothly into my wardrobe, but sometimes I take major risks and buy things I never would have thought I would love, like high waist anything.

Q: Where do you usually get your clothes? Do you customize or sew any garment to you? 
A: I usually buy my clothes from ModCloth, Urban Outfitters, eBay, Etsy and the Salvation Army. I’m only just starting to sew my own clothes and it’s a slow going process, but I love it.

Q: Have you got any special obsession (like shoes, bows, skirts...)? 
A: Hair bows, hats, belts and Seychelles shoes.

 
Q: Why do you like the vintage clothes? Do you think that kind of clothes are special? 
A: I love vintage pieces because they’re usually one of a kind. Plus, they instantly transport you to another time.
Q: Any tips for people who wants to buy vintage clothes? 
A: Go to your local thrift/charity store and spend time searching through the racks. It’s amazing the awesome things you’ll find.

Q: When and why did you decide to start writing a blog? 
A: I started my blog in late fall 2008. It was a place for me to post my finished drawings. I only had one follower, my friend Jen. Then in late May 2009, I stumbled upon fashion blogging and everything changed. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t noticed this huge community before.

Q: What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it? 
A. I want to express my own take on fashion from my personal perspective. I know that not everyone is going to like it, but I have to stay true to myself. I think when people read my blog they get the sense of understanding my tastes and where I’m coming from.

 Q: What do you feel when someone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
A: I feel flabbergasted. It seriously amazes me every day that people actually read and enjoy my blog. It was a pipe dream to be where I am now and I pinch myself all the time that I’m lucky enough to have such supportive and lovely readers. So I say to them, Thank You So Much, I adore you!

Q: Tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them). 
A: Hmmm, my tip is to be yourself in both life and blogging. You may not get very many followers to start with, but soon people will realize how wonderful your unique perspective is and if they don’t, then it’s their loss.

All pictures were made by Cole, thank you so much!!

Thank you so much for that lovely tip and this interview, Maria! It was a pleasure making this! You're so adorable, and I hope one of these days we would take a lovely coffee together, talking about music, art and bows... who knows?

And thanks to all of you for reading this, did you like it? :)