Summer Featured Blogger
For my summer featured blogger, I chose Sally of Sally Ann. Sally and I grew up in the same hometown, attended the same high school and have had mutual friends for years. I love having the chance to get to know her better through her blog. Her unique perspective on fashion really inspires me. I love seeing how she repurposes clothes to make them more stylish. She inspires girls to have the confidence to be fashionable, without spending a ton of money. Plus, her work ethic is something I look up to! Here are some questions for you to get to know her better!
1. When and why did you decide to start your blog?
"Sally Ann" was started way back in January 2009, a few months after I finally named my business when I wanted to share my work and help promote my Etsy shop. I had moved back to my hometown of Muskegon, Michigan after spending five years in Lansing for college and the very beginning stages of my business. Along with my work, I wanted to share my love for sewing and spread the word about recycled and repurposed fashions.
2. Tell us a little bit about each focus of your blog.
My blog is a little bit of everything. First and foremost, it focuses on my work, sewing women's clothing and accessories. Second, I want to influence people to get out their sewing machine and view fashions differently. I'm very passionate about my stance on manufactured clothing and it's an uncomfortable subject for many women. Realizing where your clothes come from and the impact disposable fashion has on the world is the first step. Then seeing how EASY it is to alter your clothes is next. I love doing dress makeovers and tutorials the most! I also have a Tuesday music review where I showcase some great obscure bands that I think everyone should know about. Then I throw in some recipes and cooking posts. And of course my lifestyle posts with the adventures of Matt and I.
3. We love seeing pictures of you and Matt! Can you tell us a bit more about him?
Matt is my sweet southern boyfriend. He is a on-air radio personality, comedian, writer, web-master, and assistant program director at for the local FM rock station, 95 Rock. Some odd force brought us together, regardless of our extremely different tastes and backgrounds. He loves rock music; I'm an indie rock nerd that is obsessed with Bjork. He was president of his fraternity at Auburn University; I'm a college dropout that never fit in anywhere. He's into comedies and loves Groundhog Day; I love British TV, and my favorite film is Old Boy (of course Matt refuses to watch any movie with subtitles). While our differences and tastes are many, we get along so well and never have a dull moment. When we first started dating we'd spend hours just sitting on opposite ends of my couch, feet in each other's lap, just talking and laughing. We are now living in sin, sharing our lives and animals. He has a the great dane that is in all my outfit posts, Zeus, and I have two cat, Clementine and Stella. He is perfect for me and I for him. Ah that sounds so cheesy, and I know he'll make fun of me when he reads this.
4. Describe your style in three words.
Someone called me "tacky chic" the other day and while I was immediately offended, I was quite mismatched with two separate floral patterns. I thought about "tacky chic" for a bit and think it may fit just right. In three words I'd say "Mismatched. Quirky. Girly."
5. What's your favorite thing to do in your freetime?
Freetime? What's that? Ha - when I'm not working or sewing, since I'm a complete work-o-holic, I'm usually spending my spare time with Matt, riding our bikes, swimming in a pool, hanging out at the river, walking Zeus, cooking together, and living as much as possible. We love to get out of town and spend time away from our daily grind of work, work, work. The beach is definitely my most favorite thing in the entire world! Matt and I are focusing our lives on being the healthiest we can possibly be, becoming increasingly aware of what it really in our food. We're trying to only eat food that isn't processed and junk. He's a much bigger health nut than me, so we're spending many hours cooking and finding fun new recipes to share with each other.
6. Future dream goals?
I definitely see a big city in my future. A city where I can present myself to millions, sell my work in boutiques and continue with my handmade and recycled vow. I would love to collaborate with some other designers on a larger collective line. Unfortunately, I have no colleagues locally, and I am in my own little world here in Georgia. I want to conquer the fashion world in my own way, still respecting my values and changing the way people see clothing. I can't wait for the day I have hired help and other designers in my employment! A big city, and fingers crossed, one where I don't have to drive!
7. Favorite bands/musicians?
Right now I can't get enough First Aid Kit and other female Americana and folk bands. I've been listening to a lot of Neil Young, Magnetic Fields, Feist, Kimbra, Bon Iver, Camera Obscura, and The Antlers. All time favorites would be Yo La Tengo, Bjork, Broken Social Scene, Belle & Sebastian, and I can't forget my dear Joni Mitchell.
8. What are some of your favorite blogs?
I am all over the place with my blog reads. Selective Potential of course, as well as Little Chief Honeybee, Tea Talk, Dainty Squid, and other lifestyle blogs, Bird Trouble, Pussycat VIntage, Sometimes Sweet. Sewing and crafting blogs are also very dear to me, since sewing is my number one passion, Homemade Mamas, See Kate Sew, and Gertie's blog for better sewing.
9. What's your favorite thing about living in Georgia currently?
It's definitely NOT the heat right now. While it's amazing in the winter time, compared to my native Michigan, the summers are brutal. The city I live in, Augusta, is a charming little city, the second largest in Georgia, where I live in the historic district of town. Only one mile from the downtown strip, where all the local artists and young people congregate. Everyone knows everyone in a sense and you will always run into someone no matter where you go. You pass a stranger on the street and they nod and say hello. It's so friendly here, and there is a real sense of community. Plus the thrifting is AMAZING!
10. Any tips for new bloggers starting out?
Be yourself! Don't compare yourself to other people or blogs, trying to squeeze into the niche where you think you belong. Carve your own path! I've always believed if I stay true to myself and just be me, the right audience and readers will come along. And even if they don't, that's okay too. A marketing executive once told me it was okay to be hated, because basically, if everyone likes what you're doing then you're not being yourself. I've come to realize not everyone will agree with me, and that is fine. I don't want to be a milder version of myself. I am me: passionate and strong and opinionated. That is something everyone should realize, it's okay to BE YOU!