behind the blog: dainty & decadent

This week Behind the Blog is Maria from Dainty & Decadent. Maria is a lawyer, a fab dresser, and a soon(ish) to be mom. She also has an amazing handbag collection that I would like to make my own...unfortunately I haven't had any success convincing her that her Chanel bag would look perfect in my closet! Even though she won't share her luxury goods with me, I'm thrilled to have her there this week!

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

I stumbled upon a personal style/fashion blog in 2009 when I was planning my wedding and it was love.  I’ve always been interested in fashion so I immediately was sucked into the world of fashion blogs.  My husband tried to convince me to start a blog immediately but I had just graduated from law school, started working at a firm, and still planning my wedding so my time was limited.

I started blogging April 2012 and it was all my husband’s fault J  He had asked me if I were to have a blog what would I name it.  I said ‘Dainty and Decadent’ and that night, he bought the domain and away I started to blog.

Which blogs do you read every day? 

I read all the blogs on my blog list but it definitely needs some editing as I’ve added a lot more to my reading list.  I’m drawn to people who either have a similar style to me, working women, and now working mommas.  These are just a few of the lovely ladies as well as those on my blog list that are some of my favorites: Sam Ipsa Loquitur, Tweed and Toile, Franish, Beach Chic Style, J Crew is My Fav Store, and Respect the Shoes.

Who takes your pictures? What camera and lens do you use? Have you ever been caught in the act of taking these?

My husband patiently and sometimes not so patiently takes all my photos J  He uses a Canon XTi with a 50mm lens.  I’m always caught taking photos it never is not awkward…

Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

I’ve only told a handful of people about my blog.  My family had no idea what blogs even were so they have the ‘whatever’ attitude but one of my sisters is really interested in blogs and she’s even did a guest post for me.  My husband reads my blog every once in a while so I always think it’s hilarious when I write about him in a post and he’ll find out a week later then ask if anyone thinks he’s a jerk now.

You are a lawyer and currently pregnant with your first child. How has your wardrobe changed since you started working as a lawyer (besides the obvious), how do you keep your wardrobe interesting, and how do you foresee your wardrobe changing in the coming months?

When I first started practicing, I ONLY wore black skirts and white button downs because I thought that’s what all lawyers wear and that I’d be taken more seriously.  That mindset ended quickly when I walked into a courtroom and saw another lawyer wearing crocs…  Since then, I’ve added color and basically just dressed for me which then made me more comfortable at my job rather than trying to be someone else.  Now that I’m pregnant, the challenge is fighting to urge to want to wear yoga pants to work J  In the next coming months, I’m thinking dresses and accessories will be my staples.  I don’t plan on spending a lot of money on maternity clothes so I will probably buy staple items and accessorize to change things up.

Many fashion bloggers hop from one trend to the next. How do you manage to stay on trend without breaking the bank and just blindly following each trend?

I recognize when something is on trend but if it doesn’t work for me then I’m not going to push it and look ridiculous.  For example, peplum was huge in 2012 but looked horrible on me.  I already have wide hips, I definitely did not need extra flared fabric on my waist to extenuate my hips!  In regards to other trends, I follow the same rule as I do with all my shopping-SALE!  In addition to shopping sales, I ask myself if it is something I will use more than three times.  If I can only think of one way to wear something, it’s not coming home with me.

I honestly hate spending a lot of money on clothes and stick to a strict monthly budget.  Now, handbags…they are my weakness.  However, when it comes to my bags, 99% of them were gifted and after many years of lusting after them. 

Putting yourself on the internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will always love what you are wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?

Oh you anonymous commenters…Actually, I haven’t received any “mean” comments but more constructive criticisms which I really appreciate.  If someone says, “the length is too long” or “I would have worn a neutral top” it makes me think of other ways to wear my outfit which expands my closet-win win!

What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

No doubt about it-connecting with other bloggers!  I remember the first time a blogger that I had been following for two years commented on my blog and it felt like I was meeting a celebrity!  I’ve “met” many other bloggers I started reading after I started blogging and most have become some of my favorite blogs.

When it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups?

The only “promoting” I do is Pinterest but I’ve been slacking in that area lately.  At first, I would comment a lot on blogs but now I sparingly comment so that it is more meaningful and not just to get readers.

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers? 

I appreciate comments that are meaningful or constructive.  But please, PLEASE, know how much I hate the “follow me and I’ll follow you” because I can promise you that I won’t even click on your blog link…sorry.  I almost always will try to reply or visit someone’s blog if they have taken the time to visit my blog.  Being pushy will only annoy people.  I think that as long as you are genuine, people will recognize that.  Just be yourself, cheesy but true.

Thank you for all of your insight Maria! Next week we have Jessica from Here & Now!

all i wanna do is

A few weeks ago the Midwest Prep wrote a post about what she's learned about layering, and she mentioned that she finds it easiest to wear a silky/thin shirt under a thicker sweater - you may not even have to wear a tank in between! I wanted to try this (obviously) but it wasn't until I saw Bri's post about layering her thin metallic polka dot shirt under a sweater that I kind of remembered that I wanted to try it.

So here I am...trying it. It works pretty well so if you aren't too keen on the tank in between trick, try a thin button up under a thicker sweater.

Also, I apologize for the ish quality of these pictures. This was moments before it started to basically hail, so good lighting was not on my side. Spring, feel free to join us at any time!

Sweater: Gap, thrifted  {save / splurge}
Button-up: Forever 21  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact on sale}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}
Necklace: H&M  {similar}
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}

via instagram.




also, all the cool kids are on vine so so am I. find me under fhasselhof. expect lots of videos of my dogs. 

refining my wardrobe: part 1

My girl Audrey at Putting Me Together is currently doing a series on building a wardrobe from scratch for women who are looking to do a closet overhaul, or starting to build their wardrobe from the ground up. While I believe my closet is not in need of a complete overhaul, I do hope to refine what I buy, wear, and invest in. I'm going to use her guide to figure out what I like, what I should be looking for in fit, and what things I should be on the look out for to complete my closet (apparently I'm an overachiever since I have already started that). Part 1 is about figuring out what you need and what you like.

step 1: identifying your lifestyle needs

Work: My current lifestyle is going to my job 40+ hours a week. My job has safety regulations in place which means that my legs have to be covered, I have to wear flat, closed toed shoes, and I have to wear a lab coat. Other than that, we don't have a lot of regulations when it comes to work as we never see clients. Jeans are very much acceptable in my role and if I wanted to I could wear a sweatshirt every day. I am planning on going back to school....sometime in the future. More than likely, I'll need to dress more professionally than I do now. More blouses, blazers, and appropriate footwear will be needed. I'm hoping that once my future is a little bit more clear I'll be able to work towards straddling that line of building a wardrobe for the future while still being able to use the pieces for my current lifestyle.

Weekend: We don't do a lot on our weekends (if Chris isn't at the hospital) so my weekend wear doesn't change much from my work wear. During the warm months I use the weekends to wear sandals as I can't wear them to work.

Special Events: We have 7 weddings coming up this summer. Eek!

step 2: defining your style preferences

I'm not really exaggerating when I say that being on pinterest has really changed how I approach dressing myself and what I hope to look like. It was through pinterest that I really discovered style blogs, and so 500+ just outfit pictures later, I can see what my preferences are.

I like: blazers, simple patterns (stripes, polka dots, gingham), clean lines, blues, neutrals with pops of red, easy layers, bolder colors but with neutral counter-pieces, skinny jeans with flats or wide legged pants with wedges. I like the more masculine layers of dress while still being feminine - sweaters over button ups but with pearls, or blazers with scarves and feminine colors. I'm unsure if I gravitate towards looks with pants because I know that's what I can recreate, or if it's because that's what I feel most comfortable in, but that's something I'm definitely trying to explore more.

Here are the 25 looks that really stuck out to me when I was looking for pictures that I would like to be "my style". I included the sources at the bottom, but some I could not find the original source for so if you know it, please let me know so I can credit the blogger!

1   2   3   4   5

6   7   8   9  10

11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25

Next up in refining my wardrobe based on Audrey's building a wardrobe is choosing wardrobe colors, which is taking me a bit to wrap my head around. I hope to have this figured out in the next few days!

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So

winterize

One of my goals for my closet is to buy pieces that work not only for my job, but also for outside of work. I love the easiness of a simple dress for the summer time, but I've never been one to winterize a dress so there's been a bit of a learning curve for me. I've learned a lot from all of the other bloggers out there about how to make a dress appropriate for the winter, so hopefully I'm not failing you! I picked this dress up as a part of my January budget but I know I'll be wearing it straight into the summer.

Dress: Old Navy  {exact}
Cardigan: NY&Co.  {save / splurge}
Belt: H&M Mens
Tights: Target  {exact}
Boots: Frye  {save / exact}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Rings: Forever 21  {exact}

and for the future...

Outfit 1: Sunglasses + Cargo Jacket + Crossbody Purse + Sandals
Outfit 2: Cardigan + Necklace + Brown Belt + Boot Socks + Brown Belts
Outfit 3: Grey Sweater + Red Belt + Black Tights + Grey Boots

Linking up with wiww

january budget

1. Gap Pants (seen here): on sale for $18
2. Thrifted Cardigan: $2
3. J. Crew Belt (seen here): on sale for $12
4. Thrifted Black Blazer: $4
5. Thrifted Ralph Lauren Sweater: $4
6. J.Crew Factory Popover(seen here): on sale for $32
7. Old Navy Dress: on sale + rewards for $9
8. Gap Belt (seen here): on sale for $7
9. Target Scarf (seen here): on sale for $5
10. Thrifted Gap Sweater: $4
11. Target Scarf (seen here): $10
12. Forever 21 Necklace (seen here): $9
13. Forever 21 Scarf: $9


= $125






So am I cheap, or just a smart consumer? I felt like I bought so much this month, but I ended up $25 under budget and still bought quite a bit. I think thrifting and good sales this month made quite a difference. I don't have any regrets about the purchases I made - I didn't buy any of it just because it was on sale so we'll just decide that I'm a smart buyer ;)

I filled a few holes with the black blazer and red sweater, which I'm very excited about. The black blazer I purchased is very similar to the one in the picture above - it's a bit more casual which works well for my current lifestyle but I know that in the future I'll need a more structured black blazer as well. The grey Target scarf is something I've wanted for a while - it was originally $15, then on sale for $10 but I still didn't buy it until it was on super clearance for $4.50. Before I started a budget, I would have purchased the scarf at full price because come on, it's only $15, who cares! But thinking about what percentage of my budget is used up with just a simple scarf made me reconsider if it's something I needed/liked enough to spend that much money on. Budgetting has definitely made me less of a impulse shopper which means I'm buying clothes I know I'll actually wear.

Next month's plan is to find a replacement pair of black skinny jeans since my favorite black jeans are now forever out of commission (they finally completely ripped). I also hope to find a nice pair of dark brown boots - I think February should be a good month for boot sales! I think these pairs (1, 2, and especially 3) are some great contenders!

How did you do this month? Link up with other budgeting bloggers below! Please make sure you link back so other bloggers can participate and so your readers can be inspired by everyone.

dschungel

In case you are wondering what that title is, it's the German word for jungle. If you have ever wondered why my name is spelled so weird, it's because it's the German way of spelling Franchesca...because I'm an (permanent) alien in this country and originally from Germany. And jungle in German is dschungel. 

maybe I'll start giving you a random German word a day that someone describes my outfit. Today it's dschungel because I felt like I was going on a safari. A cold, Midwest safari, but a safari nonetheless.

Chambray: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Boots: Steve Madden  {save / splurge}
Scarf: borrowed from Emily, originally Target*
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}
Bracelets: Forever 21


*a few weeks ago when I was debating between this scarf and the blue one, I choose the blue one. I then told Emily about all the amazing scarves on clearance, so she went and bought the one I didn't get...and then let me borrow it. What a good friend huh?

...and this is what I look like when I'm trying to figure out why my camera is taking such shoddy pictures.















linking up to mix & match fashion.

behind the blog: bedknobs & baubles

This week on Behind the Blog we have a local Madison girl with an out of this world taste in jewelry. Jessica blogs at Bedknobs and Baubles about her love of the perfect cocktail ring, classic closet pieces, and vintage jewelry.

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

It actually started with LiveJournal years ago. Before Facebook’s infiltration - and probably before the word “blogging” even became part of our vernacular - my cousin convinced me to start an online journal as a way to keep in touch. There was a lot of emo clutter on LiveJournal, but there were also fashion communities (Keiko was a member). It was fascinating to see what was inside the closets of like-minded girls and discover new ways to style everyday clothes. I was hooked.

I didn’t have fashion-loving friends at the time, so I started a Blogger account and began writing a very style-focused blog for nearly three years.  As the years passed and my interests evolved, the blog didn’t give me the flexibility to write about what really inspired me. (Traffic plummeted when I posted recipes or vacation photos.) Soon after, I was disenchanted. The thing that was supposed to be a creative outlet was a chore.

In November 2011, my boyfriend Dave introduced me to Tumblr and suggested that I just needed a fresh start. Bedknobs & Baubles (a playful nod to Disney’s Bedknobs & Broomsticks) gives me the opportunity to write about fashion andthe flexibility to write about whatever tickles my fancy. (Heck, Klout even tells me that I’m influential in beer. Need a recommendation?)

Which blogs do you read every day? 

I may not be able to comment on everything, but I am reading!  There are hundreds of blogs in my Google Reader – more than I could scroll through every day – but synching it to Flipboard on the iPad was a huge time saver.

A couple of recommendations:

·      Laura Bear - Laura is a photographer and graphic designer, which transform her blog into a charming escape

·      This Free Bird - Carrie keeps it hilariously real

When you do take outfit pictures, who takes your pictures? Have you ever been caught in the act of taking these?

Dave is my in-house photographer for outfit pictures. He's unbelievably patient when I review the images and notice my dress is askew or a piece of hair curled under my chin and looks suspiciously like a goatee.

I'm pretty skittish about taking outfit photos in public, unless we're downtown. Then I just act like a tourist ... a tourist who really likes to take photos of her purse artfully perched on a bench.

What programs do you use to edit your pictures?

I shoot with a Nikon D3100 with a 35mm prime lens. I do minimal editing in Photoshop to adjust light fill, saturation, and lens curvature, but I try not to tinker with it too much. I'd rather retake photos than post a heavily edited picture.

Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

There’s a stigma involved with fashion blogging that makes it feel inferior to other hobbies. I’ve tried to keep Bedknobs & Baubles secret, but it’s impossible when social media becomes more tightly integrated. The response has been positive, but I do get a little embarrassed by it.

My favorite reaction was from my dad: “What’s a blog? You make money on that thing? How do I make money? I want a blog.” Alright, Dad, let’s put that Google account to good use.

The small amount of money I’ve earned wasn’t enough to convince Dad to actually start a blog.

A major part of your blog is about finding those special pieces of jewelry - what draws you to these pieces, and what is your  #1 favorite piece of jewelry?

This must be how a mother feels when asked who her favorite child is! I honestly can't single out a favorite gem. One of my favorites is a Diane von Furstenberg bangle bracelet Dave surprised me with for no particular reason. He sent me on a scavenger hunt through the apartment (starting with the mailbox) to find it nestled in the dryer. Another beloved piece is a pair of opal earrings from my parents. (The opals were originally part of a ring that belonged to my grandmother.)

I don’t think you need to spend a lot on a great piece of jewelry, but you do need to spend time sifting through the cheap thrills to find a treasure (or, better yet, head to an antique store for a real beauty). The best thing you can do to judge the quality of costume pieces is to touch it. Are all of the rhinestones secure and intact? That’s a good start. Is it surprisingly light? The rhinestones are probably plastic. Pass on it, unless it’s truly a showstopper.  

When I’m ready to spend some serious money on a piece, it needs to be iconic, made of real stones, something I’ve been daydreaming about for months and an item I can’t just find anywhere. I’ll know it when I see it.

Putting yourself on the Internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will always love what you are wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?

I haven’t run into this yet. I’d be hurt, but ultimately let it roll off my back. You can’t please everyone.

What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

There’s an amazing amount of self-awareness that comes with blogging. I’ve become more aware of what I purchase. I understand what motivated a shopping excursion. I’m conscious of what is flattering on me. I’m better at identifying the missing links in my wardrobe (although I’m still prone to an impulse purchase).

I’m most grateful for the sense of community and the friends I’ve made along the way. I’m amazed at how much blog friendships mean to me, even if we haven’t met yet! (I was lucky enough to meet Lisa, one of my first blog friends, when I went to D.C. in November.)

When it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups?

Here’s the rundown:  

·      Twitter: Post a link to the new post at least once during the day.

·      Pinterest: Pin at least one photo from the post.

·      Facebook: announce the new post on my wall.

·      If it’s an outfit post, I’ll post to Chictopia (but I’ve never generated traffic here) and add a photo to Instagram.

I joined the Lucky Community in hopes that it would drive traffic. I get the impression that the other bloggers featured are doing it for self-promotion rather than discovering new blogs. It hasn’t impacted my traffic.

I wish I had more time in the day to comment on blogs. It really is the best way to create a community of readers.

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers?

You’ll be disappointed if you’re doing it for the money.

It’s easy to be jealous of other bloggers. Someone will always have the newest Celine bag or Tibi skirt. Blogging is not worth going into debt over. Stay within your budget and appreciate what you already own.

Get rid of the CAPTCHA comment verification. Pretty please?

Above all else, write about what you love and what inspires you. Don’t ever let blogging feel like an obligation. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?

Thank you for the great pieces of advice Jessica, and all of your insights into blogging! Please make sure you go be inspired by Bedknobs and Baubles, and then come back next week to read about Maria from Dainty and Decadent!

freeze

Did you know that when it gets cold enough outside, electronics stop working? My remote for my camera refused to work unless I warmed in in my hand for 10 seconds. 40 seconds and 4 pictures later, I gave up. Good thing I'm such a good poser, right?

Blazer: Old Navy  {save / splurge}

Tee: Banana Republic  {similar}

Jeans: Joe's Jeans  {similar}

Scarf: Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Bracelets: Nordstrom

apparently I'm not very creative when it comes to wearing this blazer...

one     two
three   four






linking up with wiww and random wednesday.