Blogger Interview: Jenny from She Loves Dresses

Happy October!  This month is probably my absolute favorite of all -- autumn is in full swing, and it contains both Halloween and my birthday!  Since I adore this month so much, I felt it was only fitting that this month's blogger interview subject be one of my new favorite people: the adorable and ethereal Jenny from She Loves Dresses!  I first "met" Jenny on Instagram, and I was immediately captivated by her love of vintage and sense of whimsy.  She's also incredibly sweet and eloquent, and though she's relatively new to blogging, I always look forward to her carefully-crafted posts.  Get to know more about this gorgeous girl below and be sure to follow her blog and Etsy shop!

Name: Jennifer Baquing

Age: 26!  I'll be 27 on November 13th :)

Where do you blog?  I blog at She Loves Dresses!  I've been blogging for a little over a month and it's been a really great experience so far.  :)  I blog mostly about vintage fashion, but in the future I would like to write more critically about things I would like to see changed about the fashion industry as a whole, as well as intersectional feminist theory as it relates to pop culture and Millennials.  :)

Where do you work or what did you study in school?  In the evenings, I work for a financial company with my husband Josh in San Francisco, CA, and at an electrical company during the day. I also sell natural gluten-free health supplements and sell jewelry on Etsy. The money is very good at my traditional day jobs, but I don't see myself staying there for much longer. 

What's your dream job?  I would love to blog full-time and open my own brick-and-mortar vintage shop in either San Francisco, CA or Kyoto, Japan. I lived in Japan for two years and miss it terribly. 

Your favorite musical artist:  I really love listening to Hans Zimmer. I mostly prefer music without lyrics, because then my imagination can really run wild. 

Your favorite musical:  Wicked! 

Your favorite movie:   I really love the movie Serendipity. It's dreamy and romantic, and although I believe that hard work and hustle are what position a person for success and opportunity, the dreamer inside me also loves to hope in something bigger than myself such as fate and density. 

Your favorite guilty pleasure:  I love napping. I don't even need to be tired. I just love to sleep. I'm not getting nearly enough these days, but it's okay!  Hehe. 

Drink of choice: Chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake :D

Favorite food in the world? Sushi from Japan! And pizza! And ice cream! And cookies!

One character from a movie or TV series with whom you identify:  Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service :)

Do you have a celebrity crush?  Captain America all day long. <3

Which actress would play you in a movie version of your life?  I really love Maggie Q and if she were down to cut some bangs for the role, then that would pretty much be perfect. ;)

Favorite book (from childhood or now): Winnie the Pooh!

What's one thing that most people might not know about you?  My left arm was entirely green from wrist to shoulder (like a birthmark) until I turned 12 and then they became a bunch of freckles!  No freckles on my right arm.  I think it's super cool! 

What's your favorite season and why?  Spring. I love bright colors and pastels in mainstream fashion. Although I don't wear many modern styles, I like being out and watching other people break out their delicate florals and happy prints.

How would you describe your personal style? 1950's fit and flare mixed with 1960's babydoll, mixed with Asian street style. 

What's the most beloved article of clothing you own?  My grandmother remarried in the 60's and wore the most beautiful crochet lace mini dress with bell sleeves. She gave it to me a few years ago and it is the most beautiful dress I've ever owned. 

If you could live during any other time period, what would it be?  Many vintage-loving gals have nostalgia for the early/mid 20th century decades, and although I love the fashion, I am happy that I was born in 1987. I don't think I would have had nearly as many opportunities had I been born at an earlier time, especially as a minority. 

Do you have a style icon?  If so, who?  My grandma, Dianne. She is the best dressed lady in my family and was a total 60's bombshell back in the day. Best leggies ever!!!

Your favorite place to shop or favorite clothing brand:  I love vintage shopping in San Francisco. The Haight Ashbury/Mission area has sooo many amazing shops! 

Go-to accessory?  Flower crowns!

If you could only wear one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  I guess... This really awesome red 1960's mini with gigantic bib collar!

How did you get into blogging?  I feel like there are gaps that need to be filled in the vintage fashion communities (and fashion blogging communities in general) in regards to representation for people of color. I want to bring awareness about social justice issues within the fashion communities so I can find others who are like-minded and want to work together towards true equality for women of all colors and all sizes. I work with a lot of vintage shop owners in the way that I do so I can help support small businesses as well as get my name out to other people in vintage fashion circles. 

What are some other blogs that you love?  Yours! Of course! SO many to name, but here are some off the top of my head that I read religiously: The Dainty Dolls House, feministkilljoys, Gradient Lair, The October Road, Nora Finds, Princess Lasertron, Prison Culture, and more.

What's been your favorite post from your blog so far (or favorite outfit you've worn)?  It's super hard to choose, but this has been my favorite blog post so far, and it's one of my favorite outfits!

Anything else you'd like to talk about??  I make super adorable jewelry!  

You can find it all in my Etsy shop, She Loves Cute Stuff!

A million thanks to Jenny for agreeing to be this month's interview subject!  I've so enjoyed getting to know more about her -- she is a truly beautiful person both inside and out.  Be sure to follow here here!  

Have a beautiful start to your October!

xox Sammi

Blogger Interview: Shermy from Shermette (+ Onecklace giveaway winner!)

Hi, everyone!  Happy June!  Since it's the first of the month, that means it's time for my monthly blogger interview.  I love highlighting and getting to know new bloggers, and this month, I'm featuring the gorgeous Shermy from the blog Shermette!  Shermy's blog focuses on all things vintage, and I'm absolutely enamored with her style and stunning photos.  Here's your chance to learn all about this Canadian beauty!  Be sure to follow her over at Shermette.  (Oh, and the winner of the Onecklace giveaway is listed at the bottom of this post!)

Name: Shermy

Age: 25

Where you blog: I blog at www.shermette.com!  My blog is about vintage and vintage-inspired outfits, findings and travels.

How did you get into blogging?  I started blogging as sort of a creative outlet. There isn't a vintage scene at all where I live, so I just decided to share some of my endeavours online!

Where you work or what you studied in school:  Since I was a young teenager, I have worked for my family's school bus company.  Aside from that, I am an eyelash extension stylist!  My dad and I are also known to shoot a wedding here and there as well, as I'm also a photographer.

What's your dream job?  I have never really pondered this question much before, but I think my dream job would be a fashion stylist (preferably vintage).  I thought I'd like to run a vintage shop, but heck, I like buying and finding vintage, not selling it!  I'm also always trying to dress people, so maybe it's my calling!

Your favorite musical artist: I am very passionate about music and love so many genres and artists, but I really believe Perry Como is my all-time favourite, for many different reasons. Not only did that man have the voice of an Italian angel, but listening to his music as a kid just made me plain ol' happy. I feel so lucky to have had his music as a soundtrack for my life! Nowadays, older music is sometimes viewed as "silly" or "cheesy," but honestly, I think the general population would have happier lives if they listened to it!

Your favorite musical:  It was a toss-up, but South Pacific. I watched this so many times that when I was 11, I broke the VHS tapes.  Balllliiii Haiiii...

Drink of choice:  Not to be unhealthy, but Coke in the glass bottle. It tastes totally different than the can.

Favorite food in the world?  POTATO SALAD.  I'm pretty sure this song is about me.

Favorite book (from childhood or now):  No book has ever inspired me more than the first Harry Potter book.

What's your favorite season and why?  Fall has always been my favourite, as the climate where I live (Ontario, Canada) is the most ideal in the fall, and there's just something magical about the colourful leaves.

 Do you have a celebrity crush?  Clint Eastwood.  More specifically, "young" Clint Eastwood.

Which actress would play you in the movie version of your life?  So this ended up being a community question, as I had no idea! But my friend suggested Elizabeth Banks, and I really think that suggestion hit the nail square on the head!

 If you could live during any other time period, what would it be?  Clearly, I'm a huge fan of the 40s, 50s and 60s, but sometimes I really just wonder what a real home-cooked meal in the 1800s/early 1900s would have tasted like. I know that's random, but everything today is so genetically-altered, and our generation may never know how food was intended to taste. Mind you, I am accustomed to some modern conveniences, so I guess I would like to be my age now, maybe living on a farm in the late 1940s.

How would you describe your personal style?  Vintage with a side of kitsch.  As much as I love vintage, it can look dowdy if you're not careful, so I always try to spice it up with a little kitschiness!

Your favorite place to shop or favorite clothing brand:  Hmm, I really enjoy any flea market, vintage clothing store, or antique mall. The thrill of the hunt gets me every time! As brands go, my favorites are likely Pinup Girl Clothing and Trashy Diva. 

What's the most beloved article of clothing you own?  I searched through my things trying to decide, but I think my favourite piece is a little boys' 50s rayon Hawaiian shirt I found at an antique mall. It works perfectly for me as a crop tie top, and the colours are so vibrant! I'm crazy about anything tropical!

Shermy's favorite Hawaiian shirt

Do you have a style icon?  If so, who?  I find myself drawing inspiration from so many sources, but if I need to choose one, I do really love Betty Grable.

Go-to accessory:  I've been a purse girl for a long time.  (Yes, Sammi, I've been eyeing all of yours!)

If you could only wear one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Well, let's pretend the weather is nice all the time here, and I'll say probably just one of my vintage cotton day dresses. One with pockets. I'm trying to approach this question with some logic, as I'd normally want to say my puffy pink 50s prom dress!

What's been your favorite post from your blog so far?  Reading back through my posts, I have decided my favourite post is Washington Bound! I really liked my outfit (maybe not my favourite), but my husband and I really had a great time that day. Washington was really something to see, and the weather was so beautiful. Back home, we were still in snow drifts!

from Shermy's favorite post, "Washington Bound!"

Anything else you'd like to talk about?  I want to mention the Toronto Vintage Society, and suggest that anyone in and around Toronto check it out! There's plenty of "old time fun" events to attend, and plenty of opportunities to wear your favourite vintage outfits. Also, stay tuned, as in the near future, I'm launching a line of tropical hair flowers! More info will be up on my blog soon!

Thanks so much to Shermy for agreeing to do this Q&A on such late notice!  Be sure to follow her vintage adventures over at Shermette to see get all the latest!  And without further ado, the winner of the Onecklace customized name necklace giveaway is....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Carla!  Onecklace will be in touch with you about claiming your prize.  Thank you so much to those of you who entered! :)

Have a great Sunday!

xox Sammi