Best Of Fashion Bloggers- Stripes and Sequins

This is week three of my Best of Fashion Bloggers Series. So far we've met West Coast fashionista Just Add Glam and my hometown fashion hero Style and Pepper. This week I bring you a do it yourself-er with an eye for style. Meet DIY darling Grace Atwood of Stripes and Sequins! Thanks for stopping by Grace!

                                                        So, tell us about yourself!

I grew up on Cape Cod, MA.  I went to college in Boston, MA at Bentley.  After working various jobs in marketing in the beauty industry, I made the leap to social media last Spring - I'm presently the Director of Social Media at BaubleBar.com

Where do you find inspiration for your blog? Everywhere - people watching, street style, runway footage, Pinterest... other blogs... the sky is the limit, I'm always inspired!

What inspires you in the way you dress? 

All of the above, but also the J.Crew catalog.

Do you have any style icons?   

Olivia Palermo, certainly.  Others include...  Ally McGraw, Bridgette Bardot, Jenna Lyons, Joanna Hillman, Grace Kelly... there are so many of them and I'm all over the board!

What trend are you looking forward to most this season?  

More bright denim, loads of mint green, pops of neon and bold statement necklaces worn as collars.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Zara, J.Crew, ShopBop

Do you shop often to keep up with trends?  

Yes, but I focus most on buying classic pieces that I'll wear for years.  I'll allow myself to buy a few trendy pieces every season... and invest the rest in classics and quality basics.

Do you have any tips on prioritizing purchases or staying stylish on a budget? 

 Keep a running list of everything you really want, and only allow yourself to buy things on that list.  Build a wardrobe of basics from J.Crew, trendy pieces + accessories from H&M or Zara (or DIY projects!), and save the rest of your budget for designer items.  Focus on cost per wear.  A Chanel bag or a pair of $700 YSL Tributes is of course, incredibly costly, but if you take good care of them, they'll last forever.

Do you have an all-time favorite purchase? 

  My YSL Tributes - I adore them and they are so comfortable compared to other heels!

Do you have any favorite blogs besides yours?   

Oh yes.. there are so many!  Despite a recent clean-up, I still have over 200 blogs in my google reader.  Just a few off the top of my head - Honestly WTF, Cheetah is theNew Black, court + hudson, Cupcakes & Cashmere, Miss Moss, Park & Cube, Atlantic-Pacific, and Style & Pepper.  

What is your favorite part about being a fashion blogger?  

The incredible friends I've made.

 Do you have any fashion secrets you can share with our readers? 

Only buy clothing that you really love.  And buy clothing that fits you well - if it doesn't, take it to a tailor.  Lastly, accessorize!  Great accessories can take an outfit from just okay to spectacular.

For beginner bloggers like me, what are some tips for setting yourself apart from other bloggers? 

Be different, and stay true to your own voice.  Try to create as much original content as possible.  Invest in a great camera and basic photo editing software - and never stop learning!  Spend time learning how to make the blog the best you can be.  You could have amazing content, but if it isn't easy on the eyes, no one will read your blog.

What is one interesting, quirky fact about you that readers don’t know? 

Whenever I go on a nice vacation, I steal the slippers!  Right now, I have 6 pairs of hotel slippers from fancy hotels that I've stayed at.  It's silly, but putting the slippers on is a little way to keep the feeling of being on vacation alive.

Best of Fashion Bloggers- Style and Pepper

In case you missed it last week, all month long I'm getting the nitty gritty on all my favorite fashion bloggers. I'm calling it the Best of Fashion Bloggers Series. Last week's blogger, Just Add Glam talked to us all about her West Coast style "with a twist". This week, were going a little south and featuring a blogger right here from my state, good ol' Arizona. She's the spokesperson of BAZAAR's, BAZAAR on Air and the creative mind behind the blog Style and Pepper! 

Meet JessieArtigue!

So Jessie, what would you like to tell our readers?

I'm originally from Scottsdale, AZ and went to college in San Diego, CA at Point Loma Nazarene University. I now live/work in the New York City as a wardrobe stylist, fashion blogger & creative consultant.

Where do you find inspiration for your blog? 

My own closet, thrift stores & the insanely creative and stylish people I see on the streets of NYC!

What inspires you in the way you dress? 

I love anything vintage, and this probably acts as the most prominent inspiration for my own personal style.

Do you have any style icons?

My Nana.  She was always effortlessly put together, and even at 95, reminded me that you can have fun with fashion no matter how old you are.

What trend are you looking forward to most this season?

I love the cropped-top trend, bright florals on bottom & the androgynous tom-boy look for this Spring/Summer.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Thrift stores! Hands down.

Do you shop often to keep up with trends?

I don't shop nearly as often as most people think.  I buy a few inexpensive pieces here and there to try out new trends,and splurge on an investment piece maybe 3-4 times a year.

Do you have any tips on prioritizing purchases or staying stylish on a budget?

I've always been a bargain hunter, and love shopping sales to find current trends. My biggest tip is always to shop out-of-season.  I just snatched up the most gorgeous pair of leather boots for $30, and I probably won't wear them until next fall, but they are a classic style and I know I won't be able to beat the price when the temps start to drop.

Do you have an all-time favorite purchase?  

Not that I can think of!  I try not to get too attached to my clothes/accessories.

 

Do you have any favorite blogs besides yours?

Most of my favorite blogs are also those of my dear friends... I have a whole page of my site that has a list of the ones that I'm currently loving. :)

What is your favorite part about being a fashion blogger?

Sharing inspiration for putting outfits together and connecting with readers.

Do you have any fashion secrets you can share with our readers?

I'm an open book, so no real secrets here... I love sharing advice and style how-tos, though, so if any one ever has any questions - they're welcome to drop me a line!

For beginner bloggers like me, what are some tips for setting yourself apart from other bloggers?

My advice is to pick something you love that you're REALLLLYgood at, and write about that one main thing. This ensures that your content will be original and top-notch and that you'll likely never tire of the subject matter.

What is one interesting, quirky fact about you that readers don’t know? 

I was a competitive athlete all throughout grade school and high school!I may look like a girly-girl, but I'm a total tomboy at heart. :)

Thanks Jessie for joining us!

xoxo-Katie