blogger of the month: Elana of Room 334

I'm so excited to announce that Elana is June's blogger of the month! I recently came across her blog after she left a comment on mine (I think that's how it went down) and I fell in love with her cute smile and her way of putting outfits together (especially whenever she ties shirts over dresses, since that's something I love to do as well!). Be sure to check out her blog, Room 334!



First off, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Thanks so much for having me! Well, I'm an almost 21-year-old (in about a month) college student majoring in fashion merchandising and minoring in journalism. I was born and raised in Southern California, but I go to school out in the Midwest. I'm a lover of a good collar, a good deal, and a good movie or TV show. Did I say love? I meant obsessed. I'm also one of those people who insists on using sarcasm in pretty much every interaction I have. I like to think I'm funny sometimes.



Congrats on one year of blogging! What has been the best thing that has come from your blogging experience so far?

Thank you! I know this is what everyone says, but it really is all of the people who I've met! I love that I've made really good friends from around the world who have the same interests as I do. It's been great to start real friendships, even outside of blogging, with some of them too. I can't get over how many talented, stylish, intelligent women I've had the pleasure of meeting through this. I'm not worthy of them, but don't tell them that.


What about the biggest obstacle you overcame?

In terms of blogging? I guess it would be the time management things. Going to school, having a job, keeping up with friends and family, AND running a blog can be a little much sometimes, but I think I've figured out my balance over the past year.



I was so excited when I heard about your internship, can you tell a little bit about that?

It's kind of surreal actually! I'm interning with Sophia Banks Coloma, a celebrity stylist in LA. I only just started and haven't gotten to do TOO much yet, but it's crazy sorting through racks of designer clothes and then seeing a celebrity wearing something that I held. I just got to go through the studio and pick out clothes for a Just Jared photo shoot the other day and I'm still hyperventilating about how cool it was.



How would you describe your personal style?

Very, very feminine. I'm starting to lean towards wanting more classic pieces in my wardrobe now, but right now you're most likely to find me in something with polka dots, lace, or a Peter Pan collar. Fit and flare dresses are my homegirls.


Is there any piece of clothing you'll never get rid of? If so, what is it?

There are a couple, actually. There's this 70s gold belt that I wear a lot on my blog that was one my very first vintage pieces that I bought in high school from my favorite vintage store that I think I'll always keep. It's mostly the vintage stuff that I have a hard time letting go of.



What's it like working with the girls of Flock Together?

It's incredible of course! When Jessica (from Midwest Muse) and I started it together, we had no idea how it would work out, especially with so many girls. Luckily, we couldn't have chosen a better group and everyone has been nothing short of wonderful. It's great that now ALL of us are brainstorming ideas for posts and ways to make it even better; everyone is so involved. Plus, it takes a lot of trust to be sending out your favorite clothes to people who you've never met in person, so it's great that we've all developed that. I feel bad because we keep getting emails from AMAZING bloggers asking to join, but we just already have so many people. I wish we could have everyone!


I just finished up a week's worth of mixology posts. Do you have any tips for people who want to remix things but are a little unsure of how to do so?

Just play around with things! Even things that you don't think would go together, just try it. And never underestimate the versatility of a dress. I wear mine as tops tucked into skirts and as skirts with shirts knotted over them all the time to get more use out of them.



So what's next for Room 334?

Well, I just got a new design that I couldn't be happier about and I'm hoping to add some more variety of posts. I'm starting to bring back what I used to do on my old blog, and dedicate posts to up-and-coming designers and stores that I love. Other than that, mostly just a general trying not humiliate myself and finding ways to make my readers laugh when I think I'm funny. You know, the usual things.



Thank you so much Elana for letting me interview you. It has been great getting to know you!

Be sure to check out Elana on her blog, Room 334!

my week in instagram #50

hanging out with a cute pooch // baby bear chilling out in our neighbor's yard // oscar being adorable and distracting // shooting a panorama of the clouds // Matt on top of the world // @impulsings

Other things that happened this week;

1. Lots of frolfing. I'm not getting any better, but it's still fun. And it's been really fun hanging out with my friends.
2. Mixology posts. So much fun, also glad I can take a break from writing extensive posts! I'm excited for the next two weeks of seeing the results of what you guys come up with!
3. Finally finished my first big internship project! I redid my boss's website. You should look at it here! Lots of work, lots of stress and not knowing if I could do it, but I'm beyond happy with the results and got a nice bonus from it! I love my job.
4. Hung out with Matt a lot. Adventuring, doing menial things like walking to fabric stores, driving around just talking, it's been the best.
5. Finished watching Game of Thrones. :'( Need. Next. Season. Now.
4. Played a lot of Age of Empires. And as soon as I finish writing this post, I'm going to play more! I'm making a ton of kingdoms that are a part of my world I'm creating. Maybe I'll screenshot it all and put all the worlds together and show you guys (nerd alert amirite?)

Have a great week everyone!

mixology results // neutral polka dots

shirt/skirt/cardigan: thrifted // shoes: payless




What if I told you guys that this week of mixology posts was just a huge conspiracy to get you guys to pick out my clothes for me? While that definitely is not the case, I still felt pretty cool when I woke up this morning and thought, "I wonder what I should wear today? Oh wait, I'll have my people decide for me!" Haha you are my people now. But all kidding aside, I really loved this outfit that Fernanda put together through my remix my closet post. Be sure to join in on the fun and read over all of my mixology posts from this past week! (intro//color//prints//combinations) I'll probably accept outfits until next week, and then it will be back to waking up and groggily picking out clothes in my half asleep daze every day.




All of the pieces in this outfit really work well together. First let's look at the polka dot shirt. Neutral color, neutral print, therefore it goes with anything. The lime green cardigan is my accent color because there isn't the same tint of green anywhere else in the outfit, but there are the same tints of other colors in the skirt (mostly the yellow and light pink).




I hope you have a great day, and thanks for a great week of mixology! Tomorrow I'll have two posts, first my week in instagram (because I'm addicted to it and love posting pictures there), and then June's blogger of the month! Who's it gonna beee? And then following Monday's June Review post we shall continue these mixology results, so you don't want to miss it!

mixology 101 // remix my closet [closed]

Now it's time to put all that new knowledge to the test! If you're just joining in on this week of mixology, be sure to check out the previous posts here: intro//color//prints//combinations

I've pulled together some select pieces (basically my entire wardrobe) for you to mix together! You can choose as many pieces as you want, you can choose multiples pieces in one category, the point is that you're the stylist, and I'm your client! You have full reign. Comment below with how you would create an outfit with these colorful printed pieces. A great example comment would be something like this: "I would love to see the lace button down shirt over the striped shirt, with the purple pencil skirt." And then tomorrow (or in the next couple of days, depending on how many people participate), I'll style the outfit and show you why it was successful or not so much. I hope you have fun doing this!



Button-down shirts (could also be worn as cardigans, can be tied, can be worn under or on top of other pieces):
1. lace, 2. beige floral, 3. pink floral, 5. denim leaf print, 6. purple floral



Regular shirts (can be worn tied, on top of other pieces):
1. zebra print, 2. floral, 3. striped, 4. polka dot, 5. crop top, 6. green polka dot



Cardigans:
1. gray, 2. purple, 3. green, 4. lace, 5. two-toned vest



Skirts:
1. orange floral, 2. purple pencil, 3. pink/blue, 4. green multicolored, 5. yellow floral



Pants:
1. High waisted striped, 2. pink shorts, 3. plum, 4. red



Dresses:
1. polka dot, 2. pink open back, 3. purple lace, 4. yellow zigzag, 5. ice cream, 6. geometric, 7. cherry



Legwear:
1. blue floral leggings, 2. pink/blue floral leggings, 3. lace tights, 4. green tights, 5. purple zigzag socks, 6. polka dot socks, 7. cupcake socks