Blogger Profile: Rochelle Approved

Happy Saturday, my favorite lovelies! I hope you had a fun Friday evening and are planning to thoroughly enjoy your weekend! I found out, just yesterday afternoon, that I have Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off! I'm so glad someone told me, because I would have been driving to work at 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning. I literally *jumped* for joy. But nothing has me quite as excited as what's happening on my blog and IN REAL LIFE, today! I'm having my very first blogger meet-up, EVER! And I'm meeting with the gorgeous and fascinatingly creative Rochelle of Rochelle Approved! She and her husband are driving up to our house, we're having a homemade lunch (rolls and a veggie platter for appetizer, chicken tortilla soup for the main course, and Rochelle's homemade apple pie for dessert!), going out and about to get some pictures to commemorate this amazing day, and then coming back to my house to play board games! 

Rochelle and I decided to interview each other and post on the day we're meeting up. Actually, it was all her idea. I just agreed because it was an AWESOME one! We both contributed to the questions and I truly hope you enjoy what we've come up with. I'm so excited to share my brand new friend with all of you! 

Why did you start to blog?
I started a blog to share my personal style and show that you can be modest and still be stylish. Another reason I started Rochelle Approved was to use my blog as a way to hold myself accountable to stay true to my style, even though no one else in my area dresses similarly to me.

Which part of blogging do you enjoy the most?
It’s hard to say which part of blogging I enjoy most as there are so many aspects to creating a post. If I didn’t enjoy every aspect, then I wouldn’t have this sort of blog. However, I really enjoy going through the photos, picking out just the right ones and then editing them. 

What are some benefits of blogging that you have experienced? 
The biggest benefit from blogging is meeting new friends!  If I had not started blogging, I probably never would have connected with Kimberly or gotten a chance to meet her in real life!  I also love how much of a community there is within blogging.  You might be the only person in your town who likes a certain style of clothing, but within the blogging community you're sure to find someone else with similar tastes. I have also found that other bloggers are incredibly supportive and encouraging.

When you aren't blogging to fill up "you" time, what are other hobbies that spike your interest?
Just remember that you asked for this one. I have a ton of interests. I sew, paint, re-upholster, bake, enjoy motorcycle rides, travel (as often as I can), sketch, read and am really into photography.  I almost always have more than one project that I’m working on at a time and am usually in the middle of 4 or 5 books. 

Who inspires you?
My grandma is one of the people who has inspired me the most in my personal life.  She is a strong and amazing woman and has always stood up for what she believes in. Also, many fashion bloggers inspire me.  I usually am inspired by the small things from how someone pairs colors or textures to a great pair of shoes.

How would you describe your personal style?
I was actually thinking about attempting to describe my personal style this past week. The closest I have gotten to an actual description is eclectic, tough chic.  However, I don’t think it fully describes my personal style.  Also, instead of getting stuck on a single look, I always try to look at what I’m wearing and see if the outfit as a whole seems like my style. Plus, I always ask myself if I will look back in 20 years and laugh so hard that I cry from what I’m wearing. 

What is one current fashion trend that you wouldn't be caught dead in?
Fur.  It looks wonderful on some people and can add some glamor to a look, but it really creeps me out. 

What is your all time best beauty / fashion tip?
Wear sunscreen and drink water.  I know they sound like incredibly lame beauty tips, but if you do these regularly now, you will reap the benefits for the rest of your life.  I can tell on a day by day basis if I’ve had enough water simply based on how my skin looks.  As far as sunscreen goes, I should buy stock in it due to how much of it I use.  I’m counting on it to protect my skin from getting sun damaged or wrinkly. 

History tends to repeat itself, and that goes for fashion history as well. What trend from the past do you hope to see in the near future?
I would love to see more clothes from the 50’s.  The incredibly feminine silhouette and the intricate details of 50s clothing are both things that I’d like to see make another fashion appearance. 

What are your favorite three stores to shop at?
Target, TJMaxx and my amazing local thrift store!  I love how Target has clothes that range from trendy to classic plus their clothes tend to fit me well. Besides, I can’t seem to resist Target’s clearance section!  TJMaxx is another favorite and their store is almost always wonderfully stocked with current clothes at great prices.  My amazing local thrift store has been such a fun place for me to get to try different clothes that I never would have come across at prices that are unbelievably great. 

What's your favorite color and why? Is it a color you just like to look at, or is it something that's your favorite because you like to decorate with/wear it?
My two favorite colors are deep sapphire blue (it's the color of the night sky, right before it turns inky midnight blue) and dark amethyst purple.  They are both colors that I love to look at as well as wear.  At some point I would like to decorate more with both of those colors, although right now I have decorated with a lot of other colors.

If you could be a celebrity for a day, what perks would you be sure to take advantage of?
I can’t even imagine being a celebrity, but if I were to be one for a day, I would take advantage of designer shoes! At the very least, I would try on as many pairs of insanely expensive shoes as they would let me!

If someone was going to cook you a 4 course meal, tell me, what exactly would you like to have?
This is seriously a tough question as I love all different sorts of food.  
First course: spinach, pecan and goat cheese salad with raspberry vinagarette
Second course: stuffed mushrooms (not the ones stuffed with sausage though)
Main course: seared salmon, steamed sugar snap peas and baked sweet potato
Dessert course: strawberry cheesecake

Is there anything else you'd like to share with everyone? 
I came across this amazing quote by Sophia Loren, “Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.” I think this quote sums up the confidence which can be the element that makes an outfit amazing.  Wear your confidence as a part of your outfit.

*this is one of my personal favorite outfits of Rochelle's so far!*

So, what do you think? You love her, right? She's kind of absolutely amazing, adorable, completely stylish, extremely artistic, and just gorgeous! So, head on over to Rochelle's blog, and start following. 

I promise you won't be sorry!

Right now, I'm going to go hang out with my new friend and cross my fingers that I get stamped

"Rochelle Approved!"

If you'd like to see my answers to our interview questions,

check them out right here!

Oh, and p.s.- Thing 3: A Favorite Book

Another cliche', but maybe I am a cliche'. WHO KNOWS?

I love Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, but I'm a sucker for the Twilight Saga novels by Stephanie Meyer. The writing isn't terribly great, but there's just something about that story line that keeps me wanting more... and more. The forbidden love, the freaks of nature, the teen vampire pregnancy. Those books helped me relax and escape from real life during the end of my pregnancy with Little S. I was uncomfortable, moody, and antsy. But Bella, Edward and Jacob came to the rescue- until I finished the entire saga in 2 weeks, while working full time. Then, I was just uncomfortable, moody, and antsy for a month or so longer. :)

xoxo,

Kimberly