1.Black Lace & Emeralds// 2. Midweek Neutrals// 3.Winter Weekend//4.Geometric Prints
1.Valentine’s Day// 2. Rachel Zoe Blazer// 3.Pink Dress// 4. Lanvin Colorblock Dress
1,Easy Weekend Neutrals// 2.Valentine’s Day Style// 3.Sweater Weather// 4.Rebecca Taylor Blue
I have done so many outfit posts over the past eight weeks –my head is spinning! I didn’t include every single one, but these are a few of my favorites. In case you are curious, I split my time between Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. So, some of my photos are taken at home in Augusta, and then I go to Atlanta about once a month to shoot there. In this way, I am showing you all the different looks at local retailers in both metropolitan areas, as well as the clothing I order online.
I am definitely not a style expert, but looking back at all of my photos from the past 6 months, I can tell my style has evolved (hopefully for the better). Learning your personal style is a journey that takes time and trial and error! Sometimes, I think something looks amazing in the mirror at home and then you get in front of a digital camera and it is a “whole new ball game!” Then, we have to work around lighting, people walking around, and where in the world am I going to change outfits!!? I swear to you, about 60% of the time, I am changing in the back seat of my car, ducking from passersby and trying to squeeze in some jeans (ha- real life)!
However, I am definitely much more secure in myself and my personal style than I was 10 years ago. I am much less likely to jump on a new trend just because it is popular, and try to stick to what really works for my body type, skin tone, and mood. I am tall & curvy and will usually order one or two sizes up so I can take it to alterations for a custom fit. Nothing looks and fits as well as a custom-fit outfit– find a great local alterations person and try him/her out next time!
Q& A with Bloom Girl
How many times a week/month do you take your photos? I take 3-4 outfit photos in one session, one time per week, each week. However, this past month, my schedule allowed for me to have a 2-day shoot in Atlanta and then I could shoot 12 looks in one day-long shoot; these photos will last about 3-4 weeks. So, it really depends on my schedule and how much I can get in at one time. My photographers are Becky Casto with Casto Photography & Cinema and Holly Birdsong Louis with Birdsong Louis Photography. My photographers travel with me.
Do you pay for all of your own clothing and accessories? I get this question a lot, mainly because people are curious as to how I come across so many different outfits, bags, shoes, jewelry, etc., so quickly. My outfits represent a mixture of online orders, such as from Nordstrom, Asos, Anthropologie, and Revolve Clothing ; local Augusta boutiques, such as Shop ONE, Shoes at Surrey, Fab’rik, and Windsor Fine Jewelers; and several fine boutiques in Atlanta, mainly in Buckhead & Midtown area(s).
With my local retailers, I have agreements which allow me to borrow clothing for the shoot & return afterwards, in exchange for free marketing on my blog posts & social media. Some of the stores offer me payment and/or store credit per outfit post. This is a highly common practice in the blogging world. So, the short answer is “yes” and “no” –it depends on the outfit. For instance, I usually purchase one designer stand-out bag per season because I will get enough use out of it to justify. Lastly, online retailers/brands send me product that I get to keep in exchange for posting.
Where did the name “Bloom Girl” originate? I had just turned “30” when I decided to start the blog and it was about deciding to live an authentic life and “blooming” into the creative person I was meant to be! The name is about encouraging young women to take charge of their lives and career paths –not being afraid to chase their dreams.
Why did you decide to start a fashion blog? I have been following and inspired by fashion and beauty blogs for a long time. I thought to myself…I am on these blogs a lot and “why can’t I do this?” A few years ago, a company called Like to Know It (Reward Style) was founded, allowing bloggers to gain product commission from both Instagram and Blog Posts. We spend a lot of time researching trends, working on posts, and styling for outfit photo shoots; Reward Style allows us to get paid like any other publisher. It is a great deal of work, but it is FUN work, because it is Fashion!
Have a Fabulous Week and be Happy!
Anne Benton
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