There is something incredibly endearing about Catherine, of The Renegade Bean. I don't know if it's her gorgeous dimpled smile, perfectly cinched at the waist dresses, or the fact that her and her husband make such a handsome couple, but whatever it is- I'm smitten.
Thanks so much Catherine for being my sixth Blogger of the Week!
Would you like to be featured as a Blogger of the Week? Simply follow this blog and be your sweet, beautiful self.
In other wonderful news, the winner of The Inglenook Decor giveaway is Koralee, of Blue Bird Notes!! Thank you so much to everyone who entered and became followers of mine and Maureen's blogs!! We truly appreciate your support!
What’s your Age and Location?
I am 28 years old and I live in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. I moved here two years ago to join my then-fiance (now husband), study Mandarin and learn more about my roots.
I am 28 years old and I live in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. I moved here two years ago to join my then-fiance (now husband), study Mandarin and learn more about my roots.
What inspired you to start blogging?
Before I moved to Taipei, I briefly participated in wardrobe_remix. It was a fantastic experience! I think a lot of people believe fashion is something that is inherently built on competition and one-upmanship, but in wardrobe_remix, I found a community of women (and men, too) who not only take pride in their own sense of style, but also seem genuinely happy to see what other people are wearing and spread compliments around. I began following style blogs I found through wardrobe_remix and my RSS reader soon exploded. After my Mandarin course was over, I started a job that involves working from home a lot. As much as I love not having to commute, the thrill of being able to work in my old Marvin the Martian t-shirt and sweat pants soon wore off. I'd been keeping a blog about my life in Taipei and have had a positive experience with that, so I thought why not contribute to wardrobe_remix again AND start a style blog? I figured at the very least it'd motivate me to get dressed up even when I don't have an appointment, help me keep track of things I find inspiring -- and maybe I'd make some new friends along the way. All have turned out to be true!
Before I moved to Taipei, I briefly participated in wardrobe_remix. It was a fantastic experience! I think a lot of people believe fashion is something that is inherently built on competition and one-upmanship, but in wardrobe_remix, I found a community of women (and men, too) who not only take pride in their own sense of style, but also seem genuinely happy to see what other people are wearing and spread compliments around. I began following style blogs I found through wardrobe_remix and my RSS reader soon exploded. After my Mandarin course was over, I started a job that involves working from home a lot. As much as I love not having to commute, the thrill of being able to work in my old Marvin the Martian t-shirt and sweat pants soon wore off. I'd been keeping a blog about my life in Taipei and have had a positive experience with that, so I thought why not contribute to wardrobe_remix again AND start a style blog? I figured at the very least it'd motivate me to get dressed up even when I don't have an appointment, help me keep track of things I find inspiring -- and maybe I'd make some new friends along the way. All have turned out to be true!
What’s one tip you’d like to share with other bloggers?
From a practical standpoint, keep in mind that whatever you put on the Internet could very well stay there forever! I try to keep to the Golden Rule of the Internet: Never write, post or send anything that you would not want to see on the front page of a newspaper with your full name in 50 point font next to it. Also be wary of how much personal information you put on your blog. I've learned these things the hard way. For example, when I started my Taiwan blog, I thought only friends and family would read it, so I was pretty careless and did things like give away very specific clues about where I live.
With that in mind, however, I think it's OK to open up about your life on your blog. Obviously everyone has different comfort levels about how vulnerable they can or are willing to be online, but it is truly amazing how warm, supportive and giving people are, even to someone they only know through the Internet. I bristle when people say style bloggers (or bloggers in general) are narcissistic -- I think most people start blogs because of a desire to connect with people who have similar interests and they are more than willing to give back the good vibes they receive.
From a practical standpoint, keep in mind that whatever you put on the Internet could very well stay there forever! I try to keep to the Golden Rule of the Internet: Never write, post or send anything that you would not want to see on the front page of a newspaper with your full name in 50 point font next to it. Also be wary of how much personal information you put on your blog. I've learned these things the hard way. For example, when I started my Taiwan blog, I thought only friends and family would read it, so I was pretty careless and did things like give away very specific clues about where I live.
With that in mind, however, I think it's OK to open up about your life on your blog. Obviously everyone has different comfort levels about how vulnerable they can or are willing to be online, but it is truly amazing how warm, supportive and giving people are, even to someone they only know through the Internet. I bristle when people say style bloggers (or bloggers in general) are narcissistic -- I think most people start blogs because of a desire to connect with people who have similar interests and they are more than willing to give back the good vibes they receive.
What’s your favorite song of the moment?
Right now I am very interested in all things having to do with retro Taiwan, so one of my new favorite singers is Yao Surong, who was popular in the 1960s. One of her greatest hits is "Today I Won't Come Home" (I blogged about the song on my Taiwan blog: http://shuflies.blogspot.com/2009/09/as-part-of-my-mission-to-give-my.html). In terms of American music, I really love "Pot Can't Call the Kettle" by Helene Smith, a 1960s soul singer with an amazing voice. And my all-time favorite band is Camera Obscura. They toured to Taipei last year -- as you can imagine, my head exploded with glee!
Right now I am very interested in all things having to do with retro Taiwan, so one of my new favorite singers is Yao Surong, who was popular in the 1960s. One of her greatest hits is "Today I Won't Come Home" (I blogged about the song on my Taiwan blog: http://shuflies.blogspot.com/2009/09/as-part-of-my-mission-to-give-my.html). In terms of American music, I really love "Pot Can't Call the Kettle" by Helene Smith, a 1960s soul singer with an amazing voice. And my all-time favorite band is Camera Obscura. They toured to Taipei last year -- as you can imagine, my head exploded with glee!
What are you most looking forward to wearing this fall?
Summertime in Taiwan is extremely hot and humid, so for the past three months I've been living in sundresses and sandals. That's fine, but I can't wait to mix things up a bit! I think of fashion as a non-verbal form of communication, so being able to pile on tights, leggings, boots, vests, cardigans, scarves, berets, etc. definitely expands my sartorial vocabulary. I am most excited about wearing my wool felt fascinators from Giant Dwarf (giantdwarf.etsy.com), boots and my giant collection of black cardigans. It's pretty startling how many black cardigans I own. I was actually thinking of naming my blog The Black Cardigan, but then I realized that would just encourage my addiction.
Summertime in Taiwan is extremely hot and humid, so for the past three months I've been living in sundresses and sandals. That's fine, but I can't wait to mix things up a bit! I think of fashion as a non-verbal form of communication, so being able to pile on tights, leggings, boots, vests, cardigans, scarves, berets, etc. definitely expands my sartorial vocabulary. I am most excited about wearing my wool felt fascinators from Giant Dwarf (giantdwarf.etsy.com), boots and my giant collection of black cardigans. It's pretty startling how many black cardigans I own. I was actually thinking of naming my blog The Black Cardigan, but then I realized that would just encourage my addiction.
Thanks so much Catherine for being my sixth Blogger of the Week!
Would you like to be featured as a Blogger of the Week? Simply follow this blog and be your sweet, beautiful self.
In other wonderful news, the winner of The Inglenook Decor giveaway is Koralee, of Blue Bird Notes!! Thank you so much to everyone who entered and became followers of mine and Maureen's blogs!! We truly appreciate your support!
Post Title
→Blogger of the Week: The Renegade Bean
Post URL
→http://figurinonobau.blogspot.com/2009/09/blogger-of-week-renegade-bean.html
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