Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?

If a blogger actually wears the outfits they post. If a blogger is honest with their readers about where the pieces of the outfit came from, how much they spent, if they were gifts/courtesy of a company. If a blogger shares aspects of their day to let you know why they wore certain parts of their outfit (ie, high heels because you sit at a desk all day.) All of these are pieces of the whole picture. Each individual blogger doesn't have to share every last piece, but the more complete a picture the readers see, the more authentic the blog/blogger is.

2. When it comes to your blog how to you infuse it with that true/
authentic feeling?

The pictures I post are always of an outfit I have worn, usually to work, since I don't often post weekend outfits. When something is different from my norm (a weekend or evening look) I mention that. If I wore something differently than how it is pictured on the blog (sometimes I forget to change from my commuting shoes to the shoes I wore all day, for example), I make a note of that on the blog. I often talk about an aspect of my day that relates to the outfit -- I think that ties my clothing into my personality and who I am a little more.
I also try to write pretty much the way I speak in real life. I've found that the blogs I enjoy reading the most are the ones where I feel like I'm sitting down with a cuppa tea, chatting with a friend. It just happens to be a friend I've never met who lives hundreds of miles away. I don't know if I'm quite there yet with my own blog, but it's something I strive for.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?

I probably have, though I haven't really kept track too well. Everyone's style adapts over time, and sometimes I find that some bloggers whose style I used to adore just don't work for me anymore. It's not a judgment on them at all, but it just doesn't pique my curiosity anymore. Personally, the vast majority of blogs I follow are ones where I can draw inspiration, learn for myself, or relate to in some way. While there is something to be said for fantasy-outfit blogs, for me, if I can't translate your looks into something I could/would wear, I'm not likely to keep reading your blog.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life... what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?

I live my life for me, not for my readers. While I do sometimes catch myself wondering if an outfit is "blog-worthy," I don't dress myself for the blog. I take pictures of what I wear, and I post them. Now, that's not to say that I don't use my blog as motivation for holding myself accountable for actually making an effort to look nice. (Maybe that's the same thing as dressing for the blog, but I don't think it is...)

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?
Hillary from byhillary
Kimberly from Fab Finds Under $50
Suze from Miss Vinyl Ahoy
Tina from T Minus, T Plus
Andie from What Andie Wears
Erin from Work With What You've Got

Truly, my list could go on and on. but these gals are ones whose blogs seem to speak to me the most. They write about real things that happen in their lives, and they write with a voice that comes across as their own. I can get a sense of who they are from their blogs. They just happen to also post photos of what they wear. I think that's the key -- I love the clothes, but it's the people that make the blog authentic.