Who is your style icon? Be it celebrity or designer.
I don’t think I have one style icon that I follow, though
I will say that some of my favorite celebrities in terms of their style are Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, and Lauren Conrad. Other places that I get inspiration are catalogs, store displays, and other blogs.
What’s your skin care regimen?
A work in progress. While I have been blessed with clear skin, it is pretty sensitive and reacts badly to a lot of products – I’m not really talking about breakouts, more like allergic reactions. Up until cosmetology school, I only used water on my face for fear that I would have one of these reactions. After thinking I should actually start washing my face, I slowly started moving into using cold cream to remove my eye make up, and I gave the Bioelements line a try. I now use a Bioelements Moisture Positive cleanser along with the cold cream, and the Restorative Marine Moisturizer from The Leslie Studio. You can see more about this in this video. I’ve also since added the Bioelelements Probiotic Anti-Aging Serum, the PMD Personal Microderm, and the Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift into my regimen.
Your makeup always looks so beautiful and natural. How do you do it?
First of all, thanks! There is a video tutorial available here.
Do you plan your outfits the night before or do you just leave it up to the moment when you are getting ready in the AM?
I normally mentally plan my outfits while I shower in the morning. I usually start by thinking of one item that I would like to wear and then building from there. Normally by the time my shower is over I will have an idea of what I want to wear, sometimes I stare blankly at my wardrobe for awhile … really depends on the day!
How do you define personal style? And what do you consider to be your personal style?
I would say a persons personal style is what they feel most comfortable in. What kinds of clothes make them feel the most like themselves. My personal style is feminine and soft. Most anything that I can label as “pretty”, I generally will love.
Where do you find your clothing? Do you thrift, go outlet and sale shopping, or just shop
at regular stores?
I commonly shop at regular stores. Since I work at the Gap, I often will shop there and Banana Republic. I will also stop into other mall stores, but typically go right for the sale rack. I also love to take outlet mall trips (there aren’t any in Grand Rapids) and I will stock up then. Vacations are also a great time for shopping. I will hit up thrift stores for accessories – belts in particular.
How hard was it to establish this blog? I feel like it takes some serious time to pick an outfit, take pictures, write about it all, and then finally upload it.
It does take time. That being said, it’s something I really enjoy and I think it is a valuable use of my free time. Everyone has to have a hobby, right? This is mine.
How did you promote your blog when you started out? I’m sure many bloggers would like to know this.
I started my blog without a game plan. Actually, when I started my blog, I was completely unaware that fashion blogging was a popular thing to do. Yes, I live in a cave, under a rock, whatever. I mostly just tried to post quality material that people would be interested in reading, and commented on other blogs – and I’m not talking about the “Love your blog! Check out mine!” comments. I left thoughtful comments that weren’t purely for the sake of having my blog noticed. However, I am always hoping for more promotion. Tell your friends or something. Okay?
How did you get started fashion blogging, and what is your advice for someone thinking of getting into the scene?
One day, I had the idea to start a fashion blog. I updated my facebook status to “Kayley Heeringa is thinking about starting a fashion blog, but doesn’t know if people will read it.” About fourteen comments later, I thought, “Okay, fourteen followers is pretty good. Let’s do this!” I had my first post the very next day. My advice for someone thinking about starting a fashion blog is to not have any expectations. Do it because you love it, not because you want a million fans or because you want to make money. If those are your aspirations, you will be disappointed.
Do you ultimately want to do anything pertaining to fashion? Or do you think you’ll stay within the bounds of this blog?
Well, considering I don’t have a degree in fashion, I don’t have any aspirations, though I am always open to what the future may bring.
What keeps you motivated?
My readers! I used to slack off a lot more before I started my blog. I would say the key to staying motivated if you don’t have a blog is just learning to love that feeling that you get when you have something on that you really like. Doesn’t it just make your whole day better?
What does your tattoo mean?
I actually have two tattoos, but the one that is visible on the blog is the one on my neck. It’s written in Hebrew, and translated it means “The Lord Who Loves”. My mom and sister have similar ones in the same location with slightly different meanings.
What camera/lens do you use for your pictures?
How do you take and process your pictures?
Kai shoots on the gear stated above and I quickly process them through Adobe Lightroom 4. Kai made a custom preset that gets applied to the selection of images, and I make further adjustments if necessary.
When did you start styling hair (professionally)?
I start cosmetology school in February of 2007, and began at the salon as a stylist in January of 2008.
Were you into fashion in high school and college?
I was interested in fashion, but not to the point that I am now. I would say that I tried to stand out with what I wore, but in a very unprofessional, not-so put together way. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really tailored my style, figured out what looks best on me, and matured in my fashion aesthetic.
When did you know that Kai was the one?
The first weekend that he came to visit me at college … which was approximately 2-3 weeks after we met. About six weeks after we met he told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I probably just nodded or something. I’m terrible at verbalizing my emotions. When ya know, ya know, ya know?
How did you and Kai meet? You seem like you are very much in love, so I thought it would be and fun story. Oh, and bonus question: Do you remember your outfit that day?
So … this one time, I was a freshman in high school and had a big crush on a senior boy. His name was Kai Heeringa. At the end of the school year, I wrote “fave” on his yearbook picture. Fast forward four and a half years. I see Kai at my family’s church. I whisper to my mom, “OMG. Remember when I used to talk about Kai Heeringa? He’s sitting right over there!”. Mom responds, “He’s too old for you”. I proceed to stare at him for the majority of the sermon. About a month later, I see a comment Kai left on someone’s wall on facebook. I added him as a friend … for research (I wanted to know if he had a girlfriend, okay?). He adds me as a friend, and writes “hello” on my wall. I freak out. I respond, “Hello. I love your photography.” We leave wall comments back and forth. I then add him on my instant messenger buddy list in order to read his profile (yeah, I’m a creep, okay?). On December 23rd, 2005, I get a message from his screen name wishing me a Merry Christmas, and stating his identity (yes, I know, you’ve been on my buddy list for days, duh) *insert screams of excitement here*. We talk all night. I receive an email later that says “Wow. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever talked to. Thought you should know!” I think my heart stopped. On December 27, after many hour long conversations, he asks what I’m doing that evening. When I respond that I am having friends over for a movie, he acts disappointed that he wasn’t invited. So I invite him. He accepts. AHHHH – WHAT WILL I WEAR? This is when I get to the bonus round. Considering I am in my freshman year of college and have packed on a few pounds (or 25), I put on the only things that I feel really fit me – a pair of American Eagle boyfriend jeans that were likely dirty and full of holes, and an Urban Outfitters army green, crewneck tee shirt that was a size large. He comes over. I am so nervous that I have to use a calculator to add up my yahtzee score, and I hardly speak to him all night. Afterwards, when he gets home, he messags me and asks if I wanted to get lunch the next day. I say “yes”. He proposes nine months later. We are married ten months after that. August 30, 2007. The end. Oh, and he thought that my writing on his yearbook picture
was cute. *Whew!*
Circa 2006.
End of novel. And Q&A.
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