Blogger Interview : Tieka from Selective Potential.

One thing that I have always wanted to encorporate into my blog, was interviews with other successful bloggers. However I was always unsure about how to approach this or how both bloggers and readers alike would react to it. In the end I thought why not and just went for it.

My first blogger interview is with the wonderful, creative and stunning Tieka from Selective Potential. If you haven't come across her blog before then you really are missing out. I've been reading Tieka's blog since I first came across fashion blogs, and she really has been a huge inspiration to me. I love the way she encorporates both amazing fashion style and ideas with details and adventures from her own life. I find that Tieka's blog is alot more personal than most. When reading her blog you almost feel like she's talking directly to you, telling you about an exciting trip she went on or about why she wanted to wear this or that. In my opinion she really is one of the best bloggers of the moment.
So don't forget, if you read this interview and like what you hear as well as what you see, which i'm sure you will, you really need to head over to her blog. Which again, is Selective Potential.

1. How would you best describe your blog and your style?

I’d say I’m very girly with feminine florals, but with a rocker edge. I love mixing the two looks! But I’d definitely say I fit to match my surroundings. A ship tour? I’m dressed nautically. A picnic in a field? I’m dressed in florals. A downtown concert? I’m in lace up boots and a lace dress. It all depends! Selective Potential is a place where I talk all about my own personal style, my marriage, trips we take, adventures we have and I also talk a lot about Michigan. I like to show people how amazing any place can be if you make the most of it!


2. You've been working on your blog for some time and clearly put alot of time and effort into it, but how did you first get involved in blogging?

I started blogging in September 2009 after I fell in love with fashion. I had just lost 35 pounds and was so inspired by the ways I could dress my "new body". I finally started to like the way clothes looked and I loved experimenting and finding new ways to dress without spending a crazy amount of money, because I basically needed a whole new wardrobe. I looked online and stumbled across an article by WhoWhatWear that featured four fashion bloggers. It was all downhill from there. I was in love.

3. What is your must have item in your wardrobe?

I adore sleeved dresses. I can't imagine my closet without them. I wear them in every season! I also can't imagine my closet without lace up boots, chunky belts and cardigans. You can mix and match those in a million different ways. My absolute must have item currently in my closet are my Jeffrey Campbell lace-up boots. I love them too much.

4. Some say that you have to spend alot of money on clothes to look fashionable, is this something you agree with or do you love to go hunting for a good old bargain?

Absolutely not! When I first started blogging, I thrifted so many of my clothes! I also read so many blogs of girls who buy thrifted items more than regular-priced items - and I adore their style so much. It's all about being creative - not about how much money you have. Hunting for a great bargain is one of the things I love to do most!


5. Readers of your blog will know that your husband Brett helps you alot in terms of your photographs. Is this something that the two of you enjoy doing together?

Absolutely! Brett and I have so much fun taking the photos for my blog together. It has definitely been an adventure together and it's so fun to look back at all of my posts and imagine Brett behind the camera in every one of them. All of the fun adventures on my blog, we've done it all together. We usually plan a little trip out of it and it's caused us to go places and do things we wouldn't have done if it weren't for the blog!


6. As a blogger based in the UK, I envy the amount of times you girls in America get together. Would you encourage bloggers getting together more often?

Oh gosh, I can't stress enough how much fun it is to get together with other bloggers and just talk fashion, blogging, outfit posts, everything! It's so fun to connect with girls who know what an "outfit shot" is or know the blogging trends and names you're talking about. I've met some of my best friends through blogging and blogger meet-ups. It's my favorite thing about blogging - the community and the girls I've met - so yes, I would so encourage bloggers to get together, no matter where you live!

7. Do you enjoy reading other fashion blogs, any imparticular?

I'm constantly reading other fashion blogs - I spend at least 10 hours a week on my Bloglovin roll! I really adore Delightfully Tacky, Jen Loves Kev, Orchid Grey - all of the girls in the Delightful Dozen. Some of my other favorites are - Flashes of Style, Le Blog de Betty, Bonjour Bbydoll... oh gosh, too many favorites to name!


8. Who or what inspires your fashion choices?

I'm definitely inspired by my surroundings! I love dressing to match a season or a place I'm going. I love to look out the window and gain inspiration from flowers, or autumn colors, or wintry settings, whatever it may be. I'm also really inspired by so many girls in the blogging community whose blogs I read on a daily basis. I feel like they are all real girls and if they tried something - and it looks wonderful on them - I could try it too!

9. Speaking of inspirations, alot of girls who read blogs look up to you as a role model and someone who inspires them, how does this make you feel?

Amazing. I never thought I would inspire so many girls and I'm constantly overwhelmed on a daily basis at how wonderful all of my readers are. The fact that I'm just doing what makes me happy and it inspires others is just a wonderful thing. It actually re-inspires me to keep up the life I've been leading. ;)


10. If you had to give one piece of advice to other fashion bloggers what would it be?

Be yourself! Find your niche and run with it. Take whatever element makes you unique and use it to your advantage. Everybody loves to read about my quirky Michigan trips and little tidbits with my husband and they are things I never thought readers would be interested in! It's fun to come across a blog where you feel like you know the person, like they're your best friend and you're just catching up with them. Be real, be yourself. It's all you can do - and have fun with it.

Tieka from Selective Potential ♥