Image via Chanel Craves

-What made you decide to be a fashion blogger?
A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a fashion blog.  I had no clue fashion blogs existed.  I became obsessed with them not only for a daily dose of inspiration, but as an outlet to share my love of fashion. Over time I noticed that there were very few bloggers from the south, and none that I knew of from Baton Rouge.  That motivated me to start my own blog “Chanel Craves” in 2010 as a way to express my personal style.

-How would you define your style?
Classically girly with an edgy twist.  I like to mix feminine and edgy pieces together to create a look that’s polished, but effortlessly done.

Image via Chanel Craves

- What are some of your favorite blogs (local and not)?
A local favorite of mine is Swank Heights. Other blogs I go to for inspiration are Atlantic-Pacific, This Time Tomorrow, and Brooklyn Blonde.

- Where do you shop?
I definitely like to mix it up, and pull pieces from a variety of places. I shop at high and low end stores. I tend to go to higher end stores for classic pieces that never go out of style, which I don’t mind splurging on. For trendier pieces that may go out of the style the next season, I shop at more affordable stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Zara.  One of a kind pieces that you won’t see anyone else wearing…..vintage stores. My favorite local vintage store is Time Warp in Baton Rouge.

Image via Chanel Craves

- Do you have any advice for people who want to get into fashion blogging, or are just starting out? 
Be yourself.  Let your personality set you apart from the rest.

- What do you think is unique or most interesting about the Southern fashion scene? 
The fashion scene in the south is evolving. Our fashion is influencing others from across the country and events are emerging that were never here before. People are starting to pay attention.

Until we get fully up and at ‘em we’d like to suggest four tips, blogging resolutions if you will, to help stay on track in the new year.

1. Start an editorial calender

Whether you choose to use Google calenders or find a pretty one at a bookstore, setting a schedule is a big help when you’ve got writer’s blog or find yourself too distracted to blog. Map out a week or even a month’s worth of posts and see if you can stick to it.

2. Start a mood board

Again whether you are on Pinterest or prefer cutting out magazine images, keeping pictures of things that inspire you close by can be the difference between pulling your hair out trying to formulate a post or happily hitting publish.

3. Comment on other blogs

As bloggers we all become giddy when we check out inbox and find that someone has left their insight on a post. Remember the mantra “What goes around comes around” and make an effort to leave a heartfelt comment on every blog that illicits a response from you.

4. Break your own rules

Always post on a Tuesday? Switch days. Only post outfit posts or Polyvore sets? Try branching out by covering a local event, scanning vintage photographs of your family, or interview someone you know with great style. You’ll have fun doing something different and your readers will appreciate the fresh content.

Do you have any blogging resolutions for the

Buffalo Exchange

3312 Magazine St.

New Orleans, LA 70115

Sarah- Destrehan's Daughter

Ashe- Mischief My Dear

Lana- Chapter29

Mallory- Miss Malaprop

Sontha- Fashion Notion 55

Juley- Swank Heights

All photos courtesy of Buffalo Exchange

The idea is simple, post a complete outfit on your blog in which you’ve spent less than $100 on.

Easier said than done right? We want to see you get as creative as possible and you can choose to exclude accessories and shoes or if you are up for a real penny pinch go ahead and make it a Benjamin for the entire ensemble. We are out to prove that you can look fabulous no matter what your budget is. So whether you are a thrift store shopper,eBay lover, a sale rack aficionado or an expert in hand me downs we want to see what you come up with. Items can be things that you’ve owned for years or recent purchases.

Post a link to this blog post in the form of a comment and we will re-post our favorites here and on our Facebook!

So get to stylin’ ladies and we can’t wait to see your great outfits!

If you’d like to participate in July’s group post click here to get on the mailing list for the next go ’round.

UNMADE

fashionably meg

slow southern style

where sexy meets classy

Fashionably Meg's fabulous strappy sandals

Slow Southern Style's platform in taupe

What: Southern Fashion Bloggers Meet UP

Where: New Orleans Museum of Art

When: Saturday, July 2nd 2:30pm

Who: Anyone who is a fashion blogger

Image via NOMA website

Join us on Saturday, July 2nd for a cool (as in air conditioned) walk through the New Orleans Museum of Art to view the Read My Pins exhibition. Every fashionable lady knows that jewelry is a highly personal expression and no one know that better than U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright. She famously adorns herself with special pins symbolizing various things like hope and peace. “I wear it as a reminder that jewelry’s greatest value comes not from intrinsic materials or brilliant designs, but from the emotions we invest,”

Read more about it here: http://noma.org/pins.html

“Before long, and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my diplomatic arsenal. Former president George H.W. Bush had been known for saying ‘Read my lips.’ I began encouraging colleagues and reporters to ‘Read my pins.’” – Madeleine Albright

All of the lovely attendees photo via Rach LaRoche

Having grown up in Louisiana I’m no stranger to historic homes. Ever since I was a kid I’ve been touring grand old mansions, stately antebellum plantations and other buildings with historical interest. The best part of living in the South are all of the beautiful remnants of such amazing architecture.

The Longue Vue Home

Our petite tour guide in the background photo via Rach LaRoche

One of the lovely fountains

Beautiful flowers everywhere

Longue Vue is located in Old Metairie, a quick 10 minute drive from New Orleans depending on where y’at.  It is definitely worth the short drive and a lovely, relaxing way to spend a few hours or an entire day. To see all photos from the day check out our Facebook page. Thanks to Rachael of Ordinarily Urbane for contributing some of the pictures used here.

Our Fashionable Frolic will take us through the gardens of Longue Vue, an 8 acre estate boasting lush gardens and a beautiful historic home. We will wander around the grounds on a guided tour and there will be plenty of picturesque spots for group photos. For those interested in dinner afterwards we will take a group vote based on restaurants in the surrounding area.

Entrance Court

What:Fashionable Frolic: Southern Fashion Bloggers April Meet up

Where: Longue Vue, 7 Bamboo Road New Orleans, LA

When: Saturday, April 16th 1:00pm

Why: A day to relax, have fun and catch up with old friends and make new ones as well. Community building at its best!

Cost: $8 per person for tour of the home and garden. Dinner will be a group vote after the tour at a nearby restaurant

Please RSVP here.

Spanish Court

Photos courtesy of Longuevue.com

The lovely panelists

What’s in a blog name?

The most important and perhaps hardest decision when first creating a blog is thinking of a name. It’s going to be your calling card. Everyone gave examples of fun, catchy and very personal references. Regardless of whether or not they like the names they’ve chosen they have kept them.

My Style Pill- Idea that we all take pills every day

Saucy Glossie- Lived in Australia where magazines are called glossies

Keiko Lynn-  Her name

This Fellow- A reference from one of his favorite books

Misconceptions of fashion bloggers

Get pegged into being shallow, only care about outfits and taking pictures of yourself but everyone is multifaceted and has different interests aside from fashion.

You can use your platform to raise awareness of issues that are dear to you. Ex. Keiko mentioned Japan

If you choose to talk about other interests you could turn off potential readers, but if it matters to you then go for it. If you are very passionate about something that will show through. Ex. Keiko sometimes mentions politics on her site.

Evolving Your Brand

Remain true to yourself. If you read other blogs you will certainly be influenced by them but don’t let that distract from you. Work on developing yourself as a brand.

What Determines Brands You Feature

Point of view- Narrow down your point of view be aspirational

Saucy Glossie cited an example of being approached by Burberry. As nice as it would be to get a free Burberry handbag it wouldn’t coincide with her POV, which highlights affordable items.

Don’t get too excited when companies start to offer you free stuff! Be discriminating with your choices, and don’t just take every offer that comes your way. Remember that you are doing the brand a favor by tapping a direct line into their customer base. Saucie Glossie posed the question what will a free pair of shoes do for your readers?

Everyone said they like to feature smaller brands. Remember that your readers trust your suggestions

Charge everyone! My Style Pill mentioned she charges everyone (even friends) for ads and sponsorships, treat it like a business relationship

If you are a brand how do you get a bloggers attention? Write an eloquent e-mail. Poor syntax or poor punctuation and grammar is a turn off!

Bloggers Read

Cupcakes & Cashmere Atlantic-Pacific.blogspot

Lots of mention about food blogs

Focus on your aesthetic- shows passion and that you put work into it

Most favorite/least favorite posts

All mentioned how original content is really important- don’t just take someone else’s content and recycle it

Be self sufficient, know how to take your own outfit photos, learn to do everything yourself

“What was I thinking moment” – Putting outfits together that aren’t really your style

Keiko mentioned that travel shots are her fav taking pictures of new places, getting new scenery

Don’t look back at old entries- it’s like looking at love letters to an ex- might make you cringe that you ever felt that way!

Developing a voice is the hardest thing to do. Most importantly your blog should make you feel inspired and empowered. Always write for yourself, no matter what and focus on what you know.

Think about offering a service- ex. My style pill and the paper doll idea

This Fellow mentions that he was approached by Fossil to create a Valentine’s Day menu. He just picked something that he liked, made it up as he went and had fun with it.

Can you blog from anywhere?

You can take blogging on the road, don’t have to live in NYC to do it. Let your surroundings tell a story. At this point it is edgy to be from somewhere else besides NYC, California, or even Austin

Niche is also really important

Look for what is cool and next. Don’t try to sound too lofty. Edit yourself to sound like you are talking to your best friend. When readers happen upon your blog it should feel like a conversation, like you know them and they are talking to a friend.  By building a loyal readership your numbers will grow.

How do you support yourself as a blogger?

You have to establish a readership first.  Remember that most bloggers have jobs. Run yourself like a business. Use your blog as a platform for other things, it really is your best portfolio!

And of course no event wrap up would be complete without pictures of the fabulous patrons of the evening!

@chanelcraves @juleytl

@slowsouthstyle @sexymeetsclassy @andieaton

See all of the photos from the event at the Southern Fashion Bloggers Facebook page or at the New Orleans Fashion Week page.

It’s apparent that Texas is quickly becoming a hot bed for southern fashion bloggers with the big turn out for the Texas Style Council being held in Austin this past weekend.  But before the big social a group of Dallas area bloggers got together at the end of February to meet up, talk shop, and have some fun. Elissa from Dress With Courage was kind enough to let us share and republish her experience here.

Tina, Angga, Janell, Ivonne, Kileen, Tasha, and Charis

Introductions were made around the table

Angga, PV, Kileen, Irene, Stephanie

Chastity, London, Tasha, Janell, Jen, Charis

Angga, Ivonne, me and Tina

The Dior Beauty Director instructing us on creating a smoky eye.

Angga modeled bright lipstick

Angga and Stephanie post-makeover.

The last make-up session didn’t end until after five, and we went home with memories of a wonderful afternoon and plans to get together bi-monthly. Kileen did a fantastic job organizing the event. She sent out a thoughtful poll to attendees after the meetup, asking for input regarding future events, and created a button to make it easier for us to stay in touch. I am so grateful to have been included!