Friend Friday - I heart books

I was so excited to find out that we're talking about books today. Books i can do)) Books are by far my favorite topic)
I couldn't name only 5 favorite books, so it's gonna be 6)

My top 6 favorite books of all time:

- The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. An incredible and truly unique story, that has everything. I'm honestly can't even describe how much I love it - it's amazing and always the #1 for me.

- The Forest Song (Lisova Pisnya) by Lesya Ukrainka. One of the best Ukrainian writers, a really strong and talented woman, who could speak ten (!) languages and made a lot for my country and it's literature. The Forest Song is an amazing, gentle, beautiful and sad story about an ordinary village guy and mavka, the spirit of the forest. It's enchanting and magical, and also one of the best guides to Ukrainian folklore and it's mythological beings.

- The Catcher in The Rue by J.D. Sallinger. It was given to me by one of my closest friends when I was still in high school. The simple cheap paperback with his favorite quotes highlighted. I've read it in one breath, and also highlighted my favorite quotes. Then my other friend read it and told me about her favorites (so I've re-read it and highlighted some of them too). I still have that paperback book and I think of it as one of my treasures.

- Three Comrades (Drei Kameraden) by Erich Maria Remarque. A great, great novel about true friendship, and an old trusty car, and a strong beautiful women. It makes my laugh, makes me cry and makes me cherish my friends even more.

- On the Road by Jack Kerouac. It's beautiful book about two best friends, based on the lives of the real two best friend. About love for an open road, and meeting new people, and freedom, and Dean's simple life philosophy.

- Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. I've read it last year (thanks to my friend Tamara, who presented me with the book) and I loved it even more than I've expected. The book is great - unique, a bit creepy and absolutely amazing. I wouldn't change one word.

The 5 Most Recent Books I’ve Read and Loved:

- Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. As a huge fan of True Blood I was a bit skeptical about reading the books. Don't get me wrong, I always choose book over it's adaptation, but in case of modern vampire fiction I'm very careful about the books (I was brave enough to read Twilight, and it was awful. I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings, but I didn't like it at all). But I was pleasantly surprised by this book - it was really good, and interesting, and well written, and I loved this Sookie much more than the TV-show's one.

- The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. I know, I know, it's adventure novel for children, but I loved the movie, and I also loved the book.

- Chocolate by Joanne Harris. I've read this book a few times, on different languages, and I loved it so much! It's much, much better than the movie. I love strong women, both in life and in literature, and Vianne is amazing.

- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. A dark, mysterious, gothic novel, an homage to Wythering Heights and Jane Eyre. And when I say dark, I mean dark. Dark and deviant, and very captivating.

- The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (La Dame dans l'auto avec des lunettes et un fusil) by Sébastien Japrisot. I've read it when I was a teenager, and re-read it a few times (last time - a few weeks ago). A great detective novel, a great mystery and a great character - strong and intelligent woman, just the way I like))

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Friend Friday/Monday fashion inspiration

I've decided to combine two of my weekly posts (I'm always late on writing both of them))).

So on Friend Friday we are talking about autumn trends. And my Monday Fashion inspirations (written on Tuesday, as usual) are about trends and ideas that inspire me in the beggining of fall.

To tell you the truth, I'm not big on trends. My relationship with fashion is different - there're things I like, things I don't like, things that out of my comfort zone, but I'd love to try them if they inspire me. So I take a lot of ideas from catwalk trends, but it's just ideas, not rules.

This fall I cannot wait to wear:

1) Colored tights - love them with skirts, dresses, shorts, boots and even summer heels (I have two pairs of chunky, rock-inspired heels in black and grey/nude - can't wait to wear them with some of this pretty colors)))

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(c) Google Image Search

(c) Google Image Search

2) Shorts with tights (and boots) - I've written about my irrational "fear" of shorts - proud to say that I've managed to come over it) Can't wait! I have two great pairs of shorts - in navy and in green)

Carly from miss teacups and bubblebath

Carly is always one of my biggest inspirations in fall outfits. Tights, boots, chunky knits - <3

Mademoiselle Chic

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3) Cobalt - I have cobalt summer dress and I plan to layer it like crazy ))

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4) Chunky knits - each and every fall season)

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5) Striped jacket - I've rescently received package with similar jacket I've ordered at bon prix and can't wait to layer it with something autumn-y))

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(c) Chiara F

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Friend Friday - Location Influences Fashion

Better late then never)))

1. What part of the world do you blog from?

I blog from Kyiv (Kiev), the capital of Ukraine. It's a beautiful, more 1500 - years old city with very impressive history, located in Eastern Europe.

Monica and I - 2010

Sabine, Ira and me - 2008

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?

I have no idea if there's a mode. On the streets of Kyiv you can see everything - designer gowns, gothic, emo, and punk outfits, cute high street dresses, national vyshyvanka shirts, track suits and anything you can only imagine) My city is very diverse and eclectic - lots of people, lots of nationalities, lots of turists (lots and lots of them).

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?

I think city vise I blend in into eclectic crowd just fine. As for my friends and colleagues - I do think I'm breaking mold a little. I just love to dress up not only on occasions, but each and every day.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?

As an adult I've never lived anywhere but Kyiv. But as a young child I've relocated for a few years to Jaromer in Chech Republic,where my parents worked then. I was 4 years old, but I do remember how I came there with my grandma and grandpa for the first time. When my dad saw me, he took me to the nearest clothes shop, bought me new t-shirt, pants, cardi and shoes, and the old ones put into the trash can on the central square)) Yeah, my grandma, very excentric old lady, was dressing me weirdly and thought that shoes with holes in them were good for a kid)))

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be? I'd like to be London or New York. But I have no idea how to describe my style. I am very eclectic dress vise - I love to try on new things and trends and to push myself to be more open and experiment more with my clothes.

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Friend Friday: the outfit formula

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?

Now, in summer, it's basically really simple - a dress + a cardigan or a skirt + some cute top + cardigan or a jacket. Add some interesting earrings, a brooch (vintage or handmade) and gladiator sandals or espadrilles - and here you go, there's my basic oufit formula for a rainy summer.

2. How did you come about this formula?

I've been dreaming about a huge amount of dresses for years. Lately my collection became pretty impressive, so I'm living my dream. What can be nicer than a dress and a cute cardigan? You can belt a dress, or you can belt cardigan - slightly opened, showing a bit of a great fabric of a dress or closed, that a dress would be transformed into a skirt...

I also like wearing jeans or a casual skirt with striped top (kinda what I'm wearing right now - striped top, denim skirt, studded belt and faux leather jacket). I've already wrote about my love for stripes on numerous occasions - yeah, I LOVE them.

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?

Well, of course. Outfit wise I love spring and especially autumn for it's possibilities for layering, so my favorite outfits are designed to be worn in slightly chilly weather. Summer is usually really hot here, so the less clothes you're wearing, the better for you. Winter is cold, so I usually have to make more effort to look good - not to go for safe, warm, but lame combos, but to layer more smartly.

4. Has it morphed over the years?

Definitely. In my school years I used to live in jeans and oversized T-shirt and sweaters. Than I transfered to a really prestigious school and had to wear uniform - a black pencil skirt, white shirt and green uniform jacket (hated that thing). I was wearing uniform for three years, but it kinda messed me up. On my first year of uni I was still wearing pencil skirts and tailored pants and white shirts and blouses with classic jackets, while my mates were wearing some crazy oufits and dying hair blue and red. Then I've relaxed a bit and returned to jeans and sweaters.

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?

I can't name just a few bloggers - I really like the style of every single one blogger I follow, and it's not just polite words. I really do.

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Friend Friday - Changes in style

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping?

Definitely. I tend to experement more now and I find lots of inspiration in other blog I read.

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that?

Well... My mom is a very stylish woman herself, so I think we sometimes inspire each other. I actually like to borrow her stuff - belts, tops, today I wore her white full skirt for work. My mom's 54, but she has a really young and vibrant wardrobe.

As for my friends - I've noticed that my best friends, who used to joke about me being always so put together and dressing up without an occasion, are making more afford now. I can see that they are noticing some ideas and incorporating them into their outfits. The best compliment to my fashion loving heart.

3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it?

I'm thinking about wearing shorts for quite a while (it's not weird, but I like them and I don't wear them). Not vacation sun-beach-sand type of shorts, but more dressy ones, especially in colder temperatures -with tights and boots. I even got myself a pair - navy blue from Marks&Spencer. But only wore them once, like the beach type shorts. Don't know why I'm so scared of them. I guess I need to work on my body confidence a little bit more.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do?

Long pleated skirts, full vintage outfits, shorts (as I said earlier).

5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices?

Solannah and her full vintage life, Keiko Lynn, The Clothes Horse - just three names I've thought about first. But thre are so much more great and creatively looking bloggers, that inspire me))

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Friend Friday: Inspiration

Such a great topic this week))

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration?

I wrote about this once or twice - I adore Irish actress Katie McGrath. I love her style, I love her approach to outfits and mixing vintage, designer and high-street pieces of clothing together. And also I find her incredibly beautiful, so yeah, Katie is the first. I even own an online community for her fans. 

I also like Rachel Weisz, Zoe Deshanel and Natalie Dormer a lot. And the funniest things - I have no admiration for acting talents of Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley or Rachel Bilson whatsoever, but I love their styles a lot)

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?

My biggest inspirations now are all of the fashion blogs I follow. They are inspiring me to take risks, to dress up more, to find inspiration in different epochs.

3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?

That's the tough one. I don't actually know. I've started blogging more to challenge myself - to write more, to dress up more, to communicate more. If I'm inspiring anyone in any way, I am really honored.

4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you?

I've been inpired by my late grandma for all of my life. She was a great woman - really strong and independent, a doctor, a pediatrician. When she was a young girl, barely on the third year of medical university, she signed up to the army and went to the battlefield to save lives. She was immediatelly signed to the battle of Kursk - it's still remains the largest series of armored clashes. She went all the way to Berlin and saved hundreds of soldiers from gangrene. When the War ended, she went back to university and became PhD. Some people still recognize my mum on the streets and greet her with the words: "Oh, you're the daughter of the doctor lady! She saved my son...".

My grandma is my all time inspiration. And she also inspires me in terms of fashion - I wear a lot of her shawls and jewelry, and have a few of her beautiful dresses that need some altering.

5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you?

I don't know whether music inspires me in terms of fashion, but I love jazz - it always makes me feel more beautiful and feminine. I love almost all types of music, but jazz is that special style I always listen before going out with my friends or going on the date.

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Friend Friday - Fashion Blogging and Feminism

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion?

No, there's not. At least it shouldn't be. I have no time to follow all the posts from Feminist Fashion Bloggers, but a week ago or so I was delighted to read these two posts: FFB: Dressing as a Feminist by Veshoevius from The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe and Is This What A Feminist Looks Like? by Vintage Vixen. I can't say it better than these beautiful women did.

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?

I've never wanted to have a blog which is strictly about fashion. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion, I love nice dresses, but I can't write about just one aspect of my life. I like to blog about books and movies, about art, about my family, about my hand-made projects. I like to write creative posts and even short stories. So I hope that all of my writing is projecting my thoughts and feelings, and you can see me through it.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?

I don't think that it would change much. And honestly - I don't care whether the designer is male or female. I love clothes and I love good outfit ideas. I love both female ad male fashion. Fashion is fashion, art is art, music is music, no matter who creates it.

On the topic of the face of fasion industry - I don't think that it also's going to change, even if all of the designers were female.

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?

I dress the way I like, that's pretty much it.

I wear clothes I feel comfortable in. I know, lot's of fashion bloggers shares the belief that comfortable clothes is some kind of a fashion crime, but I can't disagree more. I am a fashion lover, but I'm not a fasion slave. I am a woman who has a lot of work every day, and I need to be able to feel good to achieve my goals. I am wearing heels, dresses, tights every day, but everything I wear makes me feel good, not the other way around. I buy nice shoes with heels, but each pair feels good on my feet. I'm wearing skirts and dresses in winter, but only if I feel warm in them.

I wear clothes I feel beautiful in. Sometimes I wear short skirts and I don't mind showing a little cleavage, because I love my legs and I love my breast. And I should have a right to dress the way I like.

I don't wear much leather (I've written about my thoughts on this matter in Fashion without mercy). That's it.

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?

Yes, I do. And I don't think that it's good or bad, that's just the truth. I honestly don't like that we're still judging people by their appearances, but I don't know if there's any way to not do this. Appearances it just our covers but even the cover says something about the candy. I'm not talking about sizes or shapes now. Or even about dress scence. Even if this things don't matter to you (they don't matter to me - I'm all for self expression and being true to yourself in every way), you can still see the way person treats himself or herself. Even in basic questions, like clean and ironed clothes, clean hair, love or dislike of makeup etc.

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Friend Friday - Finding the Balance

1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall?

I afraid it's not in the top of my list, I guess it's on the 5-6 place now (it includes this blog, my other blog, devoted to movies and books reviews mostly, twitter and tumblr accounts). Blogging is very important in my life, but lately, when I have to choose between new blog post or a freelance job, I'm choosing freelance and some cash. I hope that someday I'll have the oppotunity to turn my blog into my job, but until then...

2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible?

I like to think about my posts while I'm in the subway or when I'm doing something like ironing. I usually get inspiration in a second, but I need some time to think it through. So I'm using the routine moments of each day to think about the topic, about everythink that I'd like to write. It's pretty much the same with my short stories - I like to work on the plot when I'm doing something boring.

3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient?

Not yet. That's why my blog suffers a little since I've began to work full time again. I hope I'll find some ways to blog easier and to find more time for it.

4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead?

I've started Monday Fashion inspirations to make myself write more and to write on topics that are exiting and inspiring to me. For the last coule of weeks I don't have a lot of free time to write it every week, but I work on it.

5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?

I'd blog more and I'd do much more outfit posts. I know that these posts are not that popular among my followers, but I like to blog about outfits. So I would definitely do much more of those.

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Friend Friday - Authenticity

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

Blogger authenticity, to me, is being true to yourself and not trying to become someone else. When a person is pretending to be someone she/he's not, at some point it shows. I used to know a few bloggers who acted all tough and sometimes even rude in their blogs. But when I met them in real life I saw a couple of very shy girls who were pretty awkward in comunicating. I'd love to know them as they are - shy, modest, with nice manners. But their blogs became their masks and it seemed like by their sharpness and rudeness they were trying to overcompensate for their diffidence. And though I liked talking to them over a cup of latte, being rude to your readers just to seem more tough is seriously uncool. 

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

I don't know, actually. I'm writing this blog in English, which is not my native language, so I obviously don't write it the way I speak. But I hope that my personality shows through my writing and pictures.

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

I did, I guess. I'm think at times it was because of the bad quality of pictures - I don't mind it usually, I don't have a descent camera either, but sometimes I just don't understand why someone would want to post 20 dark and fuzzy pictures in a row. It just goes with the territory - I'm a visual person, I love pictures and thats why I can be annoyed by a huge amount of unaesthetic images. I'm sorry, but that the way I am) And also when I feel the lack of authenticity, as I said in my answers to first question. 

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'm trying to make my blog show me the way i am - to write what I think and the way I thing. I think that's it.) 

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why? 

I can't name only a few names, sorry. I usually follow only the blogs I really like and I usually like genuine and interesting blogs. I've read every page of some blogs I'm following, and I think that truly genuine bloggers are writing in a way that makes you feel like you know them. 

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Friend Friday: Outfit Selection

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?

It depends on lots of factors.

First - my plans for the day. I'm working from home now, and it makes the everything a lot easier. I have more time to decide - I don't have to get up at 6:30 a.m. and create outfits in 20 minutes. Plus I don't have to wear suits (thank God!) - I love to wear them occasionaly, but not EVERY day. I'm glad I don't work in HR anymore - I don't have this problem since I've began working as an event manager, and especially now, since I quit my previous job and working freelance.

So I have time to think about whether I'm going for a walk (so probably no heels), or to the cinema, or for a business meeting.

Second - weather. I live in a country that has a cold (not extremely cold, but cold) winters and hot summers, and I'm the girl who likes to feel comfortable as well as pretty. I'm not gonna lie, there were a few times this winter, when, in order to wear some nice dress, boots and a light coat (not enough layers for -8c), I end up being extremely cold and uncomfortable. But I'm fighting this habit, because I'm really determined to take better care of my heath. No bronchitis this year - that's the goal))

Third - after all this steps I usually end up with amount of clothes that'd be weather and ocassion appropriate, and everything is pretty much done. I tend to think about different combinations when I buy new clothes or reorganize my wardrobe, so I usually have some ideas. Depending on ocassion and my mood I can try something new or choose a dependible and safe outfit.

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month, weekend?

Sometimes, mostly before some big event. When I worked at concert/event agency, I useed to always know what I'm gonna be wearing on the concerts two month ahead)))

Plus, as I said, I like to think about combining my clothes when reorganizin or shopping for something new. But I'm can only with to be this organized every day)

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?

No, I don't think so. I rely on my memory and on blog/pictures mostly.

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet? (Trial try-ons? Hanging items together?)

Well, yeah, trial try-ons, looking for inspiration in magazines, internet or in my lookbooks (I always save pictures of the looks I loved - looking through them always gives me a lot of ideas). Sometimes even staring into my wardrobe for a few mitutes)))

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?

After the second question I think I should plan more, it'll save me some time))

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Friend Friday - New Year's Resolutions

I'm so busy today with all the shopping, cleaning and cooking! Right now I'm tudying up my room while watching one of the best movies from my childhood - "Three hazelnuts for Cinderella". Still no signs of Holiday spirit, but I've had an amazing gift today - found the really cute band jacket in a thrift store)

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and peace and happiness to your's families!

1. What's the one thing you vow to learn or do in 2011 to improve your blog? I

I'd really like to learn some Photoshop or any other graphic redactor - when you like to take and post pictures it's becoming a necessity)

2. What did you learn about blogging in 2010 that you plan to put into practice next year?

I can't even begin to describe all thethings I've learned this year. I've been blogging for 5-6 years now, but this year was probably the most productive. I'd love to make more outfit posts and to work on my pictures more.

3. Do you have any high-level goals for your blog in the coming year? Monetization? More comments? More connections with other bloggers? A new template?

I think I just want to communicate more with my followers and with bloggers I follow. There're so many beautiful people around me)

4. If you could collaborate with one other blogger within your sphere of influence in 2011, who would you like to collaborate with and what would you like to collaborate on?

It's a tough question I'm afraid I don't have an answer for. I'm still a little unsure about my writing skills in English, so I'm a little scared of collaboration with other bloggers.

5. What do you plan to do to support other bloggers next year?

I plan to follow even more amazing bloggers and to comment and promote their interesting and helpful posts)))

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Friend Friday - Holiday Parties

I hate to be a Grinch, but I don't have any signs of Holiday spirit at all. This year wasn't very good to my family, and this would be the first New Year's Eve and Cristmas without my father.

So I don't plan much, I think I'm only going for like 3 event - one of them is a party, the other two are simply a celebratory dinners at my relatives' homes.

1. Which holiday party are you looking forward to attending this year?

As I said, I'm attending only one party this year. On Wednesday my friend, who works at the university, and her student's are making a party in the Prohibition era style. I'm really looking forvard to it - I love this time, and the dresses, and the headbands, and everything else. And I can't drink now, so it'll be my own Prohibition.

2. What is your go-to holiday party outfit?

I like to wear a nice dress with accessories my mom is making and I neve listen to those color horoscopes. This year my friend is making me a beautiful dress of black lace, and I'm making a headband and a bag. That's pretty much it. I'd love to feel like Billie Frechette on the party.

3. Do you go dressed in something that would be impractical to wear at any other time of the year?

No. Sasha and I was talking about the dress the other night and we've created the design that I'd be happy to wear on any other occasion - I love black lace that I've bought.

4. If you are going to a house-party what gift will you bring to the host/hostess?

In my country we don't usualy bring homemade food to the house-party, it wouldn't be a smart move and a little insulting even (like telling the host that she/he can't cook properly). So I usually go with fruits and/or a bottle of wine.

5. If you could buy only one trendy piece to update your holiday party wardrobe, what would you get this year?

I'g love to add one of these pairs of shoes to my party outfit - I don't have a pair of shoes in 20s style, and these beauties looks great. They both are Vivienne Westwood for Melissa, and though I can't say that I love plastic shoes, I'd love to try one of these.

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Friend Friday - Are you connected?

This week's Friend Friday questions made me so happy)) I think that it's a very important question, and one of the reasons I blog.

1. How important do you think reader connectedness is to the success of your blog?

It's very important. The successfull blog to me is not a blog that has like a million followers. Successfull blog is the one that's connecting the blog owner to the followers, helping them to communicate, to know each other, even to make friends. I have an amazing experience with my other blog. I've started it to find people with similar interests, but found so much more - I've found friends for life, and now we often meet, travel, spend time together) I can't say that it's the only reason I blog - I love to write too much, even if noone's reading it - but it matter's a lot.

2. What do you do to draw readers in and create that writer-reader bond?

I'm trying to be genuine and honest. I love fashion, handmade and crafts, books, photography, so I share my interests with amazing people who read my blog))) Once in a while I like to write master-classes or reviews, so my blog would become more interesting.

3. What is one way you could improve this connection?

I think that maybe at times I can be more active - to take more pictures, to write more)))

4. Is there a blogger you think does a great job creating that writer-reader bond? Why?
I can't name only one person. I tend to follow blogs which shows bloggers personality and have this special connection with readers. I'm not sure I will enjoy reading a blog which is too distant from it's followers)

5. What do you do to cultivate new readers? How do you get them to your site in the first place?
I don't know))) But I'm so honored to have such wonderful and interesting followers) I've noticed that some of my posts are getting more attention than other - like Pirate boots by Vivienne Westwood, What to do with an old scarf?, 1920s dresses and others. So I think that it's combination of commenting on other blogs and google searches.

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Friend Friday - Blogger Burnout

1. How many hours a week do you spend blogging? Has that number changed since you started blogging?

I can't actually tell - it depends on my free time, and mood, and on what's going on in my life. Though I think I spend more time then others on blogging due to me having not just one, but two different active bloges and three blogs which I'm using as archieves (of handmade pictures/master-classes, of fiction etc). But I can't say that my life is constant blogging or that I can devote a lot of time to it - I work from home, I spend a lot of time working with my laptop, so I mostly blog on coffee-breaks or when I want to clear my mind from work.

2. There is always more you can do, write, read, comment on... how do you limit your time spent on these tasks?

I sadly don't have much time to spend on surfing through all the blogs and comment on every post. I'd love to comment more, but I have life (as all of us))), I have my work responsibilities, I have radio school and my friends. So I think it's fair to say that I limit my time on writing, posting, commentigs just as everybody else do - I prioritise)

3. Have you experienced Blogger burnout yet? How have you dealt with that?

I did actually. I've left one of my blogs, the first livejournal I had, a few years ago. I did it mostly because of burnout - I had no inspiration, my interests and priorities changed and I couldn't even make myself to write any kind of post there. I think it's only natural for a lot of people, but I've expirienced it once and I hope that it never happends again - I cherish people I meet while blogging to much)

4. This time of the year is always a lot busier than any other time. Will your blogging change as a result?

I don't think so. Winter holidays are often give me more inspiration than any other season. This and the fact that I have nothing planned for holidays due to rescent terrible lost in my family - I thing I'll blog a lot on holidays))

5. Could you foresee a moment in which you are not blogging anymore? How would you you identify that it's time to walk away?

To me no inspiration = no blogging. I can't just write posts like "just ate an awesome grilled cheese sandwich" or " I'm bored", I also need to do something reative - handmade, or fashion/books/movies/tv-shows reviews, or some fiction writing, or whatever. So I think I can stop blogging when I'm not interested in my blog anymore. But I don't think that's gonna happend any time soon)

Check out Modly Chic for more Friend Friday posts.

Friend Friday: Blogger Self Promotion

You can find all other posts on Modly Chic.

1. How do you promote your blog?

Well, I don't think I do, actually. I'm new here and, to tell the truth, yeah, I'd love for more people to read my blog. But it has to happend naturally. And I want to communicate, not just to have have more followers. So I don't think I do something other than communicating. I do comment on blogs I read, but mostly to talk. I never add links to my blog. Not that it's bad, it just never crossed my mind. BTW, joining Friend Friday is more a commitment to myself - to write more and to tell more)))

2. In your experience what has been the most effective form of self promotion?

I think the most effective way is to write original post and to be involved in some projects, like Friend Friday or else. Oh, and communicate by writing interesting, honest full comments to post theat you liked.

3. Do you think there is a wrong way to promote yourself and your blog?

I do. Over the years of blogging I've saw a lot of this - "please friend me back", "I'll friend you if you friend me", "I'll close my blog from everyone, who don't want to friend me" etc.

4. When is comes to others pushing their product what annoys you?

I'm usually annoyed by what I can call hypocrisy. I don't like when a person is not interested in communication genuinely and is leaving commets only to promote own blog.

5. In Dressful's post on this topic earlier in the week she said, "It's impossible to respect someone who wants all the attention, but adds nothing worthwhile to the conversation." Do you agree?

I have to agree on this. I've seen a lot of bloggers who not just want all the attention, but became really jealous and vicious towards bloggers who have more friends/followers. It's really disgusting to watch.