Name: Kristine
City: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Currently unemployed!
Blog: Kristine. Or Polly.
Who is your fashion inspiration?
I get a lot of fashion inspiration from fellow style bloggers and street style blogs. I like to see real people, what clothes they collect, and how they assemble them into outfits. To me, there is just so much personality there. Other than blogs, J.Crew's spring catalogs always inspire me (although that is not necessarily a "who"). I wear springy clothes all year round because I love the colors, and well, because I live in Arizona. And this will sound obscure, but Connie Wang, editor of Refinery29 also inspires me. She mixes different styles, textures, and colors in a way that I haven't found in anyone else. I always jump for joy when they have their "What We're Wearing" articles. Oh yeah, and I really like Kirsten Dunst and Kate Bosworth if we're talking about celebrity style.
What is one thing you always carry in your bag?
I would say my iPhone, but now that I think of it, it is usually in my hand or in my pocket! So I would probably say my MAC lipstick in 'Spice It Up" and DuWop lipgloss in "Tulip".
What is your current favourite fashion trend?
I really love the high-waisted, full skirt look - I think it just creates such a pretty, feminine silhouette.
What is the current trend you dislike the most?
Minimalism. I'm just a big fan of the use of bold, bright colors, so the minimalism trend doesn't resonate too well with me.
Why did you start your blog?
Well, I started my blog a few years ago, and it was more of a lifestyle blog for a while. Just a hodge podge of things I liked. I had always wanted to get into style blogging, though. My personal style is something that I am incredibly passionate about, and I thought I could bring my own perspective to the "everyday outfit" type of blogging. However, I didn't really have the confidence to do it until November 2010, when two people I admire encouraged me to do it. From that moment, I just said, that's it. I'm doing this.
How would you describe your style?
Classic with a quirky twist. When getting dressed, I always ask myself, "Is there something quirky about this?" Now, quirky can have different meanings on different days - usually I like when something is a bit 'off' or when something is contradicting, whether it be patterns, styles, colors, etc. Modesty is also an important element to me.
What is one thing you are dying to buy this winter?
This isn't really specific to winter (winter doesn't exist in Arizona!), but I'm really wanting brown lace-up peep-toe slingback oxfords. Specifically, these ones from Madewell. I've had this page open on my browser for the past two days, just so I could behold their glory at any given moment.
Are you a shoes or bags kind of girl?
Definitely a shoes girl. I am extremely picky with bags, so it is hard for me to find one that I truly love. Once I find one, I stick with it. Shoes on the other hand... I would collect shoes like crazy if I could.
What is one thing that you regret buying?
What is one thing that you regret buying?
Clogs. Which is funny, because I noticed a lot of the other Girls of the Blogosphere also had negative things to say about them. I purchased a pair on sale for about $20 to see if I could work with them. But they just weren't very flattering to my feet, and it sounded like my feet were bricks.
If you could meet one person from the fashion industry/ a fashion icon who would it be?
It would probably have to be Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's executive creative director, for a number of reasons. Not only does she have the artistic vision it took to revive the brand, but she also has the business sense to keep it progressing. She also seems incredibly gracious and down to earth. (And it's really no secret that I am slightly obsessed with J.Crew.)
What is your favourite vacation destination?
My favorite place I've been to so far is Salzburg, Austria. My husband and I honeymooned there just last September. It was an absolutely gorgeous, historic city that really keeps its authenticity. I am also a big fan of the Sound of Music, so we were able to take a tour of the sights that are featured in that film. I would absolutely love to visit Thailand or Iceland, though!
What is one totally random fact you want others to know about you?
Photos: http://kristinemachine.blogspot.com/
