behind the blog: dainty & decadent

This week Behind the Blog is Maria from Dainty & Decadent. Maria is a lawyer, a fab dresser, and a soon(ish) to be mom. She also has an amazing handbag collection that I would like to make my own...unfortunately I haven't had any success convincing her that her Chanel bag would look perfect in my closet! Even though she won't share her luxury goods with me, I'm thrilled to have her there this week!

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

I stumbled upon a personal style/fashion blog in 2009 when I was planning my wedding and it was love.  I’ve always been interested in fashion so I immediately was sucked into the world of fashion blogs.  My husband tried to convince me to start a blog immediately but I had just graduated from law school, started working at a firm, and still planning my wedding so my time was limited.

I started blogging April 2012 and it was all my husband’s fault J  He had asked me if I were to have a blog what would I name it.  I said ‘Dainty and Decadent’ and that night, he bought the domain and away I started to blog.

Which blogs do you read every day? 

I read all the blogs on my blog list but it definitely needs some editing as I’ve added a lot more to my reading list.  I’m drawn to people who either have a similar style to me, working women, and now working mommas.  These are just a few of the lovely ladies as well as those on my blog list that are some of my favorites: Sam Ipsa Loquitur, Tweed and Toile, Franish, Beach Chic Style, J Crew is My Fav Store, and Respect the Shoes.

Who takes your pictures? What camera and lens do you use? Have you ever been caught in the act of taking these?

My husband patiently and sometimes not so patiently takes all my photos J  He uses a Canon XTi with a 50mm lens.  I’m always caught taking photos it never is not awkward…

Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

I’ve only told a handful of people about my blog.  My family had no idea what blogs even were so they have the ‘whatever’ attitude but one of my sisters is really interested in blogs and she’s even did a guest post for me.  My husband reads my blog every once in a while so I always think it’s hilarious when I write about him in a post and he’ll find out a week later then ask if anyone thinks he’s a jerk now.

You are a lawyer and currently pregnant with your first child. How has your wardrobe changed since you started working as a lawyer (besides the obvious), how do you keep your wardrobe interesting, and how do you foresee your wardrobe changing in the coming months?

When I first started practicing, I ONLY wore black skirts and white button downs because I thought that’s what all lawyers wear and that I’d be taken more seriously.  That mindset ended quickly when I walked into a courtroom and saw another lawyer wearing crocs…  Since then, I’ve added color and basically just dressed for me which then made me more comfortable at my job rather than trying to be someone else.  Now that I’m pregnant, the challenge is fighting to urge to want to wear yoga pants to work J  In the next coming months, I’m thinking dresses and accessories will be my staples.  I don’t plan on spending a lot of money on maternity clothes so I will probably buy staple items and accessorize to change things up.

Many fashion bloggers hop from one trend to the next. How do you manage to stay on trend without breaking the bank and just blindly following each trend?

I recognize when something is on trend but if it doesn’t work for me then I’m not going to push it and look ridiculous.  For example, peplum was huge in 2012 but looked horrible on me.  I already have wide hips, I definitely did not need extra flared fabric on my waist to extenuate my hips!  In regards to other trends, I follow the same rule as I do with all my shopping-SALE!  In addition to shopping sales, I ask myself if it is something I will use more than three times.  If I can only think of one way to wear something, it’s not coming home with me.

I honestly hate spending a lot of money on clothes and stick to a strict monthly budget.  Now, handbags…they are my weakness.  However, when it comes to my bags, 99% of them were gifted and after many years of lusting after them. 

Putting yourself on the internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will always love what you are wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?

Oh you anonymous commenters…Actually, I haven’t received any “mean” comments but more constructive criticisms which I really appreciate.  If someone says, “the length is too long” or “I would have worn a neutral top” it makes me think of other ways to wear my outfit which expands my closet-win win!

What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

No doubt about it-connecting with other bloggers!  I remember the first time a blogger that I had been following for two years commented on my blog and it felt like I was meeting a celebrity!  I’ve “met” many other bloggers I started reading after I started blogging and most have become some of my favorite blogs.

When it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups?

The only “promoting” I do is Pinterest but I’ve been slacking in that area lately.  At first, I would comment a lot on blogs but now I sparingly comment so that it is more meaningful and not just to get readers.

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers? 

I appreciate comments that are meaningful or constructive.  But please, PLEASE, know how much I hate the “follow me and I’ll follow you” because I can promise you that I won’t even click on your blog link…sorry.  I almost always will try to reply or visit someone’s blog if they have taken the time to visit my blog.  Being pushy will only annoy people.  I think that as long as you are genuine, people will recognize that.  Just be yourself, cheesy but true.

Thank you for all of your insight Maria! Next week we have Jessica from Here & Now!