Blogging Beauty - Paper Meets Pearl

Today I have a treat for you! The lovely Kelly of Paper Meets Pearl has answered some fun questions.  So have fun getting to know this sweet girl and hopefully some of you will learn something about blogging from her!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hello! My name is Kelly and I’m the blogger behind Paper Meets Pearl! My blog is a fashion/lifestyle blog based out of gorgeous Charleston, SC. By day I’m a marketing/social media guru and by night I’m a blogger and fashion stylist!

2. How did you first get involved with blogging?

I first got started back in January after making a New Year’s resolution. I honestly owe a lot of my blog’s start to my supportive boyfriend for challenging me to do it. I’ve always loved fashion and writing but was always told that it wasn’t a viable option. Ever since I got started I’ve been able to meet some amazing ladies (like Katie!) and work with terrific brands.

3. What do you find most challenging about blogging?

Oh gosh! That’s difficult because there will always be challenges with blogging. I would have to say staying motivated and inspired to come up with creative content. I try to keep a notebook handy so I can jot down an idea so I don’t lose it.

4. How would you describe your personal style?

I would say it’s a cross between minimalism and boho. I love simple styles and patterns but also love a good flowy dress! My favorite type of clothes to wear are midi dresses with either heels or slide sandals and very simple jewelry.

5. How do you keep coming up with content for your blog?

Write down everything! Every little thought I have I write down, no matter how crazy it is! It keeps me going and some ideas can really become great ones when I start putting more thought into them. Flipping through magazines also helps too, especially with my job as a stylist.

6. What are your favorite upcoming trends for Fall/Winter?

My favorite trends I’m seeing right now are shearling vests (I just received an incredibly soft one from Entourage Clothing!) and lots of 70s vibes. My favorite boutique, 7 Gypsy, just got this amazing suede fringe skirt that I’m dying to try!

7. What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe right now?

That’s so hard for me! I would have to say my favorite piece is this forest green tunic I recently got at Forever21. It’s a great summer to fall piece because it has thigh high slits so I can wear shorts under it, then in the fall I can wear leggings and a leather jacket!

8. If someone was interested in blogging, what would be a few things you would suggest?

Join a community! I joined Charleston Bloggers and Southern Blog Society and both have been a great way to meet new friends, collaborate with bigger brands, and learn how to be a better blog. Also, don’t be scared to put yourself out there! Take risks and see how they play out. You may be surprised!

9. What do you think is the best strategy to get more traffic to your blog?

Besides creating useful content, I would say really utilize social media. It’s such an easy tool to really drive traffic to your blog. Each time I create a new post, I post a link to it on my Instagram in the bio and all over Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

10. What do you do in your spare time?

I live in a great neighborhood close to a Green Way so I like to go on long bike rides and run through there. If I’m not biking, I’m typically at the beach surfing with my boyfriend (I’m still learning!) or catching up with friends at a local coffee shop or wine bar.

11. Where would you like to be in blogging five years from now?

I would love to be a full-time blogger and make my income doing that. As for now, I’m really happy where I’m at and enjoy seeing where it’s taking me! I’m incredibly thankful to be able to do what I love.

12. Tell me about your proudest achievement?

I would say the day I got asked to start running a weekly fashion show. I truly felt like I was being seen and people wanted to see more of it! It’s starting to drive more traffic to my blog and such a great output for creativity.

13. Who was your first style icon?

My first style icon was Audrey Hepburn and still is!

14. What are your favorite places to shop?

I can’t say no to a good vintage or thrift store! I’m always on the lookout for some great pieces. I also like Nordstrom Rack, Forever21, and The Gap.

15. If you could splurge on one item, what would it be and why?

I’m not too sure! I would have to say something from either Chanel or Chloe. I love both of these brands and how timeless they are.

16. Do you have any fashion rules when putting an outfit together?

Coco Chanel said it best, “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance,” and I completely agree with her! A perfect outfit is one that is balanced and only uses touches of accessories to highlight the overall outfit itself. This is something I try to use every day when I’m either styling myself or my shows.

Thanks so much for collaborating with me Kelly!  Make sure you follow her on Instagram - she posts some seriously fab fashion pics!

Read my answers to the questions on Kelly’s blog!

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

5 Steps to the Perfect Blog Name

Sugar Spice and Sparkle just seems so obvious to me.  That is now, after several weeks of non-stop brain storming.

So you want to start a blog?  I've blogged before (here) and maybe you have too.  I don't know if this makes starting a new blog easier or harder.  In some respects you already know what to do but on the other hand you have to come up with a whole new idea!

After hours on Pinterest and blogs for bloggers I have conjured up quite a few helpful hints for coming up with the perfect blog name.

1 - actually write down what your blog will be about.  I'm not talking an essay or anything like that, just list topics you plan on writing about at some point.  At first I thought this was silly, but after I did it I realized I wanted my blog to be so much!  This step helped me look for a name that would be applicable to many topics (as opposed to Kraftie Katie, which is kind of a limiting name).

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2 - old fashioned brainstorming.  Get a pen, get some paper, and write.  Write down whatever word or phrases come to mind.  Funny story - looking back at my brainstorming paper, sugar nor spice nor sparkle is present.  But I still think this was a good idea to get the blog-naming juices flowing.

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3 - consider the big picture.  Think about longevity, you may want something trendy in the name but if you want to be around for a while consider how your blog name will sound in ten years.  Also think about your brand, do you even want to be a brand?  If you do then ask: does your blog name work as a store name?  Clothing line?  Huge corporation!?  Okay I may be getting a little excited but you get what I'm saying, right?

4 - talk it out.  Once you have a few ideas say them out loud.  To yourself and those closest to you.  Sometimes something may look good on paper but then sound silly when you say it out loud.  

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5 - take a break.  Easier said than done, I know, I can not seem to turn my brain off when it comes to my blog or Etsy shop!  But if you try to distract yourself from constantly thinking about a blog name, you allow your mind to open up and be free for something to just pop in!

Step 5 is actually how I was able to finally give birth to my new baby blog!  I was so focused on adding new items to my shop (the items happened to all contain glitter) and I just thought of it.  My mom was with me at the time and I just said "What about Sugar Spice and Sparkle?".  And that was that.  The thinking was finally over!  That is until a few hours later when I started to think of all the blog posts I wanted to write for my newly named site.

You may be thinking, "why on earth would I do these other steps when they didn't even help?".  But the thing is they DID help.  They helped me get the ball rolling and helped me to know what I did NOT want to name my blog.  So process of elimination at the least :) 

Leave me a comment with your blog name, I would love to hear what you've dreamed up!  And if you'd like to stay up to date with Sugar Spice and Sparkle, enter your email in the side bar.  I'll keep it safe and only use it to send you weekly emails full of sparkle and shine!  I think we could all use a little more of that!