This month’s featured blogger is Keiko of Keiko Lynn. I first heard about her because a friend mentioned that she went to my high school. I decided to check out her blog and quickly fell in love with it and asked her right away to be my BOTM. Well, little did I know that Keiko is somewhat of a blog superstar in NYC, so I’m very happy that she had the time to answer some questions for us.

Location? Brooklyn, New York
Occupation? fashion designer, personal style and beauty blogger
Age? 27
Who takes your pictures? Usually me (with a tripod and a timer) – or sometimes my boyfriend, sister or even my five year old niece. I set it up for them and they snap the pictures!
What kind of camera and photo editing software do you use? Nikon D90, usually with a 50mm 1.8f lens and Photoshop.
How did you first get into blogging and why? I’ve been blogging since I was in high school, though in a very different capacity. From personal blogging, it evolved into a marriage of personal and promotional (for my clothing line, Postlapsaria). Then, it went into personal style.
What does an average day look like for you? Sewing, editing, sewing, playing with my dog. My day to day is pretty mundane, though I kind of like it that way. I’m happiest when I’m making clothing, with Miku laying near my feet.
What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog? Make clothing, scour flea markets, ride horses.
What do you think is the best/favorite thing about blogging? The behind the scenes action in the fashion and beauty world – I normally wouldn’t have access to that. Getting to know my favorite designers and the people behind the brands, seeing the process of making and promoting products – it’s a great perk.
How do you handle it when you just can’t think of anything to write about? I let the pictures do the talking.

Who do you look up to within the blogosphere/fashion industry & why? The more I’ve gotten to know Rebecca Minkoff and her company, the more I admire her. She has grown so much in the past few years, it’s incredible – and knowing that she started it all from the ground up is pretty inspiring.
Would you like blogging to become your full time job? Never! I love making clothing. I love blogging, but I don’t think I would love it as much if it was my full time job. I think of it as my side job.
Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road? I see myself doing more with beauty. More tutorials, hopefully more styling. I would love to style a lookbook or a campaign.
What can we look forward to seeing on your blog in the future? I have a few new tutorials up my sleeve, and a partnership I’m pretty excited about.
What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business? I think twitter is an excellent way to network, though I haven’t utilized it in that way, that much. It’s a conversation in real time; it’s an invaluable tool.
How did you start working with brands and gaining sponsorships? Companies started emailing me and asking me for my rates. I had never entertained the idea, so I had to make it up as I went along. I decided from the get-go to be selective about whom I would work with. I’ll only work with companies I truly support.
What advice would you give to new bloggers? Don’t make it about the money. Money is nice, but if you start a blog purely for profit, you probably won’t be as successful. Readership first.
What mistakes/ realizations have you come to throughout your journey as a blogger? Is it harder/easier/more fun than you expected? I’m not going to say it’s hard, but it is time consuming. I always call it my side job, but I put just as much time into it as I do my clothing line. The great thing about it is that it provides a flexible schedule. If I want a week off of blogging, I queue posts at the beginning of the week. A realization I’ve made: this is not livejournal. I have a tendency to overshare, and it has bitten me in the behind.

How would you describe your personal style? Ever evolving.
Where do you get your style inspirations? Organically, or from old movies.
Who are your influences/ fashion favorites? Iris Apfel. I don’t emulate her, but I admire her willingness to wear whatever the hell she wants.
What role does your budget play in shaping your style? I like to mix high and low, vintage and modern. I’m fortunate to receive a lot of gifts from companies, but as far as my own spending habits go, I am happier in a thrift store than any high end store. I love designer goods, but there’s something very thrilling about finding a great vintage piece for under ten bucks. Mixing the two is the best way to go.
Whose closet would you most like to raid? Iris Apfel’s! Have you seen her exhibit (A Rare Bird of Fashion)?

If you could trade places with any other person for a week (famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional) who would it be? Joel McHale’s wife, because he is my current celebrity crush.
If a movie was made about your life, who would you like to play the lead role? Kate Winslet. We look nothing alike, but I think she is pretty awesome.
What is your secret dream? To have my own makeup line, or to have a capsule collection for one of my favorite brands (beauty OR fashion!)
What are some things on your bucket list? Too many things…when I start thinking about them, I get anxious.
What is your personal motto? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I never said I was an optimist!
Ever been to another country or state that you liked better then where you currently live? I have never been out of the country, but I’m dying to travel. However, I love NYC.
A phrase you use far too often? “Out of control”

Thank you, Keiko!

For more, visit Keiko Lynn.