Lauren Oliver, a native Clevelander who now resides in Chicago, shares her love of fashion and style on her blog, Oliver's Twist. She answered some questions for us about affordable style, killer heels and fashion inspiration.
How would you describe your blog?
I like to think of my blog as a place of inspiration for those who want cute, and stylish pieces, but at an affordable price point. I recently graduated college, so while I love to keep up with latest trends, I try to do so within a reasonable budget. It’s also a place to share my latest interest – such as a book I can’t put down – or a shoe that I can’t get out of my head! I like to keep the feeling of my blog very light and fun, and make sure it’s always enjoyable!
What made you decide to start blogging?
I started following fashion blogs around four years ago, and I was so obsessed with them! I would spend hours looking at my favorite sites, and it became one of my favorite things to do. I’ve always been super into fashion and had so many clothes that I never wore, so I figured I would give blogging a try, as well. My mom was actually the one who urged me to take the plunge, and she’s been the same one pushing me to still make my site better today! I also majored in Journalism and writing for my university’s newspaper became a bit stifling, so starting my own blog was a space for me to share my own original and creative thoughts!
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is always evolving. Believe it or not, during eighth grade, I thought I was so stylish when I wore my punk-rock band tee shirts and Converse (and there’s nothing wrong with that), but it’s such a huge change from the girly pieces that I wear today. Now, I love really feminine pieces – such as a cute sundress – but I also have days where I want to be a bit more edgy and throw on a leather jacket. The one thing that has remained consistent, however, is my love for a killer pair of heels!
Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
One of the great things about blogging is that there’s inspiration everywhere! There are literally millions of blogs out there, and everyone has such different style that your options for seeing style inspiration are endless. I seek out most of my inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, and clothing sites. I’m constantly scrolling through the ‘explore’ page to find blogs that I’m unfamiliar with, and I’m always pretty successful! Pinterest is great too, because it’s just a big search engine and whatever you’re looking for – it’s there. I also shop so much more online than I do in person because the selection is 10 times better, and the sites are always showcasing the latest trends.
What is the best piece of style advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice that I’ve received is that “You never know who you’ll see in public.” While that might not be advice per say, it has definitely changed my mindset. I went through a rut of wearing just tee shirts and leggings (I mean, who hasn’t? It’s so comfy!), and while it’s easy to just throw something on – I think it’s nice to present yourself as best as you can when you’re in public, because you never know who you’ll see! Another great tip was to just find what suits you and your body type best. While I love how some girls look in certain things, sometimes it’s just not my own particular style. Stick to what you like for yourself and what you feel comfortable in!
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a blog?
If you’re interested in starting a blog, I absolutely say go for it! In fact, two of my close friends have since started their own blogs, and it’s awesome! Blogging is such a great experience. It leads you to meeting amazing people, learning different skills sets, and also opens up so many unique opportunities. Actually, I recently had a job interview and the girls who interviewed me said they had looked at my blog and loved it… one girl even shared her blog with me! In situations like that, blogging makes you stand out in a crowd where everyone is the same. It’s also just such a fun hobby. I spend hours researching and creating content for my blog, and I have the absolute best time doing so!
To learn more about Lauren and to keep up with her blog, visit Oliver's Twist.
