Blogger Spotlight: chichichic

Welcome to round two of my blogger spotlight! Way back, I introduced you to Hallie of Halcoholic, and today's inspiration is Justyna of chichichic. Having discovered her through Chictopia, I was immediately intrigued by her old-school glamour, witty writing, and adorable dog Frank.

Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

Hi. My name is Justyna and I'm a blogger/stylist.  When not blogging/styling, I invite myself to parties, tell awkward jokes, drink Chanel No. 5 & hang out with Frank.

Where are you from, and where do you live? Does your setting influence your style, or is it more of a hindrance?

I'm a European import.  Moved to Canada nearly 20 years ago (sheesh... dating myself here....) and now I live in Ottawa.  Ottawa is a strange sort of place.  It desperately wants to be fashionable, but (awkward pause...) isn't.   Its a government town, and when I try and introduce a non-white/gray/black blouse to my clients their eyes immediately respond with Oh God! Not in my office!  What does influence me? Hmm.... I'd say I dress a bit like Patsy off AbFab mixed with Lucille Bluth off Arrested Development and a touch of modernity.  (So basically, an old lush with an penchant for Numero Mag.)  I stick out like a sore thumb, but you only live once, why spend a lifetime in a wardrobe of casual basics? 

Where do you do the majority of your shopping?
While I enjoy a lot of stores, I really don't like being to 'loyal' to any one.  I really hate looking like Club Monaco head to toe, or Zara or thrift.... I mix high and low all the time.... Although, in Canada: favorite shopping destinations?  The Room at the Bay in Toronto (and their White Space area ~ one of a kind newbie designer threads) and Holt Renfrew.... I also am a big fan of Yasmine Wasfy of Lustre Boutique in Montreal.... fantastic designer I need to post on.

Tell us about your dog!

My Frank! My heart!  That smelly old pooch is my lifeline!  He's out of shape, slobbery, but oh so snuggable.... There's nothing better than hearing him 'sing'.... If you live in Ottawa, you'll see me wandering around with that guy all over town... (and he snores like a banshee)

When did you decide to start blogging and how has the experience been?

I started last September, and that didn't last long.... I quickly got bored, and then realized my blog was getting a bit of minor attention, so started up again in January, and it is SOOOO unbelievable to connect to all these amazing people all over the world.  It's a lovely feeling to meet (in cyber space or reality) a good, kindred spirit.

The standard question- what advice do you have for new bloggers?

Figure out why you want to blog and stick to that.... forget about audience, just do what you love, and that will shine through...

What are your fashion influences?

Old ladies in Florida retirement communities (that always match shoe to pocketbook to fannypack to visor), bored Parisian girls, Garance Dore, Neo-Classical art, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

What's one style you'd love to try but don't have the courage to?

I wear whatever I'm in the mood for, fashion doesn't really scare me. 

What are you most comfortable in?

My skin. (WOW, I sound like an arrogant a-hole, but I guess I learned at a young age, if you're not comfortable in your own skin, you won't be comfortable in anything else anyway....) 

What's your number 1 guilty pleasure?

Ooooohhhh..... tough one.... I would say Absolutely Fabulous, Boli-Stoli, and Menthols... but I don't really feel all that guilty about it....

Please be sure to check out Justyna over at chichichic! If you'd like to be featured for an interview, leave a comment or send me an email.