Today we have a lovely interview with Sylvia of I wander, I wonder. A few months back we were introduced via the internet through our mutual friend Gina. Sylvia has a super cute blog filled with daily outfit posts, recipes/cooking how-to’s, and various outings that occur during her daily life.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
-Well, hello! I’m Sylvia, I’m 22 and a production assistant at a bilingual cable network, hoping to work my way into the wonderful world of film production. I live in Santa Monica, California with my goofy Australian boyfriend and in my free time I write my blog, i wander, i wonder. I was born in Poland and raised in Chicago, and have been bit with a huge traveling and exploring bug, so I’ve been loving getting to know Los Angeles and a new nook of the world.
2. What got you interested in blogging, and how long have you been blogging for?
-Out of college, I was working in customer service at this company where I found myself with a lot of downtime. I started to discover other people’s blogs and loved the medium as it showcases the styles and daily lives of normal yet still extraordinary women (and men), and I thought that it was a great community to be a part of and a great way to express and also play with my creativity while sharing the inspiring things I come across.
3. Can you tell us about your style?
-I work in a casual/creative office environment where pretty much anything goes, but I still like to dress professionally, so I would describe my style as professional bohemian. I try to wear classic and appropriate clothing but with quirky and glamorous elements to make them more fun and things that don’t fit too tightly on my body but still fit. My sister says that I’m a gypsy in terms of my style, and I wouldn’t argue, but I’m rather a gypsy with a job in the corporate world.
4. Recently I’ve noticed quite a few vintage pieces making their way into your outfit posts. What is your outlook on vintage clothing?
-I love vintage clothing because I think that style is really timeless and it’s so much more fun for me to find unique items that have a history rather than just the things you can find at the mall. I think it’s kind of a treasure hunt when you shop vintage and there’s so many things both interesting and awful that make you think about why they were made in the first place and what kind of wearer they were aimed for. Plus, I consider myself an old soul, so in a quirky way, I feel like the older vintage pieces represent me a bit better.
5. What are your favorite trends for winter?
-I’ve been loving chunky knits and faux furs, as well as full mid-calf-length skirts and maxi skirts. I like the idea of mixing thick knits with delicate fabrics like silks. I also really dig the mixed neutral look and I think it will continue for Spring, so I’m already looking forward. I’ve begun introducing semi-neutral but colorful pieces into my wardrobe as we get into late winter like lilacs, light greyish blues, and faded rosy pinks, but neutralizing them to keep them from becoming too pastelly and still winter appropriate.
6. When you’re not busy blogging, what can you be found doing?
-I work full time so when I’m not working or blogging, I’m probably just relaxing. Thrifting, cooking, going to the farmer’s market, exploring, watching my favorite shows and movies, reading (mostly magazines and cookbooks, as of late), or just trying to catch up with friends. I’m also the occasional dog walker and dog sitter, which I enjoy, as I get to roam around our neighborhood with some super sweet furry creatures and check out new places and meet new people.
7. With regards to fashion, what do you draw inspiration from?
-I draw fashion inspiration from a lot of different aspects. Anything can really inspire me at any moment. I’ve always been attracted to Hollywood glamour both in terms of costumes and celebrity style. Through my travels I’ve taken in a lot of inspiration as well; Art, street style, the things in my mind, the things I see in magazines and blogs, and the people in my life also contribute a lot. From my mom & my sister to my grandma and even my dad, there’s isn’t a closet I won’t raid for inspiration.
8. If you had to pick one outfit to wear the rest of your life, what would it look like?
-You can’t ask me this! I honestly believe that style is ever-evolving, and your favorite thing today may not be your favorite thing tomorrow and so on and so forth. There’s so many beautiful things to wear I can’t imagine just having to stick with one. But I will say that if I was trapped on a desert island and could only have one item, I’d want a beautiful silk kimono robe with some sort of print; luxurious, glamorous, and incredibly comfy.
9. I’ve been loving the baking/cooking posts you’ve been doing lately! What got you interested in spending time in the kitchen, and what’s your favorite dish/baked good to make?
-I come from a family where we ate a lot of homemade food. I was always so jealous of my friends who got to eat out or have pizza for dinner. We only got that as a treat on special occasions. However, as I’ve gotten older, and especially in college, I learned what a blessing it really was when I started eating a lot of processed foods and I didn’t feel well after, so I made it an important priority in my life to cook. This way I know exactly what I’m eating and I feel like I can be much healthier in my cooking styles and portions this way. I suppose that’s the anal part of me and yet, it’s turned into this relaxing and fun hobby. I still can’t say I’m much of a baker as I’ve only really made pumpkin bread and one pie, but my mother loves to bake and I always rather feared it, so this year, I decided to face my fear and just do it, and in a way I feel more connected to her.
Thank you so much Sylvia for doing this interview for me (and for getting your answers to me so quickly!). Please don’t forget to check out Sylvia’s lovely blog and for daily outfits, yummy recipes, and quirky peeks into her life and the places she goes.
-Chelsea