Take Note: UK Blogger of The Month.

Welcome to my first installment of Take Note. The way it works is every month I'm going to choose a UK blogger, ask her some questions then post them up here so you can all find some new and lovely blogs out there. I have an international edition coming up later in the week too so every month you'll get two amazing bloggers delivered to you. What's fairer than that?

Our first blogger of the month is going to be Helen of Afeitar, she has such a classic feminine style that I really love and her outfits are a great inspiration to me. Her baking photos always produce tummy rumbles as well. She works as a librarian which is one of my dream jobs and you should all head over to the blog after this to check it out for yourself.

How did you get involved in blogging?

I guess it all started on Livejournal and posting to communities on there like The High Street and then I started reading blogs like Gala Darling and The Clothes Horse and thought 'I could do that!'. So 2 years ago now I started my little blog.

How would you describe your personal style?

Hmm I'd say it's quite girly but classic. I don't like to follow trends, although I am influenced by some. I prefer things that look flattering and feminine.

Is there anyone you consider a style icon?

Not really, I mean I'm inspired all the time by different people I see in the street, on blogs or in magazines, not just one person. I think if you limit yourself to admiring just one person's style, you lose your own individual style.

Has your job affected your style?

Well, I'm a librarian and I wouldn't say I quite dress in 'librarian chic', but I do feel that my job has made my style grow up slightly (at least for work wear!). I like to wear blouses with nice skirts and always accessorise with a splash of red. I would say that red is my trademark colour, I nearly always wear some of it! I try to put a bit of extra effort into what I wear for work, because I want to avoid the stereotype of the librarian with the twin set and pearls and bun and cat hair all over her! Haha! 

What's the meaning behind your blog name?

Well it was my username on Livejournal and Flickr too, it means 'to shave' in Spanish. I just like the way the word looks and sounds though and thought that I should stay consistent with the same username across every online web presence. I think that is very important what it comes to blogging and social networking.

What do you like to do when you're not blogging?

BAKE! I adore baking, whether it's cupcakes or cookies. I've also recently got into crochet (gosh I sound like an old woman don't I?!). I also love food so love going out to restaurants and trying out new recipes. I am always buying foodie magazines, more often than fashion magazines! Most of the time now I'm working though, as I've just started a new job as a Librarian after studying Library Management at Uni, so that has taken over a big chunk of my life, but I'm lucky to have a job that I love. And of course, the typical things: shopping, going out with friends, reading and taking lots of photos.

What is your favourite book, favourite movie and favourite band?

Hmm favourite book is a toughie, because I am always reading new ones and my favourites change all the time. I like anything written by Murakami though, or George Orwell. I also like the McSweeny writers, Scott Douglas & Dave Eggers. 

Favourite movie: Amelie or Delicatessen. I know that Amelie is a bit of a cliche in the blog world, but it is such a lovely, feel good film. Delicatessen is by the same director, but a lot darker but still funny. I think the cinematography of the two films is amazing. 

Favourite band, oh gosh, I can't choose just one! Can I choose 3? The Smiths are always a favourite, from discovering them way back in high school. I saw Morrissey twice, I think that every teenager needs to get into The Smiths because they are the perfect accompaniment to teenage angst. Then, I would say Belle & Sebastian. They remind me of my college days. Lately though I've been really in to Los Campesinos! Their new album is really great. 

Where do you like to shop and have you got any shopping tips?

I used to like to shop in Topshop & Primark, but lately I've gone off them both. Topshop is overpriced for the quality and I just don't like the style of much of the stuff lately. Primark is always too busy for me and everyone has the same stuff ha! I have been buying lots of things from Dorothy Perkins & H&M lately though (perhaps a sign I'm getting older?! Hehe) but I like online shopping quite a bit. Of course ASOS is amazing and has something for everyone. I always wish I could get more into vintage shopping, but whenever I seem to try, things just don't fit me right or they're not my style. I envy all of these vintage fashion bloggers who always find amazing things!

Has your style developed since you've started blogging?

I've become more girly I think. I am always wearing skirts or dresses. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with blogging though or just growing up. I think that I definitely have a stronger sense of my own style now though. It's a bit embarassing sometimes to look back at old photos of outfits that now look a bit dodgy to me, but it's a learning curve. I'm sure some outfits I'm wearing now will look terrible to me in 2 years time also! 

Your style is very classic, where do you find inspiration from?

Everything and anything! I love blogs for inspiration and Flickr is also great. I'm inspired by pretty much anything though, from food blogs to fashion communities.

Do you have any tips for people aspiring to start personal style blogging?

Yes, don't be too disheartened if you don't get loads of comments and followers instantly. When I started blogging, no-one really cared about how many followers or comments they got, but now people are always counting and saying 'omg I'm 17 people away from having 100 followers, please follow me!'. To be honest, I don't find that fun. I blog because I like to share nice things with other people and I am so grateful of my comments because I've met so many great people through it and found so many inspiring blogs. When you start blogging just for the comments and followers, you take the fun out of it.

Also, good quality photos are key to a successful blog! You don't need a posh digital slr, you can get some good photos with a point & shoot and a bit of editing. If your photos are too dark, a little bit of editing will give them life. I hatehatehate blurry, out of focus & dark photos. Flickr is amazing though because it has picnik integrated into it so you can edit your photos online, their 'autofix' button has saved many a dodgy photo of mine!

Stay tuned later in the week for my international blogger installment and a huge thanks for Helen for answering my questions for this feature!