Hello! This is a list of questions I've been asked at my first blog (a very long time ago) and in emails with updated answers. I've also included the answers to a few anticipated questions for your convenience. If you have a question that wasn't answered here, feel free to leave a comment or head over to the contact page for my email address.
How old are you?
I turned twenty last January.
Where do you go to school?
I am in my junior year at Sonoma State University, which is tucked away in the hills of northern California's beautiful wine country. I am studying communications with an emphasis in public relations.
Are you in a relationship?
No, I am currently unattached. I am balancing 16 course units per semester, mentoring twenty-five freshmen students, advising a few hundred other on academics, and trying to maintain strong relationships with my friends and family, so it's difficult to put romance at the top of my priority list right now. However, if I meet the right person (someone who understands that I struggle to say no to any opportunity that comes my way), then this answer could potentially change.
I'm really jealous. Your life seems so perfect!
I can assure you that it is not! I prefer to make this a positive space for myself and others, but that does not mean that my life is perfect by any means. I do my best to share the good and the difficult (the exciting and the stressful) parts of my life here when it is appropriate, but I have also made a conscious decision to not to write about my daily frustrations on my blog. I choose to save that for text messages to friends rather than posting it for anyone to read. I think it is healthy to share when there is something not so great going on my life and I need to write about it, because sharing it with others will be a cathartic experience for me in that particular situation. However, I made a personal decision to not do that every time I feel frustrated or upset. I want to always be able to come back to this space and have the content remind me of all the things I love about my life rather than the few things I don't.
I can assure you that it is not! I prefer to make this a positive space for myself and others, but that does not mean that my life is perfect by any means. I do my best to share the good and the difficult (the exciting and the stressful) parts of my life here when it is appropriate, but I have also made a conscious decision to not to write about my daily frustrations on my blog. I choose to save that for text messages to friends rather than posting it for anyone to read. I think it is healthy to share when there is something not so great going on my life and I need to write about it, because sharing it with others will be a cathartic experience for me in that particular situation. However, I made a personal decision to not do that every time I feel frustrated or upset. I want to always be able to come back to this space and have the content remind me of all the things I love about my life rather than the few things I don't.
Do you have any tattoos?
Not yet, but it has been high on my wish list for a while now. I am sure I won't be able to resist sharing a few photos here when the times comes.
What is your skin and makeup routine?
It's no secret that I have a serious love for all things beauty-related, so keep an eye out for a few of those posts soon. Right now, I am planning on sharing my daily makeup routine and some of my current favorite beauty products soon.
It's no secret that I have a serious love for all things beauty-related, so keep an eye out for a few of those posts soon. Right now, I am planning on sharing my daily makeup routine and some of my current favorite beauty products soon.
Who designed your blog?
Short answer: I did! Long answer: I had a lot of help from the Blog (Design) Love e-course by Elsie Larson and Elise Blaha Cripe. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to revamp (or begin) their blog. (Also check out Elsie's Blog Love e-course, which is great for those that need help focusing the content of their blog. I'm still working through it and I already don't know what I'd do without it for guidance.)
What fonts do you use on your blog?
The handwritten font I use is called "Never Let Go" and you can download it here. The other font used in my header (and the FAQ subtitles) is called "Bebas" and you can download it here. The main font I use (the one this text is written in) is called "Arimo" (a Google web font).
Why did you choose Sincerely, Brittany for the name of your blog?
Honestly, I spent days trying to pick a name for this blog and this one seemed like a good fit for me. I love that it is the most common way someone closes a letter or an email. When someone reads the title of my blog, it immediately lets them know that each post in this blog is sincerely written by me. I really like that. My other favorite was Brittany Everyday. It is so casually and sweet. It says, "This is me -- every day. If we ever meet, the girl you see on this blog is the girl I will be in that moment." I love that vibe. In fact, there is still a part of me that wants to change my blog title to that one... so, I will keep you posted! ;)
Why did you choose Sincerely, Brittany for the name of your blog?
Honestly, I spent days trying to pick a name for this blog and this one seemed like a good fit for me. I love that it is the most common way someone closes a letter or an email. When someone reads the title of my blog, it immediately lets them know that each post in this blog is sincerely written by me. I really like that. My other favorite was Brittany Everyday. It is so casually and sweet. It says, "This is me -- every day. If we ever meet, the girl you see on this blog is the girl I will be in that moment." I love that vibe. In fact, there is still a part of me that wants to change my blog title to that one... so, I will keep you posted! ;)
Why did you decide to start blogging?
For some reason, I find it difficult to put the why into words when it comes to my reason for starting a blog. More than anything, I wanted to have a place where I could write down moments that will one day be treasured memories, post photos that reflect the important things in my life in that moment, keep in touch with family and friends, meet a bunch of wonderful people, and share my experiences as I pursue new hobbies and embark on new adventures. I think Danielle of Take Heart said it best in one of her posts: "in case i haven't convinced you to start a blog yet… start a blog. [...] it could be private, it could be public. you could write once a day, once a week, or once a month. one person could read it, or one million people could read it. the important thing is that you tell your story. the important thing is that you don't forget. the important thing is that you wrote it all down so your kids can read it all one day. the important thing is that you share what you're passionate about." I couldn't have said it better myself. For me, blogging is about taking the opportunity to share your story with anyone who wants to read it. I have enjoyed reading others' stories on their blogs for years. I suppose I am just finally ready to share my own story.
Did you have any reservations about starting a blog where you would share personal things about yourself and your life?
Of course. I think most people - myself, included - are a little apprehensive about sharing anything personal on the internet, but I finally realized I had much more to gain than lose by sharing personal anecdotes and photos here. I just try to set a clear boundary between sharing enough and not sharing too much. I also feel confident in believing that people who read my blog know that this doesn't reflect every side of me or my life. For lack of a better metaphor, my blog is just a little window into my life, not the whole house.
Do you accept sponsors for your blog?
I would love to do that some day. I think it is a wonderful way to support other blogs and creative businesses. However, I don't have the time to dedicate to maintaining a sponsorship program right now, so I am going to hold off on accepting sponsors for now.
Can I share some of your photos on my blog?
As long as you link back to this blog (the original post) when you share them, yes, you are more than welcome to share a few of my photos on your blog.
Can I do an interview with you about _______ (e.g. blogging, college, etc) on my blog?
Absolutely! Grab my email address from my contact page, send me a message, and we can set something up.
Are you going to video blogs?
Right now, I don't have the time or equipment it takes to vlog regularly, so I am going to hold off on making that a part of my blog. However, I am currently pinching pennies trying to save for a camera that will allow me to also record video, so eventually, I would love to make vlogging an integral part of this blog.
Are you going to do a day-in-the-life post?
I'm hoping to do that some time after I get back to school and settle into the new semester, so look for that in the near future.
Why do you moderate the comments on your blog?
I moderate comments to 1) filter spam comments and 2) keep any negative comments from appearing on my blog. So as long as your comment does not fall into either of those two categories (and I am certain it won't!), your comment will be approved as soon as I see it.
Why do you moderate the comments on your blog?
I moderate comments to 1) filter spam comments and 2) keep any negative comments from appearing on my blog. So as long as your comment does not fall into either of those two categories (and I am certain it won't!), your comment will be approved as soon as I see it.
What camera do you use to take the photos on your blog?
Most of the photos on my blog are taken with my iPhone 4S. I broke my camera last year, so my iPhone is the best camera I have consistent access to right now. When I am at home during the winter and summer breaks from college, sometimes I use my mom's Canon Powershot SX210IS. I am currently saving for a Canon EOS T3i, so hopefully the answer to this question will change from "just my iPhone" to something a little better by the new year.
Do you use any effects or actions on your photos?
Yes! If we are talking iPhone photography apps, I mostly use VSCO Cam, Afterglow, A Beautiful Mess, PicTapGo, and Snapseed. However, if you are asking about Photoshop actions, I sometimes use Simon Filip's Photoshop actions, which can be found here. If I choose not to use any of those effects/actions, then I edit each photo individually myself using Adobe Photoshop CS6. I would love to invest in some Totally Rad Actions someday!
Who takes the photos shared on this blog?
All of the photos on this blog are taken by me unless they are specifically credited to someone else. (Any photos not taken by me will always be sourced!) The ones of me are either taken by me (via my extra long arms or a carefully balanced iPhone) or occasionally by my mom or one of my roommates.
Who takes the photos shared on this blog?
All of the photos on this blog are taken by me unless they are specifically credited to someone else. (Any photos not taken by me will always be sourced!) The ones of me are either taken by me (via my extra long arms or a carefully balanced iPhone) or occasionally by my mom or one of my roommates.
I didn't think this was a fashion blog! Why do fashion posts pop up here every now and then?
For me, fashion is something that I have always loved but am not necessarily confident in. I follow tons of fashion blogs, I obsess over fashion weeks (one of my dreams for the future is to attend NYFW), and I buy every issue of Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle that I can get my hands on. Not to say all of that makes me an authority on fashion (I'm certainly not), but it's a hobby of sorts. My blog is a place for me to share things about me, my life, and the things I love. Fashion often falls into one of those categories for me, so I post about it here. If you are not interested in those posts, feel free to scroll past them and have a look at non-fashion posts.
How would you define your style?
For me, fashion is something that I have always loved but am not necessarily confident in. I follow tons of fashion blogs, I obsess over fashion weeks (one of my dreams for the future is to attend NYFW), and I buy every issue of Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle that I can get my hands on. Not to say all of that makes me an authority on fashion (I'm certainly not), but it's a hobby of sorts. My blog is a place for me to share things about me, my life, and the things I love. Fashion often falls into one of those categories for me, so I post about it here. If you are not interested in those posts, feel free to scroll past them and have a look at non-fashion posts.
How would you define your style?
Simple: I just go with what I like. That changes far too often, of course. Last year, I was obsessed with flowy tops and everything teal and coral. Right now, I am loving a more classic look: the blazer/jeans/boots combo is a favorite and I can't keep my hands off of loose-fitting sweaters and flat strappy sandals. But... I have been living in school sweatshirts and jeans (or yoga pants, when I'm home) lately. I put in a little more effort on my non-busy days, but a hectic college life can make it tough to even make the attempt. I hope to change that this year, though.
What are your current wardrobe staples?
I am loving the vintage-style V-neck tees from Old Navy, these metallic braided sandals from Target, and this blue zip back tank from American Eagle. I'm sure I have others, but those are the ones I can think of off of the top of my head.
If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in a comment here or e-mail them to me at hello AT sincerelybrittany DOT net.
Privacy: I do not and will not use or sell your email address or personal information given via blog comments or e-mail under any circumstance.
What are your current wardrobe staples?
I am loving the vintage-style V-neck tees from Old Navy, these metallic braided sandals from Target, and this blue zip back tank from American Eagle. I'm sure I have others, but those are the ones I can think of off of the top of my head.
If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in a comment here or e-mail them to me at hello AT sincerelybrittany DOT net.
Privacy: I do not and will not use or sell your email address or personal information given via blog comments or e-mail under any circumstance.
