Today I nabbed an exclusive interview with the multitalented fashion powerhouse Shauna Miller, author of the blog Pennychic.com and now, the author of the book by the same name, Penny Chic: How to Be Stylish on a Real Girl's Budget! Full disclosure: Shauna is not only a fabulous blogger, she's also a dear friend of mine. She's what I'd call a kindred spirit, not only because we share a passion for affordable fashion but because she's an all-around awesome person who cares about her readers and the blogging community at large. Ok, enough gushing, let's get on with the interview! And don't miss the giveaway at the end of this post!
GIVEAWAY UPDATE 10/8/14: And the winners of our giveaway are...#18 Kellie Harrison and #23 Lynda! Congrats to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated.
The Budget Babe Q+A with Shauna Miller
1. How long did the book take you to make and what was the hardest part?
I started outlining it back in April 2012, so technically it’s been two and half years!
There were so many activities happening at once—from writing and editing, to styling models, taking photographs and designing the layout—and each thing required a different type of focus and attention, which was hard to juggle on top of my business!
2. The outfits in your book look super expensive. Where are the clothes from?
All the affordable stores I recommend in the book including: Target, Sears, Kmart, Forever 21, and a bunch of others. Each item used in the book had to be credited in the book. Unlike my blog, the book also features vintage and DIY pieces too.
3. Speaking of the blog vs. book, how is the book different than the blog?
The book is an A to Z guide on how to find your style, build a fabulous wardrobe, and become a stylist pro on a budget! I first show you how to do the MOST you can without spending any money. Then, once you’ve recycled, reinvented, and DIY’ed pieces from your existing wardrobe, we segue into the shopping part. The book incorporates more content about working with what you have than the blog.
What’s your favorite chapter?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say the DIY chapter!! I share FIFTEEN practical and fun fashion DIY projects that teens, moms, and professionals will actually have the time and resources to do. The best part is that the projects are divided by style categories like, Classic, Girly, Boho, Edgy, and Sporty, so you can easily find the best option for you.
4. What makes this style guide different from so many others?
The Penny Chic style book is the first budget style guide for teens and the millennials. The content regularly turns to social media and the internet for style solutions that can save people time and money. There’s a lot of detailed takeaway and actionable advice, which is often watered down in other style books.
Any differences between the eBook and the hard copy, other than obvious formatting?
Yes, actually! It’s an enhanced eBook with interactive quizzes and content, style videos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. The hard copy, though, has that tangible X factor. The bright pink cover makes for an exquisite coffee table book to decorate your living room haha!
5. Who did you dedicate the book to?
My mom who shot all ten thousand photos for the book and has always taught me to “own it” (which is the title of the last chapter) and my blog readers, whose devoted support and loyalty made this opportunity possible. My dedication sounds like an Oscars speech haha but I swear it comes from the heart!
6. I love your cover look! How many outfits did you shoot for the cover?
We shot the cover for the first time on my 27th birthday, WAY before I was even done with the manuscript! I wore this impeccable LC Lauren Conrad polka dress from Kohl's that I still keep on a hanger in my office! We couldn’t believe that we could have actually nailed it the first time so we shot me on 5 other occasions in dozens of looks and nothing beat that first shoot.
7. I feel like fashion tips are so redundant. Anything we haven’t heard?
Believe it or not, shopping in your grandpa or father’s closet can be like hitting the jackpot if you know what to look for. Some of my most prized treasures were pieces I snagged from an old box of my dad’s clothes sitting in the garage. The book shows you how to score the gold and how to style it to perfection!
8. A little off topic…but what ever happened to your clothing line with Walmart.com? Is it coming back?
Great question!! The fall collection launches September 24th! As you know, the first collection which sold out consisted of just LBDs. This round, we’re expanding the variety and offering 14 different dresses for $20. The collection will include the two top sellers from before, in addition to 3 other silhouettes in different colors and prints!
Giveaway time! Leave a comment below with your favorite budget fashion tip for a chance to win one of two signed copies of the book! Open to US and Canada. Yay! Good luck! Ends 12 noon ET September 30th. And a heartfelt thanks to Shauna for taking time to chat with us today. Muah! —BB
1. How long did the book take you to make and what was the hardest part?
I started outlining it back in April 2012, so technically it’s been two and half years!
There were so many activities happening at once—from writing and editing, to styling models, taking photographs and designing the layout—and each thing required a different type of focus and attention, which was hard to juggle on top of my business!
2. The outfits in your book look super expensive. Where are the clothes from?
All the affordable stores I recommend in the book including: Target, Sears, Kmart, Forever 21, and a bunch of others. Each item used in the book had to be credited in the book. Unlike my blog, the book also features vintage and DIY pieces too.
3. Speaking of the blog vs. book, how is the book different than the blog?
The book is an A to Z guide on how to find your style, build a fabulous wardrobe, and become a stylist pro on a budget! I first show you how to do the MOST you can without spending any money. Then, once you’ve recycled, reinvented, and DIY’ed pieces from your existing wardrobe, we segue into the shopping part. The book incorporates more content about working with what you have than the blog.
What’s your favorite chapter?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say the DIY chapter!! I share FIFTEEN practical and fun fashion DIY projects that teens, moms, and professionals will actually have the time and resources to do. The best part is that the projects are divided by style categories like, Classic, Girly, Boho, Edgy, and Sporty, so you can easily find the best option for you.
4. What makes this style guide different from so many others?
The Penny Chic style book is the first budget style guide for teens and the millennials. The content regularly turns to social media and the internet for style solutions that can save people time and money. There’s a lot of detailed takeaway and actionable advice, which is often watered down in other style books.
Any differences between the eBook and the hard copy, other than obvious formatting?
Yes, actually! It’s an enhanced eBook with interactive quizzes and content, style videos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. The hard copy, though, has that tangible X factor. The bright pink cover makes for an exquisite coffee table book to decorate your living room haha!
5. Who did you dedicate the book to?
My mom who shot all ten thousand photos for the book and has always taught me to “own it” (which is the title of the last chapter) and my blog readers, whose devoted support and loyalty made this opportunity possible. My dedication sounds like an Oscars speech haha but I swear it comes from the heart!
6. I love your cover look! How many outfits did you shoot for the cover?
We shot the cover for the first time on my 27th birthday, WAY before I was even done with the manuscript! I wore this impeccable LC Lauren Conrad polka dress from Kohl's that I still keep on a hanger in my office! We couldn’t believe that we could have actually nailed it the first time so we shot me on 5 other occasions in dozens of looks and nothing beat that first shoot.
7. I feel like fashion tips are so redundant. Anything we haven’t heard?
Believe it or not, shopping in your grandpa or father’s closet can be like hitting the jackpot if you know what to look for. Some of my most prized treasures were pieces I snagged from an old box of my dad’s clothes sitting in the garage. The book shows you how to score the gold and how to style it to perfection!
8. A little off topic…but what ever happened to your clothing line with Walmart.com? Is it coming back?
Great question!! The fall collection launches September 24th! As you know, the first collection which sold out consisted of just LBDs. This round, we’re expanding the variety and offering 14 different dresses for $20. The collection will include the two top sellers from before, in addition to 3 other silhouettes in different colors and prints!
Giveaway time! Leave a comment below with your favorite budget fashion tip for a chance to win one of two signed copies of the book! Open to US and Canada. Yay! Good luck! Ends 12 noon ET September 30th. And a heartfelt thanks to Shauna for taking time to chat with us today. Muah! —BB
Mel
http://girlandthepolkadot.blogspot.com/
I also tend to buy a few inexpensive trendy pieces to combine with classic for the season. If the trend doesn’t last, at least I didn't spend life savings on it.