“Hey
babe! I'm Justina. I'm 14. I hide in your closet and steal your pretty shoes,
leaving nothing but glitter in my wake.” This is the bio of a
young teen fashion blogger from California with spunk and lots to say. After contributing
to the same online magazine this past month, Atelier Indigo, I found
her blog and began scouring the long internet pages, fully captivated by her
lomo-esque photos, witty self-banter and accurately used fashion lingo.
Something about the blog seems beyond her years while remaining in a young and
fresh voice. CocainePretti: What first inspired you to start blogging at such a young age?
Justina: I've
always found age to be rather irrelevant. I have a friend who is like, 11, but
if I didn't tell you and you just started talking to her, you'd never know.
Everyone I've ever introduced to her thought she was at least 13 minimum. So I don't
really think I was young. I was just ready at that point. I've always been
fascinated by the fashion industry, and after reading an article in Harper’s
Bazaar about the "new wave of bloggers" (Tavi, Susie Bubble,
BryanBoy) I just thought "I think I'd like to do that." and so I did.
I never really thought out the long term.
CocainePretti:
What was your first memory of fashion or style?
Justina:
Well, everyone’s favorite story to tell (my mum actually wrote about it in her
book) is about the time my dad took me to the grocery store dress in a Scooby Doo
tank top, a wraparound dance skirt from a production of Aladdin I'd been in,
turquoise clogs, and my Malibu feather boa tiara. I was probably about four or
five-ish, and I was STYLING. Someone actually recorded me walking through the
isles, I was so fabulous. I haven't stopped wearing such amazing things since,
as illustrated by all the outfit posts on my blog.
CocainePretti:
How would you describe your personal style?
Justina: I was once told I dress like a hyperactive Japanese five year old who grew up in 1960's Hollywood. That was pretty accurate, I think. My style is classic, but in bright colours. If someone else is wearing it in black, I'm probably wearing it in bright orange. I like big skirts that I can twirl in and fun jeans. My friends are always in awe of the jeans I find. I collect out-there shoes. I have a pair of glittery converse, wingtip docs…You name it, and I probably have the oddest version of it. Makes getting dressed in the morning quite the adventure. I'm a total thrift store junkie (aka I haven't been shopping in a mall/actual store since like, 2008.), so there's always something new coming in.
CocainePretti: Blogging is more than just writing. What work goes into the upkeep of your blog? What other roles going into being a blogger (photographer, writer, editor, html whiz, ect)?
Justina:
Being a hard core blogger is like having a baby, but this kid NEVER GROWS UP.
You have to write relevant posts, no matter how tired you are. You are your
only PR person, so Twitter becomes your best friend. You drag yourself out of
your comfy clothes and into your pretty ones to stand in the sun and take
pictures, and wave at all the people staring at you. If you don't live for
this, you are in the wrong line of work babe.
CocainePretti:
What advice would you give others trying to break into the blogging world (aka
me!)?
Justina:
Ok, ready for the school counselor's office posters clichés? Here goes: Be
yourself. So many bloggers come in with this idea of what their blog is
"supposed" to be/look like/whatever, so that all I come away with
after reading their blog is "Oh haha, this blog is just like so-and-so's,
I'm going to go read their blog/look at their photos…" because they were
there first, are better known, and are original. You're like a knockoff Chanel bag. Almost
there, but not all the way. Take pictures the way you want, write whatever you
want, be you.
CocainePretti: Where do you see the future of your blog? What goals have you set for yourself as far as your blog or in fashion?
Justina:
Oomph. Future. That’s a pretty abstract idea. In term of next week, I'd like to
do some more outfit posts. In terms of next year, I'd really like to attempt
Fashion Week, maybe as a guest correspondent.
I plan on taking my blog all the way with me. I sort of base my goals on
day-to-day things. As of right now, I'd like to get some more followers
(Current goal: 1,000) which would definitely open up some more opportunities
for me.
CocainePretti: I saw on one of your posts that you were homeschooled and in the 13-15 age range (I think?), so you’re probably in the 8 or 9th grade. After “high school”, do you see yourself majoring in any fashion related field or pursuing a career in fashion?
Justina:
I'm actually in the 10th grade, haha (I know, I look like I'm 13.) I actually
don't know. I'm really interested in public relations, and would like to pursue
that, but I could also see myself being, say, the editor in chief of Vogue
(Didn't see that coming did you?) Of course, I wouldn't dethrone Anna. I mean,
can you even imagine Vogue without her? It'd all go to bits.
There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Out of the
mouth of babes they speak, all in the name of fashion. You can check her out
her blogging and youthful fashion sense at on her blog A Bent Piece of Wire and her Tumblr , as well as follow her Twitter handle: @bentpieceofwire.
She’s even on Lookbook. Such the Fashionista.
Categories:
blogger moments,
Cocaine Feature,
feature,
Justina
