Blog Diaries: Itsnotheritsme

We're back with yet another awesome interview with fashion enthusiast Toshiko Shek of It's Not Her, It's Me! Blogging from the Bay Area in California, Toshiko's cute, classy, and sophisticated style reaches out to a worldwide audience. The elegance, glamour, and positivity she radiates is altogether pleasing and makes one want to stay updated with her blog and the fascinating life she leads. Here we've had the honor and privilege of interviewing Toshiko, getting to know her on a more personal level, and discovering things we never knew about her! Enjoy! :)

Let's start off with a question whose answer we'd all like to know: How did it all begin? What sparked and motivated you to become a fashion blogger?

I have always been interested in fashion since as long as I can remember. My mom, back in her 20s, was very into fashion and she would often dress me up in the cutest designer clothes and put me in photoshoots. I was the trendiest kid in town! Growing up in Hong Kong also made a huge impact as well since Hong Kong is always ahead of the game when it comes to fashion. Fashion is a huge part of my life, it allows me to be who I am while being creative and daring. Just like many bloggers, I started my blog to document my outfits just for fun! I am very fortunate that this turned into something much more!

There is always a special, significant meaning behind a blog's name. Can you please share the story or meaning behind your blog name It's Not Her, It's Me?

When I was trying to come up with a name for my blog, I knew I did NOT want to include the typical word/phrase such as fashion, style, trend, clothes, etc. I wanted something unique but true to my style so I thought, "Hey this blog is about me, my own style, not other girls'..." Hence, it's not her, it's me!

To get to know you on a more fun and personal level, what is your favorite movie, food/drink, place, book, and color? :)

Favorite movies: Lost in Translation, Moonrise Kingdom, Black Swan, Marie Antoinette, The Virgin Suicide, 500 Days of Summer, The Grand Budapest Hotel (I am a huge Sofia Coppola and Wes Anderson fan!)
Food: SUSHI!!!
Place: Hong Kong is my hometown so I love it! But other places that I love are Paris, Florence, Tokyo, and Big Sur.
Color: I love neutrals and pastels! Always prefer light over dark!

What is that one special article of fashion that you absolutely cannot leave the house without? 

Ahhh so many! But if I have to pick only one, I would say lipstick. To me, lipstick gives an instant boost to my face if I was looking a bit tired.

You are well loved by so many throughout the country and even around the globe! Just as hundreds and thousands look up to you as a fashion inspiration and role model, do you have any personal inspirations or fashion bloggers that you look up to you?

So many!!! Some blogs I follow are Kayture, Song of Style, Tuula Vintage, Gary Pepper Girl, Bethany Marie just to name a few.

Being so influential in the fashion world, do you ever feel pressured to dress or conform to whatever's currently trending? Do you ever find it difficult to stay independent and true to your individual style? 

Not really! Obviously I am always reading up what's trending but I don't follow it just because. If it's something I like, I will of course wear/style it but not because it is trendy but because I truly do like it. I always put my own spin and I think my followers know that about me.

Everyone's got their guilty pleasures, hobbies, and personal interests. Can you please share what other activities you enjoy outside of fashion blogging and what best interests you?

I have a creative soul and I studied art (oil painting) in school so I love art! I also do photography. I also love to cook and I've been told I am very good at it! Guilty pleasure... I love James Franco and I am so blessed to have met him twice! Seriously, there isn't any other celebrity I love but him! Haha. Oh and for some very strange reasons, I love to clean while listening to Taylor Swift. She puts me in productive/action mode.

The fashion shows, travels, and a closet full of delightful apparel - the life of a fashion blogger seems privileged and so much fun! But I notice and realize that it must take a lot of time, effort, and dedication. Can you please share your favorite aspects of being a fashion blogger, as well as some of the challenges you face(d), if any?

I love everything about being a fashion blogger. Yes, it's not as glamorous as most people think and it's a lot of work but when when I am passionate about something, I give it 110%! The work, to me, is enjoyable! My biggest challenge is finding the time to shoot my outfits/looks. I work at home doing full-time blogging, creative content and photography but my fiance has a full-time job that requires really long hours. He takes my photos but we can only shoot on weekends so that's really challenging.

Going off of the previous question, fashion blogging definitely requires a lot of time and dedication. Has it in any way affected your career? Has it lead you in a new direction in life?

Well, since it pretty consumed my life, I am now a full-time blogger.

Last but not least, what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment as a fashion blogger? What would you advise to the next generation of young, inspired fashion bloggers?

The most rewarding is meeting so many other fellow bloggers and people who look to me for inspiration and being able to work with brands I love! My advice is, as cliche as it sounds, stay true to yourself. 
If you try too hard to fit it and look like everyone else, other people can most likely tell. I mean, why do you want to look like everyone else anyway? Be yourself, be unique! It's not her, it's you! ;)

And there you have it folks! The background story behind It's Not Her, It's Me and how it all came together was a pleasure to learn. Toshiko Shek is a beautiful individual whose life changed through fashion and we are certainly grateful to be partnered with her. Hope you enjoyed learning about Toshiko as much as we did! Until next time!

xo,
zeroUV