Tag Tag

Thanks to a tagging by Jello On Springs, I bring you my humble beginnings.


(I don't know, I just like the picture.)

1. What's the story behind the name of your blog and your nickname?

Once upon a time, I stole some Tango Pirates and Absinthe lettuce from an evil witch's garden. She caught me and threatened me with a terrible fate unless I named the little idea of a blog inside me after the lettuce. So here's to you, Brunhilda.

Actually, I had the idea to start this blog long before I had an actual name for it. I'd been reading a few fashion blogs I'd discovered during a bout of mono, and I always had this nebulous idea of starting one of my own in my head. Finally one afternoon, I decided, why not? So I had my post idea, and the whole theme and everything, but no idea what to call it. So finally I opened this book I was reading, Flapper by Joshua Zeitz, and I figured I'd find something interesting in there. The first chapter was called "Tango Pirates and Absinthe," and I thought it had a nice ring to it, so I went with it. I like it because the flapper attitude sums up my philosophy on style: it's liberating, empowering, and self-expression at its most tangible.

"Heather" is my real name. Boring!

2. Why did you start blogging in the first place?
a. I found blogs very inspiring and I wanted to add my own contribution.
b. I've always loved writing. I used to write commentary for a high-school radio show in Louisville, and the joy of sharing my scathing wit over the airwaves was never really matched until I found my little niche here.
c. My friend Michael started this amazing online magazine, Rise Over Run. I cornered him at a party and told him I was writing a blog and it would be totally awesome if he gave it a little look-see and he said he'd check it out. We've been together ever since.

3. What's been your best blogging experience? What about the worst?
Blogging is definitely a labor of love. I like the interaction and the ideas to steal from my fellow fashionistas, and I love the warm community that fashion blogging presents. Having an excuse to write everyday is great, and having people actually read it is better! I've liked guest blogging too--I was so excited, because Painfully Hip was one of the first blogs I ever read, and when Amber emailed me about blogging for them, I felt like the head cheerleader was asking me to sit at her lunch table, but of course without the cattiness and backstabbing that those kind of scenarios present in real life and Mean Girls. I plan to do a lot more!

I haven't had too many bad experiences, but one time, I did a post which I worded very carefully so as not to offend anyone, I just wanted to present a really interesting editorial I found. But someone misinterpreted me and took offense anyway.

4. What do you think will happen to your blog in 2008?
I'm definitely going to post more of my outfits and pictures I've taken since I now have the means! I also want to expand the blog's consciousness, do more thoughtful pieces, and focus more on personal style and self-empowerment. I want to be less consumerist, as well. Sometimes all you need is an imagination!

Once again, I cop out because I don't know who has and hasn't been gotten! But I'd love to hear about all of your experiences, fashion blogger or otherwise. So please share!