It’s Friday, and things are moving closer to… well, we shall see. In the meantime…
This week, we head up to Vancouver, BC to meet up with Tracey Rossignol of Fashion Forward 40. Just to show you just how small the world really is, check this out:
- I am an avid fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (if my fabulous mascot hadn’t clued you in already)
- Thus, I sometimes interview voice actresses from the show, Nicole Oliver (“Princess Celestia,” “Cheerilee“) being the most recent
- One of Mme Oliver’s closest friends is, of course, this week’s #FF; Oliver mentioned her friend’s blog in her profile
- I find out that Mme Rossignol is a huge fan of The Citizen Rosebud, who is now just two hours south of Vancouver in Seattle
- Finally, Bella Q of The Citizen Rosebud has been featured on my blog, while she advertised 33 avenue Miquelon on hers (and, ultimately, explaining this blog in seven words when I could not)
And there you go! Anyway, make the jump to learn how Rossignol balances fashion with motherhood, real life and the environment, what prompted her to start blogging in the first place, and what advice she offers to all mothers.
Tracey Rossignol of Fashion Forward 40 looking fabulous in vintage.
Name of Blog: Fashion Forward 40
Date of Founding: December 2009
A Short Description of Your Blog: Fashion Forward 40 documents my mis-adventures in fashion after 40. I am trying to balance my love of fashion, motherhood, real life, respect for the environment and gravity.
How did you find your way into fashion blogging?
Rossignol: I was blogging about other topics and wanted to start a blog that I would be excited to update several times a week. I love style and fashion, so I knew I would never get bored of it.
What is the story behind the name of your blog?
Rossignol: I blog about style after 40, and there seems to be this myth out there that women over 40 are not fashion-forward. Hence the name.
Fashion Forward 40 is about your journey of style rediscovery after the age of 40, where you describe yourself as “40 something former fashionista.” What was your former life as a fashionista like, what brought that chapter to a close, and what is your post-fashionista journey like now?
Rossignol: When I was younger I LOVED fashion, but never really understood fashion. I often blindly followed trends whether they were right for me or not.
Today I understand my body shape, my personality and my style. I no longer live by fashion, but I think I look better and more stylish than I did in my younger days.
Outside of fashion, motherhood plays a huge part in your life and activities surrounding the blogging/social media community in Vancouver. How have your experiences as a mother influenced — if at all — your blog et al, and what outside experiences do you bring back in return?
Rossignol: Motherhood influences all my style choices. I often need to drop my son off, go to work, and then pick him up and head to a playdate. There is often no time to change in between. So I need to make practical choices. I also have less time to shop, so I need to have a plan and be efficient.
Vancouver, as was mentioned by your lifelong friend Nicole in her profile, is known as Hollywood North, and has given us contributions from Sarah McLachlan, Front Line Assembly and Images in Vogue, to the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. What more can you tell us about your city and its culture, and what should my readers know should they decide to visit, as well as recommendations for lodging, dining, shopping et al?
Rossignol: Vancouver has a beautiful geographical location, which lends itself to a lot of outdoor activities. We love how multi-cultural the city has become. You can go for a bike ride around Stanley Park, have a great lunch at one of our local food trucks, head for a hike up Grouse Mountain in the afternoon, then have sushi for dinner overlooking English Bay. Or you can sit on the beach all day and watch your kid dig in the sand. It is a relaxed city. We also have a growing local eco-fashion scene. Visitors should be sure to check out Nicole Bridger, whose eco-friendly store on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano houses her award-winning sustainable designs.
Rossignol keep warm in the very cool temps of her native Vancouver.
Rossignol: I think it is the friends I have made through blogging and social media. I have made real friendships with bloggers around the world who blog about fashion, craft, parenting, eco-friendly life, cooking, standing on one foot while patting your head, etc. Some I see in person, others I know online. It is a very supportive community and I take inspiration from them daily.
Why do you blog?
Rossignol: I enjoy the writing and crafting stories about something I really enjoy.
If there was one post that says, “This is what my blog is all about,” which one would it be?
Rossignol: My blog, and my style, has grown a lot in the past three years, but I think one of my earliest posts called “The Girls – Updated” shows my approach and sense of humour best.
What one piece of advice would you offer to my readers regarding…
Style: Finding your own personal style doesn’t happen overnight. Take it step-by-step, make a plan and be prepared to make mistakes as you figure it out. Always start with your current closet — you might be surprised what you already have.
And always, always have good undergarments.
Motherhood: Don’t worry about competing with everyone else; each parent — and kid — is unique, and you should never have to justify yourself to anyone else.
Life in general: Don’t forget that life isn’t about who has the most toys. Use what you need, then reduce, re-use and recycle.
Who is your blog for?
Rossignol: Women all of ages who might get a bit of inspiration from my style journey, and maybe a laugh or two at the same time.
Who are the bloggers you most admire, and why?
Rossignol: I read a lot of blogs. I admire any woman who can put herself out on the internet with her personal story. It takes a lot of guts to expose yourself in that way on the internet.
I often do Fashion Follow Fridays where I talk about blogs that I love. I don’t add anyone to my blog roll until I have written about them. I think people should know why I recommend a particular blog.
Any final words?
Rossignol: Think used, vintage or thrift. Buying new might be easier, but you can get far more creative (and have more fun) with unique used pieces, and you are reducing your carbon footprint by re-using.
Rossignol can be found at www.fashionforward40.com, as well as on Twitter and Pinterest.
Photo credits: Wikipedia (title card) and Tracey Rossignol.
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