She’s not only a well-loved blogger, but also a boutique owner, designer and stylist. We had the chance to catch up with the busy and always-lovely Brook&Lyn writer Mimi Jung to find out more about the evolution of her blog, her fashion influences and her quest for personal style.

Q: What’s your go-to clothing item?
A: It changes, but I always have at least 4 pieces of jewelry on, and one of them is always huge. Even if I’m wearing cropped sweats and a tee.

Q: Who are your fashion influences?
A: Random street fashion inspires me the most, no one set of people but just just living in NY there is so much to absorb. If you see me staring at you its because I like what you’re wearing and I’m trying to just capture it. Don’t get freaked! There is also amazing inspiration from other fashion bloggers.

Q: You describe your blog as a quest to find personal style. How has your style evolved since you’ve been blogging?
A: I just looked through all my old posts to answer this question and there is a huge evolution, at least in my eyes! I think I have slowed down in following very mainstream trends and also gained an enormous respect for vintage jewelry. I hope it has gotten somewhat unique!

Q: In what clothing do you feel your most confident?
A: I feel confident these days in long dresses. Something very feminine yet empowering about slim long dresses.

Q: What would be your perfect day?
A: Right now it’s one day where I can dedicate it entirely to sketching for my jewelry line. I just can’t seem to find enough time.

Q: Who takes photos of your outfits for your blog?

A: I use to take most of them with a remote but now my husband takes them. It’s actually a torturous routine. Believe it or not I HATE being photographed so we always argue. He want me to pose more I get frustrated because I’m too much of a “modest girl”. Getting photographed is like dancing with all the lights on…I’m the last person that should have a personal style blog.

Q: If not clothing, your greatest passion in life would be?…
A: My husband and I are planning to adopt children in a few years, being the best mom possible would be my greatest passion. I’m sure it will trump clothing easily. : )

        

So, if you are like me, you probably have a nice collection of cloth bags right about now. It seems like everyone has jumped on the “this is not a plastic bag” wagon- super markets, clothing stores and even my gym! While I think it is great, I worry that all of these cloth bags are becoming a little bit excessive. So, I’ve decided to use my lovely assortment to wrap all my holiday gifts.

Have some bags and want to be on the front end of a new eco-wrapping trend? I thought so! Here’s how:

Set out all of your bags and gifts- matching up sizes and personal tastes for the people you will be gifting. Remember, your gift receivers are not only getting what is inside, but a great bag they can use for their grocery shopping or around town errands. You may even inspire them to turn their cloth bag collection into wrapping for future gift giving.

Next, make sure you have a adequate supply of ribbons. I also like to use fabric scraps to mix in, and when I popped into Purl Patchwork in SoHo they had an ample supply that they graciously gifted to me and my eco- wrapping cause.

You can either place the gift to be wrapped inside the actual bag or use the bag like paper itself. I have demonstrated both ways. The best part about this is that you can be inventive in how you think it should look and how you want to use all your resources.

The colors and patterns of your bags are liable to vary, so to align them with the holiday theme, I suggest using gold or silver ribbon. Also, as hollyhock and other wintery greens become available, I would try tying them in beneath your ribbon to add a little something special.

I hope this inspires you. It is a great way to save money on gift wrapping and make use of the abundance of cloth bags out there while putting your signature on the gifts you give. You can also check out the ‘how-to’ video here!

        

Check out Sydney Loves Fashion – the fashion foward style site that features all the latest trends, brands, designers and more!

Skinnypurse loves to shop online. They bring you chic picks in fashion, shoes and handbags, along with trend reports, beauty product reviews, and style advice.

Aquahearts Makeup Obsession is the blog where a makeup artist and cosmotologist shares her views about everything from makeup to fashion, and everything in-between.

Cherry-Picked. Fashion: harvested, sorted and hand-selected. Pics and editorials designed to inform and inspire–because every woman should make the most of her look, her budget, and her wardrobe.

*Want to be a Shop It To Me Trendsetter? Email trendsetters@shopittome.com with a link to your fashion or lifestyle blog to apply!

        

And celebrating Erik’s birthday does not end today…we have enough left over chocolate-y deliciousness to take us through the week! Happy Birthday Erik, we hope it’s a great one!

        

The show will take 10 talented fashion designers and pair them with 10 professionals from the business-side of the coin: from CEOs to those in event planning or the music industry.  They are rumored to be savvy individuals, but who can’t necessarily sew on a button to save their lives!  The show will be hosted by Dean and Dan Caten, twin brothers who created DSQUARED2.  Seems like it’s Bravo’s attempt to gain back the audience that it lost when “Project Runway” moved over to Lifetime this year.

“Project Runway” has been an amazing show throughout the seasons, showcasing designer talent and continually astounding the viewers as to what rising stars can accomplish.  But for those of us who are challenged when it comes to threading a needle or sketching (ahem, like me), this show may have even greater appeal.  I’m assuming that it will put a focus on the business folks who help the designers to achieve their vision, by creating the supporting strategy and implementing the tactics.  Reminds me of “The Apprentice” meets “Project Runway”.  It’s bound to be filled with drama, as the tenacity and artistic approach of the fashion designers is paired with competitive attitude of those who help to launch the line.

I personally can’t wait.  Tivo is set — Wednesday December 2nd, 11/10c!

        

Thinking forward to the months ahead, you’ll likely have the need for a scene-stopper dress…be it a holiday cocktail party, New Year’s eve gala, or Valentine’s Day romantic outing.  And Nicole Miller may be your savior!  Combining a romantic touch with exquisite design, the dresses will add something luxe to every woman’s wardrobe.  Check out those prices too — time to snag one or many!

        

From the Shop It To Me gang – we wish you a spookishly fun Halloween!

*Photo credits (clockwise from top left): My Home Ideas, The Deux Luxe, Apartment Therapy, FabSugar

        

When it comes to fashion, you’ve got gifts covered. But what about presents of the non-clothing variety? LaToya Drake from AOL and blogger with ReginaLewis.com is here to tell us when and where to find this season’s hottest gifts — beyond the world of apparel.

We haven’t successfully passed Halloween, but walk into any store and you will likely see Christmas decorations on the shelves. Surprise! Tis the season for holiday shopping! Last minute shoppers take note: the National Retail Federation says 40% of consumers are expected to start their holiday shopping before Halloween.

So what’s the best time to start holiday shopping? One word: NOW. Some of the hottest gifts this season are already selling out, and with retailers carefully managing inventory this year, once it’s gone…it’s gone. After being stuck over with excess inventory in 2008, this year many retailers have scaled back their purchases. For consumers that means less merchandise on the shelves, and an emphasis on buy it now vs. later, otherwise you might find yourself out of luck on hot gifts.

You can always count on the Shop it to Me team to provide fashion guidance when it comes to gifts, but here are a few non fashion-related gifts to get now:

Zhu Zhu Pets

Zhu Zhu pets, the season’s hottest toy for kids are sold out at Toys R Us, but you may have luck finding these popular pet hamsters at e-tailers like Amazon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

e-Book Readers

If you’re dying to read or re-read fashionista favorites like The Devil Wears Prada, Twilight or New Moon, then e-readers like the Kindle and the new Sony Reader are for you. Another big release is the iRex e-reader, which will offer books from Barnes & Noble.

Image Source: Amazon

Image Source: Engadget

Image Source: CNET

Other hot gifts to watch out for include:

• Beatles Rock Band
• Faux Fur
• DVD Box Sets

        

From the guy in faux fur, to the gal in a pink vintage Gucci sweatshirt (accompanied by a matching Gucci fanny pack, of course), the event brought in the best of San Francisco street style! It was like being trapped in a Nylon Magazine spread – and let me just say, I can imagine worse places to spend a day…

        

Read along as Chasing Louboutin finds unbelievable bargains on designer clothes and how she will one day own a pair of Louboutin heels.

From New York to LA, discover new trends, beauty, fashion and relationship advice from Urban Updater – a girl who’s lived through it all!

Looking for a style blog with some sass? Check Sassy Fashionista for posts about all things fabulous (and rants about everything hideous) from a fashionista who knows her stuff.

*Want to be a Shop It To Me Trendsetter? Email trendsetters@shopittome.com with a link to your fashion or lifestyle blog to apply!