As a huge fan of her stunningly put together, immaculate outfit posts, it was an absolute delight to meet Tamara Kalinic, the brains (and beauty) behind The Glam and Glitter at the Lipsy VIP Awards earlier in May. She is every bit as beautiful in the flesh as she is in front of the camera on her blog, and I’m pleased to say – every bit as lovely too. As someone who has built up a huge following on her own, I feel honored to be able to feature our little interview on my blog.
Scarlett London: What initially inspired you to start blogging?
Tamara Kalinic: My blog is a product of the huge love I have for fashion. I blogged in the beginning with just one reader (me), for quite a while, it wasn’t really until after a year when people started noticing it. I blog because I love to and it will always stay that way.
SL: How did you decide on the title ‘The Glam and Glitter’ for your blog? It’s a fabulous name!
TK: This one took me a while. I wanted a name that is glamorous and I think we all need a little bit of Glam and Glitter in every day life. I wanted my blog to reflect on something that is not a necessity, but something people enjoy, hence the title.
SL: The photographs on your blog are absolutely stunning! Do you find it easy/difficult to shoot the photographs for your blog – do you just fit them into your daily routine now and have a bit of fun shooting them?
TK: Thank you so much! I must say my sister is my biggest supporter and together with her fiancee we have a routine of shooting, locations we love and we always somehow make a picnic out of a shooting session. My sister has got better in photography over time, and now her photographs are sort of a signature for my blog.
SL: Who takes your photographs for you usually? I usually rope my poor boyfriend into taking mine!
TK: My boyfriend comes with me whenever my sister is unavailable, he is also extremely supportive, but as demanding as I am, I am not sure how good it is for our relationship when he takes photos haha.
SL: What camera do you use for your blogging photos – and do you have any tips for aspiring fashion bloggers who want to learn to take/produce amazing photographs?
TK: I use Canon 7D with variety of lenses, but my top tip is to know your lighting. Even if you own the best camera ever, the lighting has to be right for those photos. Practice, practice and practice.
SL: I absolutely love your style, it is glamorous and chic but still a little relaxed! Do you have any style inspirations or icons that you base your style on at all?
TK: I get inspiration from anything at all. I can see a biscuit wrapper and get inspired by the colour combination, but over the years I have developed my own style which is mix of classic and trendy (might seem like an odd mix, I know). However I do love the style of fashionistas like Olivia Palermo, Miranda Kerr, Caroline Isa.
SL: Which are your top 5 ‘go to’ fashion brands?
TK: I love mixing high street and designer, so my favourite brands would be Zara, River Island, Balenciaga, Chanel and Celine.
SL: What have you found the most rewarding thing to be since starting your blog?
TK: Meeting new friends, and those interested in fashion as much as I am. I have made so many friends through blogging and I think that is because we have same interests. Finding friends like that are priceless.
SL: Have you had any blogging ‘low points’?
TK: In the beginning I wasnt sure how to go about negative comments, but I think that has also helped me in a way that now I know what I want even more. I wouldn’t call it a low point, but its definitely a good lesson.
“I am quite open on my blog, but a lot of readers get very surprised when they find out I am actually a pharmacist by profession, or by degree in fact!
SL: Do you have one ‘favourite’ opportunity that has been presented to you as a result of your blog (whether it’s been working with a brand or a trip)?
TK: Attending New York Fashion Week was the best experience of my life. The energy, vibe, positive mood, the fashion is what kept me moving for 7 days with barely any sleep. Even when I think about it I get extremely excited!
SL: Do you have an interesting fact about yourself that your blog readers would be surprised to hear?
TK: I am quite open on my blog, but a lot of readers get very surprised when they find out I am actually a pharmacist by profession, or by degree in fact!
SL: Do your family and friends know about your blog? What have their reactions been?
TK: They do now. I didn’t tell anyone about my blog for a year, as I was scared people might think it was a stupid waste of time. Now they are my biggest supporters.
SL: Do you read any blogs yourself? If so, do you have any favourites you can recommend?
TK: I visit a lot of blogs, but I am sure I will forget to mention some if I try to name them, so I ll just say that there is definitely something for everyone out there.
SL: What inspires and motivates you to keep blogging?
TK: I have a huge dream of a job in the fashion industry. That dream keeps me moving from the moment I open my eyes in the morning to the moment I go to sleep.
SL: I’ve found the blogging community to be one of the most supportive I’ve ever come across. Have you made any lifelong friends through blogging – or has it brought up any opportunities that you wouldn’t have previously had?
TK: Definitely.I made friends all over the world, which is for me the most important thing. They visit me in England, and I visit them, its absolutely amazing because I would have never met them if I didnt start blogging.
SL: For me, I sometimes feel like blogging is a 24/7 job (although never a chore). Do you agree/disagree with this and do you have anything to add to how time consuming blogging is for you?
TK: Blogging is a never ending job, there are emails, comments, replying to your readers, to brands, social media accounts, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… and you can never be on top of it all. Like you said, its not a chore, but its never ending.
SL: What are your top 5 beauty products that you simply cannot live without?
TK: bareMinerals Ready foundation, La Roche Posay face wash, Carmex lip butter, Benefit Bad Gal mascara and Dior Princess lip gloss.
SL: When you’re not blogging, what can people find you doing?
TK: I am likely to either be found catching up with my friends, or relaxing with my boyfriend. I am a very friendly person, and meeting people all the time is one of my favourite things to do.
SL: I love your holiday/travel style posts, and have taken inspiration from what you are wearing for my own holidays! Do you have any destinations on your ‘travel bucket list’ that you hope to visit next?
TK: Thank you so much, I feel so flattered, because I love your style! I would love to go to China, Japan and Las Vegas. Hopefully these will be some of the destinations I visit in the future.
SL: What would your advice be to any aspiring fashion bloggers?
TK: Always be yourself, that’s the best way to succeed. Stick to your own principles and write about things you like, that way you will find your audience and will love every single day of blogging.
“Blogging is very unpredictable, but if things set off, I am ready to leave everything and pursue blogging as full time career.
SL: Do you blog full-time or do you have a job also? If so, how do you balance your blog and your work-life?
TK: I have a part time job, and that is the only way to manage both. Its always good to have some security in life, as blogging is very unpredictable, but if things set off, I am ready to leave everything and pursue blogging as full time career.
SL: Where do you see yourself and your blog in five years time?
I am hoping to progress, but where to, I have no idea. So far this journey has been full of surprises and unexpected outcomes, I hope it keeps pleasantly surprising me, via the fashion industry pathway.
Visit Tamara’s blog, here.
