Get to Know Heather Briggs

Hello Again,

So today I have yet another installment of my Influential People of the Internet series. I've actually had this interview lined up for over a month now, but I just needed to take a break for a while. I had the opportunity to work with Heather Briggs, the mastermind behind DietBlond, a fashion channel that goes much deeper than just pretty clothes. I very highly recommend checking her out if you're at all interested.

Tell us a bit about yourself! 

I'm a 21 year old fashion student who hates fashion. I make videos on the internet about that & other topics. 

How would you describe your style to someone who couldn’t see you?

Comfy punk gallery girl. Lots of distressing, tshirts, tote bags, and dark lipstick. 

What is your overall aim with your YouTube channel?

I want to offer a different point of view in a community that is already very strongly aligned in a certain way. It's easier for me to connect through video vs. writing a blog, and when I started my channel I felt like there was a lack of industry-focused fashion content on the YouTube platform. I want to be honest and genuine with my viewers about my opinions and experiences, especially when they stray from the norm. And of course I do like to share my style when I'm into what I'm wearing.

You’ve mentioned in the past that you want to be an “internet big sister” for anyone who needs it. Do you find you have a good relationship with your subscribers?

I really have such a good subscriber base, I feel like people who subscribe to me and stick with me (read: put up with me) are genuinely interested in learning more about the cultural impacts of fashion and discussing real issues. I have been overwhelmed by all the support I have gotten lately on my more "serious topic" videos, it's incredible to me when those get more likes and feedback than the fashion and styling videos that my channel was originally meant to be centered around. We have great discussions in the comments section and I truly welcome those offering constructive criticism as well as seeking advice.

As this is a series on influences, who are yours? (both personally and creatively)

Personally, like my best friends, but also the gorgeous girl with baby blue braids I saw applying mascara on the train this morning? People on the train and on the street influence and inspire me so much, I take so many notes on them. I think it's why I'm drawn to the voyeuristic imagery of filmmakers like Sofia Coppola, I love seeing people just -exist- when they don't realize how incredible they look or what they're doing is. Creatively, anyone who's doing their own thing and not giving a fuck about the response (but who succeed because of this attitude). Lots of rappers and musicians. A$AP Rocky is my #1. Sky Ferreira. Dev Hynes. Rick Owens. Shayne Oliver. The stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, even though we aren't really aesthetically aligned, she's brilliant. Petra Collins. VFiles' OG thot goth Danielle Greco. Luka Sabbat and Barbara Ferreira and all those cool internet kids. 

What advice to you have for people who want to run a fashion blog or channel?

Do you. It's literally what everyone says but it's so much easier said than done. I've thought a lot about the ways I could have been more popular and turned YouTube into a career etc., but I know I wouldn't have been able to stick with it if I had gone that route. Even now, as I'm working on putting out content I enjoy creating and sharing, I go through lulls. Go with the flow, do work when you're inspired, and don't put out anything you aren't happy with/wouldn't want to watch or read yourself. It can be so tempting when you start to get offers from companies and sponsors to sort of abandon your aesthetic or beliefs. And even when you start getting feedback from other people. But it's so much more rewarding when you keep it real and just be yourself *cheesy smile*. The right things will come.

What are you truly passionate about?

Music. That's really all I've got right now. I haven't said I have a passion for fashion since I was in 10th grade. It's a real love-hate thing there. But I realized how important music is to me the other day when I couldn't find my headphones and I literally had to go to Walgreens and buy some new ones because I would rather be late to class than make my morning commute without a soundtrack. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with that, but there it is. 

I think I'm also passionate about people. Not in the "I'm a people person!" sense but like I really root for mankind. I come off as a cynic but I really give humans a lot of credit for existing.

Any final notes?

Buy Earl Sweatshirt's new album. Don't waste time on people who ignore your texts. Never deny yourself an opportunity to eat fro-yo. Wear what you want and all that. Don't be afraid to take up space. 

Follow Heather on

YouTube || Instagram || Twitter

Get to Know Jerry Maestas

Hello again!

Today I bring to you another installment in my "Influential People of the Internet" series, which I must admit, I really love doing. Being able to work with the people who inspire me is truly amazing, and I hope you're all enjoying them.

This time, I've had the incredible opportunity to work with someone very near to my heart. For those who don't know, Jerry Maestas is a fantastic photographer and YouTuber. He was absolutely incredible to work with, very down to Earth and humble, even with the amazing success he's already achieved. I followed Jerry back when he had about 1,000 followers on instagram and was, (I believe anyways), 19th or 20th subscriber. His photos were my main source of inspiration at the early stages of my love for photography and has continued to amaze me with his growth. If you have not already checked him out, please do so. He's going to be huge someday. 

 1. Tell us a bit about yourself!

 I'm a photographer and small YouTuber located in Arizona. I'm currently going to school for business, specifically for marketing. I pretty much photograph everything I see and film everything that interests me.

2. What originally sparked your interest in photography? And what has kept that love alive?

I honestly don't really know what sparked my interest in photography. Like I said, I've always been naturally drawn to it. I mean I've always been fascinated by it so maybe my curiosity just got the best of me and its lead me to where I am today. I feel like the main thing that has kept my love for photography alive is that its opened the door for me to meet and connect with so many amazing people from all around the world. I wouldn't have friends in the UK or Australia if it wasn't for my love for photography.

3. As this is a project on influences, who are yours? (Personally and creatively)

Hmm its hard for me to pick certain people or things that influence me because I feel like I'm influenced and inspired by everything. When I say everything, I totally mean it too. I think my biggest influence/inspiration would have to be music and musical artists. I've always been extremely connected to music and it's influenced a lot of my work.

4. You've stated before that you felt the most accepted within the internet. Do you still feel this way? Do you encourage others to find friends on the internet?

I most definitely still feel that way! Everyone I've met through the internet have been such amazing people and I wouldn't trade my experience on the internet for the world. I don't know if I'd encourage others to find friends on the internet just because you shouldn't be in the mindset of, "oh I want friends from the internet so I need to find people who can be my friends". It shouldn't be forced. I made friends through common interests and it just so happened that it was through the internet. I think you can find amazing friends like I have in your city or small town! You just need to find a community of people with similar interests and values and connect with them. You don't really need the internet for that. 

5. How have you seen yourself grow as a content creator? 

Oh man, I've grown so much as a content creator and I can say that because I've been creating for, what feels like, so long now. With my photography, I've grown in technical ways, and even in my concepts. I feel like I truly know how to use my camera now compared to when I first started, but you learn something new with photography every day. With my YouTube channel, I feel like I've grown a lot too. My video quality is better, my set up is better, I understand my audience more. There's so much that goes into having a YouTube channel and I never realized it until I threw myself into it. 

6. Where would you like to be, skills wise, in a year? 5 years? 

Great question, I've actually never really thought about that too much until recently. I think with my photography, I'd like to get a little more professional with it and maybe even start a side job with it within a year to 5 years. I've done senior pictures and family photos for the past two years, but I was hoping that I could possibly shoot some fashion photography for magazines or websites, anything really. In a year, I'd like to see my YT channel grow a little more. That meaning branching out into other types of videos like inspirational videos, maybe more sit down and chat with me videos or even talk about technology. Who knows! Whatever I feel like making at the time. In five years, I'd love to start creating short films and music videos for big music artists. I know that's kind of a stretch, but I'd absolutely love to create music videos. 

7. What's a word/phrase you're currently living by?

I stumbled across this quote on tumblr awhile ago and I've inspired by it ever since, "What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet" -Unknown. I just find the thought of a happy day to be so inspiring and looking back at some of the best days of my life that I've had so far and thinking that I might not even consider them to be the best days of my life because of all the wonderful days to come. It just makes me excited for the future, which is really something I feel like I need right now. 

8. What are you truly passionate about?

So much. I put passion into everything I do honestly, but if I had to pick one thing that I'd consider myself to be truly passionate about, it would be music. I have always had a very deep connection with music and I often find comfort in the melodies or lyrics of songs, which helps whenever I happen to have a panic attack or if I'm stressed over something. Sometimes, if I don't know how to deal with a situation, I turn to music because its always there when you need it and sometimes the answers to your problems are hidden in the lyrics you've never paid attention to before. 

9. Advice for anyone who wants to get into photography? 

Just do it. Take photos of everything, whether that be your hands, your feet, your sister, the tree in your backyard, or a random snail on the side walk. Taking pictures all the time trains your brain to notice the little things in the world. It also helps you figure out how you like taking photos and what you like taking photos of. Just shoot until you cant anymore, call it day, and go home and admire your wonderful photos. 

10. Final notes:

All I have to say is that I truly appreciate Kendall for this interview. It really made me think about everything in my life at the moment and I think I needed some forced perspective. Thank you Kendall and thank you reader for being interested in my life, my thoughts, and who I am. 

All of the incredible photos in this post were pulled directly from Jerry's instagram

Have a look around Jerry's life!

Instagram || YouTube

Check out my previous interview with Corina Nika

And of course, if you have any recommendations of people I should check out for this series, please let me know!

Thanks again to Jerry for working with me so simply and willingly. I hope we can do it again in the future.

Get to Know Corina Nika

So this blog has been in existence for nearly a year now, and my instagram around for nearly two, Throughout this time I've found myself quite a few influences that have inspired me in a number of ways, and I'd like to share them with you. The Get To Know series shall be ongoing for as long as I can keep it going, touching on everyone from photographers, to writers, to musicians, to fellow bloggers, and I really hope you enjoy it.

To start off this series, I've had the honor to work with the fabulous Corina Nika, the creator of Cocorrina. If you are active in the blogging community, chances are you've seen her graphics somewhere, if not on her actual blog. Along with her graphics, Corina is also a fantastic writer and photographer and has quickly become one of my biggest creative influences.

Tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Corina, and i’m a graphic designer and art director blogging at Cocorrina. Also super obsessed with lettering and photography. At the moment, my husband, me, our husky Bella and tuxedo cat Shrek are based in Kefalonia Island, Greece

What would you say triggered the feeling that this was what you wanted to do?
Looking back at some videos i’ve made with my friends in high school, in the question “what do you wanna be when you grow up” i said a famous designer. Later on, while in college studying interior design, i and basics of graphic design. My graphic’s designer teacher told me one day, that if you don’t do graphic design in your life you would regret it your whole life. And he was right. I had so much passion and love for this, that he saw it. And later on i saw it as well. 

How have you changed, (both creatively and personally), since starting your blog?
I’ve changed in so many ways to be honest it’s insane. To start with, i learned how to be myself. Being quite introverted, i would allow only a couple of people see the real me. Funny, quirky, silly, bossy, passionate, completely nuts. Through my blog, i learned how to express myself, even through writing, but not being afraid of showing who i really am. And that went through my communication with other people as well. 

What advice do you have for aspiring digital artists/designers?
 Never be afraid of experimenting, trying new things. Challenging yourselves, that’s when creativity flows and that’s the moment you become better. Never stay in your comfort zone. 

How would you describe your creative style/process?

 Messy. I’m completely over the place, doing all kinds of things at the same time. But through the chaos is where inspiration and creativity are born :)

Since this is a series on influential people, who are some of your influences? (both creative and personal)
 There are just so many. From photographer on instagram (just take a look at each and everyone that i follow) to fashion bloggers (Modern Legacy, Tuula, Ivania Carpio) and graphic designers (breanna rose, jessica commingle, mae mae paperie, designlovefest, amanda jane jones) 

What are you truly passionate about?
Will sound kinda mainstream, but life itself. I tear up with every chance when it comes to how beautiful our world is, living, what a gift we have. And that same time, i feel all the bad emotions on how difficult it is to live, how harsh it’s gotten for all of us. I couldn’t be more passionate about living the life in the most beautiful way i can, enjoying every second and making the most of it. 

A final note?

 Thank you Kendall for having me :) 

Follow Corina!

Blog // Instagram // Twitter