This week’s fashion idol is Crystal- an insanely unique and inspirational photographer/model/stylist, you name it- I bet you, she can do it. I’ve only discovered Crystal a few weeks ago and to my surprise realized that she’s still not very well known in the blogosphere. What?!  Well…that’s got to change, I thought to myself. Of course I had to ask her to do an honour of appearing on La Mimi. This girl is just awesome! Quirky, creative and exciting is only how one might attempt to describe Crystal’s distinctive way of dressing.

Read Crystal’s interview below and then head over to her blog- which oozes with beautiful outfits that are a living proof- great style doesn’t have to cost you big bucks!  See it for yourself…But first show Crystal some love by leaving a comment below.

La Mimi: Name, age , location
My name is Crystal. I’m 19 and I’m from an unimportant city in Ohio.

La Mimi: What’s the meaning behind the name of your blog 11:11 make a wish?
Crystal: The name simply comes from my obsession with making wishes at 11:11.
Whenever the clock hits say 11:12 and I missed my wish I can’t say I’m
not a little bit upset inside.

La Mimi: How did your love for photography and fashion evolve?
Crystal: My love for photography just kind of fell in my lap actually. The
first time I started taking photos was for a science project in jr.
high and since then I’ve realized just how much I enjoy it and that
I’m somewhat good at it. I love expressing my love for color through
my photos and the fact I’m a total dreamer. I feel like my photos
evoke a sense of surrealism in them that I adore.
My love for fashion evolved from thrifting through my high school
days. My sister and I are bargain shoppers through and through and
we’d always make trips to the thrift store for our clothing. Thrift
stores have definitely sparked my love for slightly demented clothing
and taught me to create my own personal style which is consistently
evolving.

La Mimi: Did you have favorite clothes when you were little?
Crystal: My favorite clothes when I was younger was probably all my dress up
clothes. My sister and I had a dress-up bin of some of my mom’s old
clothing and I would adore dressing up and parading around the house
in something a little crazy and outdated. I must say to this day I
still wear a few articles of clothing from my dress-up bin in my every
day wardrobe.

La Mimi: What inspires you?
Crystal: Crazy prints and color inspires me! Thrift stores are honestly where I
get most of my inspiration. If I find one piece that intrigues me it
opens up an endless possibility of styling options and ways to express
myself through that piece.

La Mimi: What piece would instantly update your wardrobe this season?
Crystal: I’m currently dying for a pair of ridiculously large bell-bottom
pants. I want to retire my straight jeans for a while and completely
embrace volume!

La Mimi: What pieces should every woman have in her wardrobe?
Crystal: Every woman should have a few different variations of black dresses in
different styles, whether long or short, sleeveless or with sleeves
etc. They are a blank canvas for accessorizing and layering.

La Mimi: What is great personal style made up of?
Crystal: Someone who has true personal style to me  is someone who doesn’t
always need designer items to look amazing. They can see the
possibilities in something cheap and can wear it and make it look
expensive. Personal style is all about an outward expression of who
you are and what you like. I feel as though those with the best
personal style are the ones who truly know who they are and are
comfortable in it.

La Mimi: What’s the best style advice you’ve gotten?
Crystal: Break any and all fashion rules! Don’t let your style be defined by
what’s in or out. This is how new trends and style are created by
lovers of style who envision something besides the norm.

La Mimi: Please share some words of wisdom with La Mimi readers…
Crystal: Anyone can wear anything and pull it off successfully as long as you
wear it with confidence. Know what you feel good in and what makes you
feel like a million bucks and rock it 100%. People will admire you for
your fearlessness and you’re ability to break fashion rules as long as
you stay true to yourself.

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Thanks for visiting and keep in touch ~ Mimi.