LadyM Meets Caroline Topperman of Style on the Side
This week in my LadyM Meets interview series, I catch up with a fabulous creative allrounder, Caroline Topperman. I met Caroline, who runs the blog Style on the Side, through Kate McKibbin’s Secret Bloggers Business course. We have the same theme for the techie part of our blogs but also the same passions. Fashion, fitness, travel, style guides and beauty finds – Caroline is based in Poland but is originally from Canada and is a Huffington Post blogger, just like me!
I thought it would be great to start the year having a chat to Caroline, to find out what is new with her and to introduce you to her fabulous blog and let you know about her first ever ebook. So settle down with a cup of tea, coffee or go on.. something a little stronger and enjoy a few minutes peace and quiet.
LadyM Meets Caroline Topperman of Style on the Side
Firstly can you describe what you do in one sentence. I’m a writer, a storyteller and a teacher.
Q. What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?
Oh, my route has been a long and winding one, but it’s almost as if I was always meant to get here in the end. I’ve been writing and adding images to my text for as long as I can remember. In University I studied screenwriting and then went on to run a Pilates studio, worked in real estate development and then finally came back to my first love, writing and photography.
Q. What is a typical working day for you?
I get up around 6:30 am and either head to the gym or browse my Instagram account. I then take my dog for a walk before starting my work day. Mornings are for planning and always start with answering and sorting emails. Since I work across many time zones, there’s a lot to go through first thing in the morning. After that’s done, I finalize the post that’s going out that day and write one or two more. If I have an article that’s due, I tackle that as well. Finally, if I haven’t gone to the gym in the morning, I will usually take a ballet class.
Q. Where are you based, how much of an inspiration is your city and what are your favourite cities around the world?
Right now I live in Warsaw in Poland, but before that (and where Style On The Side was born) I lived in Vancouver Canada and before that in Toronto Canada. I love living in Europe. While Vancouver is a truly amazing city, it was missing something for me. I need the proximity of history and old architecture and the arts to really feed my soul. I feel more complete here. That being said, there’s no place like New York (and ultimately it’s my dream to live there) and not to sound too cliché but Paris is also very special. My parents lived there before I was born, so I’ve always felt that I had a connection. I like to think that I bring back a tiny piece of each city that I’ve been to. Berlin, Prague, Dublin, Portland, Seattle and even Toronto hold special memories for me.
Q. Have you seen the blogging/fashion/fitness industry change in the last few years? Have you had to adapt?
Yes, yes and yes! With blogging, I feel like I’m always learning, so I’m always adapting and tweaking my approach. Sometimes it feels like there’s a new app coming out every day. Fashion is an ever changing industry, but because I don’t write about the latest and greatest fashions and due to my no nonsense approach, it doesn’t really affect me. The same goes for fitness. I’ve been a part of that industry for many years now and there’s always a new fad, but in the end what works is consistency combined with sensibility.
Q. What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
I think the most rewarding part is virtually meeting so many inspiring and fabulous people. That has truly been incredible. My greatest accomplishment would be that thousands of people have now read my articles, both on my blog and the other sites I write for. When I stop to think about that, it blows my mind. Oh, and (shameless plug) the fact that I just published my first ebook is super cool.
Q. What is next for you? What are your goals for 2016?
2016 is when I really want to establish myself as a writer and finish my second book, which will be a lot more autobiographical. Also, this is the year when I’d love to work on some bigger brand collaborations. I have a few ideas up my sleeve that could involve designing handbags.
Bonus Question – if you didn’t do the job you do now – what would be your dream job and where?
If I wasn’t writing, I think I would have loved to continue with my dance career and possibly be working in theater as a writer / director in New York.
You can follow Caroline at her blog Styleontheside and on Instagram and Twitter.
Whilst you’re there why don’t you check my feeds out if you aren’t already following me – @ladympresents on both Twitter and Instagram
Recommended
-
Best winter boots for function and styleJanuary 25th, 2016
-
Luxury UK handmade beds | BedmonkeyJanuary 24th, 2016
-
LadyM Meets Caroline Topperman of Style on the SideJanuary 17th, 2016
-
2015 Year in ReviewJanuary 14th, 2016
-
Pantone Colour of the Year 2016 | In the homeJanuary 10th, 2016
