Closet Confidential With Fash Boulevard

Energetic and aspiring accessories designer Anna Hodge is a former small town girl who has followed her fashion dream all the way to California. Her journey began with an impressive internship at popular clothing brand BGBG Max Azria. Anna's blog Fash Boulevard is an online stage upon which celebrity style and her own personal style collide. With an eye for beautiful jewellery, her incredible collection of cocktail rings is one to be coveted. Anna shares her wealth of voguish knowledge with us on this edition of 'Closet Confidential'.

How would you define your personal style?
Dramatically simple with far too many accessories. Growing up in the south and now living in LA. I've had the pleasure of being exposed to an eclectic mix of fashion. Whether it's classic with a hint of edge or a simple dress with a dramatic heel, I love combining different elements to create a single look.


What is LA street style like?

Well this is pretty much what my blog is all about... When I first moved to LA after graduating from Auburn University I knew I wanted to work in fashion and in order to do that I needed to follow LA's trends meticulously. I quickly realized that in Hollywood street fashion is celebrity fashion. Celebrities like Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe are the women keeping Hollywood on their fashionable toes! And now I'm here to blog about it.


What are your fashion fundamentals? 

My mom has had a fabulous fur that I've played dress up in for
 as long as I can remember so it's a natural obsession. It can dress up anything from jeans to a fancy cocktail dress. I also recommend a blazer because you can wear it to work or throw on a giant statement necklace and wear it out to drinks with the girls. And of course, every closet should have the essential black pieces. Black skinny jeans, blouses, cardigans, jackets, heels, and tights. They match almost anything and are a great base for building a stylish ensemble.


Would you choose comfort over fashion or fashion over comfort?
I love this question. I would definitely choose fashion over comfort. I can't tell you how many times I've worn constricting jackets and blazers or tight tiered skirts that I can't bend in, but at the end of the day it's all about wearing what makes you feel fabulous. And sometimes fabulous involves blisters and car rides that consist of lying in the back seat because the dress it too tight to sit in. As much as it drives my family crazy, I am the girl wearing sky high stilettos to my little brother’s baseball games. That's just me. I'm most comfortable when I feel like I'm wearing a good ensemble. But that doesn't mean I don't have an impressive collection of lounge wear. If you ran into me at the grocery store, I'd probably land on everyone's worst dress list, trust me.


No good outfit is complete without...
A cocktail ring! As a girl who loves to talk with her hands, a major oversized ring is always a fashion must. Whether you have a super expensive Melissa Joy Manning ring or one from Forever 21, no outfit should be deemed complete without a giant cocktail ring.



What designer items are on your fashion wish list? 
Oh this is an easy one! As a fashion blogger it's very easy to build up a sizable wish list because I'm constantly discovering new brands, trends and always finding online purchases to obsess over! Coming in on the top of my wish list is the new Michael by Michael Kors large leopard print Hamilton tote, the Melissa Joy Manning extra large double slice ring and the Boutique 9 dark purple Cesena Wedge Pumps! I'd kill to own all of these pieces. But in all honesty, I'll probably have a fash heart
attack the day I own a Birkin!


What has been your best fashion buy?
I recently bought a Michael by Michael Kors cardigan cape that I'm completely and totally obsessed with. It's stylish while still being seriously comfortable, which is a major perk for me. I travel a lot so pieces that I can wear for comfort while flying and also dress up for dinner with friends are always my most coveted pieces. For me, a good buy isn't a cheap price, it's a versatile item that will stand the test of time... Or at least until my sister takes it for herself!
 

Where would you love to max out your credit card?
As un-posh as this may sound, it would be extremely easy for me to max out a card or two at Macy's. But trust me, I'm not the only one. I've ran into Joanna Garcia, Vanessa Hudgens, Kyle Richards, and Ashley Tisdale while browsing through the racks at Macy's. I love a store that has designer brands, private label brands and amazing deals. My go-to's are Bar III, BCBGenerations, Kensie, INC and Free People. Plus, there's like thirteen Macy's within a twenty mile radius of my home.

Most extravagant fashion purchase? 
A pair of purple satin strappy Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos, which I bought after attending the Vegas boutique’s grand opening party hosted by Giuseppe himself. I had to have them! They were calling my name. Unfortunately now... so are the bill collectors, but trust me... Heels are always worth it.


Three beauty products you can't live without?
 

I can't live without my black Cover Girl crayon eyeliner, which I've 
been using for years. It goes on super easy and always looks perfect. I don't care if I was stranded alone on a desert island, I would still take my eyeliner with me. My fellow blondes will understand. Second would have to be my Chi straightener. It gets my hair flat in seconds which is perfect for those days when I'm running late. And the third beauty item I couldn't live without would definitely have to be bobby pins. They can add a twist or braid to boring hair or fix bumps in your pony tails in seconds. Not to mention they are the sole key to getting the perfect ballerina bun. I never leave the house without a handful of bobby pins in my purse. They're a staple.


Who are your style icons?


Old Hollywood is where I get most of my inspiration. Marilyn Monroe, Edie Sedgwick, Bridget Bardot and Jackie O are massive figures in my style inspiration bubble. As for my present day style icons, Nicole Richie, Rachel Bilson, Lauren Conrad and Rachel Zoe are constantly impressing and inspiring me with their fabulous looks.
   

Biggest Fashion Do's 
Pile on the jewelry. Every piece should showcase a different side of your personality. Rock lots of sequins and fur for fall and most importantly, don't exit your home without a cocktail ring on your finger.



Biggest Fashion Don'ts 
Don't be afraid to express your personal style. I went to a college that's daily uniform consisted of Nike shorts and UGG boots, but it's important to remember to look further than those around you for your fashion inspiration. It's okay to stand out. No town is too small for city girl style.



Fabulous fashion advice


Too much is never enough. I knew I was going to be gaudy from the day I learned what the word meant. I dream of being that older woman with the super high heels, the fur coat, and layered in tons of bangles and cocktail rings. This is the character in my head I dream of being. She is my fashion dream. Incorporating bits and pieces of that character into my more reserved daily style is what gets me excited to get dressed in the morning. As a girl who grew up in small towns (I've lived in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama) I know what it's like to have bigger style dreams then those around you. That's why I think it's important to build that fabulous character you so desperately want to be and try adding hints of her into your daily style. It'll keep you inspired until the day you decide to whip her out completely. Confidence is key to being and looking the best you possibly can, but perhaps the most important advice I can give would have to be to always remember to dress for yourself... not for anyone else!

*Special thanks to Anna for taking part in this interview. Wishing her all the best with her exciting new accessories line.