It’s Wednesday, so I have a lovely interview for you all to read. This one is with one of my favorite bloggers that I’ve discovered lately, Wendy of Wendys Lookbook. She is stylish, has an incredible story, and has one of those captivating and happy personalities that you can’t help but love. Plus she’s current living in my homeland – the Bay Area – and went to my undergrad alma mater, UC Berkeley. Go Bears!
What’s your name, what do you do, and where do you live? Where are you from?
Hi! My name is Wendy Nguyen and I live in San Francisco. Currently, I’m a working actress, a fashion blogger, have a YouTube channel dedicated to fashion, and a volunteer teacher working with incarcerated youths.
You have such fun personal style. Who do you relate to the most that’s famous in terms of their style? What are some of your pieces that reminds you of them?
Everything I’ve learned about style and fashion is by observing nature, architecture, music, and people. Nature encourages me to play with colors, architecture helps me to understand shapes, music provides a gateway for me to hear and feel texture, and most importantly, I get inspired by street fashion. In terms of style, I relate most to Chiara Ferragni, Rumi Neely, Olivia Palermo, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
What are some of the favorite pieces in your closet, that you treasure the most?
This is such a hard question! If I had to narrow it down, I would say that my Louis Vuitton leopard stole is one of my favorite pieces in my closet. She’s my adult baby blanket! She’s incredibly soft and always with me in my purse.
What about the items that you wear the most?
My jammies! I have a tradition at the beginning of each YouTube video of wearing my jammies, so technically, I wear them the most. The other essential pieces that I wear most are my brown Theory leather jacket, Citizens of Humanity Avedon skinny jeans, Christian Louboutin graffiti flats, gray Vince suede jacket, Louis Vuitton leopard stole, Alexander McQueen silk chiffon skull scarves, Yves Saint Laurent Arty ring, Balenciaga raisin City bag, Chloe Paraty bag, and Forever 21 loose white t-shirts.
What was your first major clothing splurge, and handbag splurge?
I remembered this one very clearly! My hands were shaking and I wanted to confirm the shipping address a million times. My first major clothing splurge was when I bought my Mike & Chris leather jacket, and handbag splurge was when I bought my Chanel classic flap bag.
What does Mystery Man (her boyfriend) like to see on you the most?
Mystery Man is so supportive of my fashion ventures. He was the one who bought me my first pair of Christian Louboutin’s. He really encourages me to experiment with fashion. He loves it when I wear any outfit with Christian Louboutin pumps.
Finally, please share something surprising about yourself!
I grew up in foster care and was extremely scared of being homeless at 18. The only reason I applied to college was to have a place to live. I applied to all of the University of California colleges and got accepted into UC Berkeley. And to this day, I feel like it was a miracle, because UC Berkeley’s first day of school was exactly on my 18th birthday. I emancipated from the system and moved to college on the same day. I’ve carried a garbage bag with my personal belongings from home to home, eaten out of trash cans, and felt incredibly alone in my adolescent years. And now, I’m here – alive, enjoying the beautiful city of San Francisco, having this interview with you, loving my close friends and boyfriend who have been so supportive of me. I feel very blessed in life.
Thank you Wendy for sharing with us not just your lovely style but also your story. I hope reading this inspired you – it certainly was a reminder for myself, to be less jaded and to approach life with a optimistic and open heart. Have a great Wednesday, everybody!
67 Comments
Kimberley
April 20, 2011 at 12:12 pmShe has such great style, what an inspiring story!
Plami
April 20, 2011 at 12:50 pmShe looks so lovely!
XoXo
Plami
http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/
Tangles
April 20, 2011 at 12:51 pmI just love these interviews, Kat! Wendy is gorgeous and such an inspiration. This is just another reminder that we should never judge others because you never know what someone has been through or what their life is really like.
Stephanie Shepherd
April 20, 2011 at 12:58 pmThanks to Wendy for sharing such detail for us to enjoy!
eshebystephanie.blogspot.com
Annette
April 20, 2011 at 1:31 pmWhat a really great interview!! I love when you do these, it's like taking a peek into someone else's life. And the McQueen scarf is so prettyyyy, eek.
lefthandedstory.blogspot.com
Melissa
April 20, 2011 at 1:36 pmOh, this was such an amazing story. Thanks so much for featuring her. She is so beautiful, and she has a great sense of style. Plus, what an inspiring and touching story! You are finding the best people 🙂
xxMelissa
EllysMakeupbag
April 20, 2011 at 1:55 pmI love her style, it is so relaxed yet classic.
Julie and Lauren
April 20, 2011 at 2:48 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! And love her photographs. Great, post!
Xx
Thirteenlbs
April 20, 2011 at 2:55 pmWow, what great style, and what a unique perspective.
Lily
April 20, 2011 at 3:21 pmShe has such great style !! Very cute.
xxLily
goldandgray.com
RAW
April 20, 2011 at 3:46 pmI love her blog and her style. She seems like an incredibly grounded and nice person.
Great post.
Blace
April 20, 2011 at 3:48 pmSuch a great story! Thank you for sharing!
emma basilone
April 20, 2011 at 4:10 pmshe is such a cutie!! Love her style with her high end pieces, I will be checking out her blog!!
I am having a give-a-way on my blog, check it out if you like! ($25 to Vantage Point Vintage's online store: http://www.shopvpv.com/
http://behindtheleopardglasses.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-day-ever-give-wayyyyyyyy.html
<3 emma
Winnie
April 20, 2011 at 4:16 pmShe has the cutest style and I love her make up. That's definitely an inspiring story at the end and totally unexpected! Awesome interview.
Shelby
April 20, 2011 at 4:39 pmwhat an amazing story of an amazing woman with amazing style. thanks so much for sharing, what a wonderful idea <3shelby
http://www.makemesparkly.blogspot.com
Maggie
April 20, 2011 at 4:45 pmLoove.
http://www.soyfrivolita.blogspot.com
Sammie
April 20, 2011 at 4:52 pmwhat a cutie! thanks for interviewing her and sharing her heartfelt story <3!
amy b.s.
April 20, 2011 at 4:59 pmso pretty and so stylish!
Tien
April 20, 2011 at 5:24 pmWow, she is incredible. Off to check her site!
Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet
April 20, 2011 at 5:25 pmThis is such a heartwarming story. Thanks so much for featuring it! I'm enjoying your blog more and more each day not only because of your own great taste but also the people you feature and the great interview questions you come up with.
It's so easy to judge a book by its cover and I know a lot of people would never think that beyond the designer clothes, this beautiful woman grew up with more hardship than they could have even imagined experiencing. I hope a lot of people are humbled when they meet her.
Ella Pretty Blog
April 20, 2011 at 5:32 pmLove these series of interviews. Wendy's style is gorgeous – and her story is so inspiring (and a little heart-breaking!)
Honeysuckle
April 20, 2011 at 6:07 pmoops, i don't know what i just did to the last comment! but i love her blog and style and videos, especially the scarf one.
JENNY
April 20, 2011 at 6:21 pmI love this interview! Wendy has flawless style!! I am loving her hot pink scarf!!
http://albeitdotdotdot.blogspot.com/
Fash Boulevard
April 20, 2011 at 6:42 pmonce again, you look beyond amazing. i love this outfit so much and the leopard is perfection. if you get a second please stop by to see multiple post a day on all the latest celebrity fashion news and check out pictures from the fall/winter preview I attended yesterday in Beverly Hills. Would love your support. xoxo
http://www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 pmFF, I just love your interviews. I find Wendy's story incredibly inspiring and follow her blog religiously (as I do yours!). Her vivacious personality and can do attitude will make her a star in the blogsphere.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 pmFF, I just love your interviews. I find Wendy's story incredibly inspiring and follow her blog religiously (as I do yours!). Her vivacious personality and can do attitude will make her a star in the blogsphere.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 pmFF, I just love your interviews. I find Wendy's story incredibly inspiring and follow her blog religiously (as I do yours!). Her vivacious personality and can do attitude will make her a star in the blogsphere.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 pmFF, I just love your interviews. I find Wendy's story incredibly inspiring and follow her blog religiously (as I do yours!). Her vivacious personality and can do attitude will make her a star in the blogsphere.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 pmFF, I just love your interviews. I find Wendy's story incredibly inspiring and follow her blog religiously (as I do yours!). Her vivacious personality and can do attitude will make her a star in the blogsphere.
Priscilla Francine Makeup
April 20, 2011 at 7:49 pmWOW, what a great peak into her life. It's so funny what Lindsey @ a walk in the closet said…how people judge others by what they wear and we have no idea what they've been through
Ciara
April 20, 2011 at 7:56 pmGreat interview! Her story is so amazing and her style is fierce!
–Ciara ':D
Emma
April 20, 2011 at 8:03 pmThat was a cool interview, she seems sweet and has great style!!
Emma x
closetconfessionsofafashionaddict.blogspot.com
Mindy♥
April 20, 2011 at 9:04 pmI adore Wendy so much! She is so genuine and so kind. She is also very inspiring in her fashion and her outlook on life as well! I am so glad you featured her on your blog.
JenlovesBal
April 20, 2011 at 9:32 pmLove Wendy's blog! She has amazing pics and vids. Thanks for the interview!!
CoutureJunkie
April 20, 2011 at 10:52 pmThis was a wonderful interview and Wendy seems like a beautiful soul and you can definetly tell through her style. Her optimistic outlook life after all she has been through is truly to be admired. Thanks for another great interview.
-xo
Bobbie
Confessions of a Couture Junkie
DSK Steph
April 20, 2011 at 11:26 pmWendy is such an incredible person!
Tara @ Haute Lunch
April 20, 2011 at 11:56 pmWendy is such a strong, gorgeous woman! I really appreciate her sharing her story!
Swe3tGirl
April 21, 2011 at 12:25 amI love Wendy's Lookbook! Yes, her story is an incredible one to share, and I congratulate her on her amazing success! Thank you for sharing this interview. I enjoyed reading it.
Make Mommy Chic
April 21, 2011 at 12:53 amWhat a treat to have Wendy share her style secrets with us. She is so vibrant in her videos and is such a fashion inspiration just like you Katherine! I second her opinion on the citizen Avedon jeans- they are the most comfy skinnies on earth! Thanks for the great post!
Chic 'n Cheap Living
April 21, 2011 at 4:05 amWhat a beautiful story and she has such great style!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Sydney
April 21, 2011 at 4:31 amThis was so inspiring! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
vivien
April 21, 2011 at 5:47 pmI've been hooked on Wendy's videos the first time I saw them! She has such a lovable bubbly personality and she's gorgeous to boot!
Ailsa
April 21, 2011 at 7:55 pmWendy is one of my favorite web people. I look forward to her updates and she has the spirit I wish everyone on the planet could have. I heart Wendy.
LV
April 21, 2011 at 10:25 pmShe is beautiful and has amazing style! I need to check out her blog! this was a great interview
http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/
Cindy
April 21, 2011 at 11:23 pmI love Wendy's YouTube videos and her blog as well. You both have great style and I love reading more about your lives, trials and tribulations, and success stories. Thank you so much for sharing this interview with us!
SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY
April 22, 2011 at 4:30 pmWow! What a great story! Very fun and inspirational with lots of wonderful fashion sense. =)
glitteryeyesxx
April 22, 2011 at 10:52 pmDamn, I had NO flippin' idea the hardship she went through growing up. This makes me like her all the much MORE now. Hope she makes it far with her acting career. She sure has the personality for it! 🙂
Tania
April 23, 2011 at 12:28 amYou are so right about Wendy. I really enjoy watching her videos; she's so quirky and fun to watch!
Kimia Kline
April 24, 2011 at 2:41 amwow. what a story. she is so gorgeous.
American Gypsy
April 25, 2011 at 9:03 pmshe´s gorgeous!! what a great interview, katherine. xoxojess
beautyboxlist
April 26, 2011 at 7:32 pmGreat interview, what an inspiration again for me! Thank you.
Reflect and Fancy | fashion blog
April 26, 2011 at 10:18 pmgreat interview
Cupcaking
May 1, 2011 at 8:24 amthanks for posting the interview!
Anonymous
August 12, 2011 at 5:44 pmYou are beautiful. Your nature beauty is a blessing, don't listen to illed advise by having a face lift. You are educated and beautiful and down to earth. I love your style. Keep up the good work.
Anonymous
September 27, 2012 at 6:07 amAmazing person; fabulous style!
Lisa
December 27, 2012 at 11:46 pmNot what in what universe what lived in, but for the 4 years that I know Wendy at Cal, she was not eating out of the trash can. GF had a bf who housed and feed her.
Not sure how one goes from carrying a trash bag to an Louis Vuitton bag in the same month!
Guest
February 17, 2013 at 9:05 pmI too have heard that her story just does not match up. I’ve heard that she uses this semi fake story to get ahead like she did on another business venture that didn’t bring her much success. She cut tied with that one. It was a non profit organization. Since it didn’t bring her fame she “canned” it.
But if you just all do the math on her being in a shelter it doesn’t seem like she was in there for very long. Only about 2-3 years at most. Go back and read her blog and do the math again.
I have head that she uses this story to pull at the public’s heart strings.
So sad that no one sees this.
The truth
March 5, 2013 at 3:36 pmHere is the link I found about Wendy. It really isn’t cool that she’s duping people.
http://gurugossiper.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=313
Wendy
January 8, 2013 at 5:49 amSounds like a Cinderella story:) Wish u the best and hope u will continue to post all the inspirational and fashionable looks:) kind regards, Wendy
tessa villamor
January 22, 2013 at 8:02 pmtnx wendy 🙂 you inspired me a lot! God bless u more..
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Yenism
May 30, 2013 at 12:24 pmthank you for all Wendy, you are exactly such an amazing inspiration for my lifetime.
thank God for bringing you here and I could know you. I adore you. now I’m trying to make a breakthrough for my life. I never stop chasing my dreams. I know what my dreams are and how to get them.
many thanks from the bottom of my dreaming heart. I can’t let my dreams be dreams. they will be realised 🙂
Yenism
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June 27, 2013 at 7:57 amlove you wendy!
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