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You may already know of Bouchra Benhalima, thanks to  her successful fashion blog, boubouteatime.com. Though based in Paris, I was lucky enough to score an interview with the girl behind the whimsical collages–and discovered that, in addition to manning a fabulous blog, she is also an amazing, down-to-earth girl.
Q: From where do you get inspiration?

A: I get inspiration from everywhere and anywhere–from internet sources such as blogs, banques d’images websites and tumblr; the outdoors, movies, theater, books, etc. Inspiration is all around us, we just have to open our eyes!

Q: When did you start your blog and why?

A: I started my blog a year ago–really, just for fun. I was looking at a lot of French fashion blogs, like the cherry blossom girl and le blog de betty, but found them to be too predictable and ordinary. When I started my blog, I wanted to add my personal touch, but I didn’t want to appear in any of the images–so I decided I would act like a bureau de style, and share my daily inspiration with others people in the form of collages.

Q: How did you decide on the name for your blog?

A: The name of my blog comes from “boubou”, which has been my nickname since I was little. The “teatime” comes from my parents, who taught me la culture du thé; I was particularly struck by the strong sense of sharing by everyone who comes together. I try to make my blog like a teatime, where the reader can chill and take time to read my long posts.

Q: Your blog is very romantic and dreamy. Do you consider yourself a romantic?

A: Yes. Haha–well, I think so. I feel that boubouteatime reflects who I am, to a certain extent–or, at least, my visions of what I feel our values should be. Often people forget and lose track of the romantic aspects in life. I believe people should express themselves, and that is the main message that I hope to communicate in my blog.

Q: Who are your favorite designers and photographers?

A: I don’t really have favorite designers—every designer and his/her fantasy world inspires me. In addition to the romantic world of boubouteatime, I also have this darker side that I attribute to my time spent in London–as a result, I have been into designers like Alexander Wang, Riccadro Tischi (Givenchy) and Margelia. From the romantic side, I like Sonia Rykiel, Luella, etc. I love young photographers and models who are just starting out because they inspire me; some examples include Estefania Morales, Lisa Place and Sophie Take Pictures.

Q: Where are your favorite places to shop in Paris?

A: Mon quartier preferé is Les Tuileries, where I love to walk around by myself and daydream. I find the most daily inspiration from St. Germain des prés, which encompasses the romantic side of Paris like nowhere else in the world. I also love les Quais de Scènes, Quai d’orsay and Quai Notre Dame.

I go shopping everywhere, always looking for interesting things that I like at flee markets like Marché de Clignancourt and vintage shops like Dentelles et Macarons. For basics, I like to shop at Zara, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Topshop and American Apparel.

Q: How would you describe your personal style?

A: I don’t have a personal style that I easily label. I guess it can be called eclectic. I simply wear what I want. I love trying new things and experimenting with my clothes. It’s like a game for me; one day I’m preppy, another day, more rock ‘n’ roll.

Q: What is your favorite new trend?

A: Probably the new shapes in biker jackets, especially those with “bat” collars [un col chauve souris].

Q: When you are not working on your blog, what else do you do?

A: Outside of my blog, I am a freelance fashion graphic designer and a fashion stylist for Webzine and others.

Q: Your blog is already very successful. What are your future plans?

A: Thank you for that! I have a lot of similar projects in parallel to and in relation to my blog. I also aspire to soon have my own brand of clothes that will represent the world of boubouteatime–so stay tuned!

Partially translated by Stephanie Ruthberg.

Bouchra Benhalima