Results tagged “bloggers”

What a freakin' whirlwind this conference is.  Nothing could have prepared me. I mean, I knew it was huge.. but this is crazy.

I plan to head home at a reasonable time tonight, get some photos up and write a longer post about my experience thus far, but I figured I should at least let you know I have survived... ish.

I have not yet met one single other art blogger.  I'm on a freakin' mission at this point.  Lot's of photogs (though usually kid centric) and a few design bloggers, but that's about it. Where are you ladies? I know you exist?

And what about all the non-moms I was promised? Hmm?  Where you at?  Is there some super secret meeting with a handshake I wasn't made aware of? I want in!

The best part so far? Hanging out in the bathroom with The Bloggess.  Oh hells to the yes.  More on that later, but here's a picture to tide you over.  I promise there was beer and playdoh involved.

me n bloggess.jpg

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Blogher.jpg
Yep, that's my badge envelope. Here we go!

Blogher '10.  It's in NYC so I have absolutely no excuse not to attend.  I'm both thrilled and terrified.  Me, in a giant room filled with women? Highly opinionated and extremely talented women? This is not necessarily what I'd call a comfortable situation.  However, I do think I'm excited enough to overcome my fears and will brave the conference alone, leaving with handfuls of new friends, photographs, swag and contacts.

Or die.

I've been trying to kind of ignore it the last few weeks because facing this is facing my own silly insecurities.  I know I'm not the only one with these feelings, but that doesn't make them any less... ooky.  I mean, I'm outgoing enough, but... this a huge group of WOMEN.  Let's face it sisters, we can be a little harsh sometimes.  It's what makes us special and extremely intimidating.

So like, what if I'm the worst blogger/artist/photographer there?  What if I don't meet anyone?  What if I let the awkward take over and I hide in a corner the entire time?  What if I ask a dumb question?  What if I don't ask any questions at all?  What if I do something to embarrass myself, like make an incredibly lame joke or spill my drink? What if... people make fun of me?

Oh the horrors!

Honestly, when I put it all out like that, it just seems ridiculous, doesn't it?  Who cares.  I mean, really. Who gives a shit about any of that?  This is about a new experience and meeting people I would never normally have the chance to shake hands with.  In fact, if I really walked in with all those silly fears,  it just means I'm being as judgmental as I fear others will be to me, right?

So, who else is going?  Let's be Blogher pals. I've got an arsenal of terrible jokes to tell you.
     

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You've gotta check out this awesome weekly feature over at The Strange Attractor called Creative Couples

Each week they find and interview "creative couples, exploring their work, experiences, and what they have found to love about working with their significant other." 

Hmm, I wonder if I can get the fella to play with some crayons or something. 

Ha.

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So there's this great project that's been going on since January of this year.  The Great Interview Experiment and the host is Citizen of the Month.  (Another fantastic blog by the way).  The idea is to post a comment and whomever posts before you is your interviewer making you the interviewer of the commenter who follows you.  A great way to get to know your fellow bloggers!

I got lucky enough to interview an amazing woman named Elisa who writes a blog called Diary of an Unlikely Housewife.

She's really a remarkable woman and as it happens, we have quite a bit in common.  We live pretty near each other (she in Westchester and me in Brooklyn), we have a lot of the same tastes in books and go figure, she hates to clean.  Right on, sister, I can get behind you on that one!  However, the neatest part about reading her blog is the many differences we have.  She's the opposite of me in many ways including her fantastic sense of style and flair for cooking.  All of our similarities and differences made it a breeze and a blast to interview her. 

And here are the results:

Your first post is dated April 15, 2008, making you a relatively new blogger.  Can you describe for us what inspired you to start writing?
Blogging is perfect because it combines journaling with the socializing factor of of bulletin boards - you write about whatever is on your mind, which is very therapeutic, and you get to share it with people, so it gives you the chance to create your own network, your own community. I've "met" some great people since I started blogging.

You mention that you call yourself the Unlikely Housewife because it's not exactly where you thought life would take you.  So where did you see yourself going before you made the decision to stay home? 
I grew up in Sardinia, Italy - it's a gorgeous place, but it's also small, traditional, old-fashioned - most people live their whole lives without ever leaving the island! I loved it but also found it limiting in a way. I dreamed of becoming a translator, going to LA, traveling. People would laugh and say I'd grow out of it and settle down with a nice man - patronizing much? It only made me more determined.
 
When I finally moved to LA at 18 and then became a translator, I was happy. I was living my childhood dream at a very young age. At that point I wasn't really planning, I was just happy that I was where I wanted to be.
 
But I was always willing to embrace change - I think you have to find a good balance between "carpe diem" with "count your blessings" and setting your priorities. 
 
I wouldn't change it for the world. Except maybe I'd get a housekeeper.
 
Do you have any advice for new housewives?
No, no. I like to play to my strengths. I'm sure no housewife in her right mind would listen to me, anyway ;-)

You mention your love for cooking and shopping, is there anything else you love to do in your "me time"? 
Reading. I LOVE books. Sometimes I go to Barnes & Noble, get a coffee, sit down and grab a bunch of books. There's something magical about being in a place where you are surrounded by people's inspiration, ideas and knowledge. And Starbucks, that add to the magic.

Speaking of cooking, have any tips for a gal like me who fears the kitchen?  
I think cooking is one of those things that seems really scary but is really just about confidence. I taught my best friend to cook, and now she tries new recipes and new stuff and is a pretty good critic, as well. Start slow.
 
With my friend, I started by teaching her how Italians REALLY make pasta. How much salt to add to the water, the right consistency, a simple basil sauce. Then we went onto risotto. Once you know a few basics you can modify the ingredients or combine them with another recipe for a complete meal.
 
I would recommend starting out with some simple but good quality equipment: wooden spoons, a few stainless steel pots and pans. Then pick a type of cuisine you like and never get tired of, and learn the basics. Find a book or a class, but make sure they are for complete beginners, that way you won't get discouraged.
 
In fact, you have just given me an idea for my cooking blog: I might just start a series of beginner cooking lessons.

I noticed you also have a recipe blog.  Considering your love for sharing new products with your readers, any chance you'll start a style/beauty blog as well?
No, I don't think so. The cooking blog is really a side project for me, I plan on working on it more but as you can see it's not really seeing much action! I only like to write about fashion in snippets, in the measure in which I feel it's part of my life. For the rest, I prefer to read about it.

You mention you're from Italy and also lived in Switzerland at one point.  When did you come to the states and what brought you here?
My husband is Swiss, and Switzerland is a great place to live, so we lived in Switzerland for a while before coming here. But we like to travel and I had been wanting to spend some time abroad again, so when he was offered a 3-year international assignment we said yes. Who wouldn't want to live in the New York area for a while? It's lots of fun, the shopping is great, and New England is so gorgeous!

You've been married to your husband for 10 years.  Congratulations! Any advice on keeping a relationship going all that time?
Thank you! I never thought I'd get married so young (I was 21) and have such a successful marriage. My husband deserves a lot of credit: he is so patient! He's also very down to Earth and pretty mellow. We have a good balance because I am impatient, hyper and high-strung :-)
 
The fact that we are so different can seem like a challenge, but I think getting married is kind of like making a smoothie: you are mixing different flavors and while they may lose some of their individual consistency and taste, you created a new awesome flavor.
 
How has blogging effected your real life? Does your husband read it? 
I think it makes me happier. I made new friends, found some cool tips and some great reading material and I feel like I'm part of a network. I like that. But, I'm definitely going to need a housekeeper. Between the girls and blogging, the house doesn't get much love - or mopping.
 
My husband only reads what I print out for him. And I do print stuff out for him on a regular basis, in part to reassure him on the nature of my blog but also because I just like to share things with him and hear his opinion.

Even though you're just getting started, you seem to know your way around the blogosphere pretty well.  What are a few of your favorite blogs to read? 
Thank you! There are so many gret blogs out there... Most days I have to actually force myself to get off the pc or I'll spend all day reading my favorites and finding new ones!
 
I think right now my absolute favorites as far as personal blogs go are Mom 101 and Ok, Fine, Dammit. But I really love all the blogs on my blogroll and visit them as often as I can - BTW, I just added your blog, I love it. I also love The Style Observer, it's totally brilliant.

Thanks again Elisa!
Thank you, Ry! This was fun! I love to talk about ME. But then, if I didn't I wouldn't be blogging, right? ;-)
 (Wait, did I just spoil any good impression from the interview with a totally egomaniac line? Dang! So close.)
 
Don't forget to check out her fantastic blog, Diary of an Unlikely Housewife.
 
Oh, and just to throw one more little plug in, check out my interview over on Doobleh-Vay!

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