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!
The Great Interview Experiment with Unlikely Housewife