Tell Me About…..Blogging
Our bloggers’ group prompt for this month was, well, blogging! I’m probably the least experienced of the other women in the group. Although I started mine 5 years ago, I’ve let many things get in the way of regular posting. Still, it’s been enlightening to look back on the process…
I’m not sure when I first started reading blogs – maybe 2017? I’d been feeling frumpy, dowdy, and like someone who’d thrown in the towel on her appearance. I’d begun reading about style and fashion, and began to seek out inspiration and advice online.
I’m not sure which fashion/midlife/style blogs I stumbled upon, but one of the first was the uber-stylish Martina Berg . As I was once almost-fluent in German, I enjoyed reading the original German, then using the “translate” button to English to see how much I’d gotten right. Martina also travels to lovely places in the Alps, and I also enjoyed how she showcased traditional Bavarian/alpine fashion, or “trachten” clothing – dirndl skirts, etc.
Cindy Spivey was a fashion blogger who lived close to me. I remember wondering who took her photos, and if they were all done at her house. It took me a while to realize that some people had dedicated photographers (both amateur and professional), and they actually went places to do their own photoshoots!
The first blog where I got real advice I could use was Susan After 60. She also lived one state away from me, and had a really inspiring personal story. I often recommended her to people who were just dipping their toe into the style waters…
My true “fairy blogmother” is Jodie Filogomo of Jodie’s Touch of Style. Jodie was a retired dentist in Denver, who did photo shoots with her mom and her stepmom, all of whom had really different body types and styles. She has the most creativity when it comes to “being the boss of your clothes”, and while I wouldn’t wear every outfit she puts together, she’s really gotten me to be much more accepting of my body and its uniqueness. She’s also incredibly kind and helpful.
I started commenting on posts that interested me (which only seems polite), and Jodie would always reply! We struck up a friendship, and in the meantime she moved to Arizona. When I mentioned to her I had a business trip coming up there, she invited me to come stay at her house – having never met in person before! It definately set a new standard in hospitality for me 🙂 Of course we got on like a house on fire, I loved her husband and her mom, and got to do a photo shoot with the team (you too, Lesley). She helped me get my own blog set up, which I found very intimidating (and still do, to be truthful), and I’ll always be grateful.
I also have to mention Catherine Summers of Not Dressed as Lamb. Catherine rocks a 70-s style, wrote a lot about bloggers and content creators knowing their worth, and always sounded like someone you’d really want to have a cup of coffee with. She also curates a regular post of things across the internet that were fascinating, beautiful or funny, that always sends me down a horizon-widening rabbit hole.
My true blog icon is Nikki Garnett of Midlife Chic, or as she calls it, The Thinking Woman’s Style Blog. I’ll let you read Nikki’s interesting story for yourself, but what I love most (aside from the gorgeous photos taken by her excellent photographer husband Mal) is how her career in the fashion, publishing and advertising words allow her to analyze trends and tell you the how and why of them. She explains how a certain fabric drapes a certain way, how the cut works for this body type or that, as well as why retailers do certain things. There are also great travel posts, discussions of midlife issues, as well as what’s going on in her personal life and why it’s significant. Not only does she always reply to comments, there is great camaraderie among her followers, several of which I now count as friends as well.
So how about my own blogging experience? Well, when I first began, I thought I could post every week like all my heroes. Then I began to realize the TIME required to: 1) write something anyone would want to read 2) take, edit and post interesting photos and 3) master WordPress. Then I realized that most of my blogger heroines did not have full time jobs that kept them away from home and their blogging keyboards for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week – for most of them, their blog WAS their job!
Jodie helped me brainstorm names, and I came up with MK’s Adventures in Style. The fact that autocorrect would always change the URL to “misadventure.com” is too perfect -bwahahah! It’s technically a “lifestyle” blog, as I’m just too scattered to ever write about just one thing. I originally divided my posts into categories of Fashion, Food, Travel, Rural Life and “Just Life”, but Food and Rural Life have really gotten short-changed of late.
I let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and think every post has be a certain length, full of excellent photos. I always want to write about big trips, but it takes so long to download photos and tell everything I want to say. The bloggers’ group that the awesome Gail Hanlon of Is This Mutton started (or at least it was she who invited me to join) has been a real godsend to make me churn out at least one post per month.
The other great thing about it is the other bloggers I’ve met – from England, the US, Australia and Portugal. Their posts provide wonderful peeks into other people’s lives around the world – how different they are and how many things are the same. I hope to meet at least some of them in person one day.
I’ll end (if you’ve made it this far) by saying the best thing about blogging is always the comments from readers. Aside from the statistics (which I used to find SO entertaining) about who read the post and from where, they’re the only confirmation you get that anybody’s “listening”, that you’re not just dropping a stone over the side of the ship into the ocean. I stopped commenting (and eventually reading) many blogs whose authors never responded – why take comments if you’re too rude to acknowledge them? I enjoy replying back and feeling like a connecting is made. I guess that’s why I blog in the first place – to make connections and to make the world feel like a less big and scary place. Thanks for reading!
Now see what the REAL bloggers (yes, I have Imposter Syndrome) – who’ve been doing it for YEARS and have thousands of followers – have to say on the subject!
Suzy takes us through her extensive and colourful journey in the world of blogging, from her early days to her current passions. Find her at www.suzyturner.com
How do bloggers decide what to write about? Are there certain topics off limits to you? Debbie discusses these issues, and blogging in general, in her Tell Us About post. https://debs-world.com/2023/10/25/how-do-bloggers-decide-what-to-write-about/
Gail from Is This Mutton has been blogging since 2006 and reckons she’ll still be at it in her 90s, probably wearing purple. Read the post: https://www.isthismutton.com
Leslie from Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After began blogging 10 years ago as an outlet for her writing. In this month’s edition of Tell Us About, she talks about her fair-weather friendship with blogging and her various take aways from her half-hearted efforts.https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/
Marsha is probably the newest blogger in the group. She recently celebrated her third blogoversary on July 8th. Her goal was to learn something new. Did she? And here is the link to my blog: https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Penny has been blogging for over 11 years now. She takes you back to those early years and some of her clunky photographs! She also tells you why she has two blogs on the go at the same time. Find out more on her blog at https://frugalfashionshopper.co.uk
30 Comments
Jodie
This was so fabulous to read and I find the connection with others to be one of the biggest advantages of blogging. I also think it’s a great way to learn more about ourselves because you end up analyzing a lot more than you think you will.
XOXO
Jodie
mkmiller
Girl, where would I be without YOU!?!? It is lovely how we can create our own communities of like-minded folks we admire and come to love. I have learned more from you than you’ll ever know.xoxoxox
Marsha Banks
You’ve got me beat by two years! I am still learning, but that’s part of the reason I started blogging. It took me a while to understand just why some blogs looked so much more professional than mine…those dedicated photographers, fabulous places nearby, and, of course, lots of free stuff to photograph! But, that’s what’s cool about the blogosphere…there’s something for almost everyone!
We will have to meet up sometime as Versailles really isn’t that far from Indianapolis!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
mkmiller
I would love that, Marsha! I’m in New Albany next month for work, but all my time is spoken for. Our horse may run at your racetrack in Indy, and if so, we can have a meet-up!
Jill James
This one is so interesting reading how we all started. Learning from others is how I started too and as both you and Marsha said so many blogs were so professional unlike mine. I do think over time we find our happy place .It is the connections we make and a peek into others lives in different countries that is the reason I still enjoy blogging.
Mireille
So glad you linked your post in your stories, it had been forever since I had stopped by your blog! Cindy Spivey blog was one if the first I read but have since stopped. Jodie is my favorite of all times and yes, she is awesome in person too! Loved reading about your blogging journey!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
mkmiller
Thanks, Mireille! I have to say I used to follow you and stopped when I had to winnow down what I was reading – so many blogs, so little time! You and I are each the first houseguests Jodie & Rob had in new houses (we are an exclusive group!), and I know you loved it every bit as much as I did. I’m really enjoying reading about your trip to the “other” Georgia recently.
mkmiller
Jill, you’ve become one of my favorites! I am in awe of your style and your curated wardrobe collection, and love reading about Tasmania.
David Iorio
Your blog is always interesting. Now I have insight into why you blog and how you learned to do it. Good story!
mkmiller
Thanks for the comment, David! You are one of my only male readers, and I appreciate your perspective.
Debbie Harris
Thanks for this great post MK! Although I’m in Australia I also follow Jodie and loved all her photoshoots with her mum and stepmother – see we have people in common!!
Your post shows how often we are able to show our vulnerability with our blogging but still get on with it. I’m still learning and don’t know anything about SEO and such but really don’t care that much! I have ‘met’ so many clever and creative women through blogging and don’t know what I;d do without this form of self exprression. Thanks for joining in and I’m glad you enjoyed the prompt, it’s a great way of learning more about our community isn’t it?
mkmiller
Aw, thanks so much, Debbie! My favorite thing about this group is learning about living in Australia from you, Sue and Jill. Sue’s daily exercise challenge is keeping me accountable! Cannot wait to be retired and have TIME to do all the things – blogging will be one of them!
Gail
It was great to read your different angle about the different women who have inspired you. Two of then- Catherine and Nikki – inspired me too and I’ve been fortunate to meet them. I don’t know how you manage to find time to blog with your awesome and demanding job, and travels. Hope we will meet one day!
mkmiller
Thanks, Gail! I’m just trying to keep my blog alive until I retire in a year, then I think I’ll REALLY enjoy it. Envious that you’ve met Catherine & Nikki. I look forward to meeting you one day! I could design a whole trip around the UK visiting blogging and IG friends. We hope to spend at least a few weeks in the UK regularly after retirement, so it could be a reality. In the meantime, thanks for all your inspiration and support.
Michelle Mosley
MK ~ It’s a giddy feeling for me, like one would feel when receiving a surprise gift, to see your newsletter arrive in my inbox! I too, feel through your writing, a connection. That’s probably due to the fact that your writing style is honest and genuine. If I can’t live closer to you, at least we have many other ways to connect such as this. 🥰
mkmiller
Michelle, that is the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about the blog! Yup, if we can’t live closer, blogs and social media are the next best thing…
Rosie Amber
No imposter syndrome needed you are a blogger! It doesn’t matter how often you blog or how many followers that you have.
I love that you’ve made friends and met up with some of them. It’s part of what I love about blogging, finding those like-minded souls around the world.
Now I’m not a fashion blogger, I have my nose in a book or my feet in my garden, but I do have to wear somehting other than wellies occasionally!
Keep up th blogging.
mkmiller
Hi Rosie! You write about 2 of my favorite things – books and flowers, so we should get along like a house on fire! I just subscribed to your delicious-looking blog…
Janet Replogle
I ALWAYS read every word as I have for 57 years. I just don’t always post a comment. We called them “letters” back in the OLDEN DAYS! Haha! Love you, love your journ(al)ey. (See what I did there? Tee hee!)
mkmiller
Haha! You are definately my most long-term and loyal fan – as I am yours!
Penny
What a great read, Mary. I remember being so worried at the start of my blogging life: technically it was a big leap but I wondered would I have enough to say for a weekly blog??? I was absolutely in awe of bloggers who posted more than once a week – and still am! And to have a blog whilst still working is a big achievement – well done you!
Like you I feel that replying to the comments is such a joy and I feel I have created a really lovely little community of women who comment regularly. And as for meeting up with other bloggers – it is amazing how we make friendships across great oceans and land masses. It’s so good meeting up with other bloggers – I guess it’s because we are like-minded communciators intersted in all sorts not just fashion. .
And to have a dedicated photographer – if only! Great post MaryK I really enjoyed reading it
mkmiller
Thanks, Penny – that means a lot coming from you! I loved the retrospective in your latest post. It’s so important to see beautiful women aging beautifully and unapologetically! I hope to follow your graceful lead…
Nikki
Oh MK this was so lovely to read – you have me blushing. I echo your thoughts about the difficulty balancing work and blogging. For me the thing that had to be dropped was relationships with other bloggers or Instagrammers. I just couldn’t manage to keep up the communication and ended up seeming rude so I blog in an island but I think you’re doing the right thing by having people who understand around you. You write brilliantly, keep it up and as always, thank you for being such a big part of my blog community too – you’re a shining light X
mkmiller
This is a milestone for me – to have you commenting on MY blog instead of the other way around! I SO appreciate the encouragement from one of my “she-roes”. I understand the dilemma – there are so many more blogs I’d like to read per week than I possibly can, and social media is the black hole of free time. We’ll just do the best we can. I can’t wait to see where your blog takes us next, or what I’ll do with this one after next year’s retirement…
Suzy Turner
Five years is still a long time to be blogging, MK!
Your post is fantastic…I think it’s so lovely that you mentioned the bloggers who influenced or helped you along. Catherine was one of the first style bloggers who I followed, even though my style is very different from hers. I love that she always used to say wear what you want! Jodie is fabulous, isn’t she? I haven’t visited her blog in such a long time. The last time I did, some of the pop up ads created so many issues for me that I haven’t been back. I really should have mentioned it to her really (so bad of me not to). I see her a lot on Instagram though, and comment whenever I have a minute!
I used to follow Midlife Chic too but stopped getting emails. I just assumed she’d stopped blogging? I must have a look!
Fabulous post, MK!
Hugs
Suzy xx
mkmiller
Suzy – thanks so much for your kind words! I find an ebb and flow to who I follow, which says more about who I am at that moment than them. I am put off by people who are blatant about always trying to sell me something, but I also realize they are trying to make a living. If I followed all the blogs I wanted, I’d never do anything else, right? But do check out Midlife Chic – she really takes seriously the responsibility of exploring the challenges of midlife women to help us all, and to make our voice heard to the retail fashion industry.
Leslie Susan Clingan
I am so glad to feel like I know you better after having read this post. Jodie has helped so many bloggers get started or continue on their blogging journey. And she helped me find the cutest pair of red flats when I couldn’t afford some of her linked-to red shoe suggestions on a post long ago. Still have and love the shoes. And Jodie.
I followed Cyndy Spivey very early on, too. And her photos are always so well done, I agree. I can’t get my husband to help much in that department. I think he feels like I am saying ‘look at me’ when I share a style post, and I have to admit, I feel that way a little myself. Same thing with comments. I get so embarrassed reading comments. Silly? But I feel like I am somehow asking people to say something nice to me!! Anyway, someday maybe I will grow up!!
Had forgotten you are a KY girl. I was in Paris, KY for a wedding in June. And will be heading back through KY on the way to Ohio in August. Such a beautiful state. That and Tennessee, which was my childhood home.
Hope to continue to get to know you better. Hoping I can continue to find time to blog and read blogs, too. It is a time consuming activity.
mkmiller
Leslie – I’m glad you’re a Jodie fan too, and that you know my neck of the woods. I wrestle with feeling like I’m obsessed with myself and my clothes, always taking selfies for social media. I recently had an acquaintance reply to a post with “surprise – you posted yet another photo of yourself” – snark much?!?!? I try to look at it as everyone follows or reads by choice. If they don’t like the content, why are they following you anyway?!? I enjoy following other women’s journeys, and hope they do mine too – if not, begone!
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
Oh Mary Katherine I am SO flattered that you mentioned me, thank you… you are always so lovely and so supportive, I can’t tell you how much I always appreciate chatting to you! Blogging has changed so much in the last few years, I’ve been at it for 13 years as you probably know and it’s nothing like it used to be. That IS a good thing I guess, but there are lots of things I miss about the old days. You mentioned not knowing how bloggers have time to do everything – to be honest I had MORE time to blog when I worked full time, as being a f/t blogger means I am constantly doing admin and trying to earn money and it leaves me practically no time for the best bit – creating – which is horribly ironic… I used to post 2-3 posts a week when I had a f/t job, now I struggle to do one a month!
I envy those who hobby blog, adding money into the equation makes it so much more stressful. I’m so glad you love it so much – I still do of course, but there’s so much growing and evolving needed to survive!
C x
mkmiller
Oh Catherine, I just saw this comment, after I just commented on your most recent post which makes it sound like I haven’t – but nevermind! It’s so lovely to hear from you – that’s another milestone for my little blog! There seems to be a huge category of retired-women-hobby-bloggers now, of which I hope to join in less than a year now (can you tell I’m looking forward to it?!?!?) Anyway, thanks so much for your kind words. I so hope things get easier for you very soon. If you ever get discouraged, just holler and I’ll do my best to cheer you up!
xoxox
MK