(hi Lisa!)
I have to be honest with you. I don’t really read “fashion” blogs. I never have. Back when I started “blogging” in 2004, there weren’t many, and my main source of community was the fashion board at makeup alley. (since I’m not active there, maybe I can mention them now, but there used to be a rule early on not to EVER mention makeup alley LOL – anyway, now they’re VERY popular and I’m pretty sure everyone knows about them.)
I was also active on the Purse Blog’s forum for a while, and those two forums combined kept me feeling like I had found people to share my passion with. Keep in mind that during the first 2-3 years of my “blog” I wasn’t using a platform that accepted comments, so I didn’t have you guys.
In the early days, I only read two blogs RELIGIOUSLY: The Coveted and Style Bytes (Does anyone remember her? She actually disappeared a few years ago, she had a pet pig). Over the years, I read Susie Bubble sometimes, Bryan Boy BEFORE Marc Jacobs named a bag after him, and sometimes looked at the Sartorialist. I felt like we were all in the same place – sort of – blogging professionally – but they were also very different from me, and grew faster and farther, and I stopped reading.
I’ve also peeked at some of the super-popular blogs here and there, but as I wrote several years ago, all that did was make me feel bad about my body, my photos, everything really, much like Pinterest does now. (seriously. every time I think I’m done with envy, Pinterest just kicks me in the ass: why doesn’t my quinoa lentil salad look like that? or my bathroom counter so perfect?)
Anyway…as a 41 year old woman, I’m finished devoting ANY time at all to feeling bad about myself and comparing myself to others (I’ve spent way more time than I should have up until now doing that…), so I’ve given up on Pinterest, neglected Facebook, and even Twitter & Instagram have fallen by the wayside lately. They are a slippery slope to FOMO (fear of missing out) and jealousy for me…
Now, I do things that enrich me, and I read blogs that inspire me, interest me, have a vibrant community, and that I can relate to.
Here they are (in no particular order):
Privilege – you know Lisa, who comments here frequently. I love her writing & her style.
Une Femme d’un Certain Age – Susan also comments here frequently. I love her travel posts and I can live vicariously through her wardrobe of Eileen Fisher (she’s a fellow harem pant owner).
Into the Gloss – a guilty pleasure, sometimes find some very good information.
les anti modernes – miss sophie has been on my list for many many years
looks good from the back – these ladies are hilarious, and a throwback to my days at MUA.
sarge in charge – Sarah also comments here, owns harem pants, and Sarah, if you’re reading, I wish you would blog more 😉
Girls of a certain age – Kim France’s blog. Enough said.
I want to be her – Andrea Linett. Again…Lucky has been my bible since it started, and I love that these two ladies are “of a certain age”
The Vivienne Files – have really been enjoying this since a reader mentioned Janice in the comments.
Style, Studs and Lace – Niki comments here sometimes, which is how I found her blog. LOVE her photos of India and her outfits.
Style Bildungsroman – Nanashi is always posting about what I’m thinking but in a more insightful way.
Stylish Murmurs – Deborah also comments here sometimes, which is how I found her blog. I LOVE her style (very minimalist) and look forward to her outfit posts – featuring her new harem pants.
Pear Shaped Gal – Also learned of this blog via Monica’s comments here. Love her posts about style for her shape (and her nutrition posts).
I’d like to read more over-forty blogs, and while I do infrequently read Not Dead Yet Style and 40 Plus Style (who recently interviewed Deborah! yay!), I feel sort of hesitant to jump into their communities for…wait for it…being too young. I sort of feel like I haven’t come into my own enough to commiserate with those ladies who HAVE.
I’ve also always tended to stick with blog(gers) who share my aesthetic to a certain extent. And those ladies love their color!!! Which is wonderful – just not “me.” But I certainly appreciate it on others, so I’ll be heading over there more often from now on.
What blogs do you read? Other than Grechen’s Closet of course 😉 haha….had to put that out there, right? Any suggestions for blogs I’m missing out on? Why do you read blogs? Do you want to relate to the blogger? Or do you read aspirational blogs?
*and while going through thinking of blogs I miss (who don’t post anymore), I saw that Erica from A History of Architecture IS posting again. Hooray!!
All of these sound interesting….will have to check out. Debbie Roes of Recovering Shopaholic, beautifully written, love her thoughts. Maybe that’s how I found you? Not sure now. Am really enjoying your blog.
thank you pam! i just added debbie’s blog to my list!!
Although I read several other blogs, yours is the only one that I consistently comment on. Why? It’s because you’re “different.” (In a wonderful way.) You share your insecurities and issues, as well as writing about interesting topics. BTW: I just took a look at your other site. I didn’t know about it until now, and look forward to reading your older posts.
I also don’t “do” Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, for many of the reasons that you cited. Your “quinoa lentil salad and bathroom counter” line made me laugh. I’d like to see these “lovely ladies” in the morning sans makeup, wearing old sweats, and eating Frosted Flakes. Everyone presents their perfect side online, but I like a dose of reality.
Ha! So fun to chat across different Internet spots:). Thank you for reading Grechen, and for your style, which inspires me all the dang time. Some of the blogs you list are new to me – so I”ll take a look.
In an odd coincidence, today Sue at Une Femme are co-posting with outfits each chose for the other. She put me in skinny jeans and rocker makeup. I put her in a Dame Helen MIrren outfit:). It was really fun.
Lisa´s last blog post ..Under The Influence
I should have written, “Sue and I are posting…”
Lisa´s last blog post ..Under The Influence
this is brilliant. i love the idea of that; forcing yourself to go outside your comfort zone…and it turned out beautifully for both of you.
maybe i’ll crowdsource an outfit from readers here and do something similar! hmmm….
These all sound great; I look forward to checking out the ones that are new to me. I am drawn to blogs (like yours) written by down-to-earth individuals whose personality really shines through. I read Sally from Already Pretty, Marlene from Chocolate Cookies & Candies, Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life, Kendra from Closet Confections, and Kristin from The Highland Fashionista. These women all share my aesthetic, outlook on life, and general age range.
Laurel´s last blog post ..Groovy gear: Reversible totes
i feel really honored to be on your list, and don’t forget that we find your blog and style journey just as inspiring!! 🙂
hope you’re enjoying spring already. it’s still SO cold here in NY.
miss sophie´s last blog post ..style notes: on feminism and fashion
thank you RJS!! that blog is pretty old, but there are still some good articles on there – mostly about blogging though. since i write for IFB (heartifb.com) now, i don’t do much on grechenblogs.com anymore….or any of my other sites, really…
i’m so glad you’re blogging now too! i actually look at your blog every time you leave a comment and there’s a new article up. you’re absolutely a new favorite 🙂
and thanks for the other recs…
Gretchen, thanks so much for the mention! I’m truly honored. As Lisa said, funny you should put us next to each other on the list after our collaboration today. 🙂
déjà pseu´s last blog post ..Under The Influence
Other than your blog, I’ve found myself moving more toward some really funny mom blogs (Mommy Shorts is absolutely hysterical). Like you, I increasingly feel that I can’t relate to the glossy photos of many of the fashion bloggers I used to read — for me it’s mostly because I work all day and then go home to a toddler, so I can’t fathom having the luxury of wandering the streets of NYC with a professional photographer every day. When I do actually get around to posting outfit photos on my blog, they’re either inside or in front of my house, taken by my husband while my son does everything he can to make the process more difficult. It’s a glamourous life 🙂
Jessica @ Beautify My Life´s last blog post ..Beyond black: What to wear to a spring wedding
Ah shucks! Thanks for the kudos. I’m just having a little fun online. 🙂
… But what about Gwenyth?
Thanks so much for the mention <3 I agree .. I sort of gravitate to the blogs that are interesting to me, but you have to remember that no one's life is as fabulous as their blog .. lol.
Plus, I like comfortable clothing (which is why I like your blog) and if I had to wear a dress every day – I'd hang myself .. 😉
Monica.
MonicaP´s last blog post ..A few items from All Cosmetics Wholesale
haha! i wait for her newsletter to come – i don’t go to her site very often. and i might be “over” her a little right now…
Oh, thank you! You are so nice to include us on such a great list of reads! I’ve been a fan of yours for years. Awww, MUA. As for my favorites right now:
http://www.stuffjewishgirlslike.com (She doesn’t update much anymore. I wish she would! )
http://bluecollarredlipstick.com
http://stylebysantina.blogspot.com
http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/
um. so weird. i mentioned MUA and get a bunch of referrals today?? i thought i was in trouble!!!!!
just a link to my everlane seed stitch review LOL
In addition to the ones mentioned already, I also like:
http://www.simplelovelyblog.com/ (lovely art, style and interiors, plus Joslyn lives in Dallas, so should have some good local tips for you)
http://abloomsburylife.blogspot.com/ (Lisa is an artist and always has an interesting mix of art / interiors/ literature on her site)
http://www.aestheticalterations.com/blog/ (While C’s body type could not be more different than mine, and I don’t own a single Hermes anything, she has a beautiful sense of her own style and I am living vicariously through her recent move to NYC.)
thanks jen!! i read joslyn’s blog on and off, it’s just not a regular-read. i’ve always loved it though.
and the ohter ones i haven’t heard of. off to check them out!!
Not only am I on this great list of blogs, but you want more? I am going to be insufferable this weekend… ego out of control 🙂
I am always so flattered to know you read since I have been following you since the OrgHipChick days and have made many a purchase influenced by you. Thank you!
omg. orghipchick!!! and active endeavors…ah…the good old days…
I read a lot of blogs, and of all different types from home design to cooking. Fashion-wise I still like Garance Dore because she is funny and The Sartorialist because he posts aspirationally elegant women a lot. I also think he posts lots of variety in terms of age. The thing I like most about blogs is engagement with the readers. I like your blog because you actually read your comments and respond, which creates an actual discussion on the blog. I’d say that’s a characteristic between all my favorite blogs.
I love a history of architecture as well! And sarge in charge (hi!), les antimodernes, search-party (stopped positing but is on instagram), aesthetic alterations (so glad she’s back!), yours (duh!), lin from out of the bag, and that group… I love ITG, and normally can’t stand beauty sites. They’re doing something right…
My blog reading is a little all over the place. Obviously, I read you regularly, and I also read Lisa’s blog. You two are like the classy ladies that I aspire to be; what I call effortlessly chic. I read a lot of plus-size blogs – The Curvy Fashionista, Garner Style, Whit and Whimsy, Curvily, Authentically Emmie, etc; Austin bloggers Keep Austin Stylish and Trophy Boutique; friend bloggers like J’s Everyday Fashion, Oh Hey What’s Up, Snappy Casual, Words of Williams, and Hipstercrite. I quite reading the blogs that made me feel bad about myself. Luckily for every one blog like that, I find 10 that are awesome. I’ll definitely check out some of the ones on your list!
Cathy Benavides´s last blog post ..Outfit Pic…. And The Big Reveal!
First time visitor, Grechen! I found you after Google image searching James Perse + Birkenstock outfits. Love, love, love your style. It is so refreshing in a sea of rhinestones-on-sweatshirts, It bags, and Valentino Rockstuds that have no place in everyday life for 99% of people. Either way, your post about blogs is timely because I’ve actually added a couple of new (to me, anyway) places to check in — apparently the internet does harbor a few corners where minimalism and monochromatism thrive! Okay, so with the caveat that these are all established blogs that I’m sure everyone’s heard of, my latest discoveries:
http://afterdrk.com she’s quite young but I love her simple, androgynous style. Beautiful photography.
http://www.styleandminimalism.com solid outfit ideas
http://www.stopitrightnow.com a little chi-chi for me, but I love the author’s voice and humor.
oh, thank you so much!! i hadn’t heard of the first two, stop it right now i’ve looked at a few times. off to check them out, and welcome!!!
Hi Grechen, how surprised was I to see Stylish Murmurs mentioned in your post! I cannot thank you enough for your kind words and inclusion in your list of blogs you enjoy. I struggle to keep up with all my blog reading and often have a lot of catching up to do. Like you, I want to be inspired and feel I can relate to the blogs I am reading. As I have mentioned before, I enjoy your blog immensely because I believe we have a similar style aesthetic. I get some wonderful ideas from you and we both like wearing items that drape and flow and are comfortable. Other blogs that are must reads for me are http://www.odysseyhome.com, http://www.glassorganelle.com (a fellow Aussie), http://youlookfab.com (Angie is wonderful and I participate frequently on the Forum). It’s hard to single out only a few but there are others I read and love who demonstrate quite a different style to my own, but whose style I really admire.