Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Talk About it Tuesday: Favorite Blogs

So today I'm starting this segment that will be a way for me to share a little of whats on my mind with you guys. This segment can be about anything and everything, It's just going to be a quick post about whatever I feel like writing about that day and today I want to talk about blogs.

Image from © Lime Lane Photography

Clearly you know something of blogs, because you found this one and I assume you know how/why you got here. Blogs are personal websites, usually ran by one or a group of people that focus on a topic and post original articles about said topic weekly, or monthly, sometimes sporadically. If you want some recommendations for great blog-reading, or to get a peak inside my brain, read more below!


When I started blogging, I knew what a blog was and I even already had a few that I read everytime I noticed they'd updated. Now that I'm immersed in the blogging world it's a whole other story, my feed is jam packed full of stylish, well-written, beautifully photographed, awesome blogs that I do my best to keep up with. Here are my top 5 blogs, from an array of categories, in no particular order.

1. Magical Daydream by Mariëlle

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  This blog was actually discovered through the blog below, because of an interview. Isn't the internet a magical place? If you don't think so you should definitely check out this blog. Mariëlle writes about creativity, playfulness, magic, art, and kindness. These are all topics I love to read about and try to foster in my daily life. When I was a child I had a huge imagination and believed in magic and fairies and elves and witches and wizards, as I grew up(probably mid-middle school) my love of all things magical and my belief sort of fell to the wayside with the pressures of school, grades, life, the future bearing down on me. Finding Mariëlle's blog really helped me rediscover that part of my self, and now I'm trying to let it grow again and refuse to let it be crushed. Not to mention that she lives in the Netherlands, is a guerrilla street artist, just graduated college so is trying to find her way in life, and is a total sweetheart. There is a lot to admire and relate to with Miss Mariëlle.

2. Dream A Little Bigger by Allison

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This was literally one of the first craft blogs I ever found, when I actually knew what a blog was and didn't just think wow, this is an odd website, wonder why its so personalized. (An actual thought pre-2010).  Anyway, DALB is run by Allison, a crafting goddess/crazy cat lady who is a woman after my own heart. She tackles a multitude of different projects and knocks them all out of the park. Her blog also features beautiful pictures of her 4 crafty cat assistants. Oh! I just remembered what my first DALB project I ever found was, her Jailhouse Stripped Glitter shoe makeover! Allison's feet are some of the best dressed in blogger town, and I'm even counting fashion bloggers, but I've always been more of a DIY than BUY kinda gal. Allison is also like me in that she likes to try new crafts/learn new skills, so if you're looking for more challenging projects she's your gal. But she also has wonderful crafts for beginners and even kids, as her nephews sometimes like to help out Auntie A with her blogging.
(Also if you somehow haven't heard by now, I contribute here! Check out my projects)

3. Dinosaur Dracula! by Matt

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Ah Matt, my old standby. He may not look it in this picture, but this is a brilliant man. Before Dinosaur Dracula, he ran a site called X-Entertianment (Nothing dirty here I promise). Matt is a bit of an oddball in real life, but he really stands out in this countdown among the crafty/creative ladies. Matt has a unique love for holidays (especially Halloween), old/limited edition food and drinks, and classic toys. Mostly he celebrates holidays his own special way on his blog and writes reviews for old packets of kool aid or bulbasaur plushies he won out of prize grabbers on the NJ boardwalk. If you are looking for a really unique voice and P.O.V., check him out. Reading his stuff has made me a better writer. Speaking of writing I forgot to mention that irl he works for TV doing producing and editing and so on, he's worked on Avatar and Spongebob.

4. Twinkie Chan Blog by Twinkie Chan 

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  Oh Twinkie Chan!  She's a delightful crochet master, who is most famous for her food scarves and general food-themed motifs. During my crafty renaissance in the middle of high school, where I decided my new life goal was to be able to make, craft, create anything, I took it upon myself to learn how to crochet. I only crocheted amigurumi, stuffed animals, for the longest time until I stumbled upon Twinkie Chan's site and promptly fell in love with all of her creations, followed her on everything, and bought her amazing book. I am awful for finishing big projects and so most of my projects of hers are on my shelf of unfinished projects. She has a super quirky fashion sense and encourages cuteness and dressing however you like no matter your age, and generally feels you should just do you. On her blog you can find free patterns and even crafty tutorials sometimes, as well as outfit of the day posts, and yarn and crochet reviews. Also, she is totally my entrepreneurial idol.

 

5. Zauberbear by Carly

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This is a blog I found through a comment at Magical Daydream. Carly describes her blog as "Offbeat life lessons from a perpetually optimistic girl and her magical stuffed bear." now that's a tagline that draws a reader in, or at least that's how she hooked me! Carly's and Marielle's blogs have their similarities; they both blog about playfulness and enjoyment of life (Carly's blog has game ideas and a merriment section)and they both advise you on how to use your imagination and how to be creative. One of the things that really sets Zauberbear apart is the narrative aspect; Silkworm, the previously mentioned "magical stuffed bear" is a magnet for trouble and other creatures of magic(like calls to like). So, Carly documents (with gorgeous photos!) all the magical experiences that happen to her and he, as well as the ongoing series of what happens each full moon when Silkworm's powers go loco. She's a lovely writer!

If you check out any of these sites and get as hooked as I have (I've been checking up on all but the last, regularly for at least 2+ years) let me know! I'd love to talk about them with you! Or while you're there, leave them some comment love to show you appreciate their work, nothing makes a blogger's day more :)

Check back on Thursday for some exciting mascot news and come see my second DALB post on Saturday! :)

Til Next Time!

8 comments:

  1. These are great! I love reading other peoples favorite blogs, I have so many but I might do a post like this. ;)

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    1. Thanks! Me too, you get to learn about the person a little, and get great new reading material! I'd love to read it if you do :D

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  2. I like this segment! Thanks for the suggestions - I love finding new blogs.

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    1. Yay! Talk About It Tuesday is Mary approved! :D You're welcome! Like I said, let me know if you get hooked!

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  3. I have yet to hear about Dinosaur Dracula! but I am SO on my way over to read it. :)

    (Thank you so much for including me, ahhh, Silkworm and I are honored!)

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    1. :D Matt's witty writing will keep you entertained for hours, but he also did video reviews of advent calenders/toys and those are great as well!

      (You are so very welcome! You two work super hard and totally deserve recognition and fame!

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  4. l have been following Zauberbear and Dream A Little Bigger for a long timeand l am going to follow yours. l like your favourite blogs.

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    1. Aren't they wonderful? Thanks Janan :D Clearly we both have good taste, so we're sure to be good friends :)

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