Friday, January 21, 2011

FBFF: Authentic and Genuine Bloggers

Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without-
1. Little S. (does she count as a thing?)
2. Toothpaste
3. Toothbrush
4. Facewash
5. Wipes

Katy's questions for FBFF this week pertain to blogger authenticity and genuineness.
I was so excited about this topic, mainly because I tend to ... not read blogs that I don't think are genuine. And I also really enjoy making true friends through this community, which would be hard to do with people who aren't portraying their real selves.

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?
Obviously, orginal content when posting is the first thing that comes to mind. Authentic bloggers should have their own ideas and if they're borrowing ideas from elsewhere (a website, magazine, another blogger...), the source should always be credited AND the blogger should put their own spin on things. Also, when I think of blogger authenticity, I think of being able to hear the person speak to me, because I imagine they are writing what they are living and that they're telling me a real and true story or sharing something with me that they are passionate about.

2. When it comes to your blog how do you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling?
My biggest hope for my blog is that when you read it, you have a warm, fuzzy, friendly feeling about it (or me) or the content. I've said it before- I write like I speak. I treat you all as if you're my best friends or my mom. What I write and share with you are things that I truly care about. If I ask questions to my readers, it's because I really want to know what you have to say. I'm not high-fashion, so I don't write about high fashion or try to wear it. I'm "everyday" and I hope that comes through in both my outfits and the things I choose to share with all of you.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?
I have stopped following four blogs. I suppose I lost interested because posting was once a week or less, and the content simply wasn't inspiring to me. Blogs are inspirational and entertaining for me. I get ideas here. I meet real, genuine, friends, here. I'm giving myself to you in that way, and I guess if I'm not feeling it back, I just don't want to be stressed out with "one more blog" to catch up on in my reader. That's not how it should feel. I keep blogs around that I'm excited to visit.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life... what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?
I work full time, outside of the home, am a wife that goes through the same relationship ups and downs as everyone else in the world, am raising my gorgeous and impressionable daughter, try to spend as much time with friends and family as my schedule (and bank account) allows... I'm just me. I always have been. I'm the funny friend that does everything in her will to make my girlfriend laugh when she's down. I say bad words when I shouldn't and talk too much in awkward situations (because awkward silences are worse). I get home and put my PJs on, immediately. I picked up a $5 pizza last night, because I'm sick of cooking all the time. So, yeah... I'm just me. And now, I'm me, with this awesome blog.

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?
Oh holy moly- In answer 3, I talked about why I "keep people around." Well, I follow over 150 blogs at this point, and I wouldn't be following a single one if I didn't think something about the writer was truly genuine. Some people/blogs that come to mind at first thought are:

Melissa has gone through so much in the past year. She's so real. When she needs to take a break and deal with life, she lets us know, because she's a good friend. She speaks sweetly, is a hard-working mother, and doesn't care about being a "mainstream" fashionista. She's Melissa. And she's so good at it. My first "real" friend via blogging- I haven't met Melissa in person (yet), but I might as well have. We're like... soulmates. It's so weird. And awesome.

Another blogger that has become my friend IRL- she's thoughtful, caring, and she shares little tidbits about her day, her marriage, and her real life experiences on her blog. She is just as sweet (if not even moreso!) in person as she portrays in her writing and she's another lady that's got a lot going on in her life, but doesn't mind taking the time to give to the community as well.

I think when people think of "genuine" bloggers, their first instinct is to name people that are lower profile, and a little slower circuit. Then, their second instinct should be to throw that idea out the window and for sure, the name "Collette Osuna" will quickly pop into your head. Sure, Collette has a zillion readers and works in the fashion industry. She's a known writer and was voted Michigan's Best Dressed. That might all sound intimidating, but trust me- the woman is giving, caring, supportive, and I haven't "met" another blogger that genuinely cares so much about her readers AND her friends.

Holy Mother of Pearl- what an inspiration this woman has been to me! ML is another very giving and supportive blogger who has become a true friend. She reached out to me as soon as she started blogging and we became fast friends. She is not only gorgeous and completely stylish, but she portrays herself so well in her blog. ML has an extremely busy personal life but has never shied away from being there for me when I've needed a shoulder.

Genuine, REAL people make genuine bloggers.

Okay, I'm going to process some travel, then hop around the FBFF posts!
I heard from a birdie that someone and someone else might have mentioned me on their blogs, today.
SosososososoSO honored!

xoxo,
Kimberly

28 comments:

  1. lovely and amaizing outfit! :)

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  2. Aww your comment seriously made my day!! Thank you :)

    I agree with you! Loved the "I write like I speak" because that's really the way you can feel that you're interacting with a real human being, living an actual life!

    Love the floral dress! Looks so cheerful :) x

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  3. That dress makes me think of a chalkboard and chalk drawings in the best way possible.

    You're blog is incredibly authentic and fun to follow :-)

    Rochelle

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  4. @Ania, thank you very much!

    @Gertrude- SO glad I found your blog, today. :) I think we might be quite a bit alike- at least our writing. :)

    @Rochelle- now that you mention it, this dress is very chalkboard inspired! Thanks. :) It also feels like a NIGHTGOWN. Weee! Double good. Thanks for thinking I'm authentic. It's what I think of every morning when I wake up. Okay, joke. But no, really. I'm real.

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  5. The part about the awkward silence is so me. I cannot handle that. I hate anything awkward which is probably why I can't stand to watch The Office. It makes me so uncomfortable.
    Great answers :)
    BTW, I love the bright floral print. Makes me dream of spring.

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  6. I have to say, it's been difficult for me to move over to Blogspot from Livejournal. Because the journals I read over there, and my journal as well, were all friends-only...people were a lot more genuine, truly willing to speak their minds, leave actual meaningful comments etc. I wanted to try my hand at a public blog and although I'm having fun...I miss the people who read and actually commented on my entries on LiveJournal. Sometimes I feel as if at least 80% of the people here on Blogspot just follow other blogs for numbers and not to actually get to know anyone or have substantial blogger to blogger relationships.

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  7. you look BEAUTIFUL..!
    i loved how you paired a collared button down shirt with a dress!
    i really never do that and i have no idea why!!
    have a wonderful weekend love!
    xoox

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  8. You know, I like all three photos (apart from the blurriness, but the pose is good! You're so fun and full of life!

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  9. Kimberly--Coffee makes all the difference in my appearance too (or at least in the way I feel about myself). Thanks for your comments on Rags this morning.

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  10. I love that you mentioned Melissa's blog in #5. She really is so sincere and authentic in every post. It's refreshing to read what she has to say. - Katy
    PS I like how you posted the 'rejected' photos of the outfit today with the good one. Every day there are a couple I look at and think what the heck am I doing here?

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  11. First, let me say that this outfit is PERFECT on you. Seriously so super cute and flattering and makes me want to run out to find a dress and button-down shirt just like these.

    Second, I ADORE you! So much! Savannah, yes?

    Love you!!!

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  12. Love the dress! I'm always so scared of patterns, but you make them look so easy!

    I've only recently started following Melissa's blog, and it's quickly become one of my favorites. And I visited Rochelle's blog after you guys had your blogger meet-up. Loved it, too! Obviously, I'm going to have to check out the other two, because your taste in bloggers is very good :)

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  13. I love the bright dress. I am a new ish mummy of twins and trying to re 'find' myself!

    http://twinmummyoutfits.blogspot.com/

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  14. Super Cute Outfit. I love Melissa Blog.

    http://amyfashionblog52.blogspot.com/

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  15. You look pretty darn good for having a 2 year old. No wonder your blurry. It's the lack of sleep. The field of wonderful flowers in the dress print is amazing with your blonde locks.

    I posted a close up of the collar on the Tracy Reese Coat. The Original close-up had a stop action hand in the middle of my face. Your request prompted me to reload a new photo. The collar really does look like shoelaces as the Anthro name implies.

    This is now my one an only Basic Beige coat. Yep, I'm a colorphile. so this is as basic as it gets.

    There are a lot of Anthro items that come in Petite sizing. There is a Petite section at the bottom of Clothing.

    Just for you, Laura

    Anthro Closet Chaos

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  16. LOVE that dress! it's one of my favorite looks for fall (and i wore something similar when i went to meet lisa birnbach author of true prep)... jumper + turtleneck +tights + boots... gorgeous gorgeous look for you!

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  17. Lookin' good!! REALLY good! I love love love your bright and happy dress! And have I told you just how amazing you look up there on your header? Like really amazing. Divine. I may have already talked about that in a previous comment, but if so, the pic is so good it definitely warrants me saying it again. (& again & again.)

    Happy Weekend Lovely!

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  18. Hello my little cutie....the dress is so vibrant and fun....and I think you look great in all the pics:) Thank you so much for the mention on your blog....you have come to mean so much to me as well...our friendship is an awesome example of just how fantastic and close knit the blogging community really is:)
    Love you!

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  19. Definitely getting that warm/fuzzy feeling! I'm a new follower, thank you for commenting on mine and leading me to yours girl!
    Kiss
    Lula

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  20. Well hello again! Hmm that's weird. I'm not sure what you mean though, the little picture with my email isn't supposed to link to something, I just put it there! I'm not sure I'm explaining myself correctly. Arhh bummer! Anyways, my email's lulapalooza27@yahoo.com just in case you still want to contact me!

    And I am so glad to have found you! Seriously. I forgot to mention that that dress is really really cute stuff. The colours look smashing on you and umm Filene's Basement is BOSS!

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  21. Hey there girlie! Just found your blog and I think there wouldn't be a better post to capture me as a reader! Loved the lines your wrote, and definitely shows you put your heart to each post! Definitely will be back! Nite!

    http://blog.cessoviedo.com

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  22. Somehow found you and I love what you said about following other people's blogs! I don't want to have to read someone's blog because I have to. I want to be LOVING when they post something new! I have a few that I need to stop following...I just have been feeling bad. You have inspired me though!

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  23. Absolutely LOVE the outfit!! So so cute! I try to be as honest as I can on my blog, the good and the bad. That is to me what blogging is about. Life isn't perfect and I blog about what happens in my imperfect life. I went back to college this week and was so afraid I wouldn't fit in the desks. I blogged about my fear and I was able to squeeze in...and I mean squeeze! Those darn desks are seriously the size of the ones in middle school!! But I love reading honest blogs. It's nice to hear all the wonderful things that other bloggers write about but sometimes I want to know that there are others out there to have the same fears and have made the same mistakes I have.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    -April

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  24. Heck yeah for $5 pizza! I love the ladies that you chose to give shout outs to, especially Melissa and ML. They're so great!

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  25. Your comment, "I'm the funny friend that does everything in her will to make my girlfriend laugh when she's down. I say bad words when I shouldn't and talk too much in awkward situations..." made me like you immediately! You sound awesome, we would probably get along well!

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  26. I like this post and value your honesty when answering these questions. I have stopped following blogs before. I think my google reader is up for some spring cleaning now.

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  27. Your answers to this weeks FBFF are great - there is definitely a trend in the answers this week, and I think that speaks volumes about the women who are blogging, and especially the women who are interested in the community aspect of blogging by being a part of the FBFF group.

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Just like Ke$ha (minus the craziness and whatnot), YOUR LOVE is my drug!