6.25.2013

BABES WITH BLOGS - MEGAN FROM LIVE WELL AND BREATHE




Name: 

Megan

Blog:

Live Well and Breathe / livewellandbreathe.com

What you Blog About/ Your Blogging Content:
Me and my day-to-day, with an emphasis on all things thrifting, diy and New Agey. I post pictures of my dog, ‘cause she’s pretty cute, but not to an annoying extent (I hope?). I like writing the most, and so I have a habit of writing a lot, in general. No shortage of giganto-posts (but there are pictures, too!).

How long have you been blogging?
I started blogging back in 2001 when I graduated high school, way back in the days of Diaryland, when blogging was way less cool and way more angsty. I eventually migrated to Livejournal and was a dedicated LJ’er for a long time. In 2011, I changed to Blogger, and my relationship with blogging gradually evolved.

Why did you start blogging?
Back then, it was because although I had always kept a written journal, typing was so much faster than handwriting. Blogging then was way more personal, in a more “I’m throwing a Friends Only Livejournal tantrum” kinda way.

In 2011, when my husband and I got engaged, I got kind of obsessed with making our wedding as budget friendly and handmade as possible, and though it wasn’t my intent originally, I began to blog about the process at birdsofafeather2011.blogspot.com. I was really enjoying blogging, and deliberated after the wedding if and how I should keep doing it.

I created livewellandbreathe.com, and posted occasionally, but it wasn’t until I started seeing my naturopath in February 2012 that blogging became regular practice again – my naturopath helped me work through all sorts of things contributing to the state of stress and disorder I had been experiencing, and I was making so many discoveries, physically, mentally and even spiritually, that writing regularly wasn’t just a means of chronicling, it became a release.



Has your blog evolved from its beginnings? 
My blogging has always been about being as authentic as possible. I like writing anecdotally because I find so much meaning in life’s small details. Everyone has moments that are funny or strange, or magical or influential, and I love to honour those moments. When I was blogging our wedding planning, I wrote a post about how my now-husband’s and my endeavor to install our new washer and dryer was a true test of our marriage-compatibility (in other words, we passed). Moments – big or small – are special. I’ve always been candid as a blogger. To me, that goes hand-in-hand with authenticity and, I like to think, courage.

Sometimes I think, “Why did I post that?” or “Heaven forbid one of my coworkers stumble upon this space and finds out I cried when I got home from work yesterday because I was in such a foul mood?” I almost panic and want to erase everything I’ve ever written, and so I’ll go back and start to read old entries, and it takes re-reading at least three or so before I’m back to feeling comfortable with what I’ve posted.



Has opportunity or inspiration presented itself to you through your blogging journey?
Blogging provides such constant inspiration, to the point where it’s almost dangerous observing how much talent and brilliance abounds in the world, and wondering how I could ever measure up? I’m constantly worrying about accidentally stealing an idea from someone – not on purpose, but because blogging has such an influence on my current personal interests. I don’t keep reading a blog that doesn’t resonate - not because that blogger’s not talented, but because they just happen to not be fueling my personal creative fires at that time.

Blogging has also introduced to me a strong sense of community. I think sometimes people criticize bloggers for spending too much time online – I know even my own friends have admitted they don’t read my blog because they spend so much of their working days at their computers, or they’re trying to disengage from too much time online, or they’re simply just not readers of blogs, period – and it almost made me feel guilty to be spending that time online. But as I become more entrenched in the blogging community, I’m realizing it’s just that: Community. Collaboration. Contribution. I’ve created some really remarkable connections online, some that rival the connections I make in “real life”. People seem more open to being authentic online, when they’re tapped into the community – there’s a lot of acceptance. Not that it doesn’t have its dark side. I think there’s a lot of ego online, too, and it’s important to be able to identify that and keep away from it. Because otherwise it’s too easy to fall victim to the “I don’t measure up” pattern of thinking.



How has blogging affected your life?
Blogging has affected my life tremendously. I’m always learning. I’m more knowledgeable. I have new friends. I have release. I get burnt out sometimes, too, and that definitely has an impact on my life – trying to keep up with all the blogs I read, and Instagrams and Pinterest. I’ve had to force myself to be strategic…I don’t spend any time on Facebook, and the only reason I have one is due to being a member of the Apothecary Circle (I deleted my personal Facebook last August after much deliberation). I’ve opted not to use Twitter, or Vine, or other various apps that compete for my attention. Doing that allows me to invest more meaningfully into the areas that work well for me.

What challenges or joys do you face with blogging (ie. finding time, harsh comments, new peeps, social endeavours, business promotion)? 
I tend not to be a casual blogger, that’s for sure. Blogging is almost ceremonious for me: the chores are done, I’ve got a cup of tea, my photos are pre-uploaded and pre-posted, and I am ready to sit down and pound out a post from the heart. It makes for a lot of writing, and I don’t expect that everyone (or most, even) care to read everything I write, and that’s cool, because me writing it in the first place is the therapy I seek. It’s as good as yoga for me, or a hot bath.

Because authenticity is so important, I’ve been learning to accept blogging as part of me, and that’s why I got business cards with my blog address made up recently: to claim ownership over that. Not to say I don’t shrink and want to hide when someone “in real life” starts questioning me about my blog-life; I’m still insanely shy about it. But I figure if I can make it as authentic as possible, then I can accept that as part of me.

I’ve found the more I become connected in the blog community, the more I get fixated on things like followers. I have only a modest following as it stands, so that I’ll see I’ve lost a follower on Bloglovin and feel slighted. I find it challenging to separate myself from that. I don’t like when it begins to affect my ego, and I feel more important (“My blog is way better, how come I don’t have 1081 followers?”) or I feel less important (“Her photos and her hair and her blog and her style are so much better than me, why do I bother?”). If I find myself being swept into that, I really have to take a step back for some perspective, because I find that’s when blogging becomes draining and no longer a source of inspiration.

Do you see your blog continuing to evolve?  If so, how?
I have no intention of quitting blogging anytime soon; I reckon my blog will evolve as I do. Even reading old entries now, I no longer have the same interests or my opinion has changed. I signed a pledge recently to “Blog with Integrity” and added a button to my blog. So long as I’m abiding by that pledge, I am okay with the evolution. It’s the evolution of me, so it’s important to be okay with that. J



I know you're a Babe, but why do you think you're a Babe with a Blog?
I guess because I’m part of an ever-growing community of empowered people, and women especially, who are all collaborating and contributing to a positive and harmonious shift. I know that sounds like New Age woo woo, but I can’t tell you how encouraging and inspiring it is to connect with like-minded people around the world, exchanging ideas and information and sharing in the creativities to foster collaboration and community. I’m excited to be part of that movement as a Babe with a Blog!

Which Babes with Blogs do you follow?
So many good ones! A smattering…


What do you think makes a Babe?
A Babe is someone adventuresome; courageous; truthful; inspired; tuned in; innovative; passionate. Someone authentic.



WELCOME TO BABES WITH BLOGS.  I BEGAN A SEARCH FOR BABES AND WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT AMAZING WOMEN.  THEY AREN'T DIFFICULT TO FIND.  MY GOAL IS TO INTRODUCE MY LITTLE CORNER OF MY BLOGGING WORLD TO OTHER INTERESTED FOLK.  THE WOMEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ARE BABES FOR VARIOUS REASONS.  PLEASE ENJOY AND SHARE.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BABES WITH BLOGS PLEASE VIEW THE SUBMISSION PAGE HERE .  

6.16.2013

BABES WITH BLOGS: KIRBY FROM THE TALKING WOMAN



   Name:  
Kirby Marzelle 
Blog:  
What you Blog About/ Your Blogging Content: 
I mostly blog about my misadventures as a newbie expat in Paris, France, fumbling my way through language barriers and cat-calling French men as well as my journey as a budding burlesque performer, finding my creative voice and shimmying my way into the Paris burlesque scene. I also write about the people, places and things that inspire me. 
How long have you been blogging?
I've actually been blogging on a casual level since 2010, but didn't start blogging on a more active level until late 2012.

Why did you start blogging? 
I think The Talking Woman sprang out of a need to express the myriad of feelings I was experiencing shortly after I moved from Chicago to Paris to live with my boyfriend. I struggled to adjust in the beginning, particularly to the language barrier. I never realized before moving to another country how integral our language, or the way we communicate verbally, is to our personalities, our sense of humor, our sense of identity, etc. I felt like I had lost a part of myself, and I found that putting my thoughts and emotions into words really helped to fill the void that losing my language had left. PS. My French has greatly improved over the past several months, so I'm feeling much better adjusted now! 

Has your blog evolved from its beginning?
Well it's still evolving I suppose, being fairly young and all. I would love to acquire more sponsors in the foreseeable future and continue to establish connections with more fabulous and wonderful people out there in the blogging community!

Has opportunity or inspiration presented itself to you through your blogging journey.
I'm just starting to make some very exciting connections with bloggers and non-bloggers alike through my blog. As a burlesque performer, blogging about my creative endeavors as also a great marketing tool.

How has blogging affected your life?
It's made me more peaceful. More focused. Helped to put many things in perspective!



What challenges or joys do you face with blogging?
I wish I knew a thing or two about HTML! Computer and internet technologies are not my strong point.

Do you see your blog continuing to evolve?  If so, how?
I imagine so, yes! How? Well, that remains to be seen! The life of an expat/burlesque performer is always unpredictable and full of adventures!

I know you're a Babe, but why do you think you're a Babe with a Blog?
I've got something to say, so I say it. I hope that what I say resonates with others, and that we can continue to feel inspired by our own work as well as each other's.

Which Babes with Blogs do you follow?
So many! But I'll choose one for now... Laura of Roots and Feathers is an extremely honest and heartfelt writer, and a woman of enormous talent and courage. I'm continuously inspired by her work.

What do you think makes a Babe?
Among other things: courage, tenacity, confidence and joy.

Thank you Crystal!

-Kirby


WELCOME TO BABES WITH BLOGS.  I BEGAN A SEARCH FOR BABES TWO WEEKS AGO AND WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT THIS AMAZING WOMEN.  THEY AREN'T DIFFICULT TO FIND.  MY GOAL IS TO INTRODUCE MY LITTLE CORNER OF MY BLOGGING WORLD TO OTHER INTERESTED FOLK.  THE WOMEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ARE BABES FOR VARIOUS REASONS.  PLEASE ENJOY AND SHARE.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BABES WITH BLOGS PLEASE VIEW THE SUBMISSION PAGE HERE .  


6.14.2013

MY NEW HAIR


 It's growing on me!


6.10.2013

FAVOURITE THINGS GIVEAWAY FOR SPRING

To say thank you for supporting me all these years and to launch the new site I am hosting my first ever giveaway.  Up for grabs are all my favourite things


* 2 stitch nation full o-sheep in green
* Pride and Prejudice Novel
* Pride and Prejudice Baby Lit
* My fave coffee
* My fave maple syrup
* Geometric Earrings by Erin Black
* Vintage crochet books
* Sally Hansen Green with Envy Nail Polish
* My fave scarf
* My fave chocolate bar
* Herb Garden Sorting Kit for Spring






6.09.2013

BABES WITH BLOGS - CHRISTINE FROM VERVE EVOLVING
















Christine from Verve Evolving was my first choice for Babes with Blogs for various reasons.  Firstly, she is a close friend who has seen me through my awkward highschool days to getting pregnant to getting married to getting pregnant again to massaging my back.  She has been my number one fan of this blog from its humble beginnings and often times it was Christine and her comments and support that made me continue blogging and working towards a better blog and spirit.  She is my soul sister.  She inspires me in every way and is so real and genuine and is surrounded by love and exudes it.  She is my person.  I am so honoured to feature her and I hope you will support her blissed out blog.  Leave a comment and show this Babe some love.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Christine Northan


What you Blog About/ Your Blogging Content:

My Blissed Out Blog of Inspiration & Abundance is just that (!) aka "my online vision board/journal/memorykeeper

How long have you been blogging?

Jan  1st 2012 - don't we all feel freshly inspired on New Year's Day?

Why did you start blogging?

I was in school and my life was study study study! I was craving a fun & creative outlet

Has your blog evolved from its beginnings?

Just like myself (and all of us really!) My blog is Always Evolving. Still Dreamy. More Music. Not money making but always open to growth! I'd love to have my own online shop full of awesomeness -stay tuned!

Has opportunity or inspiration presented itself to you through your blogging journey?

I find I'm more productive creatively. I am inspired by other blogs everyday! 
More often than not I tend to follow through on ideas and goals through blogging. Bottom line - it's just fun !

How has blogging affected your life?

Same as above pretty much ;) 

What challenges or joys do you face with blogging? 

 i only blog when my heart is in it, I never want there to be  a 'forced feeling' behind Verve Evolving. This may result in a week or two without posting but that's just me for now haha - I don't think I'll ever stop! 

Do you see your blog continuing to evolve?  If so, how?

See above but also more environmentally conscious & thoughtful information and natural alternatives less fluff less personal life

I know you're a Babe, but why do you think you're a Babe with a Blog?
 
Stay true to yourself and you're a  babe with a blog ! I feel grateful to be a part of this sisterhood! 

Which Babes with Blogs do you follow?

Obviously I love the Mess in Messenger - you introduced me to the blogging world years ago! I'm always checking out different blogs but ill give you my top 3! I heart 
Kelli Murray! and A Beautiful Mess! (I'm obsessed with their photo app!)  And Flashes of Style :)

What do you think makes a Babe?

Loving and respecting and being gentle with yourself - smile! 





WELCOME TO THE FIRST OF MANY BABES WITH BLOGS.  I BEGAN A SEARCH FOR BABES TWO WEEKS AGO AND WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT THIS AMAZING WOMEN.  THEY AREN'T DIFFICULT TO FIND.  MY GOAL IS TO INTRODUCE MY LITTLE CORNER OF MY BLOGGING WORLD TO OTHER INTERESTED FOLK.  THE WOMEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ARE BABES FOR VARIOUS REASONS.  PLEASE ENJOY AND SHARE.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BABES WITH BLOGS PLEASE VIEW THE SUBMISSION PAGE HERE .  



6.07.2013

WEEKEND INSPIRATION: PICNIC A LA PARC







Summer Fridays I have decided to gather friends to picnic in the park vegan / vegetarian style.  Today is rained out but I thought I would post some inspiration for your picnic this weekend (weather dependent).

Here are also some interesting reads to inspire you this weekend inspired by the lovely Weekly Wrap-up by Savannah at Maiedae.

five favorite posts//

* Laura Mazurek talks openly about her sacred space and loss
* 25 kits to have stashed this summer on Prudent Baby. I am so making these.
* Chickpea Magazine this season has a plethora of awesomeness.  Pictured above are some picnic recipes but they also teach you how to make your own milk, which I plan on doing
* Moorea Seal's summer goals in her 52 List Project.  Check it out here
* Kinsey just looks so Free!

favourite blog/site of the week//

these father and son carpentry amazingness at Pine-Stock

inspiring me this week//

below our apartment we have new neighbours, a restaurant.  It is called the Masonry, the owner is cool and is focusing on sustainable food.  so neat to hear all the hustle and bustle of a new venture.

STAY TUNED MONDAY FOR MY FIRST "BABES WITH BLOGS" SERIES AND A CONTEST!!


6.06.2013

52 LIST PROJECT WITH MOOREA SEAL - WEEK 3

//WEEK THREE//
list the things you should be proud of

making my babes // giving birth naturally // learning to love myself enough to accept the love from others //  sticking with this blog for almost 5 years // battling through self-esteem issues to become a positive role model for my babes // my artistic talent // my flexibility, strength and athleticism // paying my full way through university without debt //   i have a healthy and loving relationship with a wonderful, loyal and incredibly smart man (stole that one from Moorea!) // i feel deeply for all people in the world suffering // compassion for animals // loving the Earth // embracing the changes in my physical and mental self // applying to Ryerson Fashion Communications program, getting accepted and then deciding not to go to fall in love // putting my heart and soul into my blog // being passionate about the care and education of my daughters and being dedicated to researching and implementing that // loving those i love fully and passionately // choosing to live and pull myself from the depths of depression


Moorea commented on my blog after visiting and I feel so honoured.  She has inspired so many and this list is pivotal.  It acknowledges us acknowledging all our greatness.  Thanks Moorea!  And if you haven't checked out this wonderful inspirational woman yet, please do so at Moorea Seal.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENTS?  IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START THIS PROJECT.  SHE IS ON LIST 20 AND I AM PLAYING CATCH UP TOO.  IGNITE!!!

6.05.2013

52 LIST PROJECT WITH MOOREA SEAL - WEEK 2



// WEEK 2 //
list your greatest comforts

my babes hugging me // the Papa just being // king sized bed // alpaca wool on bamboo needles // salvation army find knitted starbuck's mugs // green tea in those mugs // the moon // sunlight // the sound of sweet little birds // downpour after hot days // my rubber boots that just happened to be the Papa's as a child // Annie Lennox // frou frou // vinyl records // anything that reminds me of my childhood home // strawberry rhubarb pie // a good lip gloss // a new hair cut // the Papa's brown shirt that has become mine // all the blogs I read // Alyssa // Christine // Miche // Miriam // the mess // our town library // reading Oscar Wilde // reading // writing // arithmetic

6.03.2013

52 LIST PROJECT WITH MOOREA SEAL - WEEK 1

                                                  

Moorea Seal is a beautiful and talented designer of jewellery and blogs and I can't help but be mesmerized by her love, passion and inspiration.  She started 19 weeks ago a 52 List Project.  Each week she gives her readers a prompt to write a list that touches their lives.  I liked the idea so much and am an avid list maker as well that I decided I too would make my lists and try and play catch up.  So for week 1.



WEEK 1
list the words that touch your soul

// love  // amazing // dance // vibration // deer  // Alley  // dream // ghost // freedom // weakness // strength // abuse  // grandfather  // Allen  // hunger // environment // activism // lost // embrace //
// babes // water // food // passion // inspiration // sight // touch // vulnerable // depravity // holistic // sisters // post partum // midwife // shaken // sunshine // rainbow // clouds // fluffy // cozy // tea // vintage // vegan // youth // animal // delicate // quilt // fabric // light // crystal // breathe // sadness // longing // circumstance // control // art // windowsill // trust // expression // book // release // fly // space // heart // openness // kiss // 

WHAT ARE WORDS THAT TOUCH YOUR SOUL??

**above image is borrowed from Moorea Seal's blog to highlight this amazing project**