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| Pants ($2.99-worn previously like this), Top ($2.50), Belt ($1.50) & Purse ($1.99)- Thrifted; Heels- Suzy Shier ($5); Bracelets- Macy's ($3.99); Nail Polish- Cerise by Sally Hansen |
"Blogging isn't writing, it's just graffiti with punctuation." -Dr. Ian Sussman (Contagion)
Say what?! Now for those of you who haven't seen the new sci-fi thriller "Contagion" you may not know who Dr. Ian Sussman is but you can still appreciate the context of the quote. As soon as the words came out of the actor's mouth, my man turned to me and winked while I tried to decide whether or not I should take personal offense to the quote. I love blogging and view it as a creative outlet but by no means do I consider myself a fashion writer. As far as blogging being compared to graffiti- I would take this as a compliment as I believe graffiti (unless defacing places of worship or work) can be a creative expression of street art at its finest. However if Dr. Ian Sussman was comparing us bloggers to the gang symbols and hate crimes scattered across urban businesses, than I would like to think that blogging is a more eloquent form of self expression.
Blogging: term used to describe anyone with enough time or narcissism to document every tedious bit of minutia filling their uneventful lives. -Urban Dictionary
Sadly I think this is the perception that many non-bloggers have about us fashion bloggers because to the unaware it seems like all we do is post pictures about ourselves and gush about our outfits. I think it's a beautiful community, full of creative, thought provoking and inspiring men and women who blog about fashion because it's what they know and love. I don't consider myself to be narcissistic- in fact I'm quite shy and insecure and as far as having enough time- if only! I choose to set aside time in my busy schedule for blogging because it's something I am passionate about. Most fashion blogs that I read are written by successful, kind and encouraging people who blog because they love it, not because of an over-inflated ego! Just look at one of my favourite bloggers Sweet & Sage who recently posted about staying true to herself and blogging about what makes her heart sing!
Say what?! Now for those of you who haven't seen the new sci-fi thriller "Contagion" you may not know who Dr. Ian Sussman is but you can still appreciate the context of the quote. As soon as the words came out of the actor's mouth, my man turned to me and winked while I tried to decide whether or not I should take personal offense to the quote. I love blogging and view it as a creative outlet but by no means do I consider myself a fashion writer. As far as blogging being compared to graffiti- I would take this as a compliment as I believe graffiti (unless defacing places of worship or work) can be a creative expression of street art at its finest. However if Dr. Ian Sussman was comparing us bloggers to the gang symbols and hate crimes scattered across urban businesses, than I would like to think that blogging is a more eloquent form of self expression.
Blogging: term used to describe anyone with enough time or narcissism to document every tedious bit of minutia filling their uneventful lives. -Urban Dictionary
Sadly I think this is the perception that many non-bloggers have about us fashion bloggers because to the unaware it seems like all we do is post pictures about ourselves and gush about our outfits. I think it's a beautiful community, full of creative, thought provoking and inspiring men and women who blog about fashion because it's what they know and love. I don't consider myself to be narcissistic- in fact I'm quite shy and insecure and as far as having enough time- if only! I choose to set aside time in my busy schedule for blogging because it's something I am passionate about. Most fashion blogs that I read are written by successful, kind and encouraging people who blog because they love it, not because of an over-inflated ego! Just look at one of my favourite bloggers Sweet & Sage who recently posted about staying true to herself and blogging about what makes her heart sing!
Now on to the outfit-after all I need to bore you with tedious clothing details ;) I wore this outfit a couple of weeks ago but due to my 'photographer's' work-related absence these are the only pictures I could conjure up (unless of course you would like to see my pajama clad sickly self lying in a kleenex covered bed!) This isn't my favourite outfit and the pieces aren't exactly fashion magazine material but this is real life and I truly believe the colourful accessories took this look from drab to fab! I'm linking up to Spunky Chateau's Thursdays are for Thrifters because everything is thrifted with the exception of my heels and jewellery (which were so cheap, it's basically the same!)
I'd love to hear what you have to say- do you believe that (fashion) blogging is comparable to graffiti created by narcissists? Why or why not?
Well, first off, I love your outfit! The colors of yellow and purple make me happy. And it's real life and what you actually wore, so it's all cool!
ReplyDeleteAs far as blogging goes. I find it to be for me personally, a way to have "me time" It's also fun, I can be creative, realize my love for writing and expressing myself. When we originally started our "Fashion blog" we knew we weren't some big time fashionistas or anything like that, but it has actually turned out to be so much more. The blogging community is a very supportive, friendly, and awesome group of people! We have "met" so many wonderful people in our short time of blogging. So no, I do not agree with the quote. Good post!
Heather
First of all, to be all shallow and obsessed with fashion, I really like that outfit! The purple pumps and yellow belt make it such a happy outfit!
ReplyDeleteBut no, I don't agree with the quote at all! All of the bloggers I've "met", whether they are fashion bloggers or mom bloggers or just life bloggers, have been a great group of women who are real and sincere and very supportive! It's become something that I do for fun and to connect with my new "friends."
Like Heather, I have to start off by admiring your outfit -- it's lovely!
ReplyDeleteOn the other topic, a remark like this is as uninformed as it is inaccurate. Blogging, like any art-form, can be good or bad, literate or illiterate, high or low. A blog is merely a forum and you can't judge a forum; that would be like saying e-books are better/worse than paper-books. What counts is the content, not the medium.
One common characteristic of blogs is that they contain self-expression. That's something to applaud. Also, they enable people to reach a wider group than previously, which is another social good. Attacking blogs may be a quick way to get a laugh, but it has no basis in fact.
This might be one of my favorite posts of yours...and the comments are as equally fascinating and thought provoking. Also, on an unrelated note, the cost of all the constituent pieces of that outfit are amazing. Very clever!
ReplyDeletexoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.com
i love so many different aspects of this outfit! the purple heels, the white clutch, how you've defined your waist with a yellow belt!
ReplyDeleteand yes, i was raised in nc, met my husband and married there!
Those shoes are killing me. Seriously, call an ambulance. That color? Super cute. The whole outfit is great.
ReplyDeleteI think that blogging has changed a lot over the years. But it's sad that the perception is still that negative. It's a statement from ignorance, however. Unless you know every blogger and know exactly their motivation and feelings about why they do what they do, you can't really make such a general comment. All generalizations are wack.
Love blogging. And I love that you blog, sistah!
xo,
Tracy
Hey Emily! Thanks for the shout out--I feel famous! :) This is my favorite post of yours because I think we as bloggers have to defend what we do, and that's not right.
ReplyDeleteWow, that graffiti quote is harsh. We're not staining the internet with our ramblings. We have truly thoughtful things to say and opinions to express. My favorite style bloggers (like you!) are the ones who tell me a story or share an insight about their lives as well as what they're wearing.
I have a Post-it on the wall above my computer that says, "Why does this matter to my readers?" We're not narcissists if we're using our platform to inspire people--no matter if we're writing about fashion, our kids, or the world's problems.
well, i am going to have to head over to wikipedia and the urban dictionary and change the definition of blogging right now!!
ReplyDeleteafter that I am going over to pintrest to look at shoes like the ones you have on and pin away since i can't shop!
brett
The popularity of bloggingin general, and the number of followers on some of the fashion blogs in particular, speak to the inaccuracy of defining blogging as graffiti in a derogatory way. Actually, speaking as a visual artist and art educator, graffiti holds it own in the art world now, and Banksy (from U.K.) has some iconic widely published graffiti images. So, carry on, fashion bloggers, your work is appreciated and enjoyed! My blog is www.thevalleyhouseincanada.blogspot.com if you are interested!
ReplyDeleteContagion! I still haven't seen it yet. Did you love it? AND, I love your outfit here. Formal and classy. I love that quote about blogging cause it's so true when you think about it. Creative expression... but usually more with the more personal/fashion blogs than the serious ones that read like news articles.
ReplyDeletewww.mrschong.com
First of all let me get excited about those shoes! I love, make the LOVE an unexpected, yet relevant pop of color. I find it hard to achieve, but get excited when I come upon it.
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, I've actually been thinking about the narcissism aspect of blogging and I think it's complete crap. It's so disheartening to see people (especially women) constantly trying to make other people feel bad or less than they are.
I personally like to blog because if I find something I love, I want everyone else to have it too! If you don't like a particular blog or blogs in general, don't read them. Right?!?
Okay enough of my rant, still love the shoes...
xoShelly
Love those pumps, such a bright happy color.
ReplyDeleteAnd now to reflect on that quote. I responded to Wendy B's posts about Alexa Chung saying "blogging is ridiculous ...just a bunch of mood boards." I think there ARE always going to be blogs that can be useless fluff, some are going to be full of better substance than any magazine. Cycling through the fluff can be hard, but there are some wonderfully well written posts out there that need to be read.
I blog as a connection to people who I would never know. Many of my closest blog friends live 100s of miles away. But I get to share that aspect of myself that would never get realized otherwise.
Great color combo. And way to snazz up a pair of black pants! I'm not sure how I feel about either description of bloggers, but I don't really care because we're a huge, supportive community, and we really don't need to impress anyone.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we assume graffiti is bad? Graffiti is art, afterall. We bloggers, we're all just artists!
ReplyDeleteexcellent post, and beautiful outfit! the bracelets are just perfect :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, really great! When I read about the Contagion quote, I felt OK, cause I like street art too. But when I read what the Urban Dictionary said I felt strange. I tell you why.
ReplyDeleteSurely there's something that says "narcissistic" when we think of "fashion bloggers". But in fact, look at what it is for me: no doubt a way of expressing myself, but I got to know so nice people!
I "use" my blog this way:
1) Get track of what I have (so many things I buy and forget inside a drawer...);
2) A diary;
3) I had a hard hard time last year. This year was also not that easy, until kind of 2 months ago, when I started feeling better (my parents died last year and I was pushed by a hard supervisor to finish 2 Master's at the same time of trying to grieve. I honestly don't know how I made it). Well, I think I have to thank my supervisor, cause she really pushed me. Maybe not with the best words (for her of course yes), but I was too sensitive, maybe I misinterpreted the words, I don't know.
Joining the Inspiration Monday and the Shoeper Shoe Challenge was the way I found to prepare myself for the day, wear something nice, get up, in fact. Cause it's easy to stay - for some people - the whole day in bed crying and feeling miserable. The blog helped me in such a way I can't describe. It's almost like if I were talking about a person with her/his own personality. I am that person behind the blog, of course, but I'm more than what the Urban Dictionary stated (and so are bloggers, for sure!), and when I read what they say about bloggers I can just say "generalizing is dangerous, we shouldn't state things when we don't know people's real reasons".
Too much of a long comment, but I know what this year and the blog mean(t) to me!
On the outfit - you certainly know how to thrift! The first time I went to a thrift store was in April 2010 - and after that I only went 2 or 3 more times only. I must confess I'm not into thrifting, but I love the idea!
You look fabulous - the belt, pants, and oh-my-God, the shoes! Very very cute!
Hope you are fine with your research!!!!!
P.S. - I'm going to quote you and this post, OK? Thanks in advance!
you have the ability to make thrifty outfits look like a million bucks. The purple heels and yellow belt are nice accents to the outfit. Yes the accessories are fabulous too. I think blogging is a form of expression like novel writing or painting or music. It helps us to express ourselves as individuals and also to connect with like minded people from all over the world, all from the comfort of our room. Isn't it amazing? Blogging so far has helped to develop my interest in craft, refashion and photography. But of course the down side is, it can quite additive and time consuming.
ReplyDeletelove,mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
I do agree with you when it comes to the aim of blogging and think that when someone doesn't like (fashion) blogs, then who asks them to read? I guess, no-one ;) so, I don't actually care at all about those kind of stupid opinions :)
ReplyDeletebtw, thank you so much for the follow and your lovely comment, of course I followed back :) and I really like that white bag of yours and also those purple heels ;)
I really love the wide, yellow belt with this outfit. Thanks so much for linking up!
ReplyDelete-Meagan
www.spunkychateau.com
ooohhhh, love the purple shoes and the yellow belt. great way to fun up the black and white. i have been trying to figure out what to do with some of my black and white outfits and this is very inspiring!
ReplyDeletethose quotes are pretty crazy. i really appreciate blogging. i was intimidated by it at first and felt like it was something only kids do but now i'm soooo glad i'm doing it! i really enjoy it so much!
http://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
This is such a great post. blogging is my hobby. I love you shoe.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what blogging is LOL. Some bloggers take themselves really seriously and lose sight of that, but that's what it is when you get down to it.
ReplyDeleteCute outfit..I really like the top with the belt.
I love the details on this outfit! Those shoes, belt and bracelets are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog through Shana. Come visit me.
Goodwill Huntingg
First things first, great outfit! The yellow and purple really pop against the black and white of your top and pants.
ReplyDeleteI'm still really new to this blogging community but I love it, and do not think its narsacisstic at all! Its a place where different people with different styles sharing their outfits, trend inspirations and thoughts. It's so inspirational, and feels more like artistic journaling than anything else.
The name of your blog is so adorbs. Heart the outfit 9.3 ! I followed your blog, check out mine and perhaps return the favour?
ReplyDeleteI noticed that quote in Contagion too! One of the reasons I haven't told too many people in my 'real' life about my blog is that I don't think they'd understand. Sad to say, even my boyfriend doesn't really get it I don't think, which can be hard at times, but I have met some really wonderful people through blogging who I wouldn't have otherwise, and that makes it worth it.
ReplyDeleteHear hear! This is such a beautifully written post--and I agree with you 100%! And I'm also a big fan of those purple pumps. If you ask me, this is some pretty darn awesome graffiti :)
ReplyDeleteI mean, style blogging is pretty narcissistic - pictures of ourselves that we think others will want to see? But I think there is more creativity and thought put into it. I feel like although it may be a bit narcissistic in a way, it is definitely also a legit form of creative expression. I personally will keep doing it!
ReplyDelete