A blog about blogs

I cant seem to watch horror movies or read a tabloid magazine but I will beat you at hours-spent-on line-reading vs hours spent washing dishes. 

Hi, I'm Sminks.

I suppose to be fair, the amount of hours I have clocked up sitting hunched over my computer (blanket and cup of tea being like all glamorous 28 year old women) is nothing compared to perhaps that of a teenager born in 1995- practically birthed into the Internet and using AOL discs as teething rings. 

However I will admit that there is nothing I wont at least try to use the powers of the Internet for.. yeah, NOTHING. I sit here smug in the knowledge safe with my security blanket in life if I am ever trapped in a room with Velociratpor (I most likely wont survive after 30 seconds). The Internet is useful for everything and anything and yes at the same time that also means it is good for nothing and no one but that is the magic of the world. Gandalf never said it would be easy and neither will I.

I was a moderately early Internet user. I had that 'child who is interested in everything and needs something to do' kind of attitude very early in my life, thankfully I have wonderful 'oh my Gods, entertain the child- get it a pen and paper!' kind of parents so naturally I evolved to own a computer of course once they were at least as affordable as buying a small village in Europe. (I was reminded of the value of the computer on every occasion I passed it holding any kind of liquid or when I would zone out in front of it for a few hours- the theory being that it was worth a pretty penny therefore you shouldn't use it as much. Parent rules 101.) 

It was universally known that the computer was to be used to assist all the households educational needs, and after hours using it to paint several pieces of abstract art in MS Paint, loosing every time at chess and solitaire and making clip art my new best friend... I wasn't sure what kind of education the computer could give me. I am sure that part of my Fathers grand plan was that the computer would be able to do the thinking for us, or at least make the thinking easier- which I am sure he still slightly believes may happen one day. My mother knew that the computer is like any other tool and gave it the same respect (and occasional swearing) she gave other tools. 

It became a wee bit obvious that whatever learning I needed to do I would need to find myself and all my educational needs the computer could give me were from the Internet- and that type of education is the type you get when an older relative sits you down (herself/ himself quite drunk) and tries to educate you on the value of not getting married or having kids usually taking place at the end of a family get together. (Warning signs for this happening are that the words 'best years of your life' will be included somewhere.) So it's often not pretty or in any kind of rambling order but you come out of it knowing the basics and perhaps knowing something you can blackmail someone with if ever in a pinch. 

The Internet! More importantly.. the use of words on the Internet! Oh those pages upon pages of depressingly Gothic poetry and slash fan fiction I wasn't sure I should be reading. I started to publish diaries, journals, updates and eventually blogs pretty much from my first mouse click. Like creating your own magazine or novel without actually doing any grown up work, the ease of blogging and writing on line was something I simply had to do. I was after all one of those kids that wanted to have my own magazine (I still am one of those kids), this was just an excuse to do a 'zine without the xerox. I am sitting here now, at my desk (tea, blanket and sassy soundtrack) still blogging, still writing and still not really having a motive as to why. I cant say that I started this blog to somehow become something or anything or do something.. I simply wanted to write. Like all those days spent listening to Hole in my bedroom and staying up till 4am on MSN I am addicted to it. 

I have ideas for this blog, I honestly do- they span an inner notice board in my brain and a real notice board on my craft room wall (next to the endless but hopeful to do list and a receipt of the biggest stash of yarn I ever bought in one shopping trip). I will unveil some of my goals in another blog but for now, here is a crash course 101 in...

 Sminks loves blogs 

(DISCLAIMER- obviously a girl as old as me and as obsessed with all things on line as I am, I will of course have about 10001 sites bookmarked. Please simply take this as a mere whisper of a suggestion of a list of my most visited blogs. If I did make an ultimate top 5, you wouldn't be able to wait long enough for me to even decide over what type of font to even use to post this.)

To make this super easy to write and hopefully easier for you to read, I can basically do what I do with all things in life (including toast) and sum my love into 5 easy categories. At the moment I tend to cruise towards these 5 kinds of online presences but please don't go thinking that I am in anyway limited to only these types of blogs. I can get mad freaky in the clever use of everything and I am no stranger to a certain many layered bulb. I am also very fond of watching you tube videos of animals doing various things.

1. The 'I'm learning something 

about myself' blog.

The person I see as the ultimate queen on blogs of this type of blog is Gala Darling . 

What does it mean to be a blogger who makes you sit up and tilt your head sideways? It's not easy but it is so amazing to find a person who does this. Every part of my little writing pixie brain lights up when I visit her site. I can find inspiration in so much of my life from her words or a link she happens to post. Hopefully this is not as creepy stalker fan girl enough to warrant a strange sideways look and a side step. 

I found Gala a long time ago, browsing the web as I usually do-most likely I would have been researching something completely unrelated to anything I originally set out to find out (such is the way with us blog addicts) I stumbled upon her blog and bookmarked it to only for it to become dusty and unviewed for years. I would clear out the book marks every time I had a 'clean all the things adult moment and save her blog link every time. The pink intrigued me too much to bin her... Gala IS pink, she's also a stylish bunny with a love for loving and encouraging you to love yourself. 

I think that the Sminks that is now writing this and the other Sminks of perhaps 3 years ago would have had a bit of a chat over tea about this whole loving yourself and raise each others eyebrows doing so. I developed quite a sudden cynical side at a certain time and I think this Sminks would question why I am reading this type of blog. She would also be keeping all human contact to a very limited amount and dropping quickly cutting sarcastic jokes.. But I think I could talk her round. 

Gala Darling is a self made woman who changed her whole life from being centred on self hatred to being centred on self love, she offers everything from practical and fun fashion advice to how to take your clothes off gracefully.

This year and partly last year I began to read and subscribe to her blog on a more regular biases- I have even purchased her book and am in the process of working towards some radical self love. So why not give her a browse...

Here are my top 3 article links-

1. an intro blog to what Gala has been doing for 5 years and how she got there. 

2. sort out your life without leaving your bed... 

3. how to love the most important person you know- YOU.

 2. The 'everything is so beautiful' blog.

It is very easy to love Elsie Larson, she has one of those quirky non-offencive smiles and just the right amount of 'i'm crazy and in love with making things, just like you!' in each blog post.

I admire her blog a great deal- for the time and effort she puts in and that she is also a self made business lady with a really amazing store- red velvet.

 If you like to read your blogs under a hand crocheted blanket, sipping on some home made tea with your lomo camera at the ready- chances are you will love a beautiful mess. The blog stands for everything beautiful- from good food, good crafts and good fashion to everyday style, how tos and neat tricks. It is a semi-collective blog with pieces gathered together by various people- however I have always seen it as Elsie's, her unique touch is easy to see in almost all the posts made.

When I first began to read A beautiful mess I was mainly searching for new DIY projects.. something with possibly glitter, glue and bows- because I am constantly pleasing my inner 7 year old child.

 I found the site and of course within seconds I was 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing at the decore and simple presentation of each project posted. For those who do not know me I must admit that I am complete and utter craftholic. I will watch at least 10 Youtube tutorials a day, and scan just as many blogs to find the perfect DIY project for my craft addiction. I get the feeling that Elise is also pretty addicted to crafting- not only does she document her own craty happenings (oh yeah.. you want some glitter?) but she also has an amazing team that post regularly on the blog ( smile and wave, sincerely kinsey and indie jane). So, it's safe to say that if I am ever bummed out and need a quick 'oh I can make that' fix I will always find something on A Beautiful mess.

Not only is my inner craft octopus impressed with the content but I get to appreciate the really clever beauty portions that are posted.  If I want some kind of beauty advice I can always get something vintage or homemade with the help of Skunkboy (who is not a boy and thankfully not a skunk..) There are also featured posts by Elsie's sister- Emma who delves into food- so while I am crafting in a beehive I can eat something beautiful too.

I feel like A beautiful mess is the blog I wish I could go live inside sometimes, I imagine it to be a hotel I could stay in and craft away for a while- with good food and good company. It is a blanket comforter with cocoa. 

Here are my top 3 articles

1. The Red Velvet dress collection.
2. click a link and get crafty with it.
3. how to balance life and work the Elsie way. 

3. The 'Thinking girls' blog.

I know that I have in the past admitted to buying more than my fair share of trashy magazines, I have also pretty much admitted that I used to hunt down gossip sites like a teen vampire on the trail of some moody girl who just can not crack a smile.. So don't be misunderstood when I say that Rookie is the best magazine I have ever read. 

Editor-in-Chief Tavi Gevinson (the very same Tavi Gevinson from style rookie) has created an online magazine that if published when I was 13 would have been my best friend. I would have carried it dog eared from class to class, I would have cuddled it in bed and you bet I would have written/ drawn/ sacrificed a boy band to be featured in it. At the tender age of 28 I could very easily say that Rookie is my best friend now (but I am playing hard to get). I adore everything about this online magazine, and unlike many whom have come before it, I don't see it failing and sinking under the hype. 

Tavi and her team of equally amazing people create a monthly themed collection of ideas, stories and editorials, publishing at least 3 articles each day. Posts range from fashion to the chance to ask a grown man a burning question.. Everything is aimed at stimulating your brain more than trying to stimulate your crotch (urgh sex doesn't sell to everyone okay.) I have never seen anything posted on this site that doesn't make me use my thinker. The teenage girl with too much black eyeliner and a naive smile that dances inside me to Kate Bush is more than happy to read a feature on star crushes that doesn't rot my teeth, and at the same time I feel like I learn the greatest life skills I will ever need from a bullet point list.

The greatest site you will ever need to grow up and never grow old.

Here are my top 3 articles-

1. it's all about the hair

2. because we all love someone this much eventually

3.An introduction if there ever needed to be one.

4. The 'It's okay to be funny' blog

Sometimes I just want to hug a cat and roll around on the floor giggling like a loon, sometimes I laugh at my own jokes and forget the end of my sentences. These and the countless other silly, adorable and endlessly goofy things I do can easily be seen as dumb, creepy and strange.. but when you have someone like Elycia who is equally as silly and cute you don't feel so bad. 

Honestly I stumbled upon this blog by chance at the start of last year, I started to read her writing purely because she made me smile, she had an amazing skill for taking photographs and well, she has some really neat journals and ideas. Essentially Elycia's blog is a place for her to be creative, funny and free. She posts cute articles about what she wore, her ever changing hair and the joys of thrifting. When I am obsessed with yet another crochet blanket project or I am hording yet another vintage dress pattern I think of Elycia and I don't feel so freakish three eyes. I adore just reading her carelessly easy words. She is so relaxed that I can imagine drinking my tea and chatting with her about the colour of pee in adverts (it's always purple or blue.. because honestly what other colour would you be comfortable seeing? See, you're imagining it and it makes sense!) 

I honestly think that it is so important to read and follow someone who simply makes me smile. I think that I could happily watch an Elycia Vlog any time of day- I would pick seeing her chatter about this and that instead of any of my regular television addictions. I understand this makes me more crazy lady than should be admitted so I will simply say that I find great satisfaction knowing that perhaps Elycia is crazy enough to also understand. We crazys we stick together.

Other awesome things that I have been able to get out of this blog has been that I found that liking blogs and being part of a blogger community can be achieved very happily- Elycia not only is linked to Elsie  but also regually hangs out with other amazing girl creative bloggers such as dainty squid and my girl thursday. Not only is this girl the coolest jelly bean but her friends are also pretty darn sweet too.

What else could you want? Its fun, and never dull in Elycia's world. 

Here are my top 3 articles. 

1. a photo an hour and a cat yawning!

2. risky fashion

3. The Elycia A-Z

5. The 'So hip it never hurts' blog

I like Twilight (the time of day, the bath ballistic and the terrible books). 

I paid full price to listen to Ashlee Simpson (and for one album... import price!). 

My first gig was when I was 16 years old and I went with my dad.

These and countless other shady, blush worthy experiences are prime examples that I am not at all 'hip', 'happening' or 'where it's at' (I mean.. check out the phrases I just used to describe it..). 

I am pretty comfortable being uncool (does this make me cool? Can I get an official hat?). Being one of the cool kids takes a lot of time and effort and really I am more than happy being me and being lazy in my threadbare blanket nest in front of my computer. It is in this tea hazy happy delirium that I can snoop on hip websites and cool kids without even having to purchase some Warby Parker glasses and read something classical. When I need a certain fashion fix that involves inverted crosses and pastel shades I always check out Audrey Kitching. The fashion editor of Buzznet and internet celebrity, the girl of many beautiful hair creations and owner of perfectly shaped eyebrows. She's a babe. 

I have always admired her and sighed wistfully at her photoshoots from pretty much the start of seeing her face online (back in the day where you wore an ironic tutu and listened to Panic at the Disco),  her actual blog is vastly different than her editorial work (linked above). As Buzznet's fashon editor she showcases fashion, trends and shiny have to have items- which of course I am addicted to looking through and making approving noises, in her blog she keeps an online journal with her crazy love for astrology, her love for pho, and her most fabulous kitty waffles. I like reading of her adventures and of course geeking out with her star sign love. I'm not sure if I am supposed to love her, but I do. She has that familiar 'actually I'm quite strange' quality to her... and she really likes cats so that earns her 100 Sminks points automatically.

I think I like to use Audreys blog like a kind of guilty pleasure- I like pretty things, I like pink things and I always root for the under dog (and you don't have to google too hard to understand why folk give Audrey a hard time). Go team!

Here are my 3 top articles-

1. my favourite look of Audrey is when she looks like a bag lady.
2. winners and loosers
3. the blog that made me start reading and not just look at the pictures.

Next blog I shall unveil a cunning fox like plan for what you might be reading in the future and catching up with what I sensed in May. See you soon, in a bit.