Blogging is certainly a journey of finding a certain groove- learning what works and what doesn't, finding one's voice, and contributing to a community. I've enjoyed seeing Katie, of the Offswitch Blog, grow and develop her blog in 2011 into something really enjoyable. Last Fall she took a leap of faith and committed to producing a magazine featuring some of her favorite bloggers (myself included, weeee!) with DIYs, great photography, and interesting articles. I like to think of it as holding a blog in your hands! I can't wait to get my own copy, to read about Caitlin and Robbie (of Hue and Hum), and see the other interesting articles.
Want your own copy of Off Switch magazine's first volume? Just leave a comment below telling us what blog(s) you've really been enjoying recently, or if you have a blog, what you've learned the most from blogging in the past year.
Can't wait to read your responses! Giveaway ends on Sunday, January 8th, at 11PM EST. But you can always grab your own copy of Off Switch right here!
Lately I've been slightly obsessed with Delightfully Tacky. Maybe because Tacoma is my old stomping ground, but really, her DIY's and mix up of patterns and colors has truly inspired me.
Posted by: TraciFree | January 05, 2012 at 04:51 PM
I love Sincerely, Kinsey. (http://sincerelykinsey.blogspot.com/) She posts some great DIYs and I love her style!
thank you for the opportunity!
phoebe
Posted by: Phoebe | January 05, 2012 at 04:58 PM
I love the Suarez sisters' blogs. They do such interesting, creative, and rad collaborations.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 05, 2012 at 05:05 PM
exciting!
I've been enjoying a pair and a spare (http://apair-andaspare.blogspot.com/)
and
danielle kroll (http://danielleleekroll.blogspot.com/)
her illustrations are so much fun!
Posted by: beth | January 05, 2012 at 05:11 PM
My favorite blog ever has to be Annabelle of Blushing Ambition (blushingambition.blogspot.com). She is so fun and she has amazing posts of her simple yet chic style and amazing foodie porn posts!
Posted by: Dom | January 05, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Well, there are quite a few blogs I enjoy reading. I love The Freedom Experiment and Emmadime and also the 'classics' like Cup of Jo, A Beautiful Mess and Designlovefest. There are so many great blogs out there, I bet you could spend your days doing nothing besides reading them.
Posted by: Hanna | January 05, 2012 at 05:53 PM
There are so many great blogs that I love, but A Beautiful Mess, Smile and Wave, and Bleubird Vintage always inspire me!
Posted by: Hana | January 05, 2012 at 06:43 PM
I am going to check out all of the blogs mentioned above. I am always looking for fun new blogs to follow. An old favorite of mine is Flex Family Arts: http://www.flexfamilyarts.com/ and a new favorite is Steven Andrew: http://www.stevenandrew.net/.
What have I learned about blogging? To have thicker skin, to love myself more, to be creative when I'm feeling down, and that blogging is about self-expression and community. Oh yeah- and to avoid doing anything on my blog that feels uncomfortable or "not me" simply because it's a blog trend.
Posted by: courtney | January 05, 2012 at 07:29 PM
I cannot get enough of Donna Downey's blog...donnadowney.typepad.com she has taught me so many new techniques. I would love to take a class from her one day.
Posted by: cindy barriga | January 05, 2012 at 09:10 PM
The past year of blogging has been less writing and more reading. I've written blogs on various sites for the pure joy of it since 2003. 2011 was the first year that I haven't kept up with writing any of them. I barely wrote at all year. Instead, I have been reading, reading, reading and looking, looking, looking. I guess my lesson for the year was that sometimes it's necessary to escape from blogging for a bit and immerse myself more fully in the real world while also filling myself up with inspiration from others. Now that it's a new year, I'm feeling ready to get back to writing and sharing, so I've started fresh with a new blog. Hoping to get wrapped up in this one. I miss it :-)
Posted by: Amber | January 05, 2012 at 09:31 PM
Love it when bloggers waltz off the screen and onto the page so bravo to Katie and Off Switch!
The last year of blogging for me has seen a change of direction (from hyperlocal blogger blogging about London to travel blogger blogging about a Round The World trip) and with that a need to take stock and recognise that blogging about what you like, love and would want to read will always be more successful than writing what you think others would like, love or want to read. This may sound obvious to some and it may sound silly to others, but it's so clear from successful blogs (like yours!) that it's what works...
Here's to happy blogging for another year!
Bird x
Posted by: Bird | January 05, 2012 at 10:07 PM
My favorite blog is Wish Wish Wish: http://wishwishwish.net/ Her photography is so captivating and magical.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Posted by: Shannon | January 05, 2012 at 10:27 PM
I've only just started following some blogs with any sort of consistency. My favorites so far are calivintage.com, thestylerookie.com and browneyedbaker.com.
Fashion and food. Has there ever been a better combination?
Posted by: Morgan | January 05, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Wow everything on your site is so lovely! I am proud to say that I am new to this whole business.
My whole life I always loved making things, art and writing. I went through school writing a lot and doodling when I could. I never really took it seriously till college where I decided to focus my life into journalism.
Now two years out, a new transplant from Oregon to Connecticut, I have found myself at a crossroads where I get to decide what I want to do with my life.
It started with A Beautiful Mess (http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/) and in the past few weeks has just escalated. I've been doing research and reading, reading, reading! Drawing ideas and inspiration from the more experienced, I've been building some sort of foundation to go off of.
I will end this comment by saying that what I've learned most about blogging is that it's a labor of love, but once you get started, it's easy to flow through. It's a rough world out there but if you are lucky enough to build a family through fellow bloggers, you'll get by!
Thank you for your inspiration!
Posted by: Freya | January 05, 2012 at 11:15 PM
I started a blog late last year and just jumped into it. Big mistake, I learned that planning, foundation building and goal setting, is very important before starting any project. I am revamping my blog and doing things right this year. Also, I am so loving your blog and learning so much about being a blogger from you.
Happy New Year
Posted by: Monique | January 06, 2012 at 02:28 PM
I really like A Beautiful Mess, Oh Happy Day, and your blog is great, too! I love the DIY posts!
Posted by: Autumn S | January 08, 2012 at 12:34 PM