My headline was a little click-baity I must admit BUT its true someone out there thinks you are an idiot. You probably think a bunch of people are idiots too…
Okay so maybe idiot is a bit harsh BUT think about it…
Category: bloggers
You should be starting your day with us: SA Mom Blogs
Okay so there is a big chance you are starting your morning wrong!!!
Seriously doesn’t that sound like those annoying fb posts. The videos that say, “what she did, I can’t believe my eyes” HATE THAT
Anywho what I meant was, if you are into blogs (which you kinda have to be if you are reading this, well at least a little) you need to be checking out SA Mom Blogs.
Every morning or evening I grab a drink (mood dependent; wine for bad days, tea for cold days, hot chocolate for calories don’t count days) and go over to the FB group and settle down to a bunch of blogs.
What I love about the group is how different we all are, crafty moms, home schooling moms, business owners, breastfeeders, bottlefeeders… I can’t tell you who my favourite blogs are because it is kind of mood dependent, some days I want to know how to make diet snacks like these cookie dough fudge things from Laura, other days I want a laugh from one of Cindy’s list or some inspiration from Jonelle, I love Melanie , I’m pretty much obsessed with Maz and think me and Jozi are actually separated at birth or something. Heather who started it all, is always so thoughtful and I catch up with my local girls Megan, Luchae and Amelia on the regular…
I know I’m missing people like Cat and Namreen and … actually you know what, go HERE for the full list of mommas and a daddy 🙂
I have so much love for these people, and will probably awkwardly come up to them at an event sometime, HEY MEGAN, remember that? AWKS (is 30 too old to make awks happen?)
Blogging especially in SA where it’s suddenly “a dog eat dog”, “you can’t blog with us”, “we blog pink on Wednesdays”, kind of world (see what I did there? Mean Girls reference people) is scary. I find myself feeling out of my depth sometimes but these women have always made me feel like it’s okay to just be me and that right there is cool 🙂
Do go over and check out what everyone is up to. The FB Group is the easiest way to keep track, go there and show them love but don’t forget about me now, I’m needy like that!
Queue Dream Girl Music, *and you and you and you, your gonna love me*
Journey to the Meth Lab
Although my series on mom bloggers is technically over, I sometimes stumble across a blog I love and just HAVE to include, so I think that is exactly what I will do, I will keep on interviewing and sharing as we go along 🙂
Today I want to introduce you guys to Jozi Donjeany Meth who blogs over at Memoirs from the meth lab. I absolutely love her blog but I must say it freaked me out a little…She’s short, with a tall x-box loving husband and a curly haired tyke who is busy for days…How is this woman living my life, in a skinnier body no less…hahaha
Here is what she has to say
-Tell us a little about your family…
I’ve been married to Joe, my X-box mad dude, for 3.5 years. We met 10 years ago in London and have been together ever since. Four months after getting married, we got the surprise that I was pregnant. Our son, Ryder, was born in August 2012 and is now going on 2.5 years old. We live in our home city of Durban.
– are you the big family or small family type
I would like two kids and no more, so definitely the small family type. Hubby is happy with one. Just one. I have two much older brothers myself so often felt like an only child growing up. I want to be able to give my kid(s) the very best experiences in life, which we personally could never afford with more than 2 of them. But I also think it’s important for Ryder to have a sibling.
-What do you do when not blogging?
Blogging is presently a very small part of my life. I work in PR and marketing so my work days are pretty full. On weekends it’s all about keeping Ryder busy and stimulated. I only recently resumed blogging and currently it fits in during the precious hour or so before Ryder is awake, or after his bedtime.
-What made you decide to blog?
I love writing. There are stories swirling around in my head throughout the day that I know will never make it into actual written pieces, because of time. I usually end up posting anecdotes on Facebook. I tinkered with blogging very sporadically in the lead up to getting married, but now with a toddler I find there are so many things I want to record. Blogging beats recording it in baby books, which I never stuck to!
-What was your concept behind the blog?
Zero concept behind it. Haha. It started off as a general blog with occasional tales of my attempts to give up smoking and my wedding preparations. Now it’s full on motherhood, which provides so much fodder. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a journey that brings me so much joy that I do love writing about it.
– Where does blog name come from?
I married a guy whose surname is Meth. We have a pretty liberal sense of humour on both sides of the family, and when I was pregnant and people would ask what I’m going to name the baby, I would say it’s a girl and we’re going to call her Crystal. I use a double-barrel surname in my work life, but I am slowly getting used to the idea of letting go of my maiden name. I made a joke one day calling my in-laws and I ‘The Meth Lab’ and they thought it was hilarious. So the blog, as a collection of tales from my extended family and I, is called Memoirs from the Meth Lab. This might be utterly offensive to some and I apologise. Kinda.
-Did you find yourself nervous at prospect of letting people into your life in this way?
Yes. I’m used to over-sharing on Facebook, but that’s with only 400 of your closest friends (hah!). One of the first blog posts I wrote got a negative comment and I was so devastated it put me off it for ages. I’m older now and more thick-skinned. I try to keep things pretty light. So far there has been no need to get deep and dark and introspective.
-Do you ever worry that your child will be like “mom why are you exposing my life?” (I worry sometimes)?
Yes. I created a Facebook profile for him much earlier this year (groan) because that was my first outlet for recording important milestones. I knew he would be a digi kid and I wanted him to have a record of his early life. Mama is not the scrapbooking type. But I keep obsessing over his digital footprint and Googling his name to check what’s out on the net about him.
-Does your family read your blog?
My husband is very inactive on social media so has only read like two posts. Maybe a few family members who have me on Facebook have read it.
-What do you hope to achieve through the blog?
At the moment, nothing but to have a record of my family life and if I can share a few important gems of wisdom along the way, then bonus.
-What do you think about the blogging culture in South Africa?
As an observer, I love the growth of blogging in SA. I’ve been following a motley crew of blogs for a while, but right now mommy blogs are what keeps me going. I can’t really provide much of an insider perspective because I’m not actively involved in “blogging culture.”
-What do you think makes for a “good blog“
Personally, I love good, creative, funny, honest writing. Things I can relate to. Great visuals are awesome, but great content still gets me. And maybe I’m a bit of a voyeur, because I love getting an inside peek into how other people live.
-How do you personally measure success in the blogging world
I suppose follower numbers and all that will follow. But right now, I’m happy with just comments showing that people have appreciated or been interested in what I’ve shared.
Passing Nadine’s open windows
On Thursdays I like to feature interesting people and today’s featured “mom who blogs” Nadine Rose Larter (Passing The Open Windows) is nothing if not interesting. She is a homeschooling mom and awesome author (featured her first book a while ago HERE) with such an unique look at life that I actually look forward to her fb statuses. She really is such a special soul and has agreed to have us pry into her life a little…
-Tell us a little about your family…
Well, we’re a family of five. I have one son and my husband has a son and a daughter. We all live together in one messy chaotic and often infuriating house.
-What do you do when not blogging?
Goodness. I think I’m mostly “not blogging”. I home school the three kids so I’m usually moaning at them to do their work. Otherwise I do a small bit of freelance writing and I try to work on a lot of fiction writing as well.
-What made you decide to blog?
I started blogging in 2009. I just wanted to write stuff. I started by blogging the first couple of chapters of my book, Coffee at Little Angels, and then kind of just meandered into blogging about whatever I felt like relatively quickly.
-What was your concept behind the blog?
Well back then it was supposed to be blog about me writing my novel. Now there isn’t much of a concept. It’s just another way to procrastinate instead of working on actual novels.
– Where does blog name come from?
It’s a John Irving reference from my favourite book, The Hotel New Hampshire. It basically means don’t commit suicide.
-Did you find yourself nervous at prospect of letting people into your life in this way?
No. I don’t. I’m not sure why I don’t. I suppose most people would. I like an open and honest dialogue though. I like being able to say what is on my mind. I like asking questions and discussing answers. Every now and then I get a nasty response but it’s not enough to shut me up.
-Do you ever worry that your child will be like “mom why are you exposing my life?” (I worry sometimes)?
Again, no. I don’t write much about my life as a parent or stepparent to be honest. I think if I had to delve in to that more then maybe I would start to worry. I write mostly about myself and what I’m thinking. A little narcissistic I guess. But that is my right. I hope my child will grow up to respect that. I hope he will grow up appreciating that I am a person too. Not just a mom.
-Does your family read your blog?
I think they do sometimes, but not always.
-What do you hope to achieve through the blog?
A little bit of sanity perhaps. Maybe some clarity. Sometimes I don’t always know how I feel about something until I write about it. So that helps. Putting yourself out there and being honest (and vulnerable) can be a great thing. I like to think that it might somehow help when it comes to finding like-minded people to spend more time with.
-What do you think about the blogging culture in South Africa?
I honestly have no opinion. Ok maybe I do have an opinion: I think that we have a lot to talk about and I think we could do it in a civilised way but instead we all act like idiots. Sure, there are a ton of mom blogs out there and they’re all cute and sweet and everyone’s offering a pat on the head and some gentle encouragement – great. But I sometimes wish we could be more real about stuff. I have yet to come across anything that made me feel like it might be bordering on progressive. I like to think something like that exists and that I just haven’t found it yet.
-What do you think makes for a “good blog”
I think writing what you want to write and being honest about it goes a long way in any world. I’m the wrong person to ask though. I’m not exactly trendy or with it!
-How do you personally measure success in the blogging world
I don’t measure it. I’m just doing what I do for me. My “success” is my own.
Follow Nadine here:
Interview surrounded by Caffeine and Fairydust :)
Thursdays are talk to interesting people days (about blogs or products) and it doesn’t get much more interesting than a fashion designing suburban working mom covered in tattoos…You know pregnant, with a 4-year-old running around while running a business and so cool you wish she’d ask you to sit with her during lunch…yes THAT interesting. I love Maz from Caffeine and Fairydust ‘s wit and passion for things. She has agreed to answer some questions for me, so today I’m cool by association
-Tell us a little about your family…
I am married to my crazy skateboarding & craft beer loving husband who is my best friend and greatest love – together we have a gorgeous almost 4-year old girl named Mikayla Rose and I am currently pregnant with our little boy who is due on the 19th of December! We have two rescue cats – Rhino and Green Pepper and a rat named Tinkerbell.
-What do you do when not blogging?
I am a Fashion Designer working with companies such as Truworths, Foschini, Queenspark and Poetry, I also do some Textile and Graphic design when I have the time. At the moment I am loving being a full time mommy on maternity leave. I have also recently started selling unique vintage furniture, home decor, art and jewelry sourced/made by my talented mom! You can have a look here – https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Vita-%C3%A8-Bella/305776452961056
I am also playing with the idea of maybe starting a kids clothing range, but we will see….
-What made you decide to blog?
I have always enjoyed writing as a sort of therapeutic relief, blogging is something I have always wanted to try. Cindy from 3Kids 2Dogs 1Old House greatly inspired me – I love her writing!
-What was your concept behind the blog?
O gosh… Chaos. I am not quite sure myself. It is sort of a journal for my family documenting my pregnancy and life as a mom in general. I am just telling my stories and giving my opinions – if it helps someone or if anyone can relate to my posts that’s great! I am no expert and I try not to give advice as I believe every single persons’ situation is different. I write about what I believe in and enjoy – which is my family, good food, fun things to do, fair treatment of animals, promoting cruelty-free products, etc.
– Where does blog name come from?
I have no idea, my mind works in weird ways. It just came to me… It’s the same when I design ranges/garments. Sometimes I dream about them, sometimes it just pops in my head…
-Did you find yourself nervous at prospect of letting people into your life in this way?
No, I have always been very open about my life. I don’t really care if people know what my secrets are. I am proud of my life and what I’ve achieved. I have been through quite a journey and I have much to share still!
-Do you ever worry that your child will be like “mom why are you exposing my life?”
I am always very cautious about the pictures I share or what I post when it comes to my little one, so not really. Obviously when she is older I will have to respect her privacy and be even more careful about what I write.
-Does your family read your blog?
Yes, my husband and my mom are my biggest fans!
-What do you hope to achieve through the blog?
So much! Currently I am running a series that promotes products that do not test on animals – I really wish more people will care about this. It is absolutely senseless to support a brand that still mutilates and terrorize animals in order to do their research when you have so many alternatives. I also want people to be a bit more open-minded and realize that even though I am tattooed and a little bit eccentric – I am still just a person with feelings like everyone else. I also love it when people respond to my posts so happy that they are not the only ones going through something similar to me.
-What do you think about the blogging culture in South Africa?
I am very new at this, but one thing I have notice and absolutely love is how supportive all the Mommy bloggers are of each other. It warms my heart! ♥
-What do you think makes for a “good blog”
I guess that is different for every person, I personally like blogs that are honoust and to the point. I enjoy a more relaxed style of writing.
-How do you personally measure success in the blogging world
By the response and interaction from the readers on your actual articles. To me stats don’t mean much.
xoxo
Maz
Caffeine and Fairydust
Experience life with Cassie and her ladybug
Today I’m featuring Cassie from Life with a Ladybug. She is mom to the cutest little girl!!! They makes me want to have a little girl and then Aidan tosses something in something and I think nah one is enough, hehe. I love her wit and honesty and often check in to see how she’s doing 🙂 you can too over HERE!
Tell us a little about your family…
My family is a little one, there is one 30 something adult human, one Two year old Ladybug and one eight year old Furbaby. We a girls only house and love every minute of it!
-What do you do when not blogging?
When Im not blogging Im juggling between being an HR Manager, a Correspondence Student, a Cook, a Cleaner, a Mom, an Toddler’s Entertainer, a Guider, the Good Cop the Bad Cop, a Wannabe Runner, a DIY Enthusiast, a Sister and a Friend, all while honing my skills on becoming a future Super Hero.
-What made you decide to blog?
I have family scattered all over the world, from the far South in New Zealand to way up North in Alaska (at the moment). My started during my pregnancy and it was a single platform where I could keep everyone updated.
–What was your concept behind the blog?
It changed a little over the last few years, originally it was to keep everyone updated, then it became therapeutic and then suddenly people started reading it. Now its basically a platform where I can let people in to what its like being a single parent, and what its like in our world, while keeping the family updated as to what’s happening.
-Did you find yourself nervous at prospect of letting people into your life in this way?
I took the decision that I was never going to blog very personal things about our life, about us. As a result, I blog under my nickname given to me by my sister at the age of 2 and I don’t use Ladybug’s real name. I also don’t let in personal information like what school she is at, where I work or where we live. There are some things that are meant to be for us only.
-Do you ever worry that your child will be like “mom why are you exposing my life?”?
My answer would be “ Aren’t you lucky I didn’t tell them about that time when you…..”
I do worry, but it all boils down to how personal you want to get.
-Does your family read your blog?
If they don’t I know where they live!! They love reading up on our adventures and misadventures.
-What do you hope to achieve through the blog?
Years and years of blackmail material to flash on a screen at Ladybugs 21st!
My blog is personal, I write about our life, what is relevant to us. Along the way I have inspired, touched and reached people I never thought I would which is awesome. But it really is an online memory bank for us to go through later in life. If I inspire just 1 random stranger who is struggling through something that I have struggled with and I can show them that its OK that you can get through it, then I have achieved more than I ever dreamed of achieving.
-What do you think about the blogging culture in South Africa?
I think there are allot of people that are “bloggers” then there are the real bloggers. Kudos to those that have made blogging awesome and to those that want to blog to get free stuff shame on you.
-What do you think makes for a “good blog”
Honesty, uniqueness and being differently like everyone else. I enjoy blogs where someone is writing from their heart if it’s a personal blog, someone that has taken the time out to actually write honestly about something.
-How do you personally measure success in the blogging world
Im a small fry in the big bad blog world. I blog because I enjoy it so I will never really “compete” in the blog world.
