Momathon Blog

BlogHer12 in the City

 

The first week in August, bloggers from around the globe came to NYC for the 8th annual BlogHer.com conference. I missed this year's conference but I kept in touch via Twitter updates and the BlogHer '12 Virtual Conference. Twitter updates from Laurie White—the @BlogHerAtHome host—and other bloggers are available via Twitter and at BlogHer.com. You can find Laurie on Twitter here and online here.

The conference always has an amazing list of speakers and presenters from the blogging world. And each year the keynotes are awesome too. Imagine this, on Thursday afternoon, BlogHer co-founders Lisa Stone and Elisa Camahort Page welcomed conference participants with a very special guest via a live video address from President Barack Obama. You can watch this video here. As a nonpartisan group, BlogHer also extended an invitation to candidate Governor Romney, but he was unable to participate via a live video address.

Martha—yes, that Martha!—was the keynote speaker at BlogHer12 and she shares her thoughts in her personal blog here. And Martha puts BlogHer on her list of  "good things" when she says:

BlogHer has become the largest community of women who blog:  40 million unique visitors per month.  They are drawn there to seek and share advice, opinions, and recommendations.  If you’re a female blogger, or are interested in blogging, visit BlogHer.

Katie Couric was Lunch Keynote Speaker on Saturday. You can watch the presentation here and find out how you can participate in Couric's new daytime show.

Julie Ross Godar, the executive editor of BlogHer, shares the must-watch conference highlights here in a video. 

Section editor for BlogHer Family, Jenna Hatfield has a nice round up of what happened here. 

We all know bloggers are a style savvy group. On Saturday, a BlogHer Fashion Show MC’ed by BlogHer’s editor-at-large, Kathryn Finney featured women from BlogHer’s Style community and guests from across the BlogHer community. BlogHer rocks the fashion runway in video here. 

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME INSPIRATION?

One of the most inspiring part of reading blogs is when a blog post is about turning lemons into lemonade. That's exactly what Linda Doty did when she couldn't get to the NYC conference—but she was able to stay connected and make lemonade via the virtual BlogHer12 conference at home. Linda writes the awesome blog Just Linda. She blogged about the BlogHer12 and packed her post with loads of blogging inspiration and tips here.

Looking for more BlogHer12 inspiration? You can find the BlogHer virtual conference liveblog posts here and conference videos from the event here.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE BLOGGERS ON BLOGHER 

I would love to include the hundreds and hundreds of amazing bloggers at the conference, but today I'll give a sampling of the many bloggers that continue to impress me from BlogHer12 and BlogHerAtHome. In no particular order, here are a few faves in the list below:

Nice to Meet You {A Linky Party for Bloggers}

Yay! It's Friday, and the 'Nice to Meet You' linky party officially begins. Today's question is: 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT HOME?

OK, now it's your turn. Come and join the blog fun. Not sure what a linky party is? I think blogger Lindsay at Shrimp Salad Circus sums it up best:

"Well, it's party one of my very busy Friday, and it's a collaboration with a super-creative group of ladies I 'met' at one of the Alt Summit classes I told you about. We decided to try to introduce our readers to the whole group and get everybody together for some blog hopping. First, I'm going to show you six pictures of how I love to spend my time at home. When you get to the end, I'll tell you how to share your own blog!"

Do you like Alt Design Summit and their classes? I L-O-V-E them. Each class truly inspires me and I am meeting so many creative bloggers and designers. If you would like to meet some awesome bloggers in the ALT community, come join the fun. Browse the links below and join the fun. Directions for joining the party at the end of this post.

So go link-up! Visit some new blogs--see the list below. Meet some new friends! If you like someone's post, be sure to leave a comment saying, "It was nice to meet you!" If you link up, be sure to let your readers know by sharing the button below in your blog post or on your sidebar! And say HI and connect on my Facebook page and on Twitter.

One of the amazing things about blogging is the opportunity to meet interesting people in the blogging community. This summer I finally met my nephew's lovely bride Suzannah—she writes the splendid blog Adventures in Dressmaking—and I was so excited to find out she likes ALT too. This week Suzannah and some of her clever blogging friends are hosting the first link-up for the 'Nice To Meet You" group.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?

In addition to Suzannah and Lindsay, Erika over at Foxtrot Press, Jeanette at Artchoo! and Lauren at Elleby Design have posts with lovely images to inspire you too! You can find a complete list of bloggers that are hosting the link-up party listed at the end of my post.

 

You can find out more about this linky party below.

Behind-the-Scenes Look at Food Blogging

Watching this behind-the-scenes video about the gluten-free foodie Lisa Thiele—she blogs at With Style and Grace—makes me want to stock up on fresh veggies and whip up a healthy meal for dinner. How does Lisa work her kitchen magic and manage to create mouth-watering blog posts? Her blog name gives it away—she has both style and grace.

Everything looks delicious thanks to Lisa's cooking finesse and the awesome food styling by Erin at Apartment 34. The video features Erin's beautiful loft home. You can find out more about how they made the video at theglitterguide.com. 

You can find Lisa's Mediterranean Chickpea Salad here. Yum!

Dear Pinterest.

 

The "Dear Pinterest" graphic above is part of the THE PINTEREST PROJECT. A kind social media experiment to reach as many Pinterest users as possible (and Pinterest) to raise awareness about the importance of LINKING to the original source + respecting intellectual property online. (More info here.)

Spreading love + goodness.

Please pin it. Please share it. Please + thank you.

via Dear Pinterest. - LINKwithlove.

P.S. If you want a LINKwithlove button like the one below, you can grab one here.

 

via linkwithlove.typepad.com

The "Dear Pinterest" graphic above is part of the THE PINTEREST PROJECT. A kind social media experiment to reach as many Pinterest users as possible (and Pinterest) to raise awareness about the importance of LINKING to the original source + respecting intellectual property online. (More info here.)

Spreading love + goodness.

Please pin it. Please share it. Please + thank you.

A wonderful whimsical birthday card by my big brother

 
My brother Eric has been creating amazing illustrations since he was in kindergarten. My mom says one of his elementary school teachers loved his work so much she let him draw all day instead of doing his schoolwork. Not sure if this was the best teaching method, but fortunately he managed to pass that grade and go on to excel in almost anything he tried. Fast forward a couple of decades and he makes his living creating amazing things in his art studio. And one recently landed in my mailbox—a wonderful whimsical birthday card featured in the photo above. Since he knows I am a slave to several adorable dogs—even providing special doggy car seats for my canine crew—the card he created makes me smile.

Eric's illustrations have been featured in so many places I've lost count—from designer clothing sold at Target to fine china at Pottery Barn to book covers like A Book of Ages and Role Models. His illustrations have appeared in the New Yorker, McSweeney's, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Spy, Oprah, the Atlantic, Harper’s, the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Gourmet, Wig Wag, the Believer and other publications. You can check out his work on his blog er-h and his illustration website.

Wordless Wednesday & Lovely Links

Stitch the Jack Russell Terrier has a great sense of humor and boundless energy to match. He's a friendly shelter dog who would be perfect in almost any family. He just needs lots of exercise. He is available for adoption at Pals Forever Animal Rescue in Colorado. (This photo was processed using the Camera Awesome app that I reviewed here.)

• Lovely Links •

Today I took another amazing ALT class with the awesome blogger Melanie at You Are My Fave and in class she mentioned her new "In the Box" series. This series is so cute. I know this isn't surprising because I am nuts about boxes. This week's post is adorable: Paris in a Box Is My Fave. 

If you are looking for a cute way to add a romantic glow to your dinner table, check out the cute Fellowfellow blog and Claire's votive candle tutorial. This DIY project combines fabric scraps, craft glue, and small jars to make Sweet DIY Votives. Because I know I am one of those moms who will always worry too much about just about anything, due to the fact the fabric lines the inside of the votive glass, I I would follow Claire's advice and stick to battery operated tea lights instead of real candles in this votive.

Photo above by me, Chris Olson.

Amazon.com listens to outcry and pulls lewd e-book

Power to the moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles who spoke up and said very loudly "ENOUGH!" 

The online outcry was targeted at Amazon.com for including an obscene guidebook for pedophiles. The lewd details about this book reported in the news are so upsetting that after reading the reports I felt like vomiting. Fortunately the outcry evidently pushed Amazon to remove the book, but I am concerned that another book like this will get published again.

As a former book editor and a parent, I will briefly summarize the concept of this book: Disgusting! 

I object so strongly to the publication of this book that I won't even dignify it by giving the title of the obscene book or including the author's name.

The book debuted on Kindle on October 28th. Until the bloggers, tweeters, and just plain angry customers reacted in the past few days, the e-book was sold on Amazon. Finally Amazon heard the online outcry and pulled the book off its Kindle list today.

How can an objectionable book such as this book appear on Amazon.com? Amazon initially offered the controversial book under the grounds of free speech. Amazon does request that authors verify the book is not offensive, however their guidelines for determining offensive material are vague. According to the BBC News:

Amazon does not specifically state on its website what material it deems offensive, instead saying "probably what you would expect'.

News of the offensive book available on Amazon.com spread through Twitterverse. Mommy (and daddy) tweets around the world demanded the book be dropped. According to LA Times blog Jacket Copy: 

On Twitter, the best way for lots of people to raise their collective voices quickly, users have called for Amazon to remove the book. Author and blogger Kristen Welch tweeted, "Dear Lord, @amazon Do you really want the force (a.k.a MOM BLOGGERS) boycotting you? Remove this book."

Hats off to Hera over at her blog Greek Momma. With savvy PR skills and a rational tone her voice was one of the many demanding removal of the book from the Amazon listings. Hera listed the Amazon toll free number for complaints. She even addressed the issue of freedom of speech and why taking the book off Amazon did not infringe on the author's rights. In a nutshell, Hera encouraged Amazon to exercise their right to determine that a book is objectionable. Here is what Hera, an adult survivor of child molestation and child abuse/neglect, asked her readers to do:

This is a matter of telling Amazon, a huge conglomerate that making this information accessible to such a large number of people is wrong. That you and I , as consumers will not buy from a company that promotes illegal activity, especially acts that will undoubtedly harm or children and their families. 

Online demonstrations such as this one come with a word of caution that makes me cringe: Even bad publicity has the power to create interest. The sad irony is the fact that the online outcry made the book more prominent on the Amazon list. In fact, according to Slate Magazine and Gawker, before TechCrunch wrote about the book on Wednesday, very few had even heard of it. As Slate reports:

After TechCrunch covered the book, it skyrocketed to 146th—"an increase of over 101,000% in less than a day," Gawker's Adrian Chen notes. It reached 65th place before Amazon pulled it from the site, 

The story comes full circle here. Amazon sold the book, people complained, Amazon took the book off their list. But this cycle can repeat itself. And each time an objectionable book gets more publicity.

Amazon.com and other booksellers are in the driver's seat. Before another objectionable book like this becomes available I urge booksellers to rethink their policies and remember as adults we are responsible for protecting our children.

If you want to read more about the Amazon's removal of the controversial Kindle book, CNET News and the WSJ also cover the story.

Creative kickstart

Inspiration for my illustration and design projects comes in many forms. Before I go to my studio each morning, I check in on my favorite blogs and see what they are talking about.



Victoria over at the blog sfgirlbybay always features something interesting--photos, artwork, interviews, or reviews--to get the creative juices flowing. 

And sometimes the luscious imagery makes me hungry...

Anthology Magazine featured on sfgirlbybay.

 

Found this lovely wallpaper by illustrator Julia Rothman on sfgirlbybay. I adore the wallpaper's rich colors and the heavenly drawings of birds in the clouds. The wallpaper is also featured on grain edit and includes Victoria's interview with Julia.



Julia's new collaborative book The Exquisite Book is on my wish list.

(photos via sfgirlbybay and grain edit)

via my style blog Luna Blue Studio: Creative kickstart

Tumblr fave: Hello, November

(via paisley-rose)

Today's Tumblr post featured in quote-book.tumblr.com

Cooking with Kids: Pizza Lollipops

Is it possible to combine two of my favoriet things--lollipops and pizza?

Meaghan Montford, The decorated cookie blogger, loves tiny versions of things. And she can almost always think of a clever way to add a lollipop stick to an edible craft. (She also writes the Edible Crafts blog.)

Recipe:
In her pizza pops post Meaghan tells you exactly how to make your own Pizza Lollipops at home. And if you are really adventurous you can make a lollipop calzone too! Too cool.

I think making a half a dozen of the cute pops would make a clever gift idea.

(Photo: the decorated cookie blog.)

 

Life is sweet

Delicious digital eye candy available everyday on Quote-book.tumblr.com. I love this recent whoopie cake post. 

Via Quote-book.tumblr.com.
Photograph by: alyqt
Quote by: Whitney Scott

Yummy blogs: Design Love Fest blog

 

It's Friday. Take a break, sit back, and drink in the lovely blog Design Love Fest by graphic designer Bri Emery.

 

 

 

 

Photos: Screenshots from the oh-so-sweet Design Love Fest blog. 
  

Cooking with kids: Ribbon Candy

 

Linda V. of Brisbane, Australia loves baking, decorating cakes and cookies, and party planning. Just reading her blog Bubble and Sweet makes my mouth water. Her recent blog post all about making Marshmallow Ribbon Candy is now on my new recipes to try list. Besides creating food in the yummiest colors, your kids will love to help out because making the candy is like an oh-so-cool (and edible) science experiment right in your kitchen. 

I think this recipe is a great one to try with older kids, but an adult should be supervising because you end up making a VERY HOT marshmallow lava bowl in the microwave.

To make the ribbon candy, you first need to make the marshmallow fondant. Just four ingredients:

• sugar
• marshmallows
• Crisco
• water

For the complete recipe, check out Linda's Marshmallow Fondant Recipe online. After you make the fondant, follow her directions for coloring the fondant and rolling out the Marshmallow Ribbon Candy.

For more recipes for moms and kids, check out Momathon food and recipes.

10 new hip words for you (endorsed by the New Oxford American Dictionary)

The list of new words added to the New Oxford American Dictionary is probably a mile long. The editors at the Oxford University Press blog included a sampling of the additions here.

You probably already know what BFF and bromance mean. Here are a few of my faves from the OUP blog's list that are a bit more unusual: 

1. carbon credit n. a permit that allows a country or organization to produce a certain amount of carbon emissions and that can be traded if the full allowance is not used. 
2. cloud computing n. the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
3. eggcorn n. a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation of another, an element of the original being substituted for one that sounds very similar or identical (e.g., tow the line instead of toe the line). – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: with reference to a misinterpretation of acorn.
4. homeshoring n. the practice of transferring employment that was previously carried out in a company’s office or factory to employees’ homes. – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: on the pattern of offshoring.
5. parkour (also parcour) n. the activity or sport of running through an area, typically in an urban environment, using acrobatic techniques to negotiate obstacles. – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: French, alteration of parcours ‘route, course.’
6. paywall n. (on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.
7. tag cloud n. a visual depiction of the word content of a website, or of user-generated tags attached to online content, typically using color and font size to represent the prominence or frequency of the words or tags depicted.
8. tramp stamp n. informal a tattoo on a woman’s lower back.
9. truthiness n. informal the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true. – ORIGIN early 19th cent. (in the sense ‘truthfulness’): coined in the modern sense by US humorist Stephen Colbert (1964–).
10. zombie bank n. informal a financial institution that is insolvent but that continues to operate through government support.

A couple of new phrases

be all that informal be very attractive or good: he thinks he’s all that—yeah, God’s gift.

my bad informal used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake: Sorry about the confusion. It’s my bad.

like herding cats informal used to refer to a difficult or impossible task, typically an attempt to organize a group of people: controlling the members of this expedition is like herding cats.

cop to accept or admit to: there are a lot of people who don’t cop to their past.

what’s not to like? informal used as a rhetorical expression of approval or satisfaction: cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and mountain views—what’s not to like?

For more posts about writing, check out Momathon and writers.

Tumblr and me

I joined Tumblr--the site that makes it simple to share practically anything. You can post photos, text, quotes, links, audio, and more. Tumblr is an addictive mix of blogging and tweeting. Your post of a photo or whatever might go viral thanks to the Reblog button on your post that allows a meme to spread rapidly across the blogosphere.

Setting up my Mom-a-thon page on Tumblr and selecting a page theme was so much fun I didn't want to choose just one. I'm sure I will be fiddling with the appearance for weeks. 

Set up a Tumblr account for yourself and have fun!

 

This geeky mom loves Huff Post Tech

 

 

Met the talented Bianca Bosker, Huffington Post Tech Editor, at the sold-out BlogHer'10 in NYC. Bosker created a slideshow of Twitter users' reflections on BlogHer 10.

 

Seems like a new tech gadget is born every second. That's why I read the Huff Post Tech online to stay up with the latest trends. You can also keep up with tech news on Twitter: @bbosker and @HuffPostTech. 

Inspiration from Maeve magazine

 

 

The new online magazine MAEVE aimed at the "conscious consumer" looks fascinating. According to their website: "MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family."

Thanks for the tip via Design Mom on Babble.com: 

"The second issue of Maeve Magazine just came out and you can count me as a fan. Maeve is a quarterly online publication published from Australia. It’s free and it’s a treat to scroll through — interesting content and excellent photography. I love the tagline: Raising An Inspired Generation. And I love how the about page describes the publication.

Was I ever hot?

Guess this means I'm getting old...er...older.

I'm not sure if I remember ever being hot, so embracing my former "hotness" seems impossible. Of course, I adore the complicated and sexy Carrie Bradshaw, but I am more like the ultra practical and orderly Miranda.

Besides buying the latest Wonder Bra, is it possible to become hot again? Blogger Stephanie Dolgoff has compiled her observations about that "formerly hot" state of mind in her new book, My Formerly Hot Life: Dispatches from Just the Other Side of Young.

 

 

The book has many sparkling reviews. According to Margo Maine, Ph.D., author The Body Myth: Adult Women and the Pressure to Be Perfect:

"My Formerly Hot Life belongs right next to Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love for the woman trying to understand and embrace her complicated contemporary life. At the same time as it is laugh-out-loud funny, it will help you discard the old notions and expectations of yourself that no longer fit. Reading it will help you access the hotness you thought was diminishing…but that might just be heating up." 

— Margo Maine, Ph.D., author The Body Myth: Adult Women and the Pressure to Be Perfect

For more great reads, check out my reading list on Momathon books.

Geotags: Will the photos you post online give away your location?

I am a GPS addict when it comes to maps and driving directions. Perhaps it is because I'm directionally dyslexic. However, when I post photos online, I don't want my iPhone's "location services" to geotag my photos and give away personal information. In a nutshell, photo geotags store location-based data in the form of latitude and longitude. Smartphones love creating geotags--and you probably never noticed this feature. 

According to an article by Kate Murphy in San Jose Mercury News

When Adam Savage, host of the popular science program "MythBusters," posted a picture on Twitter of his automobile parked in front of his house, he let his fans know much more than that he drove a Toyota Land Cruiser.

Embedded in the image was a geotag, a bit of data providing the longitude and latitude of where the photo was taken. Hence, he revealed exactly where he lived. And since the accompanying text was "Now it's off to work," potential thieves knew he would not be at home.

via www.mercurynews.com

You can disable photo geotagging. On the website I Can Stalk U, go to the heading "How do I disable this" to find detailed instructions for disabling geotagging photos on your iPhone (iOS 4.x and iOS 3.x), Palm WebOS, or Google Android. 

Read. Blog. Learn.

Summer is a favorite time for me because with the kids out of school and no annoying alarm clocks buzzing at 5:30 a.m. I can stay up as late as I want READING!

Ever wonder what other readers think about books they are reading? Now you can check out the Book blogger directory with all the book bloggers who attended the Book Blogger Convention this year in NYC. The directory also lists the links to their blogs. 

Have fun reading!

(Thanks for the blog tip via GalleyCat)

 

Blogging on an iPad, or not

Blogging using my iPhone has been an adventure. Sure, using a smart phone is a fairly reliable way to post when you are on the road with barely enough room in your carry-on bag for clothes much less a laptop. However, you are on vacation, so why should you be working so hard to do anything like blogging on a teeny-tiny smart phone screen? 

Enter the iPad. Love at first sight. I felt certain our relationship would be blessed by the gods of tech. Time passes and like all relationships, I am beginning to notice some flaws in my beloved iPad. For example, the fact my iPod is a poor multi-tasker compared to my laptop. And I can't get my Typepad account to stop bickering with my iPad like a couple of siblings. 

There's got to be an app for that. 

Turns out there are more iPhone apps than iPad apps and at least as far as blogging is concerned I am still waiting for a solution. Today I am testing out a new iPad app. I am writing my TypePad post with the help of the BlogPress app. Seems to be working. I like using the larger keyboard in the app. I can even add photos easily. I can also save my post as a draft and come back to it later after I have done the research I need for writing--and that is a big deal because remember my iPad doesn't multi-task. 

I still need to learn how to add links, etc to my post. I'll save that for my bedtime reading. 

(Posted using BlogPress from my iPad)

Best mom food bloggers according to Babble.com

 

I don't know how the editors could narrow it down to only 50--so many talented foodies write blogs. Check out Babble.com's 50 Best Mom Food Bloggers list including these yummy blogs Food Allergy Mama, Steamy Kitchen, Kayotic Kitchen and Seven Spoons.

One of the best things about these blogs is you don't have to be another Martha Stewart in the kitchen to enjoy reading them. Of course, great recipes are key to their success, but you can also check out these blogs for their humor and beautiful photography. 

The staff and contributors at Babble "picked these fifty because each demonstrated excellence in voice, photography, design, or all three."

Love, love, love the listing by the editors on Babble, but have to admit their photo of chocolate dripping off the mixer is making me very hungry. Cupcakes anyone?

Bon Appetit!

(Image: Babble.com post)

 

So many reasons why I love Paris are found in the new book "Paris: Made by Hand"

Pia Jane Bijkerk is an internationally acclaimed stylist, photographer and author specializing in interiors, still life & food.  Her first book titled Paris: Made by Hand is available now. The photos in her book are so lovely. I want to live in her book! Time to book a flight to visit this city again.

Here is what Pia has to say about her new book on her blog:

"This is a book for lovers of all things handmade, the chic and unique, and of course Paris. In this book I take you off the tourist streets of this incredible city in search of Parisian artisans whose work is truly inspirational, and secreted studio boutiques filled with exquisite Parisian handmade treasures. I’ve been collecting these special addresses in my stylist’s little black book over the past couple of years and now with great delight, share them all with you in Paris: Made by Hand. Expect to see this fine city in a whole new light…"

Web comics for dog lovers: Dog Eat Doug

 

While you drink your cuppa joe, check out Dog eat Doug and get your daily dose of canine humor by comic strip artist Brian Anderson. Web comic features the antics of Sophie the chocolate Lab and a baby named Doug. 

(Image from Dog eat Doug web comics.)

What makes you smile?

 

What makes you truly happy? My answer to that question has always been activities that are rewarding but also involve some work--like taking a vacation with my family, working on a writing assignment, or completing a home renovation project. But according to Gretchen Rubin, mother of two and the author of the The Happiness Project and a blogger, starting your day with small accomplishments such as making your bed can make a big difference. Will something so simple really make me happier? If you are like me, then the idea of only doing a small chore to improve your happiness quotient sounds almost too good to be true. However, I'm up for the challenge and I'm going to try it out for the next month. 

Curious about other ways to find happiness? Join Rubin's The Year of Happiness Challenge. Each month she proposes an area of life to tackle, and over the next month she'll suggest manageable resolutions to boost your happiness. 

Blogs that make you smile: The City Sage

Blogger Anne Sage is a city girl who "craves good old-fashioned country mud now and again. Check out her blog The City Sage. Her California based blog features seasonally-themed styling, musings on fashion and interior design collections, and book reviews. Have fun reading.

 

Driven to distraction lists: Best design blogs

   

 
I can't take credit for creating this top 50 list, but I agree with the selection made by London Times. If you are looking for inspiration in interior design or almost any design niche, then check out the list. (Just don't blame me if you end up spending a whole afternoon reading the blogs.)

Starting with number 50, here is the London Time's list and their comments on 50 of the world's best design blogs:

50. Lovely Clusters Pretty design finds chosen by a Hawaiian-based graphic designer.

49. The Fabric of my Life Musings and photo collages from a London interior stylist.

48. Design Squish Design blog with an emphasis on nature, sustainability and eco issues.

47. Pillar Box Post London style and observations from an American ex-pat.

46. Automatism The daily visual inspirations of a Canadian illustrator.

45. Nestled In Home renovation and thrifty finds from Finland.

44. Oliveaux A Brisbane-based interior designer shares her passion.

43. Brooklyn Limestone The renovation of a traditional Brooklyn limestone townhouse.

42. Delight by Design Glamorous interiors and classy styling ideas.

41. Please Sir Vintage purchases to covet and more from a North Carolinian designer.

40. Chez Larsson The interiors and craft projects of a Stockholm family home.

39. Katy Elliott New England-inspired selections from an ex-Domino writer.

38. Simplesong Design favourites with a clean and simple quality. 

37. Modish Portland-based champion of indie designers.

36. Oh So Beautiful PaperWedding invitations and inventive stationery ideas.

35. The City Sage California-based Anne Sage’s features include seasonally-themed styling and book reviews.

34. The Design Files Melbourne homes, shops and design.

33. Home Shopping SpyTechnically the blog of Ideal Home magazine run on the writer’s sparky comment.

32. Mint Design, art and more from graphic designer Ellie Snow, with an interesting recent series on adapting to a freelance lifestyle.

31. Making it Lovely Feminine favourites, independent design and home decoration.

30. Oh Hello Friend Beautifully-designed and curated posts from a graphic and jewellery designer.

29. Fine Little Day Quirky Scandinavian style from a Swedish designer and photographer.

28. Bliss Photographer Mrs French’s ‘I heart Monday’ wishlist is a weekly highlight.

27. A Field Journal Visual eye candy featuring this talented student’s own photography and craft projects.

26. Coco & Kelley Trend watch from a Seattle-based interior and events stylist with a penchant for elegant glamour.

25. Wee Birdy Incredibly cohesive: London shopping and birds-inspired design, authored by an Australian magazine writer living in London.

24. Pia Jane Bijkerk Unique content from an Australian prop stylist and author living in Amsterdam.

23. Daydream Lily Her other life - dreamy images selected by Melbourne-based research scientist Liss Winnel.

22. Sweet Paul Craft and styling ideas from New York-based food and prop stylist Paul Lowe.

21. Design for Mankind Featuring edgy graphic and product design, this blog has a brilliant video series highlighting issues facing creative freelancers.

20. Dos Family Photographer Jenny Brandt’s aspirational home tours feature stylish Swedish families.

19. This is Glamorous Consistently classy selections with a high glamour factor.

18. Lobster and Swan Hastings design muse Jeska shares her photography and vintage-styled vignettes from her home.

17. Frolic! Relaxed style from a Portland-based floral stylist.

16. Grain Edit Mid-century inspired graphic design.

15. Print and Pattern Popular British blog focusing on colourful surface pattern design.

14. Swiss Miss Unique ideas and products picked by a Swiss graphic designer living in New York.

13. Bloesem Kuala Lumpar-based writer Irene also has an offshoot blog featuring child-specific design.

 

12. Young House Love Interiors advice, DIY and moodboards from a young couple renovating their own home.

11. Design is Mine A perfectly picked selection of art and design from independent designers worldwide.

10. SF Girl by Bay Bohemian chic from San Francisco-based Victoria Smith, a former art dealer.

9. Creature Comforts FeaturingFlickr favourites and promoting handmade design, this blog’s layout is itself a visual treat.

8. Emma's Design BlogScandinavian style from a Stockholm-based design enthusiast.

7. Poppytalk Vancouver-based blog with a marketplace for independent designers.

6. Decor8 All-round comprehensive design blog written by an American living in Hannover, Germany.

5. Oh Joy! Stylish selections which complement the cool aesthetic of the writer’s own successful stationery range.

4. Desire to Inspire Interiors inspiration galore, co-written on different continents by an Australian and a Canadian.

3. The Selby Uber-cool photographs of creative people in their living spaces, taken by photographer Todd Selby.

2. Design Sponge With a book in the works, Design Sponge includes readers’ DIY ‘before and afters’ and inspiring house tours.

1. Apartment Therapy Every aspect of interior design is covered in this American mega-blog, with the useful option of posing your design dilemmas to its readers.