Why I Blog

Thursday, October 11, 2012


Darling Laicie of A Thousand Threads recently wrote the loveliest post on why she blogs (you should read it, because it will inspire you like mad), and then she generously shared the love with me and a mess of bloggers whose company I'm honored to be in–some who I adore, and others who I discovered thanks to Laicie! As part of the award, bloggers are asked to share why they post their innermost thoughts/outfits/wedding plans/cocktails on the internet for a whole bunch of strangers to see, and the opportunity for introspection was too good to pass up.


To tell the truth, I started blogging because I was buying two copies of Martha Stewart Weddings every season–one to read and then hack into little pieces to carefully glue into my swiss dot wedding binder, and the second hidden under my bed to preserve for posterity, or a time when my layout no longer worked and I needed to swap out the Paloma Blanca mermaid for a Monique Lhuillier A-line that more precisely matched my future wedding vision. Buying wedding magazines in bulk was breaking my grad student budget, and my friend suggested I take to the internet with my obsession. 

I had also moved to San Francisco only 5 months earlier, leaving boyfriend John behind in Baltimore for a very difficult long-distance year; the blog not only served as a time-consuming distraction from missing him, but also a beautiful reminder of what might be in our future. For months I wrote and the only people I knew were reading were the handful of girlfriends I cautiously confessed this endeavor to; it didn't even occur to me that total strangers were reading what I was writing, or that I should be courting them because this was a personal project, the place where I collected all the loveliness I wanted to remember for the future. But more than a year after I started writing, a comment or two would pop up–and the women behind those comments were smart, funny, and also adored weddings, so I didn't feel quite so awkward about buying Brides Magazine without a ring on my left hand. I knew then that there were others out there just like me–wedding aficionados, romantics, bloggers–even though I would never have called myself a blogger back then.


Several years later, it's not just that I don't want to go back to making teeny tiny engagement ring collages–but I'm still glad I don't do that anymore. I blog to exercise my aesthetic muscles–choosing lovely photos might seem like a shallow pursuit, but I don't doubt the positive influence of prettiness, especially in a modern world. I used to underline well-turned phrases in my novels, but writing for an audience has made me acutely aware of the anxiety my favorite authors must have faced–and keeps me constantly revising my syntax, grammar and form. It might strike some as odd that I view this daily writing exercise as mental calisthenics and preparation for the academic life I'd like to have in the future, but after all, just what is the difference between saying something beautiful about a wedding gown and a piece of music?

But beyond the beautiful snapshots or writing practice,  I couldn't possibly encompass everything I feel about blogging or the reasons I do it without talking about the most important, inspiring, constantly evolving reason–you! I didn't even know you could make friends on the internet, much less insightful, incredible confidants with whom you could share your hopes, dreams, disasters and disappointments. My blog is for girls who love the classics, who dream of coupe glass towers and who'd never pass up the opportunity to swish a full skirt–but it's also for anyone who adores unfussy tradition, good manners, cocktails, kindness and love. I'm humbled to know so many of you, and look forward to meeting more–and that's the reason that on Sunday afternoon, you'll find me writing.


Tell me, why do you blog? 


Image by Whitney of emilie inc. photography, Bouquet by F as in Flowers.

18 comments:

  1. And thank goodness you do. I am in such a rut, and I can't wait to see you next week. I love this piece, Lena. I love your writing style. xoxo

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  2. Awww, that was so thoughtful and of course well-written =) I love your blog, it's a daily dose of lovely!!!

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  3. i'm so glad you do! beautifully written.

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  4. beautifully written :) I am so happy you took the plunge to start your blog. Its always fun to check out your pics and I of course love the drink recipes. Plus I like to think I am one of your internet buddies.

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  5. thank you for sharing this Lena!!!! I love the way you blog :)

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  6. Aw, thank you for sharing this! This is lovely.

    I blog because when I wrote I process my feelings much better than when I don't. It's pretty simple. Also because when i write about my feelings - I end up finding blogs like yours!

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  7. So sweetly and thoughtfully written. I love the space you've created here!

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  8. Oh Lena! I don't even know where to begin. Thank you for the mention and thank you even more for writing this! I admire your writing so much. I always wish I could describe things in the way you do. Your words make even the simplest of things sound like a dream... and you are so right in what you say here! It doesn't matter the subject, writing is an art and a practice, and writing about the things you love can bring joy to you, but also to so many others!

    So beautiful, my friend... I'll be looking forward to each and every well thought-out word, as always.

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  9. I have always loved writing but have always had a hard time journaling. As if me writing to myself only for me, inhibited the flow. Maybe because I just didn't see the point of putting down all those words just for me to see. Blogging is a journal of sorts with purpose. And the fact that people are reading actually makes it scarier but it also makes me feel like my thoughts and banter are more worth while. But now that I do blog I also blog for the community, the ideas and inspiration and the support of all the lovely ladies out there like you!

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  10. I loved reading about the sweet back story of your blog! I'm so happy to know I can find a bit of loveliness here every day :-)

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  11. You, my friend, are simply delicious.

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  12. Such a beautiful post, Lena. I think many of us share similar reasons for blogging. For me, I just had so much inspiration in my head that I had to get it out.. somewhere... anywhere. I, too, had no idea anyone would be really bothered reading it!! I have met so many wonderful, like-minded people along this journey. I never would have imagined the people across the other side of the world it would bring me close to and I cherish that!

    ~ Clare x

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  13. Great post Lena. I love learning a little more about you!

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  14. Your blog has been such a source of inspiration for me....thank you for blogging...you truly make me smile every day!!

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  15. i love this post, lena!! so much of it rang true for my own story and blog development. like you, i've underlined those parts in novels that hit home for me, those universal truths, but when it comes to blogging, sometimes i wonder if my thoughts, interests, anxieties, fears are truly universal. my own journey with blogging has made much more of a mark on me than i thought possible. when i first started, i wouldn't have dreamed of sharing details of my life, let alone pictures, but this letting go and opening up has been really rewarding.

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  16. What a great expression of why you do what you do. Loved reading this. xoxoxo

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  17. what a beautifully written story of your blog. I so enjoy reading it every week & love that you share all of this beauty (in dresses, drinks, shoes & sweets) with others.

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