These Blogs are the Cool Kids and I Want to Sit at their Table.

So here's my excuse for not blogging this time....I was reading other blogs. I was also cooking! (More on that later).

I've gone crazy reading other blogs and wishing they were mine. At some point in the future this blog will take more direction, serve purpose, and appeal to people outside of my immediate family. But I need a totally awesome theme. Until that revelation, it will be what it is. TV, YouTube, Shopping, Food, and Random Goodness with infrequent unapologetic irregularity. (Not as redundant as it sounds. I thought it through.)

Also, please read past the jump. I will stop writing blog posts about my blog posts. (Now that is redundant).


You may have noticed there is a new fall-color motif...that's right, friends. I'm spending Friday night at home being lazy, so that means one thing...MAKEOVER. Those blue swirlies were kind of nauseating. One of you (Melissa and/or Pete) should've said something. I like this fall 70's vibe at the moment.  Not permanently, but seasonly.


And now, here are a few of the sites that have been capturing my attention and monopolizing my time.

http://www.goop.com/

I was highly skeptical of Gwyneth Paltrow's venture into a blog and "lifestyle" newsletter. I am usually skeptical of any celebrity venturing out publicly into a realm which is not the realm by which I identify them. (I'm kinda judgey like that when it comes to famous people...I'm jealous. It's true). But, I heard good things about GOOP so I gave it a whirl. And, I find it fascinating. I read about things I usually don't care about, but are interesting when introduced in small doses. Some of the recipes, activities, and suggestions I will never try but they're enjoyable nonetheless.  I love the way the site and newsletters are laid out. They are clean and easy to follow. Lastly, if you are the type of person who likes intense pain in his/her bicep, then I recommend doing these arm exercises: Tracy Anderson Method

http://www.cupcakesandcashmere.com/

I learned about this site from the latest InStyle Magazine (aka "the reason I check my mailbox"). It has everything I want my life to have...beautiful clothes, delicious food, eclectic style, and inspiring photography. Not to mention, it has won a ton of awards, been featured in every major magazine, and is generally just chic and cool.







SIDE NOTE:

Cupcakes and Cashmere and Smitten Kitchen (spoiler alert, it's the third blog I mention.) make me want to trade in my cheap camera from Target, invest in quality equipment, and start snapping. Although, perhaps prior to investing in the quality equipment, I should invest in some photography lessons, borrow some equipment, and see if I have any discernible skills before I drop more dough. Bottom line: the photography is exquisite on both sites. That's probably why they can have the clean all white/neutral backgrounds and I have to have crazyass spastic backgrounds.

Photo from Cupcakes and Cashmere

http://www.smittenkitchen.com/
If you are cool and/or like food, then you've probably heard of this one. In the story that is my life, I was apparently not cool enough because I just discovered this gem. I don't really cook (again, more on that later), but I love cookbooks and cooking websites. This site is extremely-user friendly, has (what appear to be) delicious recipes that aren't overly complicated with hard-to-find ingredients.

Apple Cheddar Scones (YUM!) 

My favorite part of Smitten Kitchen is the way in which recipes are organized. You can search by season (which is especially helpful if you are a farmers' market shopper) or by ingredient. The "Surprise Me" function allows you to find delicious recipes you may have missed the first go-around.

My advice, check out these three sites and then visit the ones they link to and mention. It is hours of stylish fun that will make you want to travel, cook, go shopping, have cool friends, buy a home, redecorate a home, and take up a hobby. Or, in my case, read about uber-chic stylistas, then stay home on a Friday night in $5 sweatpants and share your discoveries with others. Thanks, other blogs of the "world wide web." You inspire and you make us all just a little bit cooler.

How am I doing? How close am I to hanging with the cool kids?


Most internet gurus agree that the keys to a successful blog are:


1. Post frequently and regularly.
    - Hmm...define frequently.

2. Have relevant and clear content.
   - Yeah, I think we've already established this one.

3. Use high quality graphics, a clean design, and professional photos.
  - Um, hello? Orange/navy motif and right-click-save-as Google Image...what up?

Oh blast, I forgot to tell you about the cooking. Next time.