By Invitation Only: Bloggers And Friends

This month for By Invitation Only, we’re talking about the wonderful relationships we’ve made through blogging, and some of the fellow bloggers who supported us early on.

This blog, Une femme d’un certain âge, began life in 2007, shortly after my 50th birthday. In addition to being obsessed with getting ready for our first visit to Paris (a lifelong dream), I was also finding myself confounded by shopping for clothes in a “baby doll” world, and hoping to start an online conversation about style for women over 50. At that point in time, there were few if any style blogs for our demographic, and I decided to try and write the kind of blog I’d want to read.

I had few readers in those early days, and knew little about social media or how to develop an audience. But there were a couple of like-minded bloggers who somehow found me very early on, and we’ve continued the conversation through these last few years. One I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person, and the second I very much hope to meet sometime in the near future.

Materfamilias and I first bonded over our love of whimsical shoes, and even though we lead rather different lives (she’s an academic, a grandmother, lives mostly on a small island in the Pacific Northwest) we share a love of Paris, and similar sensibilities when it comes to fashion and style. Her blog is a lovely blend of style, personal updates, beautiful photography of her own corner of the world and the various places around the globe she visits, and writing that’s often as poetic as the subject matter she teaches at a nearby university. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a few hours with her during a stopover in Vancouver a couple of years ago, and she was just as delightful as her blog persona. It was like catching up with an old friend.

Another early reader and commenter, Duchesse of Passage Des Perles has become a regular part of our  blogging cohort. Duchesse is known for her love and knowledge of pearls and other jewelry, as well as a very Parisian approach to style and shopping, but recently has also been tackling various topics associated with aging, retirement and money, as well as sharing some snippets of life in her new hometown, Montreal. Duchesse also visits Paris regularly, and has an eye for the best of what the city has to offer. I’ve been lobbying le monsieur to schedule a visit to the East Coast, including a swing through Montreal so that I can finally meet up with this online friend.

I treasure these online relationships, and consider these women my friends. They both contribute so much through their lovely blogs, and I do hope you will pay them a visit.

Please do go check out the By Invitation Only links at Splenderosa.
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17 Comments

  1. Thank you for the introduction to these talented ladies…I’m going to pop across and visit them all 😉
    Your blog is fabulous and I enjoy reading your posts…it’s funny you saying you started shortly after your 50th birthday…I did too…I LOVE the wonderful world of blogging!
    Have a great week.
    Catherine
    xx

  2. Ah! Another one here 🙂 I started blogging last year under almost identical circumstances. Heading to Paris for my 30th wedding anniversary, and.. have passed the 5.0. milestone (thankful for that).

    Wonderful topic and thank you for sharing.

    leslie

  3. You are so very kind, Sue, and always generous. I recognized not only your style/stylishness, but also your thoughtful and honest interest in the world as well as a quick wit, right from the first post I read — and I still remember how quickly you came over to comment at my place when I asked you a question at yours. At the time, as you say, there weren’t many of us doing this, and it was a real joy to connect. Meeting you several years ago cemented the deal, somehow, and I really do consider you a friend, as odd as that might seem to those who haven’t entered the blog/social media space

    And the Fluevogs, of course. Having several pairs in common is surely a ritual not unlike that of exchanging blood — we’re practically related now!
    Thank you! (and I hope that someday you, Duchesse, and I can have a wonderful long lunch together after a few hours of shoe-shopping!)

  4. I have tears in my eyes. *You* inspired me to write, because my comments were so long on “Une femme”! I was so grateful to find someone writing for us! We get the best of style, product info, and your most interesting life… for free! What a gift. Your candor sets the standard for honest and connected writing.

    As I said to ma, a lunch is not long enough! She has met you, I have met her, and so… the logical next step is- your place or mine?

    PS. am always happy to meet other bloggers and commenters!

  5. Sue-Sue, this is so interesting and loving. I haven’t met anyone, in living person, yet…but how I would love to do so. Joni @ Cote d’Texas lives right here in Houston, it would be so easy to have lunch with her…& now I’m determined to do it. Lovely post, darling…and I’m definitely going over to give a shout-out to your friends. xx’s

  6. I love hearing how and why people begin this extraordinary process that becomes so important to so many of us.

    And so many other great links to explore. Thank you for this!

  7. You are focused and passionate about Paris and accessible, wearable fashion and it shows. I will honestly credit you with helping me find my fashion sense again. I had it when I was young. I lost it when I moved to the mountains for numerous reasons.

    A simple thing like tying a scarf differently or wearing a new lipstick or not being afraid of some fashion trends just because one is 60; you give confidence. That’s a rare quality.

    Thank you!

  8. Thank you so much for sharing these creative women bloggers today, I have met a couple of girls in person over the years through blogging and it was just wonderful. I really wish we could all meet, many of us have so much in common.
    Thank goodness for blogging! and thank goodness for being 50! Me too!! I think it is a nice age to be.

    xxx Sending hugs from down under, xx Coty

  9. Thank you Sue, for sharing your blog experience! Your interesting post, so well written of course, is encouraging and inspiring to every one!
    Lovely to have “met” you via this monthly event.

    Greetings from the Périgord,
    karin

  10. I don’t have your experience in blogging but I am already very happy to have connected with many nice bloggers. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! Many of us will relate to it for sure:-)
    All the best,
    Anne

  11. Wonderful to hear about the depth connections – even as a new blogger, I am finding the same. I appreciated your links to some of your previous highlight posts as well!

  12. I don’t blog, but starting selling jewelry to women my age. To do some research, I googled “women of a certain age” and found you! From you I realized that there are a lot of women like me, past 50 but still wanting to have fun with clothes and life. I’m so inspired by you and this great network of women! Thanks for getting me started!

  13. I also am so grateful for the amazing ladies that my blog has brought into my life and yes, consider them friends and not blog friends! I can’t wait to discover your suggestions, neither of whom I have heard of but know that, coming from you, that is high praise indeed!
    And a ps to Closet Coach’s ps–me too!
    xo,
    Heather