From the category archives:

blogging

Imploded

by Elisa on January 27, 2011

in blogging,ramblings

I’ve been gone. Not traveling, unfortunately – I wish. I still have quite a bit to check off my travel bucket list.

I’ve been gone, absent, MIA. I could say life got in the way, but doesn’t it always? Truth is, we choose to give priority to what’s most important to us. Or sometimes, we just choose to do the most obvious, least scary things and leave the rest. For a while at least. You can only let things go for a while before the backlog of unresolved and unhandled stuff comes smack you in the face.

All the time I have been gone, I have been writing blog posts in my head. Sort of. I should say that I have found the inspiration for blog posts, but never actually wrote them. I procrastinated. Because there was stuff to do, and I was in a bit of a weird place, and when more people started implying that my blogging is self-indulgent, that it’s a waste of time to dedicate this much time to something that doesn’t bring in money and doesn’t benefit your family in anyway… I started believing them. So I kept putting it off, because I felt like there were so many other things I should be doing instead of blogging.

But I should know myself by now. I cannot just sit on stuff, it drives me crazy. Usually what happens is I hold back, and then at some point I cannot hold back anymore and I explode. This time, no explosion. More like an implosion. It’s like I have been holding back so much that nothing can go through now. (The image this wording calls to mind is not lost on me – so go ahead and say that I’m emotionally constipated.)

I should know better. Blogging is meaningful to me, because it’s my outlet, my creative space, my own thing, the one place where I don’t have to follow anyone else’s cue, rules or directions but I can just be me, stream-of-consciousness style, sharing as much or as little as I want of what goes on in my head. It makes me feel good, it lightens up the load, and it doesn’t hurt anyone – what’s so bad about that?

What’s so bad about taking some time and space for myself, since I prioritize other people’s needs over mine so much of the time? What’s with the notion that everything we do has to generate income or be meaningful in someone else’s eyes to be considered productive?

So to all those who made snide remarks, those who made me feel bad about this, those who suggested I do something more productive with my time, those who implied that I was being selfish for dedicating time to blogging… take a hike. We all need an outlet and we all need our own space and this is mine. Aside from a bit of cleaning time, it doesn’t negatively influence my life or my duties in any way. On the contrary – a creative outlet has been known to relieve stress and pressure and facilitate communication and personal interaction by providing a place for negative emotions to be processed or channeled into something else.

Short version? I’m back. And if you don’t like it, farewell. Don’t let the door hit your judgmental ass on your way out.

(as for you, my bloggy friends – HI! Catch me up: what have you been up to? Do you also get flak for blogging?)

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’cause any party is a way better party when there’s gifts. (And booze, but you’re on your own there.)

by Elisa on April 22, 2010

in blogging,fun stuff,giveaways

Last week my little blog here turned two. I have a toddler blog. Isn’t she cute? (Of course my blog is a she. Haven’t you noticed the shoes all over the place?)

And who could ever be better to help me celebrate than you? That’s right, you. If you weren’t here last year for my first blogiversary (or even if you were), here’s your chance. I scoured one of the best places for fun, fab things on the web, Etsy, and contacted some of my favorite sellers to see if they’d play along. And how fun are they? Look at all the fabulous stuff they contributed to the blogiversary giveaway! (Sick of me saying blogiversary yet? Me too. Someone come up with a better word, pretty please with chocolate sprinkles!)

Enough talk, let’s look at the pretty things you can win:

Stella by Day earrings by Bree of VivaLaChic. These earrings have a lovely vintage feel but are not over the top, so you can add a feminine touch to your outfit without being too flashy. I love them, I can’t help but picturing them with a boho dress! But really, they would be just as lovely with some jeans and wedges.
Bree’s shop is full of fun, interesting accessories  – the kind of accessories that will add a cool, sometimes quirky touch to an outfit. After all, who wants to look in the mirror and think “blah”? ;-) I also love her headbands, especially this one.

An embroidered peacock clutch from ClutchThat. Every girl needs a few fab clutches in her wardrobe to add instant glamour to her oufits. Rosemary’s clutches are beautiful and so well made! The clutches are made of silk, embroidered in lovely colors, and have a silk lining. Go take a look, I dare you to pick just one ;-) This one comes in silver, gold, ivory and pale blue-green – winner’s choice.

And if you message Rosemary and mention Globetrotting in Heels, you will receive free shipping on your clutch purchase, worldwide.

One of the new wooden rings from TenThings. If you have been reading my blog for a while or you follow me on Twitter, you probably have already heard me mention Kerri’s shop. I just love her style. Her accessories have that breezy mix of bohemian, feminine and modern, and they are incredibly wearable (and affordable, which never hurts ;-) ). I fell in love with these rings the moment I saw them, they are the perfect summer accessory – I have been wanting to order one, but for the life of me I cannot make up my mind on which color :-)

Kerri is also offering free shipping (worldwide!) when you use code HIP MOM at checkout.*

A pair of oh-so-pretty earrings from Stein Schmuck Design. I found Michele’s shop searching for Etsy sellers based in Switzerland, and her shop was definitely the one that captured my attention. Her jewelry is all handmade and always features these gorgeous natural stones – her pieces have an Earthy quality but are also refined – hard to achieve but perfect mix. Which is why I asked her to participate, and was delighted when she said yes! She is giving away these lovely faceted Apatite vermeil gold earrings – made in Switzerland, peeps ;-)

A custom Flora Tank from Eliza + Axel. Eliza has come up with a brilliant design for her signature tank tops: a classic tank shape is given a fun makeover by adding a ruffle detail coming down from the shoulder, which is reminiscent of a 3D floral and oh-so-hot this year! Ruffles can easily be too cute – somehow Eliza avoided that pitfall and instead her Flora tanks are feminine, modern and interesting. The Flora tanks are currently only available in black, white or pink on Eliza + Axel; but for this giveaway, the winner will be able to request a tank in any color of their choice – if you win, she even said she will accommodate a custom request for different colors for the tank and the flowers if you like!

Also, for the duration of the giveaway, you’ll receive 25% off your order from Eliza + Axel by typing the shopping code AXEL into the note to seller section before checkout.* And I have to say, the black Flora Tee and the Chloe babydoll are really calling my name ;-)
US residents only.

Last by not least, something from yours truly: a goodie bag containing 5 bars of gourmet Swiss Chocolate. Because from this chocoholic’s point of view, it’s kind of the best bit of Switzerland (and much easier to ship than a lake ;-) )

Now that you’ve seen the prizes, how do you enter the giveaway?
Start by commenting on this post, telling me which prize you’d love to win – that will be your first entry. Doing any of the following things (and posting a separate comment for each) will get you additional entries:

1. Visit one of the fabulous Etsy shops above and list out you top 3 picks from that shop (every shop counts as one entry);

2. Subscribe to my RSS feed;

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (please include tweet URL);

4. Mention this giveaway on your blog** (please include blog post URL);

5. Add the giveaway graphic to your sidebar**

Globetrotting in Heels turns 2! And you get the presents :-)

Please post a separate comment for each entry.

The giveaway will run until midnight (my time) on May 11th. On the 12th I will publish a post announcing the winners, who will be notified by e-mail.

Good luck everyone!

The fine print: unless otherwise stated, giveaways are open to all readers, worldwide. Shipping costs will be covered by sponsors. By entering this giveaway you agree to cover any import taxes, where applicable.
* Since Etsy doesn’t have an option for coupon codes, special offers won’t reflect on items before checkout, but balance will be reimbursed after purchase.
** Entries will be considered valid only if the blog is older than 3 months and contains at least 10 posts.

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Copyright Elisa Bieg, 2008-2009.