Yesterday, April wrote a post on which type of blogs are most appealing. I've never been one for professional blogs (although I really, really enjoy reading Cupcakes and Cashmere) but lately, some of my favorite real life blogs have gotten a little out of control with the constant affiliate links for things they want to buy (or want you to buy) and that gets old for me, week after week after week. All the Nordstrom Sale picks became such overkill, and I absolutely hate it when a bunch of bloggers clearly got the same opportunity from a vendor and talk about their unanimous love for it.
I like real real life bloggers. I'm not super drawn to fancy photoshop collages or perfectly staged modeling shoots, in fact, the blogs I check everyday are far from that. I like to know what people eat during the day, what they have on their DVR, what they wore out on girls night, and their weekly pregnancy updates because I find it fascinating how other people live their lives authentically. Just my two cents, but I'd love to hear yours.
My beloved Nook crashed and died this week. It won't hold a charge and now it won't even turn on. I've been without it for a week and I already miss my nightly reading. I'm scared that Barnes and Noble might not stick around for years to come, so I decided to get a kindle and a new Jonathon Adler case for it.
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I'm so excited because I have another trip planned to Chicago over Labor Day weekend for my cousin's wedding. It makes it much easier being so far away when I have trips to see my family every 6-8 weeks. My parents have decided to build a new house in our same neighborhood so I really want to soak in these next few trips home.
You are such an inspiration with your work outs! I am just getting back in the swing of things after traveling so much and battling a sinus infection and food poisoning! I am sure with your no carb diet AND all these work outs you will see major results! Have a great rest of the week love!
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment on blogs because I very much feel the same way. I love hearing about all aspects of someone's life, not just what shirt they bought etc. Don't get me wrong, all that stuff is fun and great in moderation, but I miss many of the old lifestyle blogs!
ReplyDeleteI have wondered if given the opportunity - would I use affiliate links? I really don't know. It is tempting to make a little extra cash, but I have seen it gone to so many blogger's head, where they will post a recap about a weekend trip and then at the end of the post - 25 links to online stores. It ruins the content and it kind of muddies up the water. Because when you have posted a heartfelt story about your child but then included affiliate links, are you using him/her for money? How is that different than running ads? It is definitely food for thought. I think that if a blogger is going to use AL, they need to be crystal clear about them in their disclaimers, and many are not.
ReplyDeleteI basically ignored my feed over Nordstrom Anniversary sale week. Yes, I shopped the sale, and no, I didn't need a blog to tell me what to buy! It definitely was pretty out of control on so many blogs this summer.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just started watching Kim and Kroy's show, and I have to admit I'm liking it a lot more than I thought I would!
You hit the nail on the head RE: blogs. I have gotten so disconnected with many of my formerly favorite blogs because the affiliate linking is OOC. Especially after I found read that if you click on just one of those Nordie's affiliate links and don't buy anything, it saves in your cookies. So if I go to Nordstrom's site a month later and order something, whoever's affiliate link I clicked on a month ago gets commission! Just feels slimy.
ReplyDeleteWay to freakin' go on your workouts! I want to lose some weight, but I'm not mentally there yet. Hopefully getting back into a routine this fall will make it easier to make myself get outside and get moving!
Girl I am so with you on all the Nordstrom posts! It gets so annoying! And I love Kim and Kroy too! The last episode was hilarious!
ReplyDeleteLove your thoughts as usual! I love a good lifestyle blog and it's exactly what drew me into the blog world to begin with. I think the blogs that are real and share their everyday lives are what make blogs so intriguing. Don't get me wrong, I love a good fashion post and when bloggers put in all the time to scout out the goods for me, but the Nordstrom anniversary sale was a perfect example of complete OVERLOAD. Everyone jumped on the damn bandwagon and it became a bit obsessive. Anyway, can't wait to see your results of hard work and carb deprivation! I still need to jump on board :)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you, your blog is one of my favorites because you talk about your real, everyday life. What you eat, what you wear to work, what you do to exercise, etc. :)
ReplyDeleteYES! Thank you! I have been thinking about this lately too, there is nothing I hate more than a review of something that multiple bloggers are reviewing and I hate too many affiliate links!
ReplyDeleteI just feel like bloggers sell out and ruin the integrity of their blogs. I definitely have done product reviews but only because I have reached out to the company because I actually LOVE their stuff and want to share my love for it. I have been offered multiple opportunities to review products that I have turned down because it doesn't pertain to my blog or I fear I will become one of 'those' bloggers! :)
It may not get me followers, or a good paycheck but I would rather not sell out!
It's refreshing to know there are other bloggers out there that feel the same way :) Consider me your newest follower! Stopping by from the thoughts for Thursday link up!
First off, how am I just finding your blog?
ReplyDeleteI am now in love with my kindle, because my library offers downloadable media for kindle. It is awesome. Cute cover selection! Mr. Adler is a good man. I agree that the affiliate link saturation is tedious. I don't mind them here and there, but it can be a huge turn off.
Oh girl, I completely agree with everything you said about the blogs that all got the same affiliate linking. It can be such a bore! But anyway.. I adore that onesie and must have it! I would totally put my little man in that :)
ReplyDeleteYou're inspiring me to "up" my workouts, girl! Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteYour workouts sound insane, good for you, especially the no carb diet. I've wanted to try it I just don't think I could! And epsom salts are the best!
ReplyDeleteYes! I completely agree! I love the real-life bloggers! So much better than those with the perfect pictures :-)
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes on the Nordstrom sale ... I completely agree. Seems like we all want the same thing -- real life stuff. Real content.
ReplyDeleteI missed the start of Kim + Kroy so I need to find a marathon running of the shows to catch up.
I stopped following certain blogs for that very same reason. That and sponsorship. I HATE that.
ReplyDeleteI have a Kindle Paperwhite and I love it! Not sure which one you have or are getting, but I recommend that one.
Great job with the workouts! I've almost done my first whole week sticking to my schedule for training and it feels so good.
I completely agree with you. I have stopped following a lot of blogs for the same reasons. When you have 7 blog posts in a row that are just affiliate links, you're wasting "trust capital" with your readers. I don't mind affiliate links if the blogger has good content, is upfront about them, and doesn't abuse them. I feel like bloggers that shove their blog posts full of affiliate links are really just setting themselves up for failure. Readers are smart enough to know when they're being used and they will stop reading. I love your blog because it's real. You are down to earth and honest. I love seeing what people wear to work, eat, when they work out, etc. It's interesting to get a peek into people's lives.
ReplyDeleteI love Kim and Kroy too, I used to not like her at all but I can't help but like them now :) They are crazy, but so much love. And seriously, she made child birth look like she was heading in for a mani or something haha!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about the types of blogs you like to read. I think it's cool if people want to make money from blogging, but I usually skim or skip sponsored posts. I tried my hand at blogging and I didn't stick to it bc I was afraid people in my real life would find it, which they did. But I have started a new blog that is pretty much a life journal of every day happenings and travel. I'm starting off by sharing my Wedding Journal. It's a work in progress, but this will be something I will share with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteA) I love me some Kim and Kroy!!
ReplyDeleteB) This post makes me want to get back to blogging. Between working out (my least favorite activity) and traveling 2+ hours a day for work lately, I just haven't had the discipline to tap out any thoughts - and that is so sad!! My monthly marriage post is 2 weeks late. Damn.