There was a blog from Sweden that I loved – bjooti.net. I won’t link to it because I found out over the weekend that the blogger has shut down the blog and removed its archives. I couldn’t read Swedish of course – I’m not that linguistically inclined – but Google translator is a huge help, and her gorgeous pictures spoke for themselves.
One of the reasons advanced was that it was just getting too much to keep pushing to stay in front – to be the latest with the newest news all the time (being one of the top European beauty bloggers, she was). It left her no time to herself because our blogs for many of us, are a hobby and after 3+ years she decided enough was enough. I’m sad about it of course – she was a lovely blogger, but it also made me think.
I’m hitting that 3+ years bump – we’ll turn 4 in just 8 months! And I’ll be honest that the whole chasing for new news thing got overwhelming and has been overwhelming. I’m thankful of course, that I’m able to indulge in my little hobby, and thankful that I am being consistently fed with news about… you guessed it, the latest and newest, and I’m eternally grateful and thankful that so many of you out there find the information helpful and useful.
But I’ve decided to make a little change here at My Women Stuff. It was a decision I made (and one I’ve implemented) before I learnt about bjooti.net but that was the little push I needed and I thought I’d tell you about it.
I’m making a conscious decision to stop chasing the rainbow – because you can never catch it, nor will you ever find the pot of gold at the end. If you do, it might just be leprechaun’s gold and evaporate overnight.
I will still post about new and latest things in the beauty world that I’ve tried or come across, but it may not be “news” nor may it be “breaking news” by the time I post about it because you know, trying products, photography and writing takes time. If something new interests me off hand, I’ll be sure to share, as I have been doing. Maybe I’ll summarize it all into bite-sized snippets. I will continue to tell you about the things I try and the tips I learn. But, it may not be new or news or a “scoop”.
If it is, hey! That’s a bonus for you! 😀
If I receive a preview, so will you – but I’m not going to chase for it.
What this also means is that you will not see posts about sales or offers on the blog. They will always be on Facebook and Twitter as and when I come across them – as I’ve done for a while. I will sometimes tell you about contests brands run or events where you can win stuff or get nice freebies, but it will be the exception rather than the norm.
The biggest change might be that you may not see posts about upcoming makeup or beauty seasonal collections ahead of time – there are many many blogs out there with many many lovely pictures anyway. I am personally overwhelmed at reading about Fall news in June when the Summer collections are just hitting the counters. I will post closer to launch date if I feel so inclined, but like I said, I’m done with chasing the rainbow.
One more change. I will still run giveaways. I know its the reason why so many of you are reading 😛 but there will be markedly fewer due to constraints on my time. Real work that pays the bills is going a little bonkers and yes, I have bills to pay.
What will continue are my daily posts, product reviews, thoughts and tips and maybe a rambling or ranting or two 😛 Nothing changes there – just what is being showcased, which at the risk of repeating myself, may not be “NEW!” or “LATEST!” or even “You read it first here on My Women Stuff!!” Has there ever? 😛
I know many of you want to read about what’s new and what’s the latest and if so, I’m sorry I may not be the most up to date resource for you. But My Women Stuff is also for me, and I’d like to live in the present for a little while, and tell you about what I’m enjoying (or not) and using now. Its a lifestyle change I’m bringing over to my blog because my blog is me right? 🙂
I hope this won’t affect the way you read My Women Stuff – I’d hate to lose you 🙂
Our regular schedule will return after this message 🙂
Paris B
Update: Can’t reply everyone but thank you for the support – I truly appreciate it. No worries, am not shutting down – not just yet 🙂 Its business as usual here on MWS – not going anywhere just yet 🙂 As Buzz Lightyear will say – “To infinity and beyond!”
Nikki says
July 5, 2010 at 9:09 amI personally PB find it tedious and totally difficult to chase “whats new” especially for us who has full time jobs 🙂 I will still be a reader and will always be 😀
geekchic says
July 5, 2010 at 9:16 amI wholeheartedly agree. This will always remain a hobby and the 9-5 job is the one that pays a bulk of the bills so it makes perfect sense that that job is the one that will take up more of your time.
I’ve always wondered how you’ve done it. Posts that come up so promptly and yet you still have a social life. Perhaps now, it’ll be a better balance of a bigger social life! 🙂 You’ve achieved much in a short time and I think you should continue doing this while it’s still fun for you. The moment it becomes a chore, that’s when you might want to take a break.
That’s why I’ve shut mine down. 🙂
Natalie says
July 5, 2010 at 9:20 amI found your blog by googling up the last Dior collections – you were the only one that had swatches! But now, I just click your newsletter link, whichever article that interests me, not necessarily new and upcoming stuff. Sometimes you crack me up and I love that 🙂 Keep it up Paris!! I ain’t going anywhere and hope you are not either!
Sugar says
July 5, 2010 at 9:21 amyou’re always amazing Paris! and i read your blog mainly for reviews and makeup tips, not for giveaways or latest stuff! =)
Foong Jin says
July 5, 2010 at 9:22 amI’m glad to hear that you’re not shutting down and I’m not fussed about not being able to read about the “latest & newest” products launches. After all, a good product has to withstand the test of time. 🙂
xin says
July 5, 2010 at 9:27 amgo PB go! as….out as i am. am i the last person on this planet who doesn’t catch up with latest news? :p so i love reviews more than latest news!
plue says
July 5, 2010 at 9:27 amur blog has always been amazing! one of the first few local blogs i started reading 😛
well i think each and everyone of us can’t keep up with the latest news and all, given that most of us got a 9-5 or even longer working hours 🙁
mine’s turning 3 in like 6 months time 😛
Jessica says
July 5, 2010 at 9:41 amAhh…it is true what you said about chasing that pot of gold. Frankly, I take my hat off to you, I can’t imagine how you kept going owing to the fact that it is tedious keeping this blog up!
Change is good, it helps one to mould oneself and adapt to the surroundings, so it’s really alright and I think I’m too taken by your writings that I’ll stay. 😀
Keep writing and my wallet says ‘Thanks’ for not tempting me in the future…;D
Hasegawa Ayane says
July 5, 2010 at 9:41 amI’ve never minded about the ‘newest’ or the ‘latest’. Being a student, I can only read about those things and only dream about getting them 😛 By the time I actually save up enough, I’d end up spending on something else!
What I really like most in your blog is definitely your reviews and tips 🙂 Keep up the awesome effort! Although I may not always comment to say thank you, I just want you to know that your effort is greatly appreciated! 🙂
shuaddict says
July 5, 2010 at 9:46 amI’m glad you’re not shutting down because you’re my favorite beauty blog. I much prefer reviews instead of what’s latest/new anyways as we can see that the product works or not.
Reese says
July 5, 2010 at 9:55 amMy dear, you got me into the world of makeup and not the latest makeup collection.
Well, I could always read about the newest in local beauty magazines, but I read you blog because I like it and its relevant to me.
Hobby should be fun, stay fun and happy!! 😉
Mandy says
July 5, 2010 at 9:57 amPersonally, I read this blog not for “news” but for the product reviews, interesting bits of information and questions to ponder of. You’ve been doing great and the new change will not affect my reading 🙂
shannen says
July 5, 2010 at 10:09 amFB link is not working oh…
ParisB says
July 5, 2010 at 10:54 amUpdated – thanks! 🙂
LINA says
July 5, 2010 at 10:11 amhi PB
definitely i’ll be missing ur blog
found ur blog when looking for make up brushes more than a year ago , since then been reading ur blog almost everyday.
🙁
ParisB says
July 5, 2010 at 10:58 amAm not going anywhere Lina 🙂
domncroxd says
July 5, 2010 at 10:28 amI’ll definitely still be a reader! : ) Great job so far and looking forward to your future posts
sesame says
July 5, 2010 at 10:48 amI must be the worst of beauty bloggers then cos I certainly don’t feature the latest. Some of those things just don’t interest me at all. I actually get tired reading so many blogs writing the same news too.
Just go with you heart Paris.
Tiffany says
July 5, 2010 at 10:52 amBut if u earn enough from your ads, then it’s kinda funny to cut loose on extra revenue that help monetize ur site.
ParisB says
July 5, 2010 at 10:58 amI’m not quite sure I understand your point but thanks for leaving a comment.
li says
July 5, 2010 at 11:14 ami think Tiffany thinks that blogs are huge moneymakers with extra revenue from ads making blog writers highly profitable.
In reality, 99.9% of blogs barely make enough from advertising to cover the cost of running the website and a little bit of pocket money for the owners.
Blogging being very lucrative is only true for a handful of people, and was much more common 5 years ago than now. Nowadays i think the only ppl getting rich off blogging are the ones that sell the courses to “ways to get rich quick by blogging”.
ParisB says
July 5, 2010 at 11:19 amahh… that sorta makes sense and yes, if we made big money off blogging, I’d be happy to chase all the rainbows in the world! 😀 Hard to do that for a hobby 🙂
li says
July 5, 2010 at 11:08 amGood for you for taking a step back and re-assessing 🙂 running a full time blog is exhausting and I can’t believe you’ve maintained it for so long!
rinnah says
July 5, 2010 at 11:42 amI don’t mind at all since I’ve never been one to chase after the rainbow… I’d rather you take your time and post more of the reviews and your thoughts on stuff… 🙂
milktea says
July 5, 2010 at 1:28 pmHi Paris. Totally understand. Still.. will miss u. 🙁 But life has to go on. Have joined your facebook already so will look there for alerts and news. *sniff*
ParisB says
July 5, 2010 at 1:37 pmThanks sweets but you’ll still hear from me (nearly) everyday – so its not goodbye 😀 Just the content will change a little 🙂