Hello everyone , its that time of the month when I join fellow bloggers from around the world for Tell Us About.
The topic as chosen by fellow Aussie blogger , Deb, is blogging.
Last year I celebrated ten years of blogging . Recently I came across the post I wrote on the blogs first anniversary and to be honest it pretty much sums up my blogging today.
The blog started as a prelude to my 60th. birthday , a challenge for this extremely technically challenged soul to learn something new and if I’m honest to prove to my family that I could. Sometimes, it was evident that I was not sure if I was coming or going.
For me it was never about the blog looking perfect or professional , it never will. It was to open my eyes to new things and the joy of connecting with like minded women from around the world.
I truly value the friendships I have made over the years and the kindness and caring of fellow bloggers and my wonderful followers, this is why I continue blogging.
Over those years there has been many life changes , all documented on the blog. I have blogged about the uni graduation of Callum in Melbourne , the wedding of Zac and Sarah back in 2016, the births of my little grandsons , Harry and Hamish , both mine and John’s retirement and my cancer last year.
My readers have travelled along with me on three European trips , one to Japan , another to Cuba and various Melbourne visits , as well as several road trips to other Australian states and had a glimpse of my home state, Tasmania.
We have shared my visits to heritage properties and gardens , art galleries and several fashion exhibitions both in Australia and overseas.
I have also very much enjoyed sharing my outfits over the last ten years . Looking over my old posts my style has evolved over time and I am much more open to playing with different styles and colours than at the beginning. I am more of a collector than a shopper now and buy only what I really love and now I will wear forever be it new or second hand. I will admit my collection of accessories has certainly grown over these years .
The blog is my way of showing my self expression through my style and showing that you can have fun with dressing regardless of age.
I will finish this post with this shot of Penny of Frugal Fashionista and I taken in London last year, when I had the pleasure of meeting her and Gail at the V & A . It is the joy of connection that for me is why I blog and hope to continue for as long as I am able to do so.
To see my fellow bloggers take on what blogging means to them please go to Gail at Is This Mutton.
Oh wow, Jill that’s the best shot of us together at the V&A. We look so happy side-by-side and it was indeed so good to meet you. The blogging community that we’ve created around us is so very positive, warm and welcoming – I hope to be part of it for many years.
I also think you are quite the role model and I really love your style and the clothes you’ve collected over the years. Long may we continue this connection.
Btw, I’ve just watched two television series set in Australia: one was Bay of Fires which was wacky, well acted and good fun; the other was High Country and really excellent in the usual missing persons cop type series. But the countryside – wow, very beautiful and evocative. I do like a good Australian cop television series !
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Thanks so much Penny . I did smile when I read your post and you too had a photo of us together, that sums up the reason I continue to blog those precious connections. I do think we will both continue to evolve with our style and I will enjoy seeing your wonderful finds.
The Bay of Fires was filmed on the West coast of Tasmania in many of the old mining towns.
May we continue inspiring each other through our blogs and I do hope to visit the UK again.
Hi Jill, I agree with you that blogging is a great way of showing our self-expression and your style is fabulous! How could you not share these amazing fashions? It’s a great prompt for learning more about each other and I really enjoyed your story.
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Thank you so much Debbie , this was such a great topic to find out about our fellow bloggers . A great one Debbie.
Oh Jill, what a fascinating life you continue to live. I love how you started blogging just before 60 to prove something to yourself and others. Blogging and the caring community of women around the world is one of the great joys of life.
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Thank you so very much Gail. Even though at times with my still lack of tech skills it can be a challenge it is that community of like minded women that adds so much to my life. Meeting you And Penny in London was such a joy that never would have happened without the blog.
Golly, Jill, to meet Penny and Gail, seeing an exhibit at the V&A? THROW me in that briar patch, as we’d say round here! I so enjoy your blog – keep up the great work.
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Thank you so very much Mary Katherine , so glad you enjoy my blog. It was an absolute delight to meet Penny and Gail at the V & A last November , we all had so very much in common that conversation flowed very easily.
Blogging has been such a great way for me to grow and evolve, both in my style and my view of clothes’ function. It has been 16 years for me (2008!) and I treasure every connection I have made with so many people all over world. Rock on! Your style is fabulous and so are you 💜.
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Thank you Sheila , I knew you had been blogging for some time but 16 years is very impressive. I couldn,t agree more on the personal benefits of blogging – we learn so much from our fellow bloggers. It is those connections that add so much to our lives. May we all long continue.
Hello Jill, I’m joining this challenge today and visiting the other posts too.
I too remember enjoying learning something new with the challenges that blogging and social media. I get a kick out of having more social media followers than the young in my family!
I love that you got to meet up with other bloggers, I’ve done that too on a couple of occasions and I have some great friends across the globe found via blogging.
Congratulations on blogging for 10 years, may you have 10 more in the bag.
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Thank you Rosie for joining the challenge , so pleased to meet you here.Yes it is a challenge sometimes but as you say well worth the effort.
Isn’t it a joy to meet fellow bloggers , it is those connections that we treasure.
May we all continue our blogging journey.
I hadn’t thought of using my blog as a record of my life. I really like that idea, but I’m not sure it would be that interesting at this point in the game! My kids are all out of university, have their families (well, two of them do), and the Mister says no more traveling for him. I, however, will continue to travel with or without him. It was so interesting to see the last two photos…one with your longer red hair and then the shorter grey(?) hair. I just think the grey hair suits your features so very beautifully. But, I also know it’s so much fun to change our hair up…I’m about due for that myself.
I love this Global Writing Challenge and learning more and more about everyone. It’s so interesting to read how someone came to blog.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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To be honest Marsha I am not really sure if I started out with the blog as a family record in mind it just seemed to go that way rather organically.
It is so interesting reading how everyone started their blogging journey I had forgotten that I only met you through the writing challenge Marsha and that you would never have seen my various hair changes over the years as it seems I have known you longer.
May we all continue to blog and enjoy learning about each other.
Hi Jill,
I remember meeting you via your blog when I blogged on Fabulous Ageing. I also loved it and the wonderful
stories and people I met but I did find the route to discovering like minded women difficult, the “networking”, and sadly I gave up after five or so years. Maybe with 70 around the corner in October, I can revive it?
In the meantime, I love your stories – both clothing and personal – and beautiful photos.
Love,
Elizabeth.
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Thank you so very much Elizabeth , I do remember your blog , Fabulous Ageing, well and was so pleased when we reconnected on Instagram. It can be difficult to find those like minded souls , here in Australia.
Only you know if it is time to renew your blog but we will keep in touch .Jill xx
Connecting with like minded women from around the world was my incentive to start blogging too! Long may it last! xxx
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Thanks so much Ann , it is those connections that adds to our lives. I do hope we met one day.
I always get distracted by trying to make my blog look so nice when I guess I ought to be concentrating more on producing great content…will I ever learn? Probably not lol! I think I might be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the blog!
One of my favourite aspects of blogging has been connecting with so many like-minded women from all the world—it really is wonderful, isn’t it, Jill!
I LOVE that photo of you and Penny. It’s fabulous!
Hugs
Suzy xx
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It was interesting reading everyone’s reasons for blogging . Your blog is so very professional Suzy , your perfection shines through.
I love that photo of Penny and I , it sus up the connections that make blogging so important to us.
Oh, my gravy, that last photo says it all. And, of course, the photo of your beautiful family. I love that you took up blogging as a way of challenging yourself and learning new things. Hadn’t thought of it in that light, but blogging has certainly taken me waaaaay outside my comfort zone with technology!! I do get too caught up in spacing, and sizing and editing and all the silly things that really don’t matter but that is my inherited type A personality, I think, and OCD.
Bravo for trying new styles and fashion trends and having fun with clothing in this season of life. I think so many women go the other way at our age…pull-on stretchy pants, all black clothing, comfortable shoes. Love your vibrant sense of style.
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Thank you so much Leslie , it was interesting thinking about my reasons for starting the blog and the way it has evolved. Fortunately I am not a perfectionist as far as the blog is concerned as my tech skills let me down way too often.
I am enjoying showing that age really shouldn’t stop you from playing with your own style and trying new things.
I had to include that photo of Penny and I as yes it does say it all.
Jill, I loved reading your blog journey. Many of your reasons for doing this are mine too. You and Penny are rocking it in that last pic, lots of tulle and leather jackets, so cool.
Alison xx
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Thank you so very much Alison , glad you enjoyed the blogging post. I do like that photo of Penny and I together , it says so much about the friendships we can make through blogging.
I really enjoyed reading both your post and the other bloggers reasons behind having a blog, Jill.
Like you, over the 15 years I’ve been writing mine I’ve connected with like-minded women all over the world and, many of whom I’ve met and become good friends with.
I love how your blog incorporates your lovely family, your travels, your garden and your fabulous outfits. It’s always a pleasure to read. xxx
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Thank you so very much Vix. It is those connections that make this thing called blogging worthwhile. I do hope to make it back to the UK again and Hope we may be able to meet.xx