From time to time, I do my best here to try and highlight bloggers that you might not have heard of. I wish I did it more. Then again, I wish I posted about anything more but you know…life.
One of my favorite posts to this day is The Top 50 Mommybloggers That Didn’t Make the Babble Top 50 Mommybloggers List and are Probably More Fun Anyway. (With all due respect to Dooce who I happen to know is pretty fun.)It was a totally democratic exercise in, “hey, who wants to be on a list?” Literally. I mean, see #5.
You asked to be on the list, and voila…you were! But really, the best part for me, was that it made me read all sorts of blogs I had never seen before, and get to know them at least well enough to be able to describe them.
You know what? There are some damn fine undiscovered writers out there. And I think I love them even more, knowing that they write not for an audience of thousands, but the need to write.
So I was really pleased when recently, Babble asked me to share my favorite undiscovered blogger.
My pick for blogger who deserves a bigger audience:. Siobhan Connolly of Itty Bits and Pieces.
She is one of those writers who has been reading my blog so long, and I hers, that it’s nearly impossible to fathom that we haven’t actually met yet. For years, I’ve loved seeing her name (often “Toyfoto”) pop up in comments. Plus it’s a reminder for me to check in over there and see what her gorgeous family is up to.
I don’t always agree with her, but she always makes me think–a combination I adore. She’s crafty but not in a “ooh, look what I can do and you NEVER CAN” sort of way. And holy photography skills…she’s a pro (really, like, for money) who makes me want to step far far away from the iPhone camera. I mean, how did this post not go viral from the picture alone? Hello?
genius photo: sioban connolly
I know this coming Tuesday is giving Tuesday. (See also: #givingtuesday.) It doesn’t have to be about money.
Is there an undiscovered blogger you think people should know about? Please leave it in the comments, because I want to create another list. Only rule: You can’t say yourself.
109 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
It’s against the rules to mention oneself, I see, so, I won’t (I really want to as I am seemingly perpetually undiscovered) BUT here are a few I thoroughly enjoy (though I’m not sure either is “undiscovered”):
http://www.thekitchwitch.com
http://www.anymommyoutthere.com
Arnebya recently posted..Twelve Year Birthday Anniversary
http://www.youngadultish.com/
My friend’s poignant and funny confessions from middle and high school. She gets me every time.
Fer recently posted..Life of I
I have 2 favorites –
karmacontinued.com – it truly was karma when after reading Jenny Feldon for a LONG time, we discovered we had mutual friends….love her.
foundthemarbles.com – something benevolent in every post…always makes me want to be a much better person.
Thanks for being a champion of the little bloggers.
Rachel, BacknGrooveMom recently posted..Promise to be Good to YOU this Holiday Season
I don’t really know what qualifies undiscovered, but
http://maternal-dementia.com/ consistently writes posts that make me think, hurt, hope and rejoice that there is a voice like hers. She once invited me to Spain, still kicking myself for not going. Damnit.
Amanda recently posted..A Small Shop
And she takes decent pictures, too? How did I not know about her before?
Diana recently posted..On Loss and The Fear of Forgetting
Hmmm, tough to decide if someone is ‘undiscovered’. I think the person who I enjoy reading the most that is still a relatively new blog is Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom (http://www.moderndaydonnareed.com/).
Steph has humor, warmth, and isn’t afraid to be goofy. (Her UnGift Guide is a great example-http://www.moderndaydonnareed.com/2012/11/stephs-ungift-guide.html)
While I love her blog she also has an amazing Facebook community as well where she chats with readers all day long.
Kelly recently posted..Cyber Monday Deals 2012
I love this post, because I’m always looking for new blogs to read and get tired of everyone suggesting the same ones over and over. This is fabulous. Looking forward to your final list!
Love that you’re doing this, Liz. I can’t leave a few names here because I’d surely overlook someone and they’d be hurt. But all the ones listed here, I will click over and read. LOVED ittybits & pieces, just from the once over.
This is awesome.
My favorite undiscovered mommy blogger is Jenn Meer’s blog My Jenn-eration. Her touching and relatable take on being a parent and being a child (her own mom passed away a few years ago) makes me cry more often than not. She is such a talented, funny and sweet writer and I wish more people knew about her.
http://my-jenneration.blogspot.com/
I’m giving thanks for Jess at Don’t Mind the Mess (http://theseversons.net). Not only is she a fantastic writer, but she mixes in product reviews in a way that compliments rather than dictates her life. Please check her out!
Cheryl recently posted..Thank You
I love http://www.whatnowandwhy.com/
and
http://uppoppedafox.com/
and
http://theselittlewaves.com/
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Holiday Travel $80 Brica Product Giveaway!
I love this blog – she’s a hilarious and excellent writer. I always read her when I’m feeling overwhelmed and I come away feeling feeling a little lighter.
http://www.renegademothering.com/
I love Christie at Outlaw Mama – she is consistently funny and insightful and an amazingly talented writer. Plus, we both left the practice of law
(sorry that my comment luv post has the f-bomb in the title. Gah!)….. http://www.outlawmama.com
Cindy – The Reedster Speaks recently posted..Who Moved My Goddamned Cheese (and Every Other Fucking Thing I Own)?
How about a Dad blog? I love Daddy Doctrines! http://daddydoctrines.com
My friend Tracy writes a blog called http://www.stoopmama.com. She is witty, crafty and talks a lot about the 80′s. She takes beautiful photos too! Her daughter will always make you smile.
My friend Cindy of The Reedster Speaks is one of my all-time favorite bloggers. Brave, honest, irreverent, and hilarious–I don’t think she will remain undiscovered for very long.
Find her at http://www.reedsterspeaks.com/
I don’t read many blogs, but I do love reading
Dawn at thedalaimama.net
I might be reading more blogs with the look of list. Excited to branch out to other blogs.
I’m always surprised that Maggie and Sarah aren’t wildly popular beyond all imagination, making millions of dollars and fielding thousands of comments daily. I love them. (Of course, Sarah’s latest post is about not blogging anymore, but we won’t let that happen, now, will we?)
http://magpiemusing.com
http://sarahpiazza.org/
marty recently posted..Sunday bullets
Can I mention one more? Jessica Lahey is an amazingly smart mom and teacher who combines her two roles to dispense true wisdom. She brings an unusual perspective and while some of her wonderful writing is in the NYTimes many of her best pieces can be found at http://comingofageinthemiddle.blogspot.com
Grown and Flown recently posted..Why I Never Let My Kids Quit…Anything
A wonderful blogger who is also my neighbor and friend; semi-discovered, but definitely warrants a larger readership. http://corbynhightower.com “a creative & free-spirited mom living a post-Recession life of new simplicity & colorful poverty”
I am not sure what her readership is but I love the blog http://julia.typepad.com/
I am not sure if her kids are remarkably funny or just the way she writes about them but either way I am always trying to choke back the uncontrolable laughter at the office! A highlight of my day.
I never know who is or isn’t considered “discovered”, but I like how she created this Random Penguins Tumblr and designs a penguin of the day for people’s amusement. http://therandompenguins.tumblr.com/ Also like her blog, I Miss You When I Blink: http://imissyouwheniblink.com/
My friend Heidi of The Conscious Perspective is a wonderful person. Not only did she believe in me enough to give me my first gig as a contributor but she has always been encouraging, honest and supportive. She inspires me not just to be a better mother or friend but to be a better member of society reminding all of us that change can start with you and me and that we have the power and ability to change lives. I love pretty things and fashion and sweets (love love sweets) and I tend to blog about my own family (love them too, so much!) but I also LOVE making a difference, making the world better and making me better too
A lot of love I have going on I suppose
http://www.theconsciousperspective.com/
Krishann recently posted..Giving Tuesday is Tomorrow
This one is always hard for me. I tend to have no clue how ‘popular’ one really is. I have no clue how many people read my blog, much less anyone elses.
However, since you asked so nicely, I’ll say my friend Zakary should be on this list. http://www.raisingcolorado.com/
Heh. I was going to say you, Issa, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted the crowds that might come
marty recently posted..Sunday bullets
Such a spectacular idea! I am always in awe of my friend Jenny’s blog. Smart, funny, inspiring and sometimes tear-inducing. It’s a little of everything.
http://mywholelifeisonthetipofmytongue.blogspot.com/
I love Amy’s blog, Maker Mama, http://www.makermama.com/. Her photos are beautiful, her crafts pin-worthy, and I like hearing her perspective as a young mom of four.
Wendy recently posted..The Week in Bentos: November 19-23, 2012
This is a great idea. I definitely get stuck in a blog rut so it’s nice to have some new people to check out.
I have to give a shout out to my fellow Bakersfieldian, Jason
http://daddyinastrangeland.wordpress.com/
Urbanmoocow.com is a great new blog! Deb tells the best stories about new motherhood and how she balances it all. its funny, insightful and heartwarming! Love it!
A must read for Janise Burrafato’s blog, Mama in Heels!!! It is focused on mom’s looking and feeling fabulous without breaking the bank!
http://mamainheels.com
Lynn recently posted..There IS a Time for Everything…
I love…
lilkidthings.com
prettyswellblog.com
nicegirlnotes.com (although she may be “discovered” already)
Erin Lane recently posted..Today we had a first {with Smart Balance Kids Milk}
Following Elias
Raising a preemie son and a typical daughter in Alaska! I’ve admired Christy and loved her insightful writing for a long time.
http://www.reflectwhoiam.com/the-looking-glass
Reflect Who I Am wants to remind girls everywhere that they are who they see in the mirror. They reflect the beauty, the courage and the brilliance that is within them. We do not only want to inspire girls, but awaken them to their true self. The blog provides guidance, activities, research and recommendations to help bring out the best in our daughters.
My favorite blogger is Pia on her blog Weird. She is on a road to simplicity just like me and we like to keep track of each other on our blogs.
http://weirdbecause.blogspot.com/
Such a great idea! I love little blogs. Have bookmarked a few I’m going to check out in a little while.
Can I mention more than one?
Keely at Lollygag Blog (http://lollygagblog.com) is funny, sweet and tells a great story and she’s been blogging for YEARS.
Sarah of little white whale (http://littlewhitewhale.com) is a fabulous writer and photographer. Her pictures of her kids are beautiful.
Alison recently posted..I Will Follow You (Or Not)
My friend Randi has a great blog about her crafts, books and family.
http://www.sowderingabout.com
Cassie recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving
D.A. Wolf over at Daily Plate of Crazy (http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/) is a powerful and prolific writer with a penchant for shoes. You never know what topic she’s going to write about next–as her tag line says, “Whatever life dishes out”, but it’s sure to be something to make you smile or get you talking.
Annah Elizabeth recently posted..A Little Tax Relief Proposal
Oh my gosh I go offline for a few hours and come back to all this awesomeness. I am so excited. THANK YOU everyone!
I love bittersweetfitness.com fitness blog. Wide variety of topics on fitness.
I love Cassie at http://casbacreations.blogspot.com/
Megan at http://loveletters710.blogspot.com/
Beth at http://ourfrontporchview.blogspot.com/
and Sarah at http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/
Randi Sowders recently posted..Review: The Rise of the Guardians
If someone could please give me MORE HOURS in the day, that would be great! Can’t wait to read…
My friend, Maddy, has a great blog called Rants, Rules, and Recipes…it’s funny, smart, and informative without being judgey. Love it.
http://rantsrulesandrecipes.wordpress.com/
Thanks!!
Kelley recently posted..Zutano Sale!
Amanda at The Wink is my favorite. She has a magical way with words.
Colleen – @amadisonmom recently posted..Tiny Prints Cyber Week Wednesday Deal
Here are two of my favs:
http://raisedbymydaughter.blogspot.com/
http://daddyknowsless.blogspot.com/
Not sure if I posted the links right. Hard to do from my phone
Oh and I can’t forget this one!!
http://ihopeiwinatoaster.blogspot.com/
I’d have to say my friend Marisa’s blog:
http://tootsiegrace.blogspot.com/
I admired her art before I knew of her blog. I read her blog before we became friends. And then we became friends. For a while we blogged together. Now were writing/critique partners. She’s like a long lost friend who I discovered out of the blue and coincidentally lives in the same state as me, only still have yet to meet in person, though we talk all the time. Her blog makes me laugh…a lot…mostly because her life, in so many ways, could be mine.
Alyssa S. recently posted..Elfpocalypse Now
Two I think you’ll love are http://extraordinary-ordinary.net/ and http://www.digthischick.net/
Yuliya recently posted..I cannot accept responsibility for my behavior