Aussie Blogs to Love

I love reading blogs. In the early days with a newborn I spent countless hours on the couch feeding Eamon (boy was huuung-gry!), my iPad next to me, scrolling through the lives and events of (mainly) women around the world. I mostly read those of others mama's but they varied from lifestyle, to food blogs, yoga, health, fashion and DIY.

At first I found it really difficult to find blogs written by Aussie's and mainly followed those from America and Europe. Clearly I wasn't searching very well because I've now found so many I love!

So, each week I will be featuring an Australian blogger right here. I am so excited by how many have already agreed to participate.

First up, please welcome Caitlin from Mother Down Under. I can't actually remember how I found her blog but it was one of the first Australian blogs I stumbled across. (which is ironic because she is originally from America). I check in regularly with Caitlin and Toddler C and always feel a teeny bit jealous when she describes trips to the sunny coast to visit other Aussie bloggers!

Why did you start blogging and why have you continued?

I started a blog, the now defunct rndownunder@blogspot.com, when I moved from New York to Brisbane. It was really just a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends who weren't on Facebook...somehow sending the same email to ten people seemed disingenuous and blogging resolved that for me.

After I had Toddler C I found myself blogging less and less about our everyday activities and more and more about motherhood so I started up Mother Down Under. At first I thought I was the only "mommy blogger" out there but I soon realised there was an entire community of like minded parents all blogging about their experiences.So while I love being able to document Toddler C's childhood and to share my feelings on evolving as a mother, it is really the relationships with other bloggers that keep me blogging. I love my real life mommy friends but I think the special thing about bloggers is that you get to interact with other mothers and talk about your lives and your children in a controlled space without the little ones running around!

What do you blog about?

I blog about life in Brisbane with the one and only Toddler C! There is a lot about pregnancy and motherhood, a bit of craft, a bit of cooking, a bit of style and way too many pictures of my baby!
I suppose I try to live in a mindful manner...I like homemade things, I prefer going to the markets over shopping at Woolworths and I hope that this sort of sustainable and wholesome lifestyle is reflected in my blog.

What are your top three favourite Aussie blogs to read?

Veggie Mama
I am not a vegetarian, although I have considered going the veggie route seeing as I only eat meat about once a week anyway, but I love Stacey's blog! Her recipes have never let me down, and she is hysterical. She is creative and cool and has two of the cutest little girls I have ever seen.

Baby Mac 
Whenever I read one of her posts I find myself nodding along (I may or may not even agree out loud, talking to the computer screen.) I don't know what exactly it is about her blog that initially grabbed me and what it is that has made me stay. I suppose it is her witty writing and the way she makes totally normal, everyday things seem worth considering, important and even special.

I read those two blogs every day. And after I am done with them, I scroll through my email and reader and see what other posts seem interesting. Like I said my favourite part about blogging is the relationships. If someone comments on my blog I try to not only reply to their comment but also to visit their blog, read their posts and comment in return.

So I generally spend a fair amount of my "blogging time" checking out the blogs of my "blogging friends" including Helen at Housewife In Heels , Caroline at West End Cottage , Polly at A Working Mother's Chatter , Mel at Bungalow Bliss and of course Little Old Souls!

What do you like most about the blogging world?

Definitely the friendships. I love getting a conversation going through comments or email. I am always amazed at the solutions and insights people offer. I have found bloggers to be incredibly kind, generous and helpful. I have been lucky enough to have met a few bloggers in person and I love how the Internet relationship seems to shift seamlessly into a real life friendship. I would love to invite all of my blogging friends over for a cup of coffee and a good chat!

What do you dislike most about the blogging world?

I love writing and I love reading but I do sometimes feel a bit of pressure to keep up with it all.
I think this is in part my personality. I have a hard time just putting up a post and then closing the computer. I want to read all my favourite blogs, I want to comment, I want to see what is happening on Facebook...sometimes it gets to be all too much!  I suppose really I wish I had more time to devote to blogging!

Thanks so much Caitlin.  Make sure you stop by Mother Down Under soon, and tell her I said 'hi'. 

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