grateful giveaway!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A recent new acquaintance who had checked out my blog from top to bottom was asking me about my blogging friends. "You mean you haven't met any of them in person?" her voice rising at the end of the question, tinged with undisguised disgust and disapproval. "Well, I've met one or two," I answered lamely, "It's hard to understand if you're not in the blogging world." And yet a big part of me felt annoyed that I had to downplay these amazingly talented, creative, accomplished, and kind-hearted people from all over the world who have become my friends as a result of sharing our true thoughts--if only a snippet, a snapshot, or a daydream, on a daily basis for months and sometimes years.
All I know is that on the anniversary of my father passing away last week, I did not hear from this new acquaintance, but when I logged on to my computer before heading to the cemetery, my email was filled with dozens of the sweetest emails from my blogging friends, and they kept coming through the weekend and even this week. (Real life bffs, I'm not snubbing you--you were there texting me before I woke up and calling through the day--thank you dears). I can't tell you how much these emails and comments mean to me. Especially those who shared about having lost their own parents and siblings, some ten, twelve, and even twenty years ago--how it is a common theme that it gets better, but the loss never goes away. That the big markers like one year, ten year or any moment when the realization of time passing without our loved one, are incredibly painful. This is real to me. You mean so much to me. It makes showing up here feel worthwhile.
Unfortunately the amount of time I have left in the day after work and the sheer number of beautiful inspiring blogs that I want to read don't always correspond. Lately I take a few minutes in the morning just to think about how I can carve out more peace and quiet time for myself away from the computer. I haven't completely figured it out yet, but since this is something I do because I love writing about style and the friendships I make along the way, not because I'm seeking to be a professional blogger, I do hope you'll understand that I'm trying to balance TrustYourStyle with life, you know?
That explanation is my way of offering a sincere apology to some of the most wonderful people that I've met through blogging who have recently given me some sweet mentions and blogging awards, and I'm feeling badly that I haven't even even gotten around to acknowledging these honors. A very heartfelt thank you to Vicki of Simply Hue who nominated TrustYourStyle for the Lovelies. Samantha, thank you for including my Infinity bag in your Perfect Valentine's Day Outfit! Christopher, your endorsement of tys on MDM means the world--truly, the most articulate compliment anyone has ever given me!
Tamara Nicole of Memory Bean Designs, CeCe of Rock N Revolution, and Dyan of Whimsy Being, who all gave me a Beautiful Blogger award--thank you so much!! I know the rules state that you're supposed to share 7 things about yourself that others might not know, but after blogging here for almost 5 years, is there anything you don't know about me? I'm cringing a little just thinking about it! Here are 2 things I can think of:
1. Before I started TrustYourStyle I was working on a book inspired by all the beautiful buyers from the nicest stores in cities all over America that I had met, who would come to my booth at shows and after we chatted for awhile would invariably begin making self-depreciating remarks, like "Oh no, I can't wear that, I'm not young enough," or "I don't have the hot body anymore," etc. I started thinking that if some of the best-dressed ladies in the U.S. felt this way about themselves, imagine how everyone else must feel? Around that time Dove's study revealing that only 2 percent of women in America think they're beautiful came out. TrustYourStyle really emerged from the concept of wanting women to feel better about themselves.
2. I don't know how on earth I will do this, but before I die, I'd like to be part of the change in the fashion industry, so that mentality fueling the posts and tweets I often read promoting the snobby exclusivity of fashion shows, bragging about behind-the-scenes limited showroom access and how many stylists are working to get them ready for the red carpet, is no longer considered cool. I've been there and I know it isn't. Style is only great when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.
To enter to win today's giveaway, Trust Your Style's new mini Magical Mind™ Roll On Natural Perfume, please tell me something wonderful about yourself that I might not know. For an extra chance to enter, follow me on Google, and for 2 extra chances to win, follow me on Twitter!
Here's the scoop on Magical Mind™:
I spent a great deal of time developing the concentrated liquid perfume version of Magical Mind™, and decided to offer it in a mini 5ml roll on form so that someone just familiarizing themselves with natural perfume could experience this heavenly scent. It is 90% organic/10% all natural and still carries the intense middle and base notes of the Magical Mind™ liquid perfume, but know that if you love the roll on, you will want to move on and try the more concentrated version.
Magical Mind™ begins with a melody of sweet, fresh, and spicy top notes and moves right into narcotic jasmine notes enveloped in a lush forest scent. Jasmine is so incomparable that synthetics do not even come close to approximating the real thing. Rich, warm, and intensely floral, real jasmine is the closest thing I've experienced to the sensation of memory and the flow of time overlapping and expanding. To me, it embodies the essence of the magic of perfume. The entanglement of hypnotic jasmine and green forest fir is exhilarating and comforting at the same time, creating a space for your own magical mind to emerge.
photo credits: 1. via Tumblr. 2. via beauty in everything 3. via stardust sparkle 4. via Trust Your Style
posted by Mary Jo from TrustYourStyle at
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
20 Comments:
Being new to your circle and new to your blog, I'm interested in knowing more about you and these 2 snippets you shared just made my heart happy. I love what inspired you to start TYS and I champion you on #2 -- I believe that if this is what you want and will to happen, then it will.
Your last sentence speaks volumes...and as a woman of mature years I know it is only now at this age that I am able to believe in my own beauty -- inside and outside and that I don't need or want other people's approval or judgment about "me".
Brava to you!!! ♥
That 1st pic is so beautiful! You are so inspiring!
Beautiful post, darling! I so value our little blogging community and the friends I have made, too!
xoxox,
CC
I wish I could be on "what not to wear" but at the same time cringe because they always put people in similar clothes, no matter what their personal style really is....
AND I suck at styling my hair ;)
Thaaaaaaaanks my wonderful blogging friend - that I had the pleasure of meeting over a year ago - you are wonderful source of inspiration!
xoxoxo
Cece
Your blog is always so inspirational, Mary Jo. Something wonderful about myself...
...I volunteered for an animal shelter for many years as a teenager. During that time I adopted three handicapped cats who were at risk of being put to sleep. One was deaf, one had only one eye, and one was completely blind. They are still with me today - Snowflake, Morgan, and Sloopy. :)
What an incredible post! I loved and appreciated your honestly and brimming gratitude--you are indeed a gem, my dear!
If you've ever in the Madison area, we will meet--I promise to make it happen!
And my one think that I like about myself: the fact that my baby belly is rosy and growing!
XOXO
Such beautiful, sincere words. This post just made me feel so happy. I love learning new things about my blogging friends. Something wonderful about myself: I'm really patient (most of the time). :)
tell them that if they are happy to fund the travels you can meet them all! LOL i would have to travel to australia, denmark, england for sure. then to all parts of the us.
Mary Jo -- I feel so blessed to know you. I can relate to trying to explain blogging friendships to a non-blogger, and how they might not understand it the same way...I have met only 3 bloggers that I regularly connect with, and would love to meet more. In fact, I may be visiting California in March, and would love to meet you!
The friendships that are built, is in my mind, the same as pen pals. A written correspondence that is faster, but just as powerful.
Congratulations on the well-deserved awards! Also, I wish you only the best for your new line -- it's just beautiful!
As for one thing about myself that I like...I am very objective and rational when it comes to relationships.
I hope your week has been one of much love :)
xo
Love this post!!
Don't miss the Valentine's Day Giveaway, tomorrow on Sweet as a Candy :-)
Hugs
Federica
Your post is wonderful and thoughtful! I love the ambition and aim behind Trust Your Style in that fashion and style comes from within and doesn't have to be for only those behind the scenes.
=)
Dyan
Oh, Mary Jo, what a beautifully written and expressed post. I would guess a lot of us bloggers can relate to the difficulty in explaining blogging friends (particularly those we've never met in person) to those who don't blog-- I know I can.
I'm also trying to figure out better balance right now too (as E keeps telling me how much I need it, and I know he is right.) Part of that is stepping away from my computer more I think.
I loved reading your two items about you, especially your goal in #2-- I suspect that you already change/influence many individuals through your blog, your different lines, etc.
Something wonderful about myself is that I have a huge heart, as well as a great capacity for forgiveness. Wow... it's hard to write something like that without feeling like I'm bragging...
xo C
Courtney--in all the time I've read your blog I've never heard you brag once! Having a huge heart and capacity for forgiveness are amazing and beautiful things to be proud of!!! I'm so proud of all of you--feeling a little teary, I'm silly, I know.
xo
Hello Mary Jo,
Whenever I take the moment to see what I have and feel grateful, I am most grateful for my continued health and the health of family and friends. Everything else seems to fall in place because when you have good people, everything seems easier to handle.
I do follow you in Google Reader, and Twitter. Thank you and good luck to everyone, cheerios!
hi visit and follow please.
nice to meet u^
I'm certain you can changes things in the fashion industry! Your blog is so real and honest and warm...it's refreshing. :-)
Mary Jo - beautiful thoughts and honesty. It was a pleasure to be able to get to know you a bit better.
One of the best benefits of blogging is all of the lovely minds you get to know and I'm enjoying learning from your business posts as well as enjoying your sense of style.
Have a beautiful Valentine's Day!
Right now I am obsessed with aging and trying to prevent it. Face creams, exercise... you name it. LOL....
Mary Jo,
I am crying because, your words touched me so. You have honestly made me a better person, because of our friendship.
xoxo
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