I {Heart} Swedish Bloggers

Hello! Happy Labor Day!!

Lately I have been on the look out for some new blogs, new content in general. One afternoon I was searching for vintage hair styles and I came across a whole slew of fantastic blogs from some sweet little ladies in Sweden.

In college, I spent six weeks studying in Sweden where I developed an appreciation for Swedish design (Ikea especially) and the whole Swedish culture. I have started following several of these blogs (after browsing through the backlog at all of the amazing pictures!) Even though I can't understand most of the text, I love the style, grace and class portrayed in the photographs of these gorgeous Swedish bloggers. Admittedly, I don't know much about them from what I am able to 'read' but the pictures are just so fantastic, I don't need much more than that.

I hope you will find some inspiration in this post!!

Sandra @ http://rodeo.net/niotillfem/http://rodeo.net/niotillfem/ 
She has an English blog Google translator on the homepage of this blog to make it easier to navigate and read her content.

I adore Sandra's look. Prior to 6 months ago, she had a personal metro blog address here. And I found tons of great inspiration through the back logs. Tons of yummy food pictures, gorgeous masquerade costumes, fantastic fashion and one of the most gorgeous blogs I have seen in such a long time.

So refreshing to see such a renewed source for inspiration!!

Swedish Elle blogger Elsa Billgren @ Need Help Dressing? is absolutely gorgeous!!

 And she has a fantastic apartment!

Blogging for Veckorevyn in Stockholm, Linnea and Jennifer are absolutely gorgeous!

Thrifting!! YAY!

Originally, I found a link to their previous blog, Sweetnothing and browsed all of the old blog posts for tons of inspiration and yummy looking Swedish food!!

A REAL post, please.....

Who am I as a blogger? Am I a leader? Am I a follower?

Why do I like fawns and owls? And vintage? And the hipstamatic? And holga?

Is it because of the blogs I read?

I think so....I find myself gravitating towards stripes when I go shopping because of bloggers who wear the cutest stripes in the whole world....

I think it has to do with subliminal advertising. If I see something over and over again, I WANT it. Whether it is a coke, french fries, or a cool headband. Even if I do not realize that I am subjecting myself to the influences of others....I totally am.....

Blog hopping, seeing certain themes over and over again....it influences the decisions I make when I go shopping....when I 'like' a certain photo on Flickr.....

And the influence seeps into my blog content. Whenever I click on a 'New' blog on someone's sidebar, it seems like they are exactly like me. And all the blogs on their sidebar are exactly like them, and so on and so on forever.

And I have a feeling everyone's blog content is starting to look them same.

Are all blogs starting to look the same?

Say it isn't so!

I love to get inspiration from the internet, especially blogs...Inspiration posts from we heart it, favorite interiors found online, an occasional music video youtube video, a DIY, a recipe......

Am I capable of new content? Is any blogger? Are we all just FLUFF?

My goal for the next 6 months is to step away from 'inspiration' posts.....and try to create REAL content. Real is more important than happy.

Don't get me wrong, I like a good 'happy' feel-good post just as much as the rest, but I crave the real life of the writer. I love to make new connections.

Either with my art, photos, writing.....however I find it....I am going to try to be original. I've given it a go this week....

I may post LESS often, but I hope that my posts are more vibrant, more powerful, more creative.

I have found a few new blogs on Blogs of Note.....and they are less about fashion, crafts, etc...some are about reality T.V. (I know, REAL content, right?).....but I am on a quest to find some REALLY great blogs.

Do you have a great blog that is nothing like mine? Do you have a favorite blog that is powerful?

Share it in the comments, I would love to read something NEW!

Oh and the photo above is of my brother and is family at the beach....it INSPIRES ME!! It is real life and it is really special.

Desert Song {Inspired}

I am in love with this artwork from Geninne's Art Blog!
It is called Desert Song.
I have been inspired by all things 'desert' this year.

I had the most amazing time in Arizona last week....taking a Ranger ride 30 miles on a trail through the desert was the highlight of my trip.

The beautiful views made me want to be like Georgia O'keeffe.....taking an old Model A into the desert to paint on a giant canvas all day.

Sunday SNOW DAY bonus POST!!!

Sort of random, so get ready.

Found this really cool winter photo collage at Shimelle.com. It has some really inspiring winter pictures.

Here are some crafty/wintery pictures that are inspiring me right now:

(sorry that I don't have sources for all....some were in my style school folder)
(birds) (deer and pompom wreath) (vintage doilies as art)

I am loving the snow right now.

I went out today with Holga and shot some awesome pictures, I can't wait to get them developed. Hope I get some good ones.

In the mean time, here are some shots from my D500. Enjoy!

p.s. NO SCHOOL TOMORROW because of snow! I am so happy right now!

Also, I read a challenge over on A Beautiful Mess....Elsie is challenging herself to make 10 paintings this week and share them on her blog. If she can complete the challenge she is going to reward herself with a new camera. Hmmmm....I REALLY want a Fujifilm Mini 7s....BAD....

(source)

So I can make something cool like this:

so I am going to try to figure out a challenge for myself too....I need to design a workshop for birthday cards...and I also want to make some Valentines....good thing I have tomorrow off.....
Wish me luck!

Hope your January is full of inspiration and beauty!!

xoxo Nellie Mae

{Inspired} 2008 A Call to Comment

On of my goals this year was to select a word to sum up my year in 2009. It was one of my New Year's resolutions. My word for this year: Inspire. As I said on January 4th, "It is my goal this year to live a life that will inspire others. I want to inspire my students, friends and family members to follow their creative ambitions and do things that make them happy. I hope that I can do this through my blog and my scrap books."

Have I achieved my goal? I have sort of made a mental note of instances where people at work have told me that I inspired them to do something....(Robyn, Aprons) and when my friends have said that I inspired them (Jack, political activism). I am sure there are many other things that I have done to inspire my friends, I just don't realize it. I have gotten the sweetest letters from a few friends (Carrie and Lindsay) thanking me for showing them new techniques or craft forms.

I really wanted to write this post to find out, keep a record, and meter the success of my goal. Has my blog been inspiring? Have you done anything new because of my blog? Have you found an appreciation for something that you would probably not have because of my words, pictures and posts?

Please leave me a comment telling me something that I have done to inspire you this year. It doesn't have to be specific, especially if you are new to my blog. As always, I appreciate your comments and I rarely ask for feedback, but in this one instance, I hope you will consider leaving me a comment, especially if you RARELY leave comments on blogs.

Also, is there anything you would like to see more posts about in 2010? (personal details about my life, photography, cards, scrapbooking, art stuff, crafts?) If you are interested in knowing more details about being an art teacher, I just started a new blog This Little Class of Mine where {so far} I only have a few lesson plans, but I plan to share stories, websites and advice for other art teachers.


I appreciate all of my readers so much so I would like to offer a gift to one commenter. Please leave your comment on this post for a chance to win one print your choice from the "Inspirational Sky" photos below. I will select a winner on December 18th.