I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. There’s been a “shift” in blogging lately – less comments, less follows or Pins in social media…less of things. I’ve never felt a change personally because I’ve never been a “BIG” blog. You readers I have are small in numbers, but giant in voice. A huge plus in being a little bitty blog is that there is no outside pressure. There is certainly pressure I put on myself. When we were barely working on the house anymore I definitely felt pressure from myself to just be able to post. I wanted you guys to get to read SOMETHING. I never felt like you guys ordered anything, or made me feel bad or ANYTHING like that ever. But I wanted to be able to give you something. It feels wonderful now to have the problem that there are TOO MANY projects, and not enough time to get to post about it.
I’ve been thinking about those posts. Thinking about how to organize them, what order to put them in, getting worried that I was “backed up” because some things I haven’t blogged about have now happened a week or two ago. But mostly I think about presentation.
Is that weird?
When I redesigned the blog I definitely did it as a way to freshen up and take myself more seriously. I feel like I’ve developed as a designer in my professional life, and so I wanted to just give myself a little boost in my blogging life. I feel like I’ve evolved a little bit. And I think in anything anyone looks at that they’ve done for almost 7 years, there will FOR SURE be things you feel like you’ve gotten better or worse at.
But one thing I was feeling a little bad about lately was that I am SO LAZY about the photos I take. I remember one time a couple years ago Young House Love posted about how they edit each photo that they put on their blog (adjust contrast, etc.) I was shocked by their dedication. They had a formula set, so once you’re used to Photoshop, if you know what you’re going to do to every single photo – it’s easy. But still, even then, when I had a lot more time on my hands, I remember thinking, “Oh shit, no one has time for that…” 🙂 But it also shows their dedication.
I will never have that dedication. For my picture taking – it’s just not there. The other day Chris was working on some plumbing, I was holding the baby and there was no camera around – so out came my phone. When we were working here at night before we moved, there was definitely no camera around – so out came my phone. Now, granted our phones take great pictures, but there’s nothing like a great digital camera. But, fuck, I don’t have time for that 🙂 And honestly, I would rather be able to have an opportunity to TAKE the picture, I am too frazzled to tell Chris, “STOP!” and then run around and try to find the camera, lol.
But sometimes I feel like I “should” be doing that. Isn’t that what all the great blogs do? They have amazing photos. I’m not even talking about staging things, I’m just talking about taking the time to compose a good shot and use a camera that allows for so much detail. I wish I could take the time and not feel like I was running around to even just get a camera phone shot. But that’s me. I’m just glad to have any photo 🙂
I will be completely honest too – I’ve also wondered if it was finally time to accept sponsorship from companies. I’ve turned these down for a LONG time. Very rarely do I accept any. I don’t get a shit ton of requests (because, like I said, Picardy is a small blog and big companies don’t really care about small timers so much), but they are there. And in fact, my post on Wednesday will reference one – but it was for no money and was for cancer awareness (asbestos and our remediation of our asbestos tiles) so it felt like it made sense.
I’ve NEVER wanted things to not feel genuine. EVER. EVER. E.V.E.R.
That has been my #1.
I have always wanted to be myself. COMPLETELY. And I wanted that to be apparent first and foremost. I mean, my header says “building shit & raising girls,” so I want everyone who finds themselves here for the first time to know what I’m about. I’ll drop a “fuck,” and not give a fuck 🙂
I didn’t want to work with a company and have to water myself down. I don’t want to not be myself. And I never wanted things to not feel relevant. That was my very close #2 rule: things had to be relevant. If I was working on a bathroom, I’d never want to have some random company want me to post about air conditioners. That just feels ridiculous.
But I spend a lot of time on this blog. And now with having 2 kiddos, our business, working on other projects, renovating this house…I’ve come to realize that it is okay, it doesn’t mean I’m a “sell out” if every once in a while I accept $ or a product from a company. This is a hobby that takes me away (my choice) from earning money at jobs, or spending time with my kiddos and fella. I never want to get to a point where things don’t feel like me. I NEVER EVER want to do that. I will still swear. And I’ll still admit when I hate things 🙂 Speaking of which, last week I almost wanted to curse out the returns person at Home Depot who wouldn’t allow us to return any of our items without our receipt because we had “done too many returns without a receipt that month.” Even though we have a Pro Rewards card and one of the terms of that card is that YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A RECEIPT. God damn I fucking HATE Home Depot.
I just want to be honest with you guys. I want to be honest with myself. I want you to know what I’m thinking about as I’ve been blogging here for almost 7 years. There are things that I wish I was better at, things that I like that I do, things I may fiddle with. Ya know? Mostly I just always try to keep things honest. And I wanted to share that with you guys and just know that I appreciate this weird little internet friendship we have. And to thank you for your support.
Alright, off to take some camera phone pictures about projects I need to blog about! I have 17 drafts in my folder, gah!
Deb says
I come here to get my baby fix (although I have a brand new baby nephew now!!), to see what you’re doing to the house and chuckle at the “fucks” you drop. I don’t care about the quality of your photos or writing. I started reading because of the house stuff. I stuck around because you crack me up 🙂
meryl rose says
Congrats on your nephew!!! Thanks for appreciating my “fucks” 🙂
Jenny says
I almost never comment. But I love reading here. Your voice and the projects are the main reason I come. I don’t care about the photo quality. Sometimes I maybe wish for better pics of something but it’s rare. I appreciate how clear your writing voice is. Frankly some of the other blogs I read I almost can’t tell apart anymore. This space feels unique. If you take more sponsored posts to keep doing what you do, it won’t upset me.
meryl rose says
Thank you so much for the compliment – getting to feel unique in a world of overload is very special 🙂
JRA says
Love your blog, especially your writing style and attitude. I have never once thought – oh man, I wish the photos were better. I come for the projects and your adorable kiddos. You do you, I’m sure it’ll be great.
PS: I hate Home Depot too for a long ass list of reasons.
meryl rose says
OMFG HOME DEPOT IS THE WORST!!!!! I’m glad I have another hater….I mean supporter 🙂
Emily says
I don’t comment much but I read every post. Part of what I love about this blog is that it is relaxed, in style, timing, and language. Don’t change anything. Do what you can – you owe us nothing. We are tour distant cheerleaders.
meryl rose says
Thanks for the distant cheers that put a smile on my face. Obviously because every single comment back on this post has a smiley from me 🙂 🙂 🙂
Peggy says
Reading home renovation blogs provides me with a little respite during a busy workday (plus sometimes I even learn a little about home repairs/improvements that I can put to good use).
It’s your blog, so if sponsors help you keep this great site up and running, it won’t bother me. I come here for the heartfelt, honest writing (and the photos, which have never felt subpar to me).
meryl rose says
Thank you so much for the encouragement and support re sponsors! I haven’t wanted to for a long time, and still probably won’t do much, but a little something here and there will certainly make me not feel as guilty for the time this LOVELY hobby takes. Thank you! 🙂
GG says
Same. Same. Same. Same. I love this blog for all the reasons and things that you already do! Also want to add a great reminder, “friends don’t let friends ‘should’ themselves”. You need not worry, just keep doing what feels right to you. You fuckin rock!!
meryl rose says
Thank you! And I love that saying!!! 🙂
Tamara Mason says
I hope this is not inappropriate or offensive in any way. I am in the midst of putting together an offer on Picardy and your disclosure packet includes a letter from your dad that references your blog. I’ve been reading for 45 minutes and I’m entranced! I don’t know whether you’ll see my offer, so I wanted to take a moment to thank you for what you and your family have done for Oakland and the neighborhood (and maybe, hopefully, for me and my family!) You’re a great writer and historian (and it wouldn’t be authentic without dropping the F bombs!). Walking through the completed house brings out ooohs and ahhhs and “I would love to live here” comments BUT virtually walking through the blood, sweat and tears you and Chris invested and seeing it come together piece by piece….THAT’s what makes this house a labor of love. Raising girls is no small feat — I have 3 adult daughters — my eldest slept in the dining room for 2 years so reading about Merritt sleeping in the laundry room made me laugh. I wish you and your lovely family all the best — I hope the new project will be reflected in its own blog.
meryl rose says
First off – you are obviously awesome because you have the same name as my momma 🙂
Second – not inappropriate or offensive at all!!! Your comment is such a great compliment to read. It really has been a weirdly scary and validating experience to have put the house on the market and have people appreciate it so much. I was sad to sell it, but knew it was time to move on, but knowing that whoever gets it will really love and appreciate it makes it all so unbelievably worth it. Thank you for your compliment.
And how hilarious that your kiddo slept in an unconventional room too 🙂 🙂 🙂
Our new house’s adventure will live on here, on the never changed blog name – Picardy Project made us fall in love with sharing our renovation, and even though we won’t live on Picardy anymore, I could never imagine changing the blog’s name. Just new projects! 🙂
Tamara Mason says
Mommas with great girls – we’re in the same gang! Thank you for your kind words. I’m crossing my fingers, doing a little rain dance, saying my prayers…
I’ll be keeping tabs on you guys — you’re inspirational!
T
RZ says
Another lurker de-lurking, to let you know I appreciate your posts no matter what camera you use. That you are blogging the process at all is heroic enough! My spouse & I are in a multi year renovation saga, also trying to raise a girl, work full time, and run a side business… So I have tremendous respect & admiration for what you do. I know exactly how hard it is, and you do it in such style. Gives me strength to get up & do the work too!
meryl rose says
Thank you RZ! That’s an especially great compliment to hear from someone seriously in the thick of it as well! 🙂