cat juan

I MISS THE OLD PERSONAL BLOGS. DO YOU?

October 24, 2021 by Little Miss Honey

I miss the old personal blogs back in the days…. Do you?

I really loved reading blogs back in the day, especially when I discovered the blogs of Bianca Gonzales, Patty Laurel, Cat Juan and even KC Concepcion blog posts at Multiply account. I love the tidbits of sharing they do in their blogs from their movie recommendations, meet-up sessions with their friends, their travels and their thoughts on love & life. Those days, the blogosphere wasn’t as saturated like it is today. There were less of those curated posts. There were no sponsored posts. The blogs have no specific niche. They were just personal blogs that people come to visit to read & enjoy the sharing.

Then suddenly, blogging became so popular in the internet. Everyone started to blog. Blogs became more promotional and lost its charm. Even my favorite blogs became too commercialised and too niched.

In 2008, I tried my hand in blogging too (with apprehension) all for the love of writing. I love writing. I love pouring my thoughts into strings of sentences. I love documenting my experiences with my own words in lengthy paragraphs. So I started my blog. I started in the defunct Multiply the transferred to Blogspot.com or now called Blogger.com. Then I eventually got my own url: https://www.littlemisshoney.com.

Initially, I just enjoyed writing for writing sake. I would write anything that I fancy. But there was a nagging urge for me to monetised my efforts and to gain bigger readership to affirm that I am an “real blogger”. When I was already working and living in Singapore, I took my blogging seriously. After I got my own url under godaddy.com, I hired a blogging coach. Then I got a website designer. I joined online blogger groups. Then (magically) suddenly, I have brands and PR company emailing me to work with me. I would get lots of free products that I would review. I would get free hair and nail services, I would get to try yummy foods from restaurant for free. I would get free passes from concerts to playgrounds for kids, etc. I got to earn a few dollars from some collaborations too. It was fun times. But sometimes, if I accepted too many collaborations, it took the joy of the whole thing and it became just a task to do. It did lit me up anymore like it used to. It became almost unauthentic and too promotional.

In addition, it is advised by experts that blogs must be niched. Goodbye to personal blogs and lifestyle blogs. They say, you cannot just write about anything. They say, you must stick to your niche which I try my best to follow. I think I found one which is an expat blog – to blog about my journey as a Filipina working abroad from Singapore and now in Oman.

But I miss the freestyle writing of yesterdays’ blogging (though yes, I am aware also that blogging has been dead for so long. My favorite bloggers stopped blogging in 2019. Hello Vlogging!). So I decided to get back to that. I will, of course, still write about my expat adventure but along with it, I will share a smorgasbord of what peak my interests. Would you like that?

P.S. My thoughts on Vlogs

Vlogging is the “in” thing these days. Everything is moving towards video-based storytelling. Look at Instagram, promoting reels. Most vlogs now are sponsored and have lots of ads interjected within the video but then again, it is already considered a legit livelihood. I have so much respect for vloggers. I could imagine the hardwork and time they put in to create one video. I think it is amazing. But after giving it some thought because I mentioned I am mulling over the idea to start an Youtube channel by next year. I realised it is really not the platform for me. I could not sustain the energy to create a vlog weekly. Maybe in the future future, who knows but definitely, not in the near future or definitely not next year

5 INSPIRING BLOGS

August 2, 2013 by Little Miss Honey 909 Comments

I love reading blogs. I love being inspired. I love reading blogs that keep me inspired, blogs that radiate positivity, blogs that make me smile or laugh and blogs that share exciting new food discoveries or travel destinations. I follow a lot of blogs over the years so it is hard to choose only 5 favorite blogs that truly inspire me.

1. SUPERBIANCA

The blog of the TV host and UNICEF ambassador Bianca Gonzales is first blog that got me hooked into reading personal blogs. It’s her blog also that inspired me to make my very own blog. She started blogging when blogging wasn’t very much recognised like it is right now. I enjoy reading her insights, her travel stories, and her love for her family & friends. She would always take tumbling shots in her travels. Sadly, she doesn’t post entries more often in her blog maybe due to her gruelling work schedule. But there is no denying that her social media presence is very influential to the youth and the Filipino people.

2. PATTY LAUREL

My sister and I were sad when we couldn’t find her blog in the web one day. We love reading her entries about her travels. But thankfully, she made a new blog site and it is even bigger & better than before. She writes in a funny and geeky kind of way, just like how you & your friends would talk to each other which endears her to her readers. She has a very ‘sunny’ and happy outlook in life that make you want to be a happy and ‘sunny’ person too. I love reading about her wedding and being a newlywed myself, I enjoy reading about her newlywed adventures with her husband.

3. CATJUAN

This woman, the better half of the director Carlo Ledesma, is a gifted writer and a talented photographer. I love how she writes and captures photos. She has a new lay-out and theme in her site which gets me excited because it means she will be blogging more frequently now. Her words are filled with wisdom and her writing is fired with inspiration and positivity. I am enlightened by her philosophy in life. And I trust her book and makeup recommendations.

4. FAB AFTER FORTY

This blog has gained so much followers because of its creative, uniqueness and humor. I love reading Chinie Hidalgo-Diaz’s blog because it make you laugh and think at the same time. Her doodles are funny but they are also thought-provoking and very true. You know that this gal is one great lady who know to laugh and enjoy life. She does a lot of cool drawings in her blog. I admire that because the only thing that I can draw is bunny and thats it. Look at the picture below for my one & only “masterpiece” drawing.

5. CURRYSTRUMPET

This is my new blog discovery. I like how she writes. There are those who just post pictures and describe them. But it is great to read blogs by people who have good writing skills. She has lived in several countries. She used to stay in Singapore with her hubby & baby. I can get ideas where to go here in Singapore by reading her blog. She is now blogging from Amsterdam. Since I have never been to Europe, reading her blog allows me to see glimpse of Amsterdam and other places in Europe through her blog. She also take lovely photos. Something that I should learn to do too..

So these are my 5 current favorite blogs. What are yours? Do share.

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LITTLE MISS HONEY & HER FAVORITE BLOGGERS

November 19, 2011 by Little Miss Honey 835 Comments

How did I started blogging?

When I was in med school, a friend of mine, who loves to write, told me about blogs and blogging. It sounded so foreign to me. Bloga-what? She said it is like an online diary but it is published online. She said we should get into it since we both love to write. I don’t like the sound of a diary and published in one sentence but I tried it anyway. I went to blogspot.com. I picked an orange template. I wrote about how hard our neurology exam that day and if my memory serves me right, I’m pretty sure I didn’t use the word sadistic to describe my professor but only something to that effect. I was really bothered that my professor or any of my classmates would see my post (mind you, during time that there was no Facebook or Twitter). So due to my nagging conscience, I deleted my account and decided that it was a stupid idea to put an online diary and that blogging will eventually die a slow & painful death on the world wide web.

Fast forward to 2008, after passing my board exam, I made a trip with other young women (professionals & students) to Sydney, Australia to join the World Youth Day. We had such a blast there! We also made lots of new friends. After the trip and going back to Philippines (one of us when back to the States), we promised each other that we would share our pictures in Oz with each other. We all opened an account at multiply.com. As promised, we exchanges pics. One of us made a video. Since Multiply has a lot of ways to share media besides pictures, you can share your favorite music, your review and your blog. And missing writing, I gave blogging another chance. I blog about our trip to Australia for them. My 1st blog post, no welcoming address whatsoever, haha. (But apparently I deleted it by accident two years ago and was never seen again, hayz).Few years after, my sister, the Wandering Pinky, opened an account on blogspot (now blogger). With her encouragement, I tried to sync my multiply account with my blogspot account so all my blogs in multiply can appear on my blogspot account. And eventually, I wrote most of my entries in blogspot and used multiply for online shopping. I would write intermittently and sporadically, only when my moods strikes it. Losing a lot of opportunities of good stories I could have shared.

I have always have a love affair with writing since elementary days. I would write stories and poems. I was also been active with the school paper from high school until med school. Writing is a creative outlet for me while I work in a less-abstract and more concrete world of Medicine. It balances me out. So one day, my boyfriend read one of my blog post and he enjoyed it a lot. He encourages me to pursue it and to keep blogging some more. He knows my love for writing. He even bought me a shirt that says Little Miss Writer. He said just keep writing, even if it means he will be the only one reading it, hehe, because he believes in staying true to our passions. And I did. And when I got really into it and opened myself to the world of blogging, I saw the wonderful benefits it can offer: a chance to inspire, a chance to share your ideas or any good food/book suggestions, a chance to earn (yup, you can), a chance to meet new friends and many more.

And it also got me to know other blogs by other people who I follow religiously (though I have read other blogs way before I started my Little Miss Honey Blog in blogspot). Every morning I would fire up our desktop or my laptop with a tea or coffee in my hand. I would check my mail and then I would check on my dashboard of my blogger account and read new posts from blogs I am following. They inspire me with their posts, be it their approach to life or a new book or a new travel experience or a new rest they tried.

So here are my list of favorite bloggers:

MY TOP 3 ULTIMATE FAVORITE BLOGGERS:

1.Bianca Gonzales of I AM SUPERBIANCA– Me and my sisters are an avid followers of her blog ever since before, way before I got a blogger account and way before Facebook became an “IN” thing. Bianca travels a lot and you can to experience traveling in other countries through her eyes. She radiates honesty and vulnerability in her posts but strategically conveys it without offering her privacy on a silver platter. Now, that is a smart girl. Bloggers, especially personal bloggers especially, might be talking about their lives, but the smart ones knows what to put out there and what are things that should be left out. Bianca also talks about a lot of fun stuff like her nephew, her friends, McDonalds hehe and also talks about her involvement in UNICEF and her ideas on many other important things. Which is why she was picked as the winner of the #ThoughtMover for the recent Globe Tattoo Tatts Awards.Congrats Bianca!

2. Patty Laurel of DAPATTYLAUREL– I stumbled into Patty’s blog one day (this was her other blog before the DAPATTYLAUREL) and I am glad I did. This girl is hilarious! When she posted about why she blogs, she wrote, “It allows me to release my inner Joe D’ Mango. Call me, Patty D’ Banana.” Hahaha! She is funny, witty and pretty (it rhymes, hehe). Patty’s humor could be infectious hehe. Like Bianca, she is also have a travel bug and she has segment in her blog: Travel Tuesdays, where she talks about her travel adventures. She reflects bubbliness and wit on her posts that makes you want to be her friend, your brother’s girlfriend or wife, your daughter or teacher. Did I forget to mention that besides being a TV host, model, spokesperson, she also teaches preschool and now teaches College girls in Ateneo. Hay, when I have a daughter someday I will definitely call her Patricia.

3. Cat Juan of CATJUAN – I came across Cat’s blog through Patty’s blog. Without seeing her picture, I didn’t know who she was at first. Then when I did, I know I have seen her in numerous fashion magazine. She is also the better half of host, Carlo Ledesma. She is now teaches in Australia. She speaks through her blog with undeniable intelligence, humility and positivity. Her writings and pictures are like art on the computer screen, I am not kidding. This lady writes really well and takes a lot of beautiful pictures. She has a good head on her shoulder (I am not just talking about her face because goodness this girl is GORGEOUS!), her approach to life and being true to what really matters most in life is admirable. Something that you would wish you could somehow emulate.

*There is a central theme in all my fave bloggers. They all radiate a sense of positivity. The world is full of angst and negavity, why attract it, right? I like that they are all self-actualized, passionate and a good role model to women.

MY FAVE PERSONAL BLOGGER:

Frances Amper Sales of TOPAZ HORIZON– Frances is the editor of OK magazine. She also a loving wife to writer Vince and a mother. I recently followed her blog and I quite enjoyed her posts. She is a natural born writer and you can see it in her posts. She is a nominee of the Philippine Blog awards in Best in Personal Blog.

MY FAVE FASHION BLOGGERS:

Vern Encisco of A SHOETALE

Cheyser Pedregosa of A WALKING RECCESSIONITA

MY FAVE FOOD BLOGGER:

This is yet to be filled. Will update you if I found my fave foodie blogger. (Any suggestion?)

MY FAVE TRAVEL BLOGGER:

Marcos Caratao of AMBOT-AH- This Ilonggo travel blog has been my, my sister and my friend’s guide when we plan trips. It is very informative and helpful for travelers. It also sometimes have itinerary guides and budget guides. Marcos takes wonderful pictures and is definitely a seasoned photographer. He is a winner of the Philippines Blog Awards for Best in Travel Blog (Visayas)

MY FAVORITE BEAUTY BLOGGER:

Still deciding…..

MY TWO FAVORITE LIFESTYLE BLOGGERS:

1. Jenni Epperson of JENNI EPPERSON This girl rocks! Jenni is a multitasker-extraordinaire, she amazes me. She is a stylist, (blogger, duh of course), mother, wife, etc and does it all extremely well with cool chick attitude. Kaya nyu yan? I saw a tweet from Bubbles Paraiso that Jenni Epperson is like ” SM, she got it all.” Yup like in her blog, you get fashion, family, food (she’ll share with you great recipes) , beauty, lifestyle and gadgets. It is without question why she is a finalist in the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards for Best Lifestyle Blog. Vote for her! #Philippines represent

2. Daphne Osena-Paez of DAPHNE.PH – I have been following Daphne’s blog since her LiveJournal times. Also a fellow Ilongga, her blog is a treat to read. You get to see nice houses and cool interior designing from houses she visits for her Urban Zone show. She also states her opinion about important matter and you would really listen. She doesn’t babble with nonsense, she really has a good point. She will share with you her preparations for her kids b-days, her travels, her furniture & jewelry businesses and events that she goes too.

There you have it, those are my favorite bloggers. And if I am following your blog that means I extremely enjoy reading yours too. So as my way of extending my pudgy short arms to fellow bloggers out there, I will be featuring and inviting guest bloggers every month in my blog. If you are interested, don’t hesitate to drop me a line at littlemisshoneyblog@gmail.com. For more infos about what to post, click link.

Dont forget to cast in your votes to support your favorite bloggers by sending in your nominations http://awards.nuffnang.com/2011/. If you are a blogger too and if you would like to get a chance to fly to Malaysia for the NAPBAS, then simply click http://awards.nuffnang.com/2011/win-exclusive-invites/.

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