patty laurel

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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BENEFITS OF DRY SKIN BRUSHING

July 5, 2013 by Little Miss Honey 896 Comments

I heard about dry skin skin brushing from Amanda Griffin when she shared her beauty secrets in Patty Laurel’s blog. I was keen on try it too. When I came across a body brush in Body Shop, I decided to purchase one. I got the long handle body brush. Unfortunately, I haven’t able to do the dry skin brushing religiously and manage to do it only during evenings.

But a few days ago, renowned Filipina makeup artist, Xeng Zulueta tweeted a picture of Joyce Ma, HongKong’s legendary icon and successful retailer of Joyce Boutique who swears by doing 100 strokes of dry skin brushing.

Would you believe this glowing lady is already 72? I would love to look like that when I turn 70! I need to dust off my body brush now.

Intending to be more serious with dry skin brushing, I asked Xeng more about dry skin brushing. She has graciously sent me a diagram how to do the proper brush strokes. And I was also informed that dry skin brushing must be done before bathing in the morning.

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing:

1. It will activate your lymphatic system and detoxify yourself from impurities.

2. It will exfoliate your skin and get rid of excess dead skin, giving you a healthy glow.

3. It will reduce cellulites and tone skin (Yea!)

So brush away, peeps! I know I will too!