Friend Friday #24: Authenticity

It's nearly the weekend everyone!! Excited? I am. And I have Monday off too, so a three-day weekend awaits me when I clock off later today. What fun plans do you have for your weekend?

Another Friday means another Friend Friday post. I don't know about you but I always look forward to these the most. As much as I enjoy writing my own responses each week, I can't wait to see what everyone else has written too. This week's top is "authenticity": what is means, how you achieve it in a blog, how important it is?

Pretty photo that has nothing to do with this week's topic!!
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1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?

Hmmm. Authenticity is definitely important but my goodness, how do you define it?! Maybe for starters, it is those bloggers that stay true to themselves.

One dictionary defines authenticity as "The quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine".

In terms of blogs and bloggers? I think for me, it is a blog that show thought for what they write and the community for whom they write it. "Authentic” bloggers – in my mind – are those that share a part of themselves in their blog posts - this doesn't have to be a whole lot of themselves as I know and understand that many bloggers like to keep parts of their lives private (as do I) but their own experiences and likes and dislikes come into play when they write. I think a connection with your blog's community helps to add authenticity - a willingness to participate in discussions in the comments or on social media.

For me a blogger who shows a little humility is always on to a winner. Not many bloggers are experts in our field - or weren't before they started writing their blogs - and an acknowledgement of that is refreshing. It helps to make that connection with your readership if you can admit that your knowledge is on a par.

2. When it comes to your blog how to you infuse it with that true/ authentic feeling?

I try to make what I write as honest and as personally as possible. Like I said before, I do keep my life pretty private and separate from my blog but that doesn't stop me from re-telling something that has happened to me or pointing out the relevance of something to my life. I write about things that make me happy and that excite me and hope that this is obvious through a passion in my words.

I have just added Disqus comments' platform to my blog in the hope that it will enable me to better respond to comments. This is a part of my new year's plans to create a better and more active community on Sugar and Spice. I know that not everyone likes Disqus but for Blogger it seems the best available option. I'd love to hear your views on Disqus and the idea of bloggers responding to comments.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?

I don't follow many blogs but I do have many on my blog links page. Occasionally I stop following a blog but it is usually due to inactivity on their part than content, as such.

Bloggers who don't seem to interact or particularly care about their community don't really encourage me to continue to read their blogs unless their content is very compelling.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life... what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?

I try to live my life so that I can honestly say that I happy with all of my actions. Sometimes I don't particularly succeed in this but I know that often I can say that I am. One example is from a few years ago when I was "friends" with a couple of people who might be what some would call "toxic". These "friends" spent much of their time bad-mouthing and complaining about other friends and I soon realised that this wasn't how I wanted to spend my time. I don't like to spend my time belittling the actions of other people. I apply the same "values" on my blog. I prefer my blog to be a positive place to visit which is why, if I don't like something or have nothing nice to say about something - be it a product, piece of clothing, or whatever - I won't say anything at all.

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?

Any on my links list! Is that too broad an answer?!! But it’s true! If I had to name names, then I would say, Grit and Glamour - whose willingness to cultivate a strong and positive community on her blog continally inspires me. Who else? Veshoevius of The Taxonomy of my Wardrobe - whilst keeping her identity private she still manages to share much of her life with her readers. And one last blogger who I'd like to mention writes a blog that is new for my links list: Money Smart Fashion. Grace does not shy away from admitting her money troubles and how she is working towards ridding herself of debt. Her style on a budget is totally up my street and her advice is always honest.

I have missed so many other wonderful bloggers and I am sorry. In fact, let me add one more: Oranges and Apples. You have to read her responses to this week's questions - they are so thoughtful. Franca is definitely a thinker and this comes through in all of her writing. And her outfits are always colourful - something to make you happy!


What do you think? Is Sugar and Spice "authentic"? What do you understand by "authenticity"? Tell me which blogs you think are authentic - I want to find some new blogs!!

If you would like to become a member of the ever-growing Friend Friday Group, you can find details on Katy's blog, ModlyChic. And you can find all of the other responses to this week's questions on Katy's blog.

Happy Friday everyone!