Hello friends!!! Has your life been as busy as mine lately? Sometimes I wonder if a “work-from-home” wife has more on her plate……..?

So – besides all the mundane everyday stuff that keeps me occupied, I have been participating in another e-class (Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss) by my favourite blogging teacher Holly Becker (of decor8). This is my 3rd (really!!!!!) class that I have participated in and yet again I am loving it and learning so much. We’ll all benefit – I will be inspired to create an even better, authentic and original blog, and you will hopefully enjoy reading the fruits of my labour! Today I have a homework assignment that I am sharing with you – my favourite blogs “that rock”, and why they do so. ( I must interject here that there are 2 blogs not included on this list as they are part of my class - decor8 and Sania Pell at home - that  also really rock……..) Lets get started.

Leslie Shewring of acreativemint is one of my inspirational heroes. She creates THE MOST beautiful colour, pattern, paper and floral “stories” , and has introduced me to the wonders of washi tape, japanese papers and photo styling. She has not blogged as frequently in the last 6 months as she used to, but you could spend days strolling backward through time on her blog………

Ishtar Olivera is another inspiring creative, who blogs very regularly and shares really inspiring projects (washi tape, handmade stamps, snail-mail groups amongst others). Her blog is in Spanish, but has english translations built-in. The only problem is all the practical classes that she teaches are in Spain………

From Mexico, meet the very talented and creative Gennine Zlatkis. Gennine paints and illustrates – birds, plants, insects – beautifully!!! She is also a master stamp creator (I am waiting for her book to arrive in the post any day now). And she manages to be a Mom, wife, Etsy shop holder…..and is ,with her husband,  building the most stunning home….. Do yourselves a favour and visit her blog for constant inspiration! (and click on to her etsy shop, facebook page etc!!)

Moving along to Celine from France who curates BohemeCircus!! She features the most yummy collection of paper, stationery, goodies, snail-mail projects, moodboards – and she has an online store!! Although her blog is in French, the translations are pretty good – and the pictures speak for themselves!! I have a serious case of paper and stationery envy every time I click across…… Celine is also a classmate at Blogging Your Way: Blog Boss and I am still hoping to connect with her (like a true fan I will have to get over my stage-fright first……..!!)

Staying with the theme of Stationery is another blog that rocks – Oh So Beautiful Paper!!  This daily design, lifestyle and wedding blog features stationery for all occasions – baby announcemets, save-the-dates, wedding stationery, cards for all occasions – and the odd cocktail recipe thrown in every Friday!! It really is a go-to site for ideas and inspiration as well as to see the latest trends in Stationery. Especially interesting are their reviews on all the big stationery and gift shows in the US – great images to pour over to see what’s happening in the world of stationery!

Moving closer to home now – my favourite South African blogs. The Pretty Blog is a treasure trove of inspiration!! From real-life weddings, to styled themed shoots (think Spring or Easter), to stationery DIY and downloads. They feature the work of some amazing local photographers, florists, graphic artists and stationery design houses. As a South African creative, I am SO PROUD of what this group of young, dynamic gals put out there every day!! (And I’ve met a few of the contributors which makes it even more personal for me!)

Another homegrown blog (and also classmate at BYW: Blog Boss) is I Want That, the daily creation of Vicki Sleet a Cape Town based journalist. Vicki keeps us all on our toes with news of all the local design happenings and news, launches (with some great give-aways thrown in!) as well as international trends, decor, travel and food. I was so honoured to be featured on iwantthat last year after a put together a storyboard of my tools of the trade. Thanks again Vicki!!

And last, but NEVER least of my list of 8 blogs that rock is sang the bird, the creation of my dear friend Leah in Australia. Leah and I “met” in my first BYW class with Holly, and she remains such a great “blog-friend” and supporter, and I hope I am the same to her. Leah’s blog is different to all the others that I have mentioned in this list - in that it is very personal and authentic. A real glimpse into Leah’s life – her joys, sorrows, the lovely Miss S, her photography project and her enviable ‘simple, organic” lifestyle on the Queensland coast. This friendship has truly taught me how one can connect with the loveliest people through something as virtual as blogging. Sending you love Leah and Miss S!!

As I look back on this list that I have put a lot of thought into I realise that my favourite blogs are those that are original, creative, honest – and inspire me!! The subject matter is all close to my heart and reflects my interets and passions. These blogs are visually beautiful, the content is authentic, and there is a real personal touch to most of them. Something tells me that this is what I am looking to create here at Paperpeony!!!! Thank you all for sharing this little journey with me, and I hope I’ve introduced you to some blogs that will become your favourites too!!

Sending you all a hug and Thank You for spending your time with me!! Have a lovely weekend.