Thursday, February 19, 2015

Commenting

We all like to receive comments on our blogs.  Some of us enjoy leaving comments.  Making and getting comments is an interesting subject.

Why do we enjoy getting them?  Probably 'cause we work hard at our blogs and it's nice to know people are reading.  When visitors announce their presence and say something meaningful, it validates our effort.  For me, there's an added benefit because you guys are more experienced with female life and fashion so your feedback educates me.  I learn from you, almost every day.

Why do we like to leave comments?  Sometimes it's a way to be friendly.  To tell our online comrades that we support their efforts. 

Checking in on our friends is mutually-beneficial.  I take great pleasure in commenting on your blogs.  It feels like we're having a conversation.  My happiest moments are when a funny idea pops into my head while reading your blog which I can organically weave it into a humorous, relevant comment.  The prospect of making you laugh puts a big smile on my face.

What do you think about comments?  Do they matter to you?  Why?  Can you remember any that meant a lot to you?

P.S., I'm bringing this dress to Atlanta!


53 comments:

  1. LOVE that dress! One of my all time favourites of yours. Who is it by?

    Comments are a way of having an online relationship with someone. Otherwise me blabbing away can be quite dull. It is a shame however that I don't receive your responses to my comments in my email like my blog does as I rarely go back to take a look at the responses (not enough time in the day).

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. First of all, that dress is amazing and you look absolutely gorgeous. Look out, Atlanta!
    Like you and Suzanne both said, commenting is like have a conversation and a friendship with someone online. I love giving and receiving comments. It used to bother me more, in the beginning days of our blog, when we wouldn't get many comments. I felt like we were doing all this work and no one was even reading or cared enough to comment. Now I care less about the amount of comments and focus more on the quality and the friendships I am building through the blog. It's such a crazy and fun and supportive community.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic dress! And the kitty pin is adorable too.

    And I agree with Suzanne and the birds - it's a way of having a conversation and connecting with others, that is why I like to reach out and leave comments. It feels good when it's reciprocated too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I usually comment because I want to leave my input on something. Not very many blogs compel me to comment, and that's totally fine. Sometimes, just reading/looking at pretty pictures is all I need. I comment a lot on your blog because your posts are written in a way that encourage discussion. I like that. - Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  5. So glad you're taking that dress. If we were shopping, I likely wouldn't have chosen it for you because boat necks typically work best when balancing a larger hip (and we both have boyish hips), but it works well on this dress for you. Perhaps it's the structure provided by the herringbone tweed? Either way, it's demure, elegant and head turning for all the right reasons. And the cat pin just is so playful and cute.
    The hardest part of starting a new blog is accepting entire weeks will pass without comments. Part of it is that I don't have a big readership (yet), both because I haven't quite found the right community of bloggers for this next part of my life (not that I don't still want to engage with my old community!) and because I haven't invested the time in engaging others the way I should.
    I've also found that when I'm limited on time, I tend to think more about the comments that I make. If I am still thinking about what I would say the next time I get a chance to be at the computer, I comment. Hopefully that means while my comments are fewer in quantity, they are higher in quality (thought I still have to rush through typing them. When will we reach the stage where I just plug my brain into a USB and download my thoughts?). Often, your posts are so thought provoking that I may still be thinking about a response 20 minutes later, but since they tend to make me go off on tangents, the thoughts I have 20 minutes later often seem far removed from the original post (even if there are many logical jumps I took to get there), so I try not to ramble tangentially all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh this is good. Great even. You look wonderful in a shift dress and that brooch is the best ever.

    I love reading comments; many of the comments I receive are fun and funny and it makes me feel closer to my readers. And I do try to comment on the blogs I read, but not always. I don't often have anything substantial to say, but when I really love something (like you in this silhouette) I will definitely comment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I can't explain why this dress looks good on me but it does. Not gonna argue with my eyes!

      Delete
  7. Great dress! I like commenting to show support and interact.

    ReplyDelete
  8. First of all - WHAT a dress! I would love to own something like that, too!
    Regarding the comments: I like them first because of the feedback and also because the commenting back prompts me to visit new blogs and revisit old favourites I might otherwise forget about!

    Have a great day,
    -Kati

    ReplyDelete
  9. Okay I audibly gasped when I saw that dress on you. Not only is it a gorgeous piece in its own right, but it looks superb on you!

    I used to really obsess over how many comments a given post of mine got, but now I'm more interested in what the comments say and interacting with the commenters. Although admittedly I've been a little distracted/unable to respond as of late :(

    ReplyDelete
  10. You know my feelings on this but yes, oh I love the comments, that, for me, is the best part- the appreciation that you know people have read and loved or been amused by what you have written, the feedback, the friendship, the kindness, the empathy and I love writing back to other people too if their settings (and my aawful phone) allow me to! The fact that SO many people left such long comments on Saturday's post told me that it was something they cared about too and that was why it was worth writing.

    I really love your comments when you leave them. I can always feel I hear your voice as you would say it and I don't get that with a lot of other people. And yes, you amuse me and you are very perceptive.
    YES, the dress looks marvellous and the brooch is absolutely darling- GOOD COMBO! Do you know what I think you could add to turn this into a wedding guest/races outfit- I think a little red (or black) fascinator pinned at a jaunty angle to your head- maybe a small one with feathers or curls or a tiny pillbox would look adorable and stylish simultaneously. xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Comments always make you feel good. It makes our work feel appreciated. But it doesn't matter if i don't get that many comments as i have not been doing it that long. But i love reading your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awesome dress!! I'm excited for your trip. :D

    I like comments. I used to use them as a measuring stick for my blog, but having gone from full time to unemployed again - I see how hard people DO work to get that blogging time in, and I value each and every comment so much more because someone took the time to even say 'great dress' or 'cool shoes'. Some days I had come home from work and just felt so socially RAW that I couldn't bear to do more than read a blog post.

    I'm trying to slowly get back up with my comments, catch up personally with my friends (more than I have been) and when the weather allows post to MMD.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this dress on you - absolutely perfect. I love commenting on blogs because I know how much work and love goes into preparing posts - and I want you to know I appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You look fab in this dress, it's lovely and the perfect dress to take along with you.

    I like getting comments and always manage to guess how many and who will comment (I moderate mine so play the game of anticipating how many will be there waiting for me when I log on). I don't get that many comments really, but I am grateful for those I do get. It can be disheartening to barely get any feedback via comments after I have compiled a post as I often don't feel up to par healthwise so I find it can be a real effort to do a post which then appears to fall flat. I do try to comment on others when I can, particularly to those who are regular visiters to my blog x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice point. I also anticipate who will comment.

      Delete
  15. Cute dress!
    When I get a comment I usually squee like a toddler watching Dora or something. Silly, I know, but I can't help it.
    I hope you're keeping warm!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just wrote a lengthy reply (part of which was a response to your dialogue for this post) and it didn't make it due to my not being logged in! ARGHHH

    Sigh. Anyways, yay Allycat and Ms. Kitty Pin are heading to Atlanta! Glad she's going to travel around with you.

    I received your cute V-day card (they're always so cute) and meant to send something back but time has been lost to me. I have an incomplete illustration I meant to send for the Holidays and was never able to finish. Hopefully I'll have some quiet time soon so that I might be able to finally send it over.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love getting feedback with comments, of course not the sort of comments that just say "nice post" with a bunch of links to the home page and all the socials from a fellow blogger..but something a bit articulated ! I also love commenting for your same reason. I am just so sick of many follow me I follow back comments I get every day...all the same ! Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS That dress is adorable, and so is the cute brooch ! Meoowww !

      Delete
  18. I love comments and I love making them. And that pin is rocking my world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine, too. It was a gift, greatly appreciated.

      Delete
  19. Ally, you address just what I've been thinking of lately. I'm plagued by technical problems and the February blahs ... assisted by surprise weather, so photos are tough, but I KNOW I'm behind getting to all my favorite bloggers. It is so true that those who take the trouble to post deserve our support and feedback ... we're now blessed by so many that it's difficult, though. I love to write, and don't have time to do both, so I've taken a couple of weeks off from my opining to catch up with everyone.
    Just a note: I have always wanted to suggest to you that this might be the perfect season for a stronger, more defined brow on you. ... I think it would serve you well, and that you'd love it. So many easy brow products on the market right now ... what do you think?
    Darling dress (flattering and fresh!) and adorable kitty brooch. Nice for the season and occasion!
    Will make every effort to get by more often!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree about the brow. It's one of a few areas I know are deficient. But the learning curve is steep for me 'cause I wasn't raised as a girl and taught these things.

      Delete
    2. A brow suggestion: Maybelline makes a product called Brow Drama ... it's a mascara-like brush thingy. Get one close to your hair color (medium brown?) and give it a whirl. It's makes a subtle application easy and it's very easy to control.
      Additionally, I've seen some pretty cool YouTube tutorials for brow-scaping!
      There are so many "eras" of brow styling ... only very old girls like me have seen it all, but that doesn't mean we're good at it. I'm just happy I didn't pluck mine to oblivion a decade or so ago. You are in luck there ... the trend is toward nice full brows! Hope you have fun with them.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the tip and encouragement, Jan. This is an area I'd like to improve in.

      Delete
  20. I love that dress especially with the cat pin. I love cats- I assume you already know this :) I LOVE getting comments and those who visit are usually the ones I have connected with the most. I also have been guilty of getting busy and not spending enough time visiting other people's blogs. I havent reached out as much as I'd like to. I also find that I prefer connecting with bloggers who are down to earth and have modest little blogs- they are real people and not all focused on sponsors and reviewing products- not that there is anything wrong with it but I seem to connect more with people who blog for fun vs its a business.. thats my friday ramble :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree -- I prefer small "real" blogs over the big commercial ones.

      Delete
  21. Hmm.. must be "like ESPN or something" but I was thinking about commenting earlier today, too!

    To be completely honest with you, I used to comment a lot to new blogs as a way of almost "leaving my business card" and hoping that they would visit mine in return. But now, I have a select group of about 10 blogger friends (i.e. you!) who I visit as often as I can. Normally since I'm busy with work/trying to blog I do a sweep in my free time and will read all of their articles in succession.

    For my blogger friends it's a way of sustaining conversation-- also, you can find out a lot of things you have in common with someone by the comments they leave! To be honest, the relationships I have with people like you-- even if I can't comment on a regular basis, are what make blogging worthwhile to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Love the malapropism. And I did the same evolution from leaving business cards to focusing on friends' blogs. I feel the same way about our relationship. Thank you, blogging!

      Delete
  22. I enjoy commenting and reading them on my blog, as well as responding to others, it just may take me several days to get back to them. I always appreciate your comments/visits and have my favourites saved from bloggers that have left incredibly thoughtful comments. They are helpful when you think nobody is reading, then go back to those comments and inspiration comes immediately. Blogging is about engaging, that's what I like the most. I am in love with that brooch!
    Weekend Style For Him

    ReplyDelete
  23. Commenting is sincerely a gesture of friendship from me and I'd like to think the same from others too. I will make sure I respond to all comments left on my blog and visit these blogs in return, to reciprocate. I've been blogging for 3 years now and made some nice friends of which some I even met personally when I happened to pass by their town. I enjoy receiving comments as much as I know other do too. So since it makes me happy why not make someone's day by leaving one? Since I blog 2 or 3 times a week, I probably will not have time to visit all post that you published but once a week is definitely.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sorry, I was so into the commenting bit I forgot about the dress! Super elegant dress and the cut is classic. This would be in your closet for a long time as it is evergreen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I want to mention that you leave wonderful comments. They often make me smile with joy. Their sincerity is manifest.

      Delete
  25. Receiving comments is always nice but I don't worry if I don't receive any. I like to drop by blogs from time to time, catch up and leave comments to let the blogger know I'm still out there and very much interested in their blog.

    Lotte x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Receiving comments on a blog post is lovely (thank you for your comments on mine Ally, you never fail to make me smile). Getting them is not a reason to blog but it is really nice to engage with readers and hear what they think on the subjects that you write about. I enjoy commenting on other people's blogs when I have something to say.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Nice, classic outfit with the fun pin - I really like that pin.
    I think that comments are like extending a handshake or giving a warm hug - depending on who is the person on the other side. For you, of course its a hug.

    ReplyDelete
  28. KITTY! Sorry, got excited. I love getting comments, and I love leaving them. However, if I am reading a post via mobile, I am usually unable to leave comments, so sometimes I forget.

    ReplyDelete
  29. That brooch is sooo darling! Love, love, love!!! :)

    Like most bloggers, I really enjoy getting comments, too, but I love leaving them every bit as much (if not more so). I've been following some blogs for over six years now and interacting with the people behind them for that span of time. It's almost as though we went through half our school years together (time frame wise, I mean) and I want to stay in their lives, when and where possible, through our comments (and sometimes emails and other online interactions). These bonds, though not always forever, are important and matter in the moment - much like receiving blog comments themselves.

    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica, your comments are THE BEST. They warm my heart like a furnace.

      Delete
  30. First of all, you look fantastic in this dress.
    Oh, yes...I appreciate your comments especially. They are so warm and caring and personal. I am not a social person so to think that you'd even want to be my friend is hard to believe. I probably think you are far superior to me in intellect and so just to have you be nice to me online means a lot. I generally feel pretty much a dufus. haha So when you speak to me it's like the cool girl, surrounded by other cool girls, smiling and waving hello and calling out my name....and I'm looking behind me thinking..."is she talking to ME??". But, you're not only the coolest girl...you're the sweetest too. The one people will always remember years later in a fond way....and remember that act of kindness you showed them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow... Lisa, I'm so touched. I'm happy you enjoy my comments. I enjoy making them.

      Delete
  31. I love leaving comments because I'm talkative. I don't always comment because sometime I have noting to say or unsure about that. But I think it's important to show that you care. That's why sometimes my comments are very short and not really important - it's simply a sign "i'm here with you", "I care"

    ReplyDelete
  32. Receiving comments feels very validating, for sure! It lets you know people really are reading. But people who never comment on my FB stuff constantly tell me in person they loved such-and-such photo or status update. People are usually reading even when they don't comment, I've learned. I used to get emails in lieu of comments on my blog sometimes because commenting felt too personal to people even with the ability to remain anonymous. I always read your blog but am vowing now to do better about leaving comments!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S. You looked equally beautiful in this dress in Atlanta! And you do always take the time to leave especially meaningful and poignant comments wherever you go, and it really goes a long way for people! It's just who you are.

      Delete