Star Sighting

The Back Story

Just a few short months ago, I was virtually unaware of a place known to insiders as the "Blogosphere."  I knew that people wrote blogs, but I didn't "follow" any of them.  I didn't realize how many people were living in this parallel universe, writing posts about every imaginable topic.  The sheer number of home design/decorating blogs out in the Blogosphere is astounding!

Need to know the perfect color of black paint for your front door?  You can find it in a blog.  Want to create the perfect tablescape?  There's a blog to show you how.  Want to make curtains out of your old maternity clothes?  Someone in the blogosphere can help you do it.  Blogs are filled with before and after pictures, tutorials, and loads of inspiration.

It didn't take too much time in the land of blogs for me to determine that there are definitely some reigning queens of the Blogosphere.  They are the women whose blog name appears on every other blog; the women who have thousands of people following their blogs, recreating their design style and seeking their advice.  One blog that would definitely qualify for royal status is "Thrifty Decor Chick." 

My good friend and blog-enthusiast, Valerie, introduced me to the blog, "Thrifty Decor Chick."  Sarah, who is thee thrifty decor chick, shows readers how to create beautiful homes without spending a lot of cash.  She is witty and creative, and has a HUGE following. 

Valerie and I have had many conversations that began with, "Did you see that Thrifty Decor Chick did ...?; "Thrifty Decor Chick would probably do ...?"

The Sighting

I have 4 hours a week without any children at home, so this morning I decided to use some of that time wisely by cleaning my house, grocery shopping, heading to my local Home Goods store.  I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the store and immediately spotted my friend, Valerie, in the lamp section.  (Great minds think alike!) We chatted, perused the lamps together, and then parted ways.  I made my way over to the bath accessories (of course!), when I recognized someone else I knew.  I was about to say hello, when I realized that I didn't really KNOW this person... I just knew who she was.  I did a double take.  Could it be her?  Was it really one of the reigning queens of the Blogosphere?  Thrifty Decor Chick herself?  I ducked behind the shelf of dog beds, grabbed my phone, and called Val.  

"Thrifty. Decor. Chick.  Can you hear me?  Get to the back of the store. Stat."  At this point, a guy stocking the shelves began to eye me suspiciously.  (Nothing wrong here, buddy.  I'm just stalking someone.  Go back to your work.)  Val came over right away and the two of us began following behind the woman and confirmed to ourselves that she was indeed "the chick."  We took a moment to gather ourselves.  Val steadied her shaking hands, and I applied some lipstick.  We then approached her...



Sarah and Valerie

Sarah could not have been sweeter or more gracious.  (I'm calling her Sarah now, 'cause we're on a first name basis.  Although in my excitement, I'm not sure I ever told her my name.)  Val expressed that she loved following her blog and mentioned to her that I just started a blog.  Of course, being a shameless self promoter dork, when she asked me the name of my blog, I could barely answer audibly.  I felt like a chorus member in a 4th grade play telling Meryl Streep that I was an actor. 

It's a Small World

When talking with Sarah, I discovered that we graduated from the same high school and she knew my brother.  She said she remembered him as being smart.  (She was probably wondering how such a smart guy had a sister who was stalking people at Home Goods and could barely put together a sentence.) 

So the moral of today's story is this... although she is a queen and I, a mere peasant, the Blogosphere may just be a small world after all.