Thursday 4 November 2010

The Power of Twitter (with thanks to Love My Dress Blog’s 1st birthday posting for getting me back into it)*

I started off full of good intentions to blog on a regular basis, but the best laid plans…  What can I say?  I get paid to sit at a computer screen for a living, it’s usually the last thing I feel like doing after I get home at night.

So whilst I haven’t been blogging, what I have been doing is tweeting like mad.  I’ve become a bit obsessed with it.  Bill Bailey was on telly the other day talking about Twitter and I think he summed it up quite nicely: “You blog some unbelievable inanity like “having a sandwich” and 19 people respond with “ooh, what filling?””.  That is most definitely true, but I have also met some unbelievably creative and talented people who have given me some fantastic ideas, support and suggestions as I plan my big day.

I got let down by my cake lady and tweeted about it.  34 (I double checked; I'd originally said "around 25") retweets later, I found the wonderful Little Town Baker.  I think she’s a Sunderland fan, but nobody’s perfect.  I would never have known about her had I not been a tweeter (twit?).  I’ve still got my perfect cakes and I am supporting a local business.

I went through a horrible time earlier this year when my parents broke up shortly after I got engaged in January.  Though, I’m very pleased to say, they are now working things out and are getting on better than they have done in years, for eight months things were just plain awful, and the short (140 characters only!) and kind messages of support from people I’ve never even met ( @MrsPandP, @Tattybojangles) were so much appreciated during a really dark time.  It really did help.

The other side of that is the amusing conversations I’ve had with people, finding myself chatting to people with similar interests: Tattybojangles (a mutual love of The Cure), @Cloggins (we both work in arts and culture), MrsPandP (chocolate cake is most definitely the answer), GiddyKipperUK (what’s with the Take That obsession? STILL).  Strictly Come Dancing is so much more fun when tweeting with people at the same time about why Ann Widdicombe should go and Pamela should win**. 

Through Twitter I have found blogs, suppliers and websites that I wouldn’t otherwise be aware of.  Just recently I have discovered Fifties Wedding and the lovely Charlie, who has blogged about a whole host of ideas I hope to incorporate into my big day.  I have also discovered another North East supplier, ByGinaEvents, who, as soon as I get round to mailing her, I hope to chat with regarding some form of headgearage. Or whatever it’s called.  I keep in touch with my wonderful dressmaker, Linda Davey, of Dresses at No9, and marvel at her wonderful creations, so excited am I that she agreed to make my dress.

So thank you, Twitter friends, for your friendship, follows and inspiration.  It makes my wedding planning so much more fun and exciting and I’m delighted to share it with you.  I raise my mid morning peppermint tea and snack sized bag of Baked Mini Cheddars to you. 

* Read it here.
**Also, Matt Baker, guyliner looks HOT on you.  Please wear it like that every week.