Posted on 19 Comments

Morning Coffee with Heather Bruggeman

Hi there!  Ready for another Morning Coffee interview? Fill up your cup and have a seat. Today we’ll be chatting with Heather Bruggeman of Beauty That Moves.

Beauty That Moves

What Draws me to Beauty That Moves

I found Beauty That Moves just over a year ago, when Amanda of Soulemama mentioned Heather’s “Month of Balance” series.  Balance is one of those things that I often find elusive, and I was struggling with it particularly that summer.  I was so inspired by Heather’s photography during that month, and I’ve been reading ever since.  I’ve found more to be inspired by since then, too.

In my journey from Junk Food Junkie to Mindful Eater, I still have miles to travel, but I am encouraged by the wholesome way Heather feeds her family, and I appreciate the frequent recipes and photos she shares on the subject.

After seeing them pop up here and there online, Heather’s fingerless mitts were essentially the straw that broke the camel’s back last year and got me to finally try making a pair of my own (which set off a nice, pleasant, winter-long loom-knitting hobby that I enjoyed considerably.)

One of Heather’s Mantra Quilts hangs in my bedroom.  It’s full of the colors I love, and it’s a daily reminder to keep a healthy balance between work, family, and play.

Q&A with Heather Bruggeman

Heather sews lovely bags and mini-quilts, has a well-developed talent for thrift-shopping, has passionate views about the foods we put in our bodies, and takes the dreamiest-looking, making-you-wish-you-were-there-too kind of photos.

Beauty: Pouches

Welcome Heather! When and why did you start your blog?

My blog began in January of 2007. I suppose like so many others, I was motivated by the start of the new year to try something fresh, to stretch myself in new directions.

I discovered Soulemama several months before I began my own blog while searching around the interent for like-minded parenting/living websites. At the time, I didn’t even really know what a blog was! From Amanda’s blog, I ventured off into the world of craft, mama and mindful living blogs. Everything I discovered was so inspiring to me, I thought I’d give it a go and see if I could find my own blogging voice.

Has your blog evolved significantly since you began it, and if so, how?

Goodness, I hope my blog has evolved! My early days of blogging were gentler in some ways I think. My daughter (who is now almost 12) was nearly three years younger then. She is my number one blog reader and I find the older she gets, the more willing I am to write about subject matters that I once considered too raw or mature. It’s still a family place, just a more authentic view of the bliss and frustrations of my ordinary life.

I have pretty strong views and intentions around how I live my life. The state of our crazy, mixed up, yet beautiful world is so often on my mind. Sometimes I share things that might feel like a bit much or surprise people, but like fingers to a hand, there are many parts to me. As I (and my daughter) get older, I worry less and less about keeping those parts of me under wraps.

Quite a while ago a reader sent a very kind email thanking me for writing my blog, saying that she enjoyed it and others like it so much. She said that these favorite blogs of hers felt like paperless/cashless magazine articles; full of information, beauty, controversy and inspiration. I like that, and I think there is nothing wrong with being a blog writer who keeps that sort of reader in mind. It’s just one direction to take that can make for some very good blogging!

Beauty: Eat
How does your blog fit in to your daily life?

These days it is so hard for my blog to fit into my daily life, but I try my best to keep it as active and prolific as possible. When I started Beauty That Moves, I was teaching yoga out of my home studio, about six classes per week. My schedule outside of teaching, parenting, and my own yoga practice time was pretty open and flexible. I tried to blog most days.

Today, well… life is just busier. I am grateful for the “busy” – it represents exciting growth and change for my family, it just doesn’t leave time for blogging every day. I do the best I can, but it’s kind of funny because there has never been a time where I had more to write about, yet I just can’t get on the computer to do so! Plus, I am a slow blogger who needs about a two hour window to load/edit photos and write a few decent paragraphs.

One thing that I find helpful to keep my thoughts organized and flowing is to have a Brain Drain, I read about this somewhere online. Essentially, it is a notebook that sits on my desk (I also carry another in my purse) where I can write down any fleeting thoughts, sentence fragments, post ideas, project ideas, etc. A place to record anything so I don’t have to try to hold it in my mind. It is such a big help when I do finally sit down to write. I also love to write in complete silence which is kind of a tall order. My favorite time to write is about 4:00 in the morning when I am the only one up and the house and my thoughts are all mine.

Is blogging something you can easily explain to your family and friends?

No!!
At some point in the early life of my blog, I told most of the people close to me about it. I sent out one of those “Hey, I’m writing a blog!” emails to almost everyone in my contacts. I know my mom, my sister, my teacher, a few friends and a few cousins read it, but it’s not something we talk about much, if at all.  I know there are also plenty of people that read it that I know in my community who keep that fact to themselves, which is totally fine and I understand that. Sometimes when I visit a friend that I haven’t seen in a while they joke that they don’t need to catch up with me because they already know all that I’m up to!

So, aside from those early email announcements almost three years ago, I do not make it a practice to mention my blog to anyone (it just feels weird), there have been just a few exceptions. I guess because like your question asks, it is not easily explainable.

For example, if I meet a new mom on the soccer sideline at one of my daughter’s games, I MIGHT tell her that my family is moving to Vermont for a simpler/cleaner life in ten months, that I love to cook for my family, that I am a yogi and a yoga teacher who loves to hike, listen to music, and thinks nag champa and green smoothies are two of the best things ever… but I won’t tell them about my blog. No way.

Beauty: Thrifting

How important are reader comments to you?

They’re wonderful! I love hearing from people all over the world and they definitely fuel the fire for future blog post topics. I’m very much in love with Typepad’s new interactive comments section, it has made that section of the blog such a dynamic place to visit.

I do suffer from a huge amount of guilt however as I am perpetually behind on answering emails and comments. I often find myself wishing and hoping that people do not take it personally, that I’m doing the best I can.

In what ways has blogging enhanced your life, if any?

When I stop and think about it, so many opportunities have come into my life via my blog and there is no accurate way to express my gratitude. Whether they have been creative, personal or professional opportunites, my personal and simple mantra of “just keep putting it out there…” has provided time and again to be a postive and bountiful experience which I hope to continue for many years to come.

Thank you Lisa, it’s been great fun visiting here!

Beauty: Porch

Oh, you’re welcome, Heather.  I’m so glad you dropped by to chat with us, and share your beautiful photos!

Want more? You can find Heather in the following places:

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Posted on 19 Comments

19 thoughts on “Morning Coffee with Heather Bruggeman

  1. Lisa!

    Thanks for this interview…I’ve met a new blogland friend! Don’t you just love the internet?

    Also, loved your dresses with fab buttons in your last post.
    .-= See KarenLR’s latest blog post: "harvesting optimism" =-.

    1. Thanks, Karen, and in fact I *do* love the internet 🙂

  2. great interview. im a huge fan of Beauty that Moves and even though i read a lot of blogs, heathers “voice” is one of my favorites. she continues to be inspiring without ever being intimidating or sounding like a know it all.
    .-= See Tammie’s latest blog post: Things That Moved In With My Mom’s Boyfriend:: Part Three =-.

    1. I agree. That’s why she’s on my must-read list!

  3. Polka Dot Cottage: Morning Coffee with Heather Bruggeman: In my journey from Junk Food Junkie to Mindful Eater, .. http://bit.ly/3FzDAE

  4. Love the tshirt about eating like you give a damn! I have the same one!!!! YAY! 🙂

    Cheers,
    Kristen
    .-= See KRISTEN’S RAW’s latest blog post: High Raw Food For The Day – Pure Deliciousness =-.

    1. It is great, isn’t it?

  5. Great interview! It’s nice to see what lays beneath blogger’s intentions.
    .-= See Jen’s latest blog post: The Full Fridge Myth =-.

    1. Agreed. I’m enjoying this series – it’s so interesting to see why and how other creative people approach blogging.

  6. Hi
    just dropped by to say hello and read your interview. I have followed Heather’s blog now for a awile now and it is so uplifting. I will certainly drop by again and thanks for sharing.
    .-= See Ann’s latest blog post: Blackcurrant Jam and Sock Monkey’s =-.

    1. So glad you dropped by! Hope to see you around again 🙂

  7. I love this interview series. Am off to take a look at her blog.
    .-= See Lisa’s latest blog post: Brilliant idea! =-.

    1. I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the interviews! I’ve got more lined up in the coming weeks 🙂

  8. I love learning more about Heather. Thank you for this! She’s amazing 🙂 And she introduced me to your blog!
    .-= See Bluebirdbaby’s latest blog post: 30 Days of Happiness :: My Very Own Personal Chef =-.

    1. So glad to hear that – and welcome!

  9. What a lovely blog. I’m so happy I found it and delighted to see Heather featured.. both are such inspirations!
    .-= See melissa oat’s latest blog post: Kelly Green Jolly Roger Button Tote Bag with FREE SHIPPING =-.

    1. Thanks so much, Melissa – I’m glad you dropped by!

  10. Hi Lisa!
    What a great interview with Heather; I loved reading through it and learning more about her. Your questions shed light on a whole different aspect of her life, but one approached in that same, thoughtful manner that I love.
    I noticed your previous interview was with Erin; she’s up tomorrow on my blog! We must have similar (excellent) taste:) So glad to have found your blog.
    .-= See Amy of Progressive Pioneer’s latest blog post: Thompsons on Utah Stories =-.

    1. How funny! Yes, I guess we do have similar taste in blogs 🙂 I discovered yours last week sometime and am glad that I did, too!

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