COTE DE TEXAS: Bloggers Make the Best Friends

Bloggers Make the Best Friends

In case you didn't know, or have been hiding under a rock, I've been on vacation for the past few weeks in South Padre Island, a little bitty island at the tip of Texas right across from the border of Mexico. You can't get any further south and still be in America than here. Being the dutiful blogger, I wrote a few posts about the island and showed off the beach here on Blogger. Imagine my delight (and surprise) when I received an email from a stranger who reads my blog, Cote de Texas, but has never left a comment. Her name is Teri and she told me that she lives in Harlingen, a small city 30 minutes away from South Padre Island, and she, also, has a family bay home on the island. She was flabbergasted to read that I was here visiting. Would we want to meet for a drink or dinner? Now, I don't know about you, but meeting a stranger over the internet is not my idea of a good time, but somehow, knowing that Teri was reading my blog seemed to make it all ok. Well, almost ok. I still hesitated to say "yes."

It's a small world out there people, beware!

I have good friends from Harlingen and, in fact, one of those friends is down here with me now. Her name is Julie and we vacation together every summer in South Padre Island. Julie was born in Harlingen but moved to Dallas when she married. Is it possible, I ask my new blogger friend, does she know Julie? Well...she not only knows Julie, but grew up right next door to her, AND had just been with her at a party on the island last Saturday night (while I spent that night alone!) There were many twists and turns and coincidences to this story, too many to get into here, but suddenly drinks and dinner with a perfect stranger didn't seem dangerous at all, in fact, it sounded fun.

The three new friends at dinner: Julie, MOI, and Teri

So tonight, Julie, my new blogger friend Teri, and I had dinner together and talked about blogging, and decorating, and French design, and furniture, and interior decorating and all those good things that decorating bloggers like to talk about. Julie was a little bored with all the design talk, but she was a trooper! Thanks, Jules! Tonight Teri explained to me how she discovered my blog to begin with. She was reading Absolutely Beautiful Things, a delicious blog from Australia and ABT had my blog, Cote de Texas, listed under favorite reads. Of course the word Texas attracted Teri, being from Texas and all, so she clicked right over to my blog. Little did she know that when she first clicked onto my blog, she would be making a new friend. And so, what is the best part about meeting a new blogger friend, besides promising to get together every summer for dinner down at South Padre Island???? Teri brought me the new Elle Decor AND Veranda magazines !!!!! Yes!!!! You can't get those magazines on the island and I've been DYING to read them. Thank you Teri!!!

S0 Bloggers, have YOU ever met someone in real life who reads your blog? Or have you been too afraid to do so? Tell us YOUR story!

The two new blogger buddies: Moi and Teri

The two old Harlingen buddies: Julie and Teri

Having a great time at dinner ON THE BEACH: Julie, Moi, and Teri


Besides being interesting and adorable and having great taste in magazines, Teri is also very chic. She drove up in her new car, a Mini Cooper. To die for! This has to be the cutest car in all the world:

Even cuter is the dashboard. Check out the speedometer, it's the size of a basketball! Too cute:

21 comments :

  1. What an exciting thing to have happened! Sounds like you all had a great time! I haven't met any bloggers yet-think at first I would be full of trepidation! But your story just goes to show how worthwhile it can be!!

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  2. What a great story! I have met so many great people (via email) through blogging. A fun and unexpected benefit.

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  3. I'm sure it is great to meet bloggers.
    It seems you had fun.
    mélanie

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  4. It sounds like you had such a fun time! It's always nice to meet people with similar interests!

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  5. Oh yes! I have met folks from a decorating forum online -- and they were LOTS of fun! We met near the Galleria here in Dallas -- and hit a couple of close-by shops and had lunch .... I'm always afraid that folks will be disappointed when they meet me so I tend to hang in the background ....

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage

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  6. This is so amazing. I so enjoyed your tale. My brother who owns a security firm would caution all of us to be sure to take a friend with us (Teri could have been a weird guy or worse)...but he is always a bit skeptical at the best of times! I am so happy for you that you met a new friend. Very cool.

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  7. What a great story and what perfect timing! I just had someone I profiled on my blog email me and I'm going to meet him next week, in a public place, this is NYC after all, and interview him for my blog!

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  8. Haha! It's funny that you posted about this.....I was going to ask you if you wanted to have a cup of coffee next week when I'm in town, but I chickened out b/c I thought that you would think that I am a weirdo ;)

    Andrea V

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  9. It is so funny, but you two even dressed in a similiar fashion! White and Turquoise. Life is full of surprises.

    I can hardly wait to get my mags! I haven't gotten them yet and they look great.

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  10. Hi Joni
    Glad your dinner reunion was a success, and yes it is a very small world. I have not met any bloggers yet, butI know that you and I WILL meet one day...when are you coming to Vancouver blogging friend.

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  11. Hi there!
    Just coming across your blog. LOVE it! I'm currently living in a construction zone (have been for 2 1/2 years!) while we renovate and add on to a 100 year old Hill Country Farm house. I, too, am a lover of French Design - the fact that I live on a lavender farm kind of brings out that love for everything French - with a Texas twist of course!

    Anyway, once the construction is complete I can't wait to dig into some of your ideas and wonderful finds!

    Nice to meet you!

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  12. 10 years ago I would have never thought that I would develop relationships with people I have never met... online! That sounds like a subject for dateline.
    This is a wonderful world we live in!

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  13. Hi to all of you! Thank you SO much for your comments. It's such a thrill to read each and every one of them. It sounds like everyone has either met someone, is going to meet someone or is keeping it to email. Either way, blogging is a great way to make new friends, like all of you.
    Thanks again, Joni

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  14. Hi Joni!
    I am a new fan of yours- I love your blog! I anxiously await it everyday, it is a treat when it arrives in my inbox. Like getting new magazines in the mail. Anyway,I have a question- I live in Texas as well (austin) and I was wondering where you stay in S. Padre. I haven't been there since I was a kid (grew up in Houston) and I am sure it has changed!! So, any input would be great. Thanks so much. And, I am in Houston this week visiting my parents if you are up for coffee...I promise I am normal!! :)

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  15. Kelly - send me your email and i"ll be happy to help you! Your email is a no reply type.

    Joni

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  16. Hey Joni:
    I am a blogging idiot! I am realizing I am getting old (ripe old age of 35) when I can't figure out how to set up my blog responses. Ugh- won't be long before I am asking my 3 yr. old how to do it!
    My email is kppearce@hotmail.com.
    Thanks!!! Kelly

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  17. Hi Joni,
    OMG, I was so surprised when I read this post! Thank you so much for all the kind words. A new friend for sure. I had such a great time and I felt like we could have talked forever and never run out of anything to say. It was just the BEST.

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  18. Oh, how fun you got to meet one of your blogging buddies, thanks for sharing!

    ~Kate

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  19. I've been reading up on your blog and I have to say I really really enjoy it! You are funny and I love how you interject some reality into your posts (your dog's swollen eye for instance)! You are being yourself and I love that. I am so glad you came by my blog and introduced yourself.

    The thing I love about blogging is how many different kinds of people I meet! Everyone has different talents and tastes but I get inspired in new ways!

    I saw your stacks of books under and on your table and realized we are TWINS for sure. You have some really beautiful photos here and you obviously take a lot of time to create your posts, I am impressed (and inspired!)!

    I made mention today on my blog of your visit and Patricia's visit after yours, in a light-hearted way, poking fun at myself for how I must've looked when you two wonderful designers came by. I hope you will take it in good humor, the way I intended. I always worry that I will offend someone. I left your name out but just referred to you guys as "designers". :-)

    I can see you are very talented and gifted in interior design and I will learn from you, for sure!

    Thanks again for your fun comment on my blog. I love blogging friends!

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