Librarian by day, blogger by night, Brenda Labelle is the creator and writer of Bjütie, a blog that rejoices aesthetic pleasures while revealing a peek inside this Ottawa gal’s life.
Spanning an array of topics, ranging from beauty and style, to performance arts, love and romance, Bjütie is a place to be inspired. Labelle regards the site as “a little escapist,” an opportunity to share beauty without getting bogged down in seriousness and debate.
As a librarian, her plans for Bjütie originally intended to focus on books and literature. Over the course of writing the blog, however, an unexpected source of inspiration hit: her personal life. Labelle has shared her journey falling in love, buying a home, and making the transition from urban to rural life.
Honesty is a refreshing attribute you’ll meet on Bjütie. As some social media enthusiasts and bloggers have proven, creating a carefully crafted online persona is a serious business, akin to an art form. Too often, in my opinion, Internet personalities come off contrived or untouchable. Between designer make-up recommendations and pristine, dainty home décor shots, some bloggers simply cannot exude relatability.
In stark contrast, a visit to Bjütie is an encounter with the light and the novel, without any feelings of pretentiousness. It’s like chatting with an old friend. You’re comfortable, you’re cozy, and you want to hear more.
Case in point: her latest post, entitled “My Faux Natural Face,” describing the work that goes into her so-called ‘natural look.’ I chuckled along as she detailed the lengthy process that is required to elicit the illusion of natural beauty. Definitely an involved task, I can’t help but roll my eyes every time my fiancé expresses how good I look without make-up. (Ha! Cosmetics outsmart boy brain again!) It is post likes these that keep me coming back for even more Bjütie.
Image taken from Bjütie
Recently a speaker at the annual event for local bloggers (and those who love them), Blog Out Loud, Labelle is open about the solitude that accompanies blogging.
“When I hit ‘publish’ on a post, it feels very strange . . .,” she described in e-mail correspondence, “. . . there go my ideas out into the world for everyone, or maybe no one, to find.”
Though it may seem an easy feat, it requires a certain tenacity to stand behind your words and your thoughts. “Blog Out Loud has facilitated connecting with others who have similar experiences which is a lovely feeling,” Brenda continues.
And that is a bjütiful thing.
To check out Bjütie, and learn more about the woman behind the blog, Brenda Labelle, head to Bjütie.
