I’ve googled myself many times over the years. By that, I mean me, not my blog. It usually just brought up things about teaching, past newspaper articles about me, nothing particularly interesting. For some reason, though, I decided to google my blog, and the results were much more interesting!
AI generated…
Now, first and foremost, all these comments are AI generated. No one, including me, is writing a biography of my blog. Interestingly, I get different results on different days. That leads me to think that big AI generated brain in the cloud peruses my blog on a daily basis. My big question? Why don’t they subscribe? So, here are a few descriptions of my blog as described by AI.
First impression…
Marsha in the Middle is -a fashion oriented blog created by Marsha Banks, a former educator who describes herself as a “middle child living in the Midwest trying hard not to be mediocre.” a vibrant, community Based in Indiana, Marsha has cultivated an active space dedicated to over-60 fashion, beauty, and authentic lifestyle storytelling.
Her blog stands out for its active participation in the blogging community, recurring themed challenges, and personal narratives.
👗 Core Fashion Themes & Series
Marsha focuses heavily on wearable, colorful style for mature women (often highlighting elements like her signature bright hair colors or “wig life”). She frequently hosts and co-hosts several popular fashion series.”
Next…
“Marsha in the Middle is a lifestyle and fashion blog created by Marsha Banks, a middle-aged midwestern woman who writes about style, aging fabulously, and everyday life.
- Blogger: Marsha Banks
- Focus: Over-60 fashion, lifestyle, and community link-ups
- Website: You can visit her platform at Marsha in the Middle
Another…
“Marsha in the Middle is a lifestyle and fashion blog created by Marsha Banks, a blogger who writes about midlife style, fashion challenges, and personal experiences.”
- The Blog: Marsha launched Marsha in the Middle in 2021.
- Content: She shares midlife outfit ideas, co-hosts online link parties (like Fashion Files and Style Imitating Art), and writes about midlife style, fashion challenges, and personal experiences.
- The Fashion Files: A weekly style showcase and “link party” co-hosted with Amy from Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa.
- Style Imitating Art: A creative challenge where bloggers draw inspiration for their outfits from famous paintings and artwork.
- Songful Style: A monthly series alongside fellow bloggers Shelbee (Shelbee on the Edge) and Suzy where outfits are curated based on the theme or vibe of a specific song.
- Ageless Style: A recurring challenge focused on embracing fashion at any stage of life.
✍️ Lifestyle & Personal Content
Beyond fashion, Marsha writes candidly about her personal life, making her blog feel like a conversation with a close friend. Frequent topics include:
- Family & Caregiving: She openly shares the daily realities, highs, and lows of supporting her partner, Nigel, through long-term health and mobility recovery struggles.
- Life with Pets: Her readers are very familiar with her beloved West Highland White Terriers (Westies), including updates on their health and quirky personalities.
- Community Engagement: She is known as a major hub for “link-ups,” hosting events like Final Fridays, Traffic Jam Weekend, and 10 on the 10th. These events allow hundreds of midlife and senior lifestyle bloggers to share their own content and build community networks.
You can see more of her daily looks and behind-the-scenes moments on the Marsha in the Middle Instagram page.
Last one…
Marsha in the Middle is a lifestyle and fashion blog created in 2021 by Marsha Banks, a middle child living in the Midwest. The blog focuses on midlife style, personal growth, museum docent work, and creative community link-ups.
Key Themes & Features
- Fashion & Personal Style: Regular outfit inspiration, style challenges, and hosting features like Fashion Files (co-hosted with Amy).
- Art & Culture: Curates Style Imitating Art, which pairs fashion looks with classic and contemporary art pieces.
- Midlife & Community: Shares reflections on middle age, creative outlets, and local museum docent/tour work.
- Collaborations: Co-hosts community link parties and regular blog roundups like Traffic Jam Weekend.
My thoughts…
As you can see, there’s a lot of repetition, but it appears most of the entries agree on a few things. My blog centers on lifestyle and fashion as well as hosting lots of link ups. There are also a couple of mentions of being a docent as well as hair. Nigel even appears on one or two as does Jack!
A little more…
I think my favorite “quote” is my blog is “a fashion oriented blog created by Marsha Banks, a former educator who describes herself as a “middle child living in the Midwest trying hard not to be mediocre.” a vibrant, community Based in Indiana, Marsha has cultivated an active space dedicated to over-60 fashion, beauty, and authentic lifestyle storytelling.
The outfit…
This is the Elin Dress from Gudrun Sjödén. It really doesn’t look like much in the stock phots nor on the hanger. I think that’s because it’s a deceptively easy dress. It’s just waiting for someone to put their stamp of style on it. As most of y’all know, ordinarily, I would add a slip to a Gudrun Sjödén dress, but this dress is a bit long. Honestly, there are very few details to it. There’s just a touch of pleating in the front, and it does have pockets. It is black with ivory little dotty things even though the photos seem to skew a bit toward brown or even maroon.
The Lewk!
Instead of adding interest at the bottom of the outfit, I added it up top! Of course, y’all know I usually wear a necklace, but not all of them make the statement this green Ombre Jillian necklace from Sylca Designs does! I wore this for outfit for Gallery Conversations last week. Because I was going to be on my feet for a long time, I wore my trusty black Miz Mooz Freya flats. I really wish they’d made these in green! My earrings are also from Sylca and are the White Assuta. I’m telling y’all, if you only buy one thing from Sylca, try the Assuta earrings. They come in a plethora of colors. And, that’s not an affiliate link, just an endorsement!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
“Her blog stands out for its active participation in the blogging community, recurring themed challenges, and personal narratives.” And, that, my friends, is exactly what I’m after…creating a community of readers, fellow bloggers, and commenters. I thank all of you for being a part of my blogging world! So, can we talk? Have you ever googled yourself? Have you ever discovered an obituary with your name on it? What is the funniest thing you’ve read about yourself on google? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA15, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. I now have a code for Tulip Clothing. Use the code, MARSHA20, for 20% off your order. I’m proud to say I also have a code for Lintico. Please use LINTICOMBK for 10% off your purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Is This Mutton, and Shelbee on the Edge. I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I now co-host Fashion Files with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa every Tuesday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
This was a fun read Marsha and they all sum you up perfectly! Did you just put in your blog name and hit search or something more detailed? Have a great weekend!
Deb from Debs-world.com
Thanks, Deb! I think I just put in who is marsha in the middle or something like that. I didn’t have to do much at all.
How fabulous! Both your look and the Google results. Those summaries were very amusing as well as accurate.
Rena
https://finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! I had to laugh as I was reading them…they do seem fairly accurate!
I’m in love with your necklace Marsha! It’s gorgeous. I’m going to ask AI about my blog what a fun idea!
Thanks, Nancy! Please, please write a blog post if you do it! I think it would be hilarious because you are such a good blogger that writes what she thinks!
It’s nice to see how your blog is perceived Marsha! A fresh pair of eyes can be wonderful, even if they’re AI ; )))
I know of the brand Gudrun Sjoden, but I don’t think I’ve seen it in a shop or anything. I’m more of a Laura Ashley kind of girl I think, though I do like dresses and skirts!
Thanks so much, Nicole! I like that idea! I do love Laura Ashley and have a couple of scarves my husband bought me at the store in London decades ago when he was there on a business trip.
I don’t google myself or my blog. In fact I haven’t been using Google as a search engine anymore for a while now because I don’t want to see AI results.
The necklace is the perfect pop of color with the dress!
Thanks, Cat! I am technologically ignorant. How do you not use google? I used to be able to search for something then put in -AI and it wouldn’t be there. But, that doesn’t work anymore.
I changed to a different search engine that offers AI, but doesn’t push it on you – DuckDuckGo.
I will have to explore how to do that.
That was fun, I might try it sometime.
Thanks, Rosie! Oh, I hope if you do, you write a short review of it!
That ombre necklace is lovely. It really pops against the dress.
Thanks, Joanne! I just love this necklace and was so glad it worked so well with the dress.
I might have to do this with my blog sometime. Love all these description! The dress and necklace is so pretty on you Marsha!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I really love this dress even though there’s so little detail to it. It makes it fun to figure out how to make it shine! I think you would find all kinds of cool things about your blog!
Oh gosh. Now I have to go google myself. No telling what’s out there! Ha!
Yes, do it, Gina! I need to visit your blog again. I just can’t seem to subscribe to it!
OMG, Marsha, I love this post and your outfit, too! Sometimes when I’m researching for an SIA post, the search will lead me directly to my own blog! LOL And then it will give me the AI overview of myself which really makes me laugh. Speaking of SIA, did you see that the artist commented on Salazar’s gallery photo on IG? I thought that was super cool! I love this community that we old fashionistas have created!
Shelbee
Hahaha!!! Whenever I’m researching for SIA, I almost always have your blog pop up on the first page no less! I did see that…that’s really cool. I sometimes worry about contemporary artists (as in working now) getting upset that we’re using their art. We old fashionistas just might come back into style…everything else does, right?
The quotes all seem to be consistent and accurate so, hey, that’s a good thing! AI is kind of mind blowing. When I use ChatGPT I have to remind myself that it’s not actually a person! It is so realistic I can understand how people get so caught up in it.
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I was kinda surprised at how consistent it was and then it would throw in a little factoid! I haven’t used ChatGPT much and actually try to avoid it if possible. My granddaughter told me kids actually do treat it as if it were a person. Then, things can get really dark.
AI summaries can be really interesting! I also think the line you mentioned is a great highlight of your blog. It’s like a well-dress oasis in the sea of the internet.
Thanks, Edi! Aww, you are too sweet!
That was pretty fun! They seem pretty much right on the money. I love today’s dress! It really has a cool print and that necklace is the perfect addition. Have a great weekend!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I had to laugh a couple of times, but I thought it was pretty accurate. Yeah, the print isn’t exactly polka dot, but it’s the closest I could come to describing it.
I love that the necklace and earrings really stand out against the dress! It’s a simple combination when you think about it – dress + flats + earrings + necklace – but the specific pieces create a gorgeous statement outfit.
Thanks, Sally! It is such a simple combination…I hadn’t thought of it in those terms! But, I really do love the way everything came together!
What an interesting idea. I did it for me and it got some wrong but a lot right. Still thinks I host #FirstoftheMonthFiction. Maybe I should reboot that….?
Thanks, Lydia! Well, maybe someone is trying to tell you something!!!
What a fun idea… Now we’re all gonna be doing that.
And that necklace is absolutely perfect with that dress!!
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I just love this brand! I swear I would buy every color of those earrings because they’re just the best. I really can’t remember why I even googled the blog in the first place. But, I started to write a post (I do it in Word first), and then got busy with other posts. So, I googled it again, and it was different. So, I decided to wait a while and google it again and again. It was so funny to see how much it was alike and then different!
Hi, Marsha – This dress looks great on you! The jewelry is artsy and goes perfectly with the geometric quality of the dress. I never like that kind of necklace, but this one looks awesome on you (it doesn’t hurt that it’s my favorite color.) Is this your favorite wig? It sure does make you look like a cute young pixie! Fun post – both the AI and the outfit – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you so much, Angie! It’s really such a plain dress…a perfect blank canvas! I really like this line of jewelry though it’s a bit overwhelming if you don’t have something specific in mind. I have this wig in two colors and like them both. I love how different each one makes me feel! I’m so glad you liked the post!
I really love the outfit you are wearing in this post, Marsha! The dress, the shoes, the accessories and YOU are all beautiful! Your post intrigued me as my blogging partner, Laurie, messaged me last week and mentioned that an AI description of our blog – Our Grand Lives – popped up on her feed. She screenshot the description and sent it to me! I haven’t had time to do any more investigating but now I’m definitely curious! Thanks for sharing!
Awww, thanks, Laura! That’s so fun that Laurie had already seen an AI description of your blog! I hope you’ll share yours. I just had to laugh at mine. I’m so glad you like the look in this post. I really do, but like I said, the dress really has to be worn to shine!
Oh, Marsha. This was a fun read. No, I have not Googled myself. But after reading your post, I will do that later this evening. Thank you for sharing over at Life Captured!
Have a fun weekend.
All the best.
PS- AI said wig 🤣 I love your hairstyle!
Thank you, Debra! I don’t know why I ever googled myself in the first place. And, I don’t remember why I did it for the blog. But, it really was fun. AI was right…it is a wig!
I haven’t googled my blog in a long time and should do it again. I think it’s fun to see what comes up! I love the print of your dress and your necklace is stunning!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I bet there’s a lot to be said about your blog. Try it every couple of weeks because it changes. I love this necklace and have it in the wine color, too. I’d buy it in every color if I could!
I should google my blog. What fun discoveries. Visiting from the You Name It #9 link party.
Thank you, Jennifer! I can’t even remember why I did it, but it was fun to see what google said. I actually had started this post a while ago, that’s why I had so many different days of what it said. Thanks for coming on over!