If you ask me what I did on the internet today, it would involve scheduling an interview with a beer-brewing monk, searching for colour-block Lanvin wedges on Polyvore, and looking at a picture of a sex toy called the Celtic Josephine Slapper, all in the name of collecting a paycheck. But, if you ask most people, it would probably involve looking at pictures of babies, clothes, crafts, decor or recipes, while trying to avoid what they’re doing in the name of collecting a paycheck. Eventually, someone was going to figure out that the distillation of all of these elements into an ideal, aesthetically pleasing, heart tugging family-values package was the key to obsessive devotion and click-throughs.

I just never thought it would be Mormons. 

Perched on a stool in my friend Lauren’s kitchen, I scrolled through a blog that looked like my typical picture of a hipster mom’s existence. The Langs are a living, breathing sartorial dream: a stylish, young married couple with an adorable baby girl named Ivy. The kind of family that makes the idea of marriage slightly less hive-inducing. I was thoroughly enjoying my internet stroll through their charming existence when I noticed, in between sun-dappled photos of Stephanie wearing red Ray-bans, a sailor striped shirt, and holding bebe, and a Happy 22nd (TWENTY SECOND) birthday post to husband Geoffrey, a note about a New Years dinner party where “drinking cider from crystal made [Stephanie] feel super adult.” Hold up. Cider? 

“Lauren!” I cried. “…Mormons?” 

“Mormons,” she said. 

So there it is. They dress like French models, they craft like women’s studies grads, they quote Sufjan Stevens and Band of Horses, and they belong to the LDS Church. Welcome to the phenomenon of the Hipster Mormon Mommy Blog, an internet sensation with all kinds of implications. Emily Matchar writes on Salon.com about how, as a feminist, she can’t believe she can’t stop reading. I struggle with the same dilemma-as a member of a generation of women who have been taught that validation comes from hard work, not home making, and overtime, not play time, why do we gravitate to the shiny-happy-lives of these women? Moreover, why does Matchar instinctively search for the same thing I did upon discovering the religious context of these blogs: “Okay, so how are they being oppressed?” The phenomenon is a world of Why, and Matchar answers some of the questions: the tradition of journal-keeping in the Mormon community, the inherent thriftiness and DIY spirit of growing up in a big family, the Mormon’s cultural encouragement of a positive attitude, and the need for a creative outlet when there is enormous pressure to stay at home instead of pursuing a career. 

Call it cynical, call it heartless, call it, if you want, prejudice, but you can’t help but look for the other shoe. And for the life of me, I can’t find it. There’s an inherent nostalgia in these blogs. They seem almost like a snapshot of a life modern society doesn’t want to believe is possible: family life free of sarcastic self-deprication and competition. Shameless celebration of all things blissfully domestic. I dare you to read and not swoon. But I also can’t help but crave an hour alone with these women in their beautiful, craft-filled kitchens, inquiring about the nuts and bolts of their existence. But take a quick trip south of the border and see for yourself. Below, a primer on Mormon Mommy Blogs, including one satirical entry into the ranks, authored by an anonymous Mormon women. 

Mormon Mommy Blogs: A Primer
The Rockstar Diaries
Who: Taza, husband, English Bulldog Kingsley, and new baby Eleanor
What: Lately, Taza has been sharing guest posts from friends, expressing what they love most about motherhood. 
When: Taza has been blogging since 2007
Where: The two met in New York City, and now live in Washington, DC.
Why: Beautiful photos, great style, and they threw a baby shower asking for books to build a library for new bebe. And Kingsley will melt your heart into a million pieces. 

The Roberts

Who: Dustin and Jenna
What: Dustin is in med school, and Jenna “pursues her love of videography.” They string Valetine’s garlands, make cookies shaped like cacti, and toast their socks in the oven. 
When: Jenna has been blogging since 2007
Where: Phoenix
Why: Endless pictures of other people’s children, delightful home decor, and an engagement story involving a view of a temple in Salt Lake City. (Morm-con!) 

The NieNie Dialogues
Who: Stephanie & Mr. Neilson, and their children Claire, Jane, Oliver, and Nicholas.
What: In January 2010, a plane crash nearly killed Stephanie. The Surge-nie updates http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/search/label/Surger-Nie%20Updates, written by Mr. Neilson, contain enough love to make your heart burst. Over the past year, the blog has chronicled her road to recovery and their beautiful family .
When: Stephanie has been blogging since 2005
Where: Utah
Why: Gorgeous family, and words of wisdom for anyone recovering from a traumatic incident. Adorable children snippets, also. 

Say YES! To Hoboken
Who: Liz, husband, and son Hank (or Henry).
What: A collection of covetable objects (state-shaped cutting boards!), snapshots of family life, recipes, and craft projects. 
When: Liz has been blogging since 2006
Where: San Francisco, via New York and Hoboken
Why: A great lifestyle blog, with excellent how-tos and DIYs

Steoffrey Language
Who: Stacie, Geoff, and Baby Ivy
What: More of a personal blog, the Langs are both photographers, so everything looks downright beautiful
When: Stacie has been blogging since 2008 
Where: Arizona
Why: They call their comments Wassups, and you probably want to be them. 

Nat the Fat Rat
Who: Natalie, husband, babe, puppy
What: Natalie’s blog is the most personal, and wordy, of the blogs, and she captures the ups and downs of life with a sense of humour and honesty. 
When: Natalie has been blogging since 2008 
Where: New York City  
Why: If I was going to have to pick one of these ladies for a sit down discussion to really figure out what inspires a life in the Mormon church, it would probably be Natalie. She seems witty, forthcoming, and intelligent.

Seriously, So Blessed!
Imitation is the sincerest form of mockery. This blog, the work of “Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole,” pokes fun at MMBs, highlighting extravagance, self-congratulation, and entitlement as laughable offences. 

~ Haley Cullingham