This Is Just To Say, An Editor's Goodbye

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Mar 13th 2011 at 9:02AM

For the last few years, my weekends have been framed around the compiling of the Sunday Real Estate Round-Up for this blog. This weekend was different. I was relieved of my responsibilities as of Thursday but I couldn't let Sunday come and go without a goodbye and a thank you.

When Jason Calacanis asked me to start this blog in 2004, we had nothing more than a vague idea to create a blog about luxury, a companion to Engadget, Autoblog and Gadling. Jason and Brian Alvey had a simple philosophy, hire people who are passionate about what they do and give them the space to write like the wind. I probably spent the first year or two trying to explain to pr people, friends and my family just what a blog was and why it was important. Those kinds of conversations are no longer necessary, blogging made it into, and became, the mainstream.

I always tell people this blog has been the best gig of my life. Certainly writing about luxury has its perks, from tasting scotch to admiring diamonds, but what kept me going through over 16,000 posts was the readership. You showed up. For estate of the day, for the Sunday round-ups, for the daily doses of eye candy, you have been here. You corrected my typos, you told me when I was wrong, you deepened and in many cases bettered the work I did. For everything, thank you.

It's been my honor and pleasure to work with some of the greatest writers in the luxury field, many of whom will continue to write here. They are the best at what they do. Read them, you will be better for it, I know I am.

A few more of my estate of the day posts will be rolling through over the next couple of days but my bags are packed, the train whistle is blowing in the distance. Safe travels and best wishes to all of you until we meet again.

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Nick Mar 13th 2011 10:18AM

I just want to know why? Sunday real estate round up was how I discovered luxist and is still my most read category of the blog. Where is it going?

hodedofome Mar 13th 2011 11:28AM

AOL announced a bunch of layoffs in response to the buyout of Huffington Post.

jjatkin4 Mar 13th 2011 11:39AM

I've really really enjoyed Sunday Roundup over the years. A blessed farewell to ya.

winiewin Mar 13th 2011 11:46AM

You will be missed. Thank you for bringing a little luxury to my life every week. Your writing is witty and engaging, I am sure better paths are paved ahead.

hey dude7 Mar 13th 2011 12:02PM

One more one less.....

So where are you gone go and worship Abramobitch now?

Tim Mar 13th 2011 12:21PM

Deidre
It's been a pleasure following you over the years and I will miss you. I know from your posts that there's a Boston connection there somewhere.

Best of luck in your next endeavor! I will miss you.

Tim from the Boston area

verdegrrl Mar 13th 2011 12:50PM

Deidre,

Thank you for the tours of lifestyles we might otherwise never encounter. And thank you for giving the site a personal touch without being heavy handed about it.

Best wishes for wherever you land. May it be on a private jet with a glass of champagne in hand!

tigerlle Mar 13th 2011 1:44PM

Your writing is what brought me to the site and has kept me coming back every day for years. That the most prolific and interesting contributor is gone does not bode well. Thank you for your work.

Eric Mar 13th 2011 2:04PM

Deidre: I have enjoyed your posts over the years. I check the Luxist site every morning just after 11 a.m. AZ time (and just after 10 a.m., now, with the time change).

Hopefully you will let us know where you are going.

Never did a search for you online, but I did just come across your linkedin profile, with your pic. Here it is:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/deidre-woollard/10/9a6/987

Hopefully, SOMEONE will continue writing these postings, especially the Estate of the Day (which is the main reason I come to this site).

Eric Mar 13th 2011 2:58PM

Sorry about the double posts. After no response from Luxist overr 15 minutes (no confirmation e-mail), I reposted it. Never did get a confirmation e-mail.

Eric Mar 13th 2011 2:07PM

texastechnoman Mar 13th 2011 2:51PM

Deidre:

It's already been said by others; but I will miss both your Estate of the Day and as well your weekly "round-up" every Sunday. Your posts were what brought me to the Luxist site, and kept me coming back. Best of luck, hope you will land elsewhere and continue the fine work.

Jeff from Weatherford, Tx

venture Mar 13th 2011 3:00PM

I checked the Luxist site every Sunday for your posts, I will sure miss them.

californiadaze69 Mar 13th 2011 3:50PM

Deidre..
I have been reading your posts for so many years,
that if I dont see your name under the heading, I"m
disappointed.

I have become addicted to your estate of
the day posts and literally look forward
to reading them.

I actually read Luxist first every morning,then
switch to Huffington Post for the day's news.

If it turns out that Huffington Post is the
catalyst for you leaving, I would find it not
only ironic but sad. I count on Huff Post
for my news and enjoy it immensely, but
if it is the reason for your departure, I would
be deeply dismayed, disappointed, and quite frankly
pissed ( couldn't come up with another 'd' word" ).

I wish you the best in your next endeavor..hopefully
we'll find you again writing soon.

As for HP, I sincerely hope they are not the reason
for your departure, as I fear this blog will greatly suffer.

Dan
Southern California