IN THE NEWS: LET'S BE FRIENDS

It's official. Google is saying goodbye to Google Reader. You can read about it here. To be honest, I've never been much of a Google Reader user myself, I started using Bloglovin' a couple years ago to follow my favorite blogs and haven't turned back. If you're looking for alternatives to Reader for your blog or to follow your favorite blogs, might I suggest setting up a Bloglovin' account? It has a simple and clean interface, it's easy to organize all of your favorite blogs, easy to like your favorite posts and explore new bloggers. I also love the app design for the iphone and tablet.

I realize that you can use Google Reader for more than just following blogs so another great site to check out is Feedly. They also have a stunning interface that has a great editorial feel. You can follow blogs, sites and anything you love, PLUS you can also catagorize it. I think I'll be using both from here on out. :)

Be sure to change your subscriptions over by July 1st! AND you can follow my blog on Bloglovin' here!

ANNOUNCING: THE MAIEDAE MIXER!

Jenny and I are incredibly excited to announce that we will be hosting the first annual Maiedae Mixer!! This event has been in the planning stages for the last several months and we are stoked about making this first announcement and putting together a spectacular party!

What's The Maiedae Mixer? The Mixer is a "Get Fancy. Get Connected" event for bloggers. It's a time to pamper yourself, meet creatives and best of all, dress up! Basically it's one big networking evening with food, music, swag, giveaways, crafts, a photo-booth and some face to face mingling with new friends.

Why The Mixer? Let's face it, the blogging community in the Southeast Region is a *little* small. We wanted to start meeting other amazing blogging ladies and create an event that we can all look forward to every year. One of our favorite things is meeting new people, so let's dress up and make a party out of it! Besides, we all need a reason to get a little fancy and wear some lipstick. ;)

I Wanna Go! What are the Details?! The first Mixer will be held on the evening of June 1, 2013 in downtown Rome, Georgia. Early bird tickets will go on sale March 1st for $95.00. Your ticket will cover the event, including; food & drinks, crafting, photo-boothing, swag goodies and your name entered into several giveaways throughout the night. We will only be selling 50 tickets, so be sure to mark your calendar for March 1st to purchase your ticket! We'll be officially announcing the THEME of the first Mixer in April so you can go out and buy your outfit...and we've got a great theme!! ;) More details as the event gets closer can be found at: www.maiedaemixer.com 

We are thrilled about this new yearly endeavor for Maiedae and we can't wait to meet all of your beautiful faces!! Check back on my blog, Jenny's blog and the Facebook page throughout the next couple months leading up to the event for sneak peeks, announcements, features and details!! If you want to tweet about it or ask any questions use hashtag: #maiedaemixer on twitter!

5 THINGS WITH PAPER CROWNS

Hi! I'm Natasha and I blog over at Paper Crowns. I'm a Canadian, married to an American, who I met while living in South Korea. I love design, beautiful words, pretty clothes, pretty spaces, and pretty places. I'm a graphic designer and admirer of anyone who lives to create. After almost four years of living abroad and bouncing around, I now call Charlottesville, Virginia, home. I live in a tiny, but cozy, apartment with my husband Kyle and a few guitars. We love long drives, animals, rainy days, and each other. Blogging has been an incredible source of inspiration and motivation in my life. It's this incredibly creative, wonderful, nurturing community that I'm so happy to be a part of. I'm so excited to share some of the things that I have learned in navigating the blogging world. These five tips are the things that I most try to live by when blogging. Keeping these general rules in the back of my head has really helped me blog in a way that I'm proud of and enjoy what I'm doing every step of the way.

1. Quality over quantity really isn't a cliché. ---> One of the "blogging tips" that I came across most frequently when first starting out was, "try to post every day." Anyone can throw something up on their blog every day, but for many bloggers, posting quality content every day just isn't feasible. Feeling like you have to hit a post quota in order to gain and maintain readers makes blogging seem like more of a chore. It sucks the spontaneity out of writing about what you love, and often the quality of posts suffers.

A common theme among all the blogs that I truly love is that the content never comes across as forced or churned out. Some of these bloggers post every day. Some post twice a week. I love these blogs equally, and my love for them is based on their content, not on how often I get to read something new. I don't post every day. It's not a pace that I can keep up with. I aim to post about three times a week, but if I can't do it, I don't beat myself up over it. Three times per week is a good, manageable goal for me. It allows me to blog about my life and the things I love at a pace that feels natural and not forced. It allows me to spend time crafting posts that I'm proud of.

2. The way your blog looks is just as important as what it says. ---> Content is king, but it's nothing without design. I really, really believe that a blogger needs to give equal weight to both to have a truly good blog. I never sacrifice style for content. If I love a photo, but it just doesn't work aesthetically with my blog post, I don't use it. If I'm featuring images that I love but can't get something to work in the right dimensions, I scrap it. I set out to approach blogging in an artful way — to give equal weight to the aesthetics and content of each blog post. I love the idea that a blog post can be a mini work of art. I try not to just present images of beautiful things, but to present them in a simple, clean, compelling, and beautiful way, with constant attention to detail. Presenting content in an artful way can evoke a certain feeling that may otherwise be lost.

And in an even more immediate sense, having a well-designed blog makes all the difference in convincing a reader to actually stick around and look at your posts. If your writing is beautiful but the initial impression of your blog is lackluster, people may not even bother to read. In the blog world, first impressions go such a long way. The sheer number of blogs out there means that if your blog isn't aesthetically appealing, it may get overlooked.

3. The love you take is equal to the love you make. ---> As a blogger, being part of a community is important, because blogging is a community venture. How exciting are those very first comments that you get from people that you've never met before? The realization of, "Whoa! Someone who isn't my best friend or mom actually enjoys what I'm writing!" is exciting! It gave me energy as a brand-new blogger. It made me want to write more and share more and pour my heart into my blog, because people actually seemed to like it! Gaining readers is exciting.

But maintaining them is what really matters and is what really makes a blog successful. Maintaining readers means interacting with them. It means answering their questions and checking out their blogs and leaving genuine comments that you actually mean. It means responding to their emails and acknowledging them in your posts and listening to their feedback and really learning from it. For bloggers, it is completely up to others to determine our success. Being gracious is important. Make sure your readers know just how much you appreciate their being there.

For me, the blogging community is the absolute best part of blogging. I've met some truly wonderful people whom I never would have met if I hadn't taken a second to follow a link back to their blog from a comment they left on mine. Be thankful and be accessible. It goes such a long way.

4. Don't take yourself too seriously. ---> While it's important to be mindful of the way your blog and your content is perceived by others, I've learned that it's so important to approach blogging in a way that's light and fun and honest. For me, blogging is this really, really cool way of sharing my life and the things that I love. Part of what makes that experience enjoyable is learning to share in a way that's spontaneous and adaptable to change.

It's about not being locked into the idea that you have any sort of responsibility or obligation to present your life in a certain way in order to please your audience. Or the idea that your audience is only interested in reading a sanitized, over-edited version of your life. I know that as a blog reader, I don't find perfection interesting. Because what's interesting about a perfect life? It's the mistakes and flaws and quirks and ability to laugh at one's self that makes a blogger relatable and compelling. It's a refreshing thing to see.

Laugh at yourself. Challenge yourself to write in new and different ways without worrying about whether people will like it or not. Experiment. Follow your instincts. Blogging is something that should be fun, above all else.

5. You can't be everything. Just be yourself. ---> I heard this really, really great piece of advice once. I wish I could remember where I came across it, and who said it, but it's still one of the most astute observations I've ever heard and has stuck with me for years. The advice was related to performing, but is applicable to everyone and very much applicable to blogging. The observation was that we're all essentially three people: the person we really are, the person an audience thinks we are, and the person we're portraying. And the more we can get all three of those Venn diagram circles to overlap, the more successful we'll be.

In blogging, as in life, the easiest and fastest way to get those circles to come together is to be yourself. There are thousands of blogs devoted to thousands of different things. A blog doesn't have to be about every topic that seems to be popular in the blogging world in order to be good. You don't have to be a jack of all trades. We can't be everything. When we try to be everything, the stuff we're really good at gets watered down and lost. Our audience can't get a handle on who we really are and we come across as insincere because no one can be everything.

When you write about what you love and only what you love, your writing comes to life. People are able to feel that sincerity. Your writing is compelling, because it's honest. And that's what makes people want to read.

These rules are not hard and fast, they're just what I've found works for me. I hope they've helped inspire you a little bit too! Thanks so much to to the wonderful Savannah for having me here. Happy blogging!

Find Natasha Here:  Blog  |  Bloglovin'  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Call for 5 Things contributors! -- If you have great advice to contribute about blogging, running a small business, staying inspired, setting goals, or staying organized, please contact me at Savannah@maiedae.com about being featured in a 5 Things post. :) 

Thank you, Natasha, for your wonderful advice!!

5 THINGS WITH CASEY WIEGAND

My name is Casey Wiegand, I am a freelance artist, wife and mama. I love painting and sharing our life through my blog...where you can expect pieces of my perspective on life, faith, kids, marriage, with touches of art, creative inspiration, projects and things I love along the way. I have two little ones with one on the way and hopes of lots more and am married to the love of my life!

1. Stepping on Toes//Blogger ETIQUETTE. ---> Be careful asking other bloggers to give you a "plug", or to post something on their blog, etc. etc. etc. There are a lot of ways//things you can ask that will put the person you are emailing in a tough spot. If you catch their attention, they will ask. If they want you to guest post for them, they will ask. If anything, you can ask them to guest post on your own blog for a start! Or be a sponsor on their blog. I don't have extra money, but I decided from the beginning of blogging that a portion of what I made from sponsors would go back in to sponsoring other blogs... I value people's time and the hard work they have put into their spaces!!!

2. Sponsorships. ---> Sponsorships are huge. But you also have to use them to your full advantage. You have to be active...Do a giveaway! I know some people say, "I don't want to do a giveaway and have someone just following me for a pair of shoes!" Well, I don't look at it that way. I have never, ever followed a blog because I want to enter a giveaway. In my opinion, it gives you that solo attention to give people the option to see what you have to offer and they will either like it or not. So, maybe you specialize in recipes and someone who loves to cook sees your giveaway. They wouldn't have found you otherwise and now are going to become a loyal followers! I personally think that SOLO//paired giveaways are what bring the traffic! Choose a blog that is somewhat similar to yours. If people are following that blog and yours is similar, they will most likely enjoy yours as well. Choose blogs that you think will best represent you! Also, I look for blogs that are growing. If they are growing readers monthly, then if you sponsor them monthly, that is constant new exposure!

Starting sponsorships on your own blog. This is what I did: I emailed like 10 blogs that had the same followers as me and asked them if they would be willing to trade for a few months while I "figured the whole sponsor thing out." Then, I found 5-6 bigger blogs and emailed them and asked permission to put them listed as a sponsor for free for a few months. This does a few things. One is, people think, "Wow she has Gussy, Litttle Miss Momma, Just lovely things, etc. all sponsoring her blog!" It makes you look good to have big names on there. And you haven't rubbed them the wrong way in the process. THEN, you will start getting emails from new bloggers who see all your sponsors and want to start paying. My whole trade//free process lasted about 4 months, then I got more and more emails and I started slowly dropping off my free ads and my trades. I started accepting paying sponsors around 600 followers.

3.Twitter. ---> Twitter is a FABULOUS network to meet other bloggers. Promote your shop & blog. I have met so, so, so, so many people through Twitter! Get on the bandwagon; it's worth it. Such a fast, easy way to instantly connect.

4. Be a space worth following. ---> Maybe it is just the artist in me, but I am very drawn to blogs with big, beautiful pictures. Wide blogs with big pictures are fabulous in my opinion! If you aren't using Photobucket or Picnik, check them out; they are AMAZING. Also, I think it's worth it to have a blog design that you love and that feels like "you"! If your look and whole feel//vibe is warm and inviting, people will want to come back!

5. Blog about what you know. ---> It would be silly for me to blog about things I don't know. It wouldn't be real and people see through that. If fashion isn't your thing, don't focus on that. Focus on what you love, what you are passionate about.

Find Casey Here:  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest 

Thank you, Casey, for contributing your thoughts on blogging!! I loved your thoughts on blogging about what you know. We are all so unique and have something great to offer. It's important to harness the "you" and let that shine in your blog!! (Or really with anything you do!)

Interested in being a 5 THINGS contributor? Email me at Savannah@Maiedae.com!

5 THINGS WITH LITTLE TREE

Hi everyone! My name is Maria and I am the little lady behind Little Tree Vintage. My blog is a lifestyle blog that expresses my personal style choices and encompasses everything that I love. I also own the Little Tree Vintage Shop on Etsy. I grew up adoring my mother's closet and was always stealing her vintage jewelry. When I got a little older, I realized how much I enjoyed it and I decided to start my own shop. That's how Little Tree was born.

Some of my favorite things include shopping (of course), making jewelry, collecting vintage//pre-loved items, antiquing, thrifting, and cooking. I spend most of my days daydreaming about things that inspire me and keep me motivated. I hardly ever feel like I have my feet on the ground, but that's what makes life fun, right? I chose to talk about the topic of blogging, because I think there are a lot of things that I have learned during this whole process and I love being able to share that with others. Coming into the blogging world can be very intimidating, but once you develop your own style, everything will fall into place!

1. Be yourself. ---> Always stay true to yourself. There are so many bloggers out there doing the "same" things. Find ways to stand out and find your own style. It's important to be yourself and not try to imitate anyone else, plus everyone wants to find out about *you*, not someone else! I think being genuine is extremely important, even in the blogging world, because no one likes a phony, and you're not really being you. Embrace who you are and roll with it; chances are people will love it, too! I know we are all terrified of putting ourselves out there completely, and I totally understand where you're coming from, but honestly...that's what people relate to.

2. Social networking. ---> Join social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest. These are such great ways to meet new people who share the same interests as you. Branching out across different areas of the web will bring you all different kinds of readers and make your blog more accessible.

3. Make your blog pretty. ---> I think this is really important, because how your blog looks says a lot about you! You should treat your blog like your baby. I know I do! People will judge your blog when they first visit it. It's the same as meeting you in person. How it looks tells a lot about what the readers should expect. I don't think everyone needs a super fancy layout, but I do think there are a lot of free and easy tutorials you can do to spruce up your own blog! The internet is full of resources and sometimes even asking other bloggers can help! Some good websites I have used for tutorials are Youtube and photoshop tutorials.

4. Don't be discouraged by the "numbers". ---> When you start your blog, there's a huge chance that no one will read it. That doesn't mean in any way that what you're writing isn't great or worthwhile. It just means that you haven't built up a solid readership yet. Things like this take time and dedication, and if you work at it, it will come. You just have to be patient and ignore the numbers. Do what you love and the rest follows.

5. Don't let negativity bring you down. ---> When you put things on the internet, there will always be people who just simply do not agree with you, or what you stand for. The best thing to do to people like this is just simply ignore them and go on your merry way. Feeding into negativity will make you seem just as childish as the person who started the problem to begin with. Let it roll off of your back, as much as it might irritate you; it's not worth it! And remember, taking the high road does pay off, and people will always respect that. Don't let anyone control how you feel about your blog. Keep doing what you love!

Find Maria Here:  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Bloglovin

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your tips on blogging! I loved what you had to say about not letting negativity bring you down. It's important to remember why you do what you do...because you love it! Negative comments shouldn't make you re-consider what you love. 

5 THINGS WITH KAELAH BEE

I'm Miss Kaelah Bee and I write the little life + style blog Little Chief Honeybee. I'm a 23 year old freelance designer, mobile retail shoppe owner, maker of pretty things, bulldog mama (and who knows what else!) living my dream life in Nashville, Tennessee! I wear a lot of hats in my home and they're all pretty fun. I get to make pretty things daily and I'm working on fulfilling my dream of a brick and mortar indie retail shoppe. My days are filled with blogging, photography, product listing, package mailing, and inspiration seeking. I'm no expert, but I feel confident enough in my 5 tips for blogging and//or running your own small biz//handmade shop. Enjoy!

1. Try to be as organized as possible. ---> I am a bit of an "organized mess" kind of person, myself, and nothing is more stress-inducing than trying to find an important email, receipt, order, etc., but having no luck. I'm slowly, but surely, learning what organization systems work for me and which ones don't. Certain pictures and files go in certain folders, receipts always go in a pouch, labels go on emails… I vow to make 2012 my year of organization! (Y'all need to hold me to that!)

2. Write everything down! ---> Give your brain a rest. Don't try to remember everything, because it won't happen. Sure as the sun does shine, you'll forget something and that can throw a huge wrench in your day. Get an awesome blog idea? Product inspiration? Packaging design? Write it all down. Even the bad//horrible//awful//dumb//overplayed ideas. Good ones can grow and the bad ones can be marked off.

3. Interact with your audience. ---> Whether they're customers, clients, or blog readers, engage them. Ask them questions. Answer their questions. Network and build relationships. These are the people you count on on a day to day basis. Don't leave them hanging! If they have an issue with an order or have a question about a blog post, be willing to listen and answer! A little bit of love goes a long way!

4. Know when it's time to call it a day. ---> This is one I still can't wrap my head around. I don't know how to stop working, and I feel like I might as well burn the candle at both ends, now, while I'm young and without kids. Still, we all need to know when it's time to step away and spend time relaxing or enjoying the company of others.

5. Never be above learning. ---> We're all students of life and we learn along the way. We may not be masters of our craft, but we can aspire to be better. Never feel satisfied with your current skill-set. Always look for ways to improve on what you already know. Strive to be efficient and concise with everything.

Find Kaelah Here:  Blog  |  Handmade  |  Honeybean  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest

Thank you, Kaelah!! I loved what you had to say about writing everything down! I love carrying a journal around with me everywhere. When I think of an idea or even an action item, I have it with me at all times. It never leaves my side. 

5 THINGS WITH SCENIC GLORY

Hello, MaieDae readers! I am so honored to be a part of this amazing series today. I was excited to share my experiences in blogging with you all for so many reasons, but most of all, because blogging has presented me so many different opportunities to follow my dreams and maybe it can do the same for you as well. A year ago, I started Scenic Glory for fun, 4 months later I was able to put my 2 weeks notice in at my 9-5 job to work at home full time. Getting up in the morning has never been easier and never have I been so inspired. :)  P.S. Thank you, husband, for being my number one supporter.

1. Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. --->  I read that saying soon after I started my blogging journey just one year ago. It is a saying I have never forgotten and one that I have always held close to my heart. With blogging, I think it is easy to lose yourself, get discouraged, and everything in between. When I find myself starting to feel this way, I know it is time to refocus...remember the reasons I started blogging in the first place and get back to that happy place. Keep in mind, your readers love you for you, not because you are the next blog in their reading list!

2. Stay  motivated! ---> I recently went through a period of about a month or two where I severely lacked motivation and my readers could tell. I received several messages throughout the week from some of my most loyal readers wondering if I was okay and if I had fallen off the face of the planet. At that moment, I realized I needed to make a few changes for the better. When you find yourself in a similar situation, go back and remember the times that you felt your corner of the blogging world was at its best...why was it this way...do you want to keep focusing on that? Or perhaps new content and inspiration is what you need. Whatever it may be for you...just find what makes you happy. In the end that is what is most important.

3. Take a breather every now and then. ---> Okay, this may seem contradictory since my last piece of advice was to stay motivated. But it is possible to take a break and still remain motivated. When I first started blogging, I quickly found I spent too much time working on posts, blog hopping, checking emails, tweeting, etc. I then realized that too much of this would completely drain me which would result in a lack of interest rather quickly. I'm a strong believer in balance and when I saw that I was missing this, I made the changes that made sense for me.

I stop working on the computer the second my husband gets home from work and I give myself the weekends off. Find what works for you and your schedule and take some time off. The second I did this for myself, I found I was more productive and creative. Perhaps you will have the same results. :)

4. Social media is your friend! ---> I believe that blogging and social media go hand in hand. Never did I think I would have a Twitter account (don't forget about Facebook too), but as soon as I did...I saw that it had so much to offer. I have met so many amazing blogger friends through twitter and most importantly it has brought me business. I am a full time blogger & graphic designer (soon to be food truck owner!) and because of Twitter I have had the opportunity to create designs for so many people. Obviously, everyone that is reading this is not a graphic designer, but perhaps you have a small business that can benefit from the same things I have. Even if you don't have a small business and blogging is just your focus, you can still achieve SO much from social media...the friendships are worth it all on their own!

5. Network, network, network! ---> When I first started blogging, the first thing I did was find other bloggers out there that had the same interests I did...kind of like speed dating. ;) I learned so much from other bloggers in the beginning and I still continue to learn so much. When you find those people out there that you can really connect with, I can guarantee that many more will follow. Word of mouth is an amazing thing and I believe in the idea that what you give comes back to you as well. So next time you're on a blog that you love, leave them a comment...let them know you stopped by and why you like what they're doing...maybe even share them with your blog followers, Facebook, and Twitter. You never know when someone might return the favor. :)

Find Lindsay Here: Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Lindsay, I so agree with you on taking a break from it all. Doing what you love can be so thrilling and motivating, but if you're not careful to rest and step back, you might become completely drained from the things you love. Balancing your passions, family, friends, responsibilities, your time...is so important AND key to staying inspired and joyful. Thank you for your wonderful tips!! 

5 THINGS WITH LOVE ELYCIA

Hello there! I'm Elycia from the blog ♥elycia. I am a vintage loving cat lady living in a cute house on a quiet street with my husband and our two sweet little cats. I absolutely love to blog, it adds so much to my life and I am very excited to be here today to share some things that I have learned about blogging over the last few years.

Hopefully blogging is something that gets you excited; it definitely does it for me!

1. Blog about what you Love. ---> My favorite, and therefore most repeated, piece of advice related to blogging is to blog about what you love. I always blog about things that I am interested in, feel passionately about, and love. I feel like the best blogs are the ones where you can tell that the writers are excited about the things they are writing about. If you are having fun with what you are doing, other people will be able to tell. Excitement is infectious!

2. Have Fun. ---> Try to use your blog as a tool//reminder to have more fun, not as something that you feel like you have to do that is stopping you from having fun. I'm not sure if that makes sense to everyone so I will give you an example. I love putting together fun outfits, even on days that I am just hanging around the house. I use outfit posts as a way to encourage me to go ahead and wear something fantastic even if I don't have anything special planned. I also use my blog as an "excuse" to set aside time to do fun little DIY projects. It's not just for me...it's for my blog!

3. Negativity. ---> Never let negativity get you down. 100% of people will not love 100% of what you are doing 100% of the time. It is inevitable that eventually someone out there is not going to love something that you shared on your blog. If someone goes out of their way to leave you a nasty comment, don't stress about it. For realsies! I bet you a kitten that in most cases these Negative Nancies are just looking to get a response from you. Never let a faceless internet someone ruin your day.

4. Photos. ---> Great photos make a blog. I have learned over the years that the better my blog photos are, the more I like visiting my own blog. Because hey, if YOU don't want to visit your blog everyday how can you expect other people to want to? I love taking photos and over the last few years I have been using more and more of my own photos on my blog. I really prefer blogs where people use their own photos instead of images that can be seen all over the internet. It is just a little something that makes a blog more unique and enjoyable to visit.

5. Make Friends. ---> Get friendly with other bloggers. My absolute favourite part of having a blog is the people I have met and the friendships I have made. It took me a while to really make some great connections because I am pretty shy with one on one interactions with new people. I am so glad that I decided to put on my big girl pants and get to know some awesome people that I would not have met if it wasn't for my blog. Don't be afraid to reach out to bloggers you admire//feel you have a connection with; they might just feel the same way about you! Having blog buddies just makes blogging that much more fun!

I hope that sharing what I have learned about blogging over these last few years gave you something to think about! Blogging is something that I feel passionately about and I love chatting about it. Feel free to come visit my blog or say hello to me on Twitter! ♥elycia

Find Elycia Here:  Blog  |  Twitter

I love what you had to say about photographs. They really are such an important aspect of the blog! Thank you Elycia! 

5 THINGS WITH ONE SHEEPISH GIRL

Hello MaieDae readers! I am Meredith from One Sheepish Girl and I am so excited to be here today! I am a huge fan of Savannah's blog and jewelry, so I was completely honored when she asked me to share 5 things I've learned about blogging.

Here's a little bit about me: I am a senior in college and I love to knit and crochet. I'm a bit obsessed really. I have a knit and crochet accessory shop on Etsy too! There are just so many new stitches and techniques to learn that it never gets old. Knitting and blogging have truly become my passion and inspire me to get out of bed each morning...along with a giant cup of coffee...and the desire to graduate from college. ;) I also love bright colors,  listening to my Frank Sinatra records, and baking. I'm a bit shy, or "sheepish", but through my new found passions, I am slowly coming out of my shell.

I'm still a newbie when it comes to blogging, but here are a few things that I've learned along the way.

1. Be confident. ---> This is a toughie for me. Nine times out of ten, I second guess every single post I write. Even the simplest posts bring me anxiety! "What are they going to think of me?" "Who's reading this?" "Why are they reading this?" I'm sure I annoy some of my fellow bloggers when I repeatedly ask them, "Are you sure this post is ok?" That's why I started my Blogging for Confidence series. I use this to get me outside of my comfort zone and try something that would typically scare me. Then I open up on my blog, share my experience, and don't look back. Maybe I looked like a goof in my swan sweater or with blue in my hair, but I did it, I tackled my fear and I have no regrets.

2. Post about what you love. ---> I may spend a little too much time blogging about my love for crazy sweaters or my hermit-like plans for the weekend, but that is what I like! I like cozy sweaters and staying at home with a good book. I'm not going to turn myself into something I'm not just for the sake of gaining followers or appearing more interesting. When I read my favorite blogs, I can sense their honesty and passion about the subject. It makes the whole experience more enjoyable!

3. If you have one, blog about your shop! ---> This may seem obvious, but it is so important to keep your blog updated on what's going on in your shop. I used to forget to update my blog when I Introduced new styles and color combinations. Also, it's nice to offer your blog readers a special coupon code every once in a while that only they can use!

4. Get rid of the guilt. ---> I feel guilty when I don't post for a few days because of classes and homework. I guess it's the people pleaser in me, but it's something that I've really struggled with this semester. Finally I decided, enough is enough. I already have enough pressure in class that the last thing I want to do is make my passion another stress in my life! In the end, homework comes first. If I lose a few followers because I have to write a 10-page paper, that's just the way it goes.

5. Respect the "big time bloggers", but don't idolize them. ---> I have to admit stumbling on this one earlier in my blog career. There are so many amazing, talented, beautiful, model-like, super-bloggers out there that it's easy to think they are superior and get down on yourself. They have talent and work hard for their achievements, but they aren't better than you. I try my best to learn from them, ask questions, and not put myself down because I feel inadequate in comparison. You are an amazing blogger and have something completely unique to offer this community. :)

I hope you enjoyed a few of the things I've learned about blogging. Actually, that's my favorite part about the blog world...getting to learn something new everyday! Thanks for having me Savannah!

Find Meredith Here:  Blog  |  Etsy  |  Bloglovin  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest

Thank you so very much Meredith! -- I absolutely loved what you had to say about blogging for confidence and blogging about who you are and what you love. :) If you haven't already, you should definitely check out Meredith's Blogging for Confidence series; it's very inspiring and super cute! 

5 Things with Elise Blaha

I'm Elise Blaha Cripe, though on the internet, I am mostly just known as Elise Blaha (this is the trouble with getting married after establishing an online presence.) :) I have been blogging for almost six years. I started in college because I wanted to share thoughts on trying to find a job I loved and talk about my adventures. Since then, my blog has grown and now I still talk a bit about adventures, but also share recipes, craft tutorials, and talk about running a small business. Through my blog, I was able launch my online shop and teach online workshops. I live in Southern California and am anxiously waiting for my husband to get home from Afghanistan. Here are two of my favorite posts about working from home : on self-employment and on motivation.

1. Write about what you know and like. ---> If you stay true to your interests, style, and self, your blog will always be authentic and real. Authenticity is attractive and readers will respect it. Plus-- it will be easy to stand behind what you say.

2. Interact with your readers. ---> I don't respond to every comment, but I do read and appreciate each and every one. I am careful to answer all questions as quickly as possible.

3. Focus on just one topic in each post. ---> Early on, I blogged about anything and everything each day. There wasn't much reason for it. But that was okay; I was growing as a writer and my readership was growing. Now, there are so many venues to share good blog posts (twitter, facebook, pinterest, etc.) and I think it's important that each post has a single topic. It makes it easy for your great ideas to be shared and linked and re-shared. If you have a fun craft tutorial and a great recipe, those should be two separate posts.

4. Try to establish a schedule. ---> I do my best to have a post ready to go live at 5am PST every Monday-Friday. I read a ton of blogs and I appreciate the ones that post consistently. Because of this, I try to provide the same for my readers. You don't have to post daily, but be sure to make time for writing and set a goal to get a few posts up a week.

5. Like everything else, inspiration comes and goes. ---> Some months, I feel like I have too much good stuff to say. My brain feels packed. My camera is full. My blog is bursting at the margins with good content. Other months, I agonize over what to write. I have realized that the key to getting through it is to keep writing. Always keep writing. Creativity is a muscle and the more you use it, the more you'll find. Don't get discouraged when you feel like all your ideas are used up; they will most certainly be back.

Find Elise Here: Blog  |  Shop  |  Pinterest  |  Twitter

This is great advice, Elise! I am definitely agreeing with you about #4: it's so important to schedule out your time, plan ahead, and get yourself on a routine. It makes for better quality posts AND a sense of peace about your time. :) -- AND if you haven't checked out Elise's shop, you should...it's a-maze-ing!