I have really been slacking on this challenge, but I did manage to pull it out in the end. Let’s see how I did:
Thoughts: I finished a few recurring posts and an entire month's worth of Fashion Friday posts. Plus I added five more craft blog posts for November. Super excited that I actually finished this challenge. Just under the wire, but I did finish it!
The first two weeks in October were crazy busy with the retreat and Arthur's birthday party. Now that I have a little time to work on others things, I can actually get some posts completed. Let's see how i did:
Thoughts: 20 quick Quote Wednesday posts completed for the rest of 2015 and all of 2016. It's something! I also finished three SSINK posts over on the craft blog.
Prompt: A farewell coffee date. Take some time to breath, sip a warm drink, and share with your new blogging buddies. If you'd like a prompt: how did the Blog-tember Challenge go for you? Any surprises? What was your favorite prompt, or what would you like to see included next time?
Overall, I have really enjoyed this new-to-me challenge. Initially I was hesitant to participate. Could I keep up with 30 days of blogging? Would I get bored? What do I do with all my regular features and drafts/completed scheduled posts? In response to the last question, I just pushed everything to October. Took me a few minutes, but not a huge deal. As to keeping up with blogging, I could access the prompts at the beginning of the month. That made it easy to work on posts when I had time which wasn't always the night before. Some days I wrote 3 or 4 blog posts, some days I didn't write any. And I didn't even get bored! I liked the variety of topics and challenges. I had fun sharing parts of myself that I don't usually show on the blog. I love creating lists so those types of prompts were my favorite.
As the month comes to a close, this challenge has made me seriously think about changing this blog. I love blogging. I love posting. But some of my current reoccurring features just don't inspire me anymore. Currently, I post every day, but maybe that's not the best for me now. I'm going to continue my usual type of posts through the end of the year. But come 2016, I may change things up a bit. One big change that I've already decided: no more readathons. My daily routine is not flexible enough to participate in readathons. I have been consistently disappointed in the time that I can devote to reading. Toddler care and reading don't really mix that much. I'll still be reading of course, but i think readathons put undue pressure on me. I am cutting them out for 2016. There amy be more changes, but we'll see how the next three months go.
Prompt: Write your own list of 10 blog topics to inspire us next month.
I've enjoyed my month following the prompts. I'm sure there are a few topics that I can add...
Prompt: A day in the life. Take us through it with you.
Being a stay-at-home-mom, the days can vary widely. However, we've tried to establish some sort of routine at least for the weekdays...
7:30am -- I wake up, take a shower, and get dressed. Hopefully Arthur (the 2-year-old) sleeps through all this...
7:45-8:00am -- Arthur wakes up. I get him out of his crib, dressed, and downstairs for breakfast.
8:00am -- Breakfast and daily prep. Arthur usually gets to watch an episode of Daniel Tiger or Sesame Street while eating breakfast. This gives me that break I need to eat, update my planner (essential to my day!), and pack for the day's activities.
8:30-9:00am -- Leave for activity. We often drive to an activity somewhere in the Bay Area. One day it might be something in San Jose and the next time it might be in Palo Alto. We try to have a park or museum visit at least three times a week. If we don't have an activity, we usually still leave around 9:00am to hit the grocery store or complete other errands.
12:00pm -- Lunch time! If we are at an activity, it's usually a picnic lunch. Some days we do grab lunch at a restaurant, but not often.
1:30pm -- Traveling home if out somewhere else. Or playtime if at home.
Arthur used to take a nap around 1:00-2:00 pm, but those days are gone. Sometimes this makes the afternoon seem to drag on for eternity. Often I will let Arthur loose in the backyard to get some peace and quiet. Or he may get to watch another television show for a few minutes.
5:00pm -- Dinner prep
6:00pm -- Dinner. Some days J is home in time to eat with us. Some days he arrives between 6:30-7:00pm. We don't wait for him to eat.
6:30pm -- Arthur bath time and pajamas. Often we spend about 45 minutes in the bath and playing afterward.
7:30pm -- Storytime and bedtime prep.
8:00pm -- Arthur goes to bed. J and I watch a movie or a few episodes of television.
10:00pm -- I head up to get ready for bed. I usually try to read a chapter or two before turning out the lights around 10:30pm.
That's it. Most days we follow this routine. It's a simple life, but it's mine...
Prompt: What's on your wish list?
I always have a running Amazon wish list (and one on Etsy). Let's take a look at a few of the thing's I've been eyeing lately. (Links will take you to Amazon or Etsy)
Prompt:What's on your to-reading list, and what have you recently read?
I read constantly! Even with a toddler in the house, I average 3000 pages a month (7-10 books). I'm always excited to share what I'm reading...
Recently read:
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen -- Love her books! And loved this new one.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer -- For book club. Not my favorite but that may be because I'm not the target demographic.
On my TBR pile:
Prompt: Three songs you are connecting with right now.
Ohhh... I am constantly listening to music. As a plus, Arthur enjoys it also. Right now we are rocking out to:
Florence + the Machine "Ship to Wreck"
Elle King "Under the Influence"
Houndmouth "Sedona"
Prompt: Shout out five of your favorite bloggers. Who are your regular reads?
My Bloglovin' feed is a bit out of control, but let's see if I can pull out some of my favorite go-to reads! I couldn't narrow down the list to five, so I'm going to list my favorite ten bloggers!
Prompt: Grab a guest post. Recruit a friend or fellow blogger to share on your space for the day.
No guest blogger here today. My blog is very much my weird personal space. I just don't have many friends who are interested in blogging. So you get just me today and everyday.
Prompt: Get creative! Sketch, paint, dance, play music, whatever then give us a glimpse.
I'm an avid paper crafter, so most of crafts revolve around scrapbooking and greeting cards. I'm currently using my skills to work on Arthur's birthday party decor, thank yous, and favors. I went with a dinosaur theme because of Stampin' Up's adorable new stamp set No Bones About It. Here's a look at my finished products.
Favor bags: For the favor bags, I went very simple with a base of white paper bags. I stamped some dinosaur footprints in random patterns on top. From there, I added a cute starburst tag in a variety of colors and patterns. (I added some blue dots to help fill out the white space).
Thank you cards: I made a few different variations of these cards, but each feature a dino with a party hat! It's a bit hard to tell from the photo, but the dinos have heat embossed skeletons on top of their bodies. Looks really cool in person!
Matching game (for favor bags): I made 2x2 squares featuring stamped dinosaurs on one side and some patterned paper on the other. Each set includes 18 different pairs to match. I thought about adding leaves and such, but decided that the simple dinosaur silhouette in different colors looked just right. These are matching games for toddlers.
Cupcake toppers: Simple little cupcake toppers using my scrap paper. These will look great on top of the cupcakes.
I've also got a birthday banner for last year that I'm going to reuse (it's the right colors!). Still debating about adding some other decor. I have streamers, tablecloths, and will add dinos scattered around the play area. But maybe I'll decorate his cake more than just plopping a dino on top. I'm thinking maybe chocolate rocks and fake trees...
Prompt: A favorite quote/expression and how it has impacted you.
"Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world". — Eleanor Roosevelt
I've been loving this quote lately. The idea of being friends with myself has been a difficult journey the last few years. For awhile, I didn't really like myself at all. Things have greatly improved, but I have to remind myself about this constantly.
Prompt: It's guilty pleasure time! Shows, books, songs, foods, whatever it may be.
J knows I have a few guilty pleasures. I am sometimes be a bit embarrassed by them, but I'm going to share today.
Television/movies:
Books:
Foods:
Music:
Prompt: Tell us about one of the best days of your life.
Again, I'm hit with another really difficult prompt. I thought for a few days about this prompt, but was having a lot of trouble coming up with a specific day. So, instead I will tell you about a general idea of my best days.
My best day would involve doing some activity with the family: Alex, Nick, J, and Arthur. We have had a few of these great days, mostly in the summer. We spend the morning doing an activity like time at the pool. Then lunch out somewhere and back home for Arthur's naptime. Finally everyone participates in making and cleaning up dinner before we snuggle onto the couch for a family movie. Those are definitely the best days.
Prompt: Just for fun, your latest obsession. What can you not get enough of these days?
My latest obsessions...
Prompt:The real you vs. the online you. Are they the same or different?
I have a very short answer to this prompt today. The online me and real me are basically the same. I don't always show the "dirty" or tough parts of life on my blog, but I don't try to make everything look perfect either.
Let’s face it blogging can be stressful, particularly during the holiday season. So we are challenging you to schedule posts ahead and build a cushion to destress blogging, get through the holidays and help you manage your blog time. Join Anna @ herding cats & burning soup and myself Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the Blog Ahead 2015 Challenge and cut the stress of blogging!
Blog Ahead 2015
- Purpose: Increase the number of scheduled blog posts you have ready to publish by 31 posts during the month of October. All post will be scheduled from November 1st or later.
- Who Can Join: Any blogger or author can join. Brand new, been around for years.Blogger, WordPress or other platform. Any heat level, genre or theme, etc. If you blog…you’re welcome to join!
- Types of Posts that Count: Any finished posts count! Meme, review, guest post, interview, discussion. Top Ten Posts, Favorites posts, Shopping Guide Posts, Cooking posts, pet posts, photo posts, etc. Posts do NOT have to be book related.
- Required: The post must be complete and scheduled from November 1, 2015 onward. (So not just blurb, buy links, etc for a review post. The review needs to be complete for the post to count.)
- Sign-up below!
- Create a blog post to keep track of your goals! Declare your intentions, so that others can cheer you on and help motivate you. Be sure to link back to to this post or our blogs.
- Spread the Word–invite your friends/fellow bloggers!
- Use hashtag #BlogAhead2015 to share your progress, connect with others and uplift. (optional)
- Join the FB group! Need to squee about your progress or get a little moral support? We’re here! We’ll have tips and suggestions to help motivate you. Join: Blog Ahead Group Any problems joining? Email Me (optional)
- Grab the Button and declare your intentions!
I'm am totally joining this challenge! I love to get ahead on my blogging, especially during the holiday season. I'll be doing weekly check-ins throughout the month and posting a progress bar in the right column. Wish me luck!
Prompt: What's in your bag? Pick up your purse and peruse its contents, then share with us!
My current purse of choice is my newest Thirty-One acquisition: an Everything Crossbody in Palace of Jewells. (I've been a consultant for a few months now and love getting free or discounted products. Their bags are amazing!) I have a toddler, so be prepared for lots of kid related items. That was one full purse! Let's take a closer look at the contents...
Prompt: The 5 books that have impacted your life the most.
I love to read! I'm constantly reading new books, but I also go back a few books over and over again.
Honorable Mention: The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (fascinating life philosophy), The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (actually doing my own Happiness Project in 2016)
Prompt: Create a collage or inspiration/mood board for this season in your life.
Fall is such a great time for me. I've recently embraced the idea that September can be another January. I can work on goals and resolutions or launch new projects this month. my board reflects some of my current (and always) interests, current projects, and some fun.
