Tuesday Talk

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Happenings on the blog lately…

*Life Lately

*Top 5 Side Hustles to Make Extra $$$

*Budgeting Diaries

AND….
For Valentines day, our Tuesday Talk on February 9th will be a collection of our love stories!!! :)

These women are awesome so take sometime to check out their blogs and link up!

Follow the other Tuesday Talk hosts below!

Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram  

 Becky at BYBMG | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Jessica at Sweet Little Ones | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Emily at Raising Barnes | Pinterest | Instagram

Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Stasia at Our Life on a Budget | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Sarah at Abiding In Grace | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup. | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Laura at Life Is Beautiful | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Christina at Waltzing In Beauty | Pinterest | Instagram

Michelle at Grammie Time | Pinterest | Instagram  

Tina at Go Big or Go Home | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Whitney at Polka Dotty Place | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram 

            Visit Stasia's profile on Pinterest.   

An InLinkz Link-up

Pumpkin EVERYTHING is here!

In celebration of Pumpkin Season, I helping to host a giveaway for $36 to Starbucks!   Who couldn't use a little Starbucks???? How to enter? Super easy, just follow some awesome bloggers on Instagram!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN'

How I Doubled My Page Views in a Month {or two}… My Blog's Story

I have been blogging for a little over three years.  But it does not really feel like it.   See here is a quick overview of the story of my blog. July 2011:  Felt called to start a blog.  Started said blog. August 2011-May 2012:  Didn't make blogging a priority.  Posted periodically. June 2012-February 2014:  I started writing consistently.  We had just been through a miscarriage and writing was healing to me.  Then we got pregnant again. Then had a baby.  And I just had to document all of that! March 2014-Present: I decided if I was going to spend my time writing, I should try to grow my blog's readership.  So I actually put forth an effort on my blog beyond writing.  I made an effort to gain followers! The Result- My blog's page views doubled, in one month, and they are continuing to grow!

Now to the good part… how did I do it?  I don't claim to be an expert {yet:)} but I figure someone out there can learn from my experience!

{one}

I got *better* about posting on social media.  Technically, this is still a needs improvement area, but I do share more.  Really, think about it, how are you going to gain readers if you don't share.   Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter I do not post on them all every time.  But I do post on a couple each time I have a new post.  

{two}

I participated in link ups, linky parties and blog hops.  And I participated in a lot of them.  I basically took the 30 minutes after my quiet time each morning and linked up, read other blogs and commented on other people's blogs!  Need some pointers on link parties?  Check out this post.

{three}

I made blogging friends. I started contacting other bloggers.  We traded buttons, directing traffic to each other's sites.  We traded posts on each other's blogs sharing our readers.  It is actually through Leslie, a blogging friend that I made, that we started the WHAT YOU WISH WEDNESDAY link party. So all in all… it took some time.  Writing is still my favorite, by far.  If I could outsorce the techie stuff I would.  But it is an investment you have to make to grow the good old blog.   From here??? *Big plans… hopefully continue to grow.  I know more things to do to grow the blog.  I just have to find time to do them. *Also… I plan to do some mentoring!  Want some advise now?  I am giving it out for free ;) just email me! AND

follow me at…

Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter

What You Wish Wednesday No.12

My Wednesday Posts are turning into such a conglomerate of random things… that's why it is great our link up is called 

 



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make sure you link up at the bottom of the post! ___________ I have also had an obsession with the number 5 this past week without even realizing it! My three posts from the last week… all have 5 tips.  And the weird thing is that I did not realize it until this morning when I started linking up with some other blogs.  

So here are my three posts from the last week… you should check them out either way :)

Moving Tips - Fine Motor Skill Activities - Link Up Party Fun

AND… if you check out my back to school post (featuring the fine motor skill activities) you can have a chance to win $60 to Target.  Seriously I would love $60 to Target right now and I know you would too, so you should check it out and some of the fun back to school posts! :)

_________

And now for some of my faves from the last week :) Seriously y'all, each week is better than the last.  It is so hard to pick favorites! 

for the party planner

This is one of the cutest gender reveal cakes I have ever seen.  Seriously, go check it out!

And this "Crab Shack" themed party is awesome!

for those that love a good story

This story was just crazy.  Take a minute and read through it!

for the home decorator

Love how this house is decorated… the whole house :)

last but not least… for encouragement

The fact that your kids echo your words… even as they get older.

And these 5 ways to bless your husband!

___________

Now it is time to link up again!

Link-up details. It's too easy not to join in:

*share a recent post of your choosing (link-up at very bottom of this post)

*include the WYWW button and/or a visible link-back to this post

*check out the hostesses' blogs and follow along: Stasia, Leslie, Nikki, and Melissa
*check out a few posts and share the love

 


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Look forward to reading your posts :)

Also you can follow me at…

Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter    

    An InLinkz Link-up    

WYWW #11 and 5 Ways to make Link Up Parties Fun!

Y'all Leslie, Nikki, Melissa and I, really are LOVING reading all of your posts!  We are so excited to see the growth in our little link up over the past few weeks.  More people are posting, more people are sharing, more people are clicking!  

That being said… I have decided to share a few ways to make link parties fun!

1. Link Up-

Okay, so this probably goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway.  Link up a related post for the week.  Or, if the link allows it, a post that you wish got more traffic in the past!  Don't have a blog? Link directly to your Instagram (again, if the link party allows it, check their rules).  When you link up you are getting more readers and NEW readers to follow your blog!

2. Read and Comment

Pick a couple of other posts and actually read them and comment.  This is what link parties were made for, finding new blogs, connecting to new people!  You may even find a new blog you want to follow or a new blogging friend!

3. Use Twitter Too

Share the love!  I know I get excited when someone tweets my blog!  If I read an especially good blog post, you better believe I am going to tweet it.

4.  Don't Forget About Pinterest

This is actually one of my favorite ways to use and connect to link parties.  Being a busy working mama, often I do not have time to read and comment on posts as I would like to!  So often what I do is skim a post and save it for later by pinning it.  This is awesome for both parties, because I can save the link for later and I am directing traffic to the other person's blog through Pinterest! 

5. As You Get More Involved in Link Parties, Don't Let Them Take Over

Each morning when I work on blog stuff, I link up to a few link parties.  Sometimes I find that I am trying to connect with too many, that I am not having time to really connect with each.  So I say less is more connect to a few that you really like and fit your blog.  Also, I rarely write a post just for a certain link up.  For example, I  know linking up with What I Wore Wednesday will bring me a lot of traffic… but I just don't write about fashion that much.  I feel contrived if I try to force myself to write about something that I don't usually write about.  So if I write about fashion… great, I will link up… if I don't I don't force it!  Good thing about What You Wish Wednesday… you can link up just about whatever you want! :)

______________________

Now it is time for you to link up and share!  As usual you can linkup just about whatever you wish!

Link-up details. It's too easy not to join in:

*share a recent post of your choosing (link-up at very bottom of this post)

*include the WYWW button and/or a visible link-back to this post

*check out the hostesses' blogs and follow along: Stasia, Leslie, Nikki, and Melissa
*check out a few posts and share the love

Look forward to reading your posts :)

Also you can follow me at…

Blogger Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter

   

    An InLinkz Link-up    

Coffee, Affiliates and Sponsored Posts

After the move, I am trying to get back to some sort of regular routine.  Those that know me well know that I am a crazy morning person.  I love to get up in the morning with my Bible, journal and computer, with a cup of coffee. The somewhat unfortunate thing is my daughter seems to also be a morning person waking up at around 6-6:30AM most mornings (can anyone say apple and tree?  I don't know why I expected anything different). The reason that this is unfortunate is that even though I am a morning person, it requires VERY early hours to get in my desired time in the morning.  So my mornings tend to go something like this… 4-4:30 Wake up (This does not always happen… sometimes the tiredness that comes along with being a mama wins) 4:30ish-5:00ish Quiet time 5-6ish blog work/diaper work/school work 6ish workout (this has not been happening lately, but like I said, I am trying to get BACK in routine :)) 6:30ish BD wakes
Sooooo… my mornings look like this….

So right now I am enjoying my coffee and pondering affiliates and sponsored posts.  For those that don't know about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts, I thought I would share it here this morning and some of my thoughts on it. 
What is affiliate marketing? When businesses pay a small percentage on the total sale when something is bought from a direct link to that business, from a website or blog in my case.  So for example, a while back I posted about two books I was reading.  The links I shared connected to my amazon affiliate account.  Any sales generated from those link would lead to a little (and when I say little I mean little) profit on my part.
What are sponsored posts? In my case, this has been when a business has contacted me with a item they want to share with me for free in exchange for sharing my honest opinion here on the blog.  For example, this post and this post.
Why am I sharing this with you now? That is a good question :) You see I ponder posts like wishing I had started blogging sooner and why I write.  I think about my blog, where it is at and what I want it to be.  I think about "What kind of blogger am I?" And I don't have all the answers to these questions.  I know the I want this blog to be first and for most part of my ministry sharing Christ and living for Him with all my readers.  I also know that for me that does not mean sharing a mini devotion in every post… I share tips and life, and really a bit of everything.  I know some bloggers are pro affiliates and sponsors and some that think you are selling out if you do those things. 
As far as affiliate marketing and sponsored posts I have just started dabbling in these things.  But I do not take this lightly and I promise that I am not just trying to sell you stuff :).  After a lot of pondering my thoughts are this… On affiliates- I am going to start doing these if they fit a post I am already writing or sharing.  Like I said, it is not "just to get you to buy something." It is something I already have or desire to get that I truly believe in.  Let me say this, if I have an opportunity to make a little money for my family, I want to do it.  Even if it is just 12 cents :).  I also know that I am not going to let these take over or change my writing.  Like I said… *if* I see it fit, I will add it.  And *if* I make any money it is a small amount.  And if you really don't like affiliate marketing, you can just skip my direct link all together and go straight to the site.  Then I won't make my 12 cent :)  I will also always let you know when I have included affiliate links… you actually legally have to do this.    On sponsored posts- Like affiliates, I am only going to share things that connect to me and my readers.  When somebody asks me to sponsor something that is not me, I say "Thanks, but no thanks."  
All that being said this blog is an interesting thing.  It is my outlet, I love to write and share.  It is my journal and my baby book at times.  But it is also starting to generate a small amount of income.  So how those things go together… like I said I am figuring it out. But I promise this, my blog will continue to be about, Christ, my family and my readers, not a sales pitch.  And if y'all from time to time support my family through the blog, it will be greatly appreciated! :)

What about you bloggers out there?  Do you do affiliates?  what about sponsored posts?  I know this can be a touchy subject, so be nice :)

Guest Post: Living in the Promise

Guest post time!  This is Christy at Living in the Promise.  She is near and dear to my heart because she is not only a blogger friend ( not that there is anything wrong with that :)), but she is a face-to-face friend.  She started a working mom group this past year that has been such an encouragement to my life.  Anyways, this is one awesome woman and family that God is using.  Take the time to read her post here and check her blog out!

Hi, there! I'm Christy and I blog over at Living in the Promise.

My simple, little blog started about 4 years ago as a means to document my journey with the Lord. I used it as a space to share the lessons I learned from Him and prayer requests. Over time, the space morphed into a more general, lifestyle blog. And it has sort of shifted back and forth from general life to spiritual lessons ever since.

In the past year, a tiny human has invaded my blog space. My sweet little boy is now 9 months old and is growing and developing at lightening speed, or so it seems. I've used the blog to document his many new developments, beginning with weekly bump shots during pregnancy, to posts about breastfeeding and natural deliveries, to monthly update posts.

Despite this new focus, my space has not lost its true identity. Perhaps even more than before, I find it helpful to have a place to share the many things God is teaching me. If you're a parent, I'm sure you can give me a big ol' AMEN to this--but parenting is not easy! Sure, there are endless joys, but there are struggles, big decisions, things change, you question yourself, your patience is tested again and again, and you start comparing yourself to all the mommies you know--not to mention the mommy bloggers, FB groups, and countless articles about things you never knew you cared about before, like the toxicity of sunscreens and the benefits of coconut oil.

Truly, I have found that the only way to survive this parenting gig is to lean heavily on God as my guide, comfort, security, rest, and source of wisdom. You will never find an article or blog post that is 100% genuine and free of bias. Even scientific data can be skewed. And even when you do all that you possibly can, you will make mistakes. Your baby will bonk his head on a metal grate (true story) or you will accidentally feed him honey baked beans (yes, true again!). Or you'll think you're doing a great job feeding him healthy foods only have a nagging feeling that it's not good enough because it's not 100% organic.

The only thing that is consistently the same, that isn't skewed by bias or personal experiences, that never conflicts and never condemns your efforts of doing your best...is God. He guides me to make wise choices and gives me grace when I make mistakes. In my weakness, He is my strength. When I'm frustrated, exhausted, or wondering what in the world I've gotten myself into...God is the source of my renewed patience and energy, and He reminds me of just how blessed I am to be given the opportunity to be a mommy to this little boy.

So now I talk a little more about the miraculous powers of breastmilk and how mindblowingly advanced my baby is (at least in my eyes!), but this little blog of mine still points straight to God. Because without Him, there is no way I could handle all the rest of my crazy, wonderful life!

Thank you Christy for sharing!!! :)

Guest Post: Do it Yourself Refinished Chairs!

My blogging friend Lauren is stopping by today from Sincerely, Lo… her blog inspires me in my marriage and home!  She did an awesome DIY project to share here with my readers today!  

Hello! I'm Lauren, the lady behind Sincerely, Lo

I am a follower of Christ, a wife to the man of my dreams, a fur mama of four and a lover of sweet tea, interior décor and some DIY projects!
Stasia has been so sweet and generous by letting me stop by and share one of my DIY projects on her blog today!

I love home decor. I mean I LOVE home decor. I constantly move furniture around to make our home look fresh, I constantly think of new décor ideas for our home and I love taking junk-y furniture and making it beautiful. I love decorating and making a cold space into a warm, cozy place that I like to call my home. 

If you think you may like the idea of remodeling furniture, GO FOR IT! Seriously, I just started remodeling an old china cabinet one day for the heck of it...and now I cant stop. I am constantly paining or coming up with new ideas for every single piece of furniture I have.
Also, if you are wanting to start remodeling furniture, go to some yard sales! Don't worry about quality. Most of the time when I buy pieces from yard sales, they need some tender loving care with some sandpaper. But, yard sales are a great place to find all types of furniture and it is always so important to stay in a small budget!

These two chairs I purchased at a yard sale about a year or so ago.  I paid only $ 7 for both which I thought was a steal!

What you will need
- chairs that need to be refurbished, painted and made beautiful
- sandpaper to make the chairs smooth
- any color paint that you would like (just go for the quart size, you will have plenty!)
- any fabric that you choose
- a screwdriver to take the seat off of the chair
- a staple gun to attach the fabric to the seat cushion
- your favorite tunes to listen to
- oh, and a glass of sweet tea. because you can never do a project without it :)

Starting out, they were old looking with horrible seat fabric. Just blah and boring. But, they only needed a good cleaning and I was able to get to work pretty quickly :)

PS- Please forgive me for my lighting. I have no idea what was going on with my camera. 

First, I removed the seats from the chair. If you have a chair you have been wanting to fix up, this is very simple. Just take a screwdriver, flip the chair over and unscrew the bottom screws. 

 I am pretty sure it took me thirty minutes to pick out a paint color. 

I am one of those people who will take ten minutes to order at a fast food place because I think it has to be the perfect choice. 

Yes, horrible.

For this, I just chose a small 32 oz can of a very, very baby blue. To some it may look white unless you really take a hard look at it. 

I then took a trip to Hobby Lobby for some fabric. It took me what seemed like 40 minutes to pick out fabric. But they have SO MANY CHOICES. So I had an excuse this time :)

After the painting, I let it dry and then took a staple gun and surrounded the existing fabric with the new fabric. Sometimes, people completely throw out the seat and start fresh with a new seat but the seats on this chair were in great shape so I felt no need to completely start over with a new seat.  

I LOVE the way the chairs turned out!

 They now have a new home in our very front room. 

.....and then my OCD self had to do something with that small table in the middle.
Plus, who doesn't love some pale pink?

PSS- Also, please excuse that light outlet back there. Currently searching for new ones
PSSS- For some reason my lighting made the chairs look splotchy and unfinished on the bottoms. Please ignore :)

There you have it sweet ladies! Super simple and a wonderful first project to start on!
Thank you so much to Stasia for allowing me to share my DIY today!
I would love for you to head on over to my lifestyle blog and travel along with my husband and I as we take on this huge adventure that we all call life :)

XOXO
Lauren