Blogging for Dummies

I have wanted to start a blog for quite some time now.  I started following blogs about a year and a half ago and have been obsessed since, racking up nearly 20 blogs that I follow daily!  Now that I have finally taken the first step and actually created this little space, I was feeling really inadequate that my blog didn't look as aesthetically pleasing as some of the more 'established' blogs that I follow.  But, alas, I am not a full time blogger, so I can't put 100% of my time, energy, or money into making this space shine like I would want. Instead, it's a little bit more about the elbow grease.  Instead of hiring a professional site designer, I figured a little googling should do the trick... It did!  Since creation, I have spruced up my portion of the blogosphere and have done a little DIY blog enhancing.  Check out where I found some great tutorials:

*note, some of these may be geared toward Blogger as opposed to Word Press or other blogging platforms*

 I feel so official giving my readers (whoever you may be) a way to connect with me-- especially through bloglovin, who wants to be my first follower? Here's where I found some great tips.  

I used the same concept and coding as I did for my social media buttons, to make the graphic above link back to my home page.  Readers can click it and jump back to my main page with my most recent post.

I made my own custom tabs (aka screen shots of a word document, shh don't tell!) and used this coding to make them work for my blog.

Here's how I added the Instagram slideshow on the side of my blog.

Finally, for an extra little touch, I made my pictures 'pinable' so that readers (again, whoever you are) can Pin easily!

There is so much more that I want to do with my space on the world wide web, but for now I am more than happy with what I have created.  To all you aspiring bloggers, take it from a newbie-- you just have to start!  I hope that this gives you the extra little push to put yourself out there, and to look good while doing it!

Come On In

I am so excited to be able to share with you a very special place created by a very special person!  Nicole Alfonso, one of my nearest and dearest friends, just recently moved into her very first apartment.  Check out her adorable space and learn a little bit more about this great gal.  

"My roommate and I recently just moved to a new apartment that we will be living in while attending grad school in Fort Worth! My room got a little bit of an update when I added the new vanity/desk. The living areas are furnished with a combination of both of our items that came together quite nicely. This is the first time I will be living off campus, cooking my own food, and paying bills. Let's just say I have a lot to learn about all of those things!"

"Lately I have been drawn to all things metallic gold and white, as you can probably tell. I love mixing glass and modern pieces with soft, more feminine items. I usually don't mix a lot of different colors, but will often use the same shade of the main colors as accent pieces. I love for my areas to look clean, sleek, and open!"

 

"I follow a lot of different bloggers, design companies, and stores to get inspiration on about different trends, but I like to mix different elements from each to make my own style! My mom knows a lot about design, and tends to always be redoing our house, which inspires me as well."

"I do not discriminate when shopping, whether it comes to home furnishings or clothing, so my stuff comes from a bunch of different places! Home Goods, IKEA, McKinney's Third Monday Trade Days, Anthropologie, and Target pretty much cover the items currently in my room. A lot of stuff in my room is a result of my crazy DIY problem, so Hobby Lobby and Michael's should be included on that list as well."

 "My headboard is definitely my favorite DIY I've done in my room. I was looking for one about a year ago, but couldn't find one that would go with the rest of the items I already had. I figured the only way I could get something in my price range that would coordinate was to do it myself. It was simple to make, and I still use it today! I also redid all the furniture that I purchased at Trade Days, as well as the desk/vanity that I purchased from IKEA!"

Thanks so much Nicole for letting me share your space!  Lucky that I have such talented friends with an eye for design that I get to share with the blogoshpere.

30 Before 30

I am not even sure how this came about, but Sophomore year of college a few of my friends and I came up with personal 30 before 30 lists-- a list of 30 things to complete before we turned 30.  At the time, I don't think I was even 20.  Now two solid years into my 20's I need to get going on some of these lofty plans!

Above is the original copy circa 2010 (maybe 2011?).  Just incase you can't read my very legible (not) handwriting, here it is all spelled out for you:

1)  Graduate

Bitter sweet, but I did it!

2) Move to New York City

Woo hoo, just check out my whole blog to see the city fun I'm having!

3) Get a job

I now work here

4) Go to Europe

Recently went on a Mediterranean Cruise

5) Throw my parents' 50th birthday parties (1/2 way done)

6) Go white water rafting

7) Follow a concert tour

8) Go back to my hometown in Washington State

9) Write a book

10) Keep in touch with college friends (So far so good!)

11) Buy a pair of Louboutins

12) Go home every year for Christmas

13) Send in a Post Secret

14) Learn to surf

15) Meet John Mayer

16) Get a new car

17) Get my cosmetology license

18) Always collect fortunes

19) Go on the ferris wheel in Paris

20) Cook a whole cookbook

21) Go to Vegas

22) Run a marathon

23) Read the whole Bible

24) Go on a mission trip

25) Get a dog

26) Start a new collection

I decided on candles!  Easy to give, easy to get, and they smell fab.

27) Learn to play an instrument

Took a grueling semester of piano for a one hour credit while in college.  Let's just say lots of tears were shed both in and out of class.. 

28) Learn a new language

29) Do a power hour (attempted-- not successful.. must try again before it is socially unacceptable!)

30) TBD.. 

I will keep you all posted about any progress that is *hopefully* made on this daunting list! 

Weekend Beach Bum

Last minute I was invited out to my long time great friend's summer home on Long Island in the beach town of Oakdale.  I have been coming here since I was in middle school, spending about a week here during the summers.  It was so nice to be able to come back for a quick weekend trip!

This little beach community is so unique.  Everyone knows everyone since most of the families have owned homes here for a couple generations.  The community is made up of small bungalows like this one.  They are all so unique and all combine together to make the sweetest town.

 

We went out on the boat, something I haven't done since last summer!  Reminds me of great times spent on the lake in Texas.  But unlike Texas, we took a quick boat ride to the beach!  How lucky am I that I now live in a city where the beach is just a short train or car ride away?

Couldn't get enough of these gorgeous views.  We lucked out with only a little bit of rain followed by beautifully clear skies and lots of sun (trust me I have a sunburn to prove it)

It was so much fun catching up with old friends as well as making new ones!  Lucky that I have a friend in the city who also has great friends that I get to spend time with!

Great greenery on Fire Island.  Here is a picturesque view while making our way out to the beach on the island.

We spent today at the beach on the bay in the neighborhood (see pic below).  Such a relaxing weekend in such a pretty place! 

To say I am exhausted after such a fun filled weekend is an understatement -- but making such fun memories is what I live for!  Last minute trips are perfectly unplanned and so sweet that they easily become some of my favorite!  

Happy Heart

* Testing out blogging on the road using the Blogger App! Formatting isn't quite so easy, but you get the gist! 

Check out a couple things that are filling up my heart lately.

Had a great time with friends enjoying a much needed and much missed margarita in the Financial District. 

Made a pit stop at the pop up Bauble Bar shop in SOHO and found my new go to necklace. 

Came across this sweet picture of one of my most memorable weeks with this boy. 

Reminiscing about Texas in the form of art.