So You Want Some Blogging Advice? Here You Have It.

Before we get into today's post I feel like I owe it to all of you who don't actually write a blog to let you know three things...

1. You really should just write a blog. It's life giving. Really. 

2. If you are going to veto my number one, you should probably click on the red x located on the upper right hand corner of your screen. 

3. If you are now confused on if you should just start a blog or click the red x, listen to your heart. Most likely your heart is going to tell you to go eat ice cream and sit on the couch while thinking about what you want to do. Hint: choose this option. It scores you some ice cream people. 

And now. If you do blog--THIS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL BLOG POSTS. 

Caps means this is serious shaz we are about to get into. 

So here's the deal. The big giveaways right? Let's talk about them for a minute. 

Brilliant from a marketing standpoint. Lame because they are overdone. 

So what happens when you take the original brilliant idea and you put a unique twist on it? 

Well, you get this.....

Have you been looking for blog advice but don't know where exactly you should be looking?

Are you a brand new blogger just starting out and find yourself needing some guidance?

Has blogging been a part of your life for a while but you'd like a little help in where to turn to next?

Do you simply just want to grow your blog?

Well then you've come to the right place my friend because this giveaway has your name written all over it!

Erin at TwoThirds Hazel rounded up a group of ladies who have been around the ballpark a time or two when it comes to blogging in order to put this one of a kind giveaway together. We all have some tips, tricks, advice, and guidance that we'd love to shell out in order to help you grow into the best blogger you can be. Whether this be through a Skype session, a back and forth email exchange, a blog critique, a Q&A session, a phone call, a personal jet to pick you up for a private meeting, etc - we're covering all the bases.

All you need to do to enter is check out the participating bloggers, see what awesome package they're offering as a prize, and get to entering the Rafflecopter. And the best part about this giveaway?

THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!

Each randomly selected winner will be paired up with three of the participating bloggers as well as with me.

Therefore each winner will receive four separate blog advice prizes! We're splitting up the prizes so that one winner isn't bombarded with sixteen different sets of opinions and sixteen different sets of ideas on advice. Because that might get a little chaotic and like they say..."nobody got time for that".

Are you excited? We hope so because we certainly are! Let's get this thing started shall we?

Without further adieu, here are the sixteen ladies who have teamed up to put together the "Blog Advice Giveaway".

Erin at Two Thirds Hazel

What you'll win: Each of the five winners will be able to email Erin at any point until the end of eternity (like farther than to infinity and beyond) to ask questions and seek advice.

Brandi at Mama Laughlin

Brandi is offering a phone call or email where you will receive tips from her

on how to grow your blog using the social media form of Pinterest.

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Ashley via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

Mandy at House of Rose

Your blog will be reviewed by Mandy (and her husband!) via recorded screen capture video 

and then they will offer tips on how you can improve. 

Check out an example of this one of a kind opportunity here.

Erin at Living In Yellow

Erin is offering a one hour blogging consultation (done via video chat or phone call)

which will provide you with Q&A, tips and advice.

Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants

Whitney will provide you with a back and forth Q&A session

giving you the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

"Prefer the phone? Let's chat! What about a fun Skype session? Sure! 

Or a good ole email is fine by me too! 

Sky is the limit. Well, I guess in this case-technology is. 

I will take a thorough look at your blog and do my best to answer any questions!"

Raven at Don't Quote the Raven

You will receive a Q&A session via email. 

Anything you ask, Raven will answer...in detail!

Aunie at Aunie Sauce

You will receive a Q&A email session with advice catered to your blog

providing you with a ton of advice and numerous tips to help you grow.

Taylor will visit and review your blog, providing you with an email containing

advice customary to you and your blog.

Stephanie at Beautiful Mess

Receive a three-post editing session:

Pick three of your upcoming blog posts. Send your drafts to Stephanie for her to proofread, 

edit and make suggestions as to how you can easily make your writing more personable, 

appealing, humorous and overall, just more fun to read!

Shanna at Because Shanna Said So

Shanna will answer your top five questions whether this be anything from 

sponsorships, social media, tips to grow and/or how to monetize your blog.

Niki at Glossy Blonde

Two weeks of email consulting during which Niki will answer any questions 

you have about blogging and/or building your brand.

Chelsea at Olive and Ivy

An email with personalized advice and tips catered directly to your blog, 

or a Skype session, or a back and forth Q&A session, etc. Whichever you prefer! 

If you are unsure of what to ask a blog critique can also be given.

Jessica at Jessica Who

 With Jessica you will receive a Q&A session via unlimited emails.

Yes, you read that right...unlimited!

Michelle at The Vintage Apple

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Michelle via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related 

so that you have the knowledge and tools to grow.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Summer Is Like A Permanent Weekend. Kinda.

Please tell me you are all "oh my gosh I am obsessed with Summer" right now too.  I just can't get enough.  Sunshine, beer, friends, family, beer, sunshine, etc.  Gosh it's good. And you know--Summer makes even the weekdays seem a little bit more tolerable.  Something about not being in pajamas and under a blanket on the couch by 5:30 pm, but rather having to wash your feet off at 10 pm after finally coming inside for the day. That's like one of my favorite times of the day lately. Yes, the time where I wash the dirt off my feet at 10 pm. It's a little mental "job well done on taking full advantage of this awesomeness right now" note my mind makes every time I have to do it.  On that note, cheers to dirty feet?
Now that we are on that awkward visual lets switch over to what life has been like lately in these parts. We will start with Thursday because I feel there are very valuable lessons to be learned from each day since then. 
The first thing you need to know is this: If you are ever invited to go out for dinner and drinks on a work night to somewhere that houses live music, SAY YES. I don't care if you will be tired the next day, have an early morning meeting to get to, think that pizza should only be consumed on "cheat days", or whatever lame excuse you can think of. You will absolutely think this was the best decision you have ever made on a Thursday evening. Throw on a cute new top and squirm that little butt of yours all throughout dinner to that live music. Life is better lived. Amen and amen. 

Secondly, just because you went out on Thursday night doesn't mean you should stay in Friday night.  Rally those troops of yours and demand you go somewhere that you can sit outside. Once there, ask your male friend to lead the table in a cheers that will turn into one of the funnier speeches you have heard. 

Third, go see the movie The Internship. It is funny and will have you searching for open Google jobs the second you get home. Any workplace that has napping pods and free food available at your disposal is a workplace that both you and I need to take advantage of. See you there. 
Fourth, make about 12 servings too much of macaroni and cheese. Why? Because why not?

recipe found here
And last, make sure somebody in your family has a sweeter than sweet lake house (read: house, not 700 square foot cottage) that you can spend Fathers Day at. Just something about the beauty of what's in front of you will make you love your father more. This is important because your dad will expect that you treat him nice on this particular day and sometimes, you need all the help you need. That's a joke dad. 

my dad. the pimp of all pimps. 

 dress found here

Oh wait, one final lesson we all need to be aware of.  If a man wants to sleep, just let him sleep. 

Get it grandpa.

And there we have it.
Now go get those feet dirty.

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Today's featured sponsor is Gayle from Grace of Gayle.

You know those people you come across in blogland and they end up being one your biggest supporters and you know that she will always have your back and you will have hers? Insert this beautiful soul. Get to know her a little bit better than shower her with love and support. I can almost guarantee she will give it right back.

When did you start blogging and why?

I have been blogging since 2004, but after some tough "life" stuff in 2011, I wanted a fresh start. I personally experienced the incredible grace of God, and Grace for Gayle seemed like a perfect title—because God's grace is sufficient for me.

You just won a million dollars. What's the first thing you would buy?

Oh, wow.  This is a hard question!  I keep typing something and changing my answer.  I don't know if this is the FIRST thing I would buy, because maybe I just need a bag of chips at the store when I just so happened to win the lottery.  But I would donate most if not all of it.  I do not need anything, and there are lots of people a million dollars could help besides me. :)

I don't know. I personally think the bag of chips is a genius answer....

If you could summarize your blog in three words or less, what would you say?

Authentic, honest, real.

If you could offer one piece of advice to a new blogger, what would it be?

I would advise you to not compare yourself to anyone else.  This is actually my general life advice, and something I frequently, FREQUENTLY say is:  "Comparison is the thief of joy."  Don't compare!  Don't look at the big blogs and get overwhelmed, don't look at the cliques and feel left out, just don't do it.  Be yourself, reach out, comment on other blogs, and be a kind person.  And don't compare. :)

well said friend..well said. 

Blog // Bloglovin // Twitter

Communicating With A Man

And yup. This about sums up our house lately. 

Happy communicating friends. 

ps. but seriously--it is not about the nail ;)

On Breadwinners, Ice Cream, and Blogging.

Before we begin today's question and answer session I have a few house keeping items to cover.
1. It's hotter than balls outside right now. I just thought you should know this in case you can see the nice grease glare I'm giving off through your computer screen. 
2.  Several of you have asked if you can purchase last month's Love, Yellow items. As much as I would love to say yes, I'm going to have to say no on this one. It has to do with the surprise factor. SO. If you trust my opinion enough (that's scary) take the leap of faith and make the Love, Yellow purchase during the eligible time period (ie: that would be this week for July's theme). Remember, if you hate it--you just send it back and all monies are returned right back to you. This will result in you feeling like you are getting free money at that point in time so really, no matter what way you look at this it's a great investment. This month's theme is maxi and I promise you one thing--it will be cute. 
3. Thank you so incredibly much for all of your sweeter than sweet feedback on our lake cottage renovations. You all made my husband and I feel like maybe it was worth it. Now whether or not we will own that sucker for much longer is up for debate. Any takers? ;)
4. That's all the house keeping items I had for now, which is honestly the most house keeping I've done in several years. 
5. Oh wait. My dad proudly sent me this picture tonight and asked that it be published on living in yellow because well, it is certainly a flower that is living in yellow. Here is your flowers debut father!!! 

Thanks for growing such beautiful water iris's dad. Just one of the many reasons we all love you. On that same token, who here is ready for him to make his third appearance on this blog? Raise your hand now. 
Okay moving upward and onward. Questions and Answers. Holler back youngin, let's begin. 
1. Tausha wants to know "How do you blog so frequently while working and having a social life? Do you schedule posts in advance? Write in bulk?" 

Well Tausha I'll tell you how. I take these pills that calm me down every so often and I drink wine every evening. I have somehow become this dedicated person who vows to write a post every evening (so no, I never write in advance or in bulk although it's a nice thought that I should consider) whether that means right when I get home from work or 11 pm after I get in for the evening. It's not easy and it can be extremely exhausting but have I ever regretted writing a post? Absolutely not. With that being said though, I have fallen WAY behind on every other aspect in blogging. I started blogging to write posts, not to answer emails every evening. So while I wish I could be more on top of things, it's not going to happen working 40 hours a week and maintaining a fun social life. As with everything, it's all about give and take while striving to find a balance that you secretly know you will never reach ;)
Can I just address something else right now? Don't you bloggers wish that people who didn't blog know exactly how time consuming this "hobby" is? It could easily be a full time job (and is) for many people. Real cool being such a time suck blogging, real freakin cool. 
2. Kim asks "If you were stranded on a deserted island with one cocktail/beverage, which would you choose?" 

First of all, if I ever find myself stranded on a deserted island I probably won't live long enough to have to make this decision. I have a strong inclination my survival skills aren't that great. I've gotten really good at saying "Husband. Can you do this for me? I don't know how" over the years. But, if I somehow stuck it out I would say vodka/water. This way I can stay hydrated while bouncing around on an island all to myself. Plus, the calories are pretty light in this drink and if I'm on an island you know I'm going to be rocking a bikini. But seriously people, rescue me if this ever happens. 
3. Heather was curious and wanted to know "Do you tan consistently or do you just always have tan skin?" You see, I was that really awesome girl in high school who went to a tanning bed EVERY SINGLE DAY. I thought it was so cute to look like fried chicken constantly. 

I have since backed off the whole having to purchase foundation that was not made for Caucasians stage. Thankfully I am a little darker complected and I can get tan lines on my lunch hour sitting outside for 25 minutes. I will hit up the tanning bed before a vacation in the winter or if I am feeling especially ugly (what? we all have those days right?) but I try to stay away as much as possible. Although looking back at that picture I should probably pick up the pace because dang, that was hot. 

4. Jules asked something that a few of you were curious on "What does your husband do that allows you to own a home, a lake cottage, and take several vacations at such a young age?" 

Shawn and I spent entirely way too much time thinking of some awesome answer for what his occupation is. He thought he should be the person who invented the cordless telephone and I thought he should settle on being a pro croquet player. Certainly anything "pro" has to make some cash right? But no. He has a normal old title of Account Manager for a local company that sells rubber parts to the automotive industry and other exciting places like air conditioning companies. At least I think that's what they do? I try to listen to his stories while scrolling through Instagram and we all know how that goes. It doesn't. But here's how we actually are able to do what we do. For starters, we don't have kids or college debt. This may or may not be because some of us didn't attend college but that's whatever. Secondly, we save as much we are able to on a monthly basis. I have learned that if you just set-up your direct deposit to actually go into a savings account, it's a lot more apt to stay there. Because we are dedicated to building up our savings account it allows us the opportunities to spend on some bigger items when the opportunity arises. We are not fans of debt and aside from mortgages, we try to stay away from it at all costs. If I don't have the cash to pay for it, I don't need it. Thank you mom and dad for teaching me your wise ways. 

5. Ending on an easy one that doesn't require much thought or explanation...Helene asks "What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Hash tag I ask the hard hitting questions." Hash tag lemon and peanut butter combined. Don't knock it til you try it. And when you do try it, get ready for an explosion of goodness in your mouth. Oh right. That was an awkward statement.

So you have a question you need to ask? Go for it. 
We may as well keep this series going until I'm at least 82. Shoot by that time we can cover what it feels like to wear Depends, compression socks, and hairnets. It's bound to get sexy up in here.