Hi Everyone! It has been well over a year since my last reader survey. I am trying hard to continue challenging myself, grow readership, try new things, improve on the classic, etc etc etc. It would be very helpful if you could fill out this 8 question survey sometime today or this weekend.

Happy Friday!

Most of the time I am good about my writing schedule. I get the posts out about products, I get the book reviews post out (Though I’m totally behind schedule on that and was supposed to have one up today), I get myself to knock out weekending posts on sunday night, etc. I do it because if I let myself off the hook then nothing would ever get done. It’s the same with working out, it’s the same with cooking at home and making my lunch for work instead of buying it. Do it, do it, it’s important. Push through and just do it. *Nike Swoosh Inserted Here* But then sometimes, every once in a while, I remember that this is my...

After many, many, many people asked for an insta-wall tutorial, I finally got my act together … and had Kamel write something up. Ahh teamwork! You’ll want to bookmark this page for future framing projects! And thank you Kamel for writing up this awesome tutorial. <3 Before starting out, I would highly recommend picking out frames, or your preferred display method. This will save you lots of angst later on. So head on over to your favorite frame shop (we like Aaron Brothers, especially during their legendary penny sales) and buy up as many frames as you would like for your display. Selecting the frames or how to show your...

Yesterday I drew the name for the winner of the 3rd Better In Real Life Book List via Random.org. And Maris is the winner! Hooray! It also just so happens to be her birthday this month, so that is incredibly timely. Hint: There may be some future book-related give away so stay tuned and pay close attention to the book reviews. You never know when a giveaway could pop up. They are wily! Some other housekeeping items: I had a lot of questions about the Vegas.com post I ran last week or the week before. No, it was not sponsored in the sense that I was paid to write it, yes I was asked to promote a side project they had running for the month of...

The notes and comments I received yesterday and today have been so incredibly supportive, I want to thank everyone – those who comment regularly, those who email me, and those who just lurk. I really appreciate the willingness to participate even on the basest of levels. Writing is a lonely thing. Not always, sometimes it is amazing and euphoric, but a lot of the time it is me, at my computer, (unfortunately) beating myself up over a sentence or wracking my brain to figure out exactly how to say something. It may seem like I write a blog, I get constant feedback, and wow Lauren how many more accolades do you really need?! But it...

I have been keeping a blog for 10 years. Some of it does not exist anymore, but some of it still does – which YIKES. In those 10 years I have always greatly loved this format. It has been a huge resource for me and a huge outlet and excellent writing practice. This is the first time that I am finding myself questioning if I want to continue this space and that is scary. If I am being super honest I have felt my confidence greatly shaken in the last few months as far as my ability to write interesting, engaging articles. I have major concerns that my posts are dull and lifeless, repetitive, vapid. I rarely feel they are initially, but...