The Mosbys in China

3.05.2013

A Hot Mess

You know, I've heard that phrase several times.

But now that I think about it, I'm not really sure if it's referring to something dirty or not.

And I'm not gonna google it. That would be bad.

For the record, I'm choosing naivety.

And this "hot mess" title is solely referring to a pre menopausal, sweaty girl.

Er. I'm not sure if that sounds any better...

First off, can I just say, I love this post. It is so, so very encouraging to me.

I love how she talks about loving herself.

In an "in the future when Heather gets braver and finds the words" blog post,

I will comment more on that post and my personal struggle to love myself.

I love the honesty and vulnerability she writes with. Love it! Read.

Let's just imagine we're big stuffed Teddy bears and love ourselves today!

Also, it seems that Spring is on it's way in Qingdao. The sun is shining and I am sweating. Awesome. ;)

Have I mentioned before how I love the cold?! ;)

Also also, the last few days my face is incredibly flushed! What's the dealio? I feel like I'm in menopause! Anyone else have this problem???

Flushed & sweaty. That's me. A hot mess.

{Sweat and flush credited to my fantastic Pic Monkey skills. The hair is natural bed head. I know. I know. How does it look SO good? Can't help it.}

Speaking of my mad Pic Monkey skills. Please feel free to hire me as your blog designer. I am clearly really good with anything to do with Photo editing. I really go for the realistic look in my work.

For the past week and a half I've been white sugar and gluten free. Let me tell you. It's been wonderful. I feel a thousand times better health wise and generally feel "good."

{Let's just ignore the fact that I said I am flushed-- so that this statement is still legit.}

<--- This is a huge improvement for me! Most days I feel "not good" with no real cause.

Have you guys read Wheat Belly?

Our friends keep telling us to read it. I think I will. :) I'm sure I'll let you know all the details of how wheat is killing our bodies once I'm finished reading it. ;)

I'm totally jealous of Jessica {from JMN Way} and her hubs much deserved vacation getaway! Zachary and I need to plan something like this pronto.

Now, if only I could think of someone who has a house on an incredibly beautiful lake that still has some snow around it??

This gorgeous picture is hijacked from Jessica's post Our Little Getaway.

Check her out people.

She has a fantastic looking pumpkin pasta dish up!

Don't worry, I haven't read Wheat Belly yet! Eat it up folks! ;) And then please tell me, in detail how delicious is it so I can live vicariously through you & your wheat delicacies.

That's all folks.

Stay dry & unflushed.

And don't forget to hug yourself.

Oh, sweet. The fire alarm is going off in school right now.

Is it terrible that I can barely hear it? Or that I am still blogging while it's going off??

Okay, I couldn't help it. I googled "hot mess."

And according to Urbandictionary.com, I mean it's a really legit source guys, there's like a gazillion different definitions of/uses of "a hot mess."

I think you can just make up your own definition.

I'm thinking about writing my own for Urban Dictionary with my fab Pic Monkey Picture.

Okay. Really now. "Bye, I'm outtie!"

Please name the 1990s movie that has that phrase?

3.03.2013

Blogging Resources from Bloggers Like You

I am fairly new to this whole blogging game but I imagine that no matter how old I get at it,

I will always click on those posts that contain blogging tips and ways to improve your blog.

That's what we should do, right?

We should always, in all things we do, seek to be better.

And so with each click towards a new blogging idea, tip or criticism, I hope to become a better blogger.

My guess is, that you do to.

And so, I give you;

My {baby} Tips for Blogging:

{I say baby because I am not a professional and this little blog here only made it's way to the blog world about 6 months ago. But in those 6 months, I've picked up a few things that have helped me become a little better with each post.}

1. Write. A no brainer, but it needs to be said. The more you write, the more you develop your voice, the more your creativity juices flow! Write.write and write some more. Write your heart out.

2. Treat your blog like a business. One of my favorite bloggers, Erin, wrote that she always treats her blog like a business. I don't know all the details as to what that means to her, though judging by her daily, hilarious and character filled content, I can guess, but to me that means:
Responding to comments
Advertising
Posting regularly
Following through
Treating swap sponsors, as if they were, paid sponsors
Brainstorming ways to promote paid sponsors shops or blogs

3. Take lots of pictures. I find that if I keep my camera on me at all times and take pictures of life as I go, I have tons more to write about and inspiration for writing.

4. Keep a blogging notebook on you at all times. I use my planner, but I make sure to write all the blogging ideas I have down, when I have them, so that I have great ideas for times when the juices aren't really flowing.

Their Tips for Blogging:

If you want to hear from the professionals, I know you do, {they have far greater ideas than I} I have asked my favorite, side bar ladies this month, their best blogging advice, as well as, compiled a list of my favorite blogging posts, from bloggers like you, below.

Enjoy! And cheers to better blogging!

Blog // Twitter // Facebook

- Prepare your posts in advance. For me, that means writing the majority of my posts on the weekend so that I am not overwhelmed during the week.

- Write and write and write until you think you've found your voice. Then, write some more. When you have found your voice, the followers will come.

Blog // Twitter // Facebook

-Be Genuine. I really love to make friends in the bloggy world and the only way to develop lasting friendships is be honest about who you are. When you write posts, write sincerely. The blogs I read every day are the ones who share about real things, finding beauty in the tough stuff and struggles. This could look differently for everyone and a sincere post could be about your heart for the lost or the excitement of new life. No matter what it is, write with a true heart.

-Reach out to other bloggers. If you are like me and you want to make friends, you'll have to connect with them first! My bloggy bestie reached out to me when I first started blogging and I am so grateful. We really are great friends who talk all the time. She has encouraged me through some hard times and is always honest with me. The only difference between her and my other friends is I don't get to see her! So go on and comment on posts you love and encourage others girls in a sincere matter!
-Decide why you blog and stick to it. I really do believe I have a purpose in blogging and I usually write what I feel the Lord has given me to write. Do the same.. find your purpose in blogging and then set out to do it!
-Have fun. Enter/host giveaways, write funny posts, and be yourself! My blogging experience has been surreal. I still don't know how I went from writing a post about grocery shopping to winning some giveaways making a fool of myself ;) It has been amazing and totally worth every effort I have put into it!

Blog // Twitter // Bloglovin

-Keep your blog neat. Busy, messy pages are a blogger turn-off. It sends me running every time!

- Make sure you aren't a "no-reply blogger". I love responding to comments, but I want to make sure you actually get my response

- Blog for you and not for popularity!

Blog // Twitter // Facebook

- Give your blog personality....YOURS! Don't be afraid to let people know who you are.

- Don't compare your blog to others, you'll go crazy. Instead let them inspire you to create a blog that people will want to hang out at.

Blog // Twitter // Facebook
-Be yourself! It's your blog after all. If you're worried about who's reading it and what they like, then your heart won't really be in it. If you love it, blog about it. If you don't, forget about it.

Blog // Instagram // Facebook

-Write about what your love: Write about what it is important to you, that will come out in your writing. Don't get caught up in linkups if it is content they you don't care about.

-Make a flexible schedule: I have a running list of the posts that I have pending to publish, and those that I need to work on. I just throw them on my Google calendar to remind me of what is happening that day on the blog.

-Have a Journal with You: I am constantly inspired for future blog posts...so I carried 1-2 mini notebooks everywhere I go. It helps me brainstorm, collect my thoughts and remind me for future posts...

Blog // Twitter // Bloglovin

-Write about what YOU love, not what you think others want you to write. For so long I catered my writing to others and blogging felt like such a chore. Once I started writing about what I was passionate about not only did it show in my writing but I always began enjoying the process more than I ever had before.

Want even more advice?

Blogging Lessons Part 1 @ Living in Yellow

Blogging Lessons Part 2 @ Living in Yellow

Embrace your blog @ Living in Yellow

Can you really make money blogging? @ Living in Yellow

Survey Results @ Living in Yellow

Blogging Advice @ Living in Yellow
How to make a Blog Button @ The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart
Blog Freebies: Arrows @ Olive&Ivy Blog
Sponsoring other Blogs @Olive&Ivy Blog

How to Grow Your Blog @ Royal Daughter Designs
How to make Product Collages @ A Beautiful Mess
How to make the most out of Sponsorship @The Shine Project
50 Ways to drive Massive Traffic to your Blog @ Ask a PR Girl
How to Grow your Blog and More @ All Things Thrifty

If you know of any great blogging links or have your own posts about blogging on your blog,
send me the URLs! I'd love to add more resources to this list!!

If you want to check out even more blogging resources {I know I can't get enough!} check out my Blogging Board on Pinterest.

What's your best blogging advice or resource?