Blogging A-Z: About Me & Blogger Love v.43

Welcome to the first installment of Blogging A-Z.  Today, A is for "About Me".

When I find a new blog, whether it be from twitter, recommendations (like Blogger Love), or comments left on one of my posts, I like to first start at the About Me page.  It's the best way, in my opinion, to get to know the blogger in a few short minutes.

There are a few things that make an "About Me" page catch my attention.  

Pictures.  I like to see who you are, plain and simple.  Show me a picture of yourself!  Include one of your family or furbabies, if you blog about them frequently.  The one thing I don't like with pictures is if they are overwhelming.  A good rule of thumb is 2-4.  

Likes and Dislikes.  I have been known to follow a blogger just based on these facts.  It's a quick glimpse in to your personality!

Favorite/Most Popular Posts.  Show off your best content!  This is a great place to put your top posts, or posts you are particularly proud of.  It gives me insight on how you perceive your blog and what you like to write about.

Length.  Generally, I like a shorter, to the point "About Me" page.  If it is loaded with pictures or paragraphs, I generally skip most of it.

Here are a few examples of "About Me" pages that I admire:

Whimsical September

Besides having gorgeous photos, I like how Erica tells us about each family member with pictures.  She also incorporates her favorite/most popular posts within the content of her "About Me".

Flowers in My Hair

It's safe to say that I love everything Nina puts on her blog - but this "About Me" is perfect in my opinion.  It's easy to read, concise, and has the perfect amount and size of pictures.  You really get a sense of who Nina is just by reading this!

What do you think?  What makes a great "About Me" page for you?  I know we all have different opinions, so I'd love to hear yours! 

Truth be told - I've had "redo my About Me page" on my blogging to-do list for months now.

This week for Blogger Love, I have two favorite posts I'd like to share with you!

"My Blog is Giving Me a Complex" by The Rachael Way.  I think we (bloggers) have all felt this way a time or two!

"On My List: Upcoming Fall TV" by Becoming Adorrable.  I always listen to Becca's suggestions - and have saved a few of these!

Do you have some posts by others that you'd like to give special attention to?  Link up below!

Thank you for the tips and tricks given for my new budget.  So far, so good (even though I realize we are only five days in!).  Also, the code of RIGHTSTUFF for 30% off any spot is still active - just a few more uses left if you are interested!

Have a great weekend everyone!

An InLinkz Link-up

Budgeting Is.... Awesome?

Yes, friends, yes it is.  I haven't always felt this way - I thought it was too restrictive and wouldn't allow for those spontaneous shopping trips or weekend getaways.

For the month of April, I put myself on a spending freeze.  Overall, I surprised myself.  Not buying anything for myself all month worked, for the most part.  But at the end of the month I was left confused - how could I make myself a budget, and stick with it?

For the month of May, I tracked everything I spent on myself and the girls.  Clothes, makeup, food, drinks, basically anything that was just for me, or clothes/accessories/toys just for the girls.  Again, I was shocked.  But not in a "I-did-so-awesome!" kind of way.  More of a "omg-I-spent-WHAT" kind of way.  I did get some great things, which will be shared with you in the near future.  But my new things are a little over shadowed by the number that is glaring in my mind!

So, for June, I've come up with a plan.  I decided to go with a cash only system, and have given myself a certain amount to spend each month.  Some for me, some for the girls.  I will occasionally use credit cards - when it's double points day, or I have a coupon that can only be used with the card.  When that happens, I will take cash from my wallet and set it aside to pay our nanny each week.  I am so dedicated to this, that today over my lunch break I marched over to the bank and took out my monthly spending amount.  Systems work, friends!

In honor of my new-found commitment to budgets, I thought linking up with Anne for the Awesome List was a great idea!

Budgets Are Awesome!

|| It will help me determine what I want, vs. what I need.  (A lesson I need to learn!)

|| Anything that I don't spend will be rolled over to the next month.  Maybe one month in the future I will have enough to make a large splurge!

|| I will be saving money for our upcoming move = new furniture, decor, and paint!

|| I can start to teach E and A about budgeting.  If there is a certain toy they want, they will need to choose wisely.

|| Someone has to offset my husbands spending.  Golf is not my friend!

|| Towards the end of the month, I have a feeling I will be forced to eat at home more often.  Saving money and saving calories.

Have you put yourself on a strict budget?  How does it work for you?  I welcome any and all tips!

Also, if you are on a budget but still want to sponsor someone - I am having a 30% off sale with code RIGHTSTUFF (yes, that is a nkotb reference).  Limited uses!

Blogger Love v.43 + Chits & Giggles

Happy Friday friends!  I hope you all had a great week - I know I did.  It's finally summer here and we have been taking full advantage of the sun and heat.

In blogland, I announced the beginning of Blogging: A to Z, which is a series I'm starting with tips on what has worked for me while starting and growing this blog.  I'm excited to hear what works for you too!

I also shared my exciting night with New Kids on the Block with you all - and I'm still in love with them as I was 25 years ago.

If you haven't entered yet, there is a giveaway going on for a Target giftcard!

Today, I have a special blogger to introduce you to - Kristyn from Chits & Giggles.  Kristyn writes about blogging tips to book reviews and everything in between.  Want to learn a little more?  Keep reading below!

You have some great book reviews on your blog.  What are some of your favorites, and why?

Reading is something that I absolutely love to do.  Just ask my husband...he doesn't understand how I can just read book after book.  List out my favorite books is going to be so hard.  I have reviewed so many books, but I think that some of my favorites are ones that I remember.  Either something shocking happens (like in Gone Girl), or the story just resonates with me (like in Firefly Lane).  

I also think that where you are in life can affect how you feel about a certain book.  There are books that I enjoyed, but probably would have loved much better if I had been in a different place in my life.

How did you come up with your blog name?  What were some of the other options?

My husband (boyfriend at the time) gets full credit for coming up with Chits & Giggles.  He loved that it was a play on words and that it was something memorable.  I just liked that he came up with it randomly one night.  My old blog name was complete BLAH and it needed to be changed.  I have stuck with my husband's suggestion ever since then. 

What's the best piece of blogging advice you've received?

I think the best thing I realized too late was that to be consistent doesn't mean you have to post 5 times a week.  I remember there were all these bloggers saying you had to post 5 times a week, and I'm sorry but that just doesn't work for everyone.  I can't come up with decent content that often, so I really suffered in that arena for a while.  Now, I post M-W-F and usually have my week's posts up by Sunday night.  That just is such a relief and something you need to do if you want to keep a home life/blog balance.  

If you could go back in time, is there any part of your life you would do-over?  When is it and why?

I think I would change high school.  I loved parts of it, but I was so involved in colorguard and winterguard that I couldn't really have a life in high school.  I was also so busy that I couldn't really get into trouble - I barely had time to breathe, let alone start drinking alcohol.  

 Thanks Kristyn!

I also wanted to share some of my favorite posts with you for Blogger Love!

"How to Manage Multiple Instagram Accounts" by Love the Here and Now

"Anyway." by Flowers in My Hair

"Facebook: The Beast Has Died" by Chits & Giggles

Link up your favorites below, and find some new to you bloggers this weekend!

An InLinkz Link-up

Introducing: Blogging A to Z

First things first, I'm the realest I'm not a blogging expert.  I don't think any of us are.  Each of us knows what works for our blogs, and know that those things vary from blogger to blogger.  With that said, I have found some things that work great for me over the past year, so I am here to share those with you!

Every couple of weeks, I will share a tip or two - making my way from A to Z.  With some help from Melissa, I've come up with a list of items to share, but I'm happy to share my thoughts on specific items you would like to hear about.  Let me know in the comments if you have any burning questions!

I've also changed a few things to my sponsor program, which will be in effect starting in June.  I am planning on a new way to highlight you, my sponsors, which I think will be fun!  If you'd like to be a part of it, check out all of the options here.

I can't wait for the first post in this new series - check back next week!