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Friday, October 25, 2013

Blogger Spotlight: Here&Now

I never really thought about it when I typed out the first post on this corner of the Internet, but I have grown to truly cherish what has become my online diary. This is the history of me & that's pretty cool. And today I am super duper happy to add another chapter to that book of me, 2 years of blogging! Pop some bottles :)

In honor of this milestone, I am putting myself in the Blogger Spotlight! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments & I will come back to chat this weekend!
but seriously, if anyone celebrates the giving of blogiversary presents, I'll take that dreamy MK purse please!

One of the most common questions I get is, "what do you know now that you wished you knew at the beginning"... and because saying EVERYTHING doesn't really offer any useful information, I sat down & thought of 10 things. These are all blog lessons that have served me well over the past years (some learned regretfully later than others).


1. It's better to post nothing at all than something not up to your standards. 


2. Build relationships that are meaningful. Build a community with bloggers like yourself, interact on social media, real interaction, like have conversations on Twitter. It's pretty fun.


3. The worst thing that people can say is no. I am still working on this, but I haven't had anyone say no yet... what was I so scared of for so long!?

4. Don't suck at email. If you're a blogger of any degree, it's your job to email. Respond in a timely manner. Use proper grammar. Include a signature line at the bottom.

5. Splurge for that fancy blog design. Seriously do it. People go for the things with pretty packages, that's just human nature. When I finally decided to go for a blog redesign I picked the one that was $$$ & would last me for years, over the one that cost $ & would have only been a patch until I got what I really wanted. Create a beautiful place, create it early, define your brand.

6. Learn something new everyday. Unless you already know it all, and if that is the case come help me!

7. Don't let comparison steal your joy. This one is BEYOND hard. But this quote really put it into perspective for me:
"Wherever you are in life with whatever you're doing – you're going to be ahead of some & behind others. That's okay. Own where you are. Take time to embrace & celebrate that. Continue moving forward. And never compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

8. Take time to live offline. It's pretty cool out there. You don't have to blog about everything.

9. Google it. If you don't know something Google it (or Bing it if that's what you're into). You'd be surprised the things that other people have asked before you. Directly tied to #6.

10. Be nice. Really this one is all you need. Print this out & put it on your wall.


And now because I love you all, I am giving away the Philip Lim x Target mini yellow satchel (stuffed with some of my favorite goodies!)
Unlike most of my giveaways, I am not going to promote this one all over social media. This one is just for the regulars ;)

38 comments:

  1. I am still trying to figure out how to have convo in Twitter. It's still so confusing to me. I LOL when you mentioned the blog design...I have been using a freebie and it was horrible. I finally took the plunge and spend the $$ and I am so glad I did. The redesign just went live today!


    Thank you for hosting the giveaway and Happy Blogiversary!


    Alice
    www.happinessatmdilfie.com

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  2. it is nice to know some facts about you dear and I love the tips you shared on blogging. By the way, I really love the outfit with the dress and denim jacket. :)

    Visit my blog: I
    AM JENNIYA.

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  3. Congrats again! Thanks for sharing your tips.

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  4. I wish we could sit down and chat in person about all these things, because I agree with everything. Building a community really is important...and it includes all the things you talked about...responding to email, asking questions, interacting.


    PS...I also can't leave home without lip balm. Addicted!


    Happy Blogiversary....you're one of my favorites, Jess!

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  5. Happy Blogiversary Jessica!
    PS. Just got back from Nashville and I loved it! So jealous you get to live there :)
    www.xtremelyv.blogspot.com/

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  6. I love that you posted this, it's always great to hear advice from the blogs that you admire! I couldn't agree more with the "build your network" tidbit, it's so important to get to know other people. I love connecting with my blogger friends, we have so much in common!

    I'm tagging a few of my favorite bloggers to join my #SimplyWinterWishlist tag! I'd love for you to join Jessica! Just create your own list and mention that you are a part of the #SimplyWinterWishlist and send me a link to your blog on Twitter (@SimplySabrina) i'll retweet your post :) More details are on my blog, hope you join!

    x. Sabrina | Simply Sabrina

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  7. Congrats again, Jessica! I loved reading your tips–and I agree, being nice goes a long long way!

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  8. Fun giveaway! Thanks for making the rafflecopter easy..those things get complicated sometimes :-)


    PS - I thought we could vote for you more than once. When I clicked the link it just said "thanks for voting for Jessica" & wouldn't let me vote again.

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  9. This is was so fun to read! My 2 year blog anniversary is coming up and I still have a hard time with #1 and #3! I still get that feeling that I need to post something every once in awhile, then again, I have been MUCH better about living offline and blogging for my love of it!

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  10. Thanks for your vote lady! I initially understood the rules to say "vote once per day", but now it looks like a "once vote per person" rule. Go ahead and enter your email in the rafflecopter, I know you voted ;)
    xx

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  11. Happy blogiversary dearest Jessica!! Your blog is one of my favorites! You've come amazingly far in 2 years :) Congrats to you


    www.glitterarygirl.blogspot.com

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  12. I love your list. I so agree with everything. I'm coming up one only 1 year but these are all so spot on. And of course I am soooo crushing on the same bag! I want that luggage color with the pomegranate a close second:)
    Ooh and I neeeed that yellow Philip Lim:)


    www.asequinloveaffair.com

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  13. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! I have been following your blog almost since the beginning and it's been fun watching your blog grow and change...although I still LOVE lots of your older outfits :) Keep it up, lady!!

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  14. These are great tips! I haaave been "meaning to" update my blog design, but I've got to stop putting it off!!


    Bailey
    http://akabailey.blogspot.com

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  15. Congrats on your two year blogiversary, Jessica! Thank you for sharing a new tips! That MK Bag needs to find its way into my closet, too, haha!

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  16. Hoping to win♥ Thank you for this awesome giveaway:)

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  17. This is great advice! Keep it up girl - cheers to 2 years and many more!

    xo, Nina

    afterthe40barfinish

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  18. This is adorable, and you have great tips!

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  19. Thank you for the well wishes! I use HootSuite to manage my Twitter accounts & it's nice to be able to sit and chit chat with some of my buddies during my lunch break... but maybe it isn't everyone's cup of tea.
    xx

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  20. Thank you for following along & for the blogiversary well wishes!
    xx

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  21. I wish we could toooo!
    Thank you for all of your support over the years, and especially you sweet words on this exciting milestone!
    xx

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  22. Thank you dear! And yes, Nashville is pretty awesome. Now if I could just get more time off from work to enjoy it ;)
    xx

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  23. Thank you dear! You definitely win the nice award ;)
    xx

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  24. Yay for your upcoming 2 year milestone! Thank you for your support!
    xx

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  25. Thank you dear! It is exciting and uncharted territory for me, but I'm looking forward to what comes next!
    xx

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  26. Aw, you are so sweet! Thank you for your great support & all the love today!
    xx

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  27. Thank you for all your support, it has been so nice getting to know you through blogging! And yes, the luggage & pomegranate colors are tied for me! Can I just have both ;)
    xx

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  28. Thank you dear! I know you have, I always appreciate your support :) I don't ever want to change, just get better... if that makes sense!
    xx

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  29. Get it girl... I saved up for mine during the first year of blogging & can't imagine wanting to change it any time soon, I'd consider that money well spent!
    Thank you for the blogiversary love!
    xx

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  30. Thank you for the blogiversary love lady! Maybe Santa will be good to all of us this year ;)
    xx

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  31. Thank you dear! I've so had so much fun celebrating!
    xx

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  32. Thank you for all your support Nina! I'll cheers to that ;)
    xx

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  33. great great post and I'm SO bummed I missed this giveaway! I loved learning a little more about you, and these are some wonderful, concise tips, thanks Jessica!

    perfectly priya

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx