The Peculiar Treasure Turns 4 + Things I've loved This Year

I find it hard to believe, but my blog is officially four years old! When I started this blog, it was simply a place to write about my life, and I had no idea that blogging was it's own world of community, niches, and monetization. I didn't realize that I would end up finding my passion, and I sure as heck didn't know what I was doing. I just wanted to write without obligation, and without being graded (it was my senior year of college as an English major).

I rarely wrote anything at all for the blog. I would go months at a time without posting. That's not what I am counting as four years. The four years started when I realized I could make something of this little space on the internet. I still had no idea what I was doing (literally no idea!), but that was the start of something that would grow and become my career goal and my passion. So as bad as I was at blogging back then, I am so glad that I started a blog.

To celebrate the 4 year Blogiversary of The Peculiar Treasure, I am sharing my favorite things from the past year, both from my own blog and from around the internet! 

Growing In God

Over the past year, I feel like I have had a lot of great growing opportunities when it comes to my faith. I think the biggest part of that was the Hebrews Bible study I attended at my husband's seminary. This is where I learned Why We Can Come to God With Confidence, what the character of Jesus is (and why it matters), and how to live a life that is defined by God's promises. 

And though my growth was only a meager improvement, it still has helped me grow and learn things like How to Find and Use Your Spiritual Gifts, Why We Should Stop Being So Easily Pleased, and recognizing these 4 Things That Keep Christians From Growing. I have also learned The #1 Reason We Should Love Those Who Hurt Us, as well as 5 of the most Common Reasons Christians Stop Reading the Bible, and How Christians Should Handle Anger (even when we are furious). 

Blogging

When it comes to blogging, I've learned too many important things to count. I think the biggest lesson I learned over the past year though, was to settle into and be at peace with a blog that grows authentically, even if the growth is slower. I've learned to be at peace with my social media accounts, and to not feel the need to do things exactly as everyone else does them. I learned what I don't want to be as a blogger, and I learned how to be myself and better myself in the blogging world.

Ultimately, I learned (and am still learning) that if my blog isn't being written for the glory of God, then something is wrong. I learned that my dreams don't matter nearly as much as God's name being made great. Many times, those things intersect, but the latter is exponentially more important. 

Aside from my own blog, I also found a ton of people and posts worth checking out. So take a peek at those below!

My Favorite People and Posts From The Internet

When I Need to Laugh: Rhett & Link of Good Mythical Morning. These guys never fail to make me smile. You need to have their silliness in your life.


When I Need Encouragement: I recently heard Ruth Chou Simons on a podcast and absolutely loved what she had to say. I actually already followed her on Instagram but hadn't paid a ton of attention. But I have come to find that not only is her feed gorgeous, but almost every post is like a daily devotional. Incredibly encouraging, challenging, and full of truth. 

When I Want to Be Challenged In My Faith: I LOVE THIS LADY! Renee Young is such a sweet soul and I wish we lived near each other because I feel like we would be great friends. I love her Instagram posts so much. She isn't afraid to tell it like it is, with a heart that is so full of love. I always come away from her posts challenged and inspired.


When I Need a Reminder of WHY I Should Take Care of Myself: Marsha Apsley is not only a sweet blogger-friend of mine, she is also incredibly inspiring and encouraging when it comes to merging faith and fitness. She is so good at reminding us that our worth is in Jesus- not our weight, or our looks, or what we ate for dinner- but that's exactly why we should take care of our bodies, minds, and souls.

When I Need to Remember That Weight-Loss IS Possible: Lexi of Fat Girl Fed Up is so inspiring! She has lost 312 pounds over the last couple of years. She did it with diet and exercise- nothing else. I love following her on IG and being reminded that it is possible!

Thank You!

There are so many wonderful blogger-friends and creators out there on the internet who have helped me on this journey, but there's no way I can link to them all in this post. I am so thankful for the community of friends that blogging has brought me, and I am so appreciative of everyone who has helped, encouraged, and inspired me along the way (you know who you are 😉). Thanks, friends! You rock!

4 Signs That You Need to Take a Blogging Break

Are you a tired, overwhelmed, and frustrated blogger who doesn't quite know how to proceed? Have you considered taking a blogging break but you aren't sure if you should? Learn to recognize 4 signs that might suggest you need to take a blogging break.

Blogging Authentically: My Heart

Authenticity. Have you ever noticed how the word gets thrown around these days?

Authenticity is supposed to mean that we are genuine, integrity-filled, and truly ourselves. It's supposed to mean that we handle our day-to-day with honesty and sincerity. But lately, authenticity has become nothing more than a buzz-word. This is really true in every circle, but by-golly if it isn't rampant in the blog world!

I love blogging. I don't think that will be changing any time soon. But I have been growing weary over the past few months as I have discovered how fake the blog world really is.

I had seen little pieces here and there for a while, but since this past Spring, it has become increasingly obvious that many bloggers care only about numbers. And even if they say they don't, they do. You know how I know? Because I hear very little about how people are benefiting from blogs. Bloggers are typically not boasting about how proud they are that their blog made a difference in someone's life. Instead, they brag about how many followers they have on Instagram, or they complain about Instagram followers and how many times a post has been shared on Pinterest.

And believe me- I get it. It's so hard to have to fight algorithms, the follow/unfollow method, and the massive sea of bloggers trying to make it just like we are. But friends, if our blogs are not making a genuine difference, is there really any point? And if all of our likes on our IG posts are from people in threads who are required to interact with us- people who never even look at what they are double-tapping on- what's the point? Is it just about "making it"? And what does "making it" even mean at that point?

Wait for the Real Deal

I'm not perfect. Holy mole', I'm not even close! I make mistakes, I do stupid things, and sometimes I am not nearly as authentic as I really should be. We all fall short. But I would like to encourage any of you who blog for a greater purpose than just yourself-than just money- be filled with integrity. Choose the slow, honest path over the quick, inauthentic one. Grow slower if you must, but grow with integrity, and with followers who actually care about your content.

It may seem tiresome to wait for real Instagram likes, blog comments, and Twitter followers, but I'm beginning to believe that the real ones are worth the wait.

Blogging Groups

Now, I'm not saying that bloggers shouldn't participate in Facebook threads to promote content. I will still be participating in my favorite groups and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. But, if half of your Instagram likes, or Facebook page likes, or blog comments come from people who only engaged with you because they had to, then I would seriously encourage you to reconsider your methods if you want to be authentic and genuine.

It's a hard balance to find when your blog is both your ministry and your career goal. I totally get it, and it's a daily struggle. But the blog industry needs to change, and it starts with us- with the ones who are willing to be genuine.

Important Disclaimer!

Please note that this is not an attack on anyone. I have all ideas that several people I know will think this is directed at them, but I am only speaking generally. If something has hit hard in this post, maybe it's time to examine your methods, but please know that I am not writing this post about someone in particular, as I struggle in some of these areas too. We are all in this together and we all need to learn and grow as we go through this journey.

What Is A Virtual Assistant? (And 3 Signs You Might Need One)

Ask pretty much anyone on the street whether or not they feel like they have enough time in the day, and I guarantee you that a large majority of them will say "no".

We are busy people doing lots of busy things: we work, we tend to our family relationships, we cultivate friendships, we care for our home. In addition to that, many of us are pursuing dreams that are separate from our current careers.

But doing all of those things in a day while also actively taking care of your health (like getting enough sleep) is nearly impossible. So, when you inevitably have to choose which tasks get done and which one's don't, it's often our dreams and passions that get put on the back-burner.

And that's where a virtual assistant is helpful!

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is someone you hire to do any online tasks that are important, but are distracting you from your main goals. This can be anything from checking your emails, answering them, and cleaning out your inbox, all the way to editing your new Ebook about why Poodles are the Bomb-Diggity. 🐩 

VA's can be hired to schedule out all your social media posts, or can be hired to manage specific accounts (i.e. a Pinterest VA, a Facebook VA). VA's can be hired to work every day, once a week- really whatever is most helpful to the client.

A virtual assistant's job is to make your life easier so that your dreams can become reality.

But how do you know if you REALLY need a VA? Should you really spend your money on one? Keep reading for 3 signs you might need a VA.

Your Social Media Pages Are Always Empty

If your Facebook page never has anything new being posted, if you go days on end without tweeting, or you always forget to pin anything strategically on Pinterest, your social media accounts are sure to suffer. If this is you, you are missing out on a lot of potential growth, and a lot of potential clients. People aren't going to stick around if there are metaphorical crickets chirping on your social pages.

A VA can be a huge asset in this area because you can hire them to manage and/or schedule out those accounts for you- giving you the ability to grow more quickly without you having to find more hours in your day. 

Hiring someone for 2-3 hours a week can be a very affordable, smart, and beneficial option.

If Your Ebook Has Been Sitting Around Unedited

If you've been wanting to publish a book, ebook, or another written product but it has been sitting around needing to be edited for a while, hiring a VA for a one-time project might be a good idea for you.

They can edit it in an agreed-upon amount of time, you get to move forward with your goals for you book/product, and you'll probably save money by hiring a VA rather than trying to find a seasoned editor. Look for people who have degrees in English, Literature, or Writing and I feel confident you will be happy with the results.

If You Frequently Find Yourself Thinking "I Need Help"

If you have big dreams and goals that you keep avoiding because you feel far too overwhelmed to accomplish them by yourself, a VA can help.

Whether you want someone by your side full-time, part-time, or just a few times per month, if it helps you get started on your dreams, it's going to be worth it.

Have them handle your social media, your graphics, email management or marketing, editing product descriptions, typing up your monthly newsletter- whatever! Let them help you so you can find the courage to pursue what matters most to you!

Hiring a VA might be just what you need to help your blog or business get to the next level. If you've found yourself falling into the descriptions above, it may be time for you to consider it. And if that's the case, I'd love to come along side of you as your virtual assistant. I offer competitive, affordable rates, and I take pride in doing a good job and truly helping my clients succeed. To learn more, take a look at my rates and my expertise or email me with any questions you have at thepeculiartreasureblog@gmail.com.

4 Things Every Female Blogger is Required to Do

*This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click them and purchase something, I will make money to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting TPT!

Have you ever noticed that there are certain trends on blogs and on social media that seem like they are so prevalent that they are almost like an unspoken rule? Things that feel like they might be some secret right of passage into the "cool" side of life?

Trends fluctuate and change, but when a trend does come, you can bet it will be done and overdone on social media and the like. Most of the time though, that's not really too big of a deal because trends come and go in phases and one phase will eventually bid us farewell as it passes the baton off to the next trend on the scene.

But while these trends are occurring, it is critical that all of us lady-bloggers (and anyone who wants to be noticed on social media) pick up on these. Why? Because we have to be cool! We have to stick together and show the world that we can be awesome by doing the same things that everyone else is doing. Duh!

Thankfully, I have gathered this sacred list of trends so that every blogger and social media influencer will know exactly what they need to be doing in order to achieve awesomeness. You may not have known before that you were required to do these things, but now you do- and you're welcome!

Drink Coffee...Or At Least Drink Something from a Mug

If a blogger drinks coffee and forgets to post it on Instagram, did it actually happen?! I'm not entirely sure, and I suppose it will forever be a mystery.
It seems like if you are a lifestyle blogger, you HAVE to drink coffee (or at least tea, or wine from a mug, or at the very least, hot chocolate). I mean, come on- you can't seriously be inspired to create without that sweet nectar of life, right? 😅
That's why I make sure to post lots of coffee pictures on Instagram... how else will my readers know that my posts are gonna rock, unless they see that I have been inspired by my hot beverage?!

Use the Term "Bad-Ass"

Apparently, real lady bloggers call themselves "bad-asses". A term that used to be reserved for tattoo sleeves, bungee jumping, skydiving, and leather-jacket-wearing motorcycle-riders is now associated with sitting at a desk, typing out our hearts, and taking styled photos of us in pale pink sweaters and the perfect suede booties...Yes, that makes sense...😏

Photograph the Golden Trio

Have you ever noticed that us bloggers are constantly taking pictures of flatlays that include succulents, fancy paperclips, or a Macbook? And bonus points if it has all three, am I right?! I love taking pictures of succulents, and if I had any fancy paperclips, they'd probably make it in a few shots too. But that's just because I am a real blogger 😋

Everything Needs to Have Pineapples CACTI 

Scroll through Instagram for a few minutes and you are bound to see a cactus somewhere. For a few years it was pineapples- they were everywhere. And they aren't completely out, either. They still pop up from time-to-time on a coffee mug, a tee-shirt, or a fun pair of socks. But the pineapple isn't center-stage anymore (poor little guy). He has been pushed over for the all-important cactus. 

Cacti are now on everything: Mugs (so cute), lamps, cookie cutters, necklaces, rubber stamps...you get the picture. 

I think, if information serves me right, that you have to like cacti now, if you want to be taken seriously as a blogger. However, if you don't like cactus stuff, there's still hope! I believe that dinosaurs are inching their way back into the cool scene, so you could always get a dino mug instead! 

I'm glad we talked about this important issue today, friends. I mean, I didn't want to leave you in the dark. I wanted you to know that I do, in fact, qualify as a real blogger. And I also wanted to help my other blogger friends, just in case they were not aware of the rules. The rules are important, and should not be broken. And don't worry. If you aren't a blogger but still want to be cool on social media, you can still use all of these tips. Once you start doing these things, you are sure to be noticed and praise.

* You guys rock! Thanks for reading this silly post. I do love my coffee and succulents 😋

My All-Time Favorite Blogging Tips and Resources (Coffee Sips and Lovely Links)

Happy Friyay! Despite the fact that I had a short week, I am so stinkin' exhausted. Has anyone else been feeling that way lately? Burning the candle at both ends even though it doesn't seem like there's a reason for it?

I don't know why I have been so drained lately, but I do know that sometimes it's really hard to balance a day-job, VA work, driving to SC to see my family, blogging, and trying to grow my knowledge about the blogging world.

I know when I started blogging, there was a huge learning curve for me because I didn't understand any of the back-end/technologocal side of blogging. I was also 100% unfamiliar with any rules, tips, or tricks for blogging. What kept me from going completely insane was being able to find awesome bloggers who had been there before me and could help me out both through asking them direct questions, and through reading posts they had already written on the subject.

I don't know that I would have kept at it if it weren't for them. Life is crazy enough without having to learn everything from scratch on your own.

So today on Coffee Sips and Lovely Links, I've gotten together a few of my all-time favorite blogging resources and tips for you awesome peeps! Hopefully it will help you avoid pulling your hair out as you navigate the blogging world.

• Erica Gwyn of Coming Up Roses has an excellent post about crafting a killer "about me" section on your blog. Sooooo good!

• I discovered Allison of Wonderlass through The Genius Blogger's Toolkit that I purchased back in the Fall. I have been taking her branding course, Rave, and loving it. She's quirky, fun, and very knowledgeable in her expertise. I thought this video, Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset was good. Nothing fancy, but encouraging.

• How to Fill Up Your Content Calendar in an Hour by Summer of Coffee with Summer was really good too. I always try to follow a content calendar, and I technically write one out, but I never end up following it all the way. I'll change my idea, switch dates around, or just get completely stuck. I read this post by Summer a few days ago and I think her tips will be helpful to you as well.

• Most people have heard all about Mailchimp and Convertkit for email marketing. But Rachel of The Confused Millennial recently published a post about The Best Email Marketing Provider and I absolutely agree with her and have for months now! Check it out and you may end up wanting to make the switch!

• Speaking of Rachel, she also had a great post about How to Create A Home Photography Studio on a Budget. There are definitely some good ideas in there!

• One thing that I hate is when Bloggers play the Follow/Unfollow Game. I'm over here working my butt off, trying to get genuine followers on my blog and social media, but a lot of bloggers play the game and I just don't like it. Want to know more? Summer had a great post about the issue. I was a contributor along with a couple other ladies. If you are interested in being a truly authentic blogger, read this post.

Peculiar friends, there are so many resources out there on the world wide interwebz. No, not all of them are trust-worthy, and some will be contradictory, but there are also some really amazing posts at your fingertips to help you navigate the blog world. Utilize them so you won't go completely nutsy!

I'd love to know which of these links was most helpful to you! Or, do you have another resource that you find particularly helpful? Happy weekending!

Find Your Blogging Community: How to Find Them, What to Look For, and Why You Need One

Anyone who meets me will learn pretty quickly that I am totally, completely in love with blogging. I love creating content and graphics. I love promoting, and I even love the tedious tasks. But one thing that I particularly love is the community I've found with other bloggers.

There are quite a few people that I have never met in person and yet we have exchanged gifts and Christmas cards, we've talked about deeper issues, and I truly believe that if I were in trouble, a few of them would try their best to help me.

Sadly, some bloggers don't have this type of community. They don't have "blogging besties" and they have no idea how to find one.

If that sounds like you, keep reading. This post is for you!

Why I Blog: The Top Two Benefits of Having a Christian Lifestyle Blog

For the past two years, other than Jesus, family, and friends, my life has revolved around one main thing- blogging! Blogging has quickly become my passion and something that makes me want to wake up early and work harder than I have ever worked on a job before! Have you ever experienced something like that? I sure hope so!

Blogging has also become my career aspiration, and I hope to achieve that goal within the next couple of years. But regardless of how long that dream takes, there are two very important components to why I blog, and when it's all said and done, those two reasons are the heart and soul of why I should keep doing it.

To Inspire

Since I am a Christian Lifestyle blogger, the majority of my posts are dedicated to encouraging women to be the best version of  themselves through God's strength, and for God's glory. I want them to know who they are (or can be) in Christ, and that they are loved and cherished. I want them to be inspired to live well, to make the most of life, and to make decisions based on the truth and wisdom of God.

That is my mission. I don't want to see women making decisions that will destroy their lives and take them further and further away from God. Instead, I want to see them flourish and run towards God at all times. I know not everyone is going to run towards God, but if I can play a part in being an encouragement, I am thankful. This is the first reason I blog.

To Be Taught

The second reason was not something I anticipated at the start of this journey. You see, something happens when I blog. God often takes the words that I am typing and uses them to convict me of/teach me something. I can be writing a post or interacting with a reader and all of a sudden it's as if God taps me on the shoulder and says, "Kristin, I actually want you to learn this lesson".

I never expected to learn from my own writings, but then again, God is full of surprises. I am sure this isn't how it is for every Christian blogger, but it certainly is something that God uses in my life to inspire change and correction.

There's something humbling (and a little freaky) about hearing my own words being whispered back into my heart at just the opportune time.

So while I set out to help others, God also uses blogging to help me.

There's a Lesson Here

But what does all of this have to do with you? Why should you even care about why I blog or what God teaches me from my own blogging journey? 

The answer, dear friends, is that whether you are a blogger, a cashier, a government official, a garbage man, or a hair stylist, God will use you where you are at to help others if you seek Him and look for opportunities. That's truth number one. And truth number two? He will also use what you are doing for Him to grow you, too. He will often feed you through you feeding others. And as you proclaim truth to others, God will probably be right there in your ear, proclaiming truth to you, too.

Listen for God's voice, know the truth from His word, and allow Him to convict, teach, guide, and grow you through the things you do each day.

Blogging is Not My Hobby (And a BIG Giveaway)

Every morning is almost exactly the same. I walk into the kitchen, get my coffee, grab my snuggie (yep, you read right), and flop into my recliner. After taking the first couple of magical sips of coffee-goodness, I open up my laptop and go straight to my blog. It doesn't really matter how early it is (usually 6am), I still want to do bloggy things as soon as possible.

I don't always go straight into writing a post. Often, I'll go into my blogging Facebook groups and check up on anything new. I check my emails. I schedule my pins on Pinterest. I moderate my blog comments.

It's all pretty routine, but it is a whole lot of work. But a lot of people don't realize that.

Misconceptions

As a blogger who is working towards a full-time blogging career, I am frequently asked how someone can make money blogging. It's a fair question. And I don't mind answering- actually, I enjoy it.

But sometimes when I've just described my blogging plans and dreams, I tend to wonder if the listener is thinking something along the lines of: "That's not a real career" or "You really think you can do that?". And if they are thinking that, I can kind of understand it. Blogging is different than most career paths and because our revenue streams come from multiple places, it can be confusing to the non-blogger.

But it is important to me that people understand both the hard work that goes into blogging, and the fact that blogging isn't just a little hobby. It's a passion that I am so excited about.

Fire

I recently had someone tell me that they can see me light up when I talk about blogging. And that is so true! I come alive, talk a whole lot faster, and pretty much can't shut up about it once you get me started.

I love what blogging is for me: a creative outlet, a ministry, a way to use my degree, and a way to be in community. Blogging let's me speak boldly about the things God is teaching me. It allows me to encourage others to do the right thing, or to stand tall during trials. Blogging allows me to "meet" new people and develop friendships. Blogging pushes me to be a better, more disciplined version of myself.

Blogging is not my hobby. Blogging is a passion that I intend to follow and utilize for God's glory. Blogging ignites something in me that I didn't know existed.

So if you don't understand my blogging goals, I get it. But please, oh please, don't stand there looking at me like I'll never make it. Just because it's a hard path doesn't mean it won't be amazing!

THE GIVEAWAY

Now that I've gotten that little tangent out of the way, I'm excited to announce a giveaway that I am participating in. Please make sure you enter, as there are some awesome prizes!

For this giveaway, I have teamed up with some awesome bloggers and creatives to bring to you an AMAZING giveaway bundle full of things that all bloggers and creatives love (and need!) in celebration of Coffee With Summer’s 2nd Blogiversary! All you have to do to enter to win all of these goodies is to complete as many tasks as you would like to! The more tasks you complete, the more chances you have of winning! The giveaway runs from July 26th - August 3rd and the winner will be notified and announced on the Rafflecopter form by Saturday, August 6th. All entries will be verified before choosing a winner. Enter fairly! (Giveaway is only valid in USA and AUS).

Coffee With Summer - Just Bee Blog - Sobremesa Stories - A Tiny Traveler - Life As A Larsen - Coming Up Roses  - Inspiration Indulgence - The Peculiar Treasure - Nested Nomad - Life With Kristie - Flip Flops & Furs  - A Problem Like Maria - Green Tea And Cotton - Blog By Tracy - Stay Gold Autumn - Just A Simple Home - Grace Love Life

What’s in the giveaway:

• The Happiness Planner
• Huge black tote bag
• Big Magic book 
• 365 Blog Topic Ideas Book 
• Phone Tripod With Remote
• French Press Coffee Maker 
• Macaroon Note Card Set 
• Pink “Like A Boss” Pencil Case 
• Black “Dreams Take Hustle” Pencil Case 
• Pencil pack 
• Oops eraser 
• Sticky Notes 
• Candle 
• Jumbo Gold Paper Clips 
• 2 Prints - “You Can Really Do Whatever You Want” & “You Are Capable" (not pictured)
• "Hello Lovely" mug from A Tiny Traveler Creative (not pictured)
• Coffee With Summer Venti Blog Sponsorship Spot 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week in Retrospect

When I have free time, I am very good at procrastinating. I have time to blog and make stuff for my Etsy shop, but I have the oh-so-important task of solving crimes with the good folks at SVU, that I just have to pass on all those other things ;)

But currently, I am sitting here blogging and getting a lot done. I have done more today than I have in the past three days combined and it feels good. I feel like an adult again!

I think it can be hard to stay motivated when your scheduled is changed up. This week, I worked Monday, had a half-day Tuesday, and then have been off the rest of the week. The change has been nice, but I am definitely off-schedule. Still, it's been a good week.

My week in retrospect:

- I was able to add an amazing new candle to my Etsy shop. It smells so good!

- My hubby and I had our two year wedding anniversary.

- I spent a day with my mom and brother out on their farm holding a baby goat       and playing with Blaze the giant Pyrenees puppy.

- I caught up on some blogging.

Favorite blog posts of the week:

A Blissful Haven- Lexi shares what she has been up to and her link-up. If you are looking for a link-up to join, Lexi's your girl!

Coffee With Summer- Summer has some pretty good reasons for why she loves coffee!

Hey There Chelsie- Chelsie shares some very helpful Pinterest Tips.


I hope you enjoy some of these posts, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

December: Goals and Enjoyment

Hello all you beautiful people! Can you believe that December is already here?! I can't. It doesn't seem that long ago since Taylor and I moved to Charlotte, but that was back in August when the weather was still stiflingly hot! It's crazy!

December is filled with lots of fun times, yummy smells, and cheerful activities. And as enjoyable as all of that, it can make it difficult to focus on goals and the things we hope to accomplish. So before I get too "merry and bright" I want to take a minute to reflect on last months goals and establish some for this month.

November Goals

1.) Read the Bible 2 times per week

I dwindled a little on audio Bible for the month of November, though I still listened. I want to pick that back up to around 4 audio Bible sessions/week and then 1-2 physical, bible-in-hand devotional times. Good grief...why is it so difficult to get disciplined!? I am glad, however, that my blogging niche is in Christian lifestyle. That means that when I am reading other people's blogs, I am essentially reading devotionals. Now of course, that should never, ever replace my Bible time, and most bloggers are not theologians, but it still helps.

2.) Meet my Weight Goal

Yeah... we are just going to forget about this until after Christmas...

3.) Cook at least 4 times per week

I definitely did better this month. Taylor and I cooked way more meals at home and did more baking too. The other day I ended up cooking breakfast, lunch, and baking cookies. I was super proud of myself!

4.) Blog 4 times per week

Yes! I was so happy with my blog goals for November! I joined a few new blog groups, I grew my daily readership and I blogged 4-5 times per week. Woot woot!

Blog Pageviews- 3,503 (Increased by approximately 1,447 views).
I am so pleased with the month of November. I definitely want and need to keep it up! 

Twitter- 201 (increased by 14). I really have been trying to do a little more with Twitter. I think it has helped with some of my recent blog traffic, which makes it a little more difficult to hate it. 

Instagram- 330 (increased by 31). I have been a little frustrated with Instagram lately, but I am trying to keep at it, and I honestly didn't realize I had grown so much this month. 

Bloglovin'- 188 (increased by 18). I am glad I gained 18 followers, but Bloglovin' has slowed down for me a bit, and I am not sure how to pick it back up. Again though, I am thankful for the growth!

Goals for December

Read the Bible: Continue to get better, as I mentioned above.

Continue to Cook: I was proud of myself (and Taylor) for cooking more home made meals this past month, and I want to do even better in December.

Improve my Shop: I want to add at least 5 more items to my Etsy Shop.

Spruce Up My Sponsorship Page: Summer from Coffee with Summer shared some great advice about how to really make the most of your sponsorship program. Since I am new to this, I need to implement a lot of her advice.

Find Sponsors: I really want to find a few sponsors so that I can continue improving my blog. It's a lot of work and costs money to make it better. If anyone is interested in sponsoring, click this link to find out more.

Continue to Blog Consistently: I want to continue blogging at least 4 times/week. I am loving the results I've seen from it!

Now, I want to make these things happen, and I feel confident I can if I work hard. The same is true for you and your goals too. But don't forget to celebrate. Christmas is a fun time to enjoy, and a reverent time to give thanks and share hope. Don't get so caught up in having fun that you forget your goals, but don't miss out on the celebration because you are glued to your goals either. Find the balance this holiday season and enjoy!

Why We Need to Reform Our Ideas About Social Media

I was sitting in my comfy chair, glued to my phone. My husband sat down and asked me what I was doing.

"Unfollowing some people I follow on Instagram", I replied.

When he asked me why, I explained that I shouldn't be following more people than follow me, because it's a blogger no-no.

"How would you feel if people did that to you?" was the response I received from him.

I tried to come up with something, but I immediately knew he was right. I was reducing my blog- my ministry- to followers on Instagram. I was putting higher stats above other people's feelings, and "looking popular" above supporting others in the same way I want to be supported.

Somehow, blogging about Jesus turned into hashtags, re-tweets, pins, and followers.

Now, since I want to make my blog my future career, I do have to take certain steps to make that happen. I have to be wise in my actions and I do need to grow my social media. But there are good ways to do that and bad ways.

If I follow someone on social media and I just really don't enjoy their posts, I think it is perfectly fine to unfollow them. Social media is not my life, nor should it be anyone else's. We are not obligated to follow people who consistently post things we don't like. However, when we are deleting people to make ourselves look better, we are officially stepping out of blogging community and stepping into blogging selfishness.

Many of you are probably thinking that this doesn't matter. It is, after all, just social media. But the thing is, it does matter. Not because social media is super important, but because the heart of the matter is.

As a Christian Lifestyle Blogger, my job is not only to blog, but to be Christlike. Christlikeness should encompass all of the Christian life, not just the big, "important" parts. Believe me, I want to grow my blog. I want to make this little space of the internet my own. I want to bless others, share Christ, and make this dream my business. But even in business, in goals, and in dreams, we have the duty and privileged to put others before ourselves.

And that's why this social media revelation matters to me. I want even Instagram to reflect God. To be faithful- even in the smallest of things.

Hello, October!

Happy, happy, happy October! My favorite month is here and just knowing that makes me ecstatic! I'm doing a little jig over it ;)

October is when the leaves really start to change. The gold and crimson hues and the crisp air overwhelm me. I tend to feel lighter, perkier, and more optimistic during this time of year.

In addition to the beauty of it all, October holds my birthday, my husband's birthday, one of my best friend's birthday, and mine and my husband's dating anniversary. Lots and lots of good stuff!

I have several goals for October, but first, lets take a peek back at September.

September Goals

1.) Watch Florida football with Taylor
Ehh, kinda. We went to one game at a WAY too crowded bar in downtown Charlotte. We also watched one game at home. He's been working during all of the games, and since I only watch for him, I haven't been watching without him.

2.) Decorate 
Check! I put up my fall decorations about three weeks ago :)
I'd still like to make a fall wreath.

3.) Blog at least four days per week
I did pretty well with this. Twice I blogged 4 times, once 3, and once 2. The only week I wasn't proud of was the week where I only posted twice, simply because I didn't meet my goal.

4.) Get Outside
Yes! My nanny job is awesome because they live fairly close to a park. I take baby E to the park to play and I get a nice walk in.

5.) Plan Another "Get It Together" Challenge
Check and Check! I planned it and we are in the middle of the challenge. I have been so proud of all the ladies who are participating!

Now, let's get to October, shall we?

October Goals:

1.) Read the Bible 2 times per week

I have such a tough time getting myself to read. It's frustrating, and I have been saying for years that I need to get better. Taylor and I read together at night several times a week and I am so thankful for that. But I also need my personal quiet time. For now, my goal is twice a week, with the hope of getting better at consistency.

2.) Meet my Weight Goal

I organized and started my Get it Together group last month. It has been going really well and I enjoy facilitating. My weight-loss goal by the end of the challenge is to have lost 10 lbs. I weighed today and I've lost just under 5 lbs in 15 days. I call that success. And I want to lose the other 5 by the time the challenge is over :)

3.) Cook at least 4 times per week

Taylor and I are really bad about either going out for fast food or doing simple boxed-meals. There's nothing wrong with boxed meals, and they can be yummy, but I am a pretty decent cook, and there is no reason (other than laziness) not to cook more homemade recipes.

And with fall here, there are so many soups, chili's, and pumpkin-thingies to make!

4.) Blog 4 times per week

This was my goal last month, and here it is again. I am happy with blogging 4 times/week. I would like it to eventually be 5, but 4 times/week is a good amount and it is realistic.

September was kind of a tough month for me personally, but I was very proud of myself for accomplishing the goals that I set for myself. Small victories add up!

How about you? How was your September? Is there anything you are excited for in October? Comment below :)

Why Being a Blogger is a Blessing

Can blogging and reading blogs increase your faith? 

When I set out to blog, my mindset is to 1.) show Christ and offer encouragement to all who read my words, and 2.) to continue to increase the number of viewers my blog gets each day. These two things are always on the forefront on my mind, and often, I have to remind myself of which one is most important (hint: it's not the number of viewers).

But every single day of blogging holds so much more for me than I ever realized it would!

There's something about sitting down at my computer, typing away, that brings out the truth of God in my heart. I may not "feel" what I am writing, but when I stop for a minute and read what I have written, I realize that there is a lot more in me than just what I feel. Typing becomes a pouring out of what has been stored in me by the Lord; what a blessing that is!

In addition to that, since I am a part of a few blogging groups, I am constantly interacting with other bloggers through Facebook. And part of that interaction includes going to other blogs, reading through them, and commenting. This is part of the community building my blog groups offer.

Because of these activities, I usually read at least 3-4 other blogs per day. Some are about cooking, crafts, and day-to-day life. Those blogs are great too. But the ones that are a blessing to me personally are the faith and Christian lifestyle blogs. God has used these blogs in my life over and over again to bring about words that I desperately need to hear (whether I want to or not).

Many times, I end up reading a blog that is encouraging in a way I deeply needed to be encouraged; or I will be convicted in a way that is imperative, and maybe even surprising. And sometimes, I'll read something that maybe I'm confused about, and even if that blog post doesn't help me become less confused, somehow, it will still remind me of something comforting and helpful about God that gives me solace through my confusion. Praise the Lord!

So what's my point? My point is, I am incredibly blessed to be a blogger, and to know so many other wonderful bloggers. I get to read "devotionals" almost every day, which opens my eyes to God a little more fully each time I read one of those outstanding posts.

If you are a blogger, get involved with interactive blogging groups (particularly Christian ones). 

Bloggers, this is an awesome group!
Click here to see the group.

And if you are a reader of blogs, find some solid Christian lifestyle bloggers to follow- I would love to be one of those ;)

Finding someone to read that encourages your walk with God is such a wonderful thing. And it's all at your fingertips. Go search them out prayerfully. You won't regret it!