My 4 Favorite Pinterest Categories (Favorite Things Friday)

When people ask me what my favorite social media is as a blogger, the answer is simple: Pinterest! I have loved Pinterest ever since I first got an account four years ago. And though making the switch from a personal user to using Pinterest for my blog has taken some adjusting, Pinterest is still by far my favorite social media platform.

No matter what a person's interests are, it's likely they could find something that they enjoy on Pinterest. There are thousands upon thousands of topics to search, which allows us to find new interests and hobbies anytime we please. But while branching out and finding a new hobby can be fun, I think people still tend to have their go-to categories to search on Pinterest.  That's definitely true for me.

My 4 Favorite Pinterest Categories

Boho Farm House

Like the rest of the world, I am totally in love with Joanna Gaines from Fixer-Upper. I often say that I want to be like her when I grow up...even though I'm technically already a grown-up. I love her style and I love her creativity. But I also love LOTS of color. I like boho decor, but I love the farmhouse look that Joanna often uses too.

These two styles don't typically go together, but I love the combo. And thankfully, Pinterest has this unusual category right there for me! Thank you, Pinterest!

source

Blogging Advice

Ok, so I don't actually search the phrase "blogging advice", but I follow a whole lot of blogging boards that give helpful tips and advice on how to better my blog. This is essential for anyone who is looking to make their blog into their business.
Don't know who to follow? I have a few recommendations for you:

Chelsie, Hey There, Chelsie!
Chelsie is a lifestyle/beauty/fashion blogger. She has all sorts of good makeup and hair tutorials, but she also gives great advice about building your blog and making it grow.

Summer, Coffee With Summer
If you are interested in learning how to engage more authentically in the blogging community, Summer is your girl! Summer is all about authenticity and genuine engagement, and she offers plenty of posts on the subject.

Ruth, Living Well Spending Less
Ruth has a little bit of everything on her blog/Pinterest account. She is a fantastic blogger and has made enough money for her engineer husband to quit his job and stay home with their kids. Though you can also find recipe's, cleaning tips, organization tips, and faith posts on her blog, Ruth is also a great source of blogging wisdom!

Living the Sweet Wife

Guys, I love Chelsea's blog, Living the Sweet Wife, so much that when I want to see a pin about marriage, I don't even need to search "marriage" on Pinterest. I simply need to go straight to Chelsea's Pinterest account. It's that good! There are a lot of good marriage quotes, pins, and blogs out there (like Fierce Marriage and Sobremesa Stories), but LTSW is often my first stop!

C O F F E E

I have an entire board dedicated to coffee (and tea)! Needless to say that I love that beautiful nectar of awakeness (that's a thing, right?)!
So when I want to pin but I'm not sure what category I even want to browse, I have been known to type "coffee" into the search bar. When I do, I am overwhelmed- and drooling- over the decadent drinks that I see.

I particularly like finding really cool pictures of foam art (like this) and I also love a good frappe recipe (like this).


Pinterest is a great social media outlet for anyone- whether they blog or not. Pinterest is helpful in pursuing my blogging goals, but I would spend a lot of time on Pinterest even if I never blogged another day.

Do you use Pinterest? What are your favorite types of pins to search for? Comment below!

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Gardening With a Black Thumb (Favorite Things Friday)

I don't know about you, but here in North Carolina, the weather has flip-flopped so many times. Overall, it has been an absolutely gorgeous Spring, but every time I catch myself thinking, "maybe I'll start my garden this weekend", the very next day it turns cold again. I'm ready to get tan (or in my case, just get more freckles). I'm ready to plant a garden and learn how to take care of it better than I did last Spring. And I'm ready to take a trip to the beach. I know, I know. First-world problems, yo!

But in all seriousness, I really am excited to start gardening. I'm pretty bad at it though. In fact, my gardening Pinterest board is called "Gardening with a Black Thumb". I think I could be decent at it. I just don't know a whole lot yet, and I also tend to get lazy about watering. Unfortunately, neither one of those things lend themselves very well to successful gardening endeavors.

Be You! (Favorite Things Friday)

Spring is here! Spring is here! I cannot tell you how nice it has been to be able to take baby E to the park and play outside. I have gotten more exercise and sunshine in the past two weeks that I had gotten for the entire month of February!

But for me, Spring comes with insecurities. All these lovely (thin) women all walking around in cute shorts that they got from stores that don't even carry my size. It's really difficult because no matter what I put on, I feel like a frump-monster. No bueno.

But at some point, I just have to realize that we all have insecurities. When it comes down to it, we just have to be ourselves and do our best. I'm working hard, exercising more, and hopefully I will see some results soon. I cannot shy away from people because they are prettier or thinner than me. Neither can you.

An Adultier Adult: Favorite Things Friday

Earlier this year, Taylor and I were talking together about a trip I was considering going on with some other ladies I didn't know very well. As we talked, I explained that I was nervous about riding alone with a lady who was much older than me. I was afraid it would be awkward since I didn't know her very well. But what I said to Taylor was, "I don't want to ride all the way up there with just me and an adult". "Kristin...", Taylor replied, "you are an adult too". I chuckled and said, "Oh yeah..."

Every time I think about that conversation, I crack up. It was so funny to me that I really was worried about being alone with an adult, when I am 25 (then 24) years old.

But honestly, I don't feel like an adult. I feel like a 16-year-old who just happens to be married, rent a home, have a job, and have three dogs. That feels much more realistic than the fact that I am 25!

I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day and was in love! This is me in a nutshell.

Can anyone else relate? I mean, how did we go from high school, homework, getting our learners permits and drivers licences, having curfews, and worrying about whether so-and-so would ask us to prom, to having all these responsibilities: errands to run, bills to pay, rooms to clean, mouths to feed, etc?

Adulting has it's perks. Adulting made it feasible for me to marry my best friend. Adulting allowed me to be able to fully make my own decisions. Adulting allowed me to foster and adopt our fur-babies. It has it's charms, and for those charms, I am thankful.

But adulting is also very hard. I often find myself looking for an adultier adult. My mommy, for instance. She'll save the day, right? But at some point, I have to suck it up and be an adultier adult too.

I don't really have a solution to the challenges of adulting. I suppose we just have to band together and try to successfully adult. Who's with me?!

Happy Friday and happy adulting!

Coffee Everything! (Favorite Things Friday)

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Happy Friday! The sun is finally peeking out from behind the clouds and the air feels springy- my heart is doing a happy dance. It's the little things, right?!

Last year, I did a segment called Favorite Things Friday, where I did a round-up of all sorts of things- quotes, cool products, my favorite bloggers, etc. I took a break from those posts, but have decided to revamp a little bit and see what you guys think! So after reading this post, I'd love some feedback in the comment section.

All Things Coffee

This week, I want to talk about coffee! You know, that sweet nectar of life that brings joy, alertness, and bliss to taste-buds? Yes, that's the one!

Everyone picks on me for my coffee habits. They say, "why don't you just drink soda or tea instead?"- B L A S P H E M Y ! It's not all about the caffeine, though that helps. Coffee is a ritual, a tradition that ushers in each day. When I have time to sit quietly, drinking my coffee, and blogging, things go much more smoothly. 

So what am I loving right now that pertains to coffee? Here's a peek!

1.) D.I.Y Coffee Bar!

Life Made Lovely

I've wanted a coffee bar in my home for a while, but just don't have the right place for it right now. I've seen a lot of cute one's out there, but I love the way this one is done- the white brick, the teal cabinet, the eclectic jars and mugs, and a microwave, just in case you need to heat your coffee a little more! Perfect-o, if you ask me!

2.) Cute Mugs

Find them here!

I love coffee mugs! My hubby says I have "too many", and I say you can never have too many mugs! And personally, almost every time I go to Target, I find another mug or coffee-related item that I "need". Can anyone else relate?

3.) Flavored Coffee

Sometimes, people get a little snobby about their coffee. It has to be bold, smooth, and pure. Well, all those things are wonderfully delicious, but I can also fully get on board with flavored-coffee-goodness.

My favorite at the moment is Mocha- Coconut K-cups (made by The Donut Shop brand), and then I add some hazelnut creamer. It takes like a chocolate-y, tropical paradise. I discovered this combo over the summer, and I seriously cannot quit. Trust me, if you haven't already, give it a try. 

I also really love the Cinnabon K-cups, but who wouldn't?! I do try to stay away from those though, since it is light roast coffee (which means they have more caffeine).

4.) Homemade Coffee and Coffee Creamer Recipe Roundup

We all love Pinterest, right? And one of my favorite things to see on Pinterest is a good coffee drink recipe. So here are a few that look pretty dang amazing to me!

Refreshing Iced Coffee

Iced Caramel Mocha

Black Coffee Ice Cream

Nutella Hazelnut Coffee

White Chocolate Latte

So what did you think of the new Favorite Things Friday? Do you love coffee as much as I do? What is your favorite way to drink it? Comment below.

Favorite Things Friday (Volume 16)

It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday! (Rebecca Black, anyone?)
I hope everyone's week has been absolutely wonderful. I have soaked up more sun, gone for a jog (something I never do), and made the most fabulous apple-cinnamon muffins ever. This week =win.

But you aren't here to learn about my week, are you? You are here to see my favorite picks of the week. And I'm glad you are here! Grab your coffee, and your fuzzy blanket, and enjoy :)

Favorites of the week

1. These DIY Mason jar lights are swoon-worthy. Gimme, gimme!
2. This online store does monthly Insta sales. All of her items are super cute!
3. Essie Button is the cutest thing ever and she gives great beauty advice.
4. These beauties looks delectably sinful. GET.IN.MY.BELLY!
5. Speaking of yummy, these look awesome (minus the avocado)!

This coming week, I intend to make those scones. If I do, I will let you know how they turn out. I am also on a job hunt, so I feel a busy week coming on.

What was your favorite from the week? Do we have similar tastes? Comment below :)