Five Questions /// Rambling Renovators

Jen's blog, Rambling Renovators, is a must read for me and has been for years now. Her home projects blow my mind, I don't know how she does it all! One of my favourite projects is actually one she just posted about, DIY Whitewashed Plank Walls. LOVE!

I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person (thanks again Blog Podium) and she's so friendly and down-to-earth. Honourable mention here to her super sweet husband (also known as 'Handyman') who I chatted with a bit that day as well. And they have the cutest little girl. Such a cool family!

If you've been reading her blog for a while now you may also be familiar with her brilliant series Blog Talk, where she shares her blogging wisdom with the rest of us. Jen, I can't thank you enough for passing along some of your insight!

Jen kindly agreed to participate in Five Questions, and I couldn't wait to pick her brain. Here's what she had to say!

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What do you like most about writing Rambling Renovators?

I like the "give and take" of blogging. I love it when I'm able to inspire a reader with one of my projects to do something in their own home. But I love it just as much when one of my readers leaves me a comment which sparks an idea or pushes me in a direction I wouldn't consider on my own. It's that engagement, that back and forth and building a relationship with my readers which keep me blogging.

Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?

The blog will always be at the core of what I'm doing. Over the last six months, its also become the focus of my career. Blogging feeds the creative side of my brain, but I find I need to feed my more logical business side too, so I see myself supplementing the blogging with other related endeavors - book writing, maybe producing a design show, and also keeping my hand in management consulting for creative folks. Sounds like a mini-empire, doesn't it? Yes, that's it... I want to be the Oprah of the blogging world :)

How do you find time just for YOU?

I have a great supportive husband who makes it easy for me to take as much 'me time' as I need. He's great at taking over the child rearing duties if I need a break! We both believe its important to spend time with our own friends and have time to pursue our own interests, so I can always find time to do a sewing craft, read a book, or take an extra long bath if I want to.

What’s a typical day in your busy life like?

Since I've made a leap out of the corporate world, my days are a bit more flexible. I get up by 7am and drop Chloe at daycare by 8:30, three days a week. If I'm working on a big project (like BlogPodium), my day is a busy mix of replying to emails, preparing proposals, networking and meetings. I try to wind things down by 4pm to start dinner and go pick Chloe up from daycare. Once she's down for the night, I catch up on my favourite blogs and

write my blog posts for the next day.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?

My advice if you want to start a blog or a business or even if you want to pursue your dream...just do it, take a first step and do it. I find that even when I'm unsure how things will turn out, just getting started and putting things in motion helps bring things to reality. Inertia and over analyzing and worry are the biggest hindrances to success. Wasn't it Gretzky who said "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"? I believe that, in life, blogging, the universe.

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Jen, thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions! And this is actually the very last of the Five Questions posts! There are some out there that could trickle in, but it's summer and people are busy so I thought I'd wrap it up here. 

Thank you again to everyone who participated, and to everyone who read each post and gave such great feedback! I really enjoyed doing this and I feel like I learned SO much from all of these amazing and inspiring women!

(You can read the full previous Five Questions series here)

Five Questions /// For Me For You

I'm so in love with Kate's blog, For Me For You. Her sense of style, taste in music, and photography skills are all amazing. She shares the most lovely hair how-to's as well. And she recently got engaged! Yay Kate!!





In addition to writing her lovely blog, she's a freelance graphic designer and she runs TWO shops. Her jewelry shop, Kate Miss Jewelry (launching with a fall collection soon!) and her newest venture, Kate Miss Prints. Both are completely cool and a total reflection of her talents and style.


When I asked Kate to participate in Five Questions I was worried she may not have time, but I was so, so excited when she replied with her answers. She's the coolest!

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What do you like most about writing For Me For You ?

It's a great way to keep me on track with being creative - whether it's taking photos, trying out new recipes, or digging up inspiration. Plus I've met the most amazing people and been given some great opportunities through it. There was a time when I thought maybe I could make a little money off of it with ads, but I've decided that's not my goal anymore as it benefits me so much in so many other ways that have nothing to do with money.

Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?

I'm not sure about my blog as I go back and forth with how structured it should be, but I want to grow my jewelry shop to be selling wholesale and be producing a higher quantity. I haven't given it the attention it deserves previously, and now it's time to focus on growing that.

How do you find time just for YOU?

Honestly, it's hard, but I force myself to go on walks with my headphones in and good music playing, maybe a camera in hand. It doesn't happen as often as I would like as there's always that nagging feeling in my head that I should be working, but sometimes my best ideas come to me while walking and it helps clear your head in the middle of a project - so in the end it's beneficial. But it's hard to remember that sometimes! 

What’s a typical day in your busy life like?

I wake up rather early for a person without kids (as all my friends with kids roll their eyes at my "early rising") and start working around 7:30am. I try to take a break away from my computer around noon, if only just to eat at my dining table, and get back to work til my boyfriend gets home around 5:30. Some days I'll take a long break in the middle of the day to run errands and work later, that's the beauty of freelance. Some days I'm incredibly productive, but more often than not I struggle with staying on task! I keep music playing all day long to help motivate me. Distractions include: dishes to wash, nails to paint, online stores to browse. Such is the life of someone who works at home.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?

I feel like the #1 thing I've learned recently is how important a community offline of other small business owners is. You may feel so alone with your struggles and whether it's just talking it out or hearing a solution from someone else that never occurred to you before is such an incredible thing. So many creatives are introverted self starters that need to turn to others more often. You can find these people online and ask them to get together in the real world, and you probably won't regret it. Whether you are someone who is thinking about starting a business and needs advice or a seasoned business owner, it's necessary.

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Kate, I'm honoured that you were willing to share your wisdom with us in the Five Questions series! Thank you so much!! (Oh, and I can't wait to see what amazing hair you end up with on your wedding day!!!)

(You can read previous Five Questions posts here)

Five Questions /// 8FOOTSIX

Shannon's blog has quickly become one of my absolute FAVS. She posts often, and includes really great pictures of her thrifting treasures, home projects, and cute outfits. 





She recently gave up sugar, dairy, and white bread and has shared some really impressive results. I have felt SO motivated ever since to eat better, although my M&M addiction is still going strong (yes, I'm ashamed). 


Her house is the best part of it for me. I mean, just LOOK AT HER HOUSE.





You can see more amazing before and after shots of her home here. And be sure to add 8FOOTSIX to your reader, you'll love it.

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What do you like most about writing 8FOOTSIX?

My favorite part of blogging is the encouragement to 'do'.  Since I blog about what is happening around our home, we need to keep busy in order to have something (hopefully) interesting to say!

Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?

I still see myself blogging in a few years. However, I hope the content of 8FOOTSIX continues to improve. Better writing, better photography. Oh, and I want an excuse to use power tools! 

How do you find time just for YOU?

I have help with the kids on Fridays.  That is my day to make phone calls, doctors appointments, shopping, uninterrupted exercise, putter...the rest of the week I have to be a sneak about it!

What’s a typical day in your busy life like?

I try to make each day a little different, but let's be honest - they are all essentially the same!

• The baby is on a two nap schedule so the world revolves around his sleep! 
• We go out for a walk everyday: to the library, park, shopping, thrifting, fetching groceries, hanging out at toy store or bookstore, watching the subway trains (from the bridge on the beltline) or to have some other adventure!
• Something always needs to be cooked or cleaned! I am trying to become a better cook.
• For now, my older son doesn't want to play alone, and the baby is teething, so I haven't been able to escape to the computer to blog.  Some days are definitely easier than others!

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?

I try not to give advice! I am still trying to figure things out!

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Thanks Shannon for being a part of the Five Questions series!

(You can read previous Five Questions posts here)

Five Questions /// Inward Facing Girl

Happy Wednesday everyone! Things have been quiet around here these days, but believe me it has NOT been quiet in real life, ha ha. Busy busy! But life is good :)


Anyway, it's time for this week's Five Questions post! This week we hear from Melanie, one of my blogger pals who inspires me SO much. Not only is she a great Mom, blogger, and photographer, but she has also recently left her day job to pursue her dreams...so she's really my inspiration these days. Melanie, you amaze me!!!





Oh, and she attended Girl Crush Seattle (SOOO JEALOUSSS) and made this amazing collage that is currently on display at Assemble Gallery & Studio, along with the mixed media pieces that the other women who attended the event created. So cool! This was also the day that gave her the last push to resign from her job and pursue her new path. Amazing.





Just to note, at the time of this interview Melanie was still with her day job, but she has now made the leap to working full time on Inward Facing Girl. If anyone out there is in need of her expertise, get in touch with her!

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What do you like most about writing Inward Facing Girl?


I like that I can say whatever I want and get a response. When you're pitching ideas or submitting articles to magazines, it's typical to get no feedback at all unless they're thinking about/going to publish your piece. On my blog I can write about an idea, share some photography, or "chat" with my readers about something funny and start a dialogue with them. Many of my readers become friends (like you!) which is awesome. I love how blogging builds a community.


I'm also glad that my blog isn't about just one thing. It's fun to be able to write about motherhood one day, a cool art exhibit the next, and a trip to Portland after that. 


Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?


I'll probably be hanging out with Oprah and Gayle saying, "Remember a few years ago when I said I'd be hanging out with you guys? How awesome is that?!?" and we'll laugh, and clink our wine glasses while we're waiting for our spa treatments.


HA!


I'm in the process of launching my full-time Inward Facing Girl business, which will include freelance writing/blogging, content marketing, social media, and graphic design for creative businesses, so I really hope it takes off and I'm successful doing my own thing. I also would like to be able to get more of my own writing, artwork, and photography out there. 


How do you find time just for YOU?


That's nearly non-existent right now, but I'm hoping to change that after I leave my full-time day job behind. Honestly, my plan has been to schedule an hour or two (UNPLUGGED!) to read books/magazines or make art. So far I think I've done it twice. 


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


Wake up around 5:00 AM. Turn on coffeemaker. Check email, Facebook, Twitter. Work on Inward Facing Girl (blog posts, social media scheduling, research). Work on blogging/social media for my client, Bella Umbrella. Spend some time with Nathaniel before he's off to day care. Go to my full-time day job in pediatric behavioral research (yeah...I know!). Do some social media for me/my client while eating breakfast and lunch. Come home. Work on Inward Facing Girl for about half and hour, then pick up Nathaniel. Dinner after Nathaniel's in bed around 8:00. Fall asleep on couch around 10. Drew wakes me up to go to bed around 11:30 or 12. Repeat. 


I'm really excited to see what July 2nd will be like. That's the first day that I'll wake up when I'm in complete charge of what my day looks like. :)


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?


Build relationships with people you like. So many opportunities can come from meeting other bloggers. You can do this online of course, but it's also important to put yourself out there and attend area meetups or conferences.


Don't try to be the next (insert whatever blogger you love) here. Be yourself and share your unique and beautiful voice. 


Read the recap posts from blogging conferences like Alt Summit and Mom 2.0. There is a lot of helpful advice out there.

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What a great interview Melanie! So full of hints and insight. Love it.

(You can read more Five Questions posts here.)

Five Questions /// Bluebird Kisses

I've been a devoted reader of Ana's blog for ages now. She is the epitome of a Supermom. She'll deny it, but it's true. She has a career, she blogs, takes care of her family including making the most healthy meals from scratch, on top of looking fab every single day. I hope one day I have my act together a fraction of what she does! 


Her blog, Bluebird Kisses, is so pretty. She posts gorgeous pictures, and shares her wisdom (she's a total Mom expert).





I HAD to ask her to join in on the 5Q fun. Here's what she had to say.

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What do you like most about writing Bluebird Kisses?


I like getting feedback and feeling like I connect with other moms that are like me, and share the same interests.  I was the first out of my close friends to have a baby and that was tough for me.  I didn't have anyone to act as a sounding board, or to offer helpful advice.  The blog gives me that.  I post and without doubt someone out in the bloggosphere has had/has a similar experience.


Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?


Quite honestly I'm not sure.  I love writing my blog, its fun to watch it grow and develop.  But I don't have time to make it a business.  I own my own company...with one employee...me.  But I like that.  And I like my day job, so I don't know exactly where the blog fits in.  Sometimes opportunities come out of the blue though so I'm leaving it open. As long as I'm enjoying the blog, I will continue to post.


How do you find time just for YOU?


On weekends when Johannes naps for 2-3 hours, I have imposed mandatory "time out" for me as well.  When he sleeps and I'm at home, I don't touch the computer, or my phone.  I crawl into my bed and read a book.  That's "me" time.  I stopped caring if the dishes were done, or if lunch was already made.  I try to get those things done before he naps, and I let J help in his own way, so we do it together.  But baby naps = me time now.  And it makes a huge difference.


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


A work day?  We wake up at 6am, J has his milk while I eat breakfast...on my lap.  I shower while my husband watches him, then we get dressed and we're out the door by 7:15am.


I drop off J at my grandma's at about 8am hang for a bit, then am off to the office, where I stay until 3 or 4pm.


I do my groceries during lunch or on my way home, or if I don't have groceries to do I go to the gym. 


I pick up J around 4:30 or earlier and drive downtown.


I cook dinner and we eat at 6pm.  By 6:30 we go outside for a walk. 


Baby bath and bed at 7:15pm.


If its a gym day, I go to the gym at 7:30-8:30pm (I have one in my building which helps with zero transit time).


Come upstairs, do some work for work, while having a shake.  


Blog for an hour or so.


Bed by 11 or 12.


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?


Be honest about what you want to accomplish with the blog.  Is it for profit or for pleasure, or both.  Depending on what your end goal is, different steps need to be taken.  The blogging market is huge, and there are many successful and amazing bloggers who are willing to share their insight...for free.  So email a few of them, and ask them for advice or direction.  Some might not reply, but at least one will and their advice could be really helpful.  Blog about what you love, ultimately you want people to read your blog who feel they can connect with you. And take good quality photographs.  Everyone loves to look at pretty pics :)

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Thanks so much Ana! I absolutely love her 'me-time' during nap-time. I think I need to adopt this strategy. Ben wakes up and I'm scrubbing floors, frantic and annoyed that he only slept for 20 minutes. Sigh. 

(You can read previous Five Questions posts here.) 

Five Questions /// Design for Mankind (and now MINIkind!)

As I'm sure you all know, I'm a huge Erin fan. Her blog, Design for Mankind, is nothing but the most perfect collection of, well, everything. It's been one of my favs for a long time now. She just has the most amazing sense of style, and every post is like eye-candy.





Now that she's expecting (and pretty soon, I might add!) she recently launched Design for Minikind, an equally rad blog specifically geared towards the little ones in our lives. I'm obsessed.





And as I mentioned not too long ago, I was lucky enough to be able to contribute a little something from ADOP to her little one's room...just love this custom piece!





Even though Erin is the busiest lady ever (and pregnant to boot) she quickly got back to me with her answers, so I'm thrilled to share them here. 

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What do you like most about writing Design for Mankind, and
now Design For MiniKind?


I love that I have the freedom to write about whatever is in my head, whether that be awesome rugs, painted pants or an awesome geode street art installation in L.A. And because babies fill up 70% of my headspace these days, I have endless words to share at Design for MiniKind!


Where do you see you/your blogs in the next few years?


Oh gosh, I have no earthly idea. I'm definitely not a long-term planner (I get so stressed out at the thought!), so I'm going to just keep riding the wave until it stops being fun. I don't see that happening anytime soon, that's for sure!


How do you find time just for YOU?


I actually LOVE to work, so sometimes "me time" involves a quiet night in with a hot tea and my laptop. I also make sure to take a long walk around the neighborhood after dinner each evening - it clears my head and gives me the chance to hit "refresh" on any of the day's woes!


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


Emails, emails, emails. I swear it's 90% of my job. My inbox is continually overflowing, but it's also one of my favorite parts of what I do: connecting with others and helping others connect with even more "others." :) 


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?


Buckle up for the long haul. Things won't be pretty the first few years, but allow for flexibility, roll with the punches and adapt to the new environment as best as you can. Never compare your start to someone else's middle and be sure you want to get wet before you jump off the cliff. :) 

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How great is her advice? She's so wise!!! Thank you so, so much Erin for doing this, and I'm sooooo excited for the world to set eyes on your little bundle of joy!!

(You can read previous Five Questions posts here.)

Image of Erin via Betsy King and image of Erin's nursery via Design for Minikind

Five Questions /// Saige Wisdom

It's time for another Five Questions post, yay! I hope everyone is enjoying these. I've been getting great feedback and more people are sending in their answers so there are still many in store! This week, we're chatting with the lovely Sara of Saige Wisdom. 


Sara is one of my blogger BFFs...her blog is a must-read for me. She's a Mom, so she gets the whole Mom thing, and she's HILARIOUS. 




I feel like, if we knew eachother in 'real life', we would be actual BFFs. Right Sara? Right? 


If you're not reading Saige Wisdom, get on it, seriously. Her obsession posts are amazing (and are totally fuelling my bad shopping habit), and her weekly confessions are beyond funny. OH, and she is doing a pretty sweet giveaway right now too.


I was so excited to read her answers, they were of course a good laugh, but it is so great to see how other Moms manage their schedules (or struggle with it, like me) and still get around to blogging time. Have a look! (OH, and follo her blog on Facebook too).

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What do you like most about writing your blog? 

There are so many things I love about keeping a blog; it's indescribably satisfying and truth be told it's become a bit of an obsession. Where else can you connect with family, friends and followers, document the happenings of your life AND exercise the right-side of your brain? It's a narcissist's dream come true {not that I would know or anything}.

My day job as a child protection social worker doesn't afford me many opportunities to  unleash my creative side so Saige Wisdom has become an outlet for the wannabe in me. Some days it feels as though my blog is a mini-business and I get to play around with things like branding, marketing, partnerships, etc. - I find it incredibly fun, but then again I've always been a bit odd.

Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?

Rocking a new colour scheme? I mean yellow and grey are so 2011. And seeing how Gabe won't be a babe anymore I'll probably have to update my blog button and maybe get some new material while I'm at it.

All joking aside, I'd like to make good on my new year's resolution numero uno. Taking better photographs has been a HUGE goal of mine and might add some class to my classless blog. Unfortunately practicing with the Pentax requires me to put down the iPhone which is easier said than done.

How do you find time just for YOU? 

'Me time' is few and far between these days, but if I learned anything from fussy baby #1 it was how to ask for help {the crazier you sound the better}. Now that fussy baby #2 has arrived, both sets of grandparents and some really good friends take turns taking our kids so I can have a few hours each week to catch my breath {and shop online}. I guess I should also give credit to my husband who - when he isn't working ridiculous hours - will take over bath times & bedtimes so me, my Dell and I can get our groove on. 

What’s a typical day in your busy life like? 

I have yet to adopt any sort of schedule/routine which I'm pretty sure the baby experts would agree is my first mistake. I'm kind of a homebody so I intentionally sign the kids up for activities that get us out of the house {and out of our pajamas}. It's important that I pre-pay for said activities otherwise I'll easily talk myself out of going - it's kind of like the gym membership philosophy: I'm more inclined to take them if my bank account is being directly affected.

I imagine my days are fairly typical of most stay-at-home-moms - feed, clean, play, repeat... throw in a soccer practice, play date, load of laundry, medical appointment, grocery shop, blog post, swim lesson, reality tv show and iPhone potty break and you've got yourself a day. 

We're in the process of adding some square footage to our 2 bed, 1 bath home which means I'm wearing the hat of 'general contractor' {not as fun as it sounds} and since my husband is a small business owner, I get to play the part of bookkeeper {not fun at all}.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?

A friend of mine challenged a group of us moms back in 2008 to start a blog for Project 365 - having never even read a blog, I had NO idea what I was signing up for. I totally underestimated how much time and energy a blog would require and if I hadn't fallen truly madly deeply in love with keeping an online journal, I'm pretty certain Saige Wisdom would be in a bloggy graveyard somewhere. 

For what it's worth:

Please don't concern yourself with page views or unique visitors. 

Try not to compare yourself to the 'big girls' who get to call blogging their day job.

Blog because you love it.

Blog because you have a voice worth reading.

The followers will follow. 

Just give it time.

Trust me.

Trust in yourself.

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Thanks SO much to Sara for being an awesome blogger, and for sharing with us. You are beyond wise. Also, you're definitely one of my biggest blogger crushes!!


And thanks to everyone else for reading! You can read all of the previous Five Questions posts here. More to come next week!

Five Questions /// Chez Larsson

I was soooo excited when Benita replied to me with her answers for Five Questions, I couldn't WAIT to read her answers. Benita's blog about her amazing home in Stockholm has been in my reader for years now. I have watched her live in two different houses, both of which have been perfectly tidy (and almost completely white, my heart!). 





It is my goal in life to have a house as perfectly designed and organized as hers. Chez Larsson is like eye-candy for the organization-obsessed (like me). She takes being organized to a whole different level. I mean, this is her pantry: 





Sigh. If she walked into my house she would cringe. But, I have bookmarked every cupboard/drawer in her house, and I'll get better. Benita, you're my hero!

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What do you like most about writing Chez Larsson?


I love all the feedback and I love the online friendships I've made over these past four years!


Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?


I have no idea! In my personal life I'll probably stay in my current house and keep tweaking it and hopefully also get a chance to pursue some hobbies that I haven't had time for this past year since the move. If I'm still blogging? Time will tell I guess.


How do you find time just for YOU?


Me time is early in the morning on weekends before my son Wille gets up. I have breakfast and watch stuff on tv that I've recorded during the week but haven't had a chance to see.


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


I get up at around 5:30 am. Work 7 am - 4 pm. Make and have dinner and spend some time with Wille (we usually watch a show we both like such as Mythbusters, How I met Your Mother, CSI, Criminal Minds...) and when he does school work I work on some project or other. I try to be in bed by 10 pm, 11 at the latest.


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?


Blog about something you're truly passionate about, not something you think others will want to read about or that you think you'll make money from. Use your own content and don't forget photos!

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Thank you again Benita! Love having a little peek into your life!

You can read previous Five Questions posts here. Another one coming next week!

Five Questions /// The Boo and the Boy

The Boo and the Boy is one of those blogs that I've been reading for soooo long that I kind of feel like I know Julia. She is so honest about her life, which is always so endearing and inspiring. She writes candidly about her husband's health concerns, and it's amazing to see how her family sticks together through everything. It's also SO incredible to see just how strong she is. I admire her a lot.




Julia also has IMPECCABLE taste. I have a hard time not pinning everything that she posts (I also follow her on Pinterest and repin almost everything she pins. EVERYTHINGGGG.)


If you're ever in need of inspiration, be it in fashion, design, or life in general, I highly suggest you start reading this blog. And work your way backwards....it's pretty awesome.


Julia was kind enough to participate in Five Questions, here's what she had to say.

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What do you like most about writing your The Boo and the Boy?


What I like most about writing my blog is meeting all sorts of wonderful people from all over the world and all the love and support that my family and I have received over the last few years. When I started my blog, I wrote about my kids and their milestones and I blogged about kids' rooms (since I love interior design). My husband was diagnosed two years ago with a brain tumour and I started blogging about it and it was a great way for me to share my frustrations with what we were dealing with and to keep track of what was going on medically. I love that my blog is a daily journal, a bit of everything that I'll have forever and that I can share with my two small children once they are older.


Where do you see you/your blog in the next few years?


In the next few years, I'm hoping that my blog will be less about my husband's medical issues. It's been two years straight of medical appointments and surgeries for my husband and we're hoping for all that to slow down soon. I've recently started blogging about fashion on Friday's and that stemmed from my two sisters starting a fashion blog Closet Rivalry and my interest in fashion grew from there. My blog grows as my interests grow. My blog is my hobby and it'll morph at the spur of the moment as I come up with other ideas for it. 


How do you find time just for YOU?


Me time is rare and you'll see why in the next question. My blogging time is really the me time that I get and that is usually after the kids are asleep and before I pass out of exhaustion for the night. The last two years of my life have been crazy and insane (since my husband got sick) so there just hasn't been a whole lot of time for just me. I don't mind though because my kids are happy and my husband is still with us and doing well.


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


On a typical weekday, I wake up at 4:45 am. I arrive at my full-time day job with the government around 6:30 am. I work like a dog till 3:00 pm when it's time to catch the bus home. I get home at 4:00 pm and spend a few minutes with my two kids and husband and find out how their day went. I then cook dinner and once that is over, the kids are bathed and we all hang out until it's time for the kids to go to bed - usually around 8:30 pm. I break out the laptop in bed to blog and watch tv then I usually fall asleep by 9:30pm. This is a typical Monday to Friday for me.


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog?


The beginning is hard - trying to develop an audience - but you have to stick with it and not give up. Be yourself and do what you love, what comes from your heart. That is what a good blog is made of.

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Thanks again to Julia for taking the time to do this!! And to everyone else for reading!


You can read last week's Five Questions post here. And more to come next Wednesday...I've had more very cool blogger's respond and I can't wait to share their answers with you!

Five Questions /// A Merry Mishap

Hurray, my very first 'Five Questions' post! I will be posting one of these each week for the next little while, and I'm so excited to share them with you. The idea behind this is to get a little glimpse into the lives of my (and probably your) favourite bloggers, what they do each day, how they find time for themselves, that sort of thing. And if some of these bloggers are new to you, then you'll hopefully get some new favourites.


First up, the lovely Jennifer of A Merry Mishap! I've mentioned Jennifer on the blog before, and you may already be familiar with her. I've been a big fan of her blog for years now. If you're not already an avid reader of her blog, you should be. Check her out.



And you MUST visit her shop. Her  jewelry designs are amazinggg.





I was so excited when Jennifer agreed to participate in my new series. She's pretty busy after all with the blog, shop, and her family....but she was gracious enough to help me out!


Ok, let's get to the questions!

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What do you like most about writing A Merry Mishap? 


One of the things I enjoy most about writing AMM is the opportunity to share and do creative things that I might not otherwise do. It's great motivation to finish a project or to find something new to share when I know it's not just for me. There's something about writing a blog that is much like building, you are constantly curating and gathering a collection of things and experiences that are unique to you, I like that.


Where do you see you/your blog/your shop in the next few years?


There are many visions I have for the blog and for my shop as well. Some of them may never come to fruition but I would like to teach more with the blog. I've always enjoyed hosting dinner and parties but I haven't used my blog to share that love, and part of me would like to see more how-to's as far as planning a meal or party. I also try to remind myself to share as many of my own images as possible. Our life is sometimes mundane, but at least it's ours and I feel like it's the most unique thing I can offer my readers. I want to share something that is real and genuine because that is something I appreciate from other bloggers.


How do you find time just for YOU?


Finding time for myself is a real challenge but I'm learning that it won't look the way it did when I was single or before becoming a mom. It is little things like sitting on the couch with a magazine. It sounds so simple but I'm usually in my studio or picking up the house, I rarely just sit on the sofa. It's a real mental thing, I have to tell myself I'm going to walk away from my emails and shop and business responsibilities and just do something I like doing, for no other reason than that. Some days it is going to bed early or getting to the store by myself. My husband is a huge help and if I ever need time alone he always helps give me that time.


What’s a typical day in your busy life like?


My typical day means getting up by 7 am, answering as many emails as possible, checking invoices to see what I need to make that day, making breakfast for my son and getting him dressed. I try to eat something quick too or I'll go without until about 5:30. My husband works very early so he gets home around noon at which point I head back to my work desk and make jewelry for a few hours. At about 3:30 I start packaging and printing shipping labels, marking invoices to get orders to the post office by 4:30. I clean up my work area a bit and this is when I will head out to the grocery store, the bank, things like that. After that, I make dinner for my son and my husband puts him to bed while I get caught up on more emails and write to-do lists for the next day. The evening is when I get blogging projects done and often I go to bed well after my husband does, about 1 or 2 am.  It's just about like that, more or less, every day of the week.


Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a blog/business?


I would tell anyone who wants to start blogging to dive in! It's good to experiment plenty until you find your style and what works best for you. Please try to offer something unique, something that people can connect with and want to come back to, think about the kinds of blogs you like to read and why you continue to go back to them. Also, network. This is an area I am weak in but I do try to work with other people, bloggers, designers or store owners. Mostly I would encourage people to be honest with themselves about their strengths, if you're not a great photographer or graphic designer, don't feel bad, you might be a great curator or an eloquent writer, work with what you've got!

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A HUGE thank you to Jennifer for sharing so much with us, and for being so sweet! Now I don't feel so bad knowing that I'm not the only Mom/blogger/shop owner getting 5ish hours of sleep, ha ha!


Next week I'll share another Five Questions from another favourite blogger! Hope you all like this series!

A new series - Five Questions

Starting tomorrow I am going to post a new series once a week called Five Questions. I've asked some of my all time favourite bloggers to participate and answer five quick questions, and I'm already getting some amazing responses. So far I've learned that people are awesome, in general.


I'm still in the process of contacting people, so you may hear from me! And if you would like to participate, drop me a line. 


Tomorrow will be the first post, and I'm going to start with Jennifer of A Merry Mishap! Check back tomorrow for her mini-interview!