I just adore the month of January... not for the artic temps or the inevitable holiday let-down...
I love the FRESH START that it always brings mentally... I am not really one for setting a New Year's resolution. But I love to take the time to look back on the past year and decide what I would like to do differently with my time and resources and energy. To establish what is working, what isn't and what some of my deepest desires are and then work on making them a reality!
2008 was a topsy-turvy year with LOTS of changes for me both personally and professionally - mostly resulting from me deciding to make big changes at the start of 2008. For all I have been through in the past 12 months, there is no way I would do it any different!
In the month of January I have asked some fellow bloggers to participate in a interview about their blogs, their life and their goals for 2009. (If you are interested in participating but did not receive an email from me... please email me at goodlifeforless (at) gmail (dot) com right away! I would love as many participants as possible and it will only take a few moments!!! All I ask in return is that you link to your interview on your site once it is live on mine.)
To break the ice and get us started I am going to answer my OWN interview... hopefully it will give you a better sense of who I am and what I am all about!
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Looking back, how has blogging influenced your business or personal life, how has it changed the way you do and see things in your everyday life?
Over this past year, specifically just this past fall, blogging has become a really fun creative outlet for me. Since I recently became a stay-at-home-mom to two toddlers it is a constant stream of "outside" inspiration both reading others' blogs and being able to stay connected to the "real world" from my own home. It makes me more aware of my likes, passions and what inspires me because I am looking for it everywhere I go so that I may blog about it. My eyes and mind are always thinking... is that good blogging material? Does that reflect me? To me, it is very important to make each and every post reflect me and always be my best foot forward. In the blog world you only have one medium for people to interpret you!
How do you fit blogging into your “in person” responsibilities (work, family, play)?
I laugh at this question a bit, because I have to literally STEAL time from being a mom to do anything these days. Blogging included. I am sure I am not alone in that! But I couldn't imagine life if everyone out there didn't make the time for it - because I think I love reading blogs more than I love having my own! But mostly I squeeze it in at naps, during cartoons or after the kids go to bed. If I am having a big inspiring moment I can put together several posts at once and schedule them out... but I try to make sure this doesn't get to "planned" feeling for the reader.
Do you view blogging as a “job” or a revenue producing project for yourself or your own small business?
I do and I don't. Let me explain, I do because I feel deeply committed to it. And on top of that I have learned over the past months the way to use a blog as a revenue producing asset. Since I am fairly new to these "ways" I am not there yet, but it has opened my eyes to everything that a blog can be. But I also "don't" because I am deeply committed to it. I want my blog to still be inspired by me, not always inspired by money. I want to make sure I am staying true to me, whether I am making money on it or not.
If you don’t mind sharing… how long have you been blogging for and what is your blog’s “post” count to date?
Before I started "the good life for less" - I had another blog years ago that was more about motherhood and knitting - two other things I am very passionate about. But I have never been great at writing deeply personal stuff or to that extent talking about motherhood without sounding cynical. So I was never truly inspired. Then Ravelry came along and I no longer needed a knitting outlet - so the blog died. I was happy to see it go, I never felt connected to it.
This blog I started back in January 2008 because I am always trying to find the best stuff and live the best life, but still on a reasonable budget. At the beginning I had a lot of time constraints. I had all of these great post ideas, just never time to get them down. Then this fall when I decided to stay home full time I suddenly had a lot of time (er-kind of)! My current post count for this blog is 125 (as I write). So while I had about 100 for 2008 - I would like to make that 50-80 a month for 2009 - lofty goals, huh? We'll see ;)
In addition, I write for The Fashionable Housewife and I probably have 80 or 90 total posts there since September -I'll have to check with the editor on those stats though!
Do you have goals or upcoming changes slated for your blog in 2009? If so, can we have a sneak peek?
I am not huge on having a really fancy "looking" blog. Although this year I would like to tweak some stylistic aspects of the blog, I am not looking to majorly overhaul it's looks. I like a simple look to it; that highlights the content for me. But I will say as blog "consumer" I love the creativity that is showcased through so many blogs' "bones".
Content-wise I have LOTS of ideas on new features and content. Some that will be showcased in 2009 are wardrobe staples. I am really into that these days... the solid investments we can make for our wardrobes that define our closets and our beings. I am clothes horse, so it will be a challenge for me personally to pare down and consciously grow my wardrobe rather than pick up 5 - 10 items on sale here and there. So that is both personal and blog goal for me in 2009. Also I am hoping to do some renovations on my home this year and I am dying to chronicle the ways that we can reno our homes for way less than most would think. I love the accessories of homes (sinks, faucets, tiles, this that and the other thing) and am really excited to make changes at home and let everyone else in on them! Some projects will include redoing my fireplace hearth/mantel, some changes to closets, bathroom updates and hopefully the grand finale will be a new kitchen.
What is a goal of yours outside your blog for 2009… either personal, entrepreneurial or otherwise?
Well, I outlined some of them above already I guess. But one other big one is to begin my career in real estate. I got my license this past fall and hope to start using it next fall. I am mostly waiting for the kids to grow a bit so I can take advantage of these sweet young days with them. And a little rebound in the market couldn't hurt either!
What are three things about you that we may not know from reading your blog?
Again I gave a couple away already! I am a licensed real estate agent, I am an avid knitter, I am the mother of two toddlers (1 1/2 & 4), I live in a quiet suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan but am originally from the Chicago area, I consider myself a "city" person at heart, I love to read and on a really, really good day can put a whole book down easily, I hate to clean but mess drives me nuts, I secretly dream of having a nanny, I am a night-owl.
What are three blogs that are inspiring you these days (if you can even narrow it down to three!)?
There are SO many good ones, it is really hard to chose. Plus my favorites change weekly! Here are four:
I am usually waiting with bated breath for Knit & Tonic to post. She is the ultimate knitter and fashionista. I secretly want to be her best friend. Plus her husband always takes amazing pictures of her which I find endearing and really cool at the same time.
The frugal-fashionista in me loves Omiru. Both because the items she showcases are down to earth and spot on for fashion and I also love her polls to get a pulse on what blog-land is loving or hating fashionwise.
The Official Blog of Polyvore is always so inspiring, just because I love playing on polyvore and it never fails that someone is just ROCKING some sets there. So cool.
Of course I just love The Fashionable Housewife! Not just because I write for it... but because I strongly believe that moms and housewives should be integrating fashion into their lives. We get a bad rap overall in the fashion department. It doesn't have to be couture... just put together.
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Thanks so much for your reader-ship and again, if you are interested in participating - email me!
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