Blogging Tips from a Newbie-{Guest Post}

{Guest Post By Mary of Secret Obsession}

Photo Credit

Hiya there! I'm Mary from Secret Obsession and I'm here today to share to you some blogging tips I learned through a mere two years of blogging. I know it's not yet that much but I have really learned a lot within those years. :)

I know you've probably seen numerous blogging tips from all over the internet Paving your way to having a huge amount of readers and pushing your blog all the way up there is no easy task. So let me help you a bit in reaching your blogging goal. :) I'm no pro at this but I hope this will be of help. :D

1. BE YOURSELF 

If you're a personal blogger like I am, this is probably the first thing you should put into mind. Be yourself. Be unique. Be original. Find your own 'thing' that will keep you and your blog apart from the rest. Though you may not find it that easily, you will, sooner or later.

2. WRITE SOMETHING OF VALUE

I know how blogs are considered to be online diaries for some - a diary that contains all their heartaches, family problems, etc. Yes, blogging is a medium to express but that doesn't mean that you can type and publish just about anything. You have to choose what and what not to post. Blogging is more than just sharing all you problems to the world. It is also a place for people to learn and get some experience. If you're a personal blogger, you can't just write all the things that you do every single day. Perhaps, write a DIY or your newest discovery! Think of something creative that will keep your readers coming back. 

3. INTERACT WITH OTHER BLOGGERS.

You cannot make friends when you just look at them from a distance right? That's why you need to interact and create a new circle of friends through blogging! It's one of the many fun ways to get to know people from all over the world! A really good way to earn more friends and readers is to join blog hops! There are thousands of it on the internet! Just type in 'blog hops' on google and you're good to go! But don't just let people visit your blog, visit theirs too! Every blogger appreciates every single and sincere comment or message. Don't just slap 'Nice blog. Follow me and I'll follow you' in their comments. That's just rude. Earning readers and followers takes time but you'll get there.

4. POST REGULARLY

I do love it when I visit a blog and there's a new post every up single day! If you want to keep your readers, you need to post regularly. It doesn't need to be everyday though. As long have something new about three to five times every week, that's enough. An easy way to post without having to type daily is to schedule them! But what do I post? You can make a series like 'Ten things that make me happy' to be posted every Wednesday, a Mixtape everymonday or a 'What I've Been Up to' post every weekends! Or better yet, join blogging challenges! That'll keep you posting everyday!

5. A GOOD DESIGN MATTERS

When you go to an event, you need to look neat, clean and presentable. This is also true to blogs. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but most times, it's not like that at all when it comes to blogging. You see, one of the first things people notice when they visit the blog is the blog design. No matter how nice your posts are, no one will actually care to read it if it's comic sans size 15 in red. I guess you know what I mean. :) You don't need a really gorgeous layout. The key here is the right combination of colors and fonts. Make it readable, neat and pleasing to the eyes. If you're not comfortable with font or color combinations or fiddling with your html, consult the internet. There are like thousands of tutorials to help you designing your blog.

6. CONSIDER YOUR PRIVACY

In blogging, you may share your daily life, your likes and dislikes, or your favorite color. But then again, you must learn what and what not to share. Blogging may be fun but you need to consider your privacy too. Try not to divulge details such as your real name, address, credit card number and any other information that needs to kept private. Keep in mind that this is the internet and anything bad can happen when you're not being careful. 

So that's about it. :) I hope you've learned something from this. Goodluck on your blogging journey! If you need something, please don't hesitate to email me at belleextraordinaire@gmail.com. 

love and hugs,

Mary 

Tunisian Crochet Berry Stitch

Tunisian Crochet Berry Stitch

I've been searching the web about the very famous strawberry bag. I love how those stitch looks like tiny strawberries and It's just lovely and cute! Luckily I have a Tunisian hook so I can make this. I will make a swatch first. If you know how to make a Tunisian crochet this will be easy for you. If you are a beginner you should try this video click here. I hope you enjoy practicing this swatch think of the possibilities you can make with this berry stitch! Thank you Dearest Debi for sharing this video!

26 TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

How do you handle your stress?

Does this situation looks familiar? taking care of the children and the adult child (AKA HUSBAND), house chores,work etc...STRESS! It is part of our daily lives. Its up to you how to manage our stress.

 These tips will help you to manage your stress.

26 TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS 

1. Always take time for yourself, at least 30 minutes per day.

2. Be aware of your own stress meter: Know when to step back and cool down.

3. Concentrate on controlling your own situation, without controlling

everybody else.

4. Daily exercise will burn off the stress chemicals.

5. Eat lots of fresh fruit, veggies, bread and water, give your body the best for it to perform at its best.

6. Forgive others, don't hold grudges and be tolerant -- not everyone is as capable as you.

7. Gain perspective on things, how important is the issue?

8. Hugs, kisses and laughter: Have fun and don't be afraid to share your feelings with others.

9. Identify stress and plan to deal with them better next time.

10. Judge your own performance realistically; don't set goals out of your own reach.

11. Keep a positive attitude, your outlook will influence outcomes and the way others treat you.

12. Limit alcohol, drugs and other stimulants, they affect your perception and behavior.

13. Manage money well, seek advice and save at least 10 per cent of what you earn.

14. No is a word you need to learn to use without feeling guilty.

15. Outdoor activities by yourself, or with friends and family, can be a great way to relax.

16. Play your favorite music rather than watching television.

17. Quit smoking: It is stressing your body daily, not to mention killing you too.

18. Relationships: Nurture and enjoy them, learn to listen more and talk less.

19. Sleep well, with a firm mattress and a supportive pillow; don't overheat yourself and allow plenty of ventilation.

20. Treat yourself once a week with a massage, dinner out, the movies: Moderation is the key.

21. Understand things from the other person's point of view.

22. Verify information from the source before exploding.

23. Worry less, it really does not get things completed better or quicker.

24. Express: Make a regular retreat to your favorite space, make holidays part of your yearly plan and budget.

25. Yearly goal setting: Plan what you want to achieve based on your priorities in your career, relationships, etc.

26. Zest for life: Each day is a gift, smile and be thankful that you are a part of the bigger picture.

You should learn to take care of yourself before you can take care of your family.You should learn how to manage your stress to make our family happy. Remember a happy Mom makes a happy family! 

GFC is Not Going Away?!

My Grab Button Designs

I've been making buttons these week. I am enjoying editing on Picmonkey. I made a button for myself and for my sister. Here are my button designs:

I made two buttons for my sister and she chose one on the right.

Here is my Weekly Features buttons

And Here is my own Grab Button That you can find on my sidebar.

I am inviting you to join out link party, It is called Cutey Linky Pinky Party! It will be co-hosted by my sister Bobbie of Lemons and Carnations

GFC Is Not Going?

To all my GFC followers it's almost July 1 and Google reader is going bye bye. In 4 months of blogging I gained 106 of GFC followers. I read this post that GFC is not going any where. I want to share this link to all my blogger friends.
according to Google's Official blog :

"Google Friend Connect-Friend connect allows webmasters to add social features to their sites by embedding a few snippets of code. We're retiring the service for all non-blogger sites on March 1, 2012. e encourage affected sites to create a Google+ page and place a Google+ badge on their site so they can bring their community of followers to Google+ and use new features like Circles and Hangouts to Keep in touch."

Life & Everything Else In-Between, Nathan the author of this blog said that;

You've probably seen my twitter feed explode as of late with information on Google Reader. Earlier this week, Google announced that reader would be retired in July. I think there's been some miss communication that I want to clear up. Google has not announced that they are retiring Google Friend Connect for Blogger users - so worry that GFC will disappear on July 1st can be put on hold. Google Reader and your Blogger Reading List are two separate things. When you click to "join this site" or follow a blog via GFC it automatically adds that blog to your Blogger Reading List and Google Reader. Google Reader is pretty much a place where you can follow blogs via RSS feed. The Blogger blog list is similar but different. The Blogger Reading List is Bloggers way of following blogs and there's been no announcement as of yet that says they plan to discontinue this. So, what will change? The only thing that will change is that you will no longer be able to follow blogs via Google Reader. You will not lose your GFC widget or your Blogger Reading List.

You can see that Google said that they ended GFC on NON-BLOGGER users only more than a year ago because they want them to use G+ badge. They continued using GFC on BLOGGER users. Nathan explained that Blogger reading list is different from Google reader (read Nathans post for complete explanation click here)

For non-Blogger users there are other ways to follow us blogger like in bloglovin'.For Blogger users continue to follow us on GFC.

 I hope this link will ease those panicking blogger friends out there ;) inhale, exhale... now smile..

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

To My Husband and My Father and to all my Uncles Happy Father's Day

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the the most to us, We often find that it is those who, instead of giving advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with warm tender hands. That is our Fathers and Husbands. They gave us the greatest gift anyone could give anyone, They BELIEVE in us.

Father's Day is the day we bring gifts for our Father or Husband. The day we thank them for being there for us and thanking them for  everything they did for us. With divorce and abandonment rampant in this days, We really should pay tribute to the Fathers who took the time and made a major commitment simply to BE THERE for us. There aren't as many of such noble warriors as might we imagine.

Giving them little or big gifts, as long as we remember the HEROIC things they made for us. This is their Day. 

To My Husband and to My Father, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.

Carrot in a Bunny Costume or Bunny in a Carrot Costume?

Bunny in a Carrot Costume-Kawaii neh!

I've been thinking of a pattern to share to all my Cutey Crocheters, and I've seen a lot of amigurumis out there but I think this will be a little different,this one is one of the cutest yet! It is a bunny...in a carrot costume! It is so cute! It is an easy project even a beginner can make. 

You will need:

4-ply worsted weight yarn ( in orange and in light brown, and in green)

Size H/8-5.00MM hook

Red thread for the nose

black yarn for the eyes

Yarn needle

Abbreviation:

sc-Single crochet
sc inc- Single crochet increase
sc dec- Single crochet decrease

For the body:

Make a magic ring

Round 1: 6 sc in the magic ring. DO NOT JOIN (6 sts)

Round 2: 6 sc around (6 sts)

Round 3: 2 sc in each sc (12 sts)

Round 4: 1 sc around (12 sts)

Round 5: (1 sc on the next 3 sc, sc inc in the next sc) Repeat 3x (15sts)

Round 6: 1 sc around (15 sts)

Round 7: ( 1 sc in the next 4 sc, sc inc in the next sc) Repeat 3x (18 sts)

Round 8: 1 sc around (18 sts)

Round 9: (1 sc in the next 5 sc, sc inc in the next sc) Repeat 3x (21 sts)

Round 10-11: 1 sc around (21 sts)

Round 12: ( 1 sc in the next 6 sc, sc inc in the next sc) Repeat 3x

Round 13-14: 1 sc around (24 sts)

Fasten off and leave a 8 inch long tail for sewing.

For the head:

Make a magic ring

Round 1: Make 7 sc in the magic ring (7 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc. (14 sts)

Round 3: (1 sc in next sc, sc inc in next) Repeat 7 x (21 sts)

Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 sc, sc inc in next) Repeat 7 x (28 sts)

Round 5: (1 sc in next 3 sc, sc inc in next) Repeat 7 x (35 sts)

Round 6-10: 1 sc around (35 sts)

Round 11-12: With color orange, 1 sc around (35 sts)

Round 13: (1 sc in next 3 sc, sc dec ) Repeat 7 x (28 sts)

Round 14: (1 sc in next 2 sc, sc dec) Repeat 7 x (21 sts)

Round 15: (1 sc in next sc, sc dec) Repeat 7 x ( 14 sts)

Round 16: (sc dec) Repeat 7 x (7 sts)

Fasten off leaving a long tail of yarn for sewing later.

Ears (make 2)

Make a magic Ring

Round 1: Make 6 sc in the magic ring (6 sts)

Round 2: sc inc in each sc (12 sts)

Round 3-6: 1 sc around (12 sts)

Round 7: sc dec, 1 sc in next 10 sc (11 sts)

Round 8-9: 1 sc around (11 sts)

Round 10: sc dec, 1 sc in next 9 sc (10 sts)

Round 11: 1 sc around (10 sts)

Round 12: sc dec, 1 sc in next 8 sc ( 9 sts)

Round 13: sc dec, 1 sc in next 7 sc (8 sts)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing later.

Arms (make 2)

Make a magic ring

Round 1: 6 sc in the magic ring ( 6 sts )

Round 2-3: 1 sc around (6 sts)

Fasten off and leave a long tail of yarn for sewing later.

Feet (make 2)

Make a magic ring

Round 1: make 8 sc in the magic ring (8 sts)

Round 2-3: 1 sc around (8 sts)

Fasten off and leave a long tail of yarn for sewing later.

Leaves (make 4)

Make a magic ring

round 1: make 6 sc in the magic ring (6 sc)

Round 2- desired length: 1 sc around (6 sc)

Fasten off. Leave a long tail of yarn for sewing.

*Sew the head to the body.

* Sew on the ears, and the leaves.

*Attach the legs, arms and tail

* Add details. I embroidered the nose and the mouth and the eyes. But if you want you can use a pair of safety eyes.

I hope you like this pattern It's been a long time since I posted a free pattern. Thank you for reading :)

Place I linked:
1. Fluster's Creative Muster - Party #24

14 Steps to Eating Clean

14 Steps to Eating Clean

Right now I am still trying to loose some weight. I've lost a few pounds and I have no more knee pain due to excess pounds. I drink more water now and rarely drinks soda. But I still need to eat clean to be healthier and stronger. I found this on Pinterest and I want to give this a try. I hope I can complete this steps so I can achieve my goal to be healthier and fitter. According to Tosca Reno some of the benefits of eating clean are; Healthy weight, increased energy, and healthy skin

14 Steps to Health. 

Week 1: Two fruits and/or vegetables per meal – Eat a minimum of two different fruits or vegetables (preferably organic) with every breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal.

Did you know that Tosca Reno is already 54 years old! She is a living proof that
eating clean does work.

Week 2: “Real” beverages – Beverages will be limited to coffee, tea, water, and milk (only naturally sweetened with a little honey or 100% pure maple syrup). One cup of juice will be allowed throughout the week, and wine (preferably red) will be allowed in moderation (an average of one drink per day).

Week 3: Meat – All meat consumed this week will be locally raised (within 100-miles of your hometown). Meat consumption will also be limited to 3 – 4 servings this week, and when it is eaten meat will not be presented as the “focal point” of the meal. Instead meat will be treated as a side item or simply used to help flavor a dish.

Week 4: No fast food or deep-fried foods – No fast food or any foods that have been deep-fried in oil.

Week 5: Try two new whole foods – Try a minimum of two new whole foods that you’ve never had before.

Week 6: No low-fat, lite or nonfat food products – Do not eat any food products that are labeled as “low-fat,” “lite,” “light,” “reduced fat,” or “nonfat.”

Week 7: 100% Whole grain – All grains consumed must be 100% whole-grain.

Week 8: Stop eating when you feel full – Listen to your internal cues and stop eating when you feel full.

Week 9: No refined sweeteners – No refined or artificial sweeteners including (but not limited to): white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, sucanat, splenda, stevia, agave, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, brown rice syrup, and cane juice. Foods and beverages can only be sweetened with a moderate amount of honey or maple syrup.

Week 10: No refined oils – No refined or hydrogenated oils including (but not limited to): vegetable oil, organic vegetable oil, soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, organic canola oil, margarine, and grape seed oil.

Week 11: Eat local foods – Eat at least 1 locally grown or raised food at each meal. This includes, but is not limited to: fruits, vegetables, eggs, grains, nuts, meats, and sweeteners like honey.

Week 12: No sweeteners – Avoid all added sweeteners including, but not limited to: white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, honey, maple syrup, date sugar, maple sugar, sucanat, splenda, stevia, agave, fruit juice concentrate, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, brown rice syrup, and cane juice.

Week 13: Nothing artificial – Avoid all artificial ingredients including, but not limited to: sweeteners, flavors and colors.

Week 14: No more than 5-ingredients – Avoid any and all packaged food products that contain more than five ingredients no matter what ingredients.

Eating clean is not a fad diet that starves you. This is a lifestyle change that can make you healthier and younger. I want to try this so I can be the very best me ;) Maybe next time I will post my before and after pic.

25 Awesome Tips for Beautiful Life

Happy Life!

I saw this on Facebook today I just want to share this to make life a little easier for us. And I want my cutey crocheters to have a happy life!

25 AWESOME TIPS FOR BEAUTIFUL LIFE!!!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, SMILE.
It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. When you wake up in the morning, Pray to ask God’s
guidance for your purpose, today.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past,
negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive them for
everything !

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years,
will this matter?’

17. Help the needy, Be generous ! Be a ‘Giver’ not a ‘Taker’

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. Time heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your
family and friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed, Pray to God and Be thankful
for what you’ll accomplish, today !

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25.Share this to everyone on your list to help them lead a happier
life…!!!!