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Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Mom.Me - 50 Favorite Mom Bloggers
Newness!
I updated the look of the blog on a bit of a whim today and I'm really loving the fresh feel! Just wondering if everything is looking okay on your end? xo, Lauren
P.S. Don't forget to enter to win $50 toward a custom embroidered blanket, lovely, or pillow from Dolce Dreams!
When it Rains it Pours
Sorry for the disappearance. My life seems to have gone a bit haywire and I'm fighting to get it back under control! I'm back at work full time, Kevin's herniated discs are back in action, my sister ended up in the hospital with kidney stones, and Violet has been a bit out of her normal routine with her transition back to her babysitter's house. Not to mention the fact that I'm trying to navigating a new blogging system and deadlines over on Apartment Therapy. So needless to say blogging hasn't been high on my priority list this week. Hopefully I'll manage to have some posts for you next week - thank goodness for long weekends!
xoxo, Lauren
Exciting News!
I'm excited after a lot of hard work to announce the launch of my new blog today - A Lovely Lark!
I've really been craving a separate space to blog exclusively about children's design and products and I've finally decided to go for it. I've got a lot of exciting posts lined up and I hope you'll follow along! I will continue to blog here on with two cats, but this will be more exclusively a lifestyle and personal blog. I'm sure there will be some overlap, but we'll see how it all works out. Today I'm sharing a project that's near and dear to my heart...here's a sneak peek:
Get the full details here. Eek! Thanks for all of your support!
xo, Lauren
I've really been craving a separate space to blog exclusively about children's design and products and I've finally decided to go for it. I've got a lot of exciting posts lined up and I hope you'll follow along! I will continue to blog here on with two cats, but this will be more exclusively a lifestyle and personal blog. I'm sure there will be some overlap, but we'll see how it all works out. Today I'm sharing a project that's near and dear to my heart...here's a sneak peek:
Get the full details here. Eek! Thanks for all of your support!
xo, Lauren
Master Bedroom Refresh
So all of the bedding is officially put together and I love it! The room is perking up already. Unfortunately our old too-small-hand-me-down headboard is looking even sadder than ever. In my dream world I'd purchase this bed from Room & Board or this headboard from West Elm but alas we're just normal people with no piles of extra money lying around the house. So I think I may DIY me a headboard? Professional DIYers - where do you buy batting and foam for this sort of project? Joann Fabrics or some such place?
Luckily for my budget I already own this cute geometric terrarium and this dreamy poster. I can paint my own ampersand (though this one is lovely) and I'm pretty sure I could DIY these bookends in a flash.
My thoughts are turning to paint (I'm leaning toward an almost-white) and lighting (we need plug-in sconces above our nightstands). The lighting situation in the room is seriously grim with only a sad droopy old single sconce hanging haphazardly above the bed. Decorating gurus of the world - I'm completely open to suggestions! Favorite shades of light and bright paint? Inexpensive but lovely sconces? Any sources to share? I'd be forever grateful!
xo, Lauren
P.S. Sorry if my posts end up with typos or sound
Friday Favorites + True Love
We had a special delivery to the H-Haus yesterday thanks to the lovely Lori Marie. She sent us one of her beautiful dolls, Merriweather, and Violet is IN LOVE. She took that doll everywhere with her yesterday - to the park, down the slide, on the swing, in the stroller, she fed it her snack and snuggled her and lovingly stroked her hair. I love seeing her start 'mothering' her own babies, it's so sweet. (I also have one of Lori Marie's medallion pillows and daisy chains. Yep, I'm an addict.)
We're so looking forward to a LONG Memorial Day weekend and I'm really excited to take Violet to the parade - she gets so excited about them. Having a child really does make everything fresh and fun again, doesn't it?
I also want to say a special thank you to a few heroes in my family: my Papaw, Uncle Tim, brother-in-law Randy, and cousins Donny, Shanna, Justy, and Tim - Thank you for your service to our country!
And without further ado, a few favorite links to kick off your holiday weekend:
Pretty printable envelopes
Custom constellation artwork for your little one
Can you be in love with a paper cup?
How to replace backgrounds in Photoshop
The sweetest wedding
Is the American Dream changing?
I so want to wear this crown.
Happy Friday! xo, Lauren
P.S. I've opened an Etsy shop where I'll be selling custom silhouette portraits - check it out here!
P.P.S. Follow me on Instagram - @withtwocats
Friday Favorites
I can't wait to see how this nursery turns out.
Possibly the sweetest photo ever.
Possibly the sweetest child ever (other than, of course, my own ;))
Ridiculous cuteness.
In love with the wallpaper in this space.
DIY 'inlay' dresser and a lovely terrarium how-to.
On working moms and myths.
Sweet and simple party favors.
Free arrow brushes!
Happy Friday! xo, Lauren
Sponsor With Two Cats in April
Like the content here on with two cats? Consider sponsoring us for a month or two! April is going to be great - I'm hoping to put the finishing details on Violet's big girl room, making some changes to our living/dining area, and planning Violet's second birthday party! Plus the usual eye candy, mini meals, and hopefully a few new supermom features.
I'm working with Passionfruit advertising now so you can actually purchase and upload your ad without having to send a bunch of email craziness back and forth with me. Your ad will appear on the start date and will run for 30 days. The ads will be automatically rotated as well. I seriously loooove the whole concept of Passionfruit and am thrilled to be working with them. (And hopefully with some of you as well!) You can check out stats and more information here.
xo, Lauren
Friday Favorites
I think this is beautiful.
So is this.
If I had space for a play room in my home, this would be on the walls.
The Marketer's Guide to Pinterest.
I can already tell that this is going to be gorgeous.
A simple tip to help keep the sparks flying.
Rifle fabric!
Definitely giving Violet these for her birthday.
Must try this.
A pretty paper flower frame from the Paper Mama.
Keeping sweet baby Arlo in my thoughts and prayers.
Love this honest post.
Last but not least I'd so appreciate your vote over on the Homies - today is the last day :)
Happy weekend!
xo, Lauren
Link Love: Blogging Tips
If you haven't noticed things are looking a bit different around these parts (for those of you who read via RSS, feel free to click over to check it out!) I know I've changed the design pretty frequently - I tend to be fickle and I'm always trying to improve things. I suppose I was in the mood for something a bit more dramatic and went for the charcoal gray :) I'm still working on the header and a few other details, but for now I'm pretty happy with it.
But I also realize that there's more to blogging than just having a pretty website design and I've been reading more and more great posts on the topic lately. Here are a few of my recent favorites:
1. Growing your readership (the above illustration comes from this post - love it!)
2. How to be part of the ten percent
3. Make your blog read more like a magazine and highlight details with this fun graphic approach.
4. Modern (and affordable!) blog designs
5. 25 Fonts for the (Self-proclaimed) Font Snob
6. Site design tips and tricks
7. Building relationships with ad networks & sponsors
8. Alt Summit workshops (online!) for only $15
Hope that helps those of you who are bloggers (or are thinking about starting a blog) out there! If you have any great reads on the topic I'd love it if you'd share them!
-xo, Lauren
Friday Favorites 2.17.12
Love this home tour from Katie's Pencil Box.
Fifty-six ways to market your business on Pinterest.
Can't wait til my kid starts saying funny stuff.
Definitely creating one of these ASAP.
What a fresh take on a traditional corsage:
The prettiest wedding.
Downton Abbey mania!
On working mothers and missed opportunities. Liz is always spot on.
Well said. This too.
And last but not least, have you seen The Take Home Series over on Pacing the Panic Room? Pretty video hair tutorials for you to play with this weekend!
Happy Friday! xo, Lauren
Apologies + News
Hi all! Long time no see. My apologies for being MIA for the past week - I suddenly felt an overwhelming urge for a break. A break from all things technology - Twitter, Blogger, Instagram, Facebook, and yes - even Pinterest. I've barely checked my email and it felt, well, awesome. Does it ever all get to be too much for you? This crazy amount of information and connectedness that we're bombarded with each and every day?
On a fun note - my sister is pregnant!!! I'm going to be an aunt (again). This is her first and she is my only sister so it does feel a little different this time around though.
I'll be helping to plan her shower and with the design of her nursery so stay tuned for some fun baby nuggets here and there!
See you next week!
xo,
On a fun note - my sister is pregnant!!! I'm going to be an aunt (again). This is her first and she is my only sister so it does feel a little different this time around though.
I'll be helping to plan her shower and with the design of her nursery so stay tuned for some fun baby nuggets here and there!
See you next week!
xo,
Like the content here on with two cats? Help me keep it going by sponsoring for a month or two! Click here for more info.
xo,
Anatomy of a Blog Post [001]
I get a ton of emails asking about how I create certain graphics for my blog, what programs I use to create layouts, etc. etc., so I thought maybe the information was post-worthy. First up is graphics. I create some of the graphics myself, but I also use a lot of freebies from other bloggers. Read on for more info (and a free download!):
Sponsor With Two Cats in 2012!
I'm so excited for 2012! I've got so many great ideas for the new year and would love to have you be a part of it all. I can't believe how fast this little blog of mine is growing - by leaps and bounds each month! We're currently up to over 2,000-3,000 page views per day and this month looks like it's going to blow November's 56,000 views out of the water. I'm planning a ton of things including the reveal of Violet's big girl room, continuing to participate in the I'm a Giant challenge with Emily Henderson and Nicole Balch, new idea boards, and much, much more!
If you're interested in sponsoring with two cats, the rates are incredibly reasonable - starting at $7-$10 for one month:
Sizing & Prices:
For more information, please visit my sponsorship page or email me at withtwocats@gmail.com
Looking forward to working with you in 2012!
Friday Favorites 11.18.11
Pretty, pink, printable party.
Daniel's duvet cover - amazing.
How to pin when you're surfing the web on your iPhone. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Fun, smart activities for toddlers
The prettiest lookbook I ever did see:
Food for thought: who gets the best kisses at your house?
How I've been feeling lately.
There are relatives who go all their lives never truly knowing each other. And there are strangers who come together and build something beautiful. - Sarah Christensen
Why do you blog?
Cozy white nursery from Christopher Stevens (via Ohdeedoh):
Happy Friday!
Friday Favorites
Love this vignette from A Merry Mishap - the browns, the blacks, the pillows!
Need a laugh? Check out Stuff Mikey Says and Stuff Mikey Says Vol. 2. My favorite line: “I like everyone in my class, mom. Well, except for Margaret. She’s my only foe.” (By the way - he's a second grader, people!) And speaking of stuff kids say - here's a future
On determining a blogger's
I love the idea of this We Love Mail competition from Taxi that Grace posted over on Design Sponge! I'd like to start sending more snail mail and am even waxing nostalgic for the days of having a pen pal as a kid. Anyone want to be my pen pal? :)
People with babies + small spaces rejoice! Puj tubs in COLOR. PLUS an adorable (albeit pricey) wooden play gym.
Wild horses and 'geeky' glasses.
Pumpkin whoopie pies. Need I say more?
Happy Friday all!
Friday Favorites
I wish my room had been as cool as Blythe's when I was a teen (then again I didn't have interior designer Tori Mellott to dream it up or Teen Vogue & JCPenney to foot the bill!)
Something I think about a LOT when I'm blogging.
Totally into this gorgeous concrete lamp that I spotted on Apartment Therapy. Not sure about the ginormous shade, but I love the base.
Love this hair tutorial! I wonder how I would look with red hair...
I may have to try this custom roller blind tutorial for our bathroom window.
Completely hilarious - three minutes inside the head of a two-year-old.
Totally Tivo-ing this new show.
Loved Dina's post on dealing with eaves in a home.
Completely in love with this fall engagement session (the plaid!!!)
Happy Friday!
Oh Joy Rx
Last week I attended a blogging workshop through AIGA Philadelphia with Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, and many of you were curious about how it went. I'll admit that one of the main reasons that I signed up is that Joy is one of my absolute favorite bloggers. If I only have time to read a few blogs during my day, hers is definitely one that I won't miss.
In person Joy is somehow even sweeter and more lovely than she seems on her blog. Despite being pregnant, she somehow managed to be upbeat and enthusiastic throughout the workshop, never once seeming tired or uncomfortable. She answered questions throughout the workshop thoughtfully, patiently, and kindly and stayed for quite a bit afterward to mingle and chat. She is like superwoman. So now that I've gotten some of that gushing out of my system, I'll tell you more about the meat and potatoes of the workshop.
When the second workshop participant arrived, we both realized that we were absolutely ravenously hungry and set off in search of a pizza joint just down the street (the rain had stopped at this point). It was just our luck that on the way back the skies opened up once more. We ended up sprinting back, pizza held above our heads, laughing hysterically all the way. Although I survived without being completely soaked, my hair didn't fare so well, but such is life.
Back in my seat tired, a bit wet, and chowing down on pizza, I got to chat a little with a few of the lovely ladies seated around me and was super impressed by the chic and intelligent group that had gathered. When Joy arrived (looking adorable in a maxi dress with her tiny little baby bump) she passed out pretty striped bags complete with a notebook that she had designed and her business card - so sweet and thoughtful of her! Her business card was, of course, fabulous with metallic print and her signature botanical logo.
The room was filled with forty or so women all there for various reasons. Some owned small businesses and were considering starting a blog to promote their work. Others were, like me, already blogging and were hoping to learn a little bit more about the craft. There were a few graphic designers in the group as well and some professors hoping to learn a bit to pass on to their students.
As most of the group was at a very beginner level, Joy geared the workshop more toward them. Although I'm no blogging expert, I'll admit that it was a lot of what I already knew. Topics that were touched on included:
I did learn a few new things about the less fun and more technical side of things like feedburner, SEO, and the like. I'll share a few of those things with all of you:
Overall I enjoyed the experience - it was great to meet Joy and all of the other women there. I definitely plan to attend more workshops and conferences in the future to hopefully continue to grow my readership and refine my craft. I'll close with a photo of Joy looking super glowing and stylish and me with my wavy rained-on hair:
Oh, and the pretty lady behind Joy is Dana of What the Frock? (formerly Fashion Under $100) If you have any more specific questions about the workshop, feel free to email me at withtwocats@gmail.com and I'll be happy to answer them for you. Thanks to Joy and the ladies of AIGA for the fabulous workshop!
In person Joy is somehow even sweeter and more lovely than she seems on her blog. Despite being pregnant, she somehow managed to be upbeat and enthusiastic throughout the workshop, never once seeming tired or uncomfortable. She answered questions throughout the workshop thoughtfully, patiently, and kindly and stayed for quite a bit afterward to mingle and chat. She is like superwoman. So now that I've gotten some of that gushing out of my system, I'll tell you more about the meat and potatoes of the workshop.
Photo Courtesy: AIGA Philadelphia
I was one of the first to arrive due to the fact that I took the mainline into the city and the train is, you know, on a schedule. It worked out because I entered Moore College of Art & Design just in the nick of time - seconds after passing through the door the sky opened up and a downpour ensued. Good thing I got there early! I passed the time by taking some photos of myself on my iPhone in this big purple chair, sending tweets, and chatting with the sweet AIGA ladies.
When the second workshop participant arrived, we both realized that we were absolutely ravenously hungry and set off in search of a pizza joint just down the street (the rain had stopped at this point). It was just our luck that on the way back the skies opened up once more. We ended up sprinting back, pizza held above our heads, laughing hysterically all the way. Although I survived without being completely soaked, my hair didn't fare so well, but such is life.
Back in my seat tired, a bit wet, and chowing down on pizza, I got to chat a little with a few of the lovely ladies seated around me and was super impressed by the chic and intelligent group that had gathered. When Joy arrived (looking adorable in a maxi dress with her tiny little baby bump) she passed out pretty striped bags complete with a notebook that she had designed and her business card - so sweet and thoughtful of her! Her business card was, of course, fabulous with metallic print and her signature botanical logo.
The room was filled with forty or so women all there for various reasons. Some owned small businesses and were considering starting a blog to promote their work. Others were, like me, already blogging and were hoping to learn a little bit more about the craft. There were a few graphic designers in the group as well and some professors hoping to learn a bit to pass on to their students.
As most of the group was at a very beginner level, Joy geared the workshop more toward them. Although I'm no blogging expert, I'll admit that it was a lot of what I already knew. Topics that were touched on included:
- Why to blog
- Types of blogs
- Programs and hosts
- Your mission/brand
- Blog voice
- Unique content
- Blogging musts
- Growing a readership
- Blogging ethics
- Tracking and increasing traffic
- Social Networking
I did learn a few new things about the less fun and more technical side of things like feedburner, SEO, and the like. I'll share a few of those things with all of you:
- Use hyphens when naming your images rather than underscores and use searchable names (not 'Screenshot.jpeg' like I usually do lol!) This will make your listing show up higher on image searches, allowing people to discover and fall in love with your blog.
- Tineye.com - (funny tidbit - the autocorrect on my iPhone totally changed this to ribeye.com when I tried to tweet about it making me look like one seriously hungry crazy person) Anywho, Tineye.com is a reverse image search engine. It finds out where an image came from, how it is being used, if modified versions of the image exist, or if there is a higher resolution version.
- Tynt.com - a free site that provides you with java code. Install it on your site and it will track what people do on your site. Even better, if someone copies and pastes from your site it will automatically link the pasted bits back to your blog - score!
- Fun fact - Joy uses Typepad (I would've guessed Wordpress).
- If you missed out on the workshop don't fret - Joy is writing a book on the subject!
Overall I enjoyed the experience - it was great to meet Joy and all of the other women there. I definitely plan to attend more workshops and conferences in the future to hopefully continue to grow my readership and refine my craft. I'll close with a photo of Joy looking super glowing and stylish and me with my wavy rained-on hair:
Oh, and the pretty lady behind Joy is Dana of What the Frock? (formerly Fashion Under $100) If you have any more specific questions about the workshop, feel free to email me at withtwocats@gmail.com and I'll be happy to answer them for you. Thanks to Joy and the ladies of AIGA for the fabulous workshop!
Quick Question for Y'all
I switched my comments over to Disqus yesterday so that I could respond to comments more easily, and it's apparently causing problems for a few of my readers. I know that some of you are still able to comment, as I've received several today, but I also received emails from a few who can't see the comments link.
Here's what the new format (should) look like:
I love that I can respond to individual comments, but I obviously would like everyone to be able to comment!
If you are having an issue, please let me know. I know that it shows up fine in Safari and Firefox on all of our personal devices (iPad, laptop, iPhone), how about those of you using Internet Explorer? Does anyone know what could be causing the problem?
If you aren't able to comment, don't worry - I'll figure it out!
Here's what the new format (should) look like:
I love that I can respond to individual comments, but I obviously would like everyone to be able to comment!
If you are having an issue, please let me know. I know that it shows up fine in Safari and Firefox on all of our personal devices (iPad, laptop, iPhone), how about those of you using Internet Explorer? Does anyone know what could be causing the problem?
If you aren't able to comment, don't worry - I'll figure it out!
