Confessions of a Blogger Tag

Hello!

I was tagged by the lovely Christine @ Little Red Bow to do the "Confessions of a Blogger" tag, Thanks Christine!  I also have a few new readers so I thought this would be a good way to re-introduce myself )

When did you start your blog?
November 13, 2011 (so a year and a half)

Have you had any past online presence before?
I have had a MySpace page waaaay back in the day and a Facebook page since 2009, but never a blog.

Why did you start a blog?
I felt like I have so much make-up/skincare "knowledge", and a huge "collection" and I was reading a lot of blogs out there and not many of the girls were over 30, or addressing skincare and makeup, so I felt like there was a hole I could fill.

source

When did you become serious about starting a blog? 
From the day I started, I didn't know any code, or how to take good pictures, or much of anything!!  But I knew I could "talk" about make-up/skincare honestly and knowledgeably
and so if I was going to do it I had to do all the way.

What was your first post?
It was about why I started my blog, it had no pictures and it isn't the best post I've ever written ;)

What has been your biggest challenge about blogging?
Learning how to take good pictures, and working with HTML.  I'm old people!  The Internet didn't even really exist until I was in college - I had email.  And "blogs" came to be when I was about 26 (8 years ago) so... it's not something I grew up with!  I don't actually "know" anyone else who writes a blog - so I'm learning as I go along.

Source

Where do you see your blog in one year? 
Well... I just entered the Allure Beauty Blogger of the year contest and if I win (BIG if) In a year I think my blog could be an amazing presence in the beauty world.  I think I have a unique perspective, mixing age/skincare/realistic looks for everyday etc...
If not, I will still be working hard to make my blog be heard. Better videos and more content that people enjoy reading.

What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?
"Meeting" so many wonderful other bloggers!  Since I have moved around a lot in my adult life I don't have any friends here in Chicago (I have work acquaintances), and friends that live 6 to 7 hours away :(  So being able to "talk" about my favorite things with ladies who have the same loves and just "get it" is amazing!

What is the most discouraging thing that happens to you?
Not too much - I guess when people leave comments just to promote THEIR blogs.  I mostly delete those.  I have age envy too - I always wish I was still in my 20's and just starting my blog!

What's your lasting inspiration or motivation?
I never thought this blog would be much of anything,(I mean I am really proud of it, but that's because it's my baby) so when people started commenting and saying they used tips from my YouTube videos it just makes every bit of work I put in worth it 1000 times over!  And the products are always changing so its easy to be newly motivated. And as I have mentioned I believe my blog to be "well rounded" so I don't feel like I can only post about one thing! 

So there you have it!  I also am thinking about making Silly Saturday into a blog hop - let me know if you would be interested and I'll get crackin' to make it happen!

I would love to hear the Confessions of (and so I tag):
Martha @Quick, Cheap and Pretty
Jess @Let's Play Makeup
We love Swatches

And anyone else who wants to do it!

Jasmine

My blogging station and routine

Hello!

Today I am linking up with:
 

To talk about HOW I actually blog!


Where do you blog? Do you have a space dedicated to your blogging work? An office, a table, a corner of your room... I most often blog sitting in bed late at night.  I do all the prep work elsewhere, but when I actually "sit"down to write it's in my room at night.

What do you blog on? Computer, laptop, tablet... what do you recommend? I use a Dell laptop - and I say use what ever works for you!  I feel most comfortable on this laptop, and I know where all my info is stored.

Do you have any blogging rituals? Drinks, music, movie, candles... No rituals per se.  I usually have a Diet Coke on ice next to me, and while I'm editing photos I usually watch my "shows" on Netflix or Hulu Plus (Project Runway, Revenge, The Office, The Mindy Project etc..)

How do you keep your blogging ideas organized? Notepad, planner, post-its... It's all in my head!  Sunday is Sunday Social, Monday is the Manicure of the week, Tuesday is oh la la Lips, Wednesday and Thursday are a video or what I think of as an "education" post (like info about skincare or make up application, or a review).  Friday is Book club, and Saturday is for whatever :)

Do you have a blogging schedule for the week?  Or the month?  See above. If so, how do you stay on top of it all? I just make sure I am taking the right photos and that I am keeping up with make up trends and new products.  Also I pre-schedule a lot of my easier posts (book club, oh la la lips & Sunday Social)

How do you keep up with your publishing schedule and what you have already posted? I guess I haven't posted enough to have to worry about what I already posted.  I am able to keep up by sheer force of will!  I know in order to make my blog be what I want it to be, I need to be taking pictures constantly, I need to keep making videos, I need to just think out of the box!  I also LOVE beauty products and if you have ever watched any of my videos you know I have a lot to say, and I am OPINIONATED so it is pretty easy for me to put it out there.

If you review products, how do you keep track of what needs to be reviewed in your collection? So in our living room I have a thin desk that sits behind the couch and has a lamp (so it looks like part of the living room and I keep a drawer full of products underneath with the most important ones on top in a basket.  I also built my own light box which I hide in the hallway closet and then when I need it I put it on the desk in the living room and take my pics.

 

The star and arrow in the pic above point to the lamp on the other side of the living room where I take my "indoor" manicure photos.

Here is where I shoot my videos.  The yellow arrow points to my mini tripod.  As you can see I have one of the jewelry organizers with pockets hanging on the wall but I re-purposed it to hold make-up!  And if you watch my videos (hint, hint) you also know on the other side of the wall is my magnetic eyeshadow wall frame.  (you can see it reflected in the table mirror).

What do you do with all your "old" data? Photos, videos, extra drives, online storage..? I put it on an external hard drive.

For fun, what beauty/non-beauty products do you need to have on hand near your blogging station?  Always hand lotion,cuticle oil and lip balm near my bedside when I'm writing.   And my 16 pound cat is almost always laying on my right arm so I have to re-type a lot.

So that's my "system" and it works for me!  Thanks for reading!

Jasmine

Question Wednesday...a bit late

Hello!

I went up to visit family over the last 36 hours and I didn't have access to a computer... so I'm a bit behind.  But it's nice to see relatives that you haven't seen in a bit and catch up.  Anywhoo...

I wanted to join a weekly question/blogging thing and 2 of the blogs I already read were doing it, so I joined in.  It's hosted by Aly @ Wonderland Beauty so check, check, check it out Here.

1} How long have you been blogging?

Since January, so 8 months.  Not that long, but long enough to have collected and reviewed 6 different BB creams :)

2} Why did you start blogging?

I read Temptalia.com, Prettymaking and Bows and Curtsey's everyday and while their blogs and skills are WAAAAAYYYY more advanced than mine, I just wanted to share my bit of knowledge too.  Plus I felt like there wasn't enough info about foundations and sunscreens for pale beauties. 

3} What is the best thing about blogging?

Finding more amazing blogs and products from around the world.  I also love when someone leaves a comment and I can feel like I helped in a small way.  It also gives you a great sense of community and it's great to know there are other people that are just as excited by a new blush or finding the right fake eyelashes as I am.

4} If you didn't have a beauty blog, what type of blog would you have?

A blog about books and reading.  I sometimes want to write about it, but it doesn't seem to mesh yet.  I have kept a book diary for the last 8 years of every book I've read, a rating of the book and a short synopsis. To say I read a lot is an understatement, I have my library card # memorized.  And no, I do not have a Kindle I still love a "real" book. :)

5} Lastly, what's the toughest thing about blogging?

Finding new products to buy every week without breaking the bank and then taking pictures of it!  I think I'm one of the few bloggers that shows my face frequently without makeup (and I know I look half dead sometimes) but I really want to show the coverage items give, or if it "works".  I still can't get a good picture of eyeshadow - it always looks washed out.

Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Jasmine