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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Where Do I Stand in Blogland?

Last Thursday, I went to another blogger event at Great Over Good. This time the event, Bloggers Unplugged, was less structured and more of a mixer.

Naadine and Sharon from Cupcakes and Cutlery did a wonderful putting it together. They had the cutest - and most inspiring posters hanging around the room, fun balloons for us to take home and some delicious snacks!



I loved meeting the bloggers that came to the event - besides the few bloggers I talk to on a daily basis - Kriselle, Jess, and Yvonne - I didn't really know anyone. I met some super awesome bloggers that are out there changing the world like me. I met some awesome bloggers who focus on photography, fashion and travel.

I am so excited that I have these opportunities to meet other bloggers, and that these bloggers are all so wonderful. I know it's not always the case that you can find bloggers nearby to meet.



Being at this event has made me realize something I've thought about for a long time. I'm not like most bloggers.

Oh, I still love all of the #BasicWhiteGirl things that us bloggers love (I like to make fun of this #BasicBitches idea...As if liking these things mean I have no IQ or brain...). I'm outgoing and pretty good at networking. I'm slightly awkward - which is one of my favorite blogger traits.



The ways that I am different - as far as I can tell - falls in my drive for content and the reason I started my blog.

Most bloggers start their blogs as lifestyle or fashion or DIY or food. Bloggers start it as a hobby - but I started mine as a mean to my dream end. My blog has always been a little bit bigger - a little bit more focused on a movement than on my blog.



Sometimes it makes it hard for me to explain what I'm doing with my blog and it makes it hard for me to feel like I fit in at blogger engagements. I usually tell people "my blog stands to empower women" and I know that I could be more clear on this.

I'm still searching for the perfect term to describe my brand and how it fits into blogland.



It makes it difficult for advertisers to work with me, sometimes. It makes it difficult for me to accept some campaigns that are offered to me. I need to be true to my goals and to my readers when I pick up these campaigns.

Last week I wrote a Fall Handbag Essentials post. It was so much fun to write, but I felt a little bit like I was selling out. Heck, these are things that I personally love, but how does it fit into my goal with my blog?



I label myself as a lifestyle blogger, with many different facets. I definitely do not regret taking my blog from only female empowerment posts to more lifestyle posts. It has opened the door for me so much. I'm still trying to find the balance though, and I think I'm doing a decent job.

What do you think? How do you think I'm doing in balancing personal with my dream movement?


I also want to congratulate Angie for winning the Diva Gone Domestic custom stamp giveaway!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you did not win, you can still use code BAWQ10 for 10% off of a custom stamp!





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76 comments:

  1. I love that you are selective in the campaigns you support and I also love that you (ass most of us are) are looking for what your blog's "true" purpose is. I think it can be easy to get off of track in order to keep your blog updated and out in the public, but we all have to remember the reasons we started and that the readers who loved us from the beginning will still be there. It isn't about the stats, it's about being you!

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  2. I feel you have a good handle on the personal/ empowering balance. Especially more recently, you've definitely been including your movement into your blog more!

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  3. OMG I love all of the quotes they have around. I want to print them all out! I think we all slowly find our blogging purpose if we get honest. I was blogging all OOTDs and it felt exhausting to me. I just felt full of myself. Slowly I have been adding in little things here and there to make the site more fun for me and the readers. Its always interesting to me what people respond to. I get way more love when Im dress down or talking about how I DIY halloween costumes, than when Im trying to be dolled up. Theres no way to fake it.

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  4. The quotes are so true, I love the idea of blog 'mixers'.

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  5. I think it's great that you are able to openly admit this struggle you're having and I think it's so cool to get to watch you figure out where you stand and what your blog is all about. And just know that whatever you decide to do, I'll definitely be a full-on supporter of it! I love how unique your blog is and how it reflects you and your heart, and I think that it's awesome that I get to see it play out in your life outside your blog as well. Love ya girl!

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  6. I want to go to a blogger event so bad! I just need to move to Cali, because that's where all the fun happens apparently. I love this post, and I love that your blog stands for more than just sharing your life. You've always inspired me with your WQ movement. Keep doing you!

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  7. It's never easy to not know how to describe your blog, and it's also easy to just get lost in the massive amount of blogs out there. It's definitely good to be different. You just keep being you. Also, we really need our pic to go up!

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  8. No matter what you're blogging about, as long as it makes YOU happy, I think you should go for it. Over the three years that I've been blogging, my blog has meandered from a family album to posts about my teaching career to more of a focus on my travels. Nowadays, I pretty much focus on travel, but if there's something really great hat I want to share, I do because it's my little corner of the internet! :)

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  9. These are great blogging mantras. I share from my heart on my blog and I hope that comes across to readers.

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  10. It's so easy to lose sight of some of these great words of encouragement about blogging. Sometimes we get focused on making money or self-promotion when the reason any of us started blogging was because it was something we LOVE! Thanks for the beautiful reminder!

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  11. Those quotes are awesome, I really love them. Figuring out who you are as a blogger is really hard, but once you've got it, its yours, you own it and you can rock it!

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  12. Fantastic! I have written those mantras down on my blogging scheduler for motivation...right on, right on!

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  13. "Blog what you live, don't live to blog" I wish I could say this to some of my blog friends outloud!

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  14. This is a great post. Truly inspiring to me as a brand new blogger. Love that you are still working through your blogging process as I feel that there is so much to learn. Gives me hope that it can still evolve as I grow.

    Thrifting Diva

    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  15. I love that last quote! "Blogs are whatever we make of them. Defining 'blog' is a fool's errand." So so true. I label myself as a lifestyle blogger, mainly because I don't cook a lot and my definition of daily wear is a sweatshirt and running shorts. I love that your blog started out differently than a hobby or some place just to write - it started out with your dream! (So romantic)

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  16. I think as long as you stay true to yourself, you will continue to love what you do, and everything will eventually start falling into place. PS. I also loved all the quotes!

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  17. Yes , exactly!! I actually make it a point to NOT look at my stats except once a month because I don't want to get discouraged or overwhelmed by it. For me, it's all about this movement that I've never quite been able to solidify!! And thank you! I definitely don't see a point in supporting something that is not me. I also have experience from working in journalism, that makes me feel so blah when I write too many reviews or product-y things.

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  18. Yay!! Thanks Cassi!! I totally got your text as I was going into work today - but figured when I got off was too late to reply. Text you tomorrow my love <3

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  19. It is definitely so interesting!! I actually get a lot of love on the movement / wq style posts - but they are SO hard to crank out every day. I get worn out very easily, and would need to have contributors to post WQ stuff everyday!!

    Also, aren't the quotes the best??

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  20. Yes! You definitely need to go to one!

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  21. I love you lady!! I love that I have you to back me up on this. Of course we're all going to have times where we are at odds within ourselves, and it is so nice to have someone who knows me both personally and blog-ly to help me fit that into who I am and who I showcase as my brand/blog/movement.

    Thanks for listening to my ramblings and for your full on support! You know I'm right here with you, too!!

    p.s. what are you doing this weekend?

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  22. Aw, Tiff I absolutely love you! Seriously, you and John can move to Cali (part time, like a 6 months on 6 months off thing?) so that you and I can just hang out all the time and be blog inspirers. I have loved watching your blog grow in the past year since we became friends and YOU always inspire me :) Thank you so, so much!

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  23. Thank you!! Oh, yes, I will text bug Jess to send it to me and then I will send it to you!! Yes, it is so difficult, but I think with a great support system, (like the one I've found) it is so much easier!

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  24. Exactly!! I have definitely moved around a lot, but I try to stay consistent to my movement because I want this to be something greater than my slice of the internet - I want it to morph into a community! Talk about lofty goals. I think that is great advice though - before I write anything I should evaluate if it makes me happy.

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  25. Every time I've read your blog, I can definitely feel that you are sharing from your heart! You're inspiring :)

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  26. You're so very welcome! I definitely agree - it is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the things we do besides writing blog posts!

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  27. Yes!! I hope these quotes stand as a great reminder!!

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  28. Yay! I'm so glad I could share these awesome quotes with you!!

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  29. hahahaha, yes! Though I must admit, I do spend most of my free time blogging. It works out though because right now we are trying to save money, and while my husband plays video games, I blog!

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  30. We are always evolving!! Seriously, looking back at my posts from 2009, I'm like "WOW, my writing style sounds so juvenile!" and this was when I was winning awards for my writing!

    I'm glad that I could inspire you and remind you that you are great and we are always, always growing!

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  31. haha this is why I love you! Your blog is so true to you!! Also, my daily wear is the same way!

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  32. Yay!! Yes, that is my goal - to stay true to me! Things are worlds different than they used to be!

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  33. Time zones kill me!

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  34. These are all such fantastic points. For sure we need to remember we need to live to blog not blog to live x

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  35. I love the quotes and the message from them! It's about living your life and sharing!

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  36. i'm loving all of those quotes so inspiring and a way to keep us bloggers grounded!

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  37. I love that this matters to you! I say that in a way that and mean that you care what you are putting out there and you want it to make an impact on the people that read it. I think that just talking about something is great! it's educational but when a person starts talking about how they live....well it becomes influential! Because in theory you write about what you believe. You write about it directly though empowerment post and you write about it indirectly through how you live! IDK I always think it's both and! Cause passion bleeds through to every aspect of our lives! :)

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  38. I label myself as a lifestyle blogger, but then I never talk about really personal things, I just blog about everything under the sun, so I guess that means I'm a little bit of everything? Maybe we should remove labels totally and just be whatever the heck we want to be ;)


    I think you're doing a fab job anyway!


    Katie <3

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  39. Seriously Tiff, if you and Jon moved to Cali that would be AMAZING. I'd love to meet you in person!

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  40. Ahh of course! I love that because we're both bloggers we get each others' struggles! And this weekend I am not too sure because I'm not sure if I'll be doing something with the boyfriend's family for his mom's birthday! Buuuuut I'm actually free tonight and kinda really want to go to the Food Truck Faire across the street! Text me!

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  41. You're doing it great! I love your blog every single thing that you say is amazing. Lots of love xx

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  42. Great post and I love all of those blogging orientated quotes.

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  43. I would love to meet you too! If I ever visit, a meetup is definitely happening!

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  44. Agreed. It's much easier to even write the blog with a great support system.

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  45. I agree with you about fitting into blogland. When asked to describe my niche, I find it hard to describe as well. My blog's aim is to support moms and making parenting more of a sane thing with less judgement and more camaraderie.

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  46. A lot of these are so true. It's hard to stay true to yourself sometimes when you feel like you're being pulled in different directions. I still even struggle with it but always try to find a way to tie something back to my 'core' / blog.

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  47. Weekends With WinterOctober 1, 2014 at 2:49 PM

    I think you're doing a great job. I don't think you have to blog about the same topics over and over I think it's natural that you want to branch out and grow. But i do understand your dilemma because I had the same one when I started. I wanted to strictly blog about planning parties and entertaining but then I started to research different oppourtuinites and my interest grew. Now I blog about my parties, other peoples parties and how to live your life like it's on big party LOL! You're growing and as you grow you will see that your blog will too :) Best of luck to you!

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  48. Let's see if I remember everything I wanted to say yesterday... Stupid Disqus/Internet Explorer/Blogger. Not sure which of the three is the problem.


    Money first. You put a lot of work into your blog. I know I do, and I've only been at this for three months. It's a lot of time and possibly money to build and maintain a following/community. Why shouldn't you be paid for this work? As long as you're conscientious about which sponsored posts you accept, then you're fine.


    If I had to label my blog, I'd call it a feminist lifestyle blog. Yes, I talk about my marriage, and my life in Ohio, and vacations we take, but I also talk about feminism, religion, and politics. Mostly feminism out of those three, though, although I have some political posts planned to encourage people to vote in the Midterm Elections. Some of my favorite blogs are strictly Christian feminist blogs, but I just couldn't limit myself to that.


    For me, part of empowering women is also being a role model to younger women. Even if I don't make it explicitly so, when I talk about my marriage, the egalitarian nature of our relationship shines through. I want younger women to realize there's more than one way to be a woman. There's more than one way to be a feminist. I'm certainly just one example, but as I blog more, I hope to highlight other women and feminists on my blog. I think you can do the same by hitting some "lifestyle" topics along with the empowerment.

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  49. I think that it's your blog, and you should just write about whatever you like. Your blog is one of my favorites, and I love the mix of lifestyle and thought provoking posts. Blog labels are complicated.

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  50. I've written down all of these blog quotes from your event. They're awesome! I also struggle with where I stand in blogland. It's hard for me to get really personal on my blog but it's something that I'm working on. I admire you for being able to do that so well! I mainly focus on crafts and recipes but I'm so much more than that. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  51. Thanks for sharing such great quotes that most of us bloggers can relate to.

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  52. I love C&C!! Glad you got to go one of her meet ups, I heard they were so fun!!

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  53. Oh gosh, I still haven't texted you back. I'm a bad friend! Time zones do kill me!

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  54. Yes! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

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  55. Yes! So true!! I'm glad you loved them!

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  56. Yay!! I'm so glad it had a positive response from everyone!!

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  57. OH MY GOD GIRL, you just made my day!! Thank you, thank you thank you for these kind words!!!!!

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  58. Yes!! Can't I just classify myself as me!!! I love that you blog about everything. Sometimes it's hard to get personal (some things I read from others, I could never work up the courage to share!)

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  59. RIGHT??? I've been trying to convince her for forever

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  60. haha, oh gosh, I finally saw this =X

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  61. Aww, thank you so much Danny! You are so sweet and awesome :)

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  62. yesss! Or hopefully I can go on the next Blogcation!!

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  63. So happy I could be a part of it :)

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  64. I love this! That is so important - I feel like parent judgment is getting out of control!!

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  65. yess, that is so important! I am the same way!!

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  66. Thank you so much!! I definitely think blogging is mercurial - always growing and shifting. I love your topics!!!

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  67. yes!! I love everything (but the Disqus drama) about this!!

    Feminism is so important to me and that is why I try to focus on empowering women. For me, this means showing women that they don't necessarily have to do the mainstream thing - but still can if they want. That's why I've always had such a problem with it - I think that being empowered is being educated and choosing whichever things you decide through your education.

    I love your blog and what it stands for. I definitely think the money thing does get in the way - but I often accept posts for those brands that are close to my heart and don't offer me money. It's just so important to me that people care about these things and that I can make my magazine -even if I never make a profit off of it!

    I hope this all made sense, it's 2am. lol

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  68. yayy! thank you Rebekah!! I love your blog, too. It always motivates me to focus on my appearance (in a positive way, i.e. caring about my body vs being lazy). I definitely think all blog labels are complicated, and try not to use them!

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  69. You're welcome! It definitely took some time to get truly vulnerable. I would write posts about my relationships in the past, but it really wasn't that deep into the relationships, if that makes sense! I'm so happy you found those quotes inspiring, too!

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  70. You're welcome! I'm so grateful to Great Over Good and Cupcake and Cutlery for putting the meet up together for us!

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  71. They were!! Next time you're down south here, we should meet up!

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  72. Blog what you live -- SO TRUE!!! I love it.

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  73. I wanted all these posters for myself. Ha! Yay blogging, you got this!

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