Blog Housekeeping

Maybe it's the whiff of spring, the longer days, looming daylight savings time...I don't know but I suddenly feel energized and want to pump some life into my blog again.  I wouldn't say I have neglected it, but I have felt a bit uninspired this winter and my blog has shown the signs.  Truth be told I think I have had a case of SAD for a while now - I spend a lot of my time thinking about sitting in the sun which tells me I need a big shot of VitD.  And some UV rays.  I long for days without socks.

This week I am making some changes to my blog to prepare for more writing and posting!

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that my logo and blog banner were designed for me, paid for by me and property of...me.  Please refrain from using them except when speaking about me and linking back to my blog.  I was told someone is using my logo as their Facebook picture and that is just not cool. I have spent 3 years building my brand, reputation and image in the social media world and I do not appreciate it being compromised by someone who lacks the imagination to come up with their own logo.

I took my blogroll off and moved every blog I read into Google Reader.  It took a bit of getting used to but I now like being able to quickly scroll through posts, skipping the ones that have no interest for me and commenting on the ones that do.

I have been making a concerted effort to leave a lot more comments on other blogs.  I have noticed readers don't comment like they used to...one of my posts has more than 1000 views and 9 comments.  Considering I have over 500 followers it makes me wonder why 98% of them aren't leaving comments.  Even a simple 'Have a great day!' let's a blogger know you are reading.  I had a conversation with someone on Twitter and we suspect people being able to tweet their comments means they wont leave them on a blog.  So, I am taking a little Twitter break.  I will still pop in on a daily basis but I would prefer you leave comments here.  I love being able to go back years later and read what everyone said about posts...that just isn't possible with Twitter.  When the Little Prince is all grown up I want to be able to show him my blog and let him read what the world thought of it!

Less time spent tweeting means more time to spend writing blog posts and coming up with some fresh ideas for The Life of a Suburban Princess!

To all of you who do leave comments...thank you!  I look forward to reading them every day and if you have a blog I am not commenting on, please give me the link so I can follow you!

While we are talking about leaving comments....I really wish blogs didn't have word verification, especially now that blogger has made the 'word' even more complicated.  You might not even be aware your blog requires readers to jump through hoops so please take a moment to check.  Go to your blog settings, click on comments and scroll down to this setting.  Change it to 'No' and your readers will be able to comment without proving themselves human.

I always appreciate when I click to comment on a post and the comment box is a popup.  This means I don't have to click back over and over to get to the main list of blog posts.  To have your comments in a popup box simply click on settings, then comments and scroll down to this option.

You may have noticed I also have my links set up to open in a new window.  When you create a link on a word, click the little box and this will ensure your readers stay on YOUR page and don't have to click back a dozen times to find you again.

I have added some buttons at the bottom of each post...this will make it easy for you to share information.  When something strikes your fancy please take a second and share it through one of the buttons!

My Facebook page is updated every time I post.  Do you know if you don't interact when someone posts Facebook will stop showing you their posts?  Please take one second and 'like' updates when you see them in your news feed.  Also, in your news feed you have the option to view items by popularity or chronologically.  Just below the status update box is the word 'Sort'.  Click on the little down arrow to choose 'Most Recent' and you will see all of the items in your news feed instead of just the ones others have deemed important.

I am still in deep smit with Pinterest.  Like so many others,  I get a lot of ideas from there and love being able to gather everything in one spot!   Every day I look for new ideas, recipes, outfits to pin so if you are on there please add me!  I have created a board on Pinterest just for my blog so I am busy pinning pictures that link back to here.

Basically I have spent the last week making sure it is easy for you to keep up, follow along and leave comments!  Hopefully more bloggers will do the same so we can get back to supporting each other the way we did a couple of years ago.


Have a fabulous day!

PS...dont miss my Luxe Box giveaway! Enter for yourself or a friend!

Giveaway winner, awards and other fun things!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Bolthouse giveaway!  The winner is SBCVandy!  Yay!  Congratulations!  Email me your address and I will get your coupons mailed to you!

I just wanted to take a moment to make sure you can follow me in every way possible!

My facebook page is here and I do giveaways just for my facebook followers from time to time so you will want to be on there.

My twitter is here and even tho I mostly whine about the cold these days we sometimes have funny conversations about the Housewives and the Bachelor as well as solving the world's problems.

My book is always available and is perfect for women of all ages.  It is the most important things I learned in the 25 years since I was 14 - some of them I learned last year!  It makes a great gift for your friends and yourself!  If you would like your copy signed please contact me - tho I am thinking a bookplate might be the easiest way to go.

Recently I was given the Stylish Blogger Award from Brown Eyed Belle, Lulu and Daisy and Pigtails and Bowties!  Thank you so much!  I am honoured to have been given it three times!  

Please visit these lovely ladies if you havn't already!

I am supposed to say 7 things about myself and pass this award on to other bloggers...sooooo.....

1.  I cant stand the cold.  I cant stand the heat.  I think I am Goldilocks.
2.  I am determined to have laser eye surgery before the end of March.
3.  I love candles and burn them almost every day.
4.  I keep watching episodes of SATC on tv even tho I have every season on dvd.
5.  All winter I put peanuts out for the squirrels and blue jays.
6.  I am always on the hunt for embroidered cords.  It's my fashion addiction.
7.  I love TicTacs...I keep them in my purse, car, pockets....

I am passing this award on to...


1.  Nikosmommy
2.  Knitwit
3.  Princess Freckles
4.  Preppy Pink Crocodile
5.  Gracie Beth
6.  Jilly (who gave me a tiny bit of hope about Canadians working in my beloved Target)
7.  Travelbugmom
8.  CanadianPrep
9.  MrsBatty
10.  OceanDreams
11.  Nezzy
12.  Snooty Primadonna
13.  Ms Bake-it
14.  Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
15.  Little Miss Cant Be Wrong


Have a fabulous day!