My Top Five Most Viewed Posts of 2013

Well, 2013 is officially over, and 2014 has begun!  I'm not going to bore you with goals and resolutions because I would only be boring myself knowing that I NEVER sincerely follow through with that stuff. Instead let's have a looksy back at the past year and see what you guys liked the most of what I had to say and share.  Shall we?

No. 1 -- AUSTIN CITY LIMITS 2013

Not gonna lie...I tried really hard to take some legit pictures to share with you guys.  ACL is one of the more aesthetically pleasing festivals, as it takes place at Zilker Park every year with gorgeous views of downtown Austin in the background.  Now that I think about it, it's pretty easy to photographically portray the beauty of the experience.

No. 2 -- COUSIN LUNCH DATE IN BASTROP, TX

Back in August, I met up with my sweet cousin Sarah for some lunch and wandered around in the small town of Bastrop, just about 20 miles east of Austin.  We shared some mouth-watering coconut cream pie at Maxine's and took pictures all around the cozy little downtown square.

No. 3 -- JASON'S 30TH

My little heart nearly melted when tons of close friends and family helped me to plan and execute the perfect surprise party for Jason's 30th birthday in late September.  Absolutely nothing could have made the night any better - good food, great drinks and even better company.

No. 4 -- PLAYLIST POST, FEBRUARY 2013

I have to admit I'm pretty proud of this one making it into the Top Five.  I am an avid music lover and an avid music sharer.  I can be kind of snobby when it comes to music, but I also like other people to discover and love the brilliant artists and bands I've come across.  

No. 5 -- WEST COAST TRIP: SEATTLE DAY ONE

I had such a blast sharing stories and pictures from our week-long west coast vacation in early September.  It is so neat to know that I can just access my blog in order to relive the trip as many times as I want.  Now the small details will never be forgotten and memories of our trip are simply at my fingertips!

Cupcakes For Breakfast

One of the classes, or sessions, I took during TxSC was called "From Blog to Book" lead by two incredibly talented and driven young women who have both published books.  Sitting there, listening to them talk about the ins and outs of the creative process and getting published simply blew my mind.  I don't necessarily have a formal "bucket list" as people are calling it these days, but if I did have one, writing a book and getting it published would be close to the top.  I have always enjoyed writing.  I was an only child until I was seven, and I've always been super independent.  I had friends, of course, but there were times when I really just wanted to play by myself.  I loved creating fictitious scenarios and stories for my barbies and paper dolls.  I had an extremely overactive imagination, if you will.  I could seriously entertain myself for hours upon hours every day.  From my elementary days well into high school, I would write poems (some of them embarrassingly emo), and I even started a few short stories, but they never held my attention long enough before I was on to the next fabulous idea that popped into my head.  I guess I just never had a good enough idea.  That one idea that I could take all the way to the top.  Since that TxSC session, the wheels in my mind have been creakily turning trying to come up with something I could write about.  Something I'm passionate enough about to write a lot of material and something I likely won't lose interest in.  This morning, I had a mini-cupcake - along with a grapefruit - for breakfast, and I watched my subconscious shake its head at me and giggle a little because I am the type of woman who will always have a partial little-girl mentality.  I'm afraid I will never fully become an adult, and honestly, that's fine with me.  Who wants to be a boring old grown-up anyhow?  I never want to forget the little things that meant the world to me as a child.  I want to be able to treasure those feelings of innocence and naivety for as long as possible, and if I want cupcakes for breakfast, I will HAVE cupcakes for breakfast.  So, to make my point, this idea of things that keep us young, that have kept me young, could be the sprout of a literary idea, and that makes me happy.

Have a happy Thursday!

xoxo

My First (Not To Be My Last) Blogging Conference

Remember when I mentioned that I was going to the Texas Style Council conference a couple of weeks ago?  Well, it was this past weekend, and it was so much more than I had ever dreamed it would be.  When I think about all of things I learned and experienced, I am excited, overjoyed, enthusiastic, inspired and, most of all, overwhelmed (in a good way).  It's like my eyes were opened to this whole new beautiful world of women that are just like me.  I know it sounds so cheesy, but I've always felt a little strange compared to other members of the female population, sort of off balance or something.  It was just really nice to be surrounded by people who have very similar interests and ideas, but still each individual has their own identity and specialty.  I probably sound like a weirdo who isn't making any sense, but I swear it makes sense in my head.  Here's a quick rundown of my weekend:

On Saturday I attended five sessions:

Life Blogging 101 with Jenni of Story Of My Life, a fellow Austinite
Monetization 101 with Bethany of The Glamorous Housewife
Self-Photography 101 with Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky
Personal Budgeting 101 with Kelsey and Eric of Words of Williams
Create Your Media Kit with Tieka of Selective Potential

On Saturday night, all of the TxSC sponsors gathered in the Texas Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency for the ultimate Prom Party complete with 80s #1 hits, a rowdy dance floor, free schtuff, photobooths galore and a cash bar.  'Twas loads of fun.

And on Sunday I attended four more sessions and had the pleasure of hearing Elsie and Emma speak about what they've learned from blogging.

Children on the Blog & Social Media with Katie of Skunkboy (This will be relevant when I have kids because I do plan to continue blogging into motherhood.)
Do Your Dreams Now with Jessica of Noonday Collection
Handling Your Critics with Jen of Jen Loves Kev
From Blog to Book with Becky of Chipper Things and Megan of Greetings From Texas

(Top: Q&A Sunday Afternoon, Left: Elsie & Emma, Right: Katie from Skunkboy)

Every single session I went to was super entertaining and informative, and all of the speakers managed to hold my attention the entire time which is just astonishing.  Well done, ladies!

Texas Style Council Summer School

I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but a few weeks ago, I officially registered for the TxSC Summer School Conference along with my fellow blogging besties, Emily and Sarah.  I couldn't be more excited about this endeavor, or that it's taking place right here in my city!  I'm definitely going to find myself well outside of my comfort zone, but I'm going to make the absolute best of it and try to network with as many ladies as I can, and I'll have my good friends there beside me all along the way.

On the first day, Lulu's is coordinating a clothing + book swap in which each lady donates two pieces of used, but still-in-good-condition clothing and one book.  I've already picked two articles of clothing, but I haven't decided on a book yet.  There is also going to be a happy hour where we can go and mix n' mingle with all of the other conference attendees.  I am super excited to meet one of my favorite bloggers at this event - Joanna Wilkinson of Keep Austin Stylish.  I have followed Joanna's blog for a couple of years now, as well as her Instagram and Twitter, all of which never fail to entertain and amuse.

On Saturday and Sunday, there are a number of 101 type classes for blogging, general education and small business.  I am looking forward to attending classes lead by some of my other favorite bloggers including Katie Shelton of Skunkboy,  Jen Lula of Jen Loves Kev and Tolly Moseley of Austin Eavesdropper.  

Saturday night, TxSC is throwing a cocktail-attire Prom with lots of fun things going on, and Sunday morning, Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess are giving the keynote speech!

I am beyond thrilled that I get to be a part of this, and I hope I take away as much as possible to build and promote my blog to the fullest extent.  August simply cannot come soon enough!

xoxo