Gettin’ Spicy With It

Warning:  Life changing post ahead.

Say “hello” to my messy cupboard.  (Please channel your inner Scarface.)

This cupboard kept making me sad.  I couldn’t find anything.  Stuff would attack me when I opened the doors.  I kept buying things that I didn’t need.  I couldn’t reach my sprinkles. It’s a sad day when you can’t reach your sprinkles.

I decided to take matters into my own hands.  Because, honestly, who else was going to fix this hot mess?  Nate?  Ike?  Yeah, I took matters into my own hands.

I purchased some super fancy bamboo turntables from Wal-Mart.  (Side note:  I went into Wal-Mart for turntables and windshield washer fluid.  I came out with only turntables and windshield washer fluid.  Miracles do happen.) 

The spices are now organized alphabetically.  The extracts are located together.  Most importantly, I can reach my sprinkles.  Can I get a hallelujah?

We still have quite a few bottles of liquids that make the cupboard look a little more cluttered than I would like.  (I should have removed them for the blog photos but I like to keep it real while gettin’ spicy with it.)  The liquids are now organized and I can see what I have.  Note to self:  do not buy Karo syrup.  I keep thinking about starting an emergency preparedness kit.  I sure hope Karo syrup is on the list because I have an amazing head start on that one. 

I may be the most unorganized organized person that I know.

Nate informs me that there is no way he is going to put spices back in alphabetical order.  I think he will come to love the alphabetized spices and he will want to make sure they continue to stay that way.  That’s how it works with husbands, right?

He also wanted to know why I needed to replace the one turntable we owned with a matching bamboo one.  He wanted to know if I didn’t have a blog would I replace it.  I answered yes and yes and I hope you don’t wake up on the wrong side of the universe again tomorrow.  Little things like pretty and organized spice cabinets make life so wonderful. 

Life would be even more wonderful if all of our spices were in little glass jars. Hmmm…

Any life changing organizational tips to share?  Can you make it out of Wal-Mart with only the items on your list? 

Blogging Basics- Static Pages

Do you all remember when I wasn’t a flaky blogger?  Yeah, me neither. 

Back in the day (or 2 months ago) I started this series called “Blogging Basics.”  I covered such topics as to blog or not to blog, making a blog header, finding your niche, and using social media.  Today I’m bringing it back.  Why?  Because I like to be helpful.  (And the only house projects I completed this past week-end were cleaning and folding underwear.  Neither of which are worthy of a blog post.  Or are they.)

Today I would like to discuss static pages.  Let’s make this a group effort.  Feel free to chime in.

Overall, content is the most important part of your blog.  Layout is right up there though.  Everyone and their dog (literally) is writing a blog these days.  Readers need to be able to navigate your blog easily.  You may have completed an amazing room reveal two months ago but as a first time visitor, I am probably not going to take the time to read back through two months of posts.  I read somewhere that readers should be able to find what they are looking for on your blog with two clicks.  Two clicks. 

One way to make your blog easier to navigate is the addition of static pages.

Static pages are pages that don’t change.  Hence the static.  Man, this stuff is rocket science.

If you have a lovely house tour page, I am easily able to view that amazing room reveal that you posted two months ago.  Boo-yah.  I am suckered into your blog and will add you to my Google Reader.

How do you create static pages?  I will show you in Blogger.  Because I no speak the Word Press.

1.  Go to your dashboard.  A private blogger would make a fake blog to show you this stuff.  I, however, am an oversharing/lazy blogger.

Can you tell when Young House Love posted my powder room?  Poor little baby blog didn’t know what hit it.  Focus.

2. From here you have the option to add a new page.  You can also determine the location of your static pages from this screen.  I currently use the “top tabs” option.  I’ve seen both options work well.

3. When you click “New page” at the top of the screen, you will be given two options.  We will choose “Blank Page.”

4.  You will be taken to a screen that looks very similar to your regular posts.  Add your page information and hit “publish”. 

What kind of pages should you add?  Any kind!  I would strongly recommend an “About Me” and “Contact Me” tab.  One of the first pages I like to read of a new blog is the “About Me.”  The “Contact Me” may seem unimportant for a new blogger.  At least that’s what I thought.  Little did I know, people really did want to contact me.

5.  Pat yourself on the back and enjoy those pretty tabs/static pages!

6.  Stop patting yourself on the back.  Keep up on those tabs.  This is where I shamefully tell you all that my tabs need a lot of work.  The shame. 

What are your thoughts on layout?  Static pages?  The two click theory.  What layout features sucker you into a new blog?  What should we discuss next week?

Yui’s Mom

One of my favorite things about blogging is the people that you “meet”.  I honestly did not expect to develop relationships with so many different people.  I thought I would write some stuff, a few people would read it and we’d call it a day.

One blogger that I have enjoyed getting to know is Emily-Claire from eclaireart.  Emily-Claire was recently featured in the recent issue of Artful Blogging.  I won a copy of the issue from her blog.  I had not heard of this magazine before but it is fantastic. It is full of beautiful photography, personal stories, and tips from bloggers.

Emily-Claire has eight whole pages devoted to her love of blogging and photography.  This girl has skills.  Seriously.  She is amazing at styling and then photographing her work. 

via eclaireart

 But more importantly…she has one of the cutest dogs on the planet, Yui.

via eclaireart

 Ike totally wants to fight over dog toys with her.  And borrow her scarf.

Where am I going with this?  I don’t really know.  I inhaled too much pill dust (legally) today.  I just know that you should head on over to eclaireart and say “hello” to Emily-Claire and Yui.  Be sure to check out Yui's First Year and Emily-Claire’s portfolio.  Did I mention that she does pet photography?  Sorry about adding another blog to your reading list…

Who’s jealous of those mad photog skills?  Ike is jealous that Yui is stealing his thunder today but he’ll have to deal…until I knit him a pretty blue scarf. 

***You can find Artful Blogging at Barnes & Noble in the crafts section or order it from the Somerset Studio website here.  I was in no way compensated for this post.  I just like to share awesome things with my awesome readers.***