Blog Love: Want Some?

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Posted on March 21, 2012 by Laine

In celebration of 6 months of blogging here on the Laine List, my alter ego, Elaine from Elaine Griffin Designs is designating the rest of March and April as the “Blogger Buddy Birthday Bash.” You can follow that link to see what it’s all about, or read it right here:

What? You want a custom WordPress site but you aren’t sure you are committed to blogging? Want to start branding your blog, but the bank roll is just a little thin? Well, guess what?! As a way of celebrating 6 MONTHS of blogging on The Laine List, I’m showing some blogger buddy love by customizing WordPress blogs on the cheap! You choose – Open Source or Self-Hosted!

That’s right! A custom logo, background, banners, and more can be YOURS for a mere 200 buckaroos!

Still too much? Veteran bloggers could have the option of trading ad space and maybe a nice little blog post about your customization. What?! Oh yeah.

Blog Love. Tell your mom, tell your dad, tell your friends, tell your dog. Blog Lovin’ is comin’ around.

Go ahead – contact me right here!

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The Versatile Blogger Birthday Dinner Party!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Laine

I have literally been writing this post since the beginning of January, when I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by MJ Monaghan. Link There are rules to awarding the Versatile Blogger award, but I’m going to break them. I really wanted to tie in a “who would you have for a party” kind of post with the Versatile Blogger post. These are hard decisions, and that coupled with the fact that I am constantly finding new blogs to read is why this has taken me so long. But, now that we are two weeks away from my birthday, I think I’ve finally got it covered.

Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order. Maybe someday if I’m awarded another blogging award, I will be able to bring you more!

Beth from 5 Kids is a Lot of Kids:

She totally gets kids, and when she complains about them, if you can even call it that it is totally eandearing and/or funny. She truly loves her kids. But I’m sorry Beth, this is an adult party. I’m sure you need a break, which is why I want you to come and chillax! And you will have no guilt!

Michelle from Buttered Toast Rocks:

Michelle is totally awesome. She loves her life and her family and you can tell. She has the sweetest stories to tell about her high school sweetheart, who happens to be her husband. Michelle, I would love for you to join the party and share with us your secrets to a successful love and marriage!

Robin from Sunbonnet Smart, on BlogHer:

Robin is kickin’ it Old Skool by living simply and eating locally and organically. But you know that Old Skool is the New Skool, and she has a lot to offer those of us wanting to adapt this lifestyle. Oh, and she can weave a story like nobody’s business. LINK Robin we have a lot of strange and wonderful connections, so be there or be square!

KarenLynn on BlogHer:

Karen straight up writes about her life. She is honest and strong, and thankful for her beautiful family – husband, kids, and most especially her grandkids. LINK Her writing is easy to read because it’s like having a conversation with her. Which is why, Karen, I want you at this party, so we can chat for reals! And don’t forget your camera!

Melissa from This n That:

Melissa is wonderfully original, weird, and totally crazy. Her posts are always amazing, and she is an amazing and thoughtful person. She thinks she’s not a writer, but she totally is, and I’m doing my part in convincing her of it. Aside from hearting you, Melissa, I’m counting on you coming and protecting us from any kind of vampirezombiepocolypse that could (will) occur.

Desi from the Valentine Four:

I don’t even know how this woman does it except she is totally amazing, and possibly has super hero powers. She has kids, takes care of other kids, tutors, and is working on her Masters degree. And she is STILL able to not only put two words together, but she is also able to write well thought-out and beautiful posts on a regular basis. Desi, you have to come because I so totally admire you, pure and simple.

MJ from MJ Monaghan:

MJ awarded me with this award, but that is now why I’m nominating him. MJ’s writing is straight up funny and straight up real. He is clever and honest about life, and thankful for his readers and friends. MJ I really think you are going to be the life of the party. But please do not wear a Rod Stewart-esqe bikini.

Melanie from Is this the Middle:

Melanie is a good girl gone bad! Well, at least a little! She sees life and writes about it, which I think is amazing – I can’t say that about myself, or many people for that matter. Melanie very funny, thoughtful and thought provoking, and cares a lot about her readers. Melanie, I want you to come to my party and get a little crazy! And please wear that leather mini!

Jeanine from Rosie Dreams:

Jeanine is a really amazing human being. She claims to not be a natural with children, but you would never know. She is kind and creative, and dedicated to her family, living simply, and preserving the environment. Jeanine, I would love you at my party so I can get to know you better! Also, don’t forget your skates!

Virginia, Home Reared Chef, on BlogHer:

What can I say about Virginia? She is totally amazing. Thoughtful, gracious, and truly thankful for all the good life has given her. But that’s what happens when you are amazing and life gives you bad – you can handle it with grace, and pick up and move on. Virginia also blogs for the San Jose Food Examiner. How awesome is that!? Virginia, please come to my party! We’ll have Prime Rib, and you don’t even have to cook it!

Jane from Jane in her Infinant Wisdom:

Jane’s blog title says it all – she really is full of wisdom. She writes about her life, her friends, and her family, which are all pretty much one in the same. Jane is very funny and has a wonderful way of picking up the extraordinary in every ordinary day. Jane, I would be honored to have you at my party – we can drink lots of wine and talk about podcasting! LINK

Darcy from Belle of the Carnival:

Darcy is one tricky lady. At first she will have you convinced that she is full of purity and goodness (and she is) but she’s also pretty bad ass! Check out her posts about porn faces and stripper moves. Don’t worry, they aren’t X-rated! Darcy is thoughtful and creative, and always a truly enjoyable read. Darcy, when you come to my party, make sure to wear your leather pants!

George from Rough and Rede:

Don’t let the name fool you, George is one of the kindest gentlemen you will ever get to know. And he is so worth getting to know. He is one of the only male bloggers on BlogHer, and he fits right in. I credit that to him being a hard working family man. George understands men and women alike, and writes amazing stories about life, love, and happiness. George, join the party so the West Coast can finally meet the East Coast!

Jim from the Wordslinger:

I just met Jim recently in the Facebook group, We Blog..A Blogging Community. So I don’t know a LOT about him, as I have just started reading. What I do know is Jim is one of the only “daddy bloggers” out there. He is really reaching out and finding his place. And I’m so glad he is. He is a funny (REALLY FUNNY), insightful, and loving dad and husband. Jim, come yuck it up at my party, and don’t forget the chicken suit!

I have been honored to read these blogs and get to know these writers. So go check them out and spread the love!

Who do you want at YOUR birthday party?

Wormholes or black holes – who knows, who cares, it’s Sunday

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Laine

This week’s stream of consciousness prompt from All.Things.Fadra is “How did you spend your Sunday mornings growing up? What are some of your favorite memories?” This is what I came up with.
All week I’ve been thinking about writing this post about how I have been out of the loop re-building all my sites, but now I’m back to the land of the living. I kept thinking that I was stuck in a worm hole, but then I was thinking, no, I’m stuck in a black hole. Who knows, who cares. Well, actually my husband knows and cares and he just tried to explain them to me. I asked, so I really just set myself up for hearing a lot that I don’t really care about. Too many words, honey. Too many words.
Speaking of words, I haven’t really written any since January 13th. I’ve written down some ideas, but that’s about it. I feel rusty, ya’lls! And I’m so disappointed in myself for not yet bestowing the Versatile Blogger award onto some very worthy bloggers. Plus I have a lot of ideas! I really need to step my writing up.
I got busy. I wanted a new blog look (do you like it? I love it!). I needed to re-vamp my business blog, my portfolio, and my website. They are still not all done, but they are getting there and I learned the in’s and out’s of customizing the Twenty Eleven theme for WordPress. I also learned about the best plugins for WordPress, and how to customize them. Yes, you can customize plugins!
This is what happens when I get busy with my own projects. I get lost in them. I have had the hardest time designing my own sites, and I get lost in a deep deep dark dark whole.
Wow, that was a lot of rambling. Maybe I’m not quite as out of that deep deep dark dark hole. Yet.
In other news, I’m getting my derby skates today!!! So psyched. Also, I have a baby jumping on me and people talking to me. Maybe I should have written this in the bathroom.
Last but not least, I was able to use the word AWESOMESAUCE several times in the last couple of weeks. Guess what that makes me! AWESOMEBALLZ!!! (That was for you, Kristen Daukas (insert fist pump here!)
This is what I like to do on Sunday mornings. Drink coffee, read blogs, and write.

I am so proud of my mom!!

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Laine

Living, Loving, Cooking

Today I want to dedicate my blog post to my mom, who today became a BLOGGER!! I am so proud of her for taking the plunge. You see, she is the real writer in this family. For reals. (hahaha, she would never say that!) But seriously, she taught me everything I know. She has never stopped seeking out happiness. She has never let life get the best of her (for too long anyway!). She is a writing instructor, a certified cake decorator, a culinary student, writer, wife, mother, grandmother (sorry for calling you out mom!), sister, and great friend, in no particular order. I don’t know how she finds the time.

I’m so glad that she’s writing again, and doin’ it out loud! I love you mom – happy blogging!!

So go check her out her inaugural post ya’ll! And make sure to go back for more, because she has a lot of amazing stories to tell!

What NaBloPoMo taught me and where I go from here

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Laine

October began my journey with personal blogging, but I have blogged professionally for a company called QuinStreet on and off for about two years. In the last year I have been blogging on my own professional blog site, Elaine Griffin Designs. Although I have admittedly been neglecting that blog in favor of other avenues of networking in the last several months.

I thought this would be a great time to compile a very down and dirty starting point how to list that I plan to share with new clients that are interested in learning how to blog. I know I have a lot to learn about blogging, though, and would love to have feedback about what I should add to the list!

I also thought it might be a good idea, as we near the end of NaBloPoMo, to outline my personal and professional blogging goals. I really don’t want to lose steam with the writing, so having a plan to put in action, and one that I’m putting out there for the world to see, seems like a great idea. Hold me to it, ya’ll! Make me accountable!

Down and dirty rules:

It’s okay if you don’t have a niche. Just be yourself. The rest will follow.

Write every day. It doesn’t matter exactly what you write, just make it real. That’s what endures people to you.

Follow other bloggers and comment genuinely. It matters!

Don’t get caught up in stats and whether people are following you and commenting. I made that mistake for about five minutes, and then promptly let it go. It’s not the point of blogging and shouldn’t be. Just be yourself and the rest will follow.

When following for professional purposes, you MUST follow and comment on blogs that are relevant to your industry. Follow others if you want to, but don’t do it to drive traffic to your blog. That’s called spam and no one likes it.

Keep it timely and up to date! This is true for any blogging, but especially true for professional blogging. This is something that I have had a hard time with.

Keep your blog fresh. You should be blogging at least once a week, preferably more. This keeps the search engines AND your readers interested in you. Don’t get stale!

My blogging goals post November NaBloPoMo:

To still write every day, but switch up the personal and professional blogging. Some days I might do both, but I need to keep both blogs fresh every week.

Start building a professional blogging presence by following and commenting on relevant industry blogs.

Find at least one new blog every week that I LOVE to read, and then give a monthly shout to the new blogs I’ve found and I love.

This seems like a short list, but I don’t want to get in over my head! Reading and commenting on blogs (not to mention writing them) is very time consuming. I think this is good for now and I can adjust later.

Do you have any down and dirty blogging tips to share? How do you plan to move your blogging forward?

The Laine List

Because I am Kicking this Life in the Ass

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