-
BlogPaws 2015 and eBook News!
I’ve attended all but one of the annual BlogPaws conferences (darn chemo ruined my perfect record), and this year’s was a remarkable experience. They’re all wonderful, of course, but this was the first year I got to speak. That’s me. Speaking. I need a haircut. Anyway, it was an absolute pleasure to chat about authenticity in blogging. I truly believe that the key to long-term success is being completely, wholly true to YOU with your blog. In a cluttered online environment, discerning readers can pick out who’s being honest and forthright versus those bloggers who are just shilling. That isn’t to say you can’t earn money on your blog; you…
-
Does a work/life balance really exist?
Recently, I was combing through the January 2014 issue of Real Simple. I love this magazine. It feeds my obsession with cleanliness and organization. Anyway, there was a piece about balance (I didn’t save the mag, so I’m sorry I can’t cite the author). Several contributors gave their definition of balance. My overwhelming takeaway? Balance means something different to everyone, and the important thing is to figure out your definition and aim for that. And – gasp! – it doesn’t necessarily mean putting in the exact same amount of effort with your kids as you do at work while maintaining a well-stocked, alphabetized pantry and a closet full of perfectly-tailored…
-
Total Pet Expo Fall 2013 Recap
I’m finally home after a whirlwind trip to Chicago with pit stops in Indianapolis and Houston. There’s always so much to do to catch up after time away, but I wanted to recap a few trends I spotted at the Total Pet Expo. (Note: These are from the business/editorial side. If you’d like to read about trends in pet products, check out my recap on OMD!) The pet industry is huge. It’s growing. It’s long been touted as “recession proof,” which may not be true. Everyone I spoke with said orders were down at this show. One reason? Nerves over the possibility of a government shutdown, for one. Plus, there…
-
Add a little passion into your work day
I knew I wanted to be a writer in elementary school. Well, a writer or a paleontologist. Had I been a paleontologist, my office would’ve looked like this. I know how lucky I am that I get to do what I love every single day. Even though I love my job, I don’t love all of my projects. Sometimes, the work can become tedious, and I often feel uninspired. The way I’ve learned to stay motivated, though, is to add a little of my loves to every work day. In other words, I craft my time around my passions. For instance, I’m obsessed with my dogs. I love the little buggers,…