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I am starting off with a very real photo of what I am a) wearing (Ben's comfy clothes), b) doing (watching Say Yes to the Dress and organizing my clothes), and c) drinking (Cotes du Rhone)... because I am about to launch into a real post about this blog.

I've hit a bit of a blog rut. I felt like I had great outfits and great shoots in fun locations going on when we first moved, and then the weather changed and my blog now has seasonal affective disorder. The rain doesn't make for great light, or great photo-shoots in interesting spots, and it's downright cold. I finally got a tripod, but I'm terrible at taking photos with it (I can't ever seem to get my whole head in view) and my main squeeze photographer has been studying dead bodies non-stop. I also don't have as much discretionary money now that Ben's in school and we have increased bills here in Portland. The shopping has slowed a bit and I'm feeling blah about everything. I just want riding boots and a J. Crew blazer damnit!

I was also perusing GOMI today - I know, it's a website that only causes negativity, but sometimes it helps keep me grounded - and it made me think about how my blog comes across to you. If things feel tired to me, there's a good chance that you're feeling tired of what I'm posting and if I'm uninspired, well, you know the drill. So I am working on coming up with an editorial calendar that includes more interesting content for you, not just repeat cold-weather outfits that aren't very creative at all. I'm thinking I'd like to add back in remixed item posts, more shopping wishlists and great sales, some local activities, some added easy DIYs for those of us that love the holidays but are crap at DIY, and more simple and quick cooking/baking.

Along with those new, more intentional posts, I think it's worth discussing sponsored posts and campaigns. GOMI loves to spend time hating bloggers for getting things for free or writing sponsored content, and honestly I get it. Sometimes I enjoy reading sponsored content, sometimes when it entirely doesn't fit the blog, I really don't. But I also love getting the opportunity to try a product, review a service, or participate in a shopping/cooking/craft challenge that is paid. It's really fun. How often do you get paid to have a lot of fun? I know I don't ever get that opportunity outside of the blog and company picnics.

I have been trying to be conscientious about blog content since I started blogging and I've made a few mishaps. I can definitely feel it when I post about something that just doesn't fit with my blog. It's just not worth it to compromise my readership or my love of the blog for those opportunities, payment or no. So I try to avoid them (like writing about Wendy's chicken sandwiches or Kias or Lunchables or tampons). But I have also been pursuing these other opportunities (like a post about Revlon makeup, or shopping at Sears, or drinking tea) because I am interested in this blog being my second job. Being compensated for blogging is a dream come true. It brings out my entrepreneurial side, my creative side, my happiest side. And it allows me to pay my bills. I think it's important to point that out. I really would love to pay more than the minimum on my student loans. Or have a vet bill nest egg (darn cat). Or contribute to my retirement. Or replace old, tired furniture. Or afford Comcast when they raise their rates. And my 8-5 p.m. job just doesn't allow me to do all of those things. 

Blogging has been a gift. It is a lot of hard work and I spend a lot of time on it, but it has allowed a bunch of things to happen - like let me reinvest $ in advertising on other blogs, host great giveaways, respark my creative side, and get me back into photography. And it's let my savings grow through sponsored content. So thanks for being readers and sticking around through some good, some bad decisions. I hope you'll keep reading and enjoying and I hope to keep trying my best to make decisions that fit this blog and are of interest to you.

Happy Friday!