instagram etiquette: why it matters + why you should care.

When I joined Instagram three years ago, it was little more than an auxiliary social media platform. I posted haphazard photos of everyday life and didn't overanalyze things. I don't know exactly when it changed, but somewhere along the way, Instagram became so much more. From photo editing apps like VSCO CAM to shopping platforms like LIKEtoKNOW:it, there are countless ways to make your snapshots more than just a photo. 

Far and away, Instagram is my favorite social media platform. I have always loved photography, so my favoritism should come as no surprise. In the midst of my love and affection for Instagram, there is also a bit of frustration. The seven points below encompass my view on Insta-etiquette in a nutshell:

1) IF YOU'RE GOING TO SHARE, USE PROPER SOURCING: If my most viewed {and pinned} post of all time is any indication, I am a sourcing fanatic. I won't pin a photo until I can find the link to the person, blog or brand who created the content. As a blogger, I know just how long it takes to craft new posts. Though I don't share "inspirational" photos from others on my Instagram feed, it makes my blood boil to see the hard work of my fellow creatives uncredited and unattributed on Instagram. Applying a new filter and adding some text below the image does not make it yours. Do your due diligence and find the source before you're tempted to share someone else's content. I have heard countless stories about missed attribution and have experienced it myself. While you may be inspired by someone else, prettying up your own feed with their work isn't the best tactic. If you do share someone else's work, always {and I mean always} tag them in the initial photo description. Otherwise, the quick passerby of your feed will miss the attribution completely. My personal opinion is that you shouldn't share the work of others, but I know I could be alone on this one.

2) DON'T PROFIT FROM OTHERS' HARD WORK: On the subject of sharing others' work, don't take someone else's image and make it shoppable. It may be a "smart" business move for a blogger, but you shouldn't be profiting from someone else's outfit or living room. Forever and ever, amen.

3) STOP SHARING FOR THE SAKE OF SHARING: In the past, I used to beat myself up for not sharing new content on my Instagram feed daily. These days, I don't give myself the guilt trip. You may read things about how sharing regularly is the best way to gain followers. I can't argue with those articles: when I'm posting more frequently, I do see my followers increase. When I mention "sharing for the sake of sharing", I mean the posts where you toss something up there just to say you Instagrammed that day. Chances are that if you don't like what you're posting...others won't either. Blowing up someone's feed with mundane things is just that: mundane. Allow yourself a pass. Instagram isn't going anywhere. 

4) DON'T OVER-GRAM: In a similar vein to #3, there are few days in life which require more than three or four Instagrams. Back in the good ol' days, I didn't pay attention to the number of snaps I shared. Fast forward to present day: I rarely share more than two Instagrams in a 24-hour period. On vacation or for a big life event, I may share three or four photos in a day, but it is incredibly uncommon. This is just one example, but follow me here: unless you work in the food industry {or have a food-oriented Instagram account}, no one needs to see all six courses of your dinner. I rest my case.

5) BE ORIGINAL: Peony season inevitably brings an onslaught of peony posts. If you're going to share these beautiful blooms, find some way to make yours different and stand out from the crowd. This concept applies to all of your Instagrams: don't knowingly re-create an Instagram you saw elsewhere. It is just the same as re-gramming someone else's work without attribution. Ick.

6) LEAVE GENUINE COMMENTS: Commenting is a fabulous way to join the "conversation" on Instagram. However, if you don't have something nice to say, leave it to yourself. Leaving a comment on Instagram is so much easier than leaving one on a blog. Quipping something rude and inappropriate may seem funny, but it can be incredibly hurtful. While bloggers are used to putting themselves out there, it doesn't mean that Instagram is the forum in which to criticize them. I may be on my own island here, but I don't think I am: keep your negativity to yourself. Nobody wants it.  

7) STAY TRUE TO YOU: My favorite Instagrams are often the ones which receive the fewest likes. This used to confuse me, but now I understand. Be it the subject or the timing, certain Instagrams will always perform better. {Think about yourself as a potential follower of your feed; it should all make sense.} When I look back on my feed in a few years, I will be glad to have those low-performing photos in it. In the end, all that matters is that your Instagram feed reflects you. Goodness knows, my Instagram feed isn't the most popular. {I gave up caring about the number of followers and likes long ago.} I share what makes my heart happy and this has made all the difference for me.

What would you add to the Instagram etiquette conversation? I share these seven pointers because I would genuinely like to make Instagram better -- not because I'm better than anyone else. Instagram etiquette matters because social media is, by definition, a public platform. We owe it to one another to  be supportive and encouraging, rather than catty and calculated. Agreed? xoxo {av}

P.S. The lucky winner of my $100 Rent The Runway giveaway is Anne from In Residence! Many thanks to all who entered :)

insta-update: summer 2014.

Is it me or is this summer flying by? I can't believe half of July is already in the books! Long after this summer is over, I will be grateful for the sunny summer shots in my Instagram feed. This corner of social media continues to hold a special place in my heart. I could blame my heightened nostalgia on pregnancy hormones, but I have always been a fan of walking down memory lane. I think that's the best part about Instagram: it makes a stroll down this wistful lane infinitely easier. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite snaps from my feed over the last six weeks or so...

I added some serious sparkle to my rotation since the beginning of summer. A statement necklace and a pretty pair of sandals {similar here} have helped to jazz up my shrinking closet. I also scored this serious steal at TJ Maxx and felt like a real #maxxinista. {For those interested, I promise a full post on my maternity wardrobe soon, so hang tight!}

Since Memorial Day weekend, {cv} and I have been busy bees. From the Jersey Shore to Cape Cod, we have covered a lot of ground in the last few weeks. The next month or so is no exception. With a surprise babymoon, a Midwestern swing, and a Martha's Vineyard weekend on tap, we are squeezing in a lot before baby {v} graces us with his or her presence! I also think it will provide for some fab Insta-opps ;)

My streak of consecutive 10,000-step days continues! Stumbling on new neighborhood gems make my daily strolls even better. The snaps from these walks will always bring back lovely memories of these quiet days. 

If this little blog is quiet for the next few days, don't worry: hop over to Instagram and take a little vacation with {cv} and me! We leave on Thursday morning on our surprise babymoon. This season in our life together is one I will always cherish. He has worked so hard to make this trip unforgettable--and I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve. {I only know the average temperatures and that the destination is one plane flight away!} The anticipation is killing me, but the adventure which awaits will be worth it. More soon! xoxo {av}

insta-update: winter 2014.

row one: door - spoons - dress | row two: barn - museum | row three: Gus - water view - macarons 

row four: earrings - cookbook | row five: snowy night - ice cream - bedroom

Since we got home from Europe, {cv} and I haven't strayed far from home. Aside from a family wedding in New Hampshire and our "staycation" in Boston, we have been in and around Rhode Island for the past two months. There are few things I love about the snowy New England winters, but if there is one thing I'm learning to appreciate it's this: the winter forces you to slow down. If you take a look at my Instagram, you'll see a lot of cozy shots from the last two months--which is just fine by me.

In the past few months, I have also been falling in love with VSCO CAM. I wasn't a huge fan of their previous design, but the last few updates changed my mind. You can even buy extra packs of "filters", which make it way more fun. If you're a VSCO user, do you have any favorite "filters"? I'm a huge fan of F2. What other photo apps do you use? I also dabble in Afterlight and Snapseed, but VSCO has really become my go-to. xoxo {av}

life lately.

Happy Monday! I'm back with a few Instagram-updates from the month of September. I feel like I blinked and last month was over. Considering we are already a week into October, this month is going to fly by just like the last. Though we spent all of our September in New England, October promises more travel--including a fun girls' trip to Jamaica in ten days. This girl needs it.

Thankfully, {cv} and I got a lot done in the month of September. We finally feel settled in our little apartment, as evidenced by the photo of our closet above. Fun fact: I can now build an IKEA Malm dresser without the instructions. There is still more to do to polish it off, but when is decorating ever done?

I made a few fun purchases for fall in September, which are already on heavy rotation. I opted for these loafers, this sweater, this sweatshirt, and this necklace--most of which I found on heavy sale.

What are you looking forward to in the month of October? Have a wonderful start to your week! xoxo {av}

life lately.

After two crazy months in June and July, {cv} and I were excited to have a few weeks to lay low in Providence. If you don't count the John Mayer or Kenny Chesney concerts, August was a relatively quiet month. We enjoyed fun date nights out and quiet nights in. We made some serious progress on decorating, though we certainly have more to do. I made a few purchases for fall {like these booties on super sale and this cozy nightgown with a tiny monogram}. All in all, it was just the month we needed before life resumes its hectic pace...

One thing I love about Instagram is that you can take virtual vacations through the people you follow. I know it sounds a little crazy, but go with me here. @wishfulnals took a phenomenal European adventure in August and I felt like I got to tag along. One of my Georgetown pals @vatmanhere just moved across the pond to France, so I'm already loving the daily dose of Paris through her iPhone lens. If safaris are more your thing, @sarahwlederman and @couldihavethat shared gorgeous photos from Africa this month. During our slow travel months, instagram makes my life so much more exciting!

Who are you loving on instagram these days?  xoxo {av}
P.S. To those of you who follow along with me on instagram, thank you!

life lately.

The last three months have been a bit of a whirlwind. We've passed through eight airports, attended four weddings, and spent more weekends away than at home. This past weekend, I was back in the Hoosier state to help host my 10th high school reunion. Thankfully, we have a few unplanned weekends on the horizon--and I couldn't be more excited. I'm just a little worried my Instagram feed won't be as colorful as it has been in the last few weeks ;) I'll try my best to keep up the color!

I love that Instagram captures little memories which could otherwise be forgotten. My Instagram is a bit eclectic, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I will admit that I've become quite picky about what I post. I also love a good Afterlight filter before I upload it to Instagram. I would rather be picky than bore you ;)

I have plenty of favorites, but these are 4 stand-out accounts which may be new to you:
@domestikateblog + @harwellphoto + @kate_baird + @nannerburns 

Who do you like to follow on Instagram? What feeds catch your attention? What turns you away? 

I love a good mix of life and landscapes myself. I can't wait to hear your two cents! xoxo {av}

rolling with the punches.

After an incredible nine days away, {cv} and I began our homeward trek toward Providence last night. Unfortunately, we had an extra long layover {otherwise known as a cancelled flight!} in Charlotte. You won't find me complaining about a night in one of my most beloved cities, but I wasn't planning to take another vacation day today. Weather and maintenance issues dictated otherwise...

{photo from yesterday's spontaneous trip to Hilton Head!}

Rolling with the travel punches--and all of life's other "surprises"--is not generally my forte. I'm the girl with a plan. Sometimes though, the best laid plans are meant to be broken. While lamenting to {cv} about going back to reality after our time away, I wished for a day to just recover from all of our travel craziness. You know what? I got the extra day I wanted, though I didn't quite pick it for myself. As I round out the first week of my 28th year, I've decided this year is going to all about rolling with the punches. Life is way too short to take another route. 

Thank you for sticking with me while my posting has been sparse--I'll be back in full force very soon :) Enjoy your Monday! I'll be soaking up as much of this unexpected day out of work as possible. xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: BLOGLOVIN + INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK + TWITTER

happy memorial day.

Happy Memorial Day--and a quick hello from the beautiful state of Texas! We make the trek to South Carolina this afternoon, so we will soak up every last minute in the Lonestar State. This vacation is off to a fantastic start :) {cv} and I had the time of our lives at {jd} + {gz}'s wedding last night--see photo evidence here + here! 

Many thanks to our troops--past and present--who make Memorial Day possible. As an end-of-May baby, I also thank you for making my birthday week one of the best around. See you tomorrow! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: BLOGLOVIN + INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

#seemyshowcase - april edition.

A very happy Monday to each of you! I've been excited for this Monday since I first shared the idea for the #seemyshowcase Instagram challenge in March. The #seemyshowcase monthly link-up will be your one-stop-shop to discover great new Instagrammers, whether they're bloggers or not. You can also showcase your favorite shots from other IGers by adding them below. See it as a way to give them a virtual pat on the back ;) The photo I chose for this month was taken on Cape Cod a couple of weeks ago. Spring still seems as far away as it did in this picture...

If you're like me, you have come to love Instagram for a peek into the daily lives of others {in a non-creepy way, of course}. As a lover of photography, Instagram is even more addicting. I love the photo-editing process {see this post} and now see Instagram as a place to share only my best. If you've never participated in a link-up, here's a little how-to guide to help make it easier for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Remember: you do NOT have to be a blogger to participate. All you need to do is add the link to your favorite Instagram from the past four weeks--and you're done! Add only one from your account for each month's link-up. If you want to showcase others, you're welcome to add as many as you like :) Make sure to let them know using the #seemyshowcase hashtag in a comment on their photo! This link-up is all about sharing the love!
If you want to join in the link-up in future months, be sure to add yourself to the mailing list.

How do you chose what you do and don't on Instagram? Are you picky or do you just go for it? 
I can't wait to hear about your process! Have an amazing Monday! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: BLOGLOVIN + INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

#seemyshowcase

I fell in love with Instagram a long, long time ago. After writing this post, it became abundantly clear that others shared the same love {or borderline obsession!} that I do. To harness this mutual attraction, I wanted to host a once-monthly Instagram showcase showdown. Participating couldn't be easier. All you have to do is pick your favorite Instagram shot from the month and share it here. The best part? You don't have to be a blogger to participate! In sharing our best "work," we'll all be able to find other amazing Instagrammers to follow--enhancing all our IG feeds in the process.

In order to give you ample time to prepare, the first #seemyshowcase showdown won't be until Monday, April 15th! If you have any questions, please email me and I'll be happy help. Don't forget to join the mailing list to get all the updates. {I promise only necessary emails--no clogged inboxes from yours truly!} You won't need to write a post {or sacrifice time in your blogging schedule for this link-up}. You'll be posting an Instagram link--to make this link-up inclusive for everyone.

If you'd like, start using the hashtag #seemyshowcase to help spread the word.
Be sure to tell your favorite Instagrammers about April 15th + share the IG love!

I can't wait to see which photo you share on April 15th--I'm already plotting my entry :) xoxo {av}

With Google Reader on its way out, here are a few other ways to stay in touch with {long distance loving}!

how to {easily} edit an instagram.

It's no secret I love Instagram. I used to post photos more frequently, but I am much more picky with what makes my feed these days. Getting an introduction to a little app known as Afterglow completely changed my insta-habits. I know many people who are fans of VSCO CAM, but Afterglow is the photo-editing app which stole my heart. For the 99-cent investment, it is an inexpensive way to enhance your Instagram feed. 

These are three examples of my editing process. I hate to use a flash when taking photos, so my photos can turn out a bit dark on my iPhone. {It is much easier to compensate for the light with a real camera!} After I take a few photos, I find my favorite and then open it in Afterglow. I apply one of the original filters to my photo. {Captain, Crown + Coral are a few of my favorites!} After that, I might use a few of the other snazzy Afterglow tools. I then save the photo to my camera roll--or you can take it straight into Instagram!

When I open the photo in Instagram, I add my finishing touches--be it a filter or better cropping. {My favorite filters in Instagram are Rise, Amaro, and Nashville. I don't think I've ever used Sutro or Brannan!} At the end of it all, I add a photo to my Instagram feed which has passed my rigorous approval process ;) You may call me crazy, but I only post my best photos. I would otherwise be blowing up your Instagram feeds on a daily basis. {I take at least 30 photos a day!}

Do you use other apps to make your Instagram feed better--or do you use Instagram for the immediate social impact? {If so, do you think I'm completely crazy for this whole process?!} Wherever you fall in the spectrum, I can't wait to hear your own Instagram tips! Have a great Monday! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

weekend scenes.

Happy President's Day! I may be working today, but I am still relishing in the glory of an amazing weekend getaway. We only live an hour from Boston, but with our schedules, we never really get to enjoy it. {cv} changed that this weekend. He booked us a room at the cutest hotel on the planet and we soaked up a weekend in the city, as evidenced by the photos below... 

{behind the photos}

books: We stopped at an amazing store in the South End called Hudson--and I quickly fell in love.

bed: Our room at the Inn at St. Botolph was picture perfect. Chevrons, gingham and seersucker--oh my!

dress: I Rent The Runway for weddings and events but never for fun nights out. This Shoshanna stunner also made it easy to break out my wedding shoes! A winner all around :)

glasses: {cv} treated me to what was easily the nicest meal of our lives at O Ya.  I became an adventurous eater for a night--and loved every minute of it. He booked the rezzies a month in advance, so he earned big points for this one!

{unseen goodness}
-I finally caved and bought a polka-dotted chambray shirt at J.Crew {much like this one}. I can already see it running heavily in my rotation!
-We stumbled upon Olives & Grace, a gorgeous little store specializing in small batch products. The best part? Moochie's Macarons was hosting a tasting in the store! I had my first chocolate-covered macaron--and haven't stopped dreaming about them since.
-I picked up these Rifle notecards at the sweet Gracie Finn. I can't wait to send them!

After this magical weekend, we both agreed we needed to make this "stay-cation" a regular thing. We travel to see friends and family regularly, but we don't often get a chance to get away the two of us.
With so much left to explore, you better believe we're coming back to Boston for more.
Are you a stay-cation fan? I can't wait to hear! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

ban the black borders.

Happy Monday! Today's post is of a different sort, so bear with me...

I love Instagram. I think many of you might share that love. 

One thing I don't love?! Those pesky black borders. 

Like many of you, I take my photos outside of Instagram and then use this magical program to make my photo infinitely better. After a few frustrations in the beginning, I simply altered my photo-taking habits. As a result, I rarely take photos horizontally on my iPhone. Not a single one of my Instagrams has those ugly borders--and I'm proud of it. Though I'm far from perfect, this is one easy way to make anyone's Instagram feed better.

This is my plea: make Instagram prettier and ban those black borders on your Instagram feed. Make it easier and shoot vertically if you plan to use Instagram. Those black borders don't make your photo more beautiful whatsoever. I hate to be blunt on this one, but I want to keep Instagram attractive. By banning those pesky borders, we can go a long way to making it more enchanting.

pure michigan.

Happy Monday! I got home very early this morning after an amazing three days in the Midwest. Even though I grew up in Indiana, I had never spent much time in Michigan. After this weekend, I want to get back very soon! I flew into Detroit and made a beeline for Frankenmuth for my first cousin's wedding. My parents and I then roadtripped west to the coast of Lake Michigan, which was more than stunning. Here are just a few {instagram} snapshots from my trip...

I was so excited to see my sweet cousin {cn} marry her longtime beau {js}. She was positively glowing! They weathered a few years of long distance--and it makes me so happy to know they are finally in the same place to start their life together. {I also cannot wait to see the real wedding photos from Harwell Photography!}

I could share about fifty photos of the rolling cornfields and sandy dunes, but I'll spare you. I'll leave you with a little peek of my travel outfit and a funny shot of yours truly from Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. It seriously felt like Christmas inside. I may have gotten just a touch of excitement for the holiday season--though I'm not ready for the cold just yet. 

The other highlight of the weekend? Getting to spend some much needed quality time with my parents! I'm an only child, so it felt like old hat to be in the car the three of us. {cv} couldn't get away from work  this weekend, so he got a continuous flow of instagrams and texts about what he was missing ;)  

I don't know about you, but I need the summer to slow down. Now. 

Have a fantastic Monday, friends!

fortune cookies.

Happy Monday! I hope y'all had a fantastic weekend. This is the last one we'll spend in Providence for a few weeks with our crazy travel schedule, so we soaked it up. {cv} and I rarely eat Chinese, but on Saturday night, we indulged. Strangely, one of my favorite parts of eating Chinese is opening my fortune cookie. I wait until I've completely eaten my cookie before reading mine too--which is torture because {cv} reads his right off the bat. Everyone else at our table had goofy sayings which really made no sense, but mine read a little something like this...

Life is about making some things happen, not waiting for something to happen.

My lucky word was "winter" {strange in the heat of the summer!}, but suffice it to say, this little message struck me at my core. I may never be a big risk taker, but it doesn't mean I should watch and wait for things to happen. I have to take the bull by the horns and go for it, which is much easier said than done. 

My takeaway from all of this? Life lessons can come from fortune cookies...

refreshing.

A very happy Thursday to you, friends :) It may feel a little like a Monday, but thankfully, there are only two days left in this week! I captured a few fun photos on Instagram in the last few days. I seriously wish the entire summer was devoted to the red, white and blue.

{cv} walked downstairs in this outfit before seeing me...and I couldn't help but smile. We were pretty patriotic, huh? {I snapped up that top and those shorts at J.Crew on sale last week!} We hopped over to Bristol, RI to see their crazy festivities. Let's just say it was an all-American extravaganza, complete with frozen lemonade, flags, and fireworks.

To add to the fun of your summer festivities, don't miss a little guest post I did over one of my daily reads, DomestiKated Life. I'm sharing my love of backyard brews in Kate's summer entertaining series. I have one of my favorite {and unexpected} cocktails on tap--along with plenty of ways to make it come to life in your own backyard. Be sure to check out all the goodness here!

Phew! Are you tired of me yet? Go ahead and jump over to DomestiKated Life to see more about these backyard brews. I'll see y'all back here bright and early for some patriotic Friday's Fancies. Feel free to link up any outfits you've shared over the course of the week :) See you then!

monday mash-up.

Happy Monday! What a whirlwind weekend! {cv} and I got home late last night from my work trip to South Beach and I have a few of my favorite instagrams from the trip to share. I managed to mix in some fun--outside of work--along the way ;) {If you don’t follow me yet, you can find me here--@amv529!}

I won’t bore you with a day-by-day recap, but suffice it to say, we packed a LOT into our three days in Florida. From a perfect Blogger Blitz Miami to ridiculously wonderful dinners, I’m still riding the high from a terrific little vacay. We had a stand-out meal at The Dutch and an absolutely unforgettable experience at Nobu. Poolside drinks all along Collins Avenue, be it at the Perry, Delano or Ritz made a great time even better ;) Another highlight was the bevy of dresses awaiting me at our hotel from Rent the Runway--that pink dress could be my favorite rental yet.

Sightings of Michael Kors {at the not-to-be-missed Yardbird Southern Table + Bar--during Blogger Blitz, no less!}, Mark Wahlberg, and Flo Rida satiated my need for a celebrity spotting. Along the same lines, I met one of my favorite bloggers-turned-friends, including Sarah {spotted in the last row of photos!} and a host of other phenomenal ladies at Blogger Blitz. All in all, this weekend qualifies as a tremendous success!

I have loads of excitement in store for you this week, a part of which is a festive round Cinco de Mayo or Derby Friday’sFancies {your pick!}. Don’t forget to check out other instagram-filled posts on the ever-lovely blog, a {little} dash of ash :) I hope you have a terrific Monday!

bring it to life.

Happy Monday, friends :) I hope you all had a fabulous St. Patrick's Day weekend! You know I normally share a few pictures from my weekend on Mondays--and this time around, there is a fun twist with a few of my photos from recent days as a teaser. And as it goes every Monday, I'm linking this post up with a {little} dash of ash!

 If you love Instagram half as much as I do, you will be as excited as I was to discover CanvasPop. Sure, I love Stickygrams, but I have been dreaming of a way to really bring my love of Instagram to life. Creating canvas wall art is the perfect way to make that dream a reality...

CanvasPop is offering introductory prices for their Instagram canvases: $39.95 for a 12" by 12" canvas or $59.95 for a 20" by 20" canvas. Shipping is only $14 for orders under $150--and free for orders over that mark. {cv} and I have already been discussing which of my Instagram shots make the cut for our own apartment ;) Click here to get all your questions answered and make your Instagram come to life!

The possibilities really are endless--I now have birthday and shower gifts on the brain. How fun would these be to brighten up a bestie's cube? Or even a baby's nursery? In any case, my brain is in overdrive thanks to CanvasPop! I hope you all have a fantastic Monday--my next Friday's Fancies email will be out later today. Join the email list if you want to hop on the fanciful train :) I'll see you back here tomorrow!

P.S. Today is the last day to get 15% off my blog consultation services :) 

Email me ASAP to get yours on the books!

monday mantra.

Happy Monday, friends! This week is a crazy one with my day job, but I have to remind myself that a fun round of St. Patty's-themed Friday's Fancies will be here before I know it. Gearing up for a busy week with work got me thinking...

Last year was one of the busiest I've had professionally and personally. In late 2010, I ached to find a fabulous hobby and finally found one when I started blogging. By the early months of 2011, I struck a balance with work and with blogging--and started loving life. Don't get me wrong: I loved my life before I started blogging. I have an marvelous husband, incredible friends, and a loving family. I just found a new sense of self in the blogosphere which exponentially increased my happiness I already had.

Yet in the midst of the madness of 2011, I managed to have my best year professionally. This is by no means me bragging--I just had a friend point out this coincidence to me recently. {ao} made me realize this happiness was rubbing off in every angle of my life, including my career. What I'm trying to say here is that finding a happy spot {be it with blogging, exercise, work, travel, friends, etc.} is the recipe for a great year. It may not always be easy to juggle all our responsibilities, but it is absolutely worth it.

As Mark Twain suggests, whenever you're happy, you make others happy too. Rolling into this busy week--I'm going to use this as my mantra, rather than channeling the stress and making myself miserable. 

I hope this happy reminder {paired with one of my instagram shots from this weekend + linked up with a {little] dash of ash} helps you to kick off your week right! Oh, and I'm also guest posting over on All You Need Is Love today--so be sure to stop by :) Thank you all for being a HUGE part of what keeps me happy during my crazy weeks!

This week only, I'm offering a 15% discount on my blog consultation services! With spring finally upon us, it is a great time to invest a few dollars into your blog. An one hour skype session with yours truly will run $34--and an independent blog review will run $21.25! Email me to schedule yours today :) I can promise you that it will be worth your time and hard-earned dollars--I'd love to work with you!

monday marvels.

Hello friends--and happy Monday! We had a quiet weekend and enjoyed every minute of the Oscars last night. I can't wait to see all the dress round-ups today, though you won't find one here. {For sake of discussion though, a few of my favorite dresses from last night were worn by Octavia Spencer, Kristen Wiig, and Natalie Portman.}

In true Monday fashion, I have my Instagrams to share with you today! My love of Instagram borderlines obsession and I'm okay with that. Here are my snaps from the last two weeks of the #febphotoaday challenge--

I love capturing the little {sometimes forgettable} moments of my day with Instagram, though I will say coming up with ideas for the photo-a-day challenge is a little bit stressful. {Please tell me I'm not alone!}

And since I love Instagram so much, I'm linking this post with Ashley and Jenni :)

This week is chock full of meetings--fun ones and important ones, so I'm off to tackle it!