Bloggy Help:

 photo socialmedia_zps413c1040.png  photo helpdeskbutton_zpsb16b6c42.png  photo instagram_zps73b3c07a.png  photo header_zps97df3d3e.png  photo needamakeover_zps6d19d8a9.png

Monday, June 14: Spotlight and Giveaway with A Few Of My Favorite Things

Giveaway Closed. Winner:
tharker said...

Great interview!

tiffani_harker@hotmail.com


Two of my favorite bloggers, Molly and Danyelle, have one heck of a blog over at A Few Of My Favorite Things. And today I am so pleased to have both of them joining us for a Spotlight AND Giveaway. Molly and Danyelle are both stay-at-home mothers of many, and bloggers extraordinaire. And on top of Favorite Things, Danyelle has quite the little Etsy Shop... Which brings me to our giveaway!

Dandee Designs will be giving away a $30 Gift Certificate to the shop! Just take a look at some of these lovelies. Sp enter the giveaway, then scroll down to read the rest of this great spotlight with Molly and Danyelle!!


TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
This giveaway will end at midnight PST, Sunday June 18, 2010. To enter, Please leave your name and e-mail address in the comment section below. Only one entry per person. One winner will be chosen with Random.org and posted the following day. If we don't hear from the winners within 24 hours, they will be forfeit, and a new winner will be chosen.

SPOTLIGHT WITH:

BGB: How long have you been blogging?

Molly: My Favorite Things is just a little over two years old. But I have a family blog that I have kept up for over four years.

Danyelle: I've been reading blogs since the fall of 2006. I felt so inspired I decided to start my own, dandeedesigns.blogspot.com in January of 2007 where I post about my life with my dear husband and five children, projects and other random bits. After a few guest blogging stints over at My Favorite Things, Molly asked me to become a permanent fixture there in August 2008.

BGB: What made you start?

Molly: I love to shop and discover new products that I think are simply a must. Obviously since I can’t buy everything I love, blogging became my outlet. I love to share.

Danyelle: I have tried to put my finger on this question a number of times and I think ultimately, I began blogging for two reasons. First, I wanted to connect with other women. Women who were like me + women who were different from me. I wanted to learn from them. I wanted to glean from their life experiences, their successes and challenges. I wanted to be a part of this wonderful blogging community. And second, I felt a creative pull. Even a simple blog post about a great book I've read or a photo of one of my children with a short description fills my creative cup for a day. I don't have to post a thorough DIY project to get that feeling. And for me, doing something creative everyday is a necessity.

BGB: Are there bloggers who have inspired you? Which ones?

Molly: I have way too many blogs in my reader and definitely not enough time to browse through them all. But without fail, I always always read Nienie Dialogues and The Rockstar Dairies. It is inspiring for me as a woman and a mother to catch a glimpse of how those two women live their life to the fullest!

Danyelle: Every blog in my reader is inspiring to me in different ways. I love Ez's "Inspiration Daily" posts, Nicole's photography, Kelly's happy life.


BGB: Do you have any suggestions for new bloggers? Any tips on gaining followers/readers?

Molly: In no particular order...

• find your groove, your niche and stick to it

• comment on other blogs

• invite guest bloggers

Danyelle: The one thing I would love to tell every new blogger can be summed up in four words. Don't. Obsess. Over. Comments. I know it can be hard to do, but truly. Don't worry yourself sick over the number of comments you may (or may not) be getting. Some days people feel like commenting and some days they don't.

BGB: Do you think there are specific genres that are more popular than others in blogging?

Molly: My google reader has a little bit of everything. I notice that I go through periods where I am more drawn to some than others but I believe every blog has a place. And you can truly tell when the writer is blogging about something they love.

Danyelle: I think if you would have asked me this question a few months ago, I would have answered, "YES! Definitely!" But recently I have come to the conclusion that there is an audience out there for everyone.

BGB: Who designed your blog?

Molly: None other than the fabulous Lyndsay Johnson of Lyndsay Johnson Design and Beautify My Blog.

BGB: Does your blog relate to your job at all, is it your job?

Molly: My blog is my hobby. My job is a mother to two boys and a little babe on the way. And yes, sometimes they intersect.

BGB: When and where do you write your posts?

Molly: I have a Mac Book Air and so I can write my posts from pretty much anywhere. I am at our kitchen table eating lunch at the moment. My favorite place is to curl up in my bed when my boys are asleep. If I am organized that’s where I do it, other wise sometimes you will find me standing at the kitchen bar, typing away while my two boys are wrestling in the background. Glamorous eh?

Danyelle: There is no rhyme or reason to when I write my posts. Whenever I have a free minute, that's when I do it. Generally, it's either in the evening when the children are in bed or first thing in the morning. If that doesn't work out, I sneak onto the computer during naptime. Although, I am always thinking of things to post about. I take mental notes during my day about things I want to share with our readers.

BGB: Are there any negatives to blogging you’re concerned about? If so, how do they impact you or your readers?

Molly: I am sure you can find a negative to just about anything but I’ve had a great experience blogging. Occasionally we have received rude comments and spam is the worst but all in all, it has been a blast.

BGB: What do you think the future is of blogging?

Molly: Honestly I have no idea. It is huge and will possibly just continue to grow and grow and become more fabulous along the way.

BGB: Which blogs do you read often? Any favorites?

Molly: Design Mom, Oh Happy Day, Simple Lovely, Delightful

Danyelle: I have an ever-changing list of blog crushes. These are the blogs that are currently giving me butterflies when I see them pop up in my reader: You Are My Fave and Creature Comforts. And my day isn't the same without Stephmodo or Nie.

BGB: What are currently working on? Any current or upcoming projects you’d like us to write about?

Molly: No projects at the moment. I am just trying to gear up for baby number three and get my house in order before he/she arrives.

BGB: What was it like having your blog listed as a Blogger Blog of note—literally jumping from hundreds to THOUSANDS of followers overnight?

Molly: Being spotlighted as a Blogger Blog of Note took me completely by surprise. I had no idea what happened until readers started commenting about it. We definitely took a jump in readership which is always delightful.

BGB: Thank you, Molly and Danyelle, for taking the time to be featured on the Blog Guidebook! We really appreciate it!

You can also find Danyelle here:

47 comments:

  1. What an oh-so fun giveaway!! Love their shop, thanks for the chance, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I needed a little pick me up today. The comment about comments made me feel better. I will check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great shop! I love the hair blooms.

    kristibdudley@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love her blog. Lots of creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the Shop, Hope I win! nicelmer@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i love dandy! everything she does is amazing...i would love to win.

    jessie.lynn.george@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stephanie

    stephaniejeancarroll@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dandee's shop is lovely.

    Kristen
    kristen(dot)mason(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such Creativity!

    Pam S.
    pskidw1@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cute! Krystal@krystalskitsch.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love her blog!

    sereinalovesvintage(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. maryannscoville at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. they do have a great blog. love danyelle's shop! staceylea(at)gmail(dot)com :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cute stuff!
    katiedoula at gmail dot come

    ReplyDelete
  15. lovely new items in the shop! great interview.

    lomaril@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Book Page Garland is sweet!

    ninjapandawedding(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. loved the interview!!

    apriljnelson{at}hotmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  18. molly's got nice taste and dandee is one of my favorite people! so, win-win! keep me in mind for this, thanks.

    -keely

    krromm(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really cute!
    lisaboshell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i love dandee's creations! thanks for hosting the giveaway!
    chowflora@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sarah Owen

    sdowen7(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great interview!

    tiffani_harker@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Cute shop!

    Alli
    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dandee's fun shop makes me happy! elisabethcooksey (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks!
    Llynn
    benandmeatmindspringdotcom

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love Dandee and today is my birthday- this would be the perfect icing on the cake.

    mrsfelt@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cute stuff!

    ally.cauffman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yay!

    Angie P

    ang4332@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lovin the gingham brooches! and book garland. What a cool shop!

    Christy
    m.chphotography@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yay!! I love the hair fascinators!


    Laura
    erifnoiro@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi, What a awesome Give-away this is! Such cute things! Thanks so much for this opportunity. I hope that you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs...
    Bobbi
    rockyandduke@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. great interview!

    kelly
    kelatz@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. How fun is this!

    zskoch@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. How delightful! The garland is amazing. Thanks for the great interview. xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  35. This was a very helpful interview. I loved it! Thanks! alankormsby@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love it all. Everything is so creative and inspirational. What a wonderful bright spot in routine world!

    sarah.m.carrigan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great talent and creativity!
    Megan
    megzdiamond@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love anything handmade!

    Lori
    butterfly_kis124@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. My hair can always use a little something to fancy it up. :) My email is evil-pixie@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. great interview! I'd love to win!! My fingers are crossed!! Thanks, Beth, eswmaddox@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the generous giveaway!!! I would love to shop at your etsy shop! Love the garland, and my daughter would love it too!!!
    email: saltboxshopper@comcast.net
    Thanks.
    ~ Julie

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love their blog(s). Love these ladies! Such style, inspiration, and creative kindness. Fun Fun! The Dandee Etsy shop is fab, I've been eyeing a few litle beauties...

    katejohnstontucker@gmail.com

    ~ Kate

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sweet giveaway!

    sugarwoman33@gmail.com

    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love Dandee's shop and the blog. Piccalillitoo at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Comments are how we stay connected as bloggers. Let us know how you feel and we'll return the favor...stay calm and blog on!!! And guess what? You'll never find Word Verification on our blog...it gets kind of annoying when you can't read what WV wants you to verify right?

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Outbrain