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April 24, 2020

What Bloggers don’t tell you when you first start Blogging.

What Bloggers Don’t Tell You!

Although It’s been two years now since I’ve started my blogging journey, I really learned more about blogging within the last month from a mentor than when I first started. When I first started, I signed up for every blog subscription that claims to get me to blog fame if I follow their 10 simple steps. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get some good information from all those blog programs but I wanted more. Every blogger starting out turns to one solid source to get them started: Pinterest.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Pinterest. I absolutely ADORE Pinterest. In fact, partial credit goes to Pinterest for helping me grow as a blogger! But, there are some information blog posts will leave out or downplay. Here are some of my blogging challenges!

You will need to invest

This may be clear to a lot but for me, I really had no idea how much I would have been investing in this hobby. Some have spent over $100 while some have spent more, either way, I really don’t mind spending on this hobby because well… I love it! Your blog is a business and with that being said, you will be investing in your business. Especially when it comes to monetizing.

If you are mainly here for only a financial purpose and only that, I suggest you should really think about if blogging is what you really want to do because monetization takes time and patience.

Have time for your Blog…I’m serious, you need time.

When I first started blogging, I thought that this would be so easy! All bloggers do is type up something here and there, take pictures of anything, post and voila! Easy! This may work for bloggers that are already successful but if you’re just starting out, thinking about what to post takes a lot of brainstorming. In the blogging world, you have a lot of competition. With that comes repetitive articles. You can still write about the same popular article but you need to take the time and think about how you can stand out.

It takes me about 5 hours minimum to put a single blog post together. Having a family makes it even harder for me to find time so unfortunately, at night is when I can give my creativity my undivided attention. For bloggers who don’t have kids…I envy you for your free time.

Building a community on Social Media can be hard work

If you’re like me and have no audience or following yet, you will need to have an Instagram for your blog. Instagram is one of the useful tools you can use when starting out. This is another tool to drive traffic to your blog and build a genuine connection with your audience. Unfortunately, having an online presence takes a lot of work when it comes to gaining followers. You have to be strategic in what you post, when you post, and why you post. Having a purpose to every post is showing your followers what kind of community you are trying to build.

To gain followers, you really need to interact with others. It’s not always about liking and following. Talk to your community & make connections!

You will feel flustered most of the time

Making a blog can be kind of hard. After all, you are making a whole website! There is a lot to do every day when being a blogger. You have to make an email list, brainstorm ideas on what to write about, and stay active on social media accounts. Making your site alone will take a lot of time because you want to make sure the design in up to your standards! What I do is I dedicate a whole day to a single task. For example, Mondays are my social media days, while Wednesdays are my blog days. I also use an app that helps me organize and stays up to date with posts. Tailwind will post and pin on Pinterest for me just by simply using its schedule to post!

Photos are everything

Every picture or blog post needs to have a purpose. Your viewer or audience needs to get a clear reason of why you posted what you posted. When you post with a purpose, you gain more audience and a sense of “Oh! This blogger’s intentions and purpose resonates with me I’m going to subscribe.” It’s very important when you want to gain more traffic and drive people to your site. When to post is important if you are using Instagram as a tool to drive more recognition as a blogger. Instagram is very tricky nowadays because of algorithm

Your purpose is important!

It is so easy and normal to feel like giving up. Blogging is a lot of work and some days you’ll feel like your work is going unnoticed and you’re not making money. Realize that you will struggle and start from the bottom. Patience is a virtue. My advice is to remind yourself why you started in the first place and let that continue to be your motivation. Lastly, have fun with it! When you truly enjoy blogging, your blogging goals will reach you sooner than you know it.

March 18, 2020

Big Dog in a Small Apartment Survival Guide

About a week ago we welcomed our German Shepherd puppy mix! We really took a chance on going through with the adoption ad that a family friend sent us. Although we had our hearts set with a German Shepherd breeder (a deposit was put down and everything), after meeting our pup at the Berkley Humane shelter I knew she would do great with us and vice versa. She is such an affectionate sweetie. It’s been only a little over a week with her but I really can’t imagine our days without her! Yeah yeah yeah, I know I’m dramatic.

My sweet Hilo wilo!

Meet Hilo (HEE-LOW)! Our 4-month-old pup weighing in at 37.5 lbs! I myself am a first-time dog owner so I really didn’t know what to expect. Not only am I a first-time dog owner but my first dog is a German Shepherd. A dog breed that is known to be one of the smartest working breeds out there. On day 1 Hilo learned where her crate was, what it was for and how to sit, and it took us 5 days to potty train her. I knew she was going to be the type of dog to outsmart me and if she really wanted to, get into trouble! Any German Shepherd dog owner will tell you that a bored German Shepherd is a reckless one. Nonetheless, Our family is ready to start this new journey!

1. Toys

LOTS AND LOTS OF CHEW TOYS! Puppies are chewers. Their chomps don’t feel too nice either! Think of their bites like a mild baby shark. So get a lot of toys with different range of textures because you never know what your puppy may favor. Hilo loves plush animal squeaker toys. She didn’t really pay any attention to the rope and tug chew toys. Since I had only bought her three stuffed squeaker toys, she decided to steal some toys from my daughter so I had to make a run to the pet store to get more. She also loves any type of ball that she can carry around and chase after.

Her favorite is a platypus squeaker and the sheep ball!

But my absolute favorite and versatile dog toy is the classic Kong dog toy. You can throw it, your dog can chew it, stuff it with treats, or use it as something to keep your puppy busy while you’re gone. It’s perfect! I love the fact that you can find recipes online to make something called a “kong stuffer”. Hilo’s favorite kong stuffer recipe is a mix of frozen bananas, kibble, and low sugar peanut butter. If I know I am going out and leaving her in her crate for a couple of hours, I will prepare her favorite kong stuffer the night before and freeze it.

2. Crate

Crate training is an important process for any new dog coming into a new home. Your puppy will gain a sense of stability knowing that this crate is their den. Their den is their escape for when they feel anxious, stressed or not feeling well so it’s important for them to know that they have their own space. This does not only give stability to the dog but to the owner as well. Knowing that your dog is safe and not soiling your home while you are away, gives you a peace of mind. There are many positive benefits to crates so make sure you buy one of the appropriate size.

Her sleepy corner

3. Cadwell Potty Training Bells

In an apartment, I don’t really have the luxury of a front or backyard for my fur baby to relieve herself. For the past couple of days, the Cadwell bells have made potty training so easy for me and my apartment floors. I ordered my set of bells from Chewy.com and was pleased to find a training manual included in the packaging. My smart pup was able to get the hang on it after the second day of having the bells. I hang it on the front door handle and she is able to “boop” the bells with her nose with her fixed gaze on me to let me know she needs to go. If your dog is on a larger scale, I would encourage you to teach your dog to hit the bells with their nose rather than their paws scratching the door.

One issue I did come across with this method is that Hilo associated the bells mainly with going outside but not really with going to the bathroom. So for two days straight I heard ringing every five minutes. I fixed this problem by taking her out every time she rang the bell. Yes, I took her every five minutes outside because if I ignored the bells, it would defeat the purpose. As annoying as that was, I found it was important for her to go out to her designated spot to use the bathroom and when she was done, go back inside. No playing, no sniffing, no walking around. Straight to her spot then back inside. I wanted her to disassociate the bells with going outside to play.

4. Indoor Games

Mental stimulation is just as important as the physical workout. Now that we’re in the rainy season, walking is not too ideal because of the wet dog smell Hilo brings back with her. During times when we can’t go out, I come up with DIY brain games and ‘smart’ toys to entertain her and tire her out. Here are some of the things I’ll do to keep her mentally stimulated:

• During her meal times, I’ll sprinkle her food around the apartment so she can sniff her food out.
• Teach her new tricks
• Fill her Kong with treats
• Brain toys DIY
• Brain games DIY
• DIY Tug-o-war toys made out of old t-shirts

There are so many ideas you’ll find online!

5. Time

Keeping a dog breed that is huge, smart, and energetic in an apartment is not easy but it’s not impossible. If you live in an apartment or a small home, I suggest you make sure you have a lot of time in your schedule for this breed. Lucky for us, my schedule alternates with my boyfriend’s schedule. So Hilo and our daughter are never alone. One of us, if not both, are always at home with them. Leaving a breed like a german shepherd by themselves for more than 3 hours will only lead to an over-energetic and destructive dog. Training is another important factor. When my daughter is napping, I use that time to train and exercise! Keeping your dog on a schedule could keep her “zoomies” at bay.

Having a dog is like having another child. I feel like I am taking care of two toddlers!

December 31, 2019

Goals & Healthy Habits I want to start practicing in 2020

And hopefully, I can stick to these throughout 2020!

I used to see new year goals as being kind of a joke and call me negative, but a cycle of commitments that tend to die down by March (I’m looking at you, new gym membership people). Now that I am getting older, you would think wisdom and knowledge from past mistakes would make me…better?! SUPRISE it didn’t. 2019 definitely did a number on me though. And I will say, I felt more aware of the bad habits I have and toxic traits that made me reflect more on my personal growth. I need structure and discipline for this new year or else I am convinced that I love to make my life harder for myself. The fact that I’m turning a quarter of a century in this new year makes it more motivating for me to actually want to glow up!

Time Management

In 2019, I went through so many moments of “I should have done this last week”. Last-minute errands that made me want to literally kick myself. My procrastination is the worst! Do you know any dummies that tried to go Christmas shopping on Christmas day?! No? Well, I do..me! I’ve thought of a couple of ways that I can start managing my time better.

I bought myself a planner to organize important dates and prioritizing tasks. I could easily use an app on my phone but apps tend to just sit there, unused. I’m the type of person that needs to have something physically in my hands to actively use it. Another way I plan on managing my time well is by having a schedule daily. I have a schedule for my daughter but not really myself. I want to get in the habit of starting my day earlier at 10 am. That way, I can complete more than 2 errands and not get stuck in traffic!

Saving & Budgeting

I know for a fact where all my money went towards this year…food😅. Me not being a good cook is a big factor in this. Practicing being a good cook is added to my list so I can stop this bad delicious habit. I also plan on putting away a changeable amount into my savings. The reason why I didn’t choose a static amount is because I believe any amount is good. $100? Save it. $5? Save it. $1? Save it! It will all add up and pay off in the end.

Using a notebook, I wrote down a few things I want to put my savings towards. This helps me organize my money. I’m still looking up ways and ideas for this goal. So if you have any tips and suggestions, please share 🙂

Post on My Blog More

I have definitely been lacking on my blog. The hobby that makes me happy. I want to be able to sit down and put in the work by creating something every week. Hopefully, I can be in a place where I am able to post twice a week! My goal is to dedicate more time and nights to this. I can’t wait to fully commit to this and am so ready. There are so many ideas I have, I know you guys will be happy to see what I have in store!

Along with writing, I want to take more pictures! More visuals for my blog are much needed.

Health

I don’t have much to say here because my solution is mainly my diet. I plan on changing my diet to eating more like a rabbit. So I can have more energy to do things during the day. I’m no expert but I feel like diet is the solution to anything. Which brings me to my other health goal. Take better care of my skin! Diet is a key component for me. I want to do a whole separate post about skincare. Since I am close friends with not one but TWO future estheticians, my skin should be gleaming in 2020.

Health goals like this are much easier to do when you have someone to do it with you! So automatically, my other half has no choice but to do this goal with me. Hey, that’s just the perks of being in a relationship with me.

Mental Health

2019 has broken me down, picked me up, and showed me sides I didn’t like. Reflecting is so important. Although I cannot change the curve balls life throws at me, I can change the way I
react. In 2020 I want to change the way I cope with things. I want to change my relationships with people. I cannot stress this enough but BOUNDARIES! BOUNDARIES! BOUNDARIES! They are so important and it’s okay to have them. One life tip that I value and practice is telling myself that not everything is your problem. I blame my Piscean nature to want to help everyone. My character has been tested and for that, I’m going to be more honest with myself. I am ready to get uncomfortable in 2020 but real. To myself and everyone around me. That’s called growth! *snap *snap

Happy New Year! What are your goals?

feature image by Sarah Pflug

April 13, 2019

Quality gifts to DIY or buy on a budget!

There are two types of people in this world. People who love getting gifts and people who love giving gifts. Nothing brings me more joy than GIVING. My heart is just full when I give my loved ones gifts. It may not be top notch expensive gifts but hey, it’s from the heart! I hope my DIY’s and/or gifts I bought in the past can inspire you to spark some ideas of your own.

Now just a *disclaimer*
Just like any other crafty DIY, these gifts require a bit of creativeness and patience. If the thought of holding a paintbrush scares you or you aren’t a natural born artist, ask an artsy friend for help! If it just so happens that you have no artsy friends then just try your best. Your little mess ups are like your own signature touches. True originality!

Trying to find the perfect gift for your cousins, aunt, and uncle? Do you have so much family that you already know you’re going to exceed your budget? Here is a family gift that you can easily DIY!

Surname plates

Although I made these the night before, I had so much fun making things for both my families ♡

These gifts are perfect for house warmings and family gifts. This first gift I did is something I did very very last minute. I wish I had more time to plan out designs and colours so don’t be like me. Plan plan plan! Especially with DIY’s I encourage buying extra supplies just in case you completely mess up and spell a name wrong. I got my supplies at Michael’s but would definitely check Joann’s and Hobby Lobby first since Michael’s can be a bit pricey.

Since I am not very artsy, I asked my brother to help with the design and painting. I went online to choose a font and size of the text to fit the board. After I was satisfied with how the lettering will look I printed it out and traced it on the board. Then went over the tracings with black paint and voila! All done!

The website I used for printable font and sizing is here

This next gift is another great gift for families as well but a bit challenging.

Photo Prints on Wood

Photo by Angie Muldowney on Unsplash

Surprise surprise! Another DIY project with wood! I don’t know what it is with wood crafts but I just love how unique of a gift it makes. This project is for sure to add a rustic touch to a nostalgic gift! A unique gift with photos? Can’t go wrong with that!

Parental Perspective has a great step by step DIY on how to transfer photos using temporary tattoo paper. I got all my supplies at Michaels however, check other craft stores that are way more affordable like JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby.

AVOID MY MISTAKES: What I found a bit challenging was placing the photo on the wood and peeling off the paper film. You really have to be careful doing this because the paper is very heavy and sticky once it leaves the film. Once it sticks to something, it sticks and you will have to start all over! SO BE CAREFUL!

Another method is using Mod Podge. But I did not enjoy my end result. I found my pictures to come out foggy and not as clear.

Etsy

Support small businesses and shop online! Etsy has a TON of great handmade gifts with a wide range of styles. They lit-er-al-ly have any gift you are looking for! Not to mention, prices are affordable and reasonable. I wanted to find any rose related jewelry for my best friend. Seriously doubted that I would find anything cute but low and behold, this bracelet could not be more perfect.

This route is not something to leave for a last minute type of gift though. I have had trouble with shipping due to the fact that these are small businesses and they have a lot of orders to ship out. So be aware and order a month ahead! To be safe at least.

I hope this short list can give you ideas on what to gift your loved ones! There are so many creative minds out there so I would love to hear some of your ideas. Leave a comment and help me expand ideas 🙂

Welcome To My Blog!

Welcome To My Blog!

Hello! I'm Ariana. I'm an artsy mom just living her life by half-assing her way through motherhood, surviving the great benefits of anxiety, and just overall trying to save a coin or two here in the Bay Area, CA where it's affordable. In case you couldn't tell, sarcasm is the only language I speak. I hope you will find my articles to your liking and maybe even help you get your life somewhat together...ish. P.S. Although I don't leave my home to socialize, I encourage socializing over the internet so please leave comments or messages! Anything is welcomed!
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