The Blogging Studio

Blog Trends: Blogazines are the New Blog

2012-01-14T09:38:00.000-08:00

The world wide wed of blogs is expanding to the ninth degree. There is currently such an explosion of new ideas that its tough to keep up. I've loved the past trend of blogs creating blogazines. Just this week I finally discovered Covet Garden and LOVE IT!

However, it was Katrina at Pugly Pixel that brilliantly talked about the design influence of blogazines across the web. Can I suggest that you spend some time this weekend reading her wonderful thoughts! The beautiful thing is that Katrina also teaches bloggers how to create custom templates for their blogs. Awesome!

Bloggers in Movies: Jude Law in Contagion

2012-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

I've wanted to see Contagion since I saw the trailer! It wasn't until last night that I finally got to see the film. I was very please to see that Jude Law portraying a blogger that was the first to release information on a serious epidemic outbreak. Jude Law in an awesome interview by Stephen Rea at the Philadelphia Inquirer stated about crafting his portrayal of a blogger:

"I don't want to list anyone in particular," he says, asked to cite a couple of influential bloggers. "I'd rather people see it and draw on their own imagination, but yeah, I certainly looked at an awful lot of blogs, and bloggers who have been interviewed and who have made a bit of a name for themselves, who have become personalities. ... I drew on a few and tried to create someone that seemed to fit that particular persona.
"And yet, what was most exciting was that Steven didn't want to judge him, he didn't want him to necessarily be a bad guy. ... Maybe this guy was correct all along, who knows?"
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/movies/article_1a116252-3050-53d8-8140-2e6d713288d3.html#ixzz1ibRnVxYm

The Birth Place of the Internet

2011-12-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

"Lo" was the first message sent out over the web. It happened in this room.

3420 Boelter Hall at UCLA is the room where the internet was born in 1969. And I quote...

Recently, a UCLA history PhD named Brad Fidler went looking for that Internet birthplace and, according to the Daily Bruin, realized that nobody was really sure where it was. He did a little research and nailed down the location to room 3420 in Boelter Hall, which was until very recently being used as an ordinary undergrad classroom. UCLA plans to open the site to the public, and with Kleinrock's help, Fidler is restoring it to its 1969 lookusing historical photos, eyewitness accounts, and original furniture UCLA never threw away. The site's Twitter account (first Tweet: "lo") calls the aesthetic "#MadMen inventing the Internet in a computer lab created by the US Department of Defense."

Did the year of Woodstock, John Lennon, Muscles Cars, and hip slang like neat, ever know that they would transform the future as much as they did? Probably not. It's kind of a reminder that the little things we do in life really have big impact. I wondered what campus life would have been back then. Here are a few answers...

College Girls...

What College Girls Read in 1969...

Today's modern renaissance of style...

Doesn't Lauren Conrad even give a nod to the 1960's?

How does 1969 shape your sense of style today?

Give someone you love a smooch for me!! XOXO!!

{all images via Pinterest}

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001-08:00

My husband and I received our Christmas gift in August with the birth of our beautiful daughter! What more could we want? All the best to you! Merry Christmas!

Top 5 Most Beautiful Crafting Blogs of 2011

2011-12-17T04:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year when gifts from the heart matter more than gifts from the wallet. Get inspired and tour five of the most beautiful crafting blogs of 2011. In no specific order:

1. Lil Blue Boo Plenty of tutorials that will make you raid your local craft and fabric store, Lil Blue Boo is a tremendous blogger/crafter. She has crafts that will inspire you to create for children to granny-parents. Everything she does is fabulous. Even how she is sharing her battle with cancer. My heart goes to Ashley and her family as they craft with love through this holiday season!

2. A Little Hut If you want to make a project out of paper, then this is your go-to blog of choice!

3. Geninne's Art Blog Not only does this artist/crafter share the secrets to her art, she offers visitors to her blog the opportunity to drool over all the beautiful photography of her projects!

4. {Ambrosia Creative} Beautiful projects for those that have a little bit of time to craft a simple project.

5. Jamaica Makes Scrapbooking, notebook making, paper collector, sewing frenzy, artist and crafter, Jamaica makes things you will want to have. I love her designs and sense of style. The simplicity of her blog really illuminates her art.

One more mention- Handmadeology A great resource for the serious Etsy selling crafter! Yet, wonderful ideas for those that need some ideas for projects.

Posting a Question: Should Children Blog?

2011-10-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

As a new parent, I think this stands an interesting question. No doubt that teenagers have been blogging since the internet went broadband and the parents were away, but what about children ages 12 and under? Adrian Bruce, a K-6 teacher, has gone so far as to create the "definite site for blogging with children." At his website..

Read more »

Blogging Resources: Following the Trail of Beautiful

2011-10-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

My Monday morning began with cleaning up my desk and checking out new finds on Pinterest. I was a bit annoyed that Pinterest didn't repin any of the items to the boards that I liked, but new websites are always working out bugs. Tisk! I would have just forgotten about it but I found the link to a new free online magazine, Styled, created by the blogger A Subtle Revelry. I didn't immediately get to the source of this image because the Pin had been from the blog, Oh the Lovely Things. Just another day in the life of a blogger. In fact it might seem like just another typical race around the web to see new inspiring images, but for those that are new to blogging. Today I wanted to highlight the process of clicking through to new websites and post a quick note about publishing online magazines.

Follow the Trail of Beautiful

1. Find something interesting? You must click through to discover the source. I started with this image on Pinterest:

2. It connected me to Oh The Lovely Things. {Note: I loved the design of this blog and wasn't too surprised to see it is a Designer Blog creation!} This blog highlighted a feature from the online magazine and revealed the source for the post...

3. I finally landed on the source of the image, A Subtle Revelry. I discovered that this blog is run by a stylist and the content of the blog is ample with styling tips.

She published her second online magazine on styling just recently. I recommend clicking here to read it from front to back. That is following the trail of beauty! Try it. You can find limitless new sources for blog content.

*Another resource idea for bloggers is to contemplate the idea of publishing an online magazine. Issuu is the primary platform for hosting an online magazine. More on that at a later time! Ta-ta for now!

{All images from posted blogs}

On Blogging & Creativity: Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity

2011-10-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

In 2006, Sir Ken Robinson spoke at TED Talks on how education is inflated in value, resulting in degrees that nearly worthless unless its a PhD. He also commented on how public educations are strip-mining the soul and creativity out of children. Although Sir Robinson doesn't speak directly about the importance of an original voice in blogging, there are several ideas in his talk that I find run parallel to blogging. For instance, bloggers must find their creative voice in order to succeed in connecting to an audience. One way that a blogger must be original is by taking creative risks. In an extract taken from The Guardian, Sir Robinson states:

Our approaches to education are "stifling some of the most important capacities that young people now need to make their way in the increasingly demanding world of the 21st century - the powers of creative thinking", he says.

"All children start their school careers with sparkling imaginations, fertile minds, and a willingness to take risks with what they think," he says. "Most students never get to explore the full range of their abilities and interests ... Education is the system that's supposed to develop our natural abilities and enable us to make our way in the world. Instead, it is stifling the individual talents and abilities of too many students and killing their motivation to learn."
Can you find any connections to Sir Robinson's ideas and blogging with creativity? Watch this TED talk and let me know with a comment.

Image: 1. Sir Ken Robinson 2. Einstein Quote

Happening Now: Free Flights to Japan for Bloggers!

2011-10-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

At the moment, Japan is seeking to give away 10,000 free flights to bloggers to help recover their tourism industry. Read that twice. Japan is seeking bloggers to help recover their tourism industry! That is truly amazing. Japan understands the power of bloggers to change opinion, foster buzz and excitement, and create reliability and trust.

-Japanese Blogging Studio Inspiration-

For those that receive the free flight, they must blog on their experience as well as pay for their stay in Japan. Wouldn't it be wonderful to blog in Japan? The Japanese government is still in the process of receiving funds for the project but it looks like things could be up in the air by April. Read more about it here and hope to see you in Japan!

Images 1. Bunny Falls 2. Japanese Home Office 3. Toyko Garden

Juicy Blog Style

2011-10-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Get out of bed already! There is so much happening. Your blog wants a bit of glam!

Check out the spanking new Blog Bling Kit by Pugly Pixel!

There are glitter textures, sequin clusters, photo layouts, and more! I'm excited because I've been meaning to pick up a few items from the Pugly Pixel Marketplace, and now I can just grab it all in one shot at 70% off. I love a good sale, looking blog-fabulous, and sharing it with the world. I should add the excitement is totally genuine, too. I wasn't contacted by anyone or given something to motivate me to share. This is just a really awesome offer to help bloggers make the world more beautiful, one post at a time!

image source: 1. Bedroom by Design Affair 2. Retro Guess Ad posted by Fashiontography 3. Blog Bling Banner

Yummy Bytes: Online Blogging E-Courses to Help Glam Your Blog

2011-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

It isn't too late to learn some new tricks. This fall the internet is gearing up to host some fabulous online classes and workshop to give your blog a sweet makeover. If the surface of things isn't what you need, then don't fret. Many of these classes are for new bloggers, but there are more detailed classes for those with experience. In any case, check out these yummy bytes!

Save the Date! October 7, 2011!!! That marks the next Blogging Your Way e-course by Decor8. This is the best class for new bloggers or for those needing some ump! Topics covered in the class:

In addition to everything above, Holly has added a few new topics too!

*NEW: Breaking into book writing and other ideas for bloggers who want to take it to the next level!

* NEW: Using Pinterest to your blogging advantage

* NEW: Q&A with a few book publishers who can walk you through how to pitch a book idea

* NEW: Using mood boards and other creative ways to find your personal style

* NEW: Blogger’s Conferences: The best ones + reasons to go in the first place!

* NEW: iPhone apps to help you get creative as a blogger

I can feel the excitement. Nothing beats reading an outline that makes your fingers want to prance across a keyboard! Next up for blog makeover ideas...Nicole's Classes

Nicole's Classes host a variety of options for bloggers and artists alike. There are photoshop classes {needless to mention that good photos can make or break a blog} and illustrator classes {learn to design graphics for your blog}. There are even online classes on how to create your own patterns {wonderful for blog and twitter backgrounds} to Pretty Paper Products {great stuff for street promotion of your blog}. Check out the options: HERE

Beautiful photography by Nicole! I love this arrangement. Can you image creating your own for your blog? Nicole's Tabletop Photography class can help you get it right.

What if you don't have the time or mula for an online course?

Don't fret! Have a seat! Check out this wonderful post by Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. She shares the ten most important lessons she has learned as a blogger. Read it HERE!

Images: 1. Oreo Cupcakes by Annie's Eats 2 & 3. Decor 8 Blogging My Way 4. Flowers by Nicole's Classes 5. Doggie & Chairs

Read & Writing Blogs: How to Blog & Not Loose Friends or Family!

2011-09-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Life isn't always a pretty, neat, and tidy blogging studio. I wish it were the case, but I have to deal with some intense emotions from those that don't get why I blog or why I read blogs. Those that are the most heated about the whole debate of blogging happen to be my family. They hate it. Period.

{Why can't family be this easy!!}

My husband was the first to really get crazy about me "blogging" all the time. In reality, I was blogging frequently, but I was just starting out. In 2007, things got going really well. I was interviewing amazing authors and people. My husband would point out that blogging was derailing my writing career. And, he had a point. So after I went to the LA Times Festival of Books that year and heard another writer that commented that blogging had derailed the completion of his book, I promptly resolved to not blog. I felt like a crack-user during that time. I would sneak around and blog on the DL. Late at night, hiding near my laptop. I would sneak a post here and there. It was around that time that Facebook got going pretty good. My husband got addicted and I was able to get back to blogging with him noticing less. It was perhaps, true that blogging was taking time away from writing, but I still kept at it-both writing and blogging. I finished the first draft of my novel and managed to blog. I cut down on the time I spent blogging, which went from three hours of blog writing to an hour or less. It really helped me to achieve a nice harmony in my life. The end result was that my family became more happy, too!

3 Quick Studio Lessons to Help Out Bloggers

After the passing of time, the blogging critics, be them family or not, won't go away. I try not to flip out when they catch me blogging and remind myself that they don't get it and don't see the value in it. But I also learned another valuable lesson, Be balanced.

Studio Lesson #1: Don't blog at the dinner table, unless you have to take a picture on your phone before gobbling the beautiful delights down. Just be quick about it! I don't recommend that you micro-blog or post anything. Wait until later. I know...it can be so hard resisting even a tweet, but I promise you! You'll have such better memories of dinner, if you wait to later to blog.

Studio Lesson #2: Make a note of a blog post idea and blog it later. If you must write a post or are in the middle of it, then a great option is to save a draft of your post. That is one of the wonderful aspects of blogging-you can do it anywhere and anytime!

Studio Lesson #3: Set a schedule to blog. If your friends and family know you're blogging at a certain time, then they can't work to kill your blogging session! Post a note on your door. Get out of the house. Do what you have to do in the time you have to blog. Build that boundary and everything else should neatly fall into place!

Does anyone else have trouble with friends and family while you're blogging? Post a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

images: 1. Studio. 2. Family. 3. Pen & Paper

Blogging Conferences 2012

2011-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

In most things, this saying is total true. In blogging, the more you share your sources the more respect, reliability, and followers you earn. On that note, I found a wonder listing of all the blogging conferences in 2012, located around the country. Check it out here, at Mom Central.

Blogging Studio Inspirations: Rustic Charms

2011-09-19T03:37:00.000-07:00

Life has been hectic on the home front, but lovely. My sweet baby is already past five weeks old which in new parent land is a big deal. This morning I wanted to pull together blog studio inspirations that would make me more ambitious and thankful for blogging. Since I still have the taste of summer lingering on my lips, I wanted to create a rustic retreat for the last warm days in September. Doesn't this retreat tucked into grassy hills inspire creativity and make you dream?

A poppy-print fabric covered chair is the perfect addition to a small writing nook, or beside a window for conjuring up blog post ideas.

One chair can make a statement for an entire room and so can a desk. If you can't leave the city, bring a bit of the woods home with a salvaged piece of wood converted to a desk.

Desktop accessories include a hot coffee, an iPad, and car keys for mobile blogging. I have seen people walking around with their iPad 2 and using it like a camera. A bit awkward, but convenient,

Yet, perhaps the best inspiration can be found by your feet!

Never Forget

2011-09-10T12:00:00.001-07:00

Because Her Heart is Tender

Poems By Michael R. Burch

for Beth

She scrawled soft words in soap: "Never Forget,"

Dove-white on her car's window, and the wren,

because her heart is tender, might regret

it called the sun to wake her.

As I slept,

she heard lost names recounted, one by one.

She wrote in sidewalk chalk: "Never Forget,"

and kept her heart's own counsel.

No rain swept

away those words, no tear leaves them undone.

Because her heart is tender with regret,

bruised by razed towers' glass and steel and stone

that shatter on and on and on and on...

she stitches in damp linen: "NEVER FORGET,"

and listens to her heart's emphatic song.

The wren might tilt its head and sing along

because its heart once understood regret

when fledglings fell beyond, beyond, beyone

its reach, and still the boot-heeled world strode on.

She writes in adamant: "NEVER FORGET"

because her heart is tender with regret..

Flight 93

I held the switch in trembling fingers, asked
why existence felt so small, so purposeless,
like a minnow wriggling feebly in my grasp ...

vibrations of huge engines thrummed my arms
as, glistening with sweat, I nudged the switch
to OFF ... I heard the klaxon-shrill alarms

like vultures’ shriekings ... earthward, in a stall ...
we floated ... earthward ... wings outstretched, aghast
like Icarus ... as through the void we fell ...

till nothing was so beautiful, so blue ...
so vivid as that moment ... and I held
an image of your face, and dreamed I flew

into your arms. The earth rushed up. I knew
such comfort, in that moment, loving you.

In memory of the American Spirit that prevailed beyond all the horror on September 11, 2001. In memory of the lives that were lifted up to the light. We will never forget.

{Image Source}

Blog Studio Visit: The Stylish Offices of Music Moguls-Gwen Stefani & Antonio LA Reid

2011-08-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

{Image via NY Mag}

Welcome to Antonio "LA" Reid's, chairman of Def Jam's Music, 28th-floor corner office. He describes his office as "traditional elegance with a very contemporary twist." I love the shelving filled with inspiration photos of LA Reid with Usher, Jay-Z, P. Diddy and more.

Take some style ideas from LA Reid. Post up images that inspire you to blog. I like to use magnetic bulletin boards that I picked up from IKEA. Why not try an entire wall of inspiring images like Gwen Stefani at her office!

{image source}

Yummy Bytes: Blogging Around the Web

2011-08-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

As a new mommy, I took time off from blogging to enjoy the last days of my pregnancy and a bit more time to recover from the birth. Now that I'm getting grounded in my new super-fabulous role as a mom, I have been busy reading great blogs, watching videos on how to use photoshop to my advantage, and downloading wonderful free fonts. I had to share the experience with a highlight list of the treasures I've found.

Yummy Bytes

If you like the font used above, then you have to nab the Free Font Clumsy. It seriously rocks. Donations are welcome to help support the font creator, Kyle Steed, create more fab fonts.

Need a laugh? This is true clumsiness!

Srslyliz {Pronounced Seriously Liz} has a beautiful collection of blog designs that she has done recently. She uses simple designs to keep blogs feeling fresh. She also is a fan of the font Clumsy. Here are a few of my favorite designs that she has produced.

If you want to learn how to create your own pattern-filled blog banner, like banner for the blog Miss Teacups & Bath Bubbles, Pugly Pixel has posted a photoshop tutorial on how to achieve this effect. If you haven't subscribe to Pugly Pixel TV on YouTube. Do it now!

One last source of inspiration is the chalk hand-lettering by Dana Tanamachi. She has been making quite an impression around NYC as of late. More importantly, what she is getting so well-know for doing is something that only requires chalk and a surface. Her lettering would be a beautiful banner for blogs, but if you can't commission her to create something for your blog. Why not sit down and try to create something for yourself? Watch this quick video to get inspired!

Ace Hotel Room 1021 from Dana Tanamachi on Vimeo.

Wishes Come True: My Journey to Love

2011-08-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

{Makena Via my Photo Blog: Umbrella Photography by Kamela}

My Journey to Love

Six years ago I made a wish. I was twenty-nine and rolling into my thirties. I hadn't met Mr. Right, or even Mr. Right-Now. I was training for the Nike San Francisco Women's Marathon and then I was hit with the news that I had third-stage pre-cancerous cell growth on my cervix. Appointments were rushed to get me in the hospital as soon as possible because my doctors were worried that any delay could result in an outbreak of cancer. I was also told that I might not be able to have children or carry to full-term. I remember the day before my surgery I went for a twenty-mile run through the hills of Orange County, California. The air was sweet, my sweat was salty, and I soaked up life step by step. I had been training for the marathon all year long and that dream vanished. It was a hard period of time for me. I would lounge by our community pool and see mothers with their children, and I'd flip on my belly and cry. Gosh... tired of the sob story? All I had was a sweet little dog, named Valentino, that I rescued and my family championing me on to not get caught in the negative what-if's.

Six months after the operation, I was given a clean bill of health. My sister insisted we go to Las Vegas that Spring. On the drive from LA to Vegas, she told me that I needed to stop dating lawyers and dentists, and try a guy with a different profession, like a cop or a firefighter. Well, within our first twenty-four hours of being in Vegas, after the craziest mishaps of all time, my sister had accidentially booked our Friday night hotel in Reno! We literally drove to every single hotel on the strip and couldn't find anything less than {now I'm not joking} $2000 for the night. Why? It was the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, and Oscar De la Hoya Fight, and a huge motorcross event. Just our luck! With no place to go, there was only one thing left to do, and we don't gamble...we love to eat! We went and had breakfast for two hours. I came up with a plan that we'd spend the day at a day spa until we could check into our hotel room. Brilliant, right? Yes! We were walking to our car parked at Mandalay Bay when we bumped into a bachelor party filled with guys from Canada. They invited us to hang out with them at the hotel pool, we did, and then guess what? We met a cop from Toronto! I actually didn't believe it and I asked to see his badge. I looked at his badge and well, that didn't mean anything to me, but it seemed official.

{Mr. Hot Cop and I in NYC}

This wasn't anything like The Hang Over, we swam in the pool for a bit and then my sister and I wanted to go hiking in Red Rock Canyon. Mr. Cop actually left the bachelor party and came with us. Which now that I know him, is totally out of character! Mr. Cop loves to party!! Well...let's make a long story short. My sister and I tried to meet up with him on Sunday before he flew back to Toronto, but it didn't happen. I left him my phone number thinking he'd never call, but he called me the moment he landed in Toronto. I racked up a $1000 phone bill in the first month before he came to LA to visit me. It was magic then and its magic now. I love him so much. In 2008, we were married on the beach in Maui and our wedding photos were published in Town & Country Magazine.

{Our wedding photo in September 2009 of Town & Country}

As if the story doesn't get better, I worked diligently at eating organic whole foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. November 2009, I ran the NYC Marathon! It was a miracle that I won the lottery ticket into the marathon, of which most runners try to win a lottery ticket into and typically earn admittance to run after the fourth year. I almost wasn't able to complete the marathon because I was injured at Mile 16 with a foot tendinitis. Instead of sweeping on a shuttle to the finish line, my husband and sister walked me on the marathon course with an ice pack on my ankle. It was then I had the courage and faith to prevail and I ran the rest of the course! In three days, I felt much better and didn't sustain any serious injuries.

{Moments before I finished the NYC Marathon}

Love creates thousands of miracles, none as amazing as when I learned days before Christmas Eve that I was pregnant. I took three days to create a handmade children's story that surprised my husband with the awesome news. I gave him the gift on Christmas Eve. Watch it happen live!

Our Birth Story

If ever I stumbled along the way and had moments of doubt, my family and friends gave me the courage to keep wishing and believing that good things happen to every person. Our due date was actually August 24, but I had been telling everyone that this baby was going to be early because I was always late! Sure enough, she was ready to go two weeks early. On August 10, 2011, my water broke at 3:45am. I ran to the bathroom and was so excited! We were going to have a baby and I had made it to week 38, which is considered full-term. I broke the odds. My husband and I did the impossible. It was a miracle. From the first day I knew I was pregnant, I wanted to do a home water birth. The trouble is that we hadn't set anything up for the home birthing suite! My husband's entire family came over the next morning and literally set everything up!

{Thanks to my husband and his family for setting up our home birth suite}

It was also interesting that after 24 hours I had yet to have had a real contraction. A quick trip to the hospital confirmed this.

{A quick check at the hospital to make sure things are okay.}

My midwife asked if I was ready to go to the hospital and be induced. I hesitated. We had just set up the home birthing suite, which had taken weeks to prepare for and I wasn't ready to throw the towel in. I did some research and discovered that it was standard practice to induce after 24 hours, but that there was also an option to wait a bit longer without much risk. I went with the second option.

{Waiting for things to happen on a beautiful August afternoon.}

We turned off all the phones because our family and friends were calling every hour to see if I had gone into labor yet. Nothing was worse than that sensation of racing against the clock. We went to sleep that night and I woke up feeling very rested. My midwife had mentioned that I should try Castor oil that Friday morning. It was the only option I had left. Castor oil is a century old homeopathic remedy that was available to women when labor needed to be jump-started. I had gone 36 hours without contractions and if nothing had still happened after the Castor Oil, then I was headed to the hospital.

{Castor Oil got my labor started!}

After taking a bottle and half of a second, I suddenly felt something. Cramps. My husband and I thought it was nothing more than that. When my midwife arrived, she wasn't sure if I was having contractions or cramps from the Castor Oil. Things heated up quick. I was pacing our living room and hallway. I headed to the downstairs restroom where I proceeded to experience my first contractions. I felt an intense heat and tightness four fingers below my navel, which my midwife said was due to the Castor oil.

{Laboring Away}

I thought that I was going to have a birth filled with massages from my husband, aromatherapy, relaxing candles, and soft music, like a day at the spa. Boy, did I get that wrong! I didn't want to be touched or hear anything. In fact, I did the one thing I never thought I'd ever do. I vocalized! It really helped to send the tension and intensity of contractions outward. When my midwife measured my cervix at 2:45 or so, I was only 3cm dilated! At a certain point, my midwife gave me the greenlight to hit the birthing pool. I climbed in and it was amazing. It really helped me to relax and be as comfortable as possible during contractions. My midwife was starting to panic at this point, not that I knew this at the time, because my second midwife was caught in traffic and she thought she wouldn't make the birth! Everything happening to my body was intense and fast. I was progressing through the labor like lighting. In fact, when I told her I was ready to push, she told my husband that we were going to have to call 911 as back-up because the second midwife still hadn't arrived. I kept pushing when the second midwife arrived literally ten minutes before our baby was born! It was a miracle she had made it. The ring of fire was just that, intense and painful. The only mantra I had going through my head was one that I learned from the Yogi Gurmukh at Golden Bridge Yoga LA. It is this: Sat Nam. I used my inhalation and meditated on Sat, and exhaled on Nam pushing the intensity and pressure away. If you saw me, you'd never guess that I was meditating. I will also add that as soon as my contractions were over the pain was instantly gone until the next round. One last push, brought Makena into the world. My midwives were there to catch her as she floated up through the water.

{Makena born at home in a water birth pool. My midwifes are prepping for my husband to cut the cord.}

Makena was born at 4:58pm on Friday August 12, 2011. When she was delivered, she wasn't breathing at first. My husband was instructed to call 911 for an emergency run to the hospital. However, my midwifes were prepared for any hiccup. They quickly cleared her passages and put air on her. When this was happening, I watched from the birth pool and never for one moment had a doubt that anything was wrong. In less than ten seconds, I saw Makena's left hand shoot up in the air and I saw her cough. Her skin went from a blue color to pink instantly and everything was totally fine. The midwifes were impressed how quickly fire and ambulance showed up and I remember giving them a thumbs up and peace sign that things were good. The midwifes went about performing their tests on Makena.

{Makena getting weighed}

{Makena taking it all in}

At this point, I felt amazing. I was holding our daughter in my arms, and just amazed at the miracle of life. My body was tired but it felt amazing and renewed. I could compare the sensation to an intense hot yoga class. When I came out of that birth pool, I had transformed from the inside out in a blissful and loving way. Everything in my life changed for the better. I really felt as though not only was our daughter born in the water, I was also reborn. It was such a spiritual event and in all Makena took only 2.5 hours to deliver! Thanks be to God, my family, my friends, and every person along the way, the good and the bad, that have helped me to become the person I am today. I have never been happier or been more grateful in my entire life. Makena Monarch Hurley, we will love you for an eternity!

On Blog Design: Pugly Pixel Express Her Opinion on Blog Design

2011-07-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Pugly Pixel is one of the best resources on the internet for bloggers, photographers, crafters, and just plain old bored people. Make Pugly Pixel a daily read to improve your blog design. Want something more specific? Click Play on the video below for 11 sweet minutes of ideas on Blog design!

(images & video via Pugly Pixel}

Blog Resources: Beautiful Pre-Made Blog Templates by Designer Blogs

2011-07-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

{Image via Sea Life Style Blog}

Design is the visual communication of values, hopes, dreams, and thoughts. One of the greatest aspects of blogging is that it forces you to dig in and discover what you're made of! There is, of course, the moment that arrives when you have the vision of a beautiful blog, but you lack some skill. Sometimes, a blogger might be more adept at editing beautiful things together than creating a specific new design. That is when pre-made blog templates feel like gifts from the gods. There are some truly amazing graphic designers that are making their services available at amazing prices. In Blogging Resources, I will begin to showcase the talent of these blog designers and share the resources so you can get inspired and perhaps even find the most perfect template in the world for your blog. Let's get started with the undeniably beautiful design studio, Designer Blogs.

Designer Blogs consists in custom and pre-made Blogger and Wordpress Templates.

Erin, founder of Designer Blogs, has assemble a team of amazing women that design with influences from all over the place. One of my favorite places to catch up with the designers is at their blog. They have several tutorials advising how to update your blog with anything from how to create a mouseover effect to updating google analytics. You can also find that they offer give-aways from time to time! Perfect-o!

Now here are a few of my favorite pre-made blog templates. The prices range from $20 to $45 with add-ons available from $10 and up. If you're still a bit shy, check out the $10 Blog Template Options. Totally reasonable!

Hannah Template. Only $10!

Hillary Template. Only $10!

The Pre-Made Blog Templates Ranging from $20 and Up, include more variety and options such as color, general layout, and style.

Mary Jane Template. Only $30!

Bridgette Template. Only $45!

Don't forget that there are custom blog options, too. You can have a custom logo made or the entire website. Here are a few of my favorite blog logos that Designer Blogs have created!

Have you started to notice a certain style that Designer Blogs specializes in? I happen to love their bold use of pattern, color, and vintage labels. They are also brilliant at selecting fonts for blogs. What now? Make a decision, do you want to flip your blog to fabulous? Get inspired at Designer Blogs! Happy beautiful pre-made blog template hunting! Please post a link of a before and after picture, if you remodel your blogging studio!

The BC Era: The Desk of Walter Gropius

2011-07-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

{Image via Curbed LA}

At The Blogging Studio, BC stands for Before Computers and can you believe it, there really was a time when internet, iPhones, and iPads didn't exist. However, that didn't stop the greatest minds from creating groundbreaking events in history. Take the desk of Walter Gropius, a German architect and creator of the Bauhaus movement. He is actually accredited with being one of the innovators of modern architecture. What does this desk reveal about his design process? More importantly, what does your desk reveal about who you are? Post a picture on your blog and share your link in the comment section.

{The Bauhaus School, designed by Gropius. Check out a slideshow of his designs via Spiegel Denmark}

Dream Blogging Locations: Pool Daydreams

2011-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

{Image source via La Dolce Vita}

When I was living in SoCal, my favorite place to blog was at the pool. I preferred sitting at a table with a large umbrella in order to spread my papers out. In the case that there were loungers as comfortable as these, I would skip the table and order a tall lemonade with extra springs of mint. My productivity might not be as high, but I'd have a gorgeous tan!

Blogging Studio Visit: J. Marx Atelier

2011-07-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

{Image via J. Marx Atelier}

J. Marx Atelier is the design service created by USC School of Architecture grad, Jessica Marx. After touring the world of fine people, places, and things, she went to work.

Jessica Marx of J. Marx Atelier

In 2010, she launched her full-service design company, J. Marx Atelier, and blog, Life's Little Jems. I discovered this beautiful image of a desk and computer from her portfolio of eclectic bohemian residential designs. Blog studios don't have to be large to be effective. The only essential is a computer and wifi. Yet, isn't it more inviting to add some vintage glamour and drama to your work space? Defining a work space impacts the quality of work and represents quality of life. Take a moment to ask yourself:

Does your blogging studio represent your blog content?
Does it represent what you want to achieve and your ideal quality of life?
If not, take 30 minutes today to restyle your blogging studio. Clear all the clutter. Next, gather up items in your home that reflect what is important to you and your blog. If you're blogging about family, make sure you have framed photos of your loved ones. If you're blogging on hair and makeup, then keep an inspiration tray of color palettes, tools, and ideas.

Jessica has created a playful collage of materials, colors, and time periods. I love the lucite tray of jewelry and fabric swatches, clearly objects that inspire the person that works at this desk! This is a wonderful blogging studio that would be great for young designers and stylists alike.

{Image via J. Marx Atelier}

Jessica's blog, Life's Little Jems , is also a pleasurable read of design boards and includes her collection of vintage finds available at her Etsy store. I highly recommend that you add this blog to your daily read list. The way in which she blogs will help to attune and refine your own eye for design and style.

If you're in love with the Knight Table Lamp seen in these photos, it is for sale at her Etsy Shop for only $85!

{Available at Life's Little Jems Etsy Shop}

One last caveat of advice from The Blogging Studio:

Beautiful design communicates and hypnotizes attention!

How to Defeat Computer Cord Chaos on a $1 Budget

2011-07-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

{image via Simple Tips at Real Simple}

I for one happen to wonder when I'll forever cure the cord chaos of my computers! I have yet to find a complete way to hide all the cords I need for my computers, monitors, scanners, external hard drives, cameras, camcorders, iPhone, and everything else. Simply Stated Blog at the Real Simple posted a few amazing tips that I had to repost. These are an easy way to keep well used cords handy without breaking the budget. Simply grab large binder clips and attach them to your desk and slide the cords into place. Voila! Why not grab pretty clips in color to make it easier on the eyes!

{Clips via Office Depot}

One more awesome tip to alleviate cord chaos is to label cords with bread clips. Instantly know what cord you need without having to play "travel-the-cord to its source" game.

{image via The Photographer's Life}

Ways to Read Blogs: Google Reader Play

2011-06-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

{Image via Fleur Avenue}

How do you find new blogs or keep up with the old? Perhaps, you randomly click via links on blogs or if you're like me on Blogger, then you may love the Google feed posted at the bottom of your Dashboard page. If you want to take your subscribed feeds to the next level, try Google Reader Play.

{image source}

It was released in the Google labs in March of last year, but you might not have had time to experiment with it. In order to launch Google Reader Play, you will have to log into your gmail account (yep, you have to have a gmail account and you must have connected to other blogs via Google Follow--see that box on my sidebar! Follow me and add one more feed to your read list).

If you use Blogger, then scroll down to the second box on your dashboard called Reading List. Click the link in on the bottom right hand corner in blue, titled "View in Google Reader." Your Google Reader will open. Everyone else will have to click the tab open from their gmail account.

Once your Google Reader has opened, click the FEED SETTING box and scroll down to VIEW IN READER PLAY. You can see that I've done that in the image below.

Google reader will load and a new screen will appear. You are presented with recommendations right off the launch of opening Google Play. You are presented with one image at a time, or you can click the read more to see images contained within one post. Here is a hilarious example:

{image source}

Volia! Now that your Reader Play is loaded. You have the option of playing the images as a slideshow or manually clicking through images via the arrows in the top portion of the box. I recommend manually clicking through images because the slideshow is a bit fast for my taste. You can also control content by clicking the icon next to the TV box, called the Setting tab.

Advantages

Quickly scroll through Content
An instant database of images
Great for iPads and Tablets

Disadvantages

Settings aren't able to customize to your specific feeds. It seems to me that Google takes advantage to add extra content.
A wee-bit slow. I want everything now, now, now!

I'd love to hear your own feedback about how you keep updated on other blogs! How many blogs a day do you tend to read? What are some of your favorite. Post a comment and let the discussion begin!

Happy Blog Reading!

{Pottery Barn iPad Accessories but all sold out!}

Post or Delete It*: Could you blog in Kanye West's office?

2011-06-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

{Image Source via Shelter Pop}

In late 2003, Kanye West paid $1.75 for a Hollywood Hills home and hired Desiderata Design in 2007 to flip it. West happens to be a budding modern art collector and wanted his home to showcase his Andy Warhol and Burton Morris paintings. His Herman Miller chair is perhaps the most sedate object in the room. Would you dare have a corner filled with Kaikai Kiki pillows?

*Post or Delete is a regular column that will appear at The Blogging Studio. It is a fun way to showcase innovative and unconventional ideas, designs, and blogging

Making Room to Blog

2011-06-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

{Parson Desk by West Elm. Image source}

There is no reason to not blog! Be it that you own a laptop or a desktop computer, the Parsons Desk with Drawers is the perfect accommodation to host your blogging experience. When selecting furnishing to act multifunctional, make sure that you measure the furnishing to fit the space. The image above is in perfect scale with the couch. Add a personal touch with flowers and accessories.

{Image source}

The same Parsons Desk in a more formal home office or in the bedroom for those impulse blogging ideas!

{Image source}

On Blog Design: Fonts Follow Content

2011-06-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

{image via Paper Moon}

Fonts make a significant impact when a blog is loaded by a vistor. The blog, Carrie Can, was created by a graphic designer. What images or emotions does the Carrie Can blog header give you? What does this blog header communicate to you via the font?

In context:

{Carrie Can Blog}

Did you notice that the blog header communicated modern simplicity at once? The header is nothing fussy, but it becomes even more apparent when the header is viewed in context. When thinking about your blog design and ways to increase traffic, ask yourself if you are making a clear statement with your font choice. Does your font choice reflect what your blog is about?

RESOURCES FOR FONTS: One of the best resources on the web for fonts, which also include web fonts that can be installed on your blog, is MyFonts. The font, InLove, was created by Ariel Di Lisio in 2009. Lisio is a typographer known for stylish geometric lettering, and thus, his font was selected for the Herb Lubalin {a font genuis} Exhibition in NYC.

Lisio font's InLove:

Walking back to the mid-twentieth century to review the typography genius of Herb Lubalin. Notice any style influnces on Lisio's font InLove?

{Herb Lubalin. Image Source}

More amazing examples of fonts that reflect the form of content.

{image source}

{Herb Lubalin. Image Source}

The next time you load your blog, take time to find your initial reaction to your blog header. Does the font reflect the content of your blog? If it's not perfect, take the time to design a blog header with a font that communicates your blog style and content in ten seconds or less.

Blog Studio Visit: Martha Stewart's Blog Studio and 3 Tips to Improve Your Blog Studio

2011-06-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

{Martha Stewart's Blogging Studio via The Martha Blog}

There is heaven and there is Martha Stewart!! Several years ago as I was reading The Martha Blog, I came across photos of her custom designed blog studio. To say the least, these images have never left my brain! This is a blogging studio paradise! Here are a few more examples from her slideshow. I encourage you to drool over these photos at your own pace here.

Blogging Studio Tip#1: Clear the Clutter

Without a doubt, having a cleaned-up space is paramount for creating an awesome blog. Yet, how many times do I forget! Try and sweep your desk of clutter by Friday of every week. The littlest of things can make the biggest impact!

Blogging Studio Tip#2: Organize Ideas

You might not be running an international media conglomerate out of an old barn in New York, but one often overlooked concept in blogging is to organize themes for posting. You can organize by day, week, or month. Have fun putting together ideas for your blog via a large bulletin board.

Blogging Studio Tip#3: Back it up!

Don't make a mistake of loosing data. Keep an external hard drive, like Martha above, and organize it for quick retrieval of information. If you like to capture your own images for your blog, then this is a must! I also recommend that you save images to an online source like Flickr or Picasa Pictures.

Thanks to Martha for sharing her Blog Studio!

Blog Studio Challenge: What is your ideal blogging studio? Create an inspiration board or post some items that would help your work flow.

{Post a comment or link to your blog to share the bliss!}