Lazy Weekend

I have been such a disgusting, snotty, mess these last few days! This cold has been building up for the last week, and I think it's finally gotten the better of me. Hopefully with lots of R&R this weekend (and maybe a bit of alcohol... you know, to kill the germs...) I'll feel much better come Monday.

So this is what I wore before I felt like death... 

cardigan - Jacob (2010); tee - Swap (2011); jeans - Bluenotes (2012); 

knit cap - Spring (2012); otk boots - Spring "Baldi" (2012)

Yes, those are new boots... I've kind of broken the shopping ban... I was good for a long while though, and I'm still shopping on a tight budget. I'll do a round-up post shortly.

An Uphill Battle I Couldn't Win

So I realize I've said in the past that I'm not a quitter, but I have absolutely no motivation to wear clothes that barely fit anymore.
I've dropped the 30 for 30 challenge :(
I know, I know, I suck.
I will try to redeem myself on the next one though.

Lessons learned:

1. Make sure everything I choose fits prior to adding the items to my selection.
2. Pick a wide variety of silhouettes.
   
3. Patterns are key to add interest.
   
4. Pick different TYPES of items... not 5 of the same thing, (in my case cardigans).

Again, I apologize, but I actually have things that fit now, and I am so looking forward to putting together new outfits with recent purchases that actually fit and make me feel good about myself.

Twenty-One

Good morning Sunday! Why is it that you only come once a week? I miss you when you're gone.
There s nothing better than rolling out of bed around ten, lazing around in your sweats with a hot coffee and some shortbread, and reading blog after blog of wonderful, inspiring entries.

Am I right, or am I right?

3. tee - GT boutique (2010)
22. skirt - Dynamite (2010)
30. boots - Sirens (2010)

2/3 of the way done, and a Friend Friday... er.. Saturday.

Before I start this week's Friend Friday (erm... Saturday), I just want to take a moment to say a sincere thank you to all my readers. This week has been particularly tough on me, but you all know just how to bring a smile to my face! It was all your wonderful comments that kept me going and made me feel good about myself when I was not in a good place. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Coincidentally, making connections is also this week's topic.
(thank you ModlyChic!)

1. How important do you think reader connectedness is to the success your blog?
Obviously very. I believe its the connections we make with others that makes blogging such a worthwhile experience. That being said, I don't believe it's the only driver of success. If it was all about how nice we are we'd all have hundreds of followers. Content is also super important. Variety, a sense of newness, and engagement are also equally important. You have to have something that makes readers want to come back over and over. I'm still working on it...

2. What do you do to draw readers in and create that writer-reader bond?
This is still something I struggle with, I think. I do participate actively in the blogging community, and I think that helps, but I also feel as if I should be more creative in the ways that I do so. Obviously Friend Fridays help with that.

3. What is one way you could improve this connection?
I think I should make more of an effort to get REAL feedback. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love hearing that I look great and that the outfits I put together are pretty, but I want to make more of an effort to have everyone engage in constructive criticisms. I know there are many things I can work on still as I am fairly new to this. More polls, opinion seeking, and maybe a few little contests (based around outfit creation), would really help other feel engaged in my blogging process.

4. Is there a blogger you think does a great job creating that writer-reader bond? Why?
There are SO MANY of you who are complete and total sweethearts! You're all pretty wonderful! Marilou of Twenty York Street is the first name that jumps out at me for going above and beyond though. She always leaves super sweet, heartfelt comments, and even makes special little posts every so often to let us know how important we all are.

5. What do you do to cultivate new readers? How do you get them to your site in the first place?
I'm such a blog stalker. I'm regularly on the look out for new writers/photographers/stylistas that catch my eye. Recently Kendi's 30 for 30 blogroll has been a great source for this. I believe that engaging with others on their blog helps to draw them to my own blog. IF anyone has any other idea on how to generate traffic though, I'm always open to suggestions!

Now, since I'm so far behind:

14. dress - Charlotte Russe (2009)
18. jeans - Smart Set (2010)
29. wedges - Aldo (2010)