Blogging

Balance and writing

May 22, 2016 by Lisa 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking more and more about balance — you know the type of work-life balance that we all seek. In seeking that balance, I have found myself starting to rebel. When I started blogging, way back in 2002, it was a place to write and be heard. It wasn’t about sponsorships, press trips, and stuff.

It was just writing.

I miss that. I also think that’s why I don’t write here as often. There are things I want to write about, but I want to be genuine. You don’t have to send me the “mommy blogger” rant from a week ago, I’ve read it and I feel bile rise when I think about it.

You see, if I write about something here, I honestly love it. One of the first posts that I ever wrote on this blog in 2009 was about finding the perfect mascara (not a very good post) and the different ones I had tried. I’m still a mascara junkie, but I’m not young and beautiful, nor particularly talented with a wand, so I don’t share photos of myself on here wearing my fresh new mascara, because isn’t that what beauty bloggers are for?

But I do write about beauty. At least I used to. I write about a lot of things and I want that to be genuine. I want it to be about Lisa and what Lisa likes and is doing. I’ve lost sight of myself — which is a shame. Because I believe I have a place out here in this blogging world. I may never be popular, but I don’t care. I should be blogging because I love to write. I should be writing about what I want to write about. Which is why I started this blog and gave it the name I did — a daily pinch — where I write about a pinch of this and a pinch of that.

I never meant to pigeonhole myself and thought that in order to be successful, I needed to put myself into a niche and title it. But that’s bullshit. I want to write about what I want to write about — whether it’s a fresh new mascara that I’m in love with (Michael Kors), the book I’m reading (Hemingway), the music I’m listening to (my playlist just switched from early Metallica to Pavarotti), or my love-hate feelings towards bottled water.

What I’m saying, at the end of all of this, is that I need to circle back and write what I want to write. I owe to it my readers, but more importantly, I owe it to me.

Honey, I’m Home.

March 19, 2015 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Honey, I’m home. Wait, what? I’m here and starting to get back in the groove of life. My muse is still playing hide and seek. She’s like a fairy flitting in and out, tempting me with a word here and there. I’m pretty sure she’s waiting for warm weather to get here and stay so she can camp out in the back yard and work on her tan.

Confession: I almost wrote the post that said it was time to stop blogging a few months ago. I have been doing this since 2002 and feeling worn. Writing is only a small portion of what makes a blog and the rest was weighing on me. I’m a writer, and I’m afraid if I were to let it all hang out like I would like to on here, well, you would all hate me. You see, my sense of humor, at times, is more warped than a cast iron pan left in the rain. It’s a fine line to walk.

All of that being said, I’ve decided to loosen up a bit on here. I’m not going to run you off, because I’m sure if I were coming close, you would tell me. It’s time.

In the mean time, which WordPress just decided to auto correct to “emanating” I’ll be starting to write again. Getting into the groove, as it were. Not like Madonna, but as she is my current ear worm after typing that sentence, it means I must share gratuitous 80’s music.

October 1

October 1, 2014 by Lisa Leave a Comment

It’s the first of October which means two things. It’s my birthday month. Two, email marketers have done everything they can to remind me that it’s my birthday month and have started flooding my inbox with “special offers” and “great deals.” All so I can become emotionally attached to a percentage off, or receive a free dessert if I spend $150 for dinner at their restaurant.

What does all of this mean?

It means I really hate my inbox right now.

My business partner and I were discussing the fun Halloween header I put up today to commemorate the month of October. She mentioned that if I really wanted to be spot on with timing, I’d have made it a Christmas themed one. By the looks of my inbox, I could also be using Valentine’s Day and swimsuit/sunless tanner season as a theme.

Not that I’m truly complaining, but I get what I call “seasonal blah” disorder. When you’re a blogger, if you want great search engine optimization and want people to find your great holiday posts, they need to be up much earlier. In other words, I should be feeding you Halloween recipes in August. However, I’m much more organic, or at least I try to be. After all, there are a few of my readers I know quite well who would probably call me up if I serve them a Christmas post next week — the second week of October. Although, that would be a good test to see if they’re still reading my blog.

#144697776 / gettyimages.com

Do you ever suffer from marketing overload? Because I am pretty sure that’s what this seasonal blah “thing” is. Normal emails on top of press releases this time of year is always in overdrive. Especially since I’m putting together a holiday shopping guide this year. Nothing super fancy, but it is things I love and would recommend to everyone, and am possibly buying, as seasonal gifting items, a/k/a Christmas gifts.

Is it still PC to say Christmas anymore? This is where I “harumph” and keep on saying “Christmas,” because, well, it’s Christmas. The next thing you know, people are going to say we can’t say “Happy Thanksgiving” because we eat turkey and they’re not happy because we’re cooking them and we have to think of their feelings.

If you’re still reading, you’ll see what the seasonal stuff does to me. I’m like Ricochet Rabbit, only worse. This is where I bid you adieu. My to-do list needs creating as that’s what keeps me on track during this busy time of year. Be on the lookout for some new recipes over the next week, as well as a few revamped ones. I’ve been holding off due to the atrocious gray days we’ve been having — they’re not good for photography. I’ll also be adding some fun DIY/crafty things. They may even be Pinterest worthy — you’ll have to be the judge.

Writing, Culture and Lard?

March 6, 2014 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Somedays, the only thing you can do is fake it. Take today for example, I’m feeling quite overwhelmed and so I’m shooting from the hip to get my literary juices flowing.

Have I mentioned I’m writing a book. I have one completed and in editing. This new one involves a lot of research and time. It’s a narrative non-fiction piece, interjected with humor, travesties, and lard.

Lard?

Yes, lard. I’m writing a book rooted deep in southern culture. Which has been pretty difficult to start as I realize how much I have disassociated with in the South. It’s a test in patience and the need to get it done. (Or as others would say “git ‘er done”.)

Where does that leave blogging. I’m here and working on a schedule. I have too much I think of and want to share, plus a lot lands in my inbox I think you’d enjoy. Should I share everything that lands in my inbox? I’m pretty sure your eyes would burn, and you’d click unsubscribe faster than I tear through a pot of coffee.

I was considering taking some time off. I’ll be quite honest with you, there is an all consuming passion in me to write. Sure, I might not be the best writer out there, but writing here makes me stronger and helps me hone my voice.

There. I write. And even if you don’t see me here daily, you do know I’m working on something much bigger than I ever conceptualized. And I’m happy. That’s all I want for everyone, myself included.

It’s Conference Time — 10 Tips for Type-A Parent Conference Atlanta

September 23, 2013 by Lisa Leave a Comment

I’m on my way to Atlanta Thursday for the Fifth Annual Type-A Parent Conference. This is my fourth year attending and Type-A is what I consider to be my conference home base. Founder and Type-A Mom, Kelby Carr, puts on a top notch educational experience for bloggers and this one will be no different.

Since there will be many people new to Atlanta area, I’m sharing some of the great things to do in Atlanta, as well as a few things to prepare you, whether it’s your first blogging conference, or 100th.

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just roll with it.

2. Don’t Outboard.

3. Don’t Suitcase. (See Outboarding.)

4. Take a lightweight jacket or sweater. Hotel conference rooms tend to get chilly.

5. Go to the Varsityto eat. If doesn’t matter if there are a thousand people in line, you’ll never wait longer than 10 minutes.

6. If the Varsity isn’t your cup of tea, hit up Mary Mac’s Tea Roomin the Virginia Highlands neighborhood. Order the tomato pie.

7. Forgot your, well, anything. Walk down to Lenox Square for some of the best shopping the in the country.

8. The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the Southeast, with 13,000 works of art contained in it’s collection. (I’ll be down early Thursday to see Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring.”)

9. Find me if you want to know where the best coffee in Atlanta is. (I don’t share it with anyone.)

10. If you have time, go to the World of C0ca-Cola and see how many different sodas you can sample with going to the bathroom. Make it a game with your friends. First one to the potty has to drink Beverly. (It’s a very, very bitter aperitif that was sold in Italy.)

Thre are many more places to go and visit in Atlanta: Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park, Yellow River Game Ranch and Kangaroo Conservation Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change. I’ve visited all of these but a few, and each one is worth your time.

Blog Conference Packing List

Type-A Parent Conference Charlotte 2012

Blog Conference Neccessities or “Lisa’s List”

The Business of Blogging