2 Years of Love.Haight

 Good morning and happy Saturday! Yesterday was my 2nd blog-iversary, and so I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite moments of the past year. :) So without further ado... here we go!

Showcasing my Friends' Business Ventures

A personalized sign from Hannah at Through the Pines with a piece of my wedding letter. (post here)

A gorgeous dream catcher from my oldest friend, Ali & Tinsel Twig (blog post HERE)

 When I had a photographer friend for the summer and my photos got WAY better:

Check out Emily at Daydreamin' Engineer

 Favorite Post: (because duh- look at my kitchen upgrade!)

Brand Collabs

 This thank you note from Famous Footwear for wearing and sharing their shoes was such an awesome moment.

I contacted this jewelry company for a collab, because I just LOVED their moonstone ring.

This star dress is just stunning.

Thank you to YOU for reading this little blog and supporting my silly dreaming. :)  I appreciate you so much!

5 Blogging Mistakes We All Should Stop Making

1. Overusing Instagram Filters

 Trust me, you don't need it. Turn up the brightness or add contrast and definition, but stay away from the filter. Also, studies show that less saturated photos tend to do better, so you may want to turn that down a touch.

2. Hoarding Blog Posts

I am so guilty of this. I'll have ideas that don't get written, new clothes that lay unphotographed, accessories that don't see the light of day until they've been posted, etc. Eventually, those ideas lose steam, or I forget them. I have no idea why I'm "saving" them!  It's so annoying because I know I will not run out of ideas, clothing, or lose the urge to shop. So really- when it comes down to it- when you got it- post it!

3. Not Using Grammar Basics

Is this just because I'm an English teacher, or does it bother other people too? I totally get the random error, typo, or #thanksautocorrect moment. However, when the same mistake pops up multiple times, I find it distracting. 1 easy change? Stop with the u for you. Please.

4. Never Commenting Back

Commenting is one of the easiest ways to build relationships, make friends, and build your brand.  Bloggers who don't comment back are missing a vital opportunity to grow. Don't forget, you're your own PR company! 

5. Following to Unfollow

Following someone to get them to follow you, just to "unfollow" when they do creates bad blood and hurts feelings. Other bloggers are absolutely wonderful support systems, and you do not want to burn bridges! I have met truly awesome people that share the same passion. I will never understand how people have grown a following this way. It's actually astounding to me. I'm not saying you have to follow people forever, especially if you stop digging their content or their message... But it's a pretty obvious ploy when they unfollow within seconds. It's just using people on the climb to the top. Keep it classy.

So... What should you be doing?

-Tweeting every day, including both new AND old posts
-Joining FB groups and posting in threads to promote your posts
-Pinning on Pinterest
-Finding new people to connect with on Social Media (Like me? :) )

Want more? Check out THIS POST with a daily blogging to-do list!

5 Things You Can do for Your Blog Today

 

Every day I want to do something that helps my blog grow a little bit more. Today I am sharing some of those ideas with you! These are all something you can do quickly, without needing to know any new skills. (Unless you've been living under a rock and don't know how to operate twitter! #nojudgement)

1. Twitter

Scroll through your feed and heart 5-10 posts that catch your eye. Then tweet any new content on your blog. If you don't have any, scroll through your feed and retweet something relevant that links to your blog. (Twitter just added the feature to retweet your own stuff. Total time saver!)

Total Time : About 3 minutes

2. Instagram 

Scroll through your feed and leave 10-15 comments to increase visibility. If you really love it, double tap. Liking is easier, but comments give people a chance to see you and your personality! Next find a big blogger in your niche and scroll through their followers. If you've got time and you're feeling bold start clicking on them and like about 5 photos and leave a comment or two. Follow if you really love their content, but not if your intention is just to unfollow later. Some of those people may check your stuff out in return!

Total Time: 15 minutes

3. Pinterest 

Repin 2-3 pins on each of your major boards. Take a look at your board covers and make sure they all fit a theme. Change ones that don't. Repin some of your old content from the bottom of your boards.

Total Time: 10 minutes

4. Facebook

I don't even have a blogger Facebook page, but I have joined group pages. Interact on a group page- add your newest post to a thread and go support other bloggers. Answer a question and link to your blog if applicable. The more you engage, the more visibility you will have!

Total Time: 15 minutes

5. Blog

Go through and update an old post with better images or add keywords to them. (Just go to edit, click a photo, choose properties and then add an alt description.) Or go read and comment on 5 other blogs!

Total Time : 15 minutes 

Grand Total: Around an Hour

Don't you have an hour a day to devote to growing your blog? I hope so! Because unfortunately these things don't grow themselves.

Wanna be friends or see what I'm up to? Click an icon below :)

Exciting News!

 

I'm pretty excited today, because I've finally taken some steps to be a "real blogger."

One of those steps was to buy a domain name. When I originally started on blogger, long before I was even married and a Haight, I chose surprisinglyinspired and to keep it free I had blogspot on the end of it....

They tell you everywhere that you need to have your own website address. I was hesitating because I didn't know how much it would cost, I wasn't sure if I should stay on blogger, and I was scared all my Pinterest pins would not redirect to my new site.

1. It was only 12 dollars for the year. Only 1 dollar a month? I can afford that.
2. I'm staying on blogger for now. I barely know how to use blogger- let alone a whole new site!
3. I think that because I stayed on blogger, all my Pinterest pins and my links on other places automatically move to my new address when they are clicked. SUPER CONVENIENT.

So with all my worries taken care of, I can now say I'm the proud owner of lovehaightblog.com :)


On another note- I'm also trying to find my own niche. Despite this post, I've realized that my blog needs to be more about the reader and less about me. I love writing about my trips and things I buy, but I'm beginning to truly realize that if it doesn't add value to a reader, they have no reason to read my blog.

One of the reasons I decided to blog is because I love shopping and more expensive/designer pieces, but I've always been one to tell people exactly how I got it on sale, what coupons/apps/programs helped me to save money, etc.  So that is my new focus on Love.Haight - less about me and more about how to help the reader "live chic on the cheap," as it says at the top of my blog now! I'm hoping to have most of my posts reflect back on that mission statement - to help every girl be an "it girl" on whatever salary she has!

If you made it this far, please leave me a comment with some of the articles you usually prefer to read, and would like to see on lovehaightblog.com!!
I would really appreciate it!

xoxo,
Victoria

Blogger Babe's Q&A

Today is the last day of my 1 year celebration week of posts! And it is definitely one of the most fun!
Making Instagram and blogging friends is really important, and makes blogging so much more rewarding.

Today, I'm sharing a Q & A I did with a few gals that I love to follow. I'm always so curious to hear what other bloggers and thinking and doing!

 I asked 3 questions: What is your favorite part about blogging, what is the best piece of blogging advice you've been given, and what is the 1 trend you are going to rock all spring/summer long?
Hope you enjoy!

1. Julianna Claire from Blush & Camo

I have been a fan of Julianna since she and I started our blogs last year. She recently hit 20k Instagram followers and it is so well deserved! She has great creative vision, a lot of drive and passion, and puts out 3-5 blog posts a week religiously, all while serving our country as an army officer. I know. Insane right? She is the true definition of what she calls others: "Blush Boss."

1. What is your favorite part about blogging?
My favorite part about blogging is the community! There are so many amazing women I've been able to meet and I'm so thankful for those relationships!
 
2. What is the best piece of blogging advice you've ever been given?
The best piece of blogging advice has been that it's a marathon, not a race. Enjoy the process and the journey of fashion blogging!


3. What trend are you going to rock all spring and summer long?
I'm going to be rocking the off the shoulder trend all season! I can't get enough! :)

2. Kendall from My Styled Life

Kendall is such a sweet gal who posts beautiful and bright photos that are always eye catching. She has such a sweet heart and always leaves the nicest comments on Instagram that make me smile. It's obvious that she enjoys blogging!

1. What is your favorite part about blogging?
I absolutely love thinking of creative ways to style outfits! I've always been one to put together cute outfits, but blogging has really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone! I've come to love so many clothing items that I previously was hesitant about wearing! 

2. What is the best piece of blogging advice you've ever been given?
A fellow blogger shared with me that you have to let your personality shine through your blog and I couldn't agree more! With there being so many bloggers, you have to set yourself apart! Another blogger can wear the same thing you wore or style an outfit similar to how you did, but what they can't copy is your personality! Be yourself!

3. What trend are you going to rock all spring and summer long?
 Fringe! This trend has been huge this spring and I definitely plan on rocking it throughout summer. It's so fun and definitely a way to add some texture to an outfit.

3. January Hart Rizzo from January Hart 

January is such a beautiful woman on the inside and out. She has been known to leave the most thoughtful and sweet comments when I'm feeling the most down. She has such an amazing blog, but still takes the time to read little blogger's posts like mine, and for that I think she's pretty darn awesome. 

1. What is your favorite part about blogging?
 While I love planning outfits and sharing them, I think what I love most about blogging is honestly the whole process of seeing something through from the original vision to the finished product…..everything from the outfit planning to the photo location planning to the constructing of the post and then getting to hit that "publish" button. I always feel accomplished when I get to hit that button in a day and know I put the best work I was capable of at the time out there.

2. What is the best piece of blogging advice you've ever been given?
 For me, I think the best piece(s) of blogging advice given has been to work to stay consistent(provide quality posts and images, scheduling definite blog posting days that you follow through with on each and every week), to maintain your high standards and to provide valuable information that your readers can really use to enhance their daily lives, even if that's just a beauty tip that makes someone feel pretty on any given day. :)

3. What trend are you going to rock all spring and summer long?
 Pretty sure I'll be rocking the off-the-shoulder trend ALL summer long! That and lots of cute crossbody bags! Love those in the summer months, especially!

A huge thank you to these ladies for answering my questions and agreeing to be featured on Love.Haight! 
Happy Friday! 
xoxo
Victoria