Ways I Generate Blog Post Ideas

I have had a blog that for over ten years. While the content that I write has evolved and changed over the years, I still have one problem – writer’s block. Writer’s block happens from time to time. I think almost every blogger or writer can agree that it’s a problem that is far too common. That said, I sometimes have trouble with coming up with ideas for a blog post. So, I decided to take a moment (ironically while I have writer’s block), to talk about all the ways that I come with ideas for blog posts when I just can’t think of anything.

Reviews: Reviews are super easy. Whether it’s a TV show, a purse or even a book, reviews are a great way to not only get great content, but also promote a great product. What is also great about reviews is that you can even use the name of the product in your keywords, which promotes some traffic. Definitely a win-win.

Pinterest: I love Pinterest! Pinterest is a great resource for bloggers, and is one that I do not use enough. Pinterest is a great place to promote a blog post, but also is a great place to get some ideas. There are so many different lists that have different blog post ideas for the season, type of blog that you have, etc. This is a great resource to use especially during Blogtober and Blogmas, where you write a post nearly every day of the week.

Social Media: My blog talks a lot about different places to eat, shop and events. Therefore, social media is something that is super helpful because I can learn about different places through the people that I follow.

Keep a List: I have the Goodnotes app, and I use it a lot to write a list of blog post ideas. I keep an idea bank if I run into the situation where I can’t think of any posts to write, I can reference it. This is especially helpful when you work towards maintaining consistency when writing posts. Bloggers, what do you do when you are r

Friday Faves: August 7, 2021

TGIF everyone! This Friday is a personal day for me, and I have my cousin’s wedding tomorrow night. That said, I also have purchased a new tech item, which I will definitely be sharing in the coming weeks.

This week’s favorites are all over the place. Some of them are repeats, while others are newer. I am working on “shopping my closet” more versus buying items all of the time, which has helped me rediscover newer favorites. That said, here are this week’s favorites:

Louis Vuitton Agenda: Okay, this is super boujee of me, so hear me out. I found this as a steal on Fashionphile, and decided to take the plunge and grab this. I am so glad that I did. I got the smallest size, which I love because I can fit it in all of my smaller purses. I wanted an agenda because I wanted a place to put reminders for appointments and other various things in. I am currently working on a digital planner, but I love this one because it’s more portable. I got the inserts for this from an Etsy shop called Paper Calling, and so far I am really loving it.

Apple Watch Bands: I bought these on Amazon a while ago, and used them for a while, but then forgot all about it. I have three colors in this band, and have been wearing them to work when I am not working out. I love it that it’s super comfortable on the wrist, and that it goes with everything. Oh yeah, and it’s pretty affordable as well. If you have an Apple Watch, this is a great band option.

Procreate: I downloaded Procreate a while ago, only to use it for a while and haven’t used it again until recently. I finally learned how to draw digital pictures, so I’ve been doing that while watching TV at night. I have found it super relaxing as well.

Thriller Novels: I am on my third thriller of the week. The two that I finished were The Stranger In the Mirror by Liv Constantine and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. As many of you know, I love thrillers, but often go through phases where I read many at once. I could not put down either of those, as well as my current read, The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda. All of these were amazing to read, and I am sure I am going to pick up a few that I’ve been dying to get to on my TBR.

Cheating: When Love Lies Podcast: I love this podcast so much because it’s downright entertaining. Basically, it’s an interview-style podcast that has the point of view from those who cheated or those who have been cheated on. Yes, it’s a weird topic. However, I have found it so interesting because I like to hear the point of view of those who have been cheated on, as well as it’s just entertaining.

I Journaled Every Day in the Month of July: Here’s What Happened

On the first day of July, I watched a video from Morgan Yates about how she journaled every day for an entire month. I, someone who uses their journal mainly for lists, got inspired and decided that it was time for me to take the challenge. 

What does that mean? Well, from July 1-31, I would have to write at least one journal entry about my day, how I’m feeling that day, or recording a memory such as my birthday. I would typically journal in the morning right before I go to work, and then occasionally, I would go and write another journal entry at night. 

Surprisingly, I did not find it stressful for me to make time to write my posts. I already use my Five Minute Journal in the morning, and all this did was add an extra five to ten minutes to my routine. 

What I did not expect was how much I enjoyed it and how much this has now become a habit. I am a writer at heart, so it was a great way to practice making writing a larger part of my daily routine. But, what I did not expect was the fact that my journal became my safe space. Whenever I was having a bad day or feeling a certain way, I would journal and I would instantly feel better. When I was stressed out, I would write out why I was stressed out and I would feel significantly less stressed out post-journaling. 

And, there are so many scientific benefits to journaling, according to an article on Positive Psychology entitled 83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Some of them include: boost your mood/affect, enhance your sense of well-being, reduce symptoms of depression before an important event, and improve your working memory. The article goes onto say that it can do many other things, such as giving us the ability to put things in perspective, shift a mindset from the negative to a positive one, and help us become aware of unhealthy patterns. Journaling also has some benefits to your physical health as well. The article states that journaling lowers blood pressure, strengthen immune system, and helps with sleeping habits. 

Over the month, I managed to fill out an entire notebook and a half. As I mentioned early, I have noticed that my stress levels have gone down, and I have just been in a better mood overall.  

Now, that the month is over, I do see myself continuing this a habit since it’s already become so ingrained into my morning routine. I hope to work on getting more detailed in my journal entries by using some prompts throughout the month of August. 

If you’re struggling to get into journaling, I highly recommend doing this challenge because it keeps you accountable. I found that it made it easy to get motivated to do, and then overtime, it became a habit that I didn’t even have to think about.

Friday Faves: July 30, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! It has been such a long week for me, so I am really looking forward to the weekend. I am not sure what I am doing yet, but I am looking forward to getting some relaxing in.

That said, I do have a few favorites that I would like to share with you, so without further a due, here they are:

Schitt’s Creek: Yes, I finally have started watching this show, and I am borderline obsessed. My boyfriend and I have binge watched most of season one already, and it’s safe to say that we get the hype.

SV Decker Snake Chain: I’ve had this for a while, and for the past few days, this have become one of my favorite necklaces to wear. I have both the 16 and the 18 inch one, and I am absolutely obsessed with them. I have been layering it with her good luck necklace, which is no longer available. You can layer it with many other necklaces, and I have a few of them in my collection. It’s such a versatile jewelry piece, and I am so happy I’m getting back into using it.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Harris: I finished this book in three days and I have been so obsessed with it. It tells the story of our main character Nella, who has been the only Black girl at Wagner publishing. That is, until Hazel comes into the picture. Soon, Nella gets a mysterious note telling her to leave Wagner now. Was that from Hazel? This book was a thriller version of The Devil Wears Prada, and I loved it.

Julia K Crist videos: I’m purchasing a new iPad soon and I have been obsessed with her videos because she shows you what you can do with the iPad. Because of her videos, I am leaning towards the pro, but have learned so much about how to use so many different apps. If you’re looking to get a new iPad, I highly recommend checking out her videos.

July Amazon Favorites

July is my birthday month, and I was fortunate enough to receive some Amazon gift cards to spend, as well as found a few great items to treat myself to.

Hairbrush/Hairband holder: I have a lot of scrunchies and hair ties as I wear my hair up all of the time. After a while, my hairties seemed to have taken over the bathroom sink. I purchased this, and ever since I set it up, I have not only cleared up so much counter space, but have also been able to find my hair ties so much easier. If you are looking for a way to organize your hair ties, then this is a great option. 

Water Bottle: This was featured in one of my Friday Faves, and it is still one of my favorites. I love this water bottle because it fits in my car cup holder, and it motivates me to drink water. Since buying this, I have about two of those a day, which equals 32 ounces of water. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to drink much more water, but has no idea where to begin. 

Laptop Stand: I have been using this a lot during my meetings and daily laptop use, and I am really enjoying it. The stand helps me stand straight, which has been helping me with my posture and reduces back pain when I’m using my laptop for longer periods of time. 

Ring Fit Adventure: I purchased this game with a giftcard, and I am obsessed. This is a fitness game, and I love this because it helps me get my steps in in a way that is more fun. The game has a bunch of different exercises, including crunches and squats. I do this unwind after work a few times a week, and I can already feel myself getting stronger. 

Cordless Jump Rope: I do a lot of Sydney Cummings workouts, and I love using this. Not only is it a great way to burn calories, but it makes it possible for me to do them indoors. 

And those are this month’s Amazon favorites. I hope to do another one in August with the remainder of the items that I didn’t have a chance to use.

Eating My Way Around CT: Tea With Tracy — the Perfect Brunch Spot

Tea parties is something that is often associated with childhood, however Tea With Tracey has made it possible for adults to join into the fun. With two locations in Seymour and Oxford, it is the perfect place to go with your girls, take your mom and grandma out to lunch, and so much more. Plus, it’s a great place that is aesthically pleasing for the perfect Instagram shot.

I recently went to the Oxford location for the first time, and I was blown away. They have a tea menu that is two pages, ranging in seasonal flavors to traditional. Furthermore, they also have a selection of teas that were inspired by authors. When you get your tea, it is served in a little tea pot, which has enough for two or three cups if you choose the smaller option. The tea is already seeped, so it is ready to drink as soon as you get it. 

Not only is their tea menu extensive – their food menu has so many different options to choose from as well. Breakfast is served at their Oxford location only, which includes eggs, French Toast, waffles and pancakes. Lunch is served at both of their Seymour and their Oxford locations, and have a ton of sandwich, soup and salad options. They also offer desserts, and scones as well – all of which are perfect to pair with a cup of tea.

What I love about Tea With Tracey is the aesthetic and the overall vibe. A pot of tea will last you a while, which is great to sit with someone and just catch up. While it may be a fancier place, it is still a great go-to place for brunch, celebrations, and more. It is also a great place to just go to, because it’s so unique and definitely worth the trip. 

Interested in Tea With Tracey? Check out their website here. And if you do end up going, I would definitely make a reservation as the tea room fills up quickly.

Friday Faves: July 23, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! I don’t know about you, but it has been a week. I am so happy that it is the weekend, because I am looking forward to getting some relaxation time in, as well as the fact that I have really fun plans scheduled this weekend.

That said, here are this week’s favorites:

Target Glass Mug: I tried to find a link to this, but I was not successful. I found this mug randomly in the Target dollar section. I have been using it everyday ever since. I really love the clear glass look when making my Nespresso lattes. It is so aesthically pleasing. I’ve been to a few other Targets since then, and have found a few there. And, for $3, you can’t go wrong.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade: Continuing my romance reading binge from last week, I picked up this book. And, I am loving it so far. It tells the story of our main characters April and Marcus. April is a fangirl of the fantasy show (similar to Game of Thrones) that Marcus is the leading heartthrob of. April tweets a photo of her costume, and it soon goes viral. Marcus asks her out on a date, and the rest is history. I am only 80 pages in, but I am already enjoying it. The book is more than a romance. It discusses fat-shaming, and celebrity issues. I am excited for the weekend, since I will have a chance to read more of this book.

Ring Fit Adventure: As many of you know, I have a Nitendo Switch. I have been wanting this game since I got my Switch. I got this with my birthday Amazon giftcard, and I am really excited that I did. The game is really fun, even though it is a workout. I love it because it doesn’t feel like I am working out. It basically is a quest-based game, that requires you to run, do presses, squats and more. What I love about this game is that it really helps me reach my 10,000 step goal without feeling as if it was a chore.

Madewell Necklace Set: It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the brand Madewell. I’ve purchased these a while ago, and they sat ever since. This is a set of three: a chain necklace and two disc ones of different lengths. I have been wearing the longer one, and have been loving it. They are so great for layering, and I love the vintage gold look to it.

Mid-Year Reading Check-In

Hey everyone! I saw this post on Books with Anjali, and decided that I wanted to participate in the mid-year reading check-in. So far, I have read 52 books this year (at the time of writing this post). My Goodreads reading goal is 100 books, so I am definitely well on my way to complete it. I still have a few books that I want to get to, but I hope to read a lot during the summer since I will have a lot of time off.

Best Book I Read So Far in 2021:

It is definitely hard to choose just one, so I’ll give you three: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, Know Yourself Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze, and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

Best Sequel you’ve read so far in 2021:

Either Fly Away by Kristin Hannah or Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

A New Release you want to read but haven’t yet:

The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constatine, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Harris, and Pumpkin by Julie Murphy.

Biggest Disappointment so far this year:

Definitely Crave by Tracey Wolff. I thought it would be this addicting novel that I couldn’t put down, but I definitely had to force myself to read this one.

Biggest Surprise So Far This Year:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and Love Your Life Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze. With these, I wasn’t sure how they would be, since Firefly Lane has mixed reviews, and Love Your Life Not Theirs is just different than all of the other books that I have read.

Favorite Debut Author or new to you author:

Definitely Lyssa Kay Adams. I am hoping to finish the Bromance series this year.

Newest Fictional Crush:

Gavin from the Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. I love how he is working to improve himself and his marriage.

Newest Favorite Character:

Tanner from Autoboyography by Christina Lauren. I loved reading about his struggles living in a conservative town as a gay teen, and the struggles that he faced with his relationship with Sebastian.

A Book That Made You Happy:

Can books be used for this one? I really enjoyed the Modern Love romance series by Alisha Rai.

The Most Beautiful Book that you’ve bought so far this year:

Honestly, it was books that my boyfriend gave me, which was a copy of Beauty and the Beast and the complete Sherlock Holmes series.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I definitely want to read more romances, including Brigterton, Pumpkin’, and the Stranger in the Mirror. I also want to try to attack more of my backlog of books, which is way too long to name.

Favorite book to screen adaption you’ve seen so far this year:

I didn’t read the book (yet), but I really loved Moxie the movie.

Eating My Way Around CT: Sugar Rush

Nitrogen ice cream shops have been popping up more and more in recent years. As a person who is dairy free though, it is safe to say that I have been missing out of the trend. Shelton’s Sugar Rush changed that for me with the dairy free options.

Located in Shelton, Sugar Rush has an extensive menu of desserts. Their dairy free menu has three flavors — dark chocolate, vanilla, and red raspberry sorbet. Oh yeah, and they also have dairy options as well. Their menu has a huge variety of flavors from cookies dough, cotton candy, strawberry, and more. The website says the nitrogen ice cream is made “using a premium cream base which is then flash frozen with food-grade liquid nitrogen to instantly create a perfect scoop, every single time.” They make the ice cream in front of you, as well. All of their ice cream is served in a warm, delicious bubble cone. But, we’ll talk more about that later.

Their options don’t end just there. According to the site, they have 33 topping options, including ice cream regulars such as sprinkles, hot fudge, and M&Ms. But, they are more options that that, including marshmallows, cereal flavors, brownie bits, and cookie dough pieces. And you know that bubble cone that I mentioned earlier? Well, you can also get toppings infused into your cone for an added burst of flavor.

However, if the thought of making decisions give you anxiety, they do have ready made concoctions, such as s’mores, Cookie Monster, and the sugar rush sundae.

Their menu does offer more than ice cream. They also offer cookies, infused donuts and milkshakes as well.

I have been to Sugar Rush twice in the last few weeks, and I am obsessed. I was skeptical at first, but I was blown away. The vibe is so fun, and in the attempt to keep the line moving, they offer a QR code before you go inside to access their menu and make decisions.

What I love about this place is that the vibe is so fun. There is a bright wall with a fun design — perfect for snapping a photo for the ‘gram (do people still say that anymore?). There is fun music playing from their speakers as well. Furthermore, the menu prices are relatively inexpensive, so you’re able to get a sweet treat without breaking the bank.

Sugar Rush has definitely become one of my new favorite spots this summer. Be sure to check out Sugar Rush on their website, Instagram, and Facebook if you’re interested in checking them out.

Friday Faves: July 16, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! I have had a great birthday week, and have been using it as an excuse to treat myself. I know that in the coming weeks, I will need to reel it in, but until then, I have been enjoying spending birthday money, and gift cards. I am sure that many of these will be on my favorites lists for the next few weeks.

That being said, here are my favorites for this week: 

Amazon Water Bottle: I love this bottle because it has a lot of built-in reminders of what I need to drink by what time. I have a hard time staying motivated to drink water, so this definitely helps. What is great about this water bottle versus others, is that since it’s only 32 ounces, I can fit it in my cupholder and purse with ease.

Madewell Pouch Clutch: I am a Madewell Insider, and I used my birthday coupon to get this pouch. This pouch is perfect for whenever I need to grab and go somewhere. It holds my keys, my wallet, and even my phone. So far, I’ve used it a few times as a little pouch to carry whenever I go to nighttime meetings and when I take my laptop to work. I can see myself using this whenever I am grabbing brunch with a friend, going to get coffee, or just as a pouch in a larger bag. I am debating on purchasing a wristlet strap to go with it as well. 

2006-2010s Emo Playlist: This playlist is essentially a mix of all of the punk/alternative songs that made my middle and high school years. I am talking about music from My Chemical Romance, Boys Like Girls, and Fall Out Boy. It is a great thing to listen to when you’re feeling nostalgic, and just want to jam. 

Girl Gone Viral and Love at First Like by Alisha Rai: I have been on such a romance kick lately, and have been enjoying these books from the Modern Love series. They have such a modern take on love, and I have been enjoying it. The first, Girl Gone Viral, tells the story of a meet-cute that has gone viral. However, it is not a meet cute. The second is a story about catfishing. I haven’t gotten too far in that one, but I am so excited to dive in.