When My Blog Grows Up...

Today I am reflecting on what my goals are for my blog. I will be linking up over at Thistlewoodfarm to share my hopes for my blog with other bloggers today, doing the same. As a new blogger, these are all things I have been thinking about (losing sleep over) since hitting Publish on my first post. So here goes...

When my blog grows up she wants to be...

1.) Beautiful.  -My blog wants a fabulous new header, background, and professional design. My blog is in it's infancy right now, and still has a long way to go. I set up my blogger account and proceeded to create the template that is my blog today. I am NOT AT ALL tech savvy, so it is nothing short of a miracle that I actually have a functioning blog, and one that I did all by myself! My new look is currently in the works, and best left to a professional!

2.) Fun and Genuine.  -When someone reads my blog, I want them to feel like we are sitting together in the same room having a conversation. I want my personality to shine through, and my goal is to channel how I think and talk into each post. I want to feel like I am chatting with my girlfriends.

3.) Have a Great Home Tour Tab.  -Because as a visual person, THAT is what attracts me to other people's blogs. When I go to someone else's blog, I always want to see their home photos! It gives me the big picture as to who they are, what styles they gravitate toward, and often inspires design ideas for me that I can use in some way in my own home. I have procrastinated long enough on this one, so it is currently in the works as well.

4.) Have Pretty Pictures.  -My blog, and her readers, deserve PRETTY pictures, taken with a BIG GIRL camera. I really have no excuse for this here. We have plenty of camera equipment in our home. The hubs is an aviation photographer, in addition to being a full time commercial and military pilot. He actually has an insane amount of camera equipment that I could, and SHOULD be learning to use properly.

 Exhibit A.

 Exhibit B. (Haha. Blurry!)

Exhibit C. 

I could continue to the floor of the closet full of tri-pods, light stands, and pelican cases, but you get the idea.

I need to take a class and learn how to shoot in manual setting. I learned long ago, that it is NOT a good idea for Mr W to "teach" me things, as we have completely different learning styles, and I wind up feeling like I don't have a brain in my head. Best to steer clear of that mine field to preserve marital bliss! ;-)

5.) Make Lots of Friends.  -For me, getting into blogging, and trying to create a network of new friends, is kind of like going to a new high school in your sophomore year. I moved 12 times as a kid, so I know how to be the new girl, but that doesn't mean it's not intimidating. 

• I don't know anyone.
• I want to be liked.
• Will anyone "get" me? 
• Will they like my style?

How will I be received? Other girl's design talents, and blog beauty can be quite intimidating to a newbie. This is where I can equate it to high school...Will they like me?...Will they accept me?...Will they let me into their inner circle?

I want to make lots of new connections and have a great network of fellow bloggers to turn to for advice and inspiration.

6.) Host Some Great Parties!  -Most bloggers know that one of they keys to growing your blog is to attend and HAVE great link parties. Before I can make this happen on my blog, I need to have some buttons made. I have to be honest here, I have NO flippin' idea how to do this, and I have not even attempted to find out!! Some things are better left to the blog designers. I hope to have this done soon, cuz I'm ready to par-tay!!

7.) Monetize.  -Finally, when my blog grows up, I would hope that she makes some money. Let's face it, as bloggers we put a lot of time and thought into our projects and posts. I would love it if my blog could make a little green for mama!

I've been told many times, "Do what you love, and the money will follow." I am hoping that will be true of my labor of love, my Budget Design Girl blog. I feel like, if I am going to investing my time and energy on projects and posts that ultimately take time away from my family, or my precious little "me" time, I hope to eventually be compensated for my efforts. After all, as much as I love it, my job as Household CEO does not line my pockets, but thankfully, it does fill my heart!

So, those are my hopes for my blog as she grows. I will do my best to make sure they come true. I love my blog, and look forward to carving out my own little niche in blogland.

xo

-Lisa

Linking up here...