Favorite Posts of November

This year has gone by way too fast. Is it just me, or was it just like June and 110 degrees? Now it is November, and the high is all of 65 degrees today.
Where does the time go?
I don't think we will ever know the answer to that question. But, that's part of life, right? You just gotta enjoy it!
In November, I really vamped up my blog. I posted more, and I put more thought into my posts. And I really think that it has shown in the page views and comments. Now I want to show you my five most popular posts of November! Go check them out!


I can't wait to see what December has in store!

Blogging Tips: Buffer

As many of you may know, I am a college student. And I work full time. (And sometimes even overtime!)
And as much as I love all of you, sometimes I just don't have time to be glued to my computer. (As much as I would love it - my eyes would hate it)
(Side note - I had to write something that didn't start with an "A". The past five lines all started with an "A". It kinda was freaking me out. Sorry. I'm weird.)
So I am going to let you in on a secret.
Buffer
I LOVE Buffer. It makes my life SO simple!
But before I show you, I want you to promise something. Promise that you will not just use this for your social media. Just because scheduling exists, doesn't mean you shouldn't interact.
Scheduling should be the starting point of interaction, not the whole interaction.
Now that everyone has promised, let's get down to it.

I'm not going to go into the basics, I just want to show you. This is the screen where you put in your content. There is also a Chrome extension, which makes things really easy to share. 
I just use my Facebook Page, and my Twitter. I think you can also use your personal Facebook, but I don't.

And here is my page with some content, that you may have seen me post last week.  Well, actually, Buffer did it.  I wrote it and they posted it for me. They are so nice.
On the content you wish to post to your Facebook Page, you can select the thumbnail you wish to use. 
My only wish is that they had like a hashtag cloud or something, but I'm not an over abuser of hashtags anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
I love Buffer because I am busy, and I love to share content. I share things I find on Pinterest or Stumbleupon, or even things I read out in my blogosphere circle. (And when you are on my sponsors, I try and give you shout outs as well!) So I just love this! That way you guys don't get overloaded with the things I want to share, because, honestly, I can spend hours on Pinterest/Stumbleupon. This way, I can space it out with quotes or questions, or other things. :)

Do you use anything to automate your social media?

I was in no way compensated for this post. I just love Buffer. And they told me on Twitter that they love me too. So there. :P

I would like to thank the academy...

Pesky Pippi has nominated me for the Liebster Award! I am very honored, and unsure as to if Pippi has ever actually read my blog. I think it is only because of that time I suggested that she hurt her back in a lively match of Penguin Races. And, just to clarify, that's like horse racing, but with Penguins. Yeah, that happened.

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

Each person must post 11 things about herself/himself.

Answer the new 11 questions.

Create 11 questions for the new people you will be giving the award to.

Choose 11 new people to award and send them the link to your post.

No tag backs.

11 Things about Jessica

I have to watch movies at the movie theater. If I try and watch movies at home, I fall asleep. 

I love to cuddle up on my boyfriend's side of the bed when he's gone.

I speak to my cats like children.

I love buying make up but don't ever put it on for work.

I love long hair on men. Just not longer than mine. Case in point.... 

I love country music best of all, but you will also catch me listening to Jazz, Hard Rock, and even swing music. I can't help it. It makes me dance.

Most people in my life call me Jess. Even at work. I am only Jessica to my boss and when I'm in trouble.

Dakota and I are agnostic, but don't really talk about religion on my blog. I don't want my beliefs to squash those of others. Or for theirs to squash mine.

Even though Dakota and I don't have any children, I typically have 2-4 teenage boys in my home. My brother in law and his friends. Let's just say we go through a lot of food.

I love twitter, but sometimes I think I am just talking to myself. 

Questions I was asked to answer:

What is one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?

Stop being such a smart ass and pay attention. 

What scares you? 

Being alone. Especially in the dark. 

What’s your favorite dessert? 

Peach cobbler. Hands down. But I have brownies in the kitchen.. *brownie break*

What makes you laugh? 

Pop culture references. I like the jokes people don't get. Which is probably why people don't laugh at my jokes.

What boosts your confidence? 

That long look and sorta smirk that Dakota gives me when I have actually put effort into my appearance.

How do you like to spend a Friday night?

With a drink and my best friend and my Dakota. That's all I really need.

Sunrises or sunsets?

I am a sucker for sunrises. Especially because I am always awake for them. They require more effort than sunsets, so I think that's why too.

Do you have any pets? 

2 cats. Scooter and Loki. 

Describe a happy moment. 

A lazy Saturday morning where I can curl up on Dakota's shoulder and fall back asleep. Best feeling in the world.

What’s your favorite happy hour food?

 Mozzarella sticks. :)

What makes you stand out?

That I am very laid back but am also very scatterbrained most of the time. And my sense of humor. 

My new questions for award winners:

What song can you play over and over again?

What is your favorite hobby?

How do you dance when nobody is looking?

Coke or Pepsi?

What is your favorite blog to read?

What is your favorite fast food?

What is your dream job?

What is your favorite color?

What is your favorite holiday?

What makes you happy?

What kind of music makes you dance?

I nominate these bloggers for the Liebster Award:

Melissa

Blog   //  Twitter

Jess

Blog   //   Twitter

Delilah

Blog  //   Twitter

Chelsey

Blog   //   Twitter

Kristen

Blog   //   Twitter

Lesley

Blog   //   Twitter

Sarah

Blog  //  Twitter

Mandey

Blog   //  Twitter

Rachel
Blog  //  Twitter

Rachel

Blog  //  Twitter

Greta

Blog   //   Twitter 

Julie

Blog   //   Twitter

100 Posts!

Well, my lovely friends. I made it to 100 posts. I never thought I would get this far. I feel very blessed to be part of this community. I have made great friends. I can express myself. I can share parts of myself I don't in real life. I thought I would do something extra specialy special for this occasion,  but I think I am going to keep it simple with this: Thanks for giving me the freedom to express myself. I hope you learn something in the process.

Here's to another 100 posts, friends.
Here are some goals I have moving forward:
More consistent posting schedule Freebie Fridays Design Tips Saturdays (more consistently) Better photos (with my real camera) Feature other bloggers on social media (and here!) Set up button swapping Get better about scheduling posts rather than writing on the fly
I'm sure I will think of more later.
Do you have blogging goals you are trying to accomplish?
Cheers!