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Rambles + New Series = Sunday Morning Scripture

March 1, 2015 by Susan 4 Comments

Hello March! Hello Day 60! Hello New Ideas!

Secretly, about two weeks ago, I decided I was going to quit blogging. That same day I decided I was going to close my business and fire a few of my marketing clients. I believe I was on the edge of some sort of “i-need-a-break-or-i’m-gonna-snap” breakdown. Within 24 hours of my drastic quit-all-things phase also decided I needed new hobbies, so I started quilting. Which led me to realize that I need local friends. Then I realized this must be the dreaded “February Funk.” So alas, I must press on! Don’t fret, I will continue with the blog I love, the clients I adore and I now have a new quilting project. I’m still looking for local friends though…

In the midst of “that day” though, when I proclaimed that I was quitting everything to my mom and my husband, I got some interesting feedback from them:

My Mom: “What are you going to do with all your free time if you quit blogging?!”

My Husband: “No, you cannot be a stay-at-home wife with no kids, no job or no blog. You will get bored. [Brief Pause] Well, sure. You can give it a shot. But then I get to be a stay-at-home-husband and you can be the bread winner.” (Um…. no. Oh, and cue my anxiety.)

My Mom: “What about all your blog friends? What about all of them!?”

My Husband: “Why don’t you just change your blog up a bit… do what you like. Don’t let it stress you.”

So yeah, after my anxiety level dropped and I watch 48 hours of Netflix, I began pondering their wise words… I realized how upset both of them seemed at the idea of me quitting 2 cats & chloe, since I’ve basically been blogging longer than Doogie Hower, MD. As long as Michael has known me, I’ve been a writer and a blogger. It really would be weird to just STOP. So I sat down and tried to figure out how to mix things up while continuing to share my love of clean eating, adventures and celebrations. I realized that the bottom line purpose for my little piece of cyberspace is to have fun, while making life around me pretty. Whether it’s clean foods, beautiful vacations, my house, parties or simply DIY projects… I want to share how beautiful life can truly be.

I put my thinking cap on and did some brainstorming. I busted out the sticky notes and went crazy with my calendar. I think I have a great line up of posts for March, that I hope you will all love and enjoy. I also have a new series that I am going to give a go this month. I’m calling it Sunday Morning Scripture, because life truly isn’t beautiful without God.

This is the longest “SMS” you will see. Most of them will be short and sweet, with an image and a beautiful line of scripture. So without further adieu here… Have a BEAUTIFUL Sunday y’all.

CELEBRATE SOUTHERN PODCAST: Spring Break for Bloggers!

February 23, 2015 by Susan 19 Comments

While most folks are packing up their bikinis and sunblock for spring break… I’m packing my bags for cold weather, fondue and the Swiss Alps. Yeah… I’m kinda a big deal. HA! Jayyy Kayyy.

The “JK” was totes in reference to the “I’m kinda a big deal” line… I really am packing and heading to Switzerland once I wrap up my Whole60! While I would love to say it’s a reward for my stellar healthy ways, it’s actually just really great timing. Either way - I’m ready for vacation!

Since both J and I are heading out of the country, we decided to talk about two things we seriously love: Blogging + Vacay. It’s tough feeling completely caught up on blog work without a vacation, never mind after 7 days away from the laptop! In this episode of The Celebrate Southern Podcast we discuss how we handle our blogs when we are trying to unplug!

You can read the notes and details from this podcast episode here!

So rather than doing a post on all the lame cold-weather clothes I’m taking with me on my winter/spring break, I thought y’all might enjoy a sneak peek into my carry-on bag a wee bit more…

1 // I can’t sleep without a blanket, ergo I always bring one with me on airplanes.

2 // It’s an 8 hour flight. My feet get cold. I hate socks.

3 // Almond Butter is a must. More than likely I won’t be able to eat the in-flight food. This will be my (not-well-rounded) dinner.

4 // A book of some sort! Pleaseeee give me suggestions!

5 + 6 // My contigo and tea bags. I honestly won’t leave home without them.

7 // Headphones so I can tune everything and everyone out. And aren’t these gold ones dreamy and beautiful? Has anyone tried these “beats” before?

Do you have any Spring Break plans? How do you handle your blog when you go on vacation? Can you recommend any good books that I should take along? Don’t forget to linkup below!

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CELEBRATE SOUTHERN: Podcast + Valentine Wreath

February 10, 2015 by Susan 27 Comments

Happy Celebrate Southern Day! Yup, it’s officially a day on my calendar, so let’s celebrate! First things first, there is a new episode of the Celebrate Southern Podcast LIVE! This week, J and I are discussing MEDIA KITS for bloggers! She is a pro on this topic so I can’t wait for you to listen in! I learned SO MUCH! You can listen along on the righthand side of my blog or right here:

If you want to see the notes for this podcast (or catch up on past podcasts) please click here.

Now how about a fun DIY project, right in time for February 14?

Just in case you haven’t noticed… I absolutely adore wreaths. They add a great touch of southern flair to any naked corner of your home, indoors or out. Yes, I said naked. Giggle giggle. With all of the recent cleaning and packing happening around the house - I went back and forth on whether or not I wanted to “decorate” for Valentine’s Day. I decided to just stick with the mantle and then make a cute wreath.

In case you need to check out my wreath resume before proceeding any further into this post, you can see one here, here, and my favorite spring one here!

The best part of this Valentine’s wreath project is that it is really simple and takes very little time. Please don’t feel that just because this lovely, loving Hallmark Holiday is less than a week away that you don’t have time for one last festive project. This project will take you five minutes and really doesn’t even need a tutorial. You just grab your glue gun, your wreath-y supplies, then go crazy!

Supplies:

Grapevine Wreath. The wreath I used was buried in my messy craft closet. I bought about 5 of them last year when they were on sale for $3 each.
Valentine Ornaments (or Clearance Christmas Ornaments in Valentine-y colors!) I found mine at Walmart for $1.24 a piece… not so shabby right?
Hot Glue Gun
Ribbon (preferably wired ribbon)

Directions:

Pick your pattern and plan where you want to lay your ornaments. Again, super easy. I’m pretty sure even Chloe could’ve made this wreath if I let her use the glue gun. Once you have your color and pattern plan - start gluing! Keep in mind that you need to leave space for the ribbon. (I used leftover ribbon from a Christmas project… I feel like the addition of the ribbon really helps make it pop. Oh, and it’s sparkly so duh.) I have yet to master the “real wreath bow” making. You know, those super gorgeous, loopy ones? So I stick to the simple bow tie. If anyone has tips on how to make beautiful wreath bows - please help a sister out.

Ta daaaa! Here is my finished, 5 minute Valentine Grapevine Wreath. It cost me a mere $5 and can easily be recreated. So get on that… it’s not to late for one last valentine decoration this year!

2 cats & chloe: valentine burlap banner // DIY Wreath // Grapevine wreath

And because a have a few more cute valentine-y decorations up… heres a little sneak peek of a couple more projects you can easily recreate as well! I love my burlap heart banner and “Love Letters” that are simply covered in scrapbook paper!

What Valentine’s projects did you do this year? Do you have any plans with your significant other this weekend?

As always, thanks for joining stopping by and joining the linkup fun! Let us know what you think about the podcast! Like I said, I found this information extremely helpful and I think you will as well. Now you know the drill - get to it and have a wonderful week!

*I’m linking up here today!

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SWS - Calendars

January 31, 2015 by Susan Leave a Comment

Is it okay if I use today as a shameless plug for a past post and a really fun podcast? What’s that? It’s my blog and I can do what I want? Oh right…

This week I asked all of the 2 cats sponsors about their calendars! Being a self proclaimed office-and-school-supply-junkie, I think you can learn a lot about someone based on their calendars. What do they use their calendars for? Do they have multiple calendar? Do they NOT have a calendar? Is it digital or paper?

Meet My Sponsors: Sarah from Say Hello, Dagmara from Glamista Home, J from A Hot Southern Mess, and Jenn for What You Make It.

I talked all about my calendars on monday during the Celebrate Southern Podcast! If you missed it, I highly recommend you go back and listen to that super fun and pretty informative podcast. J and I teamed up to talk all about our blogging editorial calendars: what we love, what works for us, and how to stick with them.

Personally, I use multiple paper calendars and then gCal to pull everything together. I use my Erin Condren planner for all of my weekly to-do lists. Then I use my golden Target calendar for my blog planning and notes. Like I said, gCal is the cherry on top that I use to pull everything together in one place.

What kind of calendar do you use? Or maybe you are one of those folks who like to live on the wild and crazy side and don’t use a calendar? Let us know in the comment section below! Happy Say What Saturday, Y’all!

If you want to be part of the 2 cats & chloe Say What Saturday Series – it’s easy! This is just one of the many perks as a sponsor of this blog. All the money the comes from your sponsorships goes right out to sponsor bigger blogs, bringing more people back here to see you, your ad, your blog post (if it comes with your sponsorship) and your personality on Saturdays! So you see, it’s a win-win for all of us!

CELEBRATE SOUTHERN PODCAST: Editorial Calendars for Bloggers

January 26, 2015 by Susan 20 Comments

Before I begin, I just need to tell you that I am so stinkin’ excited about this post! I was that kid who was so excited to go back to school for one simple reason: school supplies! I can’t even begin to describe my love for new calendars, sticky notes and mechanical pencils. If it were cool for adults to still carry around Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers - I’d be all up in that nonsense. I keep telling myself though, that Erin Condren and her amazing planners are the Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers of today. And that makes my heart happy.

2 cats & chloe: Editorial Calendars for Bloggers // Erin Condren Planner as Blogger Editorial Calendar

Celebrate Southern: Podcast on Blogging - Editorial Calendars

I’m pretty biased but today’s Celebrate Southern Podcast is terrific. J and I teamed up to chat all about our editorial calendars: How we use them, why we use them, and how to stick with them. We both agree that having blogging editorial calendars makes our blogs so much more successful and easier to manage. In the podcast I share a bit about how I use mine, and J talks to me about how I need to stick with all of the plans and posts that I schedule in my blogging editorial calendar.

As you listen along you will hear me reference what I do to stay organized and on track with my editorial calendars. I mention in the podcast that this WAS NOT originally my idea. Nina from Flowers In My Hair did a post about her editorial calendar back in the fall and I fell in love with her amazing calendar methodology. It was one of those moments in my life when, I swear to God, a lightbulb went on. Her idea to use color-coded sticky notes is beyond brilliant. And I owe her so much for the sanity and organization that this post gave me.

I am a huge fan of anything that is colorful… which was part of my attraction to Nina’s idea. And it just makes sense. I use a different color sticky note for each topic so that I never have two of the same colors next to each other. Throughout the podcast I reference what my calendars look like. My descriptions may have become a little wordy so J specifically asked for pictures of my life calendar, editorial calendar and my digital gCal version. You can see below in the pictures, how this works for me, with both my digital gCal version and my paper calendar version.

Here are the notes from the show, so you know what you are getting yourself into:

0:00 Intros // 1:41 Chit Chat (weather, head-colds and Switzerland for $52) // 5:13 Broad Topic Overview (Editorial Calendars: how we use them, how to make them, how to stick with them) // 6:31 How we use Editorial Calendars - Life Calendar vs. Editorial Calendar (they need to line up!) // 8:31 Keeping it organized with to-do lists my Erin Condren Planner <-if you buy through there, I will get a $10 credit towards a new calendar!) and ical // 10:55 Writing it down helps with idea // 11:50 How far in advance to you form your calendar? Planning ahead helps! // 13:20 Thinking about your posts, making notes, where do you get inspiration? // 15:15 Begin using a calendar asap (J started with a calendar from the beginning) // 16:45 Schedule your post-creation during your day // 17:20 Google Calendar and Paper Calendar // 18:00 Nina from Flowers in Her Hair - Her post on editorial calendar is BRILLIANT - use label sized post it notes and color code // 20:19 gCal synced with iCal - sync both with your paper calendar and colors - how to set up gCal as your editorial calendar // 23:25 gCal task bar for planning and master to-do list // 25:30 How to stick with your calendar // 27: 35 Stay consistent and structured // 30:00 Be realistic when scheduling // 34:20 Evergreene posts and Recaps // 37:02 Necessary for all niches, even those blogging for their business // 38:56 Use your calendar for Linkups and Blog Events // 40:45 What’s next? (Episode 004 = Media Kits! Bless Her Heart Y’all = collaboration with Spanx Denim and braid tutorials. 2 cats & chloe = Paleo Valentines and What Women Really Want.)

43:49 Ways to get in touch: Join the Celebrate Southern Facebook Group, Instagram, Twitter, the weekly #CelebrateSouthern link up, and email us at CelebrateSouthern@gmail.com. You can find Suz at www.2catsandchloe.com and J at BlessHerHeartYall.com .

Resources:
Nina’s post at Flowers in My Hair

How to sync gCal and iCal

So tell me, what does your editorial calendar look like? Do you color-code your topics? How far in advance do you prepare? We discuss all of these questions, and more in our podcast! Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Now join the fun and link up an awesome southern-inspired blog post! Fashion, Food, Craft, Decor, DIY, Pets, Vacation, Whatever! Let’s do this! Happy Monday y’all!

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