Blogger Pet Peeves

Normally, I really love being a blogger. I share a bit of my life with you, and in return, you do the same for me. I have made some amazing friendships due to blogging, and I have learned a lot of lessons from the trials of others as well. but today...well...I'm getting a little annoyed at some of the things that make blogging difficult.

For instance, the bane of my fucking existence as a blogger: Categories

I mean, I understand why they might be useful, but the majority of the blogs I read have no theme whatsoever. They're just the random things that happen to a person throughout the day, or the things that interest them, or the sarcastic and profanity laden rantings of a fellow College student. Take a look at the photo below...

Look at those "categories" you have to choose from to classify everything that you write about. If you're a Mom, well you can pick the "Mommy Blog" option, but what about the rest of us who don't just blog about one thing? Not only is picking a category crucial to getting new people to read your blog, but it also effects the kinds of companies that want to work with you. I was turned down from working with a video game company not too long ago, because my blog wasn't listed as an "entertainment" blog.

Because, we all know, I NEVER post about video games, or my newest electronic toys, or the current obsession I'm having with whatever TV show I'm watching. Yeah...never...

The other big pet peeve I have is blog stats. Well, that's a lie, it's not so much the stats themselves, as the minimum stats glass ceiling that many companies use. If you're looking for an example, check out this gem of  of an email I got today: "We have a policy of only doing reviews with sites that have a page rank of 2 or greater, I checked and you currently have a PR of one. So, once you get it at 2 or more, email me and we'll do the review."

 Here's the real translation: "Oh, I see that your PR rating isn't higher than a 1, so your blog content must be worthless, even though we never actually visited your site. We're not going to work with you until the new PR rating come out, sometime in the next six months."

via Shutterstock

It's not like I put a lot of time and effort into my posts, or spent hours staging, photographing, and editing images of the products I review. Hell, having a PR minimum wouldn't even be so bad if bloggers actually KNEW what affected our rating. But we generally don't! There's no set guidelines that tell us what makes our rating fluctuate! How the everloving FUCK am I supposed to work on something when I have no clue about what makes it work?!

Ugh...I just...I just really hate blogging some days...

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Loving my Jolly Vox box!

A few weeks ago, I joined Influenster on a tip from a friend..and I am LOVING IT.

Every so often, I get a little email telling me I'm about to receive a box of products to test out and review, and every time I do, within a week or so, I get a box stuffed full of awesome new products I haven't tried before!

I don't normally blog about the boxes, but this particular package was just so flipping perfect for the Holiday season! Thanks Influenster of for the Jolly Vox Box!

Inside were these products:

• Show Off Lip Lacquer (in Luna) by Rimmel London
• HD Color Trio Eye Shadow (in Long Beach Sands) by New York Color Cosmetics
• Ducklings Mini Rolls by Duck Tape
• Travel pack of Puffs Plus Lotion by Puffs
• A Box of Peanut Butter Creme filled chocolates by Skinny Cow

I loved the lip lacquer from the first second I tried it. It goes on very smooth, and keeps my lips hydrated and looking soft in the biting Kansas winds. The NYC trio is the perfect color combination for my pale skin, and happens to be a soft enough shade to look very natural as well.

I popped the Mini Duckling in my purse, and have already found myself using it! I fixed a rip in my book bag, patched a hole in my boot, hung up some flyers, and fixed my Kindle Fire HD case too! Seriously, this little roll of Duck Tape has been way more awesome than I thought it would be, and I use far more than I thought I would.

Do I even have to say how freaking perfect these were to get? I carry a packet of tissues year round...thanks allergies...and these are so soft and easy on my nose. I was using the generic ones from the Dollar Tree, and they just made my nose so sore partway through the day. Ick.

To finish off the Jolly Vox Box, there was a massive package of Skinny Cow chocolates, and they are DELICIOUS. I've torn through 3 packages already! The perfect guilt free treat on those days you don't want to leave the house...or put on shoes....or get out of bed..or comb your hair...

If you're interested in joining Influenster, and getting awesome products to try, just click on the Influenster button in my left sidebar!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

No I Don't Want Kids, Stop Treating Me Like an Idiot

Let me just start off with this: I DON'T WANT KIDS.

I never have, and it's beyond doubtful that I ever will. Some of my readers may be wondering why I feel the need to share such information, and if you want me to be honest, it's because I'm tired of hearing all the things that keep getting thrown my way when people find out my stance on children.

In fact, I thought I would collect a few of the more common things said, here for you. And why not, let's throw in some of the real batshit crazy stuff too, how about it? So, let me give you the top ten things not to say to a woman who doesn't want kids.

Photographer: Mario Testino