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I was nominated by Vi of Say Yes to Happy to answer a few blogging questions for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. I had never heard of this award before, but I thought the questions were interesting and might take me down memory lane with some of my old blog posts.
Why did you start blogging?
I actually started my first blog back in 2009 as a way to keep up with my friends that I left behind in Atlanta and all the ones that I moved away from after college. I tried so hard to get all of my friends to start a blog so I could feel connected (none of them kept one up!). I had just moved to Orlando to be with Matt and I had no girlfriends in my new city and I missed my friends like crazy!! The blog started off being called Try to Keep Up and then went to The Malone Monologue. I’ve kept it live and think its pretty funny to go back and look through sometimes.
I actually started my first blog back in 2009 as a way to keep up with my friends that I left behind in Atlanta and all the ones that I moved away from after college. I tried so hard to get all of my friends to start a blog so I could feel connected (none of them kept one up!). I had just moved to Orlando to be with Matt and I had no girlfriends in my new city and I missed my friends like crazy!! The blog started off being called Try to Keep Up and then went to The Malone Monologue. I’ve kept it live and think its pretty funny to go back and look through sometimes.
Has blogging created friendships for you?
Yes, no doubt. I’ve really loved some of the friendships that I’ve found through the blog. I think as a Mom, it’s been really nice to talk, laugh and commiserate with other Mom’s out there on the day-to-day life with little ones. It’s also been great getting to know the ladies out there that aren’t Mom’s. Even though I talk a lot about being a Mom on here, I also love this space as a creative outlet for other things I love like home decor, cooking, and fashion.
What is your number one tip for blogging?
This is probably super cliche, but it’s always the first thing I think of when I’m asked about blog tips. Do it because you enjoy it.
There are so many blogs out there these days and people are making money and fame and whatever else from blogs these days, but you really should only start a blog because it’s something you are passionate about and you enjoy. And if fame and money come along with it, then good for you. I don’t blog for fame or money. I love it because it’s my outlet to relate and learn from other bloggers, gives me a sense of accomplishment, and also allowed me to make some really cool friendships that I never expected.
There are so many blogs out there these days and people are making money and fame and whatever else from blogs these days, but you really should only start a blog because it’s something you are passionate about and you enjoy. And if fame and money come along with it, then good for you. I don’t blog for fame or money. I love it because it’s my outlet to relate and learn from other bloggers, gives me a sense of accomplishment, and also allowed me to make some really cool friendships that I never expected.
What is your favorite kind of blog post to write and read?
This one is tough. My blog posts tend to reflect what’s currently going on in my life. For instance, the last 6+ months has been a lot about pregnancy and babies again because I’m pregnant. When I’m not pregnant, I tend to write more about recipes, parties, or fashion and I’m excited to get back to more of that. I love writing a post that I think might help others or inspire others to do something great. Those are always fun 🙂
This one is tough. My blog posts tend to reflect what’s currently going on in my life. For instance, the last 6+ months has been a lot about pregnancy and babies again because I’m pregnant. When I’m not pregnant, I tend to write more about recipes, parties, or fashion and I’m excited to get back to more of that. I love writing a post that I think might help others or inspire others to do something great. Those are always fun 🙂
Is it hard to keep up with blogging and your regular every day life?
Yes, There is no doubt that blogging takes up a lot of free time. Posts tend to take a good hour + of undivided attention and undivided attention is becoming harder and harder to come by. The problem is that it’s not just about putting up a blog post every day. I don’t want to give up reading other blogs because that’s what I really love. So there’s lots of different pieces of blogging that can take up a lot of time!
Yes, There is no doubt that blogging takes up a lot of free time. Posts tend to take a good hour + of undivided attention and undivided attention is becoming harder and harder to come by. The problem is that it’s not just about putting up a blog post every day. I don’t want to give up reading other blogs because that’s what I really love. So there’s lots of different pieces of blogging that can take up a lot of time!
Have you met any bloggers you met through here?
I’ve met a couple of local bloggers here in Pensacola. I’ve met Emily who actually lives outside of NYC, but is from Pensacola and Traci and Emily of Waltz Me to Heaven who write about fashion, travel and local events around town. I would love the opportunity to go to a blog conference and meet some other bloggers one day. It’s amazing how well you feel like you know some bloggers without ever even meeting them in person!
I’ve met a couple of local bloggers here in Pensacola. I’ve met Emily who actually lives outside of NYC, but is from Pensacola and Traci and Emily of Waltz Me to Heaven who write about fashion, travel and local events around town. I would love the opportunity to go to a blog conference and meet some other bloggers one day. It’s amazing how well you feel like you know some bloggers without ever even meeting them in person!
How much time do you spend blogging?
It really depends on the day and if I actually write a blog posts. I would say maybe two hours total. Lately, I’ve had to read most of my favorite blogs on my phone when I’m out and about or hanging around the house with a couple of extra minutes.
It really depends on the day and if I actually write a blog posts. I would say maybe two hours total. Lately, I’ve had to read most of my favorite blogs on my phone when I’m out and about or hanging around the house with a couple of extra minutes.
What is your most popular blog post?
Baby Registry Must Haves | Equipment and Essentials
This post is by far the most popular post I’ve ever written and beats the next post out by almost double the page views. The truth is that as I look over this post as I prepare for baby #2, all of these items still hold true in my opinion. The only item we didn’t end up using that much with Brody was the famous 4moms MamaRoo because he didn’t really love it. I will still give it a try with the new baby and hope she likes it more though.
Baby Registry Must Haves | Equipment and Essentials
This post is by far the most popular post I’ve ever written and beats the next post out by almost double the page views. The truth is that as I look over this post as I prepare for baby #2, all of these items still hold true in my opinion. The only item we didn’t end up using that much with Brody was the famous 4moms MamaRoo because he didn’t really love it. I will still give it a try with the new baby and hope she likes it more though.
What is your favorite post on your blog?
This is a really tough one. I’m not sure what I would consider to be my favorite post, honestly. I will say that I find it very interesting that my 12 Week Postpartum update from Brody ranks in the top 5 blog post ever written on this blog. It proves that their are a lot of women out there looking for information on body post-baby. It’s definitely a tough thing for a lot of woman and I hope to document more about my postpartum journey this time as well. I also love that bloggers are always so nosy to look into other’s homes. Our house tour is the most viewed page and I really love how it came out. Creative Images did an amazing job photographing our home when we moved in and I love that we will have these images forever.
This is a really tough one. I’m not sure what I would consider to be my favorite post, honestly. I will say that I find it very interesting that my 12 Week Postpartum update from Brody ranks in the top 5 blog post ever written on this blog. It proves that their are a lot of women out there looking for information on body post-baby. It’s definitely a tough thing for a lot of woman and I hope to document more about my postpartum journey this time as well. I also love that bloggers are always so nosy to look into other’s homes. Our house tour is the most viewed page and I really love how it came out. Creative Images did an amazing job photographing our home when we moved in and I love that we will have these images forever.
Here are my nominees for the Blogging Q&A, but I would really love for anyone to join in! It’s a fun post to write and reflect on your life as a blogger 🙂
+ Natalie @ East Coast Chic
+ Tess @ Tea Time with Tess
+ Ally @ Life As I Know It
+ Natalie @ Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers
+ Stephanie @ Olive and Tate
+ Megan @ Willow Way
+ Jess @ The Newly
+ Katie @ Katie Elizabeth
+ Biana @ Bloved Boston
+ Amanda @ Meet @ the Barre
Don’t forget that anyone can join in! Just say you were nominated by Home of Malone’s and copy these blog questions into a post! Then nominate some of your favorite bloggers to join in on the fun!
Why did you start blogging?
Has blogging created friendships for you?
What is your number one tip for blogging?
What is your favorite kind of blog post to write and read?
Is it hard to keep up with blogging and your regular every day life?
Have you met any bloggers you met through here?
How much time do you spend blogging?
What is your most popular blog post?
What is your favorite post on your blog?
I hope you enjoyed!!
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Blogging really can be SO much work – I had no idea when I started that I could easily spend like 8 hours a day working on random crap for it! But it's definitely been worth it, the friendships are by far the best part! Now we all just need to plan a big meet up one day 😉
Thanks for nominating me!! I love these posts and love reading your blog!!! I love all your recipes!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Your blog is beautiful! and so is your home. glad i found you!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
I completely agree about blogging because you enjoy it! It does take a lot of time but it shouldn't feel like work!
fun!! and i totally agree — blogging has been such a fun way to meet other ppl 🙂 xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I feel like I know my "blog friends" like I know my real life ones, and wherever we move, they stay consistent 🙂
I loved reading this and I know personally I've gone through and read a ton of your pregnancy posts and got so many ideas for what to register for. So I could see why those posts are your most popular! Can't wait to do this Q&A!
Ally – Life as I know it
It's always fun to read and get to know others through these kind of posts. Especially when a blogger comes in late on the scene and hasn't been following one from the beginning. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on blogging.
Loved learning more about you 🙂 My postpartum post was super popular too. who'd have thought?
I can relate on the reading and posting front, I struggle to find this free time in the day (as Sophie gets older her activities expand to more than just toys).
liz jo @ sundays with sophie
Loved learning more about you!! And I had never seen your home tour but holy cow, your house is amazing!! xo
Your tip for blogging was so perfect. I feel like so many bloggers are in for the fame or money, but there's so much more to it!
Louboutins & Lipstick
Loved learning a little more about you! I'd love to go to a blog conference… let me know if you hear of one!!
You are so sweet! Thanks for mentioning us 🙂 We need to get together soon or lunch or something.
Have a great weekend.
Traci
http://www.waltzmetoheaven.com