There's a great new book I read this weekend that I think some of you will be interested in as well! It's called "Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal" by Tara Frey, and it appeared at the perfect moment for me. I've been wanting to "freshen" the look and content of my blog, and thanks to this book, I now have a number of resources at my fingertips that will help me do precisely that.
I've read a few blogging magazines and articles that weren't really that helpful, but this book is full of practical information I *know* I am capable of following. There are tips on inserting some simple HTML codes, and the book also lists helpful websites where bloggers can find free resources such as photo frames and fonts. It was all I could do not to stop every page or two and try something out, but I was determined to read the book, think about my likes/dislikes for a few days, and then try out a few of these new techniques.
The author (whom, oddly, I don't think I'd ever heard of) is apparently quite a successful blogger herself, and she appears eager to help the rest of us become more successful as well. She features 50+ popular blogs for inspiration, and I love that most of the bloggers interviewed share their own favorite blogs. While this book focuses on the creative/artsy/crafty types of blogs, I find that much if not most of this information is applicable to us tea bloggers as well. And for anyone wanting to start a blog of your own, this is a great how-to guide, and one I wish I'd had at the beginning. I was feeling I'd gotten a little stale with both my look and my posts, so hopefully I'll soon be on the path to blogger bliss myself!
That book is a MUST! Thanks for sharing... will search for it now. I just purchased Julia Child's cookbook so we have to keep it a secret... too much shopping makes Ninja Man testy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Angela, but your site is never dull or boring and you always have such great pictures, so I can't wait to see what's coming.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this review. I had seen other bloggers review this book, but you have me convinced that it is worth buying. I'm off to make a purchase.
ReplyDeleteAngela, this sounds like a beautiful and practical book. I have seen the Artful Blogging mag and enjoyed leafing through it, but it is too pricey to purchase regularly.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to exploring Tara Frey's blog and I hope to get her new book also.
I love Tea With Friends as is, but I'm sure that whatever you do to "freshen" it will be wonderful.
Thanks for sharing, Angela. My blog has become a bit stale, too. And, it has become more difficult for me to keep it interesting on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteOooooh!!!! Thank you! I did not know of this book. Very exciting.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd go see what you are up to this morning - very interesting! I always love what you do!
ReplyDeleteWe have some flowers for you, please pop in and pick them up! Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://aprodigaltourist.blogspot.com/2009/08/our-bloggers-cup-runneth-over.html
Cheers!
Angela, I don't think your blog is stale. But I can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeletePerfect timing. I need a place to go to get questions answered when I can't figure out something. The Artful Blogger magazine really didn't help that way; so I stopped buying it.
ReplyDeleteDear Angela: I love your blog site and it is always refreshing and informative...keep up the great work and thank you for sharing, Joanie
ReplyDeleteNice book. Come by for a visit.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teatimeconsultants.blogspot.com