My So-Called Chaos

Life, love, and Everyday Insanity.

Search Results for: label/Goals

July Goals

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Monthly Goals Linky Party
Monthly Goals

How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
  1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen’s World, & Jenee Thompson
  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!
Recap of June
  • Read, finish, and review at least one book. – FAIL.  I got halfway through a couple…
  • Get back into Weight Watchers hardcore – FAIL.  Whoops…
  • Blog more over at Health NOT to Health NUT – In Progress… I did-ish…
  • Make more nail polish art and get it listed in my shop – SUCCESS!  See it HERE.
  • Buy my DSLR finally – FAIL.  This is not going to happen now due to cost.
  • Find my planner and start really using it – FAIL.  I know where it is… Didn’t use it.
  • Get my bedroom dejunked and in order – FAIL.  So. Much. Stuff.
  • See Mr. Bingo – SUCCESS.
  • Be better about saving a little money instead of blowing it on nail polish – SUCCESS. 
Wow, that’s a lot of fail up there.  I feel like June just flew by and left me wondering what the hell happened. Oh well, now it’s a new month and I’m going to be heading in a ton of new directions.
July
We♥it
July Goals
  • Read, Finish, and Write at least one book review.
  • Get back into fitness (Maybe WW, but definitely eating better and some physical activity)
  • Blog more over at HNtHN.
  • Upgrade my little camera-Can’t afford a DSLR now, but I’m still getting a new point-and-shoot!
  • Start using my planner.
  • Clean up my bedroom.
  • Make more art and list it in my shop.
  • Start scheduling more posts here so they go up on time and I’m not rushing!

What are your goals for July?
Please put the button in your post if you are linking up!

xoxo Miss Angie

June Goals

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Button for the Monthly Goals Linky Party
Monthly Goals
Yay!  It’s the first Wednesday in June-so you know what that means? GOALS!

How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.

  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!

  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!

  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!


Recap of May

Well, you win some you lost some right?  No use crying over spilled milk.

Hello June

Ah, I miss the ocean!

June’s Goals

  • Read, finish, and review at least one book.
  • Get back into Weight Watchers hardcore (so far I’m doing well this week)
  • Blog more over at Health NOT to Health NUT
  • Make more nail polish art and get it listed in my shop
  • Buy my DSLR finally-I really need to stop using my phone camera for everything
  • Find my planner and start really using it
  • Get my bedroom dejunked and in order
  • See Mr. Bingo ♥
  • Be better about saving a little money instead of blowing it on nail polish
What are your goals?
Please put the button in your post if you are linking up!

May Monthly Goals {Linky}

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Button for the Monthly Goals Linky Party
Monthly Goals
It’s that time again, and a big thanks to Megan from The Nautical Owl for keeping me on my toes!
How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
  1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen’s World, & Jenee Thompson
  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!

Recap of April’s Goals

Hello May
Goals for May
The Itty Bitty Beauty Swap

What are your goals?
Please grab the button if you are linking up!



Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2013 #UBP13

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The Ultimate Blog Party 2013 is all about meeting new bloggers and putting yourself out there.  It’s kind of like a blogger conference-but from the comfort of your own seat and without the pricey plain tickets and admissions! Yay!  Run on over to 5 Minutes for Mom to join in!

For those of you visiting from UBP13 or for those of you who are just new to the blog (I have a ton of new faces around here! So excited!) I’m Miss Angie, and this is me:

Miss Angie from My So-Called Chaos

I am a single twenty-six twenty-seven (well in 13 days anyway!) year old girl living in a two bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City with my roommate, his pet bunny Pitre, my pet snake Tess, and my fish Galileo. My roommie and I are big on hosting parties and you can often find some of our really close friends at our house for a night or an entire weekend living it up!  We also go out to eat a lot… And I share all of that here on the blog-in pictures-because well, it all deserves to be documented! Here are a few photos that show you what my life with my friends is like:

Miss Angie and JulieJosh & Julie Singing AlongShawn & JustinJosh, Julie, & MaxDrinking vodka from the bottle with the brideJon-Michael, Megan, & ThorKristina with a Mustache

I also have beautiful godkids that I get to spend a good deal of time with.  Kailee is 7, Kaden is 5, and little Kat is 7 months old.  I just love them so completely!

Honorary Niece & Nephew

Not only do I blog here at My So-Called Chaos, but I blog over at Health NOT to Health NUT as well, where I’m documenting my journey from not healthy to fit and healthy!  I’m currently doing Weight Watchers and it seems to be working-but I’m only 2 weeks in!  I also craft and create things for my shop Chaotic Creations by My So-Called Chaos, and I sell blog design on Etsy in the My So-Called Chaos One Stop Design Shop.  Also, I co-manage a blog swap blog with my bloggy bff Beth over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps.

Aside from the digital world I work full time doing technical support, and I also volunteer with a local rescue group called Cause for Paws Utah.  I help with their website, facebook page, and I volunteer in person with the animals when I can.

Cause for Paws Utah: Strut Your Mutt 2012

And every second Friday of the month I volunteer with the Utah Cyber Sluts for Gay Bingo.  Where half of the money goes to the Utah Pride Center, and the other half goes to the charity chosen for that month.  We’ve raised funds for shelters, animal rescue groups, juvenile diabetes, cancer foundations, and all sorts of things!  All while having a really great time!

The Utah Cyber SlutsUtah Cyber Slut SandwichAnna Nichole Sniff & Lynn

I like to keep myself busy, and this blog documents all of the things I do with my life.  Some of the more popular things I touch on here include Love & Dating, Book Reviews, and I just started a new series called So You’re a New Blogger? with hopes of helping people with blogging tips!  I also host a two weekly link-ups, Musical Mondays and The Weekly Round Up which is on Sundays and focuses on sharing blog posts from other bloggers.  On the first Wednesday of every month I host the Monthly Goals Linky party where we share our goals for the month and support each other.

Your Turn!
Whether you’re stopping by from the UBP13 hop, you’re just one of my new readers, or you somehow found your way here today-I want to know about you!  Leave me a comment telling me who you are, how you found me, and a link to your blog! 🙂 I want to get to know you! 

xoxo Miss Angie

April Monthly Goals

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Button for the Monthly Goals Linky Party
How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
  1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen’s World, & Jenee Thompson
  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!

March Goals Recap
  • Finish rearranging/cleaning and setting up art/craft space. FAIL. It seriously needs to be organized.
  • Start crafting again. – SUCCESS! Did you see the pretties I added to my shop?
  • Exercise at least 3 times a week. FAIL.  
  • Finish 2 books. FAIL. I didn’t read any. 🙁 
  • Continue my New Blogger Series.  SUCCESS! I did  Finding Your Niche, Social Media, and Start a Conversation.  Did you like them?  Is there anything you’d like to see in the future?

Goals for April
Speaking of which-signups for the Mug O-Comfort Swap are now open!

How did you do on your goals?

Please, if you are linking up include the button or a link back!

March Monthly Goals

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Button for the Monthly Goals Linky Party
How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
  1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen’s World, & Jenee Thompson
  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!
February Goals Recap
  • Rearrange my bedroom and set up my new art/craft table/area. In Progress
  • Lose at least 10lbs. FAIL. Completely and utterly. I may have gained it.
  • Do a Juice cleanse. FAIL.  I started to, then didn’t.
  • Start crafting/creating again. FAIL. Once I get my art space set up…
  • Finish at least 2 books. SUCCESS! Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book. 
  • Post some awesome DIY/Tutorial posts on the blog. SUCCESS!
Well that was a whole lot of failure.
I seriously sucked at getting things done this month. Big time.
March Goals
  • Finish rearranging/cleaning and setting up art/craft space.
  • Start crafting again.
  • Exercise at least 3 times a week.
  • Finish 2 books.
  • Continue my New Blogger Series.
I am totally doing these this month. Geeze. I can’t be so failure-y this month.
How did you do?

Better Your Blog | Blogger Lingo

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Blogger Lingo: Understanding Blogging Terms and What they Mean

I have decided to start a new series called So You’re a New Blogger? The New Blogger Series Better Your Blog (renamed in 2015) in order to help new bloggers learn the ropes and get caught up with some of us more experienced bloggers.  Not a new blogger and found this useful? Great! I also hope it can help experienced bloggers increase their knowledge as well. Today’s lesson is all about that blogger lingo-you know, the terms experienced bloggers throw around, and you may not know what it means yet.  Don’t worry, I’ve got you boo-here it is.

Important Blogger Lingo

SEO: Stands for Search Engine Optimization and is very important if you want your site to be ranked highly, attract more readers, and work cohesitvely with search engines like Google.  In today’s world you can’t afford to not pay attention to SEO.

Analytics: The tracking of things like page views, visitors, keywords, and SEO stuff.  Very useful if you want to know more about your audience and how many views your site is getting on average.  I use Google Analytics.

Blogging Platforms

Blogger: Blogger is the blogging platform owned and hosted by Google.  It’s so easy to use, quick to set up, and a great place for beginners-however, it’s important to realize when using Blogger that you don’t own any of the data you post to it.  Technically, google takes ownership of it.

WordPress.com: The free WordPress blogging platform.  It’s very much like Blogger, only more limited and also you are not allowed to take sponsorships or receive money for your blog or blog posts.  I’d stay away from this one if you ever plan to monetize your blog.

WordPress.org: Where you put your self-hosted wordpress.

Hosted WordPress: This is where you use WordPress as your blogging platform, but you own your own hosting.  Usually, it is managed WordPress hosting through your web provider.  I use GoDaddy, but have heard good things about Host Gator also.

eCommerce: When you set up your website to sell products online.

Readership and Followers

GFC: Stands for Google Friend Connect and is a slightly-outdated way of measuring followers and following blogs.  While it still runs and works for most google blogs, it has been mostly dropped by google in favor of Google+.

Note: There are all sorts of other kinds of ways to follow including: by email, BlogLovin’, HelloCotton, Linky Followers, RSS (definition below), etc.
RSS: RSS stands for Really Symple Syndication. You can subscribe to a blog via an RSS feed and then use it in a reader.  I use Google Reader Feedly (Google Reader died a few years back) with mine, but there are a lot of them out there. For example, Bloglovin’ actually counts as an RSS reader.
Follow By Email: You can set up a widget on your sidebar that allows them to follow you by email. As long as they put in their email and verify they want to follow that way your posts will be emailed to them each time you post.

Advertising Terms

Monetizing Your Blog: This is the act of making profit off of your blog.

Sponsoring: A form of advertising.  When you sponsor a blogger you will usually pay a set amount (most bloggers who accept sponsoring have a sponsor/advertise page that lists these prices) and you get to have your button/ad on their blog for a set amount of time.  A lot of bloggers offer other perks with the advertising, such as them writing about you on their blog or in social media, the option for you to participate in a giveaway, etc.
Note: Check out my Advertise page for an example of how I have it set up and what I offer.  
Ad Spot: An Ad spot is the space you purchase for your ad/button to be. Predetermined size by the blogger you’re sponsoring.  Usually the ad spots are shown on the sidebar of the blog.
In Post Feature: This type of ad spot is a feature ad that is included in every post.  Usually bloggers put it at the bottom of their posts.
Passionfruit Ads: A very popular and easy way to manage your sponsorship for a small fee.
Affiliates: If a blogger partners with a brand or company they become an affiliate.  This usually means they blog or mention that product they earn money for referring customers (at no extra cost to the customer) and often have exclusive discounts.

Button/Ad Swapping: This is where other bloggers put your blog’s button on their blog in return for you putting their button on yours in an effort to promote each other.

Google AdSense: This is an advertisement run through Google, where you are paid based on the number of unique click throughs.

Types of Posts

Feature Posts: These are posts that are specifically geared towards showing off another blogger, shop, or product.  These usually come with certain sponsorship options, or just when someone wants to share you with their readers.
Sponsored Posts: A post the blogger is paid to write.
Reviews: When a company or shop sends you product to test in return for you to write a post about your experience using that product.
Guest Post: A post someone else writes for your site, or that you write for their site.

Round-Up Posts: A post that usually includes multiple links to things.  Either a round up of their favorite posts during the week, of giveaways they have, etc.

Design Terminology

Blog Buttons: Unique buttons/images to identify your blog.  Usually you can post one with the code on your blog, so other bloggers can grab your button and put it on their blogs in order to promote  You can also use these for ads too.
 

Blog Headers: These are basically the image/words that people first see when visiting your blog.  Most often along the top of the page, but recently I moved mine over to the right for a different look.  These should show a little of what your blog is like, list the title of your blog, and can include words or other images that relate.

Social Media Icons: are the little images that link to your social media sites from your blog.
Sidebar: The sidebar is the area on the side of your blog where you can put links, images, ads, etc.
Blog Intro Graphic: A graphic that usually includes a photo of the blogger, a welcome message, and a brief paragraph about the blogger so you can see who the writer is.
Tabs/Pages: These are the links along the top of the page (or on the side in some cases) that directs you to other places on the blog such as About, Contact, etc.

HTML: Stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and is a popular (all though older) internet coding and tagging language.  For more information, check out my post Basic HTML for Bloggers, and learn what codes can help you in your everyday blogging.

CSS: Stands for Cascading Style Sheet, and is a popular design and internet coding language.  A lot of the better blog design is done in CSS now.

Networking and Social Media

Social Media Sites: These are websites where you share with others. Your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. are all good examples of a Social Media site.
Social Media Shout-Outs: A lot of bloggers with sponsoring options will offer Social Media Shout-Outs. This means that they will mention you on their social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Linky Parties: These are often theme-based (but not always) blogging events where a blogger (or multiple bloggers) hosts a link-up with it.  They post the theme (or idea/content/etc.) and along with that host a linky where you can in turn write a post that fits that theme and then add your blog link to the party on their blog.  There is then a list of other blog posts that fit the Linky Party theme, and you can go visit the other posts and hopefully the other bloggers will come visit yours as well.
Note: These are GREAT for making new blog friends and gaining readership, especially if you fully participate and leave meaningful comments on the other bloggers posts-they’ll usually come back and check yours out as well! I host three of these!

 

Blog Directory: A place where you can list your blog to get more eyes on it, as well as search for other blogs to read.

Blogging Events

Swaps: Blog swaps are fun and exciting ways to get to know other bloggers through snail mail.  Often these are also theme-based and hosted by bloggers.  You get matched up with a partner, get to know your partner, and send them a package (associated with whatever theme) and they send one too!
Note: I also co-run a swap blog, so you can see more examples and maybe participate in one by visiting Chaotic Goddess Swaps!
Giveaways: Pretty self-explanitory-you can enter to win things in these!
Group Giveaways: A giveaway where there are multiple contributors to the prize.  Usually a group of bloggers who have each donated something.
Blogging Conventions: These are gatherings that are physically held somewhere where bloggers can come together and meet in person.  Sometimes travel is necessary to attend, and most of the time you have to buy tickets.
Note: Popular blogging conventions include Alt Summit, Bloggy Bootcamp, BlogHer, and more.

Have a term you didn’t see here that you want defined?

Leave me a comment and I will not only add it, but answer your question as well!

*Special shout out to Kelsey at Stories of Kel for suggesting the Blogger Lingo topic!*

The Better Your Blog Series: Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Help You Blog BetterThe Better Your Blog Series is a series of posts written by myself, Angie of My So-Called Chaos, from my own personal experience as a long-time blogger, small-business owner, and as someone who’s worked with technology and customer service for many many years. They are written with the intent of sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired through years of practice and education (both self-taught and school-taught) with others in the blogging community.

In this collection of posts you’ll not only find tips for maintaining your blog, but also for anything that goes along with being a blogger and/or small business owner-like design tips and tutorials, social media, tools, and more.

The posts in this series are constantly being updated to make sure they stay current, and the series is constantly being added to. Please contact me if there’s something you’d like to learn.

February Monthly Goals

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Button for the Monthly Goals Linky Party

How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.
  1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen’s World, & Jenee Thompson
  2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
  3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
  4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!
January Goals Recap

  • Lose at least 10lbs – In Progress – I lost 8! Still a significant amount!
  • Read at least 1 book – SUCCESS! I finished Brother Odd, and am 2/3 through Neverwhere.
  • Get back into my eating/exercising routine – Mostly SUCCESS! 
  • Stop being scared and go out on at least one new date – SUCCESS! 
  • Welcome co-hosts Karen & Jennee for Monthly Goals – SUCCESS!
  • Come up with some new great posts and tutorials – SUCCESS you’ll wee them soon! 
  • Rearrange my bedroom and set up my new art/craft table/area. – FAIL. 
February Hearts Month Bokeh Goals
February Goals
  • Rearrange my bedroom and set up my new art/craft table/area.
  • Lose at least 10lbs.
  • Do a Juice cleanse.
  • Start crafting/creating again.
  • Finish at least 2 books.
  • Post some awesome DIY/Tutorial posts on the blog.
What are your goals for January?
Don’t forget to grab the button and link up!

Monthly Goals: New & Improved

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Monthly Goals Linky Party at My So-Called Chaos
Ch-ch-changes!
Not only does the Monthly Goals linky have a pretty new button, but it also has two new hosts!  I am proud to announce that I have teamed up with Karen from A Peek at Karen’s World, and Jenee from Jenee Thompson to host the Monthly Goals linky party!  I’m so excited we’ll be getting more participation and eyes on the project-which means more support than ever! 
How it works:
The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.

1. Follow all three hosts: 
2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month.
The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!
***
December Goals
  • Lose 10lbs by Christmas – FAIL.
  • Drink More Water – In Progress – I drank more, but not enough.
  • Figure out a better Breakfast/Lunch Routine – SUCCESS
  • HulaHoop or exercise 3 times a week – In Progress – I did this mostly!
  • See Mr. Bingo – SUCCESS
  • Read at least 1 book – FAIL – I only read half of one…
  • Figure out/Finish xmas gifts – SUCCESS
  • Have a successful Group Giveaway – SUCCESS
  • Save at least $100 – SUCCESS
  • Figure out changes for the new year – SUCCESS
Hello January
January Goals
  • Lose at least 10lbs
  • Read at least 1 book
  • Get back into my eating/exercising routine
  • Stop being scared and go out on at least one new date
  • Welcome co-hosts Karen & Jennee for Monthly Goals – DONE!
  • Come up with some new great posts and tutorials
  • Rearrange my bedroom and set up my new art/craft table/area.
What are your goals for January?
Don’t forget to grab the button and link up!

Recap 2012: The First Quarter

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January 2012

February 2012


March 2012

  • I went to the Tattoo Expo with my friends, where Julie got her first tattoo and Kristi’s kids entered a coloring contest.
  • Jon adopted Thor.
  • We threw Doug a small but drunken birthday party.
  • I avoided my ex who happened to be in Wal Mart at the same time as me.  The one time I actually went to Wal Mart.
  • I applied for a Technical Writing position at work and did not get it.
  • I saved over $500 to my savings account.
 ***