Hi Peeps! I’m on route back to Wisconsin as you read this. My trip out west was a blast, but now it’s time to get back to work! I’ll be sharing trip photos next week and hopefully not too many accident stories. 😉
For this week’s guilty pleasures, enjoy the best of the blogosphere that I’ve been reading and think you should too!
On Writing:
Many of you shared this post by Roni Loren on using copyright images in your blogs, but it warrants another round! If you didn’t catch Bloggers Beware: You Can Get Sued For Using Pics on Your Blog, you don’t know what you missed.
To save you after the initial panic of the serious issue in Roni’s post, check out August McLaughlin’s post which helps you create your own graphic images, Blog Images Made Easy: Tips from a Non-Graphic Artist.
Donah, of Sweet Jelly Bean, also gives a creative outlet in her DIY Monday: 5 Easy Steps to Make Your Own Blog Header. When I get back, I just might give this a try. Who’s willing to talk me off the technology ledge when I do?
Kait Nolan shared The Dangers of Writing What You Know with some great tips so as not to go too over the top or not give enough.
Pop Culture:
Fabio Bueno introduces us to 5 Addictive TV Series with the funniest You Tube clip from Portlandia! You might wet yourself.
Ever wanted your own trading cards? Piper Bayard lets you vote on the outcome of society should you choose to purchase a Balloon Boy trading card in The End is Near (and we deserve it)…Balloon Boy Trading Cards.
Girl on the Contrary shared her play by play thoughts on the Kristen Stewart cheating scandal, and whether you admit it or not, these thought crossed your mind too. This is My Minute by Minute Reaction to the KStew Cheating Scandal
Want to feel smarter instantly? Donna Newton did the research of classic game show answers that borderline ridiculous and too real. WARNING: Read Only If You Want to Feel Intelligent
Margaret Reyes Dempsey puts women’s shopping plights to page in her recount of shorts shopping for an upcoming camping trip, Daisy Dukes Versus Cargo Shorts.
Please HELP! I need your input!
Inspired by Catie Rhodes’ post who is fine tuning some changes to her blog, I really wanted to reach out to you, MY READERS, and ask for your help.
I’ve been posting a barrage of topics lately and I’m curious to know what interests you most! Blogging really wouldn’t matter without my readers. I only post because I enjoy my discussions with each and every one of YOU! I’ll soon be celebrating my 2nd blog anniversary and I’d love to make this next year of the Happiness Project bigger and better than ever! So please take some time and tell me what you’d love to see more of on my blog! And if you select other, please share some helpful comments below! I always appreciate feedback!
Thanks for chatting! I truly appreciate all thoughts and comments everyone shares! You guys are the reason I write!
Jess Witkins' Happiness Project 
I’ve read every one of this links. And I’m going to try to make a new blog header. Thank goodness TechSuport is home. You know, for when I fail. 😉
Do you lend him out? I really want to make one but I’m paranoid I’ll set my computer to self combust instead.
Honestly, Jess. He would probably make a header for you. For fun.
HIRED!!!!
OMG, Jess! I went to the Pixlr.com site and just made a button for my blog that readers can grab to put on their own! It was so easy! thanks for all these links!
Oh goodie, so you can help me when I flub up and my blog is suddenly all upside down. Lol
Thanks for the great links, Jess. I’m going to sit down with a mocha this afternoon and check them out. Safe travels home!
Ooh mocha! I’ll be right there, I’m already in the car! 😉
Rene, I’m so looking forward to meeting you in Pittsford. Just sent you an e!
I voted for Guilty Pleasures, but really I wanted to vote for book reviews/author interviews and travel as well. 🙂 so… make that happen. LOL ❤
Deal! Thanks for the input Tiffany! I appreciate it!
I’m in the middle of thinking up a new blog header, so that link is timely. Thanks Jess. And I’m looking forward to reading about your trip–I like your travel adventures!
Thanks Coleen! I’ll be calling on you and Marcia to help me with mine then! Next week will kick off the Road Trip series!
Voted, but we could only pick one. I pick Travel and personal stories. 🙂
Thanks Jenny! Maybe I’ll need to take a trip to Cali to see you!
Hey, pick me up on the way to Patricia’s for mocha, would you? 😉
Thanks for linking to me.
And now, because I read blogs the way I eat–comments (dessert) first–I’m going to return to the beginning and read. Just honk the horn when you get here, okay?
LOL. WHY aren’t we roommates next? If you and I ever go camping, we have to be tent mates! You pack the kettle, I’ll bring the tea! I’ve got some huckleberry now!
Oooo, huckleberry sounds yummy. Hey, heads up…the Girl on the Contrary link is going to the wrong blog.
Oh thanks, Madge! I corrected it now, so be sure to check it out. I loved it!
I’m all about the personal stories…and glad to see your readers agree! Reviews are fine, guilty pleasures are interesting, but I want to know what YOU – Jess Witkins – did, felt, experienced, etc. while traveling across country. A blog is a personal thing, and I personally really dig those intimate shared experiences more than anything else. Just my two cents, but apparently I’m not alone! 😉
Thanks Mark! That’s definitely the reason I follow your blog.
That and you promised me a box of maple bacon bars…guess those got LOST in the mail huh?!
Welcome back, Jess! So glad you had a rockin’ trip. I was happy to see ‘personal stories’ in the lead. You can definitely weave other categories into them. 😉 Can’t wait to read more.
Thanks for the thoughtful mention! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend.
Thanks August! I love your blog, everyone should check it out! Hope we can meet up a writer’s conference sometime!
[…] yet vote in the “What Should Jess Blog About In the Future” Poll, please do so here! […]
Great links to share. I was aghast at Roni Loren’s post when it first came to my attention; it’s worth spreading the word. I like the tips for creating our own blog headers and graphic images. I’m not exactly tech savvy but I think they would be fun to mess around with. Your poll is a great idea. I like the sound of ghost/paranormal tales because I’m a sucker for that kind of thing. But all of the categories sound intriguing, really. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! Roni’s post is a MUST READ. And you can see, I followed the blog header creator and I even got it too work. I’ll admit, I had to make about 4 before I didn’t screw something up. But it’s worth it in the end, and it was easy to use.
Thanks for the vote on the blog content!