When I started blogging just over 3 years ago, I had no idea this whole “blogging world” existed. I had heard of “normal”, ordinary people having blogs, even read a few, and thought it looked like fun. However, I didn’t know blogging conferences, network, advertising, affiliates, linkups, etc. even existed!

In fact, when my first “Google Follower” showed up and commented on my blog, I completely freaked out. Seriously, it scared me a little! I emailed them to see how they found my blog (and if they were a serial killer). I was shocked that they would even want to read my blog!

True story.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not a blogging expert now. I try to write when I can, and I enjoy it SO much. However, it can get way more hectic than I had originally imagined! Once I started doing blog design, giveaways, working with organizations, and advertising, I suddenly realized that I need to get my blog organized.

I found The Blogging Planner through Facebook and was so excited to review it. I am looking forward to using it this summer with high hopes that taking the business/planning side out of blogging will free my brain and creative juices to focus on writing, which is my love.

The Blogging Planner comes in two sizes — the “Executive Desk Size Blog Planner” (8.5 x 11) or the “Travel Size Blog Planner” (5.5 x 8.5). I am excited to review the Executive Size planner!

The Blogging Planner features undated months so it is perfect to start using any time! There is no need to wait until a new year rolls around to get your blog organized!

As you can see from the photos below, there is ample space for notes so you can jot down reminders or post ideas any time.

The Monthly Focus page is a GENIUS idea! I love the area to take care of expenses like web hosting, advertising, etc. and also income. With tax time here this year, I wish I had used this last year!

The weekly view is my “go to” area. This is absolutely my favorite feature of the planner! The “To Do” list, post inspiration, giveaway tracker, weekly schedule — LOVE! Thank you, Blogging Planner, for making blogging so much easier and fun!

I am looking forward to trying The Blogging Planner!

Are you a blogger? What challenges do you face? Do you use a time-management or planning system with your blog?

*Disclosure: I received a Blogging Planner for review but was in no way compensated to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own. Posts contains affiliate link

Quick question for YOU! Have you ever wondered how to start a blog or have any blogging questions (technical, design, growing your audience, writing, anything?) I’m working on a future post and would LOVE your input! If you have any questions, PLEASE leave them in the comments here or email me (Melanie at OnlyABreath.com). Thank you!

I have a small problem… I LOVE to design blogs, but I could tweak my own blog forever! There are always changes I see in my mind (fonts, colors, backgrounds, etc) that I would love to try! I just need more blogs to decorate!  It’s like a decorating diva like the Nester changing out her decor to include her latest finds and accent colors!

For me, this blog is like home. It’s where I give my voice permission to speak honestly and openly. To do that, this space needs to feel like me.

Does your blog feel like home?

If you are a blogger, how do you feel when you visit your blog? Does the design reflect your unique personality? Do first-time readers get a quick glimpse at who you are when they visit your blog?

Who am I? Southern belle, feminine, country, calm… and that’s what I want my blog to reflect (think it does?).

Are you quiet and soft-spoken? If so, you may want to consider soft, calming colors in a simple design.

Are you a lover of all things stylish and modern? Try a chevron print or a graphic design!

Are you a photographer? Keep things simple (white or black background) to keep the focus on your photos.

Are you funny and fun-loving? Try mixing bold colors and prints with playful fonts!

What does your blog design say about you? (Or, what would you LIKE your blog design to say?)

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UPDATE:  I am designing pre-made (Blogger) blog designs that are less expensive than custom blog designs, but will give you lots of options for a blog design to reflect your personality. I need your help, though! Tell me some descriptions of your personality and how you picture your ideal blog…. and I just might make it!!!!!!!!! Favorite colors? Patterns? Blog styles? If you give me an idea that I use, I will give you the premade design named after you FOR FREE.

That’s right!!! Get those ideas coming!

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p.s. I just refreshed this little space, hung some new curtains, and changed out the accent pillows… what do you think? Also, if you need a (Blogger) blog design, just let me know at my design site (ElegantCustomBlogs.com) and I would love to make your blog feel like home too!

Adding a “Contact Me” form to your blog is so easy! I recently added a contact me page to my blog, and I would love to hear from you! Simply type your message in the form, and it gets emailed directly to my inbox.

So easy!

If you are a blogger, I encourage you to take the time to make sure your readers can contact you. You will be happy you did! (And so will your wonderful readers!)

Here are the steps to add a “Contact Me” form to your blog:

1. Go to Wufoo.com and click the “Sign up for Free” button to sign up for a free account. You will need to enter your name, email address, and select a unique username. With the free account, you get three free forms and 100 entries per month (which is plenty for me).

2. Next, on the “Forms” tab at the top, click the “New Form” button.

3. To create a form from scratch, simply customize the new form. (You can also click the Form Gallery link to use a form template.) When a new form in created, it will be named “Untitled Form”. Click the title “Untitled Form” which will bring up the property window on the left where you can change the name, description, and other properties of the form.

4. Next, click “Add a Field” on the upper left-hand side and just drag-and-drop fields onto your form (name, website, email, etc). If you click on each field after it’s added to the form, the property window will be displayed on the left-hand side which allows you to specify if each field is a required field.

5. *** When you are finished adding fields, be sure to click “Save Form” at the bottom.***

6. After you save the form, you will see a confirmation dialog like the one below. Click “email notifications” to enter the email address you wish your messages to be emailed to.

7. You can also edit the “Theme” used by your font if you wish to use colors that differ from the default. This step is completely optional.

8. The last step is the most important one – add the code to your website! To get the code, go to the “Form Manager” and click the “<>Code” button under your form.

9. Next, click the “Embed Form Code” and highlight the code at the top, marked “recommended”. Copy this code and paste it into the HTML editor (be sure you are in HTML mode) of your website.

10. That’s all there is to it! Be sure to test it to make sure you get the email!

I would LOVE to hear from you so be sure to use my new contact page any time you want to!

Have any more blog questions or topics you would like to see? Let me know!

sharing with friends at:

I just LOVE meeting wonderful people through blogging and now blog design! Sheri recently won a blog makeover from a giveaway I had sponsored on another blog. She was SO sweet and just wonderful to work with! I’m now a huge fan of her blog and love her heart which she expresses at “Flip Flops in Florida“.

Here is Sheri’s “before”…….

And now… <drumroll please > ….

Here is Sheri’s “AFTER”:

Thank you, Sheri, for being such a gracious client and so much fun to work with!

Please stop by and tell Sheri hello!

If you could change one thing about your blog, what would YOU want to change?

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Sharing with friends:

Between Naps on the Porch

The DIY Showoff

Made By You Monday

Motivate Me Monday

Crafty Creations

Embellishing Life

When my babies were born, they were received by a family who showered each of them with love, hugs, and affection. The only concern I had was whether they would ever sleep all night since someone wanted to hold and love on them all day…

Had I been born in a different place, my experience would have been quite different…

Kristen (from ”We Are That Family“) and her family started the “The Mercy House” in Kenya, Africa. The Mercy House is maternity home for at risk girls who have suffered the unimaginable. Many are rape victims or have been forced into prostitution (even by their own parents). They are so desperate that many times they will even try to self-abort or commit suicide.

I think about them… at night when I tuck in my babies, into their safe warm beds.

I delivered my babies at a hospital with a team of doctors and nurses… many of these girls would be homeless without Mercy House and deliver alone…

I felt joy at seeing this new life… many of these girls feel ashamed and helpless…

The future for my boys looks bright and I long to give them the best life possible….. many of these girls feel hopeless about providing for their babies, and they also long to give them the best life possible…

I have a mother’s heart… and so do these girls.

In fact, I’m old enough to be their mother. That, in itself, makes me sad for them, and I long to put my arms around them and tell them it will be okay. They are loved, and their unborn babies are loved.

First baby (a sweet girl) born July 21, 2011 via c-section

God is working in a great way through The Mercy House. However, The Mercy House needs our help in order to provide counseling to these girls. You see, our God not only provides for our physical needs but He longs to heal our hearts.

He wants to heal the hearts of these girls… where the scars are deep but invisible…

The Mercy House has negotiated counseling to approximately $250 US dollars a month.This includes one on one counseling with every girl and weekly group sessions by a Christian counselor who specializes in unique situations like these girls have experienced. They are hoping to find 12 individuals or churches to commit to a month of sponsorship for counseling.

I know $250 is alot of money, but I also know that God will provide. I truly feel like He has laid it on my heart to sponsor one month (at least) of counseling for The Mercy House. I don’t have the money yet, but God will provide it.

*** In order to raise money for counseling, all income from blog design orders from now until the end of October (from my blog design site, Elegant Custom Blogs) will be donated to The Mercy House! ***

By the way, I’ve just LOWERED prices and added NEW packages in order to encourage more people to order now! Hurry because the prices will be lowered only for a limited time!!! See my Portfolio for samples of my work, and I will also happily provide references.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a new blog header, or button, or a complete re-design, please do it now! Your donation will go directly to The Mercy House so you will be helping the girls there, AND your blog design will look great!

… Seek Justice .. Love Mercy … Walk Humbly…

Honesty, he had me at “Mojo”... I thought anyone funny enough to name their eBook “Mojo” had to be worth a read, and I was not disappointed.

In 31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo, Bryan Allain gives practical, solid blogging advice. Bryan helps his eBook readers nail down exactly who they are blogging for and the goals of your blog. That is really something I had never thought about before, but now, I really appreciate his perspective and advice! I have to tell you that blogging is not what I first expected it to be — in fact, it’s much better! It is so fulfilling to be able to write from the heart, and have your voice heard and understood. On days I think about just completely quitting blogging, I will get a comment from a reader that says “Thank you, this really brightened my day” and I realize that is exactly why I want to blog!

The eBook is divided into the following sections:

• Intro (HILARIOUS eBook opener. After the intro, I was intrigued… and hooked.)
• Part 1 (The 3 Core Elements)
• Part 2 (The Reign of King Content)
• Part 3 (Finding Visitors, Keeping Readers)

If you are a blogger, I would highly recommend you read this eBook. It’s an easy, fun read with content that can be easily incorporated into your blog posts, design, and goals. It is also hilarious! He incorporates humor in his writing and also includes bonus “humor” in between chapters. I absolutely LOVE his sense of humor! I was snorting out loud, afraid I was going to wet my pants, because I was laughing so hard! His humor really kept me alert and interested in what he had to say.

It’s really a great deal at only $4.99, and I am going to work to incorporate as much of his blogging advice here as possible. Hey, will you let me know if you are sensing more “mojo” here?

31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo releases today and is available as a .pdf at 31daystomojo.com or for Kindle at Amazon.com! Congratulations, Bryan!

Disclaimer: I was invited to review a complimentary advance copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. I was not compensated in any way to provide a positive review.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on a possible “31 Days to…” series. I was surprised to see how many people were interested in a “Beautiful Blog” series. So, …. even though I chose a different “31 Days” topic (and I will share why in October — please be sure to visit then too!), I wanted to give some tutorials on my blog regarding blog design. Please let me know if you have any questions or specific tutorials you would like to see!

So, for the first one, I wanted to start with something very basic, but extremely critical if you are a blogger — how to back up your blog design and your blog posts.

Back Up Your Blog Design {Blogger}

First, before you make any changes to your blog, you want to always, always, always, (did I mention always?) make a backup of your current design. This is because once you start changing the HTML code behind your blog design, there is no “Undo” button.

1 – To back up your blog on Blogger, first log in to Blogger.com and select “Design” on your Dashboard.

2 – Next, click on “Edit HTML“:

3 – At the top of the page that will come up after you click “Edit HTML” will be a section named “Backup / Restore Template“.

• Backup instructions: Backing up your template will save your design to your computer. This does not change your current design in any way. It only creates the backup file on your computer. To back up your design, click “Download Full Template” (see screenshot below) and save the file to a location on your hard drive.
• Restore instructions: On the other hand, if you ever need to “restore” a template (let’s say you accidentally messed up your design), you can browse to the location where the backup is saved on your computer, and select “Upload”. Be certain that you select the correct file to upload because this will make changes to your blog design.

Back Up Your Blog Posts {Blogger}

It is also a good idea to back up your blog posts “just in case”. To back up your blog posts,

1 – Go to your Blogger dashboard and select “Settings”

2 – At the top, there will be a section called “Blog Tools“. In this section, click “Export Blog“.

3 – On the page that comes up, click “Download Blog” and save the file to your computer. Hopefully, you won’t ever need to use it but it is good to know it is there “just in case”.

Have any blog design questions or tutorials you would like to see? Please let me know, and I’ll get them posted!