Monday, April 30, 2012

Lessons From A Flower // Guest Post by Julie of Blissoma

This guest post was written by our April featured sponsor, Julie Longyear of Blissoma by Irie Star.

Working with plants each day is a delightful adventure. I grow, cook, tincture, and heal with plants. Learning their individual personalities as they grow, their preferences, and how to best use them provides hours of entertainment. With all the variety at my disposal it perhaps might come as a surprise that one that is most useful and most inspirational is one I don't have to plant or tend, and that is reviled by lawn-owners throughout America – the common Dandelion.

I love the writing by Colleen Murtagh Paratore in her children's book Sunny Holiday about dandelions. She starts the book with a whole chapter ode to them. "Do dandelions need a fancy-pants garden? No, dandelions do not. They need dirt, air, and rain. And no matter how hard things ever get, those sunny little lions grow... you just can't keep a dandelion down."


As life has moved along I've found the dandelion to be one of the most virtuous flowers I know, and a great teacher. I'm an independent entrepreneur which is not an easy path, and has been as much about personal growth as business to me. I have needed strength, determination, perseverance, and good humor. There isn't a much better example of these traits than a dandelion.

They put down a long, strong root that can survive stomping, mowing, ripping, drought, and other insults. When they encounter adversity they generally grow right back. They bloom despite location – in fields and in sidewalks and wherever they can find a scrap of dirt. Their leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds all have uses, making them valuable to all those that care to see and partake. Despite the adversities they may face they create sunny yellow smiles and wishes.


Each day when I get up and continue to pursue my entrepreneurial projects I try to approach it with the spirit of a dandelion. I make the best of each and every situation handed to me and look for my scrap of dirt, sun, and rain even when things look really slim. This perseverance to me is the difference between those that survive in small business and those that do not. I'm of the school that you've never truly failed until you've given up. As long as you're still trying then you're still on your way to success. Sometimes things seem pretty stalled and lean. But if you've got your determination, your root, planted deep you can find a way to keep growing. 


Too often folks convince themselves they can't make it or can't start because something isn't "just right." They think they can't get the space they want, don't have enough money, or don't have the time. In the 12 years since I started out on my own I've seen many people give up too easily as well. Most of the entrepreneurs who I know started basically with nothing and their ideas, so we're fine proof that perseverance can be more important than financial resources.

Success is virtually assured if you approach your problems with the determination of a dandelion.   All you need is one crack in the sidewalk.   Don't pass yours up, get in there to bloom and beam.

Huge thanks again to Julie for this incredibly inspiring post and for being such a wonderful featured sponsor this month!  If you haven't yet, make sure to enter our current giveaway for a chance to win nearly $60 worth of Julie's incredible natural skincare products.  And of course, take a peek at her shop to see the Blissoma by Irie Star line for yourself.  (Today is the last day to use coupon code BUBBYANDBEAN to receive 15% OFF one item in her shop!)  You can also find Julie on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.

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Friday, April 27, 2012

my life this week (via photos!)


Happy Friday friends!  Alas, there will be no Friday is for Favorites today.  This is because (1) I am slightly delirious (random, unexplained insomnia that's visited me the last couple of nights, you're a jerk), and (2) I can already tell that there are just not going to be enough hours in this day and I'm going to be rushing around like a crazy person trying to get stuff done.  So instead of my favorite finds, I'm sharing some of the moments from my week, via good ole' Instagram pictures. 

Pics from top:  ain't that the truth // awesome robin's egg nest under our deck // loved the clouds on wednesday // paying tribute to levon helm // my sister's dog isis (aka "bean") after a mud digging session // my niece representin' // the basil didn't make it, but 3 cheers for the cactus // really great poetry book // killer sunset // making prints for marg's memorial

What are you up to this weekend?  Robbie's band has a local show in the city this evening, and then they're doing a private show at another local venue tomorrow night.  They actually had yet another local show last night that was put on by the city of Chicago, in honor of a song that the city commissioned the band to write (pretty cool, huh?).  I sat that one out though, because three shows in a row is way too much for me these days.  (And if that didn't sound like an old lady thing to say, I don't know what possibly could.) Tomorrow is also the day we chose for Margarita's memorial, so many of us will be gathering at our friend Rachel's for a celebration of Marg's amazing life.  I stayed up late last night and made some typographic pieces from her favorite quotes, and printed and framed them along with some of my favorite pictures of her.  We're going to place them throughout the room, nestled in between tons of daisies.  We're going to tell funny stories and re-live awesome memories and just talk about how much we love her.  As with any memorial service, I'm sure it's going to be sad at times, but I think that by focusing on creating a positive experience (which was always the way Marg chose to live), that it's going to be happy too.  We're all so lucky that we had such a truly special person in our lives.

I hope that whatever your weekend brings, it's wonderful!
Are you on Instagram?  If so, leave your user name in the comments so I can check out your photos!  You can see more of mine here or under the user name bubbyandbean.


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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Blissoma GIVEAWAY // Win a Natural Skincare Product Package!

Blissoma Giveaway
I have some great news you guys.  Our April Featured Sponsor, Blissoma by Irie Star, is giving away a package of two of their best selling natural skincare products: a Restore Deep Moisture Serum and a Refine Clay Renewal Mask!  These two incredible products are valued at $56.74 - and one lucky Bubby and Bean reader will win them both

Just so you know, I can personally vouch for the utter awesomeness of the Blissoma skincare line.  I actually did a review last summer, and used the line in the months leading up to my wedding.  My skin never felt or looked better.  And the Refine Clay Renewal Mask is officially my favorite skin care product of all time. Just sayin'.

Blissoma creates intelligent raw and active skincare, herbal therapies, and artisan perfumes in their St. Louis, MO herbal studio.Their award-winning SOLUTIONS facial care line is endorsed by estheticians, beauty editors, and clients for its elegant and nutritive formulas that deliver results while remaining thoroughly natural. Their products are 100% vegetarian, packed with certified organic botanicals, bioavailable vitamins, essential fatty acids, and skin-soothing seed oils.  And best of all, they work.

This giveaway is open to all Bubby and Bean followers/subscribers.  (If you're a new reader, just make sure to subscribe first using Google Friend Connect or one of these readers). Then just leave a comment with your favorite item in Blissoma's shop!


Once you've completed the mandatory entry above, you can also gain one additional entry for each of the following.  (*Please put each extra entry in a SEPARATE comment in order for it to count).
  • Like Blissoma on Facebook 
  • Follow Blissoma on Twitter (please list your username) 
  • Follow Blissoma's blog, From the Bathtub 
  • Like Bubby & Bean on Facebook 
  • Follow us on Twitter (please list your username) 
  • Tweet this:  Win a Natural Skincare Package in Bubby & Bean's latest GIVEAWAY!  >> http://bit.ly/c6j9XX via @MotM_EcoFashion & @blissomagirl 
  • Follow us on Twitter (please list your username) 
  • Follow Bubby & Bean on Bloglovin'. 

This giveaway is open until May 2nd. The winner's name will be randomly chosen and announced shortly after.  Thank you again to our featured sponsor Blissoma by Irie Star for giving Bubby and Bean's readers the chance to win these two incredible skincare products!


UPDATE >>  This giveaway is now closed. 


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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

color love >> hello NEON


Yep.  It's everywhere right now.  And while I love bold, bright colors like there's no tomorrow, I'll admit that neon is one of those trends that initially scared me a little.  When I saw all the neon on the runways last fall, it immediately conjured up images of mid-80s train wreck combos like hot pink blazers with massive shoulder pads, and florescent yellow ripped vinyl leggings with towering, Aqua Net-plastered bangs.  Also, let's face it - not many of us look good draped in full-on neon garb.  Or at least I don't.  But as it goes with many things, in moderation, neon is pretty awesome.  A pop of high-voltage citrus or dayglo orange or vibrant fuchsia can be really amazing if paired with the right neutrals. I've actually become mildly obsessed with these hints of electric color.  So naturally, I decided it was about time for a color love post that showcased this little crush I'm having, via some of my current favorite neons.


1. Noir Jewelry 'Shaka Neon Knot Bracelet,' via shopbop.
2. Citrus dress from the SS12 collection at H&M.
3. 'Colorful Matches' by sarcasmspeaks on Flickr.
4. The Neon Nail Polish collection from American Apparel.
5. Awesome window display at Moccasin Telegraph.
6. 'Get Your Neon On' rabbit print. (source)
7. Neon pink painted table. (source)
8. Karen Walker neon sunnies, via Les Nouvelles.
9. La Mer neon orange wrap watch, via shopbop.
10. The 'Neon Light Rail Wedge,' via ModCloth.


What are your thoughts on the neon trend?  All about it, or not interested?

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

10 Free Resources to Give Your Blog A Boost (+ How to Use Them!)


Most bloggers are consistently working to better our blogs.  And for good reason.  Things like learning new ways to market and network, improving our blog and post designs, and staying inspired to produce great content are essential to helping our blogs shine and grow.  Many of the questions I got in response to my post about our new FAQ page (which will be live soon!) involved asking which tools I use to assist in my blogging efforts.  So I thought I'd put together a list for you guys of my favorite online resources that I utilize for Bubby and Bean, along with my suggestions for how to use them in ways that are actually beneficial.


This one may seem obvious, but with its recent surge in growth, Pinterest is now a better tool than ever before for bloggers.  It's an incredible place to visit for inspiration when you need a creativity boost.  It's also a great tool for bringing traffic to your blog.  Adding a "pin it" button to your posts will allow your readers to easily pin images from your posts to their pin boards, which is an easy and instant way to promote your blog.  You can find out how to add the button to your posts right here(My Pinterest page)

Bloglovin' is probably my favorite reader.  Instead of just links/titles to posts, you get a photo and the opening paragraph of each one as well.  This makes it easy to read the posts that interest you most when you just don't have the time to read all of your subscriptions.  When you click through to read, Bloglovin' also takes you to the actual blog instead of just a feed, which is especially awesome because it allows your entire blog to be accessible to readers.  It's a great way to discover other cool blogs too!  You can increase your Bloglovin' followers by inserting one of Bloglovin's widgets on your blog, or creating your own graphic to link to your Bloglovin' page.  (Bubby and Bean on Bloglovin')

Google Analytics is an essential tool for learning about your blog traffic and visitors.  You can find out exactly how many visitors you're getting, how many page views you're getting, how long readers are staying on your blog, how many pages your readers are viewing, where your traffic is coming from, and so much more.  It's simple to set up and install, and once you spend ten minutes to do it one time, you're set.  I check my Google Analytics account every few days, and it has helped me with everything from improving my content to knowing where and how I should focus on promoting my blog. 

This, too, may seem obvious, but it can be greatly beneficial if used correctly.  Creating a Facebook 'fan' page is a wonderful way to engage your readers in a forum outside of your blog, and also a way to introduce your blog to a larger audience. You can post links to your recent posts, create polls, post photos, ask for feedback, and use apps to integrate (and thus promote) other tools you're using like Pinterest and Twitter.  When you also incorporate Facebook share and/or like buttons within your blog platform, your readers can share your posts, helping to spread the word.  Over half the content shared online is shared via Facebook, so it's an important marketing tool.  When one person clicks 'like' on your page, that's the first step to it going viral!  You can find different Facebook plugins for your blog right here(Bubby and Bean on Facebook)

Feedburner is a service that burns your feed and delivers it to various readers, but it's got a lot of other helpful features too. You can use it to track your reader stats, allow your readers to subscribe via RSS or email right on your blog, add "FeedFlare" so your subscribers have the option to tag, share or email your posts, set your content to automatically post to Twitter, and more.

I'm lumping several resources into this one section because I'm a cheating a little here.  I use Photoshop CS5 for my editing, so I haven't actually used any online photo editing websites, and therefore can't recommend one of them as being my favorite. However, being able to edit your images is an important part of making your blog shine, so I felt compelled to include links to a few editors you can try.  If investing in Photoshop isn't for you, I know many bloggers who utilize Pixlr and PicMonkey, both of which are free.  Flickr also recently launched a new free editor to replace the now defunct Picnik called Phoenix. All of these have the basic tools necessary to improve the quality of your images, crop, add text, etc

Twitter is an easy, effective way to interact with your blog readers on a daily basis and to attract new readers.  In my experience, the key to using Twitter is to actually interact.  Yes, post links to your blog posts. (As I mentioned above, Feedburner has a tool to do this automatically when a post is published.)  But don't only post links.  Participate.  Read other tweets and respond to them.  Retweet other tweets that you like.  And share a little of yourself as well.  You are a real person with a life outside of your blog, so why not tweet about that from time to time?  Everyone is different and I'm certainly not a Twitter expert.  But I personally like following others who tweet bits and pieces of their life or funny one-liners or inspiring quotes or pictures of something they did that day.  I'm less inclined to follow people who only post self-promotion type tweets or have accounts that resemble news feeds. 

Dafont features tens of thousands of fonts that you can download and use for your blog's graphics and design, and most of them are free.  Some other cool free font resources that I use include Urban Fonts, The League of Moveable Type, and Font Squirrel.

I've never done a vlog (I will one of these days, promise!).  I have, however, posted several videos that I've made to Bubby and Bean, using the embedding option in Vimeo.  Videos are a fun element to add to your posts, and thanks to the capabilities of today's smart phones and programs like Movie Maker and iMovie, they're really easy to make.  Even slide shows of images with music added can spruce up a simple post and add variety to your content.  Youtube is, of course, another great free resource for video sharing.  I personally prefer Vimeo because it tends to have more creative content and legitimate videos (rather than a sea of random uploads), the video quality is better, and they accept more file types.  It's also a really great place to get inspired, with hundreds of beautiful videos produced by independent artists and filmmakers being uploaded everyday.  The aesthetic of Vimeo is also cleaner and more professional looking, but this is by no means a reason for you to choose it over Youtube, unless, like me, you are a design nerd who sometimes cares a little too much about that stuff. :)  I made the switch to the paid Vimeo Plus account last fall, but Vimeo Basic is free and easy to use.   (My Vimeo page)

To clarify, I am not suggesting using other blogs for the purpose of boosting your own.  If anything, I (personally) believe that commenting on other blogs or networking with other bloggers with the sole intent of promoting your own blog is the exact opposite route you should take. But I am including this in my top ten favorite online resources, because it's one of the most important ways to enjoy your blogging experience.  And enjoying your blogging experience, by default, will improve your blog.  Community and working together are key elements to growth in any field.  Reading other blogs and interacting with other bloggers will allow you to learn, find inspirations, and create friendships and partnerships. If you're a new blogger, you'll be amazed at how much your blog improves once you've spent some time enjoying other blogs and connecting with others in the community.  For me, I find that I'm always more motivated to sit down and write my post for the day after I've read some of my favorite blogs or had some great conversations with blogging friends. 


I hope this list and the tips provided are able to help some of you who are looking to give your blogs a boost!  Keep in mind, every blogger is different, and everyone has different resources and methods that may (or may not) work for them.  These are just suggestions for tools that I enjoy using and that work for Bubby and Bean.  Do you have any favorite online resources that work well for your blog?

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Monday, April 23, 2012

future rockstars


On Friday, Robbie's band played a show in Austin, one of my favorite cities.  His brother's family lives there so he got to hang with the coolest little people in the whole world, our nieces Ann-E, Elli and Lucy, and our nephew Hunter.  The kids adore going to the shows and getting to hang with Uncle Robbie at work, and since I couldn't be there this year, Robbie made sure to snap some photos and take some videos for me.  I just had to share with you guys, because seriously, how cute are they rocking the instruments?

click here to watch this video on vimeo

Future fashion guru Elli also made sure to text me a pic of the rock n' roll inspired outfit she chose to wear to the show.  And check out her mad gymnastics skills using the bunks inside the tour bus!  She wants to be a rockstar when she grows up, and I'm thinking she'd do pretty well.


How was your weekend?  Robbie got home from tour yesterday, and after four solid months of touring with a few stops home here and there, he is finally home for a while.  Yes!  Dealing with the loss of two close friends has made not having him here the last couple of weeks harder than usual, but on the bright side, now I appreciate having him home more than every before.  I'm really looking forward to spending some time together, just being "normal."  Sometimes life's challenges provide a reminder that those simple things you normally take for granted are more wonderful than you ever realized.

P.S.  A couple of reminders >>  Don't forget to enter our April Giveaway for a chance to win 6 amazing prizes!  And if you're interested in sponsoring for May, we have just a handful of spaces remaining.  More info. is available here.


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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Want to Be on Bubby and Bean? Now Accepting May Sponsors!

This is the official call for May Sponsors here at Bubby & Bean: Living Creatively!  May is going to full of DIY tutorials, style posts, music and travel, spring/summer home and fashion projects, blogging and business tips, and lots of other goodness.  And you can be a part of it through a Bubby and Bean Sponsorship!

For more information on our various advertising packages and pricing, visit our sponsor page.  You you can also book your ad space there directly in one click. 

BLOG  >> In the past month, Bubby & Bean received 70,850 page views. We average 2,600 views each day, and currently have 3,610+ subscribers via GFC/Bloglovin'/readers.

TWITTER  >> We tweet several times a day to our 5,050+ followers on Twitter about new Bubby & Bean content with links to this site.

FACEBOOK  >> Our combined Mountains of the Moon page and Bubby & Bean Art page have 4,540+ fans/likes.  The Bubby and Bean Blog is linked on both of these pages, and we post daily status updates with links to this blog.

NEWSLETTER  >> The email list for the Mountains of the Moon/Bubby & Bean Newsletter has over 11,000 subscribers.  Monthly e-newsletters are sent to these subscribers with direct links to this blog.

I'd be thrilled to help you promote your blog, small business, Etsy shop, vintage store, band, online portfolio, or website in May!  For more info on ad sizing, pricing, stats and press, or to book your space, stop by our Sponsor Page, right here

Please note that many of our May spots have sold in advance.  Remaining spots are first come, first serve.  Have questions?  Feel free to contact me.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

friday is for favorites

ModCloth.com






LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics


Wow.  I just realized that has been over a month since the last edition of Friday is for Favorites.  Craziness!  For new readers, 'Friday is for Favorites' is my (almost) weekly series where I become a rebel, and break all of my own rules of design cohesiveness to which I normally adhere on the Bubby and Bean blog.  No themes, trend collections, or matching aesthetics here.  Just a gathering of a few random things that I happen to be loving on this particular Friday.


1. I am kind of swooning over all of the super-summery, boldly colored new arrivals over at ModCloth.  I feel happy just looking at them, so I'm thinking actually wearing them would produce instant + profound cheerfulness.  (The 5 pieces above are my very favorite).

2. Yes, this manicure is freaking amazing. But guess what's even better? The fact that there is a DIY tutorial to go along with it!  Thanks, Refinery 29!  I see a lazy Sunday project in the near future.

3. Seaside: check.  Pink field: check.  Book: check.  I'll take it. (image source)

4. I can't even explain my infatuation with this poster from Not Salmon.  The illustration is just so beautiful, and the message is so perfectly right on.  We all need to remember this.  

5. I have two very cherished Pendleton Chief Joseph blankets that my mom gave to me many years ago.  They are blissful in the winter, but in the summertime, much too toasty.  I do miss those amazing blankets when the warm weather rolls around, so imagine my joy when I discovered that they now have Chief Joseph beach towels.  Seriously, have you ever seen a prettier towel?!  They're a bit pricey, but if they're made anything like their blankets, you'll have them forever and ever.

6. This ring by Rachel Pfeffer Designs is like a mixture of a million good things all rolled up into one simple, pretty little ring.  The combination of the sparkly grey drusy stone, sweet brass hearts, and sterling bezel are perfection. Gorgeous.

7. Not even kidding.  Give me this room.  That's it.  I wouldn't even need the rest of the house. 

8. I am forever indebted to my little sister for introducing me to LUSH Cosmetics a couple of years ago.  They are incredible.  Suddenly your bathtub is a hot spring under a blossoming tree in Costa Rica.  Sigh.  I've been looking forward to a date with my new Avobath Bath Bomb\ all week.


What are your plans this weekend?   Don't forget, Sunday is Earth Day!  In case you're interested, the 4th Annual Earth Day Project event is going on over at my eco-fashion line Mountains of the Moon right now.  This year, we're offering a pretty major "coupon for you that helps trees too!"  You can find out more (and access the coupon code) right here. Tomorrow is also the birthday of my BFF Jen.  Happy Birthday silly face!  I so wish I was in Seattle so we could celebrate together. 

I hope your Friday is wonderful.


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