The winner of the blog giveaway is Kel! Congratulations! I am thrilled for you. : )
I loved reading everyone’s birthday memories. Many of them made we want some do-overs for my own. And quite a few brought back beautiful nostalgic memories. I also liked that some of your favorite birthday memories are not your own. So selfless! I love learning more about each of you each month. That comment section of my blog during my giveaways is not only my favorite part, because I get to know you better. But a friend of mine recently told me it is hers, too. Thank you so much for sharing and entering!
An Announcement:
I am nervous about the announcement I am making right now. I couldn’t sleep last night. I have vowed to always be honest on this blog. I think it is important to keep it real here. After having this blog for one year, I have come to the realization that it is costing my family approximately $65 a month to keep it going. I love giveaways. I do not want to stop doing them. They are my favorite part of the blog. Giving back. To all of you. But my favorite part of life is being a wife and mother, so I must also think of my family. So, to offset some of the costs, I am going to be adding affiliate links to my posts. You probably will not even notice them. All this means is that when you click on a link such as an Anthropologie top, it will generate a very small commission for this blog. I will not be adding any more links than I normally would. I will never add links to a product I would not or have not purchased for myself. And there is always the option of just not clicking on a link. : )
I have added them to this post as a test run. All of these links in this post are affiliate links. I have also added a small Modcloth banner to my home page, because I love Modcloth! And I am happy to be working with the company.
Who knows? Maybe I could generate enough income for better giveaways. That would be a fun goal. And so, so cool!
Thank you for being understanding.
And now onto the monthly fun:
Everything in my craving list will have to wait until sale. That is just the way I like to shop. Unfortunately, I doubt we will see much in terms of big sales in April. March seems to have seen the deeply discounted winter sales.
I am not craving much. And I have a post coming up in the next week detailing my purchases for March. But twist my arm and I will reveal items I think are cool right now.
This Anthropologie Farmer’s Market Peasant Top looks so pretty in the close up shot. The pattern looks very detailed and interesting. I love this. I cannot decide if it is because of the name of it more than the shirt itself. I hope it makes it to second cuts for me.
I think these Selah Booties from Anthropologie are rad. I have no idea what I would wear them with. They would need to be under $50 for me to consider them.
I love the color of these Ankle Zip Charlie Trousers. I think they are fun.
And I NEED this Raja Wall Bust. Except, why couldn’t it be a dragon? I might be on the hunt for that instead.
This $9.99 Ear the Call of the Wild Ring from ModCloth is neat.
One more. I MUST snag at least one color of these Tassel Bloom Hoops from Anthropologie when they hit sale. They are my favorite things on their site right now.
Congratulations to Kel! I am so happy for you. There will be a new giveaway beginning April 10th.
Thank you to everyone who entered!
What are you craving? Anything on your wishlist I showed here?
P.S. Trying to claim a blog lovin’ account. Please ignore. Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Don’t sweat the links – you are correct that they are not even noticed. Bloggers take the time to set up a blog, post and at least I (although not a blogger) understand this comes at a cost which needs to be deferred. Readers come and go but your family does not! Regarding my wish list these days, it is pretty thin. It may be that I have a good wealth of clothes or maybe the new offerings really are meh (not sure!).
Thank you so much Shari! Your comment brought me such relief. It is so nice that you understand. And it is a lot of work and I love every second of it! I love writing the posts. It is so much fun. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It made my day so much easier.
My wish list is like yours. I do like a lot of accessories, but no dresses right now (other than two I purchased at Free People this month). Nothing is blowing my socks off. I know soon that will change. At least fingers crossed! : )
Have a beautiful Thursday!
Jenni
Good on ya, it’s totally understandable that you’re putting links in. You’re hardly the only blogger who does that!
Oh and as for those pink Charlie trousers, make sure you see them and try them on in person! Because 1) the fit of Charlie trousers is always a bit weird and 2) This colour is actually MUCH brighter in person. As in, neon hightlighter pen pink, and not the coral colour this picture makes it out to be. Made even me stop dead in my tracks when I saw them in store! 😉
Thank you Gwen. And thank you for your emails, too. And for being there for me. I appreciate that.
Darn about those pants! I thought they were just like your pink pants that I am going to steal from you. Yes, you read that right. Watch out! ; )
Next week I plan on getting some reviews in while my husband is in a poker tournament. Hopefully the store/ stores will have them!
Thanks for the info!
Have a terrific Thursday!
Jenni
I am so glad you are using links! If you put in the hard work adding the links, they need to be worth it. Totally o.k. I even clicked a few extra times, just for you 🙂
I never noticed the farmer’s market top. It is very cute! I am loving the snake charmer pumps in the soft pink and a few dresses. Both of which are not practical for my life, but oh, how cute they are!
Thank you Alicia! I am so glad you understand. I was so stressed out about it. I could not sleep for two nights. I am just hopeful the blog will pay for itself and I can do even better giveaways. The possibility of that is so exciting!
You put my heart to ease. Thank you so much. I hope you are doing well. I will have to check out those shoes!
Have a fantastic Thursday!
Jenni
Congrats to the winner!
When I was a hard working librarian (before I was an even harder working stay at home mom) I ran the teen book blog for our library. It was HARD work. Coming up with topics, creating links, double checking facts, creating booklists, readalikes and so much more. A blog takes time and effort. Don’t worry about the affiliated links at all, we all come here because we love your posts and that won’t stop us (in fact, I hope this will earn you lots of money!).
Thank you so much Katie! And thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know. Worrying is the worst. I feel much more at ease after everyone’s kindness. I think coming up with blog posts and topics interesting for teens would be hard work! I can imagine that that would have been a stressful task. Of course, still not as stressful as being a mom. And the content we have to come up with to keep them entertained and decent human beings. Aaaaahhhh! Now that is a job we should get paid for! : )
Thank you again. And thank you for sharing.
I hope your Thursday is perfect!
Jenni
Thank you again Jenni!
I think the affiliated links are a fine idea. They certainly are not intrusive and if they keep the blog goin that’s fine by me 🙂
You are welcome Kel! And thank you! I am just now getting your box together. And I will send it off tomorrow afternoon. I cannot wait! I meant to do it today, but I have some returns I need to get organized and I want to post everything at once! I will let you know when the box is on its way! : )
Congratulations again!
And thank you so much about the kindness about the links. I really appreciate it!
I hope the rest of your week is wonderful!
Jenni
Congrats Kel! I wouldn’t worry about the links. In fact, I have been wanted to do the same for some time, but have been unable to figure out how to. What site are you using? Any tips?
Thank you Heather. I am using Shop Sense by Shop Style. If you want to add Modcloth links or banners, you can go through them for their affiliate program. They just have to approve you. It is easy. If you do decide to do the Modcloth program, please let me know. I will email you the link that they sent me that will earn you $10 and me $10. : ).
I had researched other affiliate programs, but Shop Sense just seemed the easiest. You get paid through them per click and not per sale. It is a very small amount per click. And it is very strict that you do not click your own links. Makes sense.
Email me and I will tell you more if you would like!
Hope this helps!
Have a marvelous Thursday!
Jenni
No worries, Jenni. For a minute I thought you were saying you were quitting the blog. You scared me.
Thank you Noelle! I am glad it was not that! : ). I miss you! We must get together sometime. I hope you are doing well!
Have a lovely rest of the week. Thank you so much for commenting. I appreciate it.
Jenni
So so sorry for the awful shouty looking caps…I cut & pasted from search results, where i accidentally typed my comment instead the reply box. Lord help me with this new phone!
Anyways…
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE’S COMMENTS ABOVE. IT’S SO CONVENIENT TO SIMPLY CLICK ON A LINK, INSTEAD OF HAVING TO OPEN ANOTHER TAB & GO HUNTING AROUND. SO THANKS! I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT OF YOU. SPEAKING OF HUNTING, I LOVE THE GIRAFFE WALL HANG. I HAVE AN IDEA FOR IT. I HAVE A SECONDARY ENTRY WALL THAT IS A YAWNER. I AM NOT A FAN OF HUNTING ANY CREATURE FOR SPORT, ONLY HUNTING FOR GOOD PRICES AND GOOD WINE, HAHA. HOWEVER, I’M A HUGE FAN OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & EXPERIENCING OTHER CULTURES. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GIRAFFE WALL HANG FLANKING MY AFRICAN BLOW DART STAF & BIG WOOD ELEPHANT HEAD FROM THAILAND? JUST AN IDEA. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO COME SEE IT, JENNI. ALSO, THOSE TASSEL EARRINGS ARE THE CUTEST! HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THEM BEFORE. THANKS!
Awwww. Thank you Jess! I got such good feelings reading everyone’s sweet words. I am so lucky to have gotten to know all of these wonderful people.
I will have to come by and see what you are talking about. Also, I think the price seems deceptively low for Anthropologie. I would want to see exactly how large the head was. It might be itty bitty and only good for a small feature next to large pieces. I will have to examine the description closer. Since I am overbudget this month, I have not allowed myself to look at the details, because I must wait on it.
I hope you are having a good day! You got a new phone! Woot!
Jenni
Jenni, I think it’s obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into this blog. I think it is perfectly understandable for you to be compensated in some way. I love reading your posts and would be so sad if you were to stop.
Those Selah booties are awesome! The blue colour would be great for spring. I can see it paired with cropped pants (sorry, trousers), or maybe a floaty knee length dress or a maxi skirt.
Thank you Liana. This blog is hard work. But I enjoy it so much. It would just be wonderful if it could pay for itself and then I would not feel guilty about it. I appreciate your support.
The way you describe wearing those Selah booties makes me want to purchase them IMMEDIATELY! I love your vision for them and I can completely picture it! So cute. Must wait for sale, though. But I will watch them even closer now!
Have a charming Thursday!
Jenni
Jenni – I am going to be putting affiliate links on my blog too. And I am going to try out the google ads too. I understand the worry about how people will react – I am too. But, you have the right to make money for your work. That’s how I feel about it! xoxo
Congrats to Kel!
Thank you Cynthia! Let me know how those google ads work out for you. I probably will just stick to my Modcloth banners and maybe a Free People and Anthropologie one. I am unsure. I don’t want too much clutter. If it grates on my nerves, then I know it will grate on others, too. So, I am moving slowly so I can see what looks okay and not be too much.
The funny thing is I announced this and then I looked at my post line up for the next week (we are leaving Saturday and I need to make sure I have things ready to go). I don’t have another affiliate linked post for a week! So, they are definitely going to be spread out! : ). I like that.
Thank you for being supportive! If you have any questions about my links feel free to email me! : )
Have a happy Thursday!
Jenni
I forgot about your trip. Have a wonderful time!!
I really like your Modcloth banner. It is subtle. And I am with you – I hate a cluttered webpage. I am going back to Texas next week again and will start the ads and links when I get back. I may just hit you up for advice. Thank you!!
Thank you Cynthia! Aaahhh! So much to do before I leave!
I might add two more banners in the next month or so. I don’t know. We’ll see how it goes. Have fun in Texas! And absolutely email me. I would happily share details.
Have a safe trip!
Jenni
I have no problem with affiliate links. I want your blog to be successful!
Thank you Brynne! I really appreciate that! : ).
I hope your day is delightful!
Jenni
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