I just found this photo in an old archive and it made me laugh. I always meant to write a post about this hat, but it slipped my mind and I never got around to it.
My mom bought me this for my birthday a few years ago. 
She had great intentions, really she did. But when the most prominent word on the hat is “Unskinny” I feel a wee bit self conscious wearing it. Heh. Love my mama!! It’s the thought that counts, right?
She ordered it online and she swore it looked better on her monitor than it did in real life. Which is the opposite of how I feel about my house and outfits sometimes. Sometimes I look in the mirror and think “Lookin’ good!” in real life and then see a photo of myself and think “YOWZAS I LOOK HORRIBLE!” You know how sometimes you have to take a photo of something before you realize what is “off” about it? Same goes for my house. If I live with something long enough it just becomes a part of the landscape and I can’t “see” it as a problem anymore. Taking photos helps give me a fresh perspective so I can see my house through others eyes. There have been many instances when I snapped a picture of my home for a blog entry only to realize that my pictures are hanging about 32″ too high on the wall and the fake plants that look ok in real life really look like dusty cemetery flowers on top of the gravestone that is my sofa table.
NOT attractive.
Yeah… you know what I mean.
So, all that to say MeganDVD and Gail at My Repurposed Life are hosting a “Bold and Beautiful” blog critique party where you can post your blog for reviews and advice on what should be cleaned up and changed around. I like this idea, because I feel it’s a good way to get a true “snapshot” of my blog to understand what I should change around to make it a more likeable place. Because don’t we all wanna be liked?
So feel free to kick it around my blog for a little bit and give me a critique. I know there are a lot of things on my blog that I have just lived with over the years but not really loved. I’m hoping by joining in over there it will get me inspired to make some changes ’round here.
Please be nice! I don’t do well with rejection. 😀
PBSUMA Thanks!!
You’re right! That IS the word that jumps out at you. Still, cute. And thoughtful. 🙂
Beth-oops about the double link-up. I got you fixed up. Your comment came to my inbox (I subscribe to my own comments) and I couldn’t email you back because you are a no-reply blogger. I hope that is the first thing you change. The blog looks great, you are a very pretty young lady smiling in that hat!
Great pictures, no music! I love your banner.
Your links don’t open in a new window, you should keep traffic on you blog by having them open in a new window. I can tell you how if you email me. [email protected]
thanks so much for joining in and writing up a really nice post to explain it all.
gail
I had no idea I was a no-reply blogger!! I’m so glad you told me! Thanks Gail!
ADORE the name – just super cute. And I have to say you look awesome in the hat – I say, OWN it! 😉
Great header and matching button, I love the two column layout on the white background – you have one of my favorite features on a blog – The Popular Posts gadget, awesome…. and If I can add one more bit of praise here – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your footer, the don’t steal quote, followed by be kind, rewind – cracks me UP, then the awesome Be what you are sign. Love the footer.
New follower. Check! Awesome blog!
I like the width of your blog, its just the right size. I also like that you have lots of photos with links on the right side column, it provides interest on the blog. The only thing is that if you large photos was not showing, I would like to see a photo of you on the top of the column so I know who the speaker is, it might just be me but I like it when people put it there.
-Kim (aka Mr. Gnome)
I can’t find anything! Your blog is beautiful, colors are awesome, banner awesome. Your pictures are GREAT BTW. I do agree with Kim, get your profile pic on somewhere near the top right so we can see your cute face!
Hello my dear! Glad you got the no-reply thing fixed…that would be my 1st gentle suggestion. 🙂 I am THRILLED that you linked up and took the risk. Does this kinda remind you of days from the nest when profiles were reviewed? 🙂 Anywho…I LOVE the name of your blog and I love that you have great writing with an splash of eye candy here and there. I know you think you have a lot going on but it is all well maintained and ordered to the right so if people want to only focus on the post..they can or if they want to wander and explore more to they can shimmy to the right. If you want to “clean it up” — take out something for a trial time and see if you miss it. I took out my sweet tweets and never put them back. I always suggest a trial so that you can “fake” yourself into thinking…well, it isn’t permanent. Just a thought my dear if you want to try the “trial” periods.
Hope all is well. I am thrilled that we have found each other again. 🙂
Cheers~
Hi Beth! Joining from the BlogHop Party and your new follower! I am so new to this, so don’t look for me for advice.
I love the neatness and cleanliness of your blog. Your sidebar pictures look great. And I agree, no music! Ha. I am just enjoying looking at other’s blogs and seeing their take and personality shine thru. Hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Denise
I like your blog. I am glad you don’t have music. Your page is clean and not cluttered. Did I mention I LOVE that you don’t have music. I did not see an About Me post or link. I am going to look a 2nd time, but that is one of the first things I check on a new blog and I feel it should be near the top – at least a snippet of who you are. I am guilty of not putting mine at the top, so I think I will have to move it up.
Me again, I did find your About Me at the top. I just didn’t realize it was about you until I looked over the whole page slowly.
Hi Beth 🙂
I love your blog title and banner!
I am a fellow Unskinny chick so it totally called to me haha
I love the width of your blog and your photos are clear, well taken and fun to look at!
Keep up the good work 🙂
Reginia
HI, glad to meet you during this party. I think you have some pretty cool things on this blog and my favorite is the “popular posts.” What a great way to get snippets of you and your style.
Hi Beth, MeganDVD’s comment cracked me up about the Nest profiles. I remember those days!! I love you and your blog. One recommendation I would make though is perhaps to put a menu bar at the top of your blog with one specifically of your beautiful home? I love looking at everyone’s homes and revamps they have done. Everything else looks great!! Have a great weekend!!
I’m with Pine Tree Home, I L-O-V-E the popular posts, I made sure to follow so I can come back when it’s not snow city here and make a coffee table out of a door. Awesome idea. I like your layout and name! I like how when I went to comment it came up in a new window, so I don’t click on something else and then loose the comment I started…Sorry I’m lacking in the helpful suggestion department, I’m very new at this! I think this is great, keep it up!
Beth –
What can I say? Your banner is awesome. Your pictures are large and detailed. I love the pictures on the sidebar of your favorite projects. I love the ratio or main blog and sidebar. Great job!
Heather
Hi Beth,
great blog! L.O.V.E. your title & i agree w/ Dawn, own it girlie!
really great pics & appreciate the easy to browse posts!
glad i joined the party.. new fan! 🙂
many blessings,
-Tracie
Hey – it’s great here! I liked your “in case you were wondering”, made me like you right away but your name isn’t there, I had to go look around for it….! I really liked your popular posts on your sidebar – make me see instantly your style and what projects you’re doing. I like your font colour too, it’s nice and soothing.
LOVE your blog and your projects on the sidebar. That door turned coffee table? Umm, I want it…
Can’t wait to read more!
Hey there! Popping in from the Blog Hop. The colors of your site are sooooo soothing, just perfect. My only suggestion would be to move your “Favorite Posts” closer to the top of your sidebar. They get a lot more attention (and clicks) this way.
I love your blog! I love your humor! I love your smiling face!
My “only” suggestion is…. PPPPPppppreeeeeeeze…. could you put your photo up top so everyone knows who the lovely and fun lady is who writes this blog???
I am a newbie blogger and also your newest follower. I promise, I won’t stalk you/your blog…well…maybe!
LOL
I super-duper like your blog layout. I like the single side column with all the photo links to your posts and I really like how you did the double column just for your blog roll etc. How did you do that?? Where did you find the template, or did you make it?
I agree that it would be nice to have a photo in your profile:)
I like the font colors and how it all goes together.
I am such a follower:)
To everyone: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I loved reading all these comments and getting a feel for what I should change on my blog. I’m definitely going to add a photo at the top and also move some things around to make it more user friendly.
@Heather: The Blogger template I used is ‘Neuronic’ by Ourblogtemplates.com. It allows the split column design that I really loved.