Thursday, January 26, 2012

300


         Recently Cute and Mundane reached the 300 follower milestone. Hurrah! I am so very honored. I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect and indulge in a little imagination.

         Indulgences first. When dreaming up this post, I had visions of Gerard Butler and the exotic enemy hordes from the movie 300. I wanted to have an 'intense' photo inspired by the movie, but made of makeup. I came up with the mascara wands above. They were the 'scariest' looking things I found in my stash. I find eyelash curlers to be quite fearsome too.


           Now, reflections. I think I've been around the blog block for longer than I'd care to admit. It's been a roller coaster, but I think I've found a pretty steady and happy place as of late. Here are a few things that I like to keep in mind:

Stay positive - Blogging should make you feel good. It's a hobby (for many of us) after all. If something makes you unhappy, figure out what it is and address it head on. Blog in a way that makes you happy. If you need a break, take a break.

Make a qualitative (not quantitative) blog-improvement goal - I think focusing on qualitative goals is more rewarding and positive in the long run. Setting goals in quantitative terms (followers, comments, page-views) can be immediately satisfying, but can also be disappointing. If you've read the Phantom Tollbooth, I would say it's analagous to eating subtraction stew. Qualitative goals could include trying twitter, making a new blog header, improving your writing/photos, responding to more comments, reaching out to more bloggers, or getting a domain name. When I focus on upgrading qualitative aspects of my blog, the numbers seem to follow.

Be creative - You don't have to purchase all the latest products to have a successful blog. Really. Product review is just one aspect of beauty blogging. Empties, favorites, face of the days, lists, how-tos, and opinion pieces are some, just to name a few. Pick something that speaks to you and really put your spin on it. My favorite blogs aren't the ones that haul and share every single color available. I enjoy personality, ideas, and seeing the real-life choices people make.

Find your style- The best and most enigmatic advice given to bloggers is 'be yourself.' To some this comes naturally. To me, finding myself distilled into blog form was more like Finding Nemo. There was sadness, confusion, swimming with different schools, learning new things, and finally happiness. I think everyone has an inherent, unique, and cool style. It just needs to be actively found and developed. I'd really love to write a 'finding style' thought piece some day. It's a pretty tall order, but perhaps that should be one of my qualitative goals :)

        Thanks so much for reading my 300 post. I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to stop by, read, leave their thoughts, and/or encouragement. It really brings a lot of light into my days. Please feel free to say hi, I love Gerard Butler, or anything about yourself below. I know I've never met or chatted with many of you, and I would love the chance to say hello and thank you!

Love, Dovey.

39 comments:

  1. Congratulations - yes, it is frustrating just trying to get 100 followers. I sometimes feel that this is one big popularity contest and I'm just trying to sit at the cool lunch table. But then I relax and realize that I gained followers on Twitter and that counts just as well!

    Dovey, I am so glad and honored that I can call you my friend, albeit blogging, but FRIEND no less!

    Congrats again, my dear!

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    1. Hi Lexi- Ack! Lunch tables! *cringe* I'm so happy to have you as a friend too. We can sit at the same lunch table... right? :)

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  2. Congratulations on your milestone! It will take me a while to get there, but I am inspired!

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    1. Hi Rola, thank you --- best of luck to you and your blog!

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  3. Congrats Dovey! I hope things will only get better from here on:D

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    1. Hi Nicole, thank you! I hope so too :)

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  4. Congratulations! I love the mascara army picture:D And I agree with you, quality over quantity any day. xx

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm glad we agree :)

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    1. Thank you Jamilla--- it means a lot to me :)

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  6. Congratulations and well deserved. I bet you have even more followers than you think, through Google Reader and bloglovin. I don't think they show up through GFC when you subscribe using those RSS methods.

    I enjoyed this post. I always find something I can relate to when I read your articles, which makes it such a joy to come here as one of my first stops. As for Gerard, I am sure he's shouting in his sleep right now, "This! Is Dovey!"

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    1. Thank you Zuzu--- I always learn so much from your posts. I am really glad you stop by (and that my writing isn't a complete flop :P) I laughed out loud in response to Gerard which caused Mr. Lovey to give me a questionable look, haha.

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  7. Congratulations! You definitely deserve it. I always enjoy seeing your posts pop up on my dashboard!

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    1. Thank you Amy for your nice comment. I really appreciate it.

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  8. Congrats on the huge 300... your blog is awesome :)

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    1. Hi Lucy - thank you so much for your nice comment and stopping by to read Cute and Mundane :)

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    1. Thank you Fenny! It's good to hear from you

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  10. Yay, congratulations, Dovey! I hope many more people come to see you and your lovely posts about art and nude lipstick ;) Also, I love that you referenced The Phantom Tollbooth. That is one of my favorite books! :)

    And yes, mascara wands are terrifying :P I always end up poking myself in the eye, booo!

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    1. Hi Larie - Thank you so much for your encouragement :) The Phantom Tollbooth was an awesome book. I can't quite remember the story line from years ago; I feel a need to pick up a copy now!

      I'm so dependent on mascara. I can't imagine living without it!

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  11. I was wondering about the mascara wands... then had a good laugh when you referenced Butler and 300. I don't care for Gerard, actually. :>

    Congrats, Dovey! Your blog is always a joy to read and those are awesome advices. I totally agree on every point. Here's to another 300! :)

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    1. Haha, I knew somebody out there might not look Gerard :P But what about P.S. I love you?!

      Thank you for your nice comment! I hope one day I'll see that happen :)

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    2. I... fell asleep in the middle of P.S. I Love You. (Don't hate me!)

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    3. *smacks forehead in disbelief!*

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  12. Congratulations Dovey! That eyelash curler might have scared me a year ago but I'm braver now :)
    I really love your blog and your writing style and agree with you on all points, especially with the "Stay Positive" part. For me blogging is a hobby as well so I better have a fun time doing it :) xx

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    1. Hi Klara - thank you for your thoughtful comment! Writing is something I'm trying to work on; it definitely was not my stronger suit when I began :) Speaking of that eyelash curler, I've had it for at least couple years now and it's going strong!

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  13. congrats! That's so exciting!!! (and I'm slightly obsessed with gerrard as well :D)

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I'm glad we agree on Gerard (and sweet smells... and a whole bunch of other things :)

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  14. Congrats, Dovey! You definitely deserve it!

    ♥ Jessica

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  15. congratulations! your blog is worth following. ;)

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    1. Thank you Lena! I'm always glad to see you stop by!

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  16. Congratulations! I've recently found your blog but it is one that I am now consistently reading! Looking forward to more posts. I appreciate a blog that isn't just about the newest, latest items. I can't add every pretty thing that catches my eye. It's good to learn a new technique or appreciate a lovely FOTD.

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    1. Hi love2read, thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! I agree about new things--- I've become more focused on learning techniques and ideas lately too :)

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  17. I love this post! Such inspiring advice! I got tired of blogging for a while and I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized that I needed to let go of the feeling that people only wanted to read about the latest collections. When I did that, blogging became fun again! Congrats on your success!

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  18. Hi Productdoctor - thank you! I've definitely had the same feelings as you before; it's awesome that you've found a way for blogging to be fun again too!

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  19. Great advice and Happy 300! I am glad to have found your blog. I love your writing style and your pictures! :)

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