Inside the Life of a Blogger – Sunday Morning Coffee
Volume 10
Today I am pleased to share with you Sunday Morning Coffee. This is where I share my weekly thoughts about entertaining, decor, crafts, and recipes. This is our place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun and today I am excited to share with you my version of “Inside the Life of a Blogger”.
A Little Bit About Me
Before I get started talking about the crazy life of a blogger, I wanted to wish you all a very happy Spring. I know some of you have terrible weather outside, but yesterday was officially the first day of spring so we can all say that spring is finally here! (Of course, I live in Southern California and spring has been here for months!)
I can’t wait until we all can enjoy warmer weather and beautiful flowers in our gardens.
The Inside Life of a Blogger
I have said many, many times that I have the best job in the world. Every single day I get to be creative, craft, cook, entertain, garden, and more. I pinch myself every day and wake up eager to be more creative than the day before.
But there is one thing I need to mention. I work really hard. Most of my blogger friends think that I am crazy to blog seven times a week and post on my Instagram 14 times a week. Sometimes I don’t, but most of the time I do. If I stand back and look at the big picture, I honestly don’t think it matters if I skip a day. Many of you probably wouldn’t even notice, would you?
I love everything I do. So anytime I can, I want to share what I love.
Also, our boys are grown so I am not nearly as busy with our kids as are many of you. So I have the time to do my job and I don’t mind the hours and commitment it takes.
Just over a year ago I was only blogging a few days a week. And I was fine with that. But then I set a goal to blog more and I quickly reached my goal. If you are blogging, I don’t want any of you to think you have to post on your blog seven days a week, this is what works for me, and I love it.
I know I work hard, probably too hard. But here’s the thing. I love what I do. I work for myself, I get to be creative, I am compensated very well, and I get to do what I love to do every single day.
I work with my best friend Mary Liz (she joined my team full-time in November) and a typical day for the two of us goes like this.
Oh wait. There is no such as a typical day in the life of a blogger.
So, let me share what I think a typical day should look like.
A Typical Day in the Life of a Blogger
The one thing that does happen at My 100 Year Old Home, regardless of where we are, is that we start every morning at 8:00 am with a morning meeting. This is where we look at what happened the previous day with engagement, ad revenue, affiliate marketing, collaborations, and more. We review the schedule for the current and next week and determine our tasks for the day.
We also spend a lot of time sharing ideas and inspirations and modifying the editorial calendar. We talk through post concepts, creation time, the balance of posts across the core areas of my blog and depending on time, we might add a bit of educational enrichment with videos and tutorials.
Our goal every single day is to “work ahead”. In a perfect world, all of the current week’s content would be photographed, written, and scheduled. That would allow us to work one week ahead. For some reason, we haven’t quite been able to figure out how to make this happen but we are trying very hard.
The rest of the day is spent creating content, which means setting up a dinner party, doing a craft, cooking, gardening, arranging flowers, decorating a room, commenting on the blog and social media comments, and more. And usually, these things happen simultaneously, not one at a time. For example, yesterday I was completing two crafts for next week while Mary Liz was setting up the scene to photograph the completed crafts.
“Creating content” is where the day can often get way off schedule. Sometimes a craft doesn’t work, or a recipe doesn’t taste good, so we have to start over. Earlier this week I had an idea for a collaboration. It was a great idea and I expected it would take an hour to complete. It ended up taking four! When this happens we often laugh and just roll with it. But sometimes it is stressful.
There is a lot of photography in my job and I am always chasing the light. We know exactly what time the light is best in each room, although this week it all changed with daylight savings time. The extra hour of sunlight this week has made photographing a lot easier. But on any given day I probably take about one hundred photographs and then have to edit at least half of them.
The one area where we get bogged down is the writing, I get asked all of the time how long it takes for me to write a blog post. If you don’t include creating the content, photography, and editing, it takes about three hours for keyword research and SEO, writing, editing, and scheduling. I also need to write my Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest posts plus create any Instagram Reels or videos for the post.
Since I post on my blog seven days a week and on Instagram fourteen times a week, this is a seven-day-a-week job. This is the tough part of the life of a blogger.
But here is the thing. I absolutely love it. I love working with my best friend. I love that every day I get to be creative and create new and fun things. And I love that I can share my experiences with all of you and that many of you then create a lot of our ideas.
Around Our Home
Spring is here and I think it has come with a feeling that we all want to GET OUT!
I have been spending a lot of time in our backyard gardening and making some improvements. I am eager to host another backyard party and I hope to plan one very soon for our family.
I am heading to our Waco Airbnb later this month. It is safe for me to travel and if you have been following me, you know it’s been over a year since I was there!
My best friend Mary Liz is coming with me and aside from relaxing and taking lots of photos of the Waco house, we have a lot planned!
We are going to visit Magnolia, the Silos, the Findery, the Magnolia Little Shop on Bosque, plus do some gardening, restyle the house, take lots of photographs, and a visit with a very special friend KariAnne from Thistlewood!
We can’t stay over the weekend because the house is booked so we are going to go to Roundtop for a few days. I am so excited!
I never imagined in a million years that I would not visit our house for over a year. In 2019 I visited our home almost every month!
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A Tip For You
Learn Something New
You would have thought during the last twelve months when we were stuck at home, it might have occurred to me to learn something new.
I know I was really busy with my job (and now I think you understand why) but there are a few things on “my list” that I want to learn.
One of the items on “that list” is calligraphy.
I hand wrote the place cards seen above for Andrew and Charlotte’s Engagement Party. I wish I had know calligraphy then!
So, as part of our daily schedule, Mary Liz and I have added “calligraphy time” to our daily schedule. We signed up for an online class, bought a book and a workbook, and bought a set of really cool pens to use.
I promise I will share everything with you AFTER we get started. I just want to try it out first. And get really good at it.
Does anyone have any tips? Suggestions? Advice?
Is there anything on your list you want to learn? I would love to know.
And I am going to encourage you to pursue your dreams and learn something new!
Reflections on the Week
Last week was a lot of fun. I shared the Macaron recipe that my friend Chef Monique Chan helped me make as well as my cranberry glass collection (which keeps growing every month!). I put together my five most important styling tips, some really fun DIY coasters, and the story of the wrap-around porch I built at our Waco Airbnb. Lastly, I made Focaccia Bread Art in my kitchen and had so much fun. If you didn’t see the post, you need to check it out!
My Favorite Things
In the Craft Room
Accounts I Love to Follow on Instagram
Things I Love
Good Things From Martha
One Healthy Tip
Avoid Bright Lights Before You Sleep
Many of you know I am seeing a doctor that treats patients to help prevent or deter Alzheimers. My mom and her three sister’s all had alzheimers and I want to do everything to prevent this from happening to me.
One of the things my doctor told me was to limit your “screen time” after 8:00pm. He told me no screen time two hours before bed.
Ok, that’s a tough one for me. But here is the reason why. When you’re exposed to bright lights in the evening, it may disrupt your production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
He said I could read my Kindle at night, with the blacklight setting. This allows melatonin to be produced as if it were completely dark, helping you sleep better. (But my computer, iPhone, and TV are not a good idea).
What’s Ahead
The week is all planned out and I am actually ahead of schedule! (See, maybe the life of a blogger does allow you to get ahead!) I have finished all of the projects for next week and I am just editing, writing, and putting on the finishing details. This doesn’t happen often and I sure am happy!
You will see a beautiful Easter Egg DIY, an amazing improvement in our backyard, some fun DIY wrapping paper, a new wreath, a fun breakfast and more!
Catch up on Sunday Morning Coffee
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 9 – Live Your Best Life
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 8 – Living Green
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 7 – Why I Love to Entertain
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 6 – February is All About Living Beautifully
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 5 – Our Beach House in Ventura, CA
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 4 – The Story of My 100 Year Old Home
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 3 – I Think I Might Be Martha’s Biggest Fan
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 2 – A Tribute to My Mom
- Sunday Morning Coffee Volume 1 – How Chip and Joanna Influenced My Life
Pin the image below to your decor boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome
Enjoy Sunday morning coffee!! It’s easy to look at Instagram and think “ oh that’s fun” . But it’s a lot of work . But seeing it look beautiful and inspiring brings joy to me. Thank you . Looking forward to seeing more !! Enjoy Waco. On my list this year 🌸🌸🌸🌸
Thank you Annmarie for reaching out! I am soooooo excited to go to Waco and to share being back! Have a great week!
I am newer to you blog and I absolutely love it! You are always sharing so many beautiful items, crafts and recipes! I just loved your cranberry glass and bread art this week! Thanks for sharing your blogging journey. I recently started blogging. I love it so much but it definitely is a lot of work! Good work! Happy Sunday to you, Leslie! ☕️💛
Thank you Kim for reaching out and for your thoughtful comments. I am happy to share my blogging journey and a glimpse of the reality of what it takes to make it all happen. Good luck to you with your blog, hang in there, it takes a minute to get it going! Have a great week!
I am really interested in what kind of dctor tou are going to for guidance to prevent Alzheimer’s. My mother passed away form alzheimers this past May. She has a sister suffering from it and a brother who had early onset alzheimers. I am eager for your response for direction in this.
Your blog has become one of my favorites. I love the pillow art you do and your tablescapes are a favorite.
Love looking at ur page on Facebook, u have a lovely family home, and ur garden is beautiful. Enjoy your trip to Waco and your visit to magnolia store. Take care x😘💗
Thank you so much Helen! I am so, so excited to get to Waco! Happy Sunday to you!
Wow. Now I need a nap! You are amazing. Such beautiful spaces and crafts. Can’t wait for more backyard events as they make me swoon. Happy Spring🐰
Oh my gosh Regina, you are too funny! Backyard events coming soon, I promise! Have a wonderful Sunday!
You are amazing with your energy, creativity and warmth. Thanks so much for all the inspiring posts! Stay well
Thank you so much Shirley! Have a wonderful week!
As a new blogger, it is nice to see “the process” of other bloggers. You are right when you say your day is filled with being creative. As a retired nurse, empty nester, it is nice to be embraced by creative people, a world I just dabbled in when I was working and had kids at home. It is definitely a learning process, and it is nice to have people like you who share knowledge for others to learn from!
Thanks!
I am so happy to share what I have learned Karen. The process for each of us is different, but visibility is always helpful. Have a wonderful week!
Where did you get the wonderful fencing and gate material used for the Waco house?
My great grandmother had that in the front yard and I’ve always loved it!
Blessings from Tulsa ❣️
Another great Sunday coffee post. Love your enthusiasm and your talent. It is nice to sit down and enjoy all your beautiful pictures and ideas. Love your sink, it is gorgeous. Have a wonderful week.
Corene
Thank you Corene! I appreciate your kind words. Have a wonderful week!
Love your Sunday Morning Coffee posts 💛
Thank you Kathie! That makes me so happy!
Happy spring! I was wondering the name of your paint color that you have on your walls in your kitchen. It’s a refreshing color that reminds me of a spring day.
Carol – I did a post of all of the paint colors and brands for each room in my house. Here you go! https://my100yearoldhome.com/paint-colors/
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog and IG account! Enjoy Waco this week. Planning to have a girls weekend with my girls at your B &B home in the future. I have a huge bucket list going. I have been on IG almost a year now and I’m still learning the in’s and out’s of how it all works. I have always been driven for life long learning. After having cancer consume a year of my life I have embraced learning new things with a passion and for living every day to the fullest. During the pandemic I have been blessed to help my grandchildren with remote learning 4 days a week and I bought a guitar and have been teaching myself to play with little success. Your blog and IG account inspire me daily to keep on trying new things. Who knows I might even start my own blog in this next season of life. M
Oh my gosh Michelle, I love so much what you shared with me! I am excited for you to stay at the Waco AirBnB, you will hae the best time! Living every day to the fullest, that is truly the key. Focus on what we can do, not what we cannot. I hae heard that there are great apps for teaching yourself how to play guitar, maybe try one of those! I love that you might start a blog! Let me know if you do!
Ooo..I enjoyed reading this. Iv been working hard on getting 1 month ahead on my blogging (only twice weekly) I’m inspired every day by you..you are literally my heroine !!
I want to learn calligraphy too. I do wish I could sew though..my mum tried to teach me when I was little and I didn’t want to do it.. I wish now I’d listened.. perhaps one day this will be something I do?
I paint and work all the time to perfect my craft.
Thank you for always sharing inspirational content xxxx
Thank you Maryanne! It makes me so happy to know that what I share is helpful and inspiring! I am excited about calligraphy, let me know how it goes for you also! Haappy Sunday to you!
Thank you for another wonderful Sunday Morning Coffee post. Have a safe and fun trip to Waco. Happy Spring!
So, so, so excited for Waco. I can’t wait to share being back! Happy Sunday to you!
I want you to know that your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated! I so enjoy your blog, and especially, these Sunday posts!! Thank you for sharing the process! I think it really helps that you love what you do. That’s the key to making a job not feel like “work”. And ya know……it’s awesome to hear you have crafty/cooking fails like the rest of us lol. Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing the fails once in a while, we are all human and real life doesn’t always look the way it does in photos on instagram.
Thank you Tina for your kind comments. I really am so, so lucky. I love what I do so much! I am starting to take photos of the fails also, so stay tuned! Thank you for reaching out, have a wonderful Sunday!
Oh you are so busy! I just love your blog and all you post. Your house is so gorgeous inside and out….there really aren’t enough adjectives to do it justice. I’ve never been much of a gardener but your posts are inspiring me to do more this year. I live in Alberta, Canada so our seasons are much shorter than yours and we are so anxious to have some warm weather! On another note, my mom, her mom and my gramdmothers 2 sisters all passed with Alzheimers. I too, am anxious and hopeful to keep it away from me. Your tips on Alzheimers are helpful. Thank you. (I read my kindle daily….). Your photos always bring many smiles and joy to just look at.
Alex, thank you so much for reaching out to me with your kind comment. It makes me so happy to know that what I do and share inspires you! I am so sorry to hear about the Alzheimers legacy that you lie with. Being proactive with diet and focus is helping me to reduce anxiety surrounding it. Have a wonderful Sunday and thank you for following and for reaching out!
You are the new and improved Martha Stewart! I love all your creative ideas! You really should have your own show. The best part is how real you are. Your tutorials make us all feel like we can do it! Your painted pillows and freehand sewing tutorials are one of my favorites! But I think your best post was during the height of the pandemic when you showed us the mini golf course you set up for your boys and hubby!! The one hole on the roof!! So funny and fun to see how much your family loved it! I also love all the great parties you do in your gorgeous backyard!
Thank you for the amazing zoom that you did with KariAnne last week! I am starting to implement many of your tips!
So happy fir you and your business!
Karin
I really love your style and wish to create the look slowly. Can you please tell me where you purchased your white couch slipcovers… really love them and would be perfect
Hi Lou, I had them made by a local upholsterer after I saw them in someone’s home. I showed the upholsterer a picture, they measured my existing couches and that is how they were born!