Linky Lovin' Friday {3rd October 2014} // Blogging

Oh Friday, how you seem to be coming around faster and faster every week. It's the time of the year when everything really starts to ramp up, Christmas decorations are already hitting the shops, and it feels like we are hurtling towards the end of the year at warp speed!

I've had so many fun things going on lately, and been lucky enough to have not one but two kid-free nights in the last month. With one more this weekend! Dave and I are heading to my old school friends engagement party tomorrow and the girls are going to be staying at my sister's place. It's gonna be a big test for them, well, Zee mostly. It will be the first time she has stayed somewhere other than at home without Dave or I there too. I know Punky will be fine, she's stayed with my sister overnight a couple of times, but this is Zee's maiden voyage to the land of the sleepover and I hope she does ok. I'll just have to make sure I drink enough Malibu and Pineapples to not think too much about how she is coping. I suspect it may be harder on me than on her!

I know they are in the best of hands though, so I'm not going to worry too much about her. Instead, I'm going to get to finding some more awesome links for you next week, but until then, here are this week's picks...
Image stolen from Bree's post, link below...

Motherhood is a bitch by Twinkle in the Eye
I believe society has deeply confused ideas about motherhood, we are caught between what was and what we expect things can or should be. Guilt, resentment and anxiety have become the soundtrack of our lives.
Every word of this post by Bree really resonated with me. In it, she discusses the difference between the idea of having it all and the reality. Personally I don't think it's possible to have it all. And the expectation on us as mothers to "have it all" is unsustainable. As I commented on the post, sometimes too much choice can be just as constrictive as not having enough.

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To the ones who raised us by Mommy's Me Time
More than anything, the day our babies were born they absolutely started loving them just as much as they love us, which made us love them even more.
I'll admit it, I got teary when I read this. It probably didn't help that I'd just watched an episode of Criminal Minds about a little girl being kidnapped, but whatever. It's good stuff. If you have parents who are amazing Grandparents then have a read of this and then share it with them.

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10 ways to promote authentic engagement on your blog by Bloggers Bazaar
When it comes to blogging, the notion of build it and they will come is not one that rings true. There are many facets involved in building up an engaged community and a tribe of loyal loving fans. Please know that it takes time, not weeks or months, but often years to really build up a great community around your blog.
I like the fact that Bec is straight up here about the fact that if you want an engaged community it takes time and a lot of effort. It doesn't happen overnight and there is no magic formula. She gives some really simple and easy tips on how you might go about creating a lovely community around you blog.

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Image nicked from Talia's blog, link below...

Wanderlust is here! A Travel Blog Community by The Climbing Tree
We’re creating a lovely travel blog community where you can connect with other bloggers who love travel, share your favourite travel related posts, and be inspired for your next trip!
Talia is one of those people who I only know online but who I consider a friend. I've been reading her blog for years and it's been a real joy and privilege to be allowed in to her life and those of her husband and boys. The Carbis Clan like to travel and they do it well, and if you're a wanderluster yourself than make sure you hit up Talia's blog to link up your own travelling tails and indulge in others from around the blogosphere.

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10 reasons to STAYcation rather than VAYcation by Colours of Sunset
What’s a staycation, I hear some of you say? A staycation is where you take leave from work but instead of going away for a vacation (as the yanks call it – holiday here in Aus), you stay home!... 
STAYcations are awesome, and I've been a big fan of them for a long time! In this post Aroha gives you her top 10 reasons for being a tourist in your own home and town, and if I wasn't convinced before, I am now!

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Image nicked from Tegan's post, link below...

Voice: The heart of blogging by Musings of the Misguided
One of the most important skills in blogging is a voice, a voice that is true to you and that people will relate to.  You can follow every blogging articles you come across and still have no audience because there is no authenticity there.
I read this post from Tegan the other week and I loved it. I keep meaning to get back and comment but always get sidetracked by other things (usually other things of the tiny terrorist variety!). I think Tegan has really broken down the core of good blogging, and that is your unique voice. You can read all the "how to have a good blog" posts in the world but still not have readers if you aren't being you. That is the most important thing when it comes to blogging, and Tegan says it much more eloquently than I ever could.

So there you have it, your weekend reading all wrapped up and presented to you in the pretty packaging of my blog. If you're lucky enough to be enjoying a long weekend this weekend I hope it's a good one. And can I just say, thank God daylight saving starts this weekend as well, because I don't know how much longer I can take the stupid o'clock, it's as sunny as midday, morning wake-up calls much longer!

What have you been reading and loving this week? Written an awesome post you think I've missed? Hit me up with your links in the comments, and Happy Friday!

Comments

Kylie Purtell said…
For once I think I managed to read all of these this week. I loved Bree's motherhood post. It articulated so much that I've been trying to put into words! Happy Friyay! xx
Kylie Purtell said…
I loved Bree's post too. So honest. I will get though the other over a coffee today! :)
Kylie Purtell said…
Lots of great links here, thanks Kylie. Have a lovely weekend. x
Kylie Purtell said…
Thanks Kylie. I read Aroha's but hadn't seen the others :)
Kylie Purtell said…
I'm starting to think you should just rename linky lovin to Tegan is awesome ;) Thank you once again for linking up my post, it really means a lot when people say that they love the words I write.
Kylie Purtell said…
I was looking for some new blogs to read over the weekend ... I found a few good one's in your link up, thank you
Kylie Purtell said…
Great picks this week! I need to head over to that travel blog link! Have a few posts I'd love to share and mutually, live vicariously through others' travels!

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