emily, emily, lindsay, melissa, rhoda, nester, sandy, kimba, jen, laryssa, gina
Blissdom was phenomenal, yet again. It was beyond wonderful to get to know other bloggers a little better. I especially loved the time we house bloggers got to spend together even though it was not near as long as I would have liked. It’s hard to really connect in a crowded super loud restaurant or in a trendy club where the main attraction is Harry Connick Jr.–as it should be. I’m more of a let’s-sit-at-a-table-in-a-coffee-shop-and-talk-kind-of-girl. Next year, I hope to be even more intentional about meeting the girls I was looking forward to meeting {Layla}. With over 500 women hanging out, you can easily feel like you hardly connected with anyone.
Kimm @ Reinvented, Kate @ Centsational Girl
I also had the privilege to speak on a panel about niche blogging. If you are looking for the questions I read during the session they are at Chatting at the Sky, my sister’s blog. {I’m not posting them here because this is a niche blog and I’m already risking making people mad by posting too many photos of myself and not talking about paint and fabric today} She and I spoke this summer at She Speaks and she came up with these 7 questions to help people be able to refine the focus/purpose of their blog. I thought it was a great tool to use as a niche blogger. I also declared that niche bloggers are the luckiest bloggers since we get to write about our passions. I hope I don’t get beat up by the writer-type bloggers.
Thrifty Decor Chic, Becky @ Infarrently Creative
Lindsay @ Pleated Poppy
AnNicole @Our Suburban Cottage, Julia @ Hooked on Houses, Sara @TDC, Nester
Melissa @ A Familiar Path, Emily @ Chatting at the Sky
I wanted to add in 49 million more photos but my computer is so slow today and I didn’t take 49 million photos…but my sister did.
I got to hug GUSSY!
embarrassing that I got a photo of Edie’s Mocha Cupcakes but NOT one of Edie
I also came home wondering about you. I have always assumed that most of you reading this have your own blog. But now I’m wondering if most of you don’t have blogs. So, I thought I’d take a survey.
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Writers write about their passions, too. They just don’t always fit into a niche. And I think you can take credit for a few of those questions from our talk ;)
I can’t wait to see the results of that survey. Now I’m gonna have to do one. I’m such a kid sister.
Yeah, that’s write {get it?} they do write about their passions, I didn’t mean that they don’t. Hate me. Don’t beat me up Writers!
I love your blog and even more I love when I get to see pictures of you with my other favorite bloggers having fun! I have a blog (voted!) but haven’t gotten ’serious’ or ’scheduled’ about posting until recently…I do it because I love to make things or make things better (house wise) and I love to share it. The thrill for me is when someone says “you got me thinking and I might just have to try that” I think the point that I got serious about having my house the way I want it and not the way someone else does is when I came across your blog and saw those beautiful words “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful” :) So thanks and I hope that next year I’ll get up the guts to go to Blissdom and meet all you inspiring ladies!!
Aw…I want to hug Gussy AND you, Nester! I’d looove to go to Blissdom. Maybe in a few years?
This has nothing to do with your post, but I always feel compelled to report when I do a new mistreatment. I did one in the entryway and it looks great!
Well maybe that sort of relates to your post cause is sure is your niche.
p.s. I added the word mistreatment to my computer dictionary so spell check would stop bugging me. It’s such a relief :)
1. I love that you feel compelled to report
2. You what? YOu can add a word to your computer’s dictionary?!!!
I HAVE A BLOG…BUT IS BLISSDOM FOR JUST GALS WHO LIKE TO GAWK AND WRITE…BUT DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT ALL THE TECHNICAL STUFF?
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year, found you originally through my RLF (real life friend) Debbie (she has since stopped blogging – she’s the one that started “Blog Around the World.” ANYWAY, I read a few house blogs and some healthy eating/living blogs. I’ve thought about starting one of my own but really only for family journal/scrapbooking purposes. Honestly, I’m scared that it will suck too much of my already precious time. I’m NOT very good with self-control when it comes to time on the computer. Just some thoughts to expand on the survey.
Loved BlissDom….
I don’t think we met … but I’m thrilled we were able to have shared the event!
So happy for you to have had such a special weekend!
It was so wonderful to finally meet you, Nester! All the home blogging girls are just as sweet in person as they are online. I’m glad everyone had a wonderful weekend and made it back home safely! {Nashville may be getting more snow soon!}
Loved meeting you kim! Wish I had a photo of us together! Next year?
Hey Nester!
It was great meeting you, and I too hope that we can hang out more next year!
As for worrying about making people mad because you’re not writing about decorating today, well, the way I look at it is: thirty years from now- you’ll be so glad you documented every one of your days. And I think your post today will inspire just as many women to focus on and cherish their friendships, as your decorating posts inspire them to create meaningful surroundings!
XO,
Layla
It was great meeting you. Your hair and shoes are even more fab in person…along with the rest of you of course :). Thanks for linking to Emily’s questions. Very thought provoking.
I’m sure you girls had a wonderful time!! You’re blessings! Thank you!
I love you.
That is all.
No, I totally love YOU.
See people how meeting these people makes you love, LOVE them?!
I would have loved to have been there and am hoping to be next time. I can’t believe with how much I am on here I only found out about Blissdom a week ago. Dang that stinks.
I have attempted to do a niche blog and tried different niches but I am so spherical in every area of my life, a focused blog is out of my ability. I do enjoy yours though. :) Its definitly a fave. :)
This is probably not what you intentioned by your post, but I have to tell you… it is finally clear to me what a niche blog is. I never really understood :)
Thanks!
I had a wonderful time talking with you girls, so sad I got sick and had to go home early :(
I’m getting a ticket next year! If I have to beg, borrow or ummm… sell lots of pretty towels, I’m going. End of story.
I, too, wonder how many readers have blogs. It said I had already voted, but you know that I have one, so no surprise there! I love that you bring conversation into the comments, so that everyone is involved. That was my one blogging goal this year – talk more in the comments.
Looks like you had a wonderful time! It’s fun to see
real pics of some of my favorite bloggers, not just avatars.
I have a blog, but I wouldn’t consider myself a writer or
a niche blogger. So that means my mom reads it. ;)
Okay, I am so completely going to this next year!!! Everyone looked like they had an amazing time, it would have been great to hear you speak, and also meet you! Janell
Oh, I love that first pic and I definitely am going to be stealing it :)
It will be so interesting to see your survey. I am betting that most of your readers Do NOT have a blog and are just gleaning wisdom from your sweet, little head. :) Glad we got to hang at the airport…again, you caught me at the end of a conference processing (but at least it wasn’t for the whole 8 hours in the car….LOL)
I tried to start my blog as a niche blog, but it has evolved into more of a hodge-podge… lots of different things I love! I know what you mean about big conferences being overwhelming and hard to connect meaningfully… so you know, if you ever want to have mini-hang-out-&-chat-with-local-bloggers-conference, I’m in! Blessings!!!
Looks like you had a great time. :)
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. How wonderful to meet so many professional and sincere women. Good to know bloggers are as wonderful in person has they are on their blogs.
What an awesome time tha must have been! I was so excited just to see you all in one picture :-)
This is one of my favorite, first-thing-I-check-in-the-mornings, can’t-wait-to-see-what-you’ve-written (about your niche) blog. Thanks for reporting on Blissdom! I voted!
And now…I want to see how to do a mistreatment on a bathroom window that is hexagonal shape, low on the wall, and is frosted with no real “need” for a treatment due to privacy. *wink*
I am loving all your pics! Don’t worry about not talking about fabric and paint! :) And for some reason it said I already voted too…hmmm…
Looks like you had a great time!
Hey girl! So glad that y’all had a fun time! I love the pictures!!
Hugs!
Susan
sounds like it was a wonderful weekend!
Nester, how AWESOME it was to meet you. I really just wanted to tie one of your pretty scarves around my neck too, so that we could hang out all weekend. Wasn’t sure if you’d appreciate that, though… :)
Glad ya’ll had such a great time. No, no blog here and I am not interested in blogging myself. I LOVE reading blogs, mostly on decorating, but also other topics that interest me. Quite honestly, I spend enough time reading without maintaining a blog myself.
Honey, why are you hiding behind those scarves?! You’re adorable.
tina
HIding? I like them and it was COLD!!!!
but I noticed that too, I had a scarf on in every photo!
Looks like a great time! I hope I can have the opportunity to go next year. My blog is still new and I’m working on expanding it/ improving it. It started out as a blog to keep in touch with family but I started blogging about my “passion” as you said and it’s not so much about our latest play dates anymore as my latest projects. :) It’s so much fun to share with others the things I love doing around the house. Much more gratifying than the “it’s nice.” reaction I get from my husband :)
okay, so I have a blog…but i never update it…so while I clicked yes above, I don’t know where that really puts me! ;)
Nester! I can’t wait to be at Blissdom next year! For real. I’ve kind of “met” your sister out in blogland as she helped me navigate the McLinky on her site last week.
I’m brand new to blogging, but I’m been looking at yours and a few others for about 1 years now! So happy to finally be among you fabulous people!
I promise I can type….I meant to say I’VE been looking not…I’m been looking! :) trying to type a comment in between doing lunch, laundry, making bread and homeschooling isn’t working for me today, apparently.
Well, I love when you talk {paint} but I love even more when we hear about you and your adventures!
Looks like a lot of fun you had in TN!
Sandy Toe
The nester was here, the nester was here (I actually went through some part of last week saying “The nester is coming, the nester is coming” leaving my husband with a very puzzled look!)… along with her bloggy friends… and I MISSED IT!! I am so glad that you posted about Blissdom, I can get back to my mistreatments tomorrow! ;)
I had fun checking out your pictures from the trip and while you were here, I was checking out everyone’s blogs and joining a “I didn’t get to go to Blissdom” party. Thank you for all the work you put into your blog, it is such a joy to be a part of!
Yeah for pictures… Yeah for Becky @ Infarrently (friend from home)… nice to see her face next to yours. Glad you all had fun.
Saying that meeting you was a joy would be the biggest understatement of the year. People, imagine the Nester and then imagine her times 1,000 – that’s just a hint of who she is. Beautiful, friendly, fun, creative…okay, I sound like a stalker. Gah!
Anyway, Nester…I think you are all that and a bag of veggie chips, or whatever those were at the Saturday lunch.
Those were the crunchiest chips EVER!
But girl, you are too kind. I’m ready for us to have a home bloggers get together. I learn so much from y’all and I love that we are so close and tight knit! I heart HOME bloggers!
Glue guns unite!
Surely that should be ‘glue guns stick together…’
(Or maybe that’s what you meant by ‘unite’ and my ‘amusing comment’ is just a little slow to catch up…)
Looks like so much fun!
Hmmm . . . I have a blog. It’s a. . . it’s a. . . hodge podge blog, I guess. I apparently have no niche. Since finding you, though, along with a few others, I have posted more on my projects. But I still post about my kids, Down syndrome awareness, etc.
I think I need a blogger intervention to help me focus.
Stacy, you do not need a blogger intervention! There are so many types of blogs~not everyone needs or wants to be a niche blog. It all depends on your blog goals and purpose!
Well, I hate I wasn’t there to stalk y’all like last year. : )
And listen, just because you blog mostly about home stuff and do a wonderful job teaching us every week something new, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see posts about your boys or the rest of your family. This is YOUR blog. You blog about home stuff because it’s your passion, but aren’t you passionate about your family, too? Isn’t that WHY you’re passionate about your home?
Love you, girl.
Yep, there are lots of things I’m passionate about but I’ve chosen to make Nesting Place a resource for women wanting home inspiration. From time to time that might include my family in a post but for the most part, I’ve decided to keep the photos of my boys to a minimum, for a few different reasons.
Mostly, I want to be true to what nesting place is about. If I start talking about politics, space, farming…then no one knows what to expect when they come here. Even though I might think about space I’m choosing NOT to write about it here at Nesting Place. I’ve chosen a niche and for this blog, I’m sticking with it. Not because I think people will be mad, but because I want it that way, and I am serious about making Nesting Place a place for home inspiration.
But, Heathalee, I really appreciate what you said. It’ all depends on what your goals are with your blog!
You sound so professional maybe I can ask you a question. What is a niche blog?
Do you have to be blog-famous to go to Blissdom??? I would LOVE to go & meet some of my daily reads (including you of course)….. My hubby thinks that I am crazy for calling you my friend even though we have NEVER met (ha ha ha). ~A
No, no NO! Blissdom is open for everyone who want to learn more about blogging! Come next year, but remember, it sells out fast!
It was so wonderful meeting you. I know I am such a big dork so it was pretty cool you put up with me.
If you are a dork, then I heart dorks. Wait, Im a dork too. Dorks rule!
each time i see the nester in bold black letters in my reader, my heart does a happy dance! i thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. of course, i love the design ideas. i’ve learned SO much from you. but rest assured, i will read whatever you write and be tickled pink. thanks for finding your niche and sharing it with us.
I love seeing all the pics ~ you could post 49 million and I’d want to look. ;-)
Thanks for all that you’ve shared here. I have a blog ~ very new and I’m learning as I go. So many wonderful examples out there!
Thanks for sharing your weekend Nester. I do not have a blog- my 2 little boys take up ALL of my time. I am hoping that when they are older, I’ll get focused, motivated and start one, until then I will continue to lurk all of the fabulous house blogs out there!
Thanks for that! As a one week old blogger, I just have so many ideas and I’ve been analyzing every one to death, thinking about if its really what I want to say, since I’m still defining my space… but maybe I should just chill and have fun :)
I don’t have a blog. I’m content to read, enjoy, and maybe consider trying the cool ideas I’ve read about. I’m still in the “scared of decorating” phase but with each blog and each post I read I find myself a little more interested and a little more confident in my ability to not turn my house into a mishmash of crap. So, keep blogging, dear Nester, because I need you *wink*
Ya’ll all looked cute as a button. Glad ya’ll had a good time!!!
Well, I voted that I have a blog – because I do – but I haven’t written in it for a loooong time – so maybe I should have voted no.
I quit writing because it was annoying me that it had turned into a hodgepodge. I started it with the intention of it being very specific in purpose, but it ended up being about a little of everything.
So it sounds like I NEED your talk on blogs and their purpose. Do I have to wait till next year?? I would love to start blogging again, but need to control what I put on there a little better in order for the content to match its name.
Maybe I should have another one that is for the other stuff…
BTW, I know everyone says this, but I so LOVE your blog! I do. I get excited every time I see a new post too. :) Thanks for your inspiration.
One day, I’ll send you pictures of things that you have inspired me to do in my home. Or if I ever get back to blogging, I’ll post about them and lnk to it. :)
Hey girl, you could write about anything and it would make me smile :)
Blogs or writing without passion would be boring. Yes, boring.
XO
Yes, I have my own blog. You are always welcome to come on over for a cuppa.
Deborah
comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com
I have a blog but it’s a family blog where I keep our friends and family up to date on our lives here. I don’t know if that counts for a blog here. :)
Nester! So great to meet you this weekend. I learned a lot from you both in sessions and at the lunch we shared. Thank you.
Nester, you could write about what you had for breakfast this morning and I would read it. With pleasure.
I appreciate very much that you are true to your niche–I turn to Nesting Place for inspiration and instruction very often. And I tell other people about you, so I’m glad you’re such a trustworthy source. But I love that you do interject some of yourself and your family into your blog. I wouldn’t want to know what you think if you were just about decorating houses. I like to know what you do to make a beautiful home for your family.
As for me, I’m sure I should think long and hard about what my niche might be. I like to think of myself as multi-faceted, but “hodge-podge” is probably more accurate. Ouch.
Take care! And welcome back to North Carolina!
Love,
Richella
Nester, you’re amazing ! So delighted to meet you at this lovely event!
fun pix! and there you are with my BEEEAUTIFULLLLL s.i.l. lindsey!
i’ll have to find my way to a blissdom at some time. for now i’ll settle (which i also really enjoy) for coffee and talk with girlfriends.
Hi, yes, i have a blog….an inspirational blog….need courage, come see me? Need clarification on priorities? come on over…..need me to tell you what you do is GREAT? Yes, I truly think it is, so COME ON OVER!!! I am never the same, I skip around, I ramble, but it is all meant to be inspiration to my handful of readers…..that’s all.
Would have loved being at the Gaylord and getting lost with y’all……it’s humonguous!!
Maybe next year!
Suzanne
Thanks for being a great roomie and BBF. I’m still laughing at us. So many classic moments I will never forget. I couldn’t {heart} you more.
Do I have a blog? HA! I have four :) 1) Pics of my kids. Only nana reads it, and a few aunts. 2) Cooking blog- my sister and I trade recipes back and forth. 3) Crafty stuff…and I started adding other projects I’d been working on, and eventually the “other” stuff started taking over so I started DIY Mama to chronicle everything we can make at home for CHEAP. :) I feel like such a poser on your blog, because I’m so horrible at decorating, and am so utilitarian that I really don’t have the patience for most of it anyway :)
i am so going to beat you up the next time i see you. the non niche writers are luckier because writing IS our passion and whatever we write about is fun (well, almost everything).
Hi there,
I am not sure if I have ever posted here, but I read here A LOT. Actually I think I have posted here, lol! Anyway, I vote YES I do have a blog and was very hap-hazard (is that a word?) until recently. I’m blogging about my life and things I love :)
Kristi
so far the nos are ahead on your survey. i’ll be interested to know how it turns out, since i predicted no.
It was so great to get to meet you! It is one of the highlights of my weekend! That and along with being so crafty who knew you had great taste in shoes! Loved em!
your blissdom recap is great! so glad it went well and you were able to meet so many wonderful and inspirational bloggers out there :)
i love all your scarves…i wear them too :) i have a blog, look at blogs, am decorating a new house based solely on what i’ve learned from blogs….thank heavens for blogland! :)
Looks like SO much fun! Wish I could have joined y’all! I really want to go next year~do you know where or when yet?? I heart your scarves~you all look beautiful!
Yes, I just started my blog this year. I would have loved an event like this. Maybe next year. Personally, I love all kinds of blogs. I am not quite sure what my blog is except that I love to share a kind of life application and
Scripture theme. I just love sharing what God shows me daily.
Blessings,
Teresa
Hello Nester … I have two blogs that are active – three really, but one is collaborative with about 12 others … I only wish Australia had a blissdom to attend … think you are all so lucky – it all about the connections … best le
I read your niche questions when you tweeted them on twitter and I thought they were excellent. I really struggle with staying all niche’ though. I want to be niche’. I do. I am mostly passionate about home inspiration and 90% of what I blog about relates to decorating….but I’m also passionate about recipes, and beauty tips, and jeans that don’t make my butt look big. Your questions gave me a lot to think about. Like, do I want to blog to please an audience, or do I want to blog to please myself? Obviously they don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but one typically weighs more heavily than the other. It’s a tough question to answer but a fantastic one to ask. So…thanks!
I tried to vote. (I don’t have a blog.) It wouldn’t let me. It said I had already voted. Did anyone else get that message?
I’m surprised the poll is showing more people don’t have blogs! Thanks for sharing pictures of your fun weekend. It’s almost like being there. Well, not really but it’s fun seeing everyone’s perspective.
I love your niche. If only I could get brave enough to try some of your wonderful suggestions. I’m one of those that will paint and redecorate a room and have blank walls for years. Fear of putting something up that won’t look right. I’m trying…
wow!! im surprised that your poll is split down the middle!! i assumed most people who read blogs, have blogs. i was wrong ;) blissdom sounds great… maybe someday ill be a famous blogger who gets to go. or not :)
Nope, no blog here. I have thought about it already, but there’s this thing called “time”…I love to read yours though and all the wonderful ones out there. They always gets my creative juices flowing!
Cute, cute, cute blogger ladies. I love looking at the photos from Blissdom. One of these years I might go!
I’m glad you asked that question! I don’t have a blog but I’ve come to realize that most of the blogs I read (house blogs and recipe/cooking blogs seem to think that only other blogger visit them That’s why I quit entering give-away contests on blogs – I felt they were only going to other people who blog. I love reading other people’s ideas and have gotten some great decorating advice from the blogs I read but I can’t imagine holding a full time job, cooking, cleaning, etc. and having time to do a blog nearly as well as all you do. I have several blogs I visit every day but rarely comment but I am a very appreciative “lurker”. Keep up the good work!
I’m amazed at the results of your survey! Who woulda thought!
I have a blog – http://www.couponmakeover.com!
I would have LOVED to go to Blissdom – Why don’t they sell cd’s from the conferences – they would make a TON of money?!?!
I very much enjoyed your panel at Blissdom! It inspired me to think about my own niche — which I think may be in the tech/computer/electronics area. I’m still sort of dreaming it up, though. Your 7 questions were great.
Also — your sister is a fantastic photographer! What lovely pictures she posted!!
I can’t get the vote thing-y to work, it says I’ve already voted (which I haven’t) but just for the record I don’t have a blog…..I’ll be interested to hear your results.
Blogger over here! Mine is called Casa Brasi.
Love your blog, by the way. Looks like you guys had a great time at Blissdom!
Hope you have a great day!
Nester,
Thank you for sharing some of your experiences and photos. It looks like a great time was had by all. I posted about the conference I attended in NJ this weekend. Harry made an appearance there as well!
Deborah
So fun to see familiar faces from some of my fav bloggers all together. Blissdom sounds like soooo much fun. I’m hoping I can go one year. :)
i just showed the kids our picture and my 4 y.o. asked who you were. then said, “she’s pretty!” it was a thrill to meet you and get to hang out with you a few times – something i have been looking forward to for so long! you are a doll!
It was super great seeing you at Blissdom! I love how our lives have collided over the year. You have been a great inspiration to me since I first “found” you. Would have loved to have hung out more….so much to process in such a short time. We ended up leaving before lunch on Sat (Trish’s son in hosiptal), so we missed the rest of Blissdom and your talk, maybe next year!
I have a blog but I rarely get computer time and when I do, I use it for practical reasons or for reading other people’s blogs, so mine gets little attention.