* I would quite like a life fairy to take me in hand. Take over my life. Take charge of everything, make it over, figure out how I can achieve all my goals this lifetime, set me a game plan and hand back the reins in a few months. That being said, listening to this podcast – an interview with full-time nomad, professional writer/traveler Nora Dunn has helped reassure me that I will get to see at least some of the places I want to visit this lifetime.
* I recently removed my 20SB badge from my sidebar (although I highly doubt anyone noticed). It was messing with my template, and while I love the idea of the whole 20SB community, I wasn’t really getting anything out of it. I can only think of one blog offhand I discovered through it, and their forums are clogged with newbies whining about how after a whole month of blogging, nobody reads them, and what can they do to get more followers? NEWSFLASH: It takes work. And just who are you writing for anyway? Might pay to check those priorities.
* October challenge fail so far. Slept till usual on Wed after staying up til 1pm doing banking and blogging. Got up early Thursday, did laundry, dishes and fitted in a run, but couldn’t drag myself away from my warm bed yesterday.
Now, to the biz…
FOOD
Milk Miracle on how to get the most out of an Indian buffet (If anyone knows of any such places in Auckland, I beg of you: Holler!)
Living Well on Less asks for ideas on good meals to freeze for later.
At Eating Rules, a bunch of bloggers are taking part in October Unprocessed, a month of eating more naturally.
Lacey of Perks of Being a Jap tests out a fingerlickingood Rachael Ray cupcake recipe.
At Dinner: A Love Story, Jenny presents a week of super simple meals derived from just a handful of pantry staples.
And I’m dying to try this easy-peasy mushroom lasagne from Smitten Kitchen.
MONEY
Lindy at Minting Nickels blogs about number crunching and motivation.
Leslie at 27 and Frugal writes about balancing frugality and consumerism.
Fabulously Broke asks: What do you consider rich?
Financial Samurai reckons anyone can make six figures at any age.
Little House asks if art can be a good investment.
Frugal Confessions interviews a gardening pro and shares some tips on getting the most of growing your own.
WORK / CAREER
Living Shallow, Living Well on why she’ll never be CEO.
Fabulously Broke argues that being your own boss is not automatically the right solution for everyone.
Jane recounts her experiences with unemployment in the unstable creative industries.
Finding Serenity explains the case for reconsidering a teaching career.
Ms Career Girl suggests some ideas for stay-home mothers to earn income.
Working Girl gets some fresh blood, including….an Editing WG!!
LIFE
At Writing to Reach You, Ashley blogs about the introverts’ dilemma.
Jess of Accidentally Graceful rethinks her stance on love, logic and marriage.
Emily Jane explains why she’ll never go niche on her personal blog.
Dana at Pushing Thirtyy on that that most sacred female domain: the purse.
Little House on the Prairie asks: Whatever happened to hobbies?
Neurotic Workaholic blogs about anonymity and putting your name to your writing.
Sunshine on My Shoulder voices some thoughts on appreciating her LDR.
Ironic Mom blogs on children, swearing and rude gestures. I curse a lot, so a whole other reason to delay childbearing.
At So Caroline Says, some poignant thoughts on the end of a relationship.
The pregnant and fabulous Penny Frugalista has baby names on the brain.
Marian has always considered herself adventurous, but she’s starting to reconsider just what that means.
And finally, a wedding planner offers a little insight into her job and the whole wedding industry. Whaddya reckon – is it worth using a planner? Why or why not?
Wow! A double whammy. ๐ Thanks for the link love and showing me the other blogs.
P.S. I totally agree with your 20sb comment. They’re all crying after a month or messaging you annoying notes every 2 days saying: COME SEE MY BLOG.
Seriously?.. Gahrgg. Anyway, stats and subscribers are just numbers. I tried to keep track of my stats and all that, but I just couldn’t be bothered. I like to write for the sake of writing, and I’m just happy people enjoy my blog posts. ๐
Thank you for the mention — great reads on this list!
Hmm.. my nearly 4 year old daughter muttered under her breath this morning, “Bloody hell”… whoops on my behalf. Better than the f word I suppose!
In terms of wedding planners — meh. Perhaps if it is a quickie wedding and need some help, or if you work crazy hours, one would come in handy. I sorted mine out in 4 months (engaged to married) but even though there was a lot going on in my life at the time (baby, sick dad), I wasn’t working, so I managed.
I’ll have to go over and read the post now ๐ Plus a couple more that I spotted. This is a great way to find some new stuff to read, love it!
Thank you so much for the link love! Totally checking out some of the others now ๐
I haven’t had my 20SB badge on my blog for a while and I kept meaning to put it on there, but I’m really not that active on the community anymore. And after seeing some of the comments in last month’s Featured Blogger post, it really turned me off. I did find a bunch of the blogs I read now from their site, but I have a good assortment of blogs to read, and am always finding more from other bloggers!
Hello!
Thank you for the mention:).
Thanks for including me in your round-up! I haven’t heard of 20SB, but I do think that if a community isn’t offering much, then it’s time to move on. Thanks again!
[…] Link love (Powered by nachos and simple humanย decency) at Musings of an Abstract Aucklander […]
love these break downs! Helps me catch up.
Sorry I’m just now getting around to tell you Thanks! That post got far more responses than I thought any of my posts would haha! I appreciate the advice I’ve gotten more than anything, and I appreciate the mention!
I’ll send you more recipes when I find any. I’m trying some of those cheap eats in that one I sent you this week ๐
Thanks for the mention! Glad you enjoyed the interview. Anything is possible – that’s for sure!