Runs on Coffee and Cream

Way back in 2016, there was a blog prompt that I followed and used in my blog content - 5 Fandom Friday (you can read my past posts here). It was my my favourite blog prompt list because not only was it geeky, but it made me actually think about some of my geek interests. I had to dissect some of the shows I loved or books I read. I really enjoyed creating content with the prompts.

Well, it's back and I couldn't be more excited! When The Sartorial Geek announced it today, I clicked on the link right away to check out the prompts. And now I'm pumped to have something to help get my creative juices flowing again. I've been brainstorming about blog content lately and this news couldn't have come at a better time!

It's a new year which always feels like a new beginning to me; a fresh start. I've never been one to hold myself all that accountable for new year resolutions. I wrote down a few goals I'd like to work on this year, but honestly, the only things that matter to me this year are making memories and doing what makes me happy.

We have some fun plans this year, some set in stone and others that we need to finalize. Emma will be walking this year and she's already proved 2019 to be interesting since she's now crawling and trying to stand up. I can only imagine how many new adventures we'll encounter this year with her.

Source

I've also found new inspiration in my creative life - artists, creators, crafts, fabric. So many things have sparked new motivation in me. I haven't felt that in a while to be honest. It's nice. It's nice to feel these things again which make me want to spend time in my craft room or sit at my laptop and write .

My first step in my newfound creative world is starting a new Instagram account; one that will focus solely on my creativity and interests - sewing, crafting, reading, geeky things, and blogging. I've always held myself back a little bit on Instagram knowing that the people who follow me might not want to see a lot of Etsy posts, book reviews, toys, or new fabric pictures. Now, I feel free to spam the heck out of my 'creative' account.

The other thing I want to focus on is streamlining my social media presence. I'm taking a break from Twitter. I have found I just scroll on there; not really interacting or sharing my own thoughts. The next is Facebook. I've backed away from Facebook this past year a bit. I go on randomly only because most of my family is active on there and it's a way to stay sort of connected. But I don't want to get lost in that timeline either. So my goal is to connect my new Instagram account to my Facebook page. That way I can still share things without really having to log into Facebook.

I apologize and also thank you in advance while I navigate this new inspiration and try to find the voice I want to share online.

xo Jen

It's New Year's Eve and tomorrow starts a new year - a fresh start and a chance at a new beginning. I'm not completely sold on making new year's resolutions. They typically end up being thrown by the wayside if they're unrealistic or you lose motivation after a couple of weeks (or days even).


I feel like it's best to always try to better yourself throughout the entire year. I've been working on this for a while now. Things like self-care, growing as a baker, challenging myself with crafts and DIY projects, and trying out new hobbies.

Start 2017 off right.

For me, January 1st does feels like a fresh start. I love looking ahead and thinking about what I have going on in that upcoming year. I love filling out my new planner with events, conventions, and birthdays. Spending time organizing these things helps me clear my head. I recently read all about bullet journals and how they can help ease anxiety, scatterbrain syndrome (which is something that I have been dealing with over the last year), and are a great way to combine your planner/to-do lists/diary into one.

I'm cheating this year however. I already bought a really nice standard planner. One with monthly calendars and then the weeks broke down into bigger sections. I'm hoping to take some of the features and ideas behind a bullet journal and incorporate them into the planner I have. I was pretty pumped about it while looking at planner accessories at Michael's Craft Store earlier this week.

Planner Goals

My carpal tunnel is also playing into not using an actual bullet journal right now too. The thought of marking out my own calendar and dates makes me cringe at the pain in my hand. So a journal already set up and ready to be filled out makes things easier for me.

I do have some other goals I want to work on in 2017... things I'll share another day.

For now, Happy New Year! Be safe tonight and see you in 2017!
xo Jen

About a month or so ago I came across the amazing, talented, inspiring world of the Female Geek Bloggers. I follow a lot of people on Twitter who are apart of this group and I also read some blogs with the FGB logo in their sidebar. I finally did some research into the group and I'm in love!

One of the regular blogging themes amongst the group is the Five Fandom Friday. Five Fandom Friday was started by two bloggers whom I admire, The Nerdy Girlie and Super Space Chick, and each week bloggers will write about the same thing or theme. This past week was 'New Years Blogging Resolutions'. This seemed right up my alley since we're only a couple days away from the new year and I've been focusing more on my blog this year.

So here are my New Years Blogging Resolutions:

1. Better photos
I've stated this before but I really want and need to up my photo game. Which means a better camera and trying to find the best lighting in this house. I have been working on lighting and taking my time with photos to avoid blurriness, but it's still something I want to improve.

2. Connect with companies and host giveaways
Because of IGGPPC, I'm becoming more exposed and experienced with contacting companies about hosting giveaways or looking for sponsors for special events. I now need to transfer that experience to my own blog and hopefully find some amazing people to work with.

3. Write ahead
I'm bad with leaving posts to the last minute. I keep a blog schedule/calendar filled with details and ideas so I never go to update a post with no preparation. But it'd be nice to have a couple of posts on hand at all times for when I get called into work or a sickness takes over. That way I wouldn't feel so stressed out about writing and keep my site up to date.

4. Go on more adventures
More adventures in life means more content to write about. Living in a relatively new-to-me city means there's lots to explore but I just need the energy and bravery to head out there!


5. Become more connected with other geeks
Seems vague, but I want to connect with more people at comic conventions, online, through blogs, etc. Networking can be amazing and I've experienced some positive outcomes from networking. I want to do more in the geek community and work with amazing people!