Feature Friday - Holiday Events

My favorite part of "blogland" is the many blog posts about holiday decor, crafts, and recipes.  If you add in the holiday themed link parties and other events, the month of December promises to be a special time in blogland.

One of the things that I have been doing at LinkyHere.com is gathering information about the various holiday events going on so that I can help "spread the word" about them.  What's a party without guests?  The holiday season is about sharing, giving and fellowship after all.

I'm going to share some holiday events that are going on now or plan to start soon with you.  If you know of one that isn't mentioned here, let me know so I can add it to my "list".

Fox Hollow Cottage and Debbiedoo's are hosting a Dollar Tree Christmas Link Party.  This fun event invites you to share "anything Christmas" using an item/ingredient from a Dollar Tree store.  This party started on Nov. 23rd and already has over 70 link ups (great inspiration) but has another week left so head over and share your creativity!  This link party can be found here or here.

That's What {Che} Said is hosting a 25 Days of Christmas series on her blog as well as a Holiday Happenings Link Party.  The Christmas series has already started and you can find all of her blog posts here.  The link party started on Nov. 23rd and will run until Jan. 5th so you can share holiday projects, recipes, crafts, etc. all the way through the New Year holiday.  You can find the link party here.

The Domesticated Princess is joining three other bloggers to bring you a Holiday Cookie Swap Blog Hop.  You can share your holiday cookie recipes and get some great ideas for YOUR holiday cookie swap events.  This party started on Nov. 20th and happens every Tuesday through Dec. 11th.  The latest link up can be found here as well as links to previous and future parties.

Because I can never get enough of holiday cookies, I want to share another multi-blogger cookie swap link up with you.  Poofy Cheeks is hosting the Great Christmas Cookie Exchange with 10 other bloggers.  You can share your holiday cookie recipes and gather great recipes here.

Life on Lakeshore Drive is teaming up with 3 other bloggers to bring you the holiday decor and food blog hop called, It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas.  This party started on Nov. 28th and will continue through Dec. 19th.  You can find the first link up as well as links to future parties here.

OK, that should get you in the holiday mood, right?  Get decorating and cooking because I'll be back in a few days to tell you about more holiday events going on in blogland!

All Star Block Party #26

Welcome friends!  I hope that all of you had a great Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed lots of food and fellowship.  But now it's time to transition to the upcoming Christmas holidays.  I look forward to seeing all of your Christmas decor, crafts and DIY projects.

Before we start this week's party, let me show you a few things from last week's party.

1.  Achieving Creative Order shared a beautifully remodeled guest room, organized and prepared for holiday visitors.  I love the DIY stained wood plank wall.

2.  The Rustic Pig shared a gorgeous empire dresser makeover with us in 2 of my favorite Annie Sloan chalkpaint colors of Old White and Duck Egg Blue.

3.  This Silly Girl's Life shared how to make Greek style burgers.  I love feta cheese and I can't wait to try this new twist on an old classic food.  Very creative!

4.  Susie Homemaker shared her recipe for Monster Cookies.  I love these cookies because they contain so much good stuff...peanut butter, choc. chips, coconut & oats.  Mmmm!

Thank you to everyone that shared a project or recipe with us last week.  We love seeing all of the amazing talent out there!  If your project or recipe was featured in today's post, take a "featured" button from my sidebar.  You deserve it!

Let's get this week's party started.  Share your crafts, DIY projects, recipes or decor with us!

 In The Old Road 

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, 

Facebook or Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  

Just hover your mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next 

to the gear symbol, then click on the social media site of your choice.

 Loading InLinkz ...

Small Business Saturday

Hi guys!  I just want to remind everyone to "shop local" and support your fellow bloggers' small business.  

Today is Small Business Saturday!

Small Business Saturday was created 3 years ago by NY mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and American Express CEO, Kenneth Chenault, in an effort to urge customers to shop at small and local businesses during the holiday season.

As bloggers, we can support each other by doing some of our holiday shopping online....at Etsy, Storenvy and other online small business shops.  Many shop owners are offering fantastic discounts today.  You can find many of them by searching with the hashtags, #smbizsat or #smallbusinesssaturday on many social media websites.

Happy Shopping!

All Star Block Party #25

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I thought I would start this week's party off by sharing some yummy dishes and desserts from last week's party.  If you're like me, you are starting a last minute search for new recipes for Thursday's Thanksgiving dinner.  I got a few ideas from some of the recipes that were shared at our party....I hope you do too.

Here are a few dishes that look delicious!

1.  Chicken & Dumplings by Kathe with an E.

2.  Sixty Minute Yeast Rolls by What Meegan Makes.

3.  Spicy Quinoa Stuffed Avocado by Bullfrogs and Bulldogs.

4.  Bacon Ranch Chicken by Saved Sister.

5.  Cranberry Sauce-Jello-Salad by Crystelle Boutique.

Don't forget dessert!

1.  Moon Pie Turkeys by Phaedra's Adventures.

2.  Butter cake with Lemon Curd Filling by Spatulas On Parade.

3.  Chocolate Lava Cakes br Amy's Cooking Adventures.

4.  Peanut Butter Pie by Old World Garden.

5.  Pumpkin Blondies by Organized Island.

Thank you to everyone that shared a project or recipe with us last week.  We love seeing all of the amazing talent out there!  If your recipe was featured in today's post, take a "featured" button from my sidebar.  You deserve it!

Let's get this week's party started.  I want to welcome this week's guest co-host, Maria from Agape Love Designs and Photography!

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road 

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

Agape Love Designs (guest co-host)

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, 

Facebook or Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  

Just hover your mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next 

to the gear symbol, then click on the social media site of your choice.

 Loading InLinkz ...

Feature Friday - Holiday Shopping

Every year I promise myself that I will finish my Christmas shopping by the end of November.  We're already halfway through this month and I'm feeling the panic set in.  Like everyone else, I'm waiting for the Black Friday sale frenzy to start.  It always pushes me over the finish line.

This post is not about my holiday shopping but YOURS.  If you are reading this then you very likely have or know someone that has a small business.  Specifically, a blogger that owns his/her own shop....Etsy, Storenvy or something similar.  I ask that you think of these great resources when planning your holiday shopping.  I call it "shop local"....get it, bloggers shopping in other bloggers' shops.  OK, it's kind of lame but you get my meaning, right?

Electronics are always a hot item during the holiday shopping season and accessories for these items are popular in small business shops.  To give you a few examples and ideas, I'm going to share a few of my recent purchases and finds with you.  All of them are electronic accessories and can be found in Etsy shops.  Just in case my family is reading this....all of the items may or may not be Christmas gifts.  Or they could be something that I bought for myself :)

This item is something that I won in a giveaway and I LOVE it!  I've been obsessed with iphone cases since I "inherited" my son's iphone4 a few months ago.  When I saw this iphone cover, I had to own it!  I mean, who doesn't love pop tarts?  A fun, quirky cell phone case/cover is a perfect gift for the electronics junkie in your life.  This one came from the Etsy shop, iCase Sera Sera

Most females like cute handbags or wallets so why not look for one that is tailored to hold a smartphone?  Maybe something like this wristlet/clutch.  Small enough to fit in a larger handbag but big enough to hold the essentials....keys, cell phone, chocolate, etc....  I fell in love with this custom made clutch from the etsy shop, AprilMinnas.  Check out the outer pocket for your cell phone...cool, huh?

Another shop that I found is LunabelleCo.  They have lots of handmade fabric cases/covers for cell phones, tablets and laptops.

I recently purchased a handmade fabric case for my Kindle Fire from the Etsy shop, CitrusSister.  I love that it's padded and easy to carry.

I have some other shops on my list to visit in the next few weeks so I hope to finish my holiday shopping soon.  What about you?  Have you started shopping for Christmas yet?  Don't forget to consider shopping at online small businesses when you do!

All Star Block Party #24

Welcome!  Thank you to everyone that joined us last week.  We had a record setting number of link ups....154!!!  You guys are awesome!  Here are a few things that caught my eye last week.

I've been happy to see a few Christmas crafts floating around blogland.  I love Christmas!  I really like these colorful felt Christmas stockings by maddelee.

Rooted in Thyme made this beautiful Fall vignette with paper mache letters covered in musical and decorative paper.  I love the colors and patterns that she used.

Oh, be still my heart!  I'm in love with this vintage rustic bedroom.  Where do I start?  I'm drawn to the old door as a headboard and the vintage mirror that sits above it....and the large burlap pillow.  You must see all of the pictures that Down to Earth Style posted of this gorgeous room!

Homeroad shared this vintage grater used as a photo display/memo holder.  I love it!  I want it :)

Thanks to everyone that shared their projects and recipes with us.  If you were featured, please take a feature button from my sidebar.  You deserve it!

Now, let's get this week's party started!  This week we have Cynthia from Cloches and Lavender as a guest co-host.  Welcome, Cynthia!

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road 

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

Cloches and Lavender (guest co-host)

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

Do you see a link that you like?  You can now share it on Twitter, 

Facebook or Pinterest with the new inLinkz link tool that we are using!  

Just hover your mouse over the thumbnail, click on the down arrow next 

to the gear symbol, then click on the social media site of your choice.

 Loading InLinkz ...

Changing Roles

Have you ever wanted to clone yourself so that you could do two things at once. I do and I did....sort of.  As most of you know, I have been contributing to the website, LinkyHere.com, since July of this year.  I love that website!  I have stated many times on this blog how much I like to help and promote other bloggers.  I explain it to my family like this:  Think of a school play or dance recital.  I prefer to be the promoter/handler/assistant organizing the event and getting everyone ready to go out on stage to perform.

I discovered and fell in love with LinkyHere.com about eight months ago.  I thought it was a great resource for bloggers to find out where current link parties were....a resource that was much needed in the blogging community.  About that same time, I met Aimee Steckowski, LinkyHere's founder, through social media.  We became twitter pals (tweeps).

OK, this is where I will (once again) tell you how important social media is in blogging.  Remember this is how my friendship with Aimee developed...through twitter!

One day (in early July), Aimee tweeted that she was looking for some help with the day to day operation of the LinkyHere website.  I jumped on it and told her I would be happy to help.  She immediately welcomed me to the LH family and I began to love LH even more, working to help it grow.  This website fit me perfectly.  I could promote other bloggers and their link parties.

Aimee recently wrote a post on the LinkyHere blog about how the future of LinkyHere is changing.  A change that both of us agree on...a change that affects both of us.  I'll let Aimee finish telling you this story...continue reading here.

So now I have two roles:  Shasta of In The Old Road and Shasta of LinkyHere.com.  I will continue to write this blog as well as work on LinkyHere.  They are two separate entities but I am the common factor.  I will be making a few changes with this blog.  It's look may change (hint) and you may see more of my name associated with it.  For example, I recently switched my twitter handle to @shasta2889 (from intheoldroad) and have added LinkyHere as a Google+ page to my G+ account.  There may be other such changes but know this:  if you see "shasta",  it's me, In The Old Road and LinkyHere...clones, but still me :)

Feature Friday - Instagram

Ooops, I almost forgot this post.  I actually just realized that it was Friday.  That's sad, huh?  I totally skipped over Friday in my head....it seems like a Saturday to me.  Weird.

Anyway, I want to tell you about my latest addiction...Instagram.  Do you use it? I never thought much of it until I saw everyone talking about it on twitter.  It's a social network just like twitter or facebook so, of course, I was curious.  Socializing with pictures?  Who knew.

I must tell you, it's cool.  Super cool.  And, yes, socialable.  You leave comments, "like" a status (that happens to be a picture) and "talk" about it with your friends (followers).  Get it?  Think facebook or twitter in pictures. The pictures can be anything....what you're eating or making, where you are (shopping, of course) or what you are doing (family fun, working, etc.).

Here's the deal:  you have to have a smartphone to use it.  I was bummed about this at first, until....my teenage son gave me his iphone4.  He upgraded and I got his leftovers.  Score!  Right?  Not really, I paid for the dang phone in the first place.

Do you want to try out Instagram?  I could explain it to you since I'm all technical and such, haha!  But, I honestly don't know what I'm doing so I'll leave you with some links.

Start, of course, by visiting Instagram.com.  Also, download the Instagram app (FREE) on your phone.  It's pretty easy to find since it's one of the most popular apps used.

Decide on which Instagram web viewer you want to use.  You will need to sign up at one of these sites if you want to join an Instagram blog hop (highly recommended).  You will use your Instagram user ID here also.  They all do pretty much the same thing so just choose your preference. Here are a few to check out.

Webstagram

Followgram

Gramfeed

Extragram

Ink361

My friend, Kimberly of A Night Owl, is my go-to source for information on Instagram.  She hosts lots of IG related parties and hops on her blog.  She wrote about them on the LinkyHere blog back in July.  You can read it here.

I just started using Instagram so I don't have lots of cool pictures like Kimberly does.  Here is my Instagram link.  I only have 12 pictures so far.  I'm so lame :/  If you want to get blown away, check out Kimberly's IG link.  Seriously, this girl is addicted!

Sigh, I want to be like her when I grow up.....

OK, grab your phone and join in the Instagram fun.  I need more IG peeps to hang out with!  By the way, if anyone knows the secret to typing with your thumbs, let me know.   I need HELP!

All Star Block Party #23

Welcome to this week's All Star Block Party!  After all of that voting, who's ready to party?  We are!  But first, let me show you a few of my favorite link ups from last week.

Art is Beauty shared this beautiful antique sewing cabinet redo with us.  I love the color!

I wish I could come across a good find like Every Little Birdie did.  She found a great old cabinet door at a Re-Store, cleaned it up and painted the frame white.  Doesn't it look great hanging on the wall?

I gotta tell ya, I can't get enough of the gorgeous Fall decor that I've been seeing.  I really like this simple rustic decor from The Poor Sophisticate.

Who loves burlap?  This girl!  The Thanksgiving burlap ornaments by I Gotta Create are so cute.  I just LOVE them!

Now, on the this week's party.  This week, we have Korrie from Red Hen Home as a guest co-host.  Welcome, Korrie!

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road 

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

 Red Hen Home (guest co-host)

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

Google+ Hangout On Air - Don't Miss It!

Hey guys!  I want to make sure everyone knows about an awesome Google+ event taking place this week.  Several home decor/diy/creative bloggers will be decorating, crafting and diy-ing LIVE in a Google+ Hangout On Air.  The coolest part?  Anyone can watch!

A Google+ Hangout on Air (HOA) is a recorded hangout session that is available to the public.  The HOA will be available to view by clicking on a link found on a participant's Google+ home page.  You can read more about HOA from the Google+ help directory here.

You really need to watch some of the "Homemade Thanksgiving" HOA sessions next week for 2 reasons:

1. Obviously, it's going to be FUN!  I love watching HGTV programs that feature home design and diy projects, don't you?  This event will be just like that except it will feature bloggers that you know....in a virtual sense, that is.
2. While you are watching some of these online hangout sessions, think of ways that YOU can do the same thing to promote your blog or small business.  Are you a "foodie" blogger?  This would be a great way to promote your blog, link party or cooking series.  Video your recipe "steps" instead of taking tons of pictures and posting them.  It's quicker, easier and probably more appealing to your readers.  The same thing goes if you feature sewing, knitting or any other specialty.

All of the details about this "Handmade Thanksgiving" HOA event can be found on the blog, Just Paint It.  You will find the entire schedule with links to every broadcast.  Get ready to be impressed with the number of bloggers participating.  I was!

I jumped on the Google+ bandwagon last Spring to discover some of it's blogging and small business benefits.  I wanted to share them and encourage others to use them to grow their blog and/or business.  I have been SO HAPPY to see that bloggers are starting to use Google+ as a platform to promote their blogs and/or business.  Bloggers are using G+ Events as a way to invite other bloggers to their link parties, blog hops and blog series.  Hangouts are being used to enhance blogger communications and as a way to "meet" face to face even though they may live miles apart.

Interested in learning more about Google+?  Here are some links to get you started with this fun and useful social media platform:

Learn about how to open a Google+ account here or here.  Meet other "Googlers" and fill up your G+ circles (gain followers) by joining my November Google+ Blog Hop here.

One last thing.  Last Friday, I posted about the trend of bloggers coming together to share link parties and other events (here).  This HOA event is just another way of that happening and I love it.  Way to go bloggers!  

Google+ Blog Hop - November

Welcome to the November Google+ Blog Hop!  

We want to encourage you to use Google+ to help your blog and/or business grow.  This blog hop is designed for YOU to meet new g+ friends, increase the exposure of your blog/business and allow you to "fill your circles"!

Here are a few informative articles that we have recently found to be helpful:

The first article is about using Google+ to boost your blog's and/or sm. business' SEO (search engine optimization).  It is authored by Cyrus Shepard on SEOMoz.org.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-seo

The second one is by Yifat Cohen, the G+ Go To Gal.  She posted this great video on Google+ that describes several ways that you can (and should) use Google+ to get the most out of it for your blog and/or sm. business. 

To join this g+ blog hop, link up your Google+ profile page URL (NOT your blog's homepage).  For the "name" section, use your name or your blog's/website's name.  Use your personal photo or your blog's/website's button/logo for the thumbnail picture.  

Important note:  If you have problems linking up your profile page, try linking the "about" section of your profile page instead of the "posts" section.  Also, problems loading a thumbnail picture usually can be solved by loading the picture directly from your computer instead of your g+ page. 

You may link your g+ profile page at any of the blogs listed below:

In The Old Road (host)

The NY Melrose Family (host)

A Night Owl Blog (co-host)

LinkyHere Blog (co-host)

We would appreciate it if you would also follow the hosts of this blog hop (add them to your circles).  All of the host's g+ profile pages can be found at the top of the list.  

This blog hop is only for g+ pages...please do not link up your blog's url.  We encourage the sharing of your personal, blog or business' g+ (profile) page.  After you link up your g+ profile page, please visit some of the other profiles that are linked up and add them to your circles.  We want you to help your fellow bloggers' g+ page grow!

Feature Friday - Blogger Groups

Have you noticed the trend of bloggers grouping together to hold link parties, giveaways and other events?  I have and I think it's AWESOME!  Bloggers love to share, right?  What better way to do that than share your time and blog space with other bloggers.   It's a win-win situation, you get help with hosting link parties, giveaways or writing a series on your blog.  Your blog (and theirs) also benefits from increased traffic and promotion of your event.

Here are a few such events that I have found this week.

The Thanksgiving Treats and Fall Fun Link Party is shared by 7 bloggers and is a great place to share your Thanksgiving/Fall recipes, decor and projects.  This fabulous party is happening TODAY!

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration of our family, friends and things that we are thankful for.  A wonderful group of 7 bloggers are teaming up to host the Thankful Series on Nov. 3rd to 10th.

If you've been on twitter or Facebook lately, you've probably noticed posts mentioning the A Crafter's Dream Christmas Giveaway and Hop.  This shared giveaway was designed to be a way of supporting small business and shop owners  who offer handmade items.  Each blogger is offering his/her own giveaway worth $25 or more.  There are over 50 bloggers in this event.  Talk about sharing!

Next, I want to tell you about the Inspiration Cafe.  This new "shared blog" is a joint collaboration of 5 bloggers working together to share inspiration and projects.  They will also be hosting their own link party starting on Monday, Nov. 26th.

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that hosting a link party or other event is SO much more rewarding than doing it alone.  I host a weekly link party, the All Star Block Party, with 3 other bloggers and we've become very good friends.  If you ever get the opportunity to collaborate with another blogger on something, DO IT!  The rewards are endless!