Category Archives: Uncategorized

Random Beauty From My Morning Bike Ride

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It’s one of those picture-perfect days in the Bay Area today so I wanted to take full advantage of it and I took my bike out for a spin. There’s a trail by my house that runs along the railroad track…not something you would ordinarily consider beautiful but somehow to me, it all looked beautiful today. It’s amazing how much beauty can be found, if only you look. (click on images to enlarge)

 

I even found myself drawn to the nuts and bolts of the railroad track.

 

Can a power tower be beautiful…ok, well maybe interesting at least, right?

 

I hope you are finding beauty in your day. Happy Sunday!

 

 


We All Have “Bruises”

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I heard the song by Train called Bruises today and I think it’s something everyone can relate to in one way or another. We all have “bruises” from life but these bruises help to shape us into who we are meant to be. Accept life’s lessons and revel in who you are!

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Image from Goat Hill Fair

 HAPPY SATURDAY!

Here is a link to the YouTube video if you’re interested ~ Bruises by Train


Just A Blonde Trying To Make It In An SEO World

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I have a headache. My head feels like my desk looks – like a bomb went off.

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Going to a self-hosted site has opened up a whole new world…a world that I know nothing about! SEO – what? HTML – huh? Google analytics-schmitics. Driving traffic…traffic is something I try to avoid each day…whose idea was this?? And why didn’t one of you try to stop me?!

All kidding aside, this is a huge learning curve for me. My first thought was to go buy some books to help me out…well, little did I know that my first challenge would be in trying to find a bookstore still in business! Once I found a store, I planted myself – a middle-aged woman amongst 20 year old tech geeks – in the computer aisle, flipping through dozens of books with a deer in headlights look on my face I’m sure.

When I spotted the “SEO for Dummies” book, I thought salvation had been found….but even that book looked a little too complicated for me. Then, there it was…the Teach Yourself Visually series. I am very much a visual learner and this book has pictures! :) The whole book has screen shots with instructions on how to accomplish your goal…I couldn’t be happier – I think…I’ll get back to you on that.

Maybe this blonde will find a way to make it in an SEO world after all! Wish me luck!

I accept all insider tips, tricks and suggestions, should you have any to offer. 

Making The Move From WP.com to WP.org

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I have had several people comment that they would like to hear how the transition went in my move from my WordPress.com hosted site to WordPress.org, a self-hosted site. So I decided that I would share my experience for any of you who are interested or might be considering this move.

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First of all, you may be wondering why I wanted to move to a self-hosted site. My reasons are fairly simple in that I want to possibly pursue paid advertisers/sponsors and the flexibility to format my site however I choose with no limitations or restrictions.

Once I made the decision that I was going with the self-hosted site, I had to decide if I would make the move on my own – meaning I would have to create a new site from scratch myself and be sure that everything was configured and running correctly, or if I would pay the $129 fee and purchase the Guided Transfer that WordPress offers. The decision was not a difficult one for me as I know just enough to be dangerous….and this was VERY dangerous territory for me! So I hauled out the plastic card and handed my site over to the WordPress wizards….it was definitely the right decision!

Within the same day, I received an email instructing me on how to start the process. I first needed to choose a hosting site (I chose Go Daddy). Once my hosting site was purchased, I turned it over to the WordPress team to do their magic. In less than a 48 hour time frame, I was informed that my new site was up.

When I pulled up my site, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it all still looked and operated the same…not really sure what I was expecting but I was extremely happy that, from my point of view, it appeared to be a seamless transition.

As I maneuvered around a little more there were a few nuances that I noticed, as there are some differences between the hosted and self-hosted sites. The good news is that when you purchase the Guided Transfer, there is a two week support period to help you iron out any issues. I would highly encourage everyone who does this to really play around with your site during this two week period and fully utilize the support team’s knowledge and experience. I emailed the support team on a daily (if not hourly) basis with the questions I had and I was able to iron out a lot of my issues…..Michael (my WP wizard) and I are good friends now. ;)

As with most decisions I make, this was a fairly spontaneous move on my part without 100% knowing what I was getting myself into. I didn’t really consider the fact that I have no HTML knowledge or experience in managing a self-hosted site. Luckily for me, WordPress has done an excellent job in creating plugins and widgets that compensate for all my inadequacies…”Plugins and Widgets for Dummies” if you will.

I had completely taken it for-granted that WordPress.com offers full service sites and a community that supports it. So I was thrilled to find out that some genius came up with the Jetpack plugin. This plugin covers many of the facets that WordPress.com offers, things I never even thought about such as comment boxes, sharing buttons, spell check, stats, photo galleries, and on and on.  In general, it offers you all the conveniences of WordPress.com on your self-hosted site.

However, having said that, there are a few things that are different and, at this time, cannot be changed (and I hope all you wizards out there are working on new plugins for these issues). For one thing, all the “likes” on previous posts do not transfer over to the new format. Not really a big deal but it does make you feel a little bit like a loser since there are no likes on all the previous posts. :)

Another difference is that because technically you are not part of the WordPress.com community any longer, there is no “like” or “comment” box available in the Reader for people to quickly respond to your post. Someone actually has to open the post to like or comment on it….but isn’t that what you’re really trying to do anyway, is to get someone to visit your page. But I’m sure that not having this feature will impair the number of likes and comments you might get. I’m sure I will discover some other differences as I go along, but I have to say that as of right now, I am really happy with the move and features offered.

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As an added challenge to moving my site, I also decided that I only wanted to manage one blog instead of the two I had going. I chose to continue with my SKEdaddle blog and to shut down SKEdazzles. This was a fairly big risk for me as the majority of my followers were on my SKEdazzles site. At the time, I did not know if my followers would be able to be redirected to my current blog. I was pleasantly surprised (and very grateful) to find out that my followers could be redirected and that I didn’t have to start from scratch again. On a side note, this is also true for Facebook pages if the pages are similar in nature.

To sum up my experience, I give it a thumbs-up. It’s been relatively painless and I am happy with the results so far. Now it’s up to me to play around and fine-tune things as I wish.

In true fashion for me, I have no idea where I’m going with this but I love knowing that I now have the freedom to do what I want to with this blog and that my options are limitless….because that’s just how I roll – living life serendipitously one day at a time! ;)

Goat Hill Spring Fair

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Antiques, vintage and hand-crafted items are the theme for the Goat Hill Fair held in the Santa Cruz Mountains twice a year. The location alone is worth the trip as the rolling, green hills provide a stunning backdrop for this event.

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The Goat Hill Fair was the vision of interior designer, Cyndi Garofalo. When you attend this event, it does not feel like an ordinary street fair. With it’s vintage theme and the truly unique hand-crafted items by the artisans, this fair stands out from the others. There is also a strong comradery between the women (and men) who are here to support one another and encourage each other to be successful. The women who run this event are friendly and supportive of each and every vendor and many of the vendors are friends among themselves.

My sister, Vicki Petulla of The Creeping Fig, was asked to do a presentation on  the “Filler, Thriller, Spiller” concept on planting urns. She had a great turn-out and, in the end, a lucky audience member received the beautiful urn she planted, compliments of Goat Hill.

 

The vendors here offer an eclectic selection of items and everyone is bound to find something they want. I have highlighted a sampling of some of the vendors who participated in this fair. Come take a walk with me as we stroll through the Goat Hill Fair…(click on the images to make larger).

Atelier de Campagne

Who doesn’t love the boys from Atelier de Campagne with their charming personalities and their beautiful European merchandise.

 

Deuixeme Vie and Judy’s Buckles and Baubles (shared booth)

Accessories, accessories, accessories is the theme of this booth shared by Michele and Judy. With Michele’s unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted vintage purses and Judy’s sparkling belt buckles and baubles, a girl will leave this booth well adorned.

 

Jennifer Boodt, Center Street Antiques

Jennifer offers a beautiful selection of items from crystal pieces to children’s vintage games.

 

Vintage Bliss, Amy Hendricks

From the frilly dresses and skirts to the romantic home interior items, I left this booth with stars in my eyes.

 

Vintage Treasures, Karen File

Fun vintage treasures adorn this booth from romantic frames to chandeliers and so much more.

 

Just Junk, Megan Sempek

Looking for a little feel of Americana? You’ve come to the right booth. I left this booth wishing I had a home in the Hampton’s so I could furnish it with all the fun items from here.

 

Call Me A Relic

I thought the name of this vendor was so creative and such an appropriate description. What is it about those old, rusty metal pieces that are so attractive and appealing ~ I love the old metal pulleys.

 

Bumblebees by the Sea, Rina Riccabona

Another fun booth offering good ol’ Americana and romantic items.

 

Sherry’s & Patty’s Booth

I can’t say I’m much of a domestic goddess in the kitchen but I have to say, I left this booth inspired to host a beautiful party.

 

We Knew Now, Michelle Schmitt & Nick Young

This booth had a great view of the gorgeous landscape ~ I’d say those birds and bunnies had the best seat in the house. :)

 

Sam Martinez Antiques

Statuaries, bird houses and metal adornments from here will enhance any garden.

 

Exquisite Randomness, Robbin Stall

Don’t you just want to put on your pillbox hat, grab your teal luggage and board Pan Am to some exotic location?

 

Chic Staging & Design

Metal crosses, crowns and signage would add a great element to any home.

 

Savannah Designs, Sheryl Becker

This booth offered mostly jewelry and accessory pieces but I’m pretty sure that egg sign was one of the most popular items at the fair this year….and yes, it sold.

 

Green House Supply

This vendor offered a lovely selection of cake plates, baskets, vintage bottles and more.

 

Vintage Farmhouse

As one of the first vendors as you enter the fair, a great vintage trailer and the bright pops of color here immediately capture your attention. It’s my understanding that the very cool vintage gas tank belongs to the property owner.

 

And of course, let’s not forget the namesake of the property…the goats!

 

I hope you had fun strolling the fair with me. If you live in the Bay Area, make it a point to come visit in person this fall. Please check out Cyndi’s blog for the location (they will be hosting it in a barn this fall) and to confirm the dates (here).

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I tried my best to identify each vendor that I photographed ~ here is a full listing of all the vendors that attended this event (here).

Thank you for your patience during my site remodel. ;)

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I am so very excited to have moved SKEdaddle over from the WordPress.com hosted site to now being self-hosted. However, not everything moves over completely smoothly and you will notice a few formatting hiccups. I appreciate your patience as I learn how to manage and format my site. Thanks for continuing to support me during my transition. :)

Brain

Guest Post: Why Cruise to Magical Alaska…

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…we dispel the common myths around Alaska Cruises.

By Mundy Cruising

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There are so many preconceptions about Alaska cruises.  The most common are, ‘I don’t really like the ice and cold’; ‘I think it would be a bit boring’; and ‘There are so many ships there, it just must be a seething mass of tourists’. So I think it is worth taking a look at these comments and addressing them.

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1)     Alaska is too cold for me

First of all, Alaska is not an icy destination. Yes, there are glaciers, and of course in the winter there is plenty of snow, but on an Alaska cruise you will visit in the summer months, and you will be visiting a temperate area of rain forest. Like other temperate areas (the UK for example) it is lush and green as a result of high levels of rainfall. But at the same time, the weather is mild, and if you are lucky it will be warm and sunny for the whole time you are there. Even when you get heavy rain in the morning, you could be enjoying blazing sunshine and blue skies by the afternoon.

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2)     Aren’t Alaska cruises a bit boring

An Alaska cruise is certainly not boring. This multi-faceted destination has so much to offer: amazing natural beauty, of course, with mountain peaks and extraordinary multicoloured glaciers, but also an incredible array of wildlife including bears and whales, an extraordinary history relating to the gold rush to the Klondike in the late 19th century, and long traditions and folklores revolving around the myths and histories of the native Americans in the region.

Shore excursions are more varied and exciting than in any other mainstream cruise destination, with Alaska cruises offering options such as white-water rafting, floatplane expeditions, helicopter landings on glaciers, mountain biking, dog-sledding, snorkeling and so much more.

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3)     Won’t there be thousands of cruises to Alaska in 2013 – I’ll be surrounded by people!

Because the destination has so much to offer the tourist, large numbers of large ships spend the whole summer there.  It is true that when you wake one morning in Juneau and see four huge ships lined up, your heart may sink. But within minutes you are in the wilderness: even the congested Inland Passage region is quite large enough for you to spend the day with no sign of life apart from your fellow passengers on a shore excursion, and the amazing wildlife.

So having established that Alaska should definitely be on your ‘must do’ list, how to do it? There is an array of cruises to Alaska in 2013 for all tastes and preferences.  If you enjoy a luxury ship, the smaller Silversea and Regent vessels can get you away from the crowds – and in a destination where the shore excursions are so important, Regent’s all-inclusive pricing really represents great value.   Premium Alaska cruise options include Oceania Cruises and Alaska veteran and expert Holland America, with its extraordinary selection of land and cruise options, including the Klondike, Fairbanks, The Denali National Park, and of course Canada and the Rockies.  No Alaska cruise is complete without a pre or post cruise trip on the Rocky Mountaineer.  The Rocky Mountaineer starts in Calgary and travels via the beautiful mountain town of Banff, Kamloops before arriving in Vancouver.  The train also operates in reverse.  Highlights include Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon, the stunning views along the Thompson River and miraculous Spiral Tunnels.  If you are planning a cruise to Alaska in 2013, the Rocky Mountaineer is a must.

Guest post written on behalf of Mundy Cruising, a UK based cruise specialist.

All statements of fact and opinion are those of the guest authors. 

Guest Post: The Canary Islands by Paul Estcott

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Why choose the Canary Islands?

You’re interested in finding a sunny destination and you don’t quite know what to choose? First, think about what you want from your vacation. Do you want to sit on a beach, swim in the ocean and get a tan? Do you want to party all night long, wake up late in the morning and then go shopping and start all over again? Do you want a place where you as a family can relax but also sightsee? Let us tell you a not so well-kept secret… the Canary Islands have everything you could possibly want.

The Beaches

The beaches on Fuerteventura are the most stunning beaches in the Canary Islands. If you want to surf, then Lanzarote is the best place to do this. Remember to wear sunscreen and cover your head if you are out and about during the day. Drink lots of fluids and don’t eat too many fatty foods, you could get sick from the heat.

The Nightlife

Ibiza is great and the atmosphere is vibrant, but La Canaria is much more refined and wild at the same time. Meet people from all over the world and enjoy a drink and a dance with them. The Yumbo center is the largest entertainment center on this island – almost empty during the day, the people start coming around 8 PM. You can shop, go to bars, and eat – all right there at the Yumbo.

Eating

If you like fish you will love the Canary Islands. Sancocho is a dish made with a type of bass that is boiled with potatoes and served with a spicy sauce. The Canary Islands have their famous sauces called mojos – choose from spicy or green to put on your fish and potatoes. For desert, spoil your taste buds with an almond cream desert with a touch of lemon.

A Little Something for the Children

Your children will not get bored in the Canary Islands. You can take them to aquariums, such as the one on the Lanzarote Island, to the zoo or on various hikes to show them the arid beauties of the Canary Islands. If you want to give them the adventure of their lifetime, there is a Yellow Submarine on Lanzarote Island that will dive to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean and offer you and your children the most amazing view you could experience.

Author Bio: Paul Estcott is a freelance writer who enjoys travelling and sharing his experiences with the world. For great accommodation in the Canary Islands, he recommends www.whitebeachholidays.com

All statements of fact and opinion and photographs are those of the guest authors.