Feeling meh about intros today, so let’s jump right to it!
Thanks, as always, to the lovely Amanda for hosting. You’re a gem!
1. I seriously can’t get over bagels and lox right now.
My mom and I have always loved the combination and about a year or so ago I introduced Kyle to their gloriousness. He’s been hooked ever since! We have a reeeaalllyyy good bagel place near my house in my hometown and their poppy seed bagels are to die for. Usually we just order plain bagels and pimp them out when we get to one of our houses, but today we tried one of their in-store bagels. It came with salmon, capers (not a fan), tomatoes, and cucumbers. While it was good, we decided that we much rather prefer the simpleness of lox and onions. One little trick we do is to soak the onions in a bowl of ice water to take away some of the acidity and leave the crisp, cold, and delicious. If you’ve never tried it before (I’m looking at you, Julia), it’s a total must!
2. So apparently there are two hurricanes en route for Hawaii within the next few days.
That’s right, not one, but TWO. The forecasters say they aren’t expecting too much trouble from Hurricane Iselle and Julio, but still. Also, have you ever thought of who actually gets to name hurricanes? Hm. I’m really liking Julio. It kind of just rolls off the tongue. JULIOOOOOO.
Kyle and his family had their flight canceled to the Big Island for tomorrow evening, but were able to get it rescheduled for early tomorrow morning instead. I’m flying up next Wednesday to meet up with them and will be staying five full days before I have to rush back to my chemistry lab. I honestly caaaan’ttt wait!
Hawaii Throwback!
3. Pie. In my mouth. Right now. *passout*
4. Oh oh oh! My newest recipes for Savory Style are up right now!
I made the best Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Dream Bars and Sparkling Blueberry Mint Lemonade. That lemonade may just be my new favorite drink EVER. Honestly, it’s to die for! I’m also really happy with how the photos turned out :). The little paper straws and mason jar just kill me. So cute!
5. Last call for requests for things to touch on in my next income report!
It takes me about a week after the month has ended to put them together since many ad networks don’t finalize earnings till then, and I’m hoping the stats will be updated by Friday. Let me know if you guys have any questions or concerns! Here are a few of the ideas I’m thinking about writing about along with the actual moolah report:
- Props and little photography tricks I use
- What backgrounds/boards I take my photos on
- Intro to affiliate links
So far, I’ve had a few requests to share more on different ad companies and when/how much traffic I had when I started using them. Let me know if any other topics spark your interest and I’ll share what I know!
Again, I’m not pretending to be some blogging superstar with these reports! I’m just hoping that other bloggers will be able to take some knowledge away from my trial and error. I’m learning as I go as well!
Anyways, that’s all for today! I hope everyone is having a great week!
The ad company one would be a great one. I’ve just begun the monetization process and feel a bit lost lol….I love reading whatever you write so keep it comin girl! (ps so happy you’re on insta now
I’m interested in traffic. How did you start building traffic to your blog. I know your amazing photography has something to do with it, but what else?
I gotta agree mason jars+cute straws make for cute photos. Also–NOOO for the hurricanes but YAYYY for Hawaii. That will be a nice break for sure!
omg that bagel looks amazing. drool.
I always love to learn which traffic bloggers get! and how others can tweak a few things to get some too
Ohmygoodness that bagel…I have literally been drooling over every single bagel I see these days. A sign? I think so. I need a BLT in my life STAT.
I would definitely love to know how much traffic you had when you started monetizing at all! Just any type of baseline.
Thanks for putting together the income report! I think it’d be interesting to learn more about the expenses portion of monetizing a blog, for example, how much time do you spend on the blog, how much do you spend on hosting the site, buying groceries, food photography props, etc.
I don’t do salmon, but I LOVE everything bagels so I am totally on board with those!
I just made the mistake of heading over to your Instagram, and now I’m craving cookies and lemonade. Ermagherd FEED ME. And you need to start hounding me about ordering those prints! I keep meaning to do it, and I just keep putting it off. That and getting a PO box so I can finally get my subscription list in order. Ugh. Blogging to-do lists are never-ending…
I am a huge fan of bagels and lox, but I can never find a good place around here to get it! And I’m in love with your lemonade and mason jars. What a beautiful picture, Christine! And I’m so jealous that you’re going to Hawaii next week! I just went to Maui last year for my honeymoon and can’t wait to go back!
This is very helpful! Thanks!!
Maybe adding more on what kind of camera you use would be great to know! )
omg that mint lemonade. GIMME!! Sounds so stinking good and refreshing!
And Im planning a trip with the hubs back to Hawaii next year. Fingers crossed it happens! Although Ill have to get over my fear of flying….
Hawaii looks awesome – but I can’t say I would want to be there at the same time as a hurricane!
I’ve never tried Lox, but blueberry bagels with strawberry cream cheese are a must!
That’s so exciting you’re going to Hawaii! Hopefully the hurricanes pass by and disappear into the ocean.
I’m loving the ideas for income reports. I agree that comparing the different as companies and traffic would be really helpful. It’s crazy how much my incomw varies from each one considering my views are the same for each.
How do you not like capers?! That’s okay, when we meet, I’ll gladly eat all of your capers! I know, I know, I need to get on the lox/bagel train! I will, I will. I cannot wait to see pictures from Hawaii! Have a fabuloso time! Sorry, you talking about Julio made me want to try my Spanish out as well. 😉
Yum! Is that an Einstein’s/Noah’s bagel? I used to work there and let me tell you, the struggle was real to resist eating one every day. Hahah. The everything bagels are to die for and the cinnamon sugar ones are fabulous too, if you’re looking to go the sweet route.
I can’t wait to read your next blog report. I am trying to start a blog of my own, so it’s very helpful for me to take in as much information about it as possible. Thanks!
I only recently introduced bagels back into my diet and man are they glorious! Do you see the french toast, blueberry, pumpkin spice, and apple pie ones?! Swoon.
I’m so jealous you get to go to Hawaii! Have a fun and safe trip my darlin’. <3
I’m so excited to see your photography tips and tricks and backgrounds… definitely share those!
what a fun post! that bagel with the salmon on it looks so amazing! I want to eat 10 of them!