Bloggiesta Update #3: Labels and Wrap-Up

Okay, here is what I found out, participating in the Labels Mini-Challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads: I have WAY too many. So A) I added the Labels gadget to my site, and B) I'm now in the process of removing titles and author name from my labels. This will be a big job, but it may finally make the Labels useful. Thanks for the inspiration, Bloggiesta.

I've gotten a great deal done this weekend, and also realized how much I ought to do! I still have one more backlogged review I'd like to get to, but with both of our teams playing today (he's a Packers fan, I'm a Jets fan), that may not happen today. But it's been a blast, and I'll definitely sign up for this challenge next time!

Bloggiest Update #2: Another new look

I loved the flowers, but they didn't have enough “oomph” somehow. Then I thought about another photo I took in Argentina this summer, of the Caminito, home to the early Italian immigrants to Argentina. The buildings in the portside district are still painted in the same hodgepode of colors that have defined the area since the beginning of the 20th century. Just looking at the picture reminds me of how much fun we had walking around, enjoying the sidewalk scene.

How's that for “oomph?”

Bloggiesta Update #1: A New Look

I am not a very technical kind of girl, but i do love to take pictures. Usually, they're of my beautiful daughters. But I also love to take pictures that my husband describes as “lovely decay.” The picture in the new background (now tiled) is an example. I took this in Tigre, Argentina, on the grounds of a restaurant that can only be reached by water taxi. I was drawn to the mix of cracked plaster, hard iron grates and soft flowers.

I may try some other photos out, but I do like the feel of this one. And since I took the photo, I hope it gives the blog a more personal feel. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Bloggiesta

I'm participating in Bloggiesta, a blog improvement event hosted this weekend by Maw Books Blog. The cute little guy in the logo is named Pedro, which stands for Plan, Edit, Design, Review, Organize.

Bloggiesta is technically an 8AM to 8PM event, but since part-time bloggers need to fit their hours in wherever and whenever they can, I'm up at 5 to start working on one of my New Year's Resolutions, which is to improve my blog! My Bloggiesta goals are modest:

1. Expand the Blog Roll. So many blogs are part of my weekly reading now, and I'd like to give them credit.
2. Clean up Review Central. It's the The thing. Everything is under "T." I realized the problem a while ago, and started filing under the second word, but now it's inconsistent and making me nuts.
3. Play with the look of Col Reads. Can I make it more personal? More fun? That's what I want to find out.
4. Catch up on some posts. I read a few books over break that I never blogged about. I'm thinking about this as a chance to clear the decks!
5. Participate in a Mini-Challenge. I've never done that before, so I thought it would be fun.

I'll report back here throughout the day! Thanks so much to Maw Books for hosting!