Archives for January 2015

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #3

 

Welcome to Week 2 of  Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. I’m happy to be the host of this fun and new linkup. Each month we will feature a theme, this month the theme is Baby It’s Cold Outside. Brrr! Please share your favorite winter posts old or new, cold weather recipes, crafts, winter scrapbook layouts, Christmas photos, anything that has a winter/cold weather flavor. 


                                                           I’m  Rhonda –  Your Host


Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. Anything goes here. You may link as many posts as you would like. Each week I will select my favorite post(s) and feature the blog on the link-up the following week.  The Blogger(s) of the Week will be notified via the email on your link.  An image from your post will be used on my blog the following week with a link back to your blog.  






February’s theme is Love Is In the Air.  We’re looking for loving memories of you and family, love stories, Valentine crafts, DIY, recipes, anything that you love and would like to share. 

I would love to connect with you on social media if we’re not following each other.  Please like my Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter,  Google+,  PinterestBlogLovin or subscribe/join my blog on the right before you leave.   


Mother 2 Mother

Mother 2 MotherOne last thing, please grab the Sunday’s Best button above and place it on your sidebar or Tweet the linkup using the hashtag #SundaysBest. I appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares.  



The Sunday’s Best Post is:

 


Penny Wise School Set

All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up.  Take a minute to visit this great blogs and connect with J. 

Now, lets link up those posts and be sure to visit a few other bloggers who have posted while you’re here. This is a great way to meet and connect on social media.  Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love.     


 

Why You Should RSVP

Do you RSVP?  Maybe you heard about the story of the parents who were billed for a portion of a party because they failed to attend a party?  Apparently they sent an RSVP stating they would attend; however, they didn’t show up.  But they failed to contact the hosting parents to let them know of their change of plans.  Since the host parents paid for accommodations for their child, they wanted to be reimbursed for the expense. So they sent the parents a bill and threaten to take them to small claims court if they didn’t pay up. You can read the details here.

I laughed when I read the story.  Because I remembered all the times that I sent invitations and asked guests to RSVP.  And they never bothered to  respond one way or the other.  I have never thought about sending a bill to those who did RSVP, but never showed up.  I most admit, I like the thought.

When I send out an invitation for an informal or formal event, I ask guests to RSVP.  For example, if it’s an informal events I always ask the guests to call me. I give a date that they must call by and my phone number.  Additionally, I expect them to call and say yes they are coming or no they are not coming.

I ask for the RSVP to be mailed to me when I send out a formal invitation.  Furthermore, I include the RSVP card and a stamped return envelop.

I ask guests to RSVP because I need to know how much food to prepare, how much liquor to purchase, or how many party favors to purchase. To me it’s just disrespectful when a guest does neither. RSVP means respond/reply please. I never do Regrets Only, I want to hear yes or no from the invited guests.  I’m not unique, other people who are hosting parties expect the same.

I hosted my grandchildren’s birthday several years ago. It was a huge backyard event with clowns, magicians, a bounce house and everything else that goes along with a carnival themed party. I had 10 people show up with their children and they never bothered to RSVP.

Needless to say, I had not planned for 20 extra people. One of the guests had 5 children. It left me scrambling. I had to purchase and cook more food, put more party favor bags together and accommodate more children and parents. I should have billed the parents for the stress alone. That would teach them the meaning of RSVP.

Proper etiquette requires those who receive an invitation to not ignore it. It is not up to the host to call you to find out if you’re coming or not. If they thought enough of you to send an invitation, you should think enough of them to respond one way or the other.

For those who RSVP and don’t show up, you have cost the host money.  Because they have included you and/or your children in the food, beverage and party favor count.  The cost is even more profound for weddings and other formal events. Those events normally require a cater who charge by the plate.  Additionally, if alcohol is involved it’s per bottle and bartenders must be paid.  

Finally, now that you know the meaning and importance of RSVP, please respond.  In conclusion, you may find that family, friends, co-workers and neighbors are leaving you and your family off the party list. Better yet, you may find an invoice in your mailbox if you end up being a no show.

Wordless Wednesday

                           Do you see yellow? Yes, New York city is full of yellow cabs.  

Inspirational Quote – Rainbows and Stars

Turn It Up Tuesday – #70

Thank you so much for joining us for another week of Turn It Up Tuesday! Thanks for sharing those AMAZING posts for us all to enjoy!
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Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts (old or new) and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!
Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Second Chances Girl
Ida is a mom of one, step-mom of two lifestyle blogger from Miami. She blogs about her second chance at life, love and family!
Are you looking to get your blog or website in front of numerous people per week? Do you enjoy Turn It Up Tuesdays? Interested in having your blog or website featured for an entire month?
Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month by clicking here! It’s only $5 for an entire month!

 

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

TUT Hosts 1.18.15
(from the top – left to right)
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings | Jessica from The Wondering Brain | Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise | April from April Noelle | Ce Ce from A Chicago Mom | Yolanda from That’s Mashed Up | Kelly from Making-More | Tiffany from MrsTeeLoveLifeLaughter | Cindy from Mom Maven | Melissa from The Coupon Chronicles | Rhonda from Mother 2 Mother | Mari from Living in Mommywood | Silvie from My Silly Little Gang | Jillian from Baby Doodah | Chelsea from Mommie and Wee | Tenns from New Mama Diaries

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for January!

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(from the top – left to right)
Brittney from His Wife. Their Mommy. | Chantale from Virtually A Teacher | Tianna from Love and Laughter | Zografia from Bisozozo | Stacy from Anastasia Vintage| Elaine from Ramblings of a Bad Domestic Goddess | Nancy from The Family Bucket List | Rose from What Rose Knows | Tina from The Happy Creations

Interested in being a guest host for the month or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.  We’re now accepting guest hosts for February and March.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

resolutions

Tiffany chose 5 Resolutions Every Mom Needs from Seven Graces. “I picked this post because Resolution No. 5 really struck a chord with me. I think it can be so hard to allow yourself a bit of grace – even more so than giving it to others at times. I am so guilty of being my own biggest critic and this was a great reminder that I deserve a bit of grace too.”
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Mari chose Before & After/ Loving Chalkboard Paint for Tween/Teen’s Bedroom from Chocolate and Sunshine. “This has to be the best kids room I have seen in a long time. I loved Dana’s use of chalk on a whole wall. Great way to inspire lots of imagination.”
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Stacey chose 9 Ways to Lose Weight Without Trying Too Hard from Simple Holistic Girl. “Losing a few pounds is something that I want to work towards this year, and all of these amazing tips are things that I really need to work on. Thank you so much for sharing!”
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Cathy chose Cookies & Cream Dessert Dip from Penney Lane. “This cookies and cream dessert dip looks like a wonderful party treat that both kids and adults will love! I’m planning on taking it to our Super Bowl party!”
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Jillian chose How I Monetized My Blog from Budget Girl. “I chose this post because I am currently in the process of figuring out how to better monetize my blog and there are some AMAZING tips in this post. If you’re a blogger, you need to check this out!”
Britney also chose this post. “I enjoyed this article because she’s logical. She gave great, practical advice and she was transparent in showing her own income from blogging. She also gave some great links for further reading. In blogging groups I notice that many of us are very curious about how to monetize our blogs and this post is very helpful and insightful.”
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Elaine chose How to Use Hootsuite Pro from Chaos & Kiddos. “I upgraded to Hootsuite Pro last week because I was spending 3+ hours a day scheduling tweets and Google+ page post for 4 websites with 6 twitter accounts. This is a great tutorial.”
Natasha also chose this post. “Although I have used Hootsuite for some time, I haven’t tried to make the effort to purchase Hootsuite Pro. Katy has definitely convinced me and has shared some great tips to use it most effectively! Great post!”
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Cindy chose 30 Days of Prayer Journaling Prompts: Day 1 from Life from My Laptop. “I don’t journal, I never have but I have always been interested in prayer journaling. Alyssa’s post gave me the tools I needed to get started.”
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Zografia chose Light & Bright Kitchen Table Makeover from Making It In the Mountains. “I love round tables. And this one is gorgeous. I think white paint was a great choice!”
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Tina chose Sweet Enough for Your Sweet Tooth | | Light Enough for Your Resolutions from Eat, Drink, and be Mary. “Looks great and delicious. I love the decoration and the fact that it is made from scratch. An irresistible valentine’s day dessert.”
Ce Ce also chose this post. “Perfect treat for Valentine’s Day!!”
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Nancy chose 10 Easy Health Changes to Make This Year from Mama’s Got It Together. “I am trying to eat better and focus on good health. In this post Sarah provides 10 easy changes that everyone can make towards a healthier lifestyle.”
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Chantale chose Sunday devotional: What love really means from It All Matters Mom. “This post is a beautiful reminder to show compassion to others because you never know what they are going through.”
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April chose 3 Strategies to Create Balance in My Life In 2015 from Tabler Party of Two. “Although I think balance itself on a daily basis is unattainable, I love how Andrea laid out how she will be working towards an imperfect balance this year.”
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Tenns chose Red Fruit Salad from Honey & Birch. “This fruit salad looks really delicious, and I love the red color. I’m a huge fan of pomegranates and raspberries, but never thought to create a fruit salad with them. I could totally see eating this salad with a drizzle of honey or dopple of whipped cream.”
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Silvie chose Cucidati – Italian Fig Cookies from Bakewell Junction. “I love these cookies ever since I tried them at a wedding. I’ve always wanted to make them and this recipe is easy to follow.”
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The post with the most clicks is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – Tips for Beginners from Canary Street Crafts.
Stop by and show some love to our featured bloggers this week! I’m sure they’d all appreciate it!
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
Epic Mommy Adventures
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And the Best of the Best is…

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How to Use Hootsuite Pro from Chaos & Kiddos
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How I Monetized My Blog from Budget Girl
Show some love to our Best of the Best bloggers this week!!!!
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 30 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog!
Please send an e-mail to Natasha at 1EpicMommy@gmail.com and she will provide you with all the details for the free ad space!
Epic Mommy Adventures
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Our very own lovely and amazing Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise is hosting a great giveaway this month and some of us are co-hosting, so we’d love to feature it here for all of you! Enter to win cash in the Romantic Cash Giveaway – you could win up to $500! Three winners will be chosen!
Romantic Cash Giveaway
So now that you’ve met our Sponsor for the month, our hosts and guest hosts, our Featured and the Best of the Best, and the Romantic Cash giveaway,

let’s get started!

*Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back.

*Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier!

*Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends!

*Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun!

Epic Mommy Adventures

 

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Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week!

**Disclaimer: Adding your link to this link party gives permission to Epic Mommy Adventures, along with co-hosts, guest hosts, and participants of Turn It Up Tuesday, to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features, roundups, etc. with an explicit link back to the original source.**

Never miss another Turn It Up Tuesday! Sign up for reminder e-mails!

Interested in reading all of our favorite posts on Turn It Up Tuesdays – past or present? Or do want to know if your post was featured before we go live next week? Follow Natasha Peter’s board Featured on Turn It Up Tuesdays! on Pinterest.

I See Me Sponsored Post

personalized books, personalized children's books

This post contains sponsored links from I See Me.  Looking for a personalized book or other gift for a child? Check out I See Me, they specialize in personalized gifts for children. I was so excited when I reviewed their site and saw the diverse items they offered. My initial response was wow. I love giving unique gifts. If I have to choose between a big box store versus a specialized on-line store, I choose the latter.   


The adorable ballet place mat above caught my eye. I immediately thought about my granddaughter. She loves to dance and wants to take ballet lessons. I know she would love to eat her meals with these beautiful ballerinas. I don’t think they’re powerful enough to get her to eat peas, but they sure are cute. I wish I had found this site before the holidays, but this place mat will definitely go on my gift list for her. They also have princesses and fairies that you can choose from. Every little girl’s dream. 


Not only does I See Me have a large selection of personalized items to choose from, their themes are great. In addition to the ballet, princesses, and fairies you can find things that go, garden, and farm animals. This isn’t half of the themes that are offered, there are many more. This company understands children, and they have created products that will appeal to their little minds. You’re not limited to personalized books either. They have lunch boxes, puzzles, and growth charts to name a few.     

  

I remember my grandson spending hours playing with dinosaurs. His favorite was T-Rex, so these little dinosaurs have a place in my heart. This site is perfect for bundling items in the same theme. You can purchase the lunch box and place mat or a book and puzzle. Wouldn’t this lunch box be great for a backyard picnic or day at the park with mom or dad? What about a Back To School lunch box like the one below. I See Me offers designs that you won’t find on the shelf at your neighborhood store. What are the chances of another child having this lunch box at school and if they do there won’t be a mix-up because they’re personalized.  

  

personalized books, personalized children gifts

My grandson has started playing organized football and basketball, so I added this book to my list of gift ideas for him. The book can be made for a boy or girl. I had a personalized book made for him when he was born, The Three Little Pigs, and he loved for me to read it to him when he got older. Kids love reading about themselves. There are also books on pirates, knights, and outer space. What makes these personalized books different from what I purchased previously is I See Me focuses solely on one child. You don’t have to add other names to the story. Your child is the star, score! 


personalized book, personalized children's gifts

The gift ideas are endless on this site. They have been endorsed by Town and Country Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and Parents.com. The site also has hundreds of reviews from parents. Whatever the occasion, you will be able to find a special and unique gift here.  Head over to I See Me and check out their personalized gift ideas for children.  


I received compensation for this post; however, all opinions are my own.  

Visiting the Martin Luther King Childhood Home

In honor of Black History Month I wanted to share my trip to Martin Luther King childhood home, in Atlanta, GA.  It’s one of the great travel destinations that I have checked off my Bucket List.  The weather was perfect for photo opportunities and sightseeing during my stay.  I visited the  and the MLK Center for Non-Violent Social Change during my visit.   

 

Martin Luther King

 

So, this is a picture of my sister and me sitting on the front porch of the childhood home that Dr. King grew up in.  I will always treasure this picture.  Most importantly, I will cherish the feelings that I had when I stepped upon that porch.  It literally sent chills through me.  To see where this genius and American Icon and Civil Rights leader grew up was so emotional.

 

Martin Luther King

 

 

Witnessing a part of history, especially since the Civil Rights movement that had impacted me and my family significantly was mind boggling.  Sharing it with my sister put the icing on the cake. We always have a good time together.

 

 

 

Dr. King’s childhood home is beautifully maintained and has lots of character.  It is actually quite large, four bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, study, parlor/living room, a bathroom and a huge backyard.  That was a large home, especially for a black during that time.  My favorite feature of the house is the wrap around porch.

 

 

Martin Luther King wagon

 

Unfortunately, Dr. King would be assassinated during the peak of the Civil Rights movement.  This is the farm wagon that carried Dr. King’s coffin from his Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College, his alma mater, for the second service.  The wagon was pulled by 2 mules through Atlanta for 3.5 miles.  If everyone remembers, Mrs. King walked with her children ahead of the wagon in the funeral procession.

 

Martin Luther King

 

Across the street from the King Center is Dr. King’s final resting place at the King Center in Atlanta.  His wife Coretta Scott King was laid to rest beside him.

 

Martin Luther King
Last, across from the Kings’ Crypt is the eternal flame.  There is also the Civil Right Walk of Fame located at the King Center. Below are a few prints from the walk which include Dr. Maya Angelo, Sidney Poitier, Magic Johnson, and Maynard Jackson.  Maynard Jackson was the first black mayor in Atlanta.  My brother, Dr. Robert Holmes, wrote Maynard Jackson’s biography.
Finally, I hope that you enjoyed the photos of Dr. Martin Luther King childhood home.  Furthermore, I hope you remember and honor what Dr. King dedicated his life doing.   Be kind to and love one another, and take the time to learn something new during Black History Month.  Additionally, you may also like:  African American Invent

Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule for Zone 6B

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on my vegetable garden planting schedule for Zone 6B.  Organization is key when I’m planning my kitchen garden. I have a short growing season, so it’s imperative that I sow my seeds timely.  I want to make sure that I give my plants adequate time to germinate, be transplanted and grow in my containers or garden.  Check out my other backyard vegetable gardening tips before you leave.

You can start sowing your seeds too.  First, I live in Zone 6B.  As a result, I work in my garden from mid-May until October. I can produce quite a few crops in that time period if I stay organized and on track. It also serves as a Check List and keeps me focused on what I will be planting during the season.

 

 

garden schedule for zone 6B

I set up my grow lights inside in February or early March.  I sow my tomatoes, peppers, herbs, melons, squash, and zucchini seeds inside.  Indoor sowing gives me a head start on the growing season.  And, starting my plants from seed also saves me money.  As you can imagine, purchasing plants from a garden center can get expensive.  My goal is to grow fresh produce at a bargain price.

 

 

Vegetable Garden Planting Schedule: 

 

 

vegetable garden sowing schedule

 

 

 

If you are a beginner gardener, check the planting zone for your area. You may be able to sow or plant earlier than my schedule.  So, you may have a longer growing season than I do.  Adjust the schedule according to your zone.

Also, I’m more of a summer gardener than spring.  However, I do plant lettuce which is a cool weather crop.  I’m thinking of sowing my lettuce in containers this season.  We’ll see how that goes.  I’m also going to grow carrot and radishes this season.  (Be sure to check the blog for those posts).  These are cool weather crops, and can be planted in the spring and fall. 

 

 

garden schedule for zone 6B

 

 

 

Collard greens will be planted in the fall this year. I like to have fresh collard greens to serve at Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.  And I love cauliflower in a cheese sauce.  Yum!

So, seeds should be sown indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the growing season begins.  You don’t want to start them too early because they could become too large before you get them transplanted. Furthermore, your plants could start blooming and you don’t want that to happen either. 

I will also be starting my sunflowers using the winter sowing method in the next few weeks.  You can check out my winter sowing seed starting method.  I hope that you find my vegetable garden planting  schedule beneficial. You can download it here.



Sunday’s Best Linkup – #2

Welcome to Week 2 of  Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. I’m happy to be the host of this fun and new linkup. Each month we will feature a theme, this month the theme is Baby It’s Cold Outside. Brrr! Please share your favorite winter posts old or new, cold weather recipes, crafts, winter scrapbook layouts, Christmas photos, anything that has a winter/cold weather flavor. 


                                                           I’m  Rhonda –  Your Host




Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. Anything goes here. You may link as many posts as you would like. Each week I will select my favorite post(s) and feature the blog on the link-up the following week.  The Blogger(s) of the Week will be notified via the email on your link.  An image from your post will be used on my blog the following week with a link back to your blog.  






February’s theme is Love Is In the Air.  We’re looking for loving memories of you and family, love stories, Valentine crafts, DIY, recipes, anything that you love and would like to share. 

I would love to connect with you on social media if we’re not following each other.  Please like my Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter,  Google+,  PinterestBlogLovin or subscribe/join my blog on the right before you leave.   



Mother 2 Mother
Mother 2 Mother

One last thing, please grab the Sunday’s Best button above and place it on your sidebar or Tweet the linkup using the hashtag #SundaysBest. I appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares.  




The Sunday’s Best Posts are:




                                                             
 and 


                                                          



 Christmas Cookies at Epic Mommy Adventures  

All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up.  Take a minute to visit these great blogs and connect with Gail and Natasha. 

Now, lets link up those posts and be sure to visit a few other bloggers who have posted while you’re here. This is a great way to meet and connect on social media.  Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love.     



How to Choose Blog Colors

Thinking about a blog make-over? You may want to spend time thinking about the image that you would like your blog to project to readers. Your blog colors, design and navigation tell readers a lot about you and your blog.     


I had a make-over done several months ago, and I love the finished product. I actually took a risk with my colors. Brown, orange and black aren’t popular colors in the blogging world, most bloggers don’t use them. Popular colors are blue, pink or green. The fact that I decided to use these colors also tells you something about me, I’m not afraid to take a risk.  I wanted readers to get a warm, friendly and approachable feeling when they landed on Mother 2 Mother, and I wanted to use colors that were unique in the blogging world.  


My original blog colors were purple and white. To be honest, I never thought about what the colors represented or how my blog would be seen by my readers. Purple is my daughter’s and sister’s favorite color, so I went with it. I had the color combination on my blog for years, but I eventually lost the loving feeling for it. I knew that it was time for a chance. As bloggers, it’s important that we keep our blogs fresh, updated and easy to navigate. 


I didn’t realize the importance of colors on a blog until I did the make-over. Oh, how I have grown since I started this blog. Take a look at the color chart. There’s yellow, blue, black, orange, purple, green, pink, red and brown. Ask yourself if the colors you are considering or have on your blog represent the image that you want to project to readers. It took several attempts to come up with a combination that felt warm and inviting to me. Initially, it had too much black in the design. It felt drab, cold, and uninviting.  It didn’t feel right for a blog that focused on children and parenting, self-sufficiency, and motivating others. So I had to go back to the drawing board. We brought more yellow into the design, and I felt happy. I knew I had hit the right combination.   


If you’re considering a blog make-over in the future, be sure to take your color presentation into consideration. There’s a great possibly that your readers will. What colors did you use on your blog and why?