Posts Tagged Blog
I’m a Dreamer…
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on March 26, 2012
When I was in fourth grade, I wanted to play an instrument and be in my elementary school band (yes, we actually had one). But, I was quickly told.. “You have to choose another instrument in order to play in the band. The instrument you’re interested in is no longer available“. My little heart was hurt, and I didn’t know what to do.. so I decided to go home and consult with my mother.
For some reason, I couldn’t get a hold of my mother, but my father called. He quickly told me “Jelly bean, never give up. If you want something, fight for it. Dream you will have it tonight, and go back to school and find a solution“. The next day I did just that and I got my instrument.
The point of this story is to remind you.. that dreams can come true. From that day on, I became a dreamer. Even when people told me dreams don’t pay the rent.. I found another solution.. I started this blog. And I never looked back.
Re-Brand Me
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on March 19, 2012
There comes a time in a blogs life, when it has to grow up and become what it’s really meant to be; and if you own a blog, you might understand this statement. Right now, Pure Complex, is being re-branded as we speak. Last year, I promised my readers (the best audience and blog family in the world I might add), that I would share more of myself, more amazing and unique art, and more inspirational things in general. I intend to keep that promise. So if the menu, footer image, side panel, logo for this blog, or content changes or becomes more original.. don’t be alarmed. It’s just me helping this blog be a grown up (smiles).
Re-branding, any blog, can be a challenge (if you didn’t do it right the first time); but it can also be fun. So if your blog finds itself in need of a change.. here are some tips, I’ve learned, that might help…
1. Write down your blogging goals: Where do you see your blog going in the next 2-5 years? What do you want to accomplish with your blog? This will help guide you to the success that you want.
2. Do what you love: I’m so happy to blog about what I love.. but a lot of people haven’t found their niche yet. Take a moment to think about what makes you happy and what you really want to blog about. Once you figure it out, begin to slowly take steps to change your blog around. You may lose some of your audience, but you will regain more in the long run. Remember, if you blog about what you love, people will come.
3. Sometimes you may not need to do a major overhaul to re-brand your blog… you may just need to redesign your blog design. Of course this is easier said than done, but if you don’t understand CSS or any other HTML lingo, seek help. There are inexpensive, but great designers who would love to help (check out Etsy and search for “Blog Design“). This article can also help you decide to re-brand or re-design.
I adore and appreciate all of you for supporting this blog and I can promise that nothing will change dramatically here. There will still be inspirational post everyday.. but they will be original (which I am happy about and expect the originality in 3-4 months). Enjoy the day
Another Round…
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on February 11, 2012
As promised.. here is another round of 10 questions.. answered by your host.. the wonderful and the tired Kay (the crowd goes wild). Well, everyone should have a cheering section somewhere in their head to flatter themselves ( laughs & smiles).
1. Describe yourself in seven words
Loving, Caring, Friend, Sweet, Supportive, Artist, and Unselfish. My mother always taught me to know my self worth.. it took me some time but I know now (smiles).
2. What keeps you up at Night?
Creativity (laughs). When I try to go to bed, something happens in my brain where I start to get amazing ideas for the blog or for art pieces I know I can create. I don’t know what it is.. I but I get the best ideas at night, and in the shower (laughs).
3. Who would I like to be?
Me. Please don’t take that comment and think I’m conceited, but I don’t want to live in anyone else’s shoes but my own. I believe we all have something unique that makes us.. us. We are all here for a purpose.
4. What am I wearing right now?
Oh sheesh lol… it’s night-time here (get your mind out of the gutter *laughs*). I’m wearing black leggings, a relaxed V-neck tee, with a cup of chamomile tea in my hand. Okay the tea had nothing to do with the question.. but I love this tea (laughs).
5. What scares me?
Waking up and noticing my family is gone. Of course that will never happen but, that would scare the life out of me. I’m also a bit scared of spiders and rats. Yes I live in NYC but I don’t like rats (laughs).
6. The best and worst of blogging.
To me the best of blogging consist of two things.. meeting new people and sharing a little of myself and creativity with the world. I love meeting new people (I get that from my grandmother) and so many of you have taught me so many wonderful things. Thank You. I also never thought I’d share myself, but I’m having a ball doing so (smiles).
The worst thing about blogging is the SPAM. I am not a SPAM lover (laughs). And I dislike seeing my blog pinged by spam websites. So when I get angry about it, I just think “I must be amazing.. that’s why they’re spamming me” (laughs so hard).
7. The last website I visited.
This very blog (smiles). I usually check my blog before going to bed.
8. What is the one thing I would change about myself.
I can be a bit impatient when I’m very excited about something (smiles). For example: If I was visiting Paris tonight, with a friend, I would be up and ready 5 hours before my flight and rush them to get ready too (laughs).
9. Slankets yes or no?
What the heck is a slanket? (laughing hard). Just give me a warm Ikea MYSA STRÅ comforter and I’m happy.
10. Tell us something about the person who tagged you!
Well I was tagged by two wonderful bloggers.. Betsy of Bits and Breadcrumbs & Craves Adventurer.
* Betsy always has something wonderful on Bits and Breadcrumbs. Just the other day she posted a deviled egg recipe that I loved. So, I proceeded to make them one night when I was snacky (smiles). Her blog just has a wonderful presence and if you don’t visit.. you will certainly miss something special.
* What can I say about Craves Adventurer that the title doesn’t already say (smiles). From the inspirational messages, to the travel spots I can’t wait to visit.. yes, I definitely enjoy being immersed in her blog. She even got a song stuck in my head for an hour (laughs). Make sure you visit.. especially if you crave adventure.
I have enjoyed sharing myself with you, my blog family.. & I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it. Happy Saturday!
Full of Humility
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on February 4, 2012
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been blessed and humbled by bloggers who have nominated me for wonderful awards and who have tagged me with very interesting questions (I didn’t forget). Kristy, over at the inspiring blog Eat, Play, Love (she is truly an amazing blog friend).. tagged me with some interesting questions that she calls “Bloggers Unplugged”..
1. What, or Who, inspired you to start a blog?
One day I was in the shower and the idea came to me to start a blog. From that day on, I became a dedicated blogger. I have no clue what inspired me to have that thought, but I’m glad I did.
2. Who is your foodie inspiration?
Believe it or not.. my mother and my grandmother. For most of my life, I remember having family dinners. My grandmother wanted to have one every chance she got (laughs), and that required mainly my mom and her to cook. I would always sit in the kitchen, and learn a lot more than I thought (apparently I have a great memory).
3. Your greasiest, batter-splattered food/drink book is?
The greasiest thing I’ve ever messed up is a recipe paper (laughs). I have a habit of printing out my favorite recipes, while I’m on the run, and messing them up in the process of cooking (laughs).
4. Tell us about the best thing that you have eaten in another country, where was it, what was it?
Can you believe I’ve never left the US yet?! During college, I dealt with losing my grandmother and took care of other family issues that required me to stay close to home (I love my family). Now, at 32, I am saving and ready to start my adventure.. I can’t wait. Any suggestions?
5. Another food blogger’s table that we’d like to eat at?
Would you believe me if I said.. I would eat at everyone’s table if I could? You should, because I would.. if I could (laughs). But if I had to choose.. I would visit Linda for her amazing Italian cuisine; then I would visit Kristy for an amazing regional dish; then you’ll probably see me head on over to Greg and Katherine’s kitchen for some good ol’ southern cooking. I probably should have visited Kelly or Lisa for something healthy, but in my dream world, that’s what I would do (laughs).
6. What is the one kitchen gadget that you would ask for this year?
O Kitchen Aid, O Kitchen Aid.. Wherefore Art Thou Kitchen Aid? (laughs)
7. Who taught you how to cook?
Of course.. my mom and my grandmother. I remember my mom started me off with scrambling eggs, baking cookies or brownies (yes, I had a Easy Bake Oven and loved it).. then I graduated to burgers, chicken, and steak as a pre-teen. Yup.. I was a quick study.
8. I’m coming to you for dinner, what is your signature dish?
It really depends. I’m a southern cooker through and through.. but I love Italian, Polynesian, Asian, and other cuisines. But if I had to choose.. I would say.. my mother’s homemade, fluffy Butter Biscuits and my grandmother’s famous Buttermilk Chicken.
9. What is your guilty food pleasure?
That’s easy.. Chocolate (smiles). But if you asked me what restaurant I go to for a guilty pleasure… I’d say CPK! California Pizza Kitchen. I just can’t help it.. I LOVE that place.
10. Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn?
I was a band geek.. from 4th grade until college. Yes, I can play all woodwind instruments; but my favorite instrument (I played most of my life) is the flute. I love the fact that I can still read sheet music after all this time. Oh, and did I mention I was in chorus and my church choir since I was 10? Yes, my mother was determined to keep me from hanging out with the wrong crowd. And what can I say.. it worked (that’s why I talk about my mother so much.. I just love her. She’s a pain but I love her lol).
Believe it or not, each time I’m nominated for a blog award.. I am left humbled.. So thank you to:
1. M. Hunter from “I Live, I Love, I Teach” and Johanna from “Restless Jo” awarded me with the Liebster Award. Both of these bloggers always have something wonderful to say on their blogs.. and I love visiting.
2. Ms. Cecilia over at “The Kitchens Garden” awarded me with the Reader Appreciation Award. Ms. Cecilia reminds me of my grandmother.. which always leaves a smile on my face whenever I visit her amazing space.
3. And last, but certainly not least.. Nia from “Photography Of Nia“, Tina & Jennifer from “365 Veterans“, and Carla from “The Sticky Egg” awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. I love all three of these blogs.. because they always seem to inspire me.
4. I also want to say a special thank you to Lisa over at La Vie éclectique. I was so touched by her birthday post.. that I cried and felt truly special.. Thank you Lisa (smiles).
Next Saturday.. stay tuned for another set of tag questions.. from the blogs.. Craves Adventure & Bits and Breadcrumbs. This should be fun. Enjoy your Saturday..
Happy Birthday.. to Me
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on January 25, 2012
Today is my birthday!!! I am 32 today (I’m not afraid to mention my age because my grandmother once told me.. getting older only makes a woman more beautiful. I miss her so very much). And I don’t think I would’ve become the woman I am now, without my mothers guidance.
My mother took care of me and my 2 older siblings on her own. And she was the celebrity in my eyes, even though I didn’t know it. She taught me how to be strong, that it was okay to cry, and being myself was the most important thing I had to do. I will forever love her. Thank you mommy.
I would also like to take the time out to thank all of you for supporting this blog. You make it easy for me to find inspirational art for you (smiles.. And to my best friend.. thank you for everything *smiles*). So please.. raise your glasses (my cranberry juice glass of course).. and join me in my celebration. Cheers!
In Loving Memory..
Posted by Purely.. Kay in My Diary on November 20, 2011
One of the things I learned from my grandmother, who passed away in 2000, is that living requires you to get out there and do the things that make you happy.
Earlier this week, another inspirational person in my life, my Great-Uncle, passed away after years of living a wonderful life. He’s completed amazing work in Africa, was a city school superintendent for a number of years, and an overall wonderful and happy man. And even through death, he’s brought my huge family back together again for the holidays (so I may not be around commenting as much this week. I will respond to everyone in one comment on this blog). As I stated to a blog family member earlier, no need to feel apologetic for us.. he lived a wonderful life and that’s something my family and I are proud of.
To honor him, I chose the wonderful work of Photographer Marcel Bednarz. This unique street, in Bonn, Germany, shows beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom. Live your best life.. and never have any regrets. Enjoy your weekend!
..............................................
