Sunday Catch-up

Jamie's Italian restaurant oxford - Bacon & Liver

Pineapple & Frozen yoghurt dessert

Over the weekend I manage to meet up with my blogger Friend Jemma, I always love our meet ups and now that she has her lovely son Aiden its even better. He's so cute and such a lovely baby boy, his smile is so infectious I can't help but smile when I see them.

I telling Jemma how I seem to have lost my mojo when it comes to blogging. Previously I used to schedule posts 2-4 weeks in advance all written up and ready. I used to spend one weekend a month just planning our each day and scheduling for the days when I knew I wanted a specific post up and at times have two posts in one day, but now, you will be lucky to get two posts a week out of me. I am thinking of taking a couple of days off to recharge and maybe look for inspiration then. Do not get me wrong I do have ideas of what I want to write, the trouble comes when I actually have to start the post.

 In the past I used to write a post before I even had pictures now I seem to see a picture and have an idea of a post for it and if I am determined I do write the post there and then but lately I can have the picture and still not able to write a word. I need to find my way back to my love of blogging, I need to go back to my basics and realise again why I love blogging so much. So in the mean time I will share my currently post whilst I try to work on the future of my blogs.

Reading.. I have not read anything in over 3 months, I have read one book this year and those I am unhappy about this I do not seem to have the urge to find and read a new book.
Watching... I literally had to change the channel on the TV as I have no idea what was going on but funny thing happened - this morning I had the urge to watch Tangled then found its not on Netflix yet so they suggested my all time favourite which is Mulan. I watched Mulan this morning and this afternoon on channel 5 they showed Mulan the exact one I saw this morning so I just watched and started watching it again.
Listening... When I finished work on Friday I started listening to 'Lay you down' by Usher and the song is still stuck in my mind this instant. I have loved this long for the longest time, my former housemate can testify to it. I played it daily on repeat that she ended up hating it lol.
Wishing.. For so many things which I will not share yet but I will do one day.
Hoping... I hope Boo travels safely tomorrow, I am starting to hate the business trips but then again I love it when I get to go on mine.
Trusting... That all is handled as it should.
Planning... My next holiday abroad.

Until next time, have a lovely Sunday.

Sunday Currently ~ HO HO HO

Hi there and happy Sunday, 4 more days and it's christmas. Yesterday after we visited my brother and his family I sat down and started laughing at how fast this year has gone by. I remember it so clearly how it started and the promise it had, then all of the sudden doom started falling and well it fell. I am glad the year is almost over and I am so ready for 2005. Today I wanted to share the my Sunday Currently since the last time I did this was August, see what I wrote in the last Sunday Currently.

Reading: At the moment I am not really reading as I have finished all the books I wanted to read so on the look-out for more, I am happy to hear recommendations. I love supernatural and romance, FYI the supernatural has to have some romance in it.

Writing: Well I am writing this post but later tonight I will be writing for the rest of the week, as you know I schedule my posts and you can read my How to manage time and schedule Posts.

Listening: I have been listening the hell out of Sam Smith (in this lonely hour album) and Nico & Vinz (Black Star Elephant). I am loving these two albums, I know all the songs by heart and the words and it only took me repetitive replay for a day each to know the songs by heart.

Thinking: This has was honestly s**t but that does not mean the next year will or that I need to focus on what happened and how I wish things were different. I am continuing on my philosophy of 'Happiness is a Choice, and recently added Joy is eternal'.

Smelling: Well maybe bad breath as I am writing this early morning and I am supposed to be taking a shower ready for church but as you know bloggers when inspiration strikes you blog (and no I did not want to use my blogger note pad). 

Wishing: For so many things but it's best to live in the present and not to lose oneself wishing for things that might not even happen. It's best to go out and do something about it. I wrote this in August and it is still applicable today as it was then.

Hoping: That I could do all the shopping this Wednesday (day before Christmas) since we get that as company holiday.

Wearing: Since I just woke up I am still in my polka dot and hug me bear PJ's which are very warm and comfy and I am struggling to take them off.

Watching: Didn't really get to watch much but I have started to watch 'The Blacklist' season 2 since I am so behind and british telly has yet to televise season 2 on skype

This concludes my currently's post, this is the last of 2014 but I plan on having at least 1 currently's post every month. Let me know what you think of that.

Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a wonderfully Blessed start to the New Year.

{24 Days} Day #2 - How to manage time and schedule posts

When many people start blogging (including me) they always wonder how the 'older bloggers' do it producing blog posts every day. My first advice is don't post daily just to keep up with other bloggers - this took me almost a year to learn, blog when you have good content. I do not know how true this is but am told usually its best to produce a content worthy post with no less than 500 words and apparently google looks favourably on this but do not quote me as I can not remember my source. This is not good content, me talking about 500 words post without even including a link or a google search to support my claim of knowledge. Good content is talking about things that you have at least the basic knowledge of and though not necessary something everyone talks or has talked about but also something you and/or others have proven. New bloggers always wonder how people manage to blog when they have other jobs, this is not easy I can testify but it is not hard either if you learn to manage your time (how ever little) and learn to schedule your posts.

Learn to manage your TIME

This as a new blogger can be one of the hardest things to learn because you always feel like you need to be blogging to keep up, as I have mentioned before 'blog as often as you can produce good quality content' and I am not claiming that I do but I am learning. Blog because you want to and not because you want to copy other people. We all have bloggers we admire and we all have ideas of where we want our blog to be and what level we want to reach. I learnt to manage my time when I went to uni, when I finished I carried this skill with me. When I started blogging I would wake up 5am and start to write a post and have it published by 6am as my bus to work was 6.50 so needed to shower and walk to bus stop in 20 minutes. Then at break time I would share on twitter and that was it. When I returned home after work I would spend almost 3 - 4 hours reading other blogs and commenting on what I could and so forth. But lately my workload has increased ever since changing companies and I usually do not have time to promote my blog or even write a post. I still wake up at 5 (sometimes 4am due to insomnia) and still work on my blogs after work to some this is not enough but for me it is unless I have lots of posts I want up. In instances where I have too much I decided to dedicate a weekend a month to my blogs where I would write up all my posts (providing I don't suffer blogger's block) and schedule them to post on days I choose.

How to schedule posts (in blogger)

I remember one morning reading one of my favourite blogger's post when I stumbled upon her answer to a question about how she manages to produce blog posts every day (she posts twice to thrice a day) and also manage to run a successful youtube channel. Her response was simply this - I schedule my posts. Since then I was on a mission to learn how to schedule posts, I turned to youtube to find if there were videos showing how to schedule posts and sure enough they were. It was so simple that I laughed to myself, I was so worried it would involve some 'code writing' so was happy to learn it is not. So how do you schedule posts in blogger?

Blogger
So I am assuming you have written your post and now ready to schedule it for the date you want.

• On the right hand side of the screen there is a tab called schedule, click this button to reveal two options (automatic or set date/time). Automatic - posts will publish as soon as you hit the publish button.

• Click on set date and time to reveal the calendar and the time, choose the date and time of your choice and click done.

• So now you have set the date and time you want the post to appear, click publish - do not worry it will not publish there and then so long as you put the date and time you want plus clicked done you're fine.
• Once published, go to your posts tabs and you will find another added tab called scheduled click on this tab and you will (should) find the post(s) you have set to appear on a certain date and time.
  

And this is how you schedule posts in blogger. Did you find this how to post useful? Have I missed out important steps that you do? Please share your tips on managing time and how you schedule posts. I am happy to share how to schedule posts in wordpress if you interested, let me know in the comments section.

Sunday Currently

Hi there! It's been a while since I wrote a "currently" post and I thought there is no better time than the present. So here goes nothing.

Reading: 'Vegetarian Weight loss' & 'Vegetarian (15) recipes' by Jonathan Vine, you might remember I reviewed a book by Jonathan "The green smoothie". I am really enjoying my book reads, every week I read a new book and been luck and very honored to be asked by authors to read and review their work so it's been great plus before this month ends I would have read/reviewed five books as I said I would in my goals for August.

Writing: I am working on a few posts for my main blog "AJD" at present I am just trying to get the August love me beauty box post as well as my Degustabox (July box) review out so I can focus on my reading again.

Listening: don't judge me but lately I have been listening to Loyal by CB, R.kelly's greatest hits and  Robin Thicke has been making an appearance too. Though not really proving my point with Loyal by Breezy I usually listen to songs that reflect my mood. Take Robin Thicke as an example, I love the song "The good life" because I can relate and I love "Take it easy" because I can dance to it.

Thinking: why I can't seem to shake the fatigue that gripped me since June but I am not one to dwell on sad things. 

Smelling: I want to say some lovely scent that comes to mind but honestly with this blocked nose I am smelling nothing. 

Wishing: For so many things but it's best to live in the present and not to lose oneself wishing for things that might not even happen. It's best to go out and do something about it.

Hoping: The trains don't cancelled again, as much as I love working from home when I can I prefer the office environment with my colleagues.

Wearing: Long heavy cardigan and jog bottoms in bed getting ready for bed.

Watching: Just finished re-watching mission impossible II now watching "The Grey" 

That's all for my 'currently's post', what are you 'currently'?

Off-Sunday ~ Wordless Day

**Check out my post video from yesterday "Happiness is a choice**

Week 15: Lamenting ~ word of the month

Owner unknown.

I wrote this post earlier on in the year but I think it's so applicable this December too because most people are looking at what they had set to accomplish by the end of the year and not much has changed. I happy to say I took some steps and stepped out of my comfort zone (as I read recently in your comfort zone there is no room for growth). I am happy to say I feel I am doing what I said I would do in March and living my life proactively, loving me and most importantly having God as the pilot in my life. 

****************************

When you heard the title of this post what was the first thing that came to mind? Me myself and I we thought "laminates" I know crazy right?? Yep indeed crazy because I am not talking about laminates but the full meaning of the word lamenting! Lamenting is a word used to express regret, why am I using it now? Well I do personally have regrets but the main reason is because it was the word used at the youth service I recently attended.

March is a time when many people start to either express regrets because they did not start working on their New Years resolution or because they are now realising they were being unrealistic and are now giving up the resolutions. January and most of February most gyms across the country were packed with people signing up to gym memberships or even gym classes. I am sad to announce that I am one of those who regretting not doing my gym schedule as I had promised myself I would do. Though it was not a New Years resolution because I had in fact started going to the gym last October but regardless march is the month I have had a moment to reflect and verse out my regret. 

So now we have found out that most people are lamenting this month, what's the next step? Well for me personally is to change my outlook on things, I have always been a personal who procrastinates a lot and i did mention when I started a July dreamer that procrastination is a thing of the past now I will be a doer. I must confess (pun tended) that I have not really changed much in way of procrastination. I still find myself day/night dreaming about things I could just actually get up and do that instance instead of overthinking things. So here is my new plan:

* I do not have to join another gym, where I am now I am getting the exercise I need. LIVING PROACTIVELY

* I have started taking charge of my being, it has become exhausting trying otherwise. MOVING FORWARD and LOVING ME

* God is now my main pilot and I a co-pilot of my life. GOD's IN CHARGE 

So this is my new plan which is effective immediately, What is or was your plan for 2014?

{Favourite Post} November 2013 ~ DailyLooks

** This week I am recycling my old posts, especially the ones which you loved the most. To kick start off my recycling I am starting with DailyLooks**

***Please note I take these images from the e-mails am sent by DailyLooks***

Look1: Jumpsuits ~ my man hates these things and with good reason (for him), me I love them except bathroom time. This look is simple yet sophisticated enough to be worn anywhere be it to work, church, lunch date etc. I love that its paired with this stilettos, the cardigan gives it the casual look. This look I would ROCK

Look2: Red Dress, I love this dress this is one of the pieces I have in my closet. I have always paired this dress with either flats (for when am running errands) or heels (for when I dress to impress). I am not so sure about the boots in this look but I love the entire ensemble regardless. I ROCK this look

Look3: Lace Dress - In my closet there is only so many lace items but I love them and am a little bit scared when it comes to styling them up. This is a simple look  and as stated by DailyLooks "Bastille's nightlife". The shoes am not too happy with but I am not always happy wearing tights on a night out. CONSIDERING THE LOOK.

Look4: Well slap me silly and the wake me up again, I am so in love with this look!! Its cute, Its fashionable, its elegant and its beautiful. I am wearing this look for my friend's wedding (as soon as the invite arrives). WILL ROCK THIS LOOK.

Look5: Floral Pants ~ This is my one and only floral pant, I was so happy when I saw this look in DailyLooks E-mail. I have been looking for how to style it differently to my usual, I love that its paired with gorgeous animal print heels. This look is sophisticated yet elemo.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, please comment below and let me know what you think. As always its a pleasure and is greatly appreciated when you stop by.

**If you love these looks and would like to buy any of the items above please visit dailylooks.com**

{Off-Sunday} Romwe xmas sale uptom 80% off!!

Hello there my lovelies!! Happy Sunday, so today am coming to you with a short, quick and simple post in conjuction with the store Romwe.com. I wanted to share this great offer I was informed of by Romwe.com with you guys, I learnt about Romwe via another blogger (am sorry can't remember the name) and when I joined an affiliate program (share a sale <-- seen on Stacey's guest post) the first brand/store I searched for was Romwe and when they accepted my application I was over the moon. I just love there stuff and the sales they have on are crazy you would be foolish to ignore them. Check them out using this link below and let me know what you get, I myself I am placing an order as I type this post.

Thanks again for all your support and your encouragements have received since I started blogging, happy Sunday and a good day to you all.

Share-a-sale

PS: don't forget to enter my giveaway blew you never know you might just win and maybe use it in Romwe.com.

I am giving away £25 paypal cash and 1 small Ad space on both my blogs for 2 months. Good luck to you all. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Off-Sunday ~ GIVEAWAY (PBA - now AJD is 6 months today)

Hello Peeps!!! It's Sunday the 8th of December 2013 and my baby blog PurelyByAccident (now A July Dreamer) is 6 months old today and to celebrate this momentous time I have decided to do a giveaway (yaaaay!!!!) on both my blogs to mark this day.

When I started blogging I didn't think I would achieve so much in so little time, I am forever grateful to the people have met and socialized with from the blogsphere. As my bio says I started this blog to pass time when I had moved town and knew no one, this journey as been one of the most wonderful journeys have taken so far and I hope and pray I continue because we both know it's not always easy to keep blogging and posting posts it takes dedication and commitment to keep up with your fellow bloggers. 

I just wanted to quickly share my stats with you before I move on to the giveaway

* Twitter --> 250+ followers, I started with 15

* Facebook --> 160+ followers, I didn't have a fan page then

* Bloglovin --> 290+ followers, I had 10

* Pinterest + Google plus --> 70+ followers, I dint have either till recently.

Anyway now down to the reason your reading this post, I am giving away £25 paypal cash and 1 small Ad space on both my blogs for 2 months. Good luck to you all.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Bloggers if you would like free ad space on both my blogs please e-mail me, the only condition is promote my giveaway on your blog by placing my rafflecopter on your side bar and I will place your button onmy blog for 2 months!!!***

Off-Sunday: My blog in pictures - Happy 1 week

Hello Guys&Dolls!!

Firstly welcome to December, you can start putting up your trees now and for those of us wanting to squeeze into that dress we have 20 days left (4 days can be spent travelling or pulling our hair out because because). Secondly please use my personalised links to check out what presents you can get your loved ones or me(*smiling*) for Christmas from JOY or via SHOPACADE.

Today this blog is 1 week old, I am so glad I made to decision to start second blog look at my starts!!!!

Look at what my popular posts are :

This blog has a theme of:

* Relationship - mainly advice based on my relationship or my past relationships 

* Personal Confessions - mainly weight related and how I am keeping feet

* Off-(***) - these are Friday, Saturday and Sunday where I talk randomly.

I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog, you know why this blog came about if not click HERE.  Please follow my blog via Google+, Bloglovin, SheBeauty and please sponsor me too and note all sponsorship money made will used to put back into the blogosphere to help support/promote other bloggers. 

As always thank you for reading my blog, I appreciate it greatly. Happy 1st December 2013.