The thought of Mother hood has fueled my goal hunting

The idea that life gets real once you find that positive sign on your pregnancy test is real. Some people are easy going and others are natural go getter's from birth.

I have always been somewhere in the middle. Hard working and risk taking at times but also very comfortable and content. But the minute I found out I was pregnant my train of thought and determination went full mode "lets make shit happen".

I know moms who pre-pregnancy had 9-5 pm jobs and were just coasting by but are now business owners and goal driven. That's motherhood for you, its a crazy combo of love, protectiveness and determination. You got a legacy now, you got someone to be a role model to.

My list of goals have somewhat gotten smaller, but the goals have become gigantic. Does that make sense?

Trust me when I say this, once you have your eye set on a specific goal nothing can stop you. We also live in an amazing time where people are creating their dream lives from ways that didn't exist before. If you passionate about it you can create a career around it. 

There is no stopping you.

If you a mom or pregnant did your passion for success get ignited ? I'd love to know.

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Glam up your email signature with social media icons !

Every blogger knows how important a good efficient email signature is and if you didn't well now you know ;). There's many many cool ways to add your personal touch to your emails. Like adding the same social media icons you love and have on your blog, don't have any? well I got you covered with that too. Today I will be showing you how to easily update your email signature. 

What you will need:

• Photobucket account
• Icons (get extremely cool icons for free here)
• Your Gmail account open 
• URLS for all the social media you will be using. 

Lets get started shall we...

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One sure way to increase blog traffic!

If you new to blogging or even a pro blogger  sometimes we tend to overlook minor details, like naming our images. But seriously I have to tell you by just naming my images correctly my traffic has increased and we all know that is pretty important if you serious about your blog. It really is a numbers game. I mean the reality is you spend tons of time creating content and it deserves to be enjoyed. So here is my one sure way to increase your blog traffic and it only takes two minutes to do. 

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10 Things I wish I knew before I started blogging

The blog life is one major misconception. Whenever I even mention I am a blogger the looks are like wait whaaat even though bloggers are everywhere these days. Everyone outside of the blog world thinks running a blog is the easiest thing ever. While I can openly admit the blog life is one fun little world, the work it involves takes hours to get right especially if blog growth is what you working for. Content creation starts and ends way before sitting at your computer and did you know spreading word about your blog is more than just posting?

If you a blogger I can already see you nodding your head.

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Midweek reading | blogkeeping

With finding the time to blog being my biggest struggle I decided to dedicate this weeks midweek reading to all things blog related. Editorial calendars, inspiration, making the time, behind the scenes and also a few old favorite posts from my absolute favorite bloggers out there. This one is definitely dedicated to all YOU bloggers out there who work hard to create content and do it so effortlessly that the whole world thinks beings a blogger is the easiest "job" in the world. I take my hat off to all of you guys! 

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What makes a "great blogger", anyway?

I was by accident listening (ease dropping) to a conversation between a few ladies about blogging. Common you know the minute I heard blogging I would be a tiny bit more attentive. They were discussing how to distinguish a "good blogger" from a "bad blogger". With some valid key points on layout and perfect pictures, it got me thinking what is a "good blogger"?

"Tweet: What makes a "great blogger", anyway?" 

In my very humble opinion, yes I think some things make a blogger more relatable and makes the blog itself beautiful in a complete package. But, with each blog being a creative voice of an individual with various tastes, loves and loathes, could it ever be as easy to define. I personally think its all about what a reader is looking for. I read many blogs, some I start following like my daily cosmo. Others are once off experiences and from the second I read them thoughts like "too young for me", "totally not in the same life phase" or even a simple "boring" pop into my head. So I thought just for adding my two cents to a conversation I wasn't a part of ;) I will share a list of things I look for in a blog or blogger.

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Weekend Reading | Meghan Silva Blog

Its really a grey and gloomy day here in Johannesburg, so why not keep warm with a cup jo and some good reading. With that said I have really been enjoying finding new posts, tips, recipes and so forth to add to my midweek or weekend reading. Can I make a confession? I often use them to save posts I want to keep for future use. Who doesn't love learning, right? This week's been busy but great. Do I need a little break oh yes I do... So don't mind me as I pour me another cup of jo and have me some weekend reading. 

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Email Subscriptions you need in your life!

My morning routine goes something like this... 5 minute meditation (I lay in bed and visualize my day ahead), coffee and then reading my daily newsletters which I have subscribed to. I actually get so excited when I see my favorite reads pop up in my inbox. So I decided while catching up on my latest favorite reads why not share which email subscriptions I am obsessed with, cannot live without, don't want to live without... you get my point. I don't know about you but way to often I have come to find myself subscribing to different sites only to regret it later on... can you relate? 

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10 things I learned about the blogging world.

1. Its hard ! No-one tells you that or should I say its meant to seem pretty effortless. A huge round of applause to everyone sitting behind their computers trying to get some awesome content up!

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Blogging 101 : Is posting regularly important?

This happens to be the very last Blogging 101 series , I must say it has been such a pleasure to work with Jacy , Jezz , Laura , Marie, Erin , Kierra and Becky thank you so much to all of you ladies for making this series a huge success, this week the topic is one which many bloggers don't agree on , how often should one post . I'll add my pennies at the end of the post but for now lets hear what  Laura ,  Marie and Jacy have to say on the matter .

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Blogging 101 : Lets talk about photography

Photography is something that everyone thinks is super easy until you actually try it , I still struggle so much with this so I really am thrilled to get some really awesome tips from other bloggers , today talking about photography and layout tips are Laura , Marie and Jacy. I have to ask what is your biggest photography struggle? my biggest photography challenge is lighting and finding the perfect setting. In advance I apologize about the cut off in Jacy's answer I only noticed it now, I will redo it and update this post at a later stage .

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Blogging 101 : lets talk HTML

HTML one part of blogging that sometimes has me pulling my hair out , but that is only because I have this "I want to do it all by myself" attitude . Today lets hear what Jezz and Jacy have to say on the matter all I know is I can use all the tips and tricks I can find , HTML is all about learning and trust me google is your greatest friend. Don't be shy to ask blogger friends for tips too. 

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Blogging 101 : We talking Blog Layouts.

Hi guys , how was the weekend ? hope everyone had an amazing one! are you ready for a new installment of Blogging 101 ?? Well today's topic is really an important one to me , Its one of the first things I think about when writing a new post and its always one I feel every single blogger should think about , your blog layout ,  is it easy to work with? does your content get the platform it deserves?are you making it easy for your readers? Well today I have two gorgeous bloggers Erin and Laura who are sharing their thoughts on the connection between good /bad blog layouts and readership , be sure to join the conversation and tell me what your thoughts are in the comments .

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Social Media vs Quality Content !

This week we talking social media vs quality content , which of these two really gets readers ?? Take a second really think about it *waits a second or two* There's so much that goes into building a good quality following . So today sharing their wisdom with us is the gorgeous and fashionable Jacy and the gorgeous and talented Jezz , J&J ?? Love it here's what we had to say on the matter. 

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Blogging 101 : Finding a balance and Misconceptions

This week I am thrilled to have a fresh new take on blogging 101 where bloggers join the discussion and contribute their wisdom , I mean how awesome is that!!! Today we have Jezz , Kierra and Becky and we discussing how to find a balance between blogging and living a life which often can be such a difficult task , and what is the biggest misconception when it comes to blogging I decided to ask this question because we as a blogging community can relate to each other in ways others might not and its nice to sometimes address the questions or idea's fellow bloggers , readers ,our family, friends might have.

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Blogging 101 : Using Bloglovin to your advantage

There literally is so many social platforms for bloggers where we can share and market the content we have worked so hard on , Bloglovin being in my humble opinion the best , but understanding how to use Bloglovin to your advantage is what makes all the difference , until recently I never put much thought into the little details of Bloglovin.

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Blogging 101 : Best tip for avoiding bloggers block

Last weeks post we focused more on the niche of your blog so now since you finally (hopefully) pinned down your niche its time to be delivering those amazing posts day after day and its so easy , right? hah!!! not at all actually , I can see you nodding in agreement . 

That is actually the hardest part of blogging is finding the inspiration to write new posts there is those golden weeks where you can write 5 posts a day and then the (cue horror music) bloggers block sets in and you super stumped . Well here is my personal experience on the matter , I know this may sound contradictory to one post I wrote where I said read some of your favorite blogs to get inspired I meant read it like you would in the past pre blogging ,read a post and move on with your day,  let me tell you if you sit behind your computer reading posts after posts , trying to find inspiration on social media and reading your favorite blogs which 9/10 are those really successful amazing blogs with the perfect pictures and 187 comments ,honey you will feel overwhelmed. The best thing I can say is ....

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Blogging 101 : Finding your niche

This happens to be a topic that I feel is the most important part of having a good blog foundation , I always look at my blog as a business here's what I mean . If I am starting a business these are the very first questions I will ask myself, what is my product , how much capital will I need , will I do it by myself or get more help, how can I market and I want you to ask the exact same questions when looking at your blog (that's if you are trying to grow your blog). 

Finding your niche is exactly like asking what is your product ,are you a lifestyle blogger is fashion more your forte would you like to keep it one topic related these are important questions to ask when trying to find your niche when you finally can pin point what your niche is blogging becomes so much easier.

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