New blog layout...

Eeee, I'm excited about this.

So I mentioned a while ago that I was getting twitchy about my blog layout but all I did was update my post and sidebar font... well, but now I've completely updated it. I wanted something fresh, clean, with less 'stuff' and I wanted a side header (it still changes when you refresh too, yeay). I loved Katrina's layout Lemon Meringue on Powered by Pastries with the smaller header on the side and I loved as well what Ana and Elle did with it - but it wasn't exactly what I wanted... but I think this is.

Some aspects still need tweaking but I'm in no rush to sort everything out straight away, so I apologise if the images to the right still look a bit messy, I think I'll be tweaking it for a while yet, my last layout took me months to get right.

p.s. I finally a have photoshop at work, woo (though I still think Paint.net is amazing for free) so the pretty sparkles are for C and because I've wanted to use the sequins from Pugly Pixel since I first saw them :)

Breaking down that brick wall...

I'm finally getting around to sorting out my blog tags and reacquainting myself with my blog - it's been so fun going through my old posts.

I thought I would share a few of my favourites with you... I like the idea of getting to know people better so we might as well start with you getting to know me better :)

(the post that pretty much converted me to loving yellow...)

(and today, I feel like this too...)

I think that will do for now don't you?

I'm still completely overwhelmed that alot of these posts are over a year old - where has the time gone? Does time move differently when you hit 25 (faster...that is...)?

p.s. this has helped with the bloggers block a little, I like my blog lol...

p.s.s. Why was I so unorganised with my tags?!?!

You feel the same sometimes too right?

Hey! This is me...
and ultimately, this blog is me!

It's my little world.

I was walking to work this morning and as I got to the front door, my favourite boss (yeah I have favourites...) who was also approaching the door, said 'Hey Rhianne' and... I completely blanked him - I was listening to my ipod - I was thinking about this post - I was looking at the floor so I didn't slip on the insanely slippery slabs that Yorkshire has (is that just a Yorkshire thing? I think so...) I was in my own little world.

As I realised he was there, I looked up (jumped) and said 'Hey! Sorry, I was in my own little world' and he said smiling.

'That's alright, we should all have our own little worlds...'

Gah! Most perfect response ever?! And I believe him, we should!

Anyway, the point of this now rather wordy post (sorry) is that really I haven't been honest in my little world... and I think thats why I've been struggling to post...

So here is a little honesty...

Approaching 500+ followers absolutely terrifies me!
(theres more of you through reader, eep!)

I wrote on Nicole's anonymous post recently about how I felt... and thinking about it, I don't know why I shouldn't share it on here - so here goes...

"I constantly worry about my blog, it's the only thing keeping me sane at the moment and the only thing I really put alot of effort into (my job sucks) But I worry that people will find me boring or that they think I'm just copying someone else... Having more readers has made me worry about it even more, I get upset if I lose followers and I'm sad that I don't get more comments then I did when I had less people read it...I know I shouldn't be bothered and that my blog is for me (and it is, I love it) but putting something out there in the internet world that you truly love, something that balances out all the negativity in your life is pretty scary... I wish it didn't bother me but I love reading other peoples blogs and I guess I just want people to enjoy mine as much as I enjoy theirs... "

I should probably also say that my job doesn't suck that much - I was having a very bad work day... I quite enjoy it when it's a good day.

This isn't about being a 'popular' blog or statistics - in fact I haven't checked my stats properly since I stopped my sponsors - its been a huge relief to me not to have to worry about them. It's about putting your world out there and making connections. Right now I feel a little like I'm on a podium in front of a massive 500 strong brick wall and I don't want that - I want to be in a 500 strong crowd, mingling, saying hi...

When I first started getting followers I used to say hi to each one - it was fun, I got to see people's blogs and share them with everyone else, I got to make a connection and say "Hi, I'm so glad you're here!" but honestly, a few other people started to do that too and it didn't seem as personal to me anymore - then I hit 200 and completely lost track of everyone - keeping track of 200 people is hard... also the blogger followers thing is rubbish - there's not always a link to blogs and new people don't always show up when I click on them... why isn't there a nice list somewhere of who follows you so I can just say hi?! Bah!

I read constantly about people saying that your blog should be for you and this blog is for me - but now it's also for you - and I don't think there is anything wrong with that - I'm not ashamed to be a little sad that people stop following my blog - they essentially stop being in my little world and I'm sad they didn't want to stay... I'm not ashamed that I want more people to comment... and I don't think there should be a stigma about wanting people to enjoy your blog and make a connection with you.

Essentially this post comes down to why I blog and where I want to go with my blog...

I started my blog because I was lonely and bored and I really don't cope very well with either of those two things... the posts stop me from being bored and the comments stop me from being lonely... I want comments because I want to talk to people - I want to comment back, I want to visit people's blogs - I want to have the 'conversation' that I hear so many pro bloggers talk about...

and as for where I want to go with my blog - I don't want to go anywhere - I love it how it is - if anything I need to find myself again and make sure it stays true to me and what I love...

it is my own little world afterall...

If you've read this all, thank you - and if you don't leave a comment (I hate the word lurker) that's fine - I can imagine you're not here to hear me emotionally splurge all over my blog - but if you want to just say hi - make a connection - then please do.

I truly do appreciate everyone who reads my blog - I just think we should get to know each other a bit better, don't you?

p.s It's the 1st of Oct and I should be featuring an etsy shop right now but I needed to get this out... I'll post it on Monday instead...

p.p.s. Happy weekend :)

p.p.p.s. I finally got a pic of me as a bridesmaid on here, haha

My name is Rhianne and I am easily distracted...

From Notebookdoodles to Me
Can you believe its nearly October?! I'm hugely surprised by this and honestly a little caught unaware! I meant to write this post ages ago... oh well.

Last year when we went on holiday to Wales I asked for some bloggers to help with guest posts under the title 'My name is ..... and I am easily distracted...' and this year I would love to have more people guest post for me whilst we are away following the same theme...

So are you interested?!

I had a great response to this and have guest posters all lined up - thank you to everyone who wanted to help me out :)

I really hope people are excited as I absolutely adored reading the guest posts last year and I love a good blog series!