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I’m super excited about these awesome photos that my friend Macey from Motormouth Studio has taken of me for my head shots. As a blogger I have a lot of social media displays and blog images. And, currently, they are ALL different. I’m excited to have a set of great photos to use throughout my online presence. And, of course, my little bug crawled into a few shots as well!

Now, the hard part is deciding which photos to use where! #hardlife #thankgoodnessfortalentedfriends

By the by… if you are a Portland area blogger/business owner and you want head shots done then you are in luck! Motormouth Studio is offering a head shot special right now.

Motormouth Studio Blogger Head Shot Special
$75

30 Minute Session, 1 location

8-10 edited images

Full copy right and print right release

Photos delivered via DropBox within 5 days

Blog post about session linking to your blog
E-mail Macey (motormouthmacey [at] gmail [dot] com) for more info!

Most of the 30 people who read this blog (THANK YOU!) know that I started blogging over at A Well Crafted Party. I love writing about parties and DIY events. But, after having the kiddo I really wanted to write about more. I started incorporating “Mommy Monday” into A Well Crafted Party. But, after a while I realized that I had more to say than just once a week, it wasn’t always party or mommy related, and I was losing some party fans with the change in content.

Yes, I could have just changed the nature of the blog and made it about both parties and babies. It didn’t feel right though and certainly didn’t fit with the name. So, I created this site.

I love this site. I created the banner, buttons, and all and I am thrilled with how it all turned out. Writing on this blog makes me super happy. But, I don’t want to give up my other blog. I still really enjoy everything that it is about.

After the Portland Bloggers meet-ups became a regular event and we really wanted to start growing the community I decided it was time to have a site for that as well. Thus, Portland Bloggers the website was created and I had yet another URL in my name.

I seem to be doing okay with all of these sites. They take a lot of time to keep up. I am getting into a groove with that though. Eventually it will become easier. The hard thing was deciding what blog to promote when I as out at networking events. My business cards was a mess with three different urls, Facebook pages, and then my twitter and Instagram.

So, over the weekend I worked on branding myself a little better. I finished the touches on my website and designed and printed new cards. Now when I go to networking events I can steer people to one site that explains ALL of my side projects and introduce them to my freelance services.

my new business cards

I decided to go ahead and add the Portland Bloggers site to the back of my cards since I often am attending networking events in Portland, Oregon. But, the front of the card says my name, my title, my website (www.jennibost.com) and my Twitter handle. So much cleaner!

My new site really shows how much I am interested in and all the different freelance items I offer. Speaking of… I just added business card design and web element design to my Etsy store. So, if your blog is wanting of a make over then contact me and we can get it looking fabulous!

This doesn’t change things for any of my current blog readers. You can follow along however you’ve been following. Maybe eventually I can create a combined feed on my site that allows for people who just want to read all three of my blogs (hi mom!) to do it in one place. But, I think the branding will benefit my freelance work and networking attempts.

How did you brand yourself and your blog? 
I’ve missed you friends! But, know that I haven’t been gone all this time with nothing to show for it. I am still looking for full-time employment in my field… but, I have been lucky enough to find some great freelance gigs. They are time consuming (which is why it has been so long) but, certainly helpful. In the very little free time that I have had I have been able to create a few fun party items. So… I am hopefully back to blogging and sharing real parties, party DIYs, and much more!
*****
Attendees of the August Portland Bloggers’ Meet-Up photo by the fabulous Motormouth Studio
Every two months I get together with some fabulous bloggers here in the Portland, Oregon area. This August we met at the beautiful (and fairly new) Belmont Library for a Photography Workshop.
 Becky from Studio 623 Photography and Macey from Motormouth Studio spoke about photography and gave us some really great tips at the workshop. 
I created a lot of the little party details and wanted to share some of them with you. The easy black and white color scheme can be used for several different style of events. I hope you find something that can easily inspire you for the next event you throw!
We live in a world of hashtags and social networking. Instagram and Twitter has made it super easy to gather together all the photos taken at your event by the use of a simple little pound sign. 
When wanting the whimsical feel of chalkboards, but not wanting to buy or create a ton of boards for one party, try using a white gel pen on black cardstock. It will also give you more control over the look of your text. Personally, I can’t write pretty with a piece of chalk, but I can rock a gel pen. 
Also, want to have pretty floral arrangements without busting the bank? Hit the local grocery store, pick out a couple of bunches of flowers in one single color scheme and then mix together. Simple and beautiful arrangements for little money.
I am a huge fan of party favors. It is a momento for guests to remember the great time they had at your party. For the photography workshop I wanted guests to have something to take notes on so I created little notebooks with cardstock (I had on hand), scrap paper, a stapler, and a white gel pen. It took me about an hour and the cost of one pack of pens to create these favors. 
And of course… no event is complete with out all of the amazing people who helped make it happen.
A big Thank You to all the event sponsors and volunteers!
—Giveaway & Speaker Gift Sponsors—
Nicole’s Classes: On-line courses in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Photography.
A Beautiful Mess: A DIY, fashion, and style blog with e-courses in art journaling, blogging, and more!
Dijana’s Designs: Beautiful handmade jewelry from Portland, Oregon.
Motormouth Studio— Portland based photographer and designer
—Volunteers—
Megan from The Boho Mama
Sam from Sam Rosen