Psst...

I'm over at How To Be A Grown Up today (and every Wednesday). See you there!

#116: The Future of This Blog

                        Behind the scenes of a 2 cat-owning, 2 blog-running life.

Hi, all.

As you know, I've been blogging a little less these days in pursuit of balance in my life. And I've got to admit, taking Mondays and Fridays off has rocked my world. (Imagine if you had a 3-day work week instead of the full 5 days. Yeah, it feels like that much of a difference.) This light blogging schedule has allowed me to:

• Keep my house clean!!! An incredible feat.
• Read YOUR blogs again. :)
• Prepare some guest posts for other blogs. (So keep an eye out!)
• Enjoy more quality time with my hubby.

So I'm going to continue only blogging 3x per week for the rest of 2010 because I've got the following major projects that I'm determined to finish by the end of the year:

• My freakin' thank you cards!
• A music video-style film about our wedding using some footage, photos, sweet and weepy music, and the iMovie app on my Mac.
• Finish recording my album. (I'm a good singer, a frustrated songwriter, a terrible guitar player, and a bad-ass air guitarist.)
• Learn to cook some basic, healthy dishes using all of the fabulous kitchen goodies that were given to us at my bridal shower.
• Start writing for my other blog again.

Now about that last bullet. My other blog, which is called How To Be A Grown-Up, is one that was born just before Brave Bride. (In fact, you'll find some overlap in the posts.) And just like what often happens to the older sibling when a new baby comes along, How To Be A Grown-Up has had to wait patiently while I tended to the growing needs of the new baby blog in the house.

But now that Brave Bride can stand on its own two feet, I'd like to spread the love and start writing over at How To Be A Grown-Up again. And guys, I'm totally stoked for this. Grown-Up is, like Brave Bride, essentially a blog about balls (c'mon, does this really surprise you?), except it involves life beyond wedding planning. (Hallelujah!) And it's a blog that will work well with a book idea that I've been toying with. (More on that later.)

So here's the deal. I'm going to continue writing 3x per week, but only 2 of those posts will be for Brave Bride. On Tuesdays and Thursdays you'll find me here, and on Wednesdays you'll find me at How To Be A Grown-Up. 

If you're out of the wedding planning woods, or totally wedding'ed out, or single, or into personal growth, or unsure if you're doing the whole grown-up thing right, perhaps you have some room in your life for my new (err, old) blog. Hope to see you there!

#112: Survey Results & Announcement

Remember that poll I took a few weeks back? The one where I asked "What would you like to see more of on Brave Bride?"...Oh, yeah. That. Well, it's time wipe the cob webs off the results! It's time for the big reveal! And it's time to share my thoughts on it all.

So...from the most popular response to the least, you guys requested that Brave Bride feature:

1. Inspiring stuff about balls and personal growth/ Kim's psychotherapy babble
2. Budget-friendly and creative wedding ideas
3. Kim's personal thoughts on love and marriage
4. Brave weddings & interviews
5. Whatever Kim wants to write is fine by me!

Shocking, I tell you. But in a good way.

First, I was surprised by how close the results were. Each item was separated by one vote, except for #5....because you wouldn't let me get away with things that easily, now would you? ;)

Second, I'm surprised that you guys are so into the balls/ personal growth/ psychotherapy stuff. All along I had been writing about these particular topics for myself, not so much for others. I struggle to be brave. I struggle to speak my mind. I'm that shy girl in the office who eats her lunch alone. I'm the girl who, 24/7, is wondering what the world thinks of her every move. I'm the awkward girl at house parties eating chips in the corner of the room, pretending that she's not at all uncomfortable with the fact that no one is talking to her - because you know, she's just there for those delicious chips. So yeah. I'm rather obsessed with talking about courage, growth, and change, you see, because I want it so badly for myself. Needless to say it's TOTALLY encouraging to know that you'd like me to write more on what I'm most passionate about. Seriously, who knew?

Oh, and for those of you who voted for the topics that didn't take the crown: don't worry, I got your back. I'll occasionally be posting about the remaining topics on the list because like I said, they didn't trail the #1 spot by very much.

So that's my game plan to make this blog YOUR blog. I started writing to "pay it forward". I write to help others. And I intend to keep it that way.

But my husband occasionally reminds me that I should enjoy being the writer of this blog. With the time and commitment it takes to write 5 essays a week, it's got to be as fulfilling and useful for me as it is for you. Otherwise, I might end up a burned out mess who has had it up to here with wedding talk. Yikes.

So. Time for my announcement:

During the rest of this month (we'll see what will happen after that), I'm going to experiment with posting 3 times per week instead of 5 times. That means that on Mondays and Fridays I'm off duty. This will give me more time to write strong content on the topics you want to read more about. It's about quality over quantity.

I'll admit - I'm struggling with a little bit of blogger's guilt. (You know, taking a break from writing and feeling like I should apologize for it.) But it's not like the world will come crashing down if Kim from New York blogs a little less. Seriously, I've got to get over myself!

As you all know, life consists of many different seasons. And during this season, I need Fridays and Mondays off. I need more balance and less blogging! And that's all it is.

So people: thank you, thank you, thank you! For reading, for participating in my poll, for putting up with me, and for listening. Big cyber hugs to one and all! :)

                Me, this past Sunday, balancing NOT blogging:

#100: Dude, take my survey.

Wow, one hundred posts and counting!

There aren't many interesting things I've done 100 times (that I will admit to in public, that is). So I'm feeling quite proud to have reached the 100-post mark today, and I'm thrilled that the little seed I planted on June 1, 2010 has established its roots.

So. Since I plan to write many more posts in the future, I want to take this time to check in with all of you readers. What works for this blog and what doesn't? How can Brave Bride be more useful and interesting to you?

Check out the survey question on the right (just above my little profile picture), and cast your vote!

Thanks, y'all.

#58: 4 Announcements

It's 24 hours before my wedding and I wish I had something brave and wise to say about engagement, marriage, love, life, yada yada yada...

But to be honest, I've got 16 items on my to-do list for today so I've only got time to make the following 4 announcements which I've listed from least to most important.

• I won't be updating Brave Bride while we're honeymoonin' over in San Francisco and Northern California. But I hope you'll come back here for my return on Monday, August 9th. (Oh, pretty please??!) Because I'm guessing I'll have a LOT to say by then.

• This week has been a hellish nightmare that at times made me wish we had eloped. And yet. It rocked.

• This week has taught me that it does indeed take a village to raise a marriage and prep for a wedding. My, my goodness I'm blessed in that department.

• I'm going to be a married woman - holy crap balls! And right now I feel all jittery and speechless and perfectly in the clouds.

Thank you all for reading, commenting, and sharing in the joy, pain, and laugh-out-loud-oops-I-just-passed-gas-that-was-so-hilarious kind of fun that engagement and wedding planning can be.

And on that note, see you all on the other side. Peace out!

~Kimberly

#49: I'm featured on APW today! :)

I've got 6 letters for you:

OMG, APW!

Translation: Oh my gosh, my writing is featured on A Practical Wedding today!! Which is seriously a big deal.

Why? Because A Practical Wedding is a powerhouse phenomenon in the wedding blog world. Its creator and writer, Meg, is at the forefront of a revolution in the bridal community that supports authenticity, mindful spending, and keeping your eye on the big picture as opposed to the color-coordinated this, that and the other. When I saw what A Practical Wedding was doing for the world I wanted to join the march. And thus, Brave Bride was born.

Plus, there's a fabulous community of smart, sassy and stylish (on their own terms) women over there whose contributions to the site have inspired and encouraged me throughout these months of Brave Wedding Planning. They gave me permission to be myself in a wedding culture that demanded I follow strict orders.

So A Practical Wedding is my hero, you see. And I feel honored and humbled to pass on my itty bitty piece of wisdom via APW in the same way that others have done before me.

Now all I have to do is have a dinner party with Michelle Obama, Ellen Degeneres and Oprah and my life will be complete!

#47: Submit YOUR Wedding Wisdom to Brave Bride!

One of my favorite things to do is hang out with my older friends and pick their brains. It's amazing how much wisdom can live inside a person.

Brave Bride welcomes all of its readers to share their wedding stories, great ideas, and powerful  insights...because wisdom kept secret is almost as tragic as a $100 Target gift card that never finds its way out from between the couch cushions. A damn shame, I tell you.

So...if you would like to share your wedding wisdom with Brave Bride readers, please answer the following interview questions and e-mail your writing and photos to BraveBride@hotmail.com:


WEDDING SUBMISSIONS:

• 10-15 favorite photos (jpegs) from your wedding. (Note: I LOVE me some candid shots!)

• Your first names

• Where your wedding was held (city, state or province, country if not in U.S., and venue)

• Provide the names of any vendors you would like to promote (eg - photography, dress designer, etc.)

                                                     *  *  * 

• In what ways were you a brave bride? (Please refer to my definition in the post entitled "Brave Bride defined" under Topics.)

• What was the most emotionally challenging part of wedding planning OR getting married? How did you respond? What big lesson(s) did you learn from this challenge?

•  What advice would you give to those planning a wedding?

WEDDING-RELATED TOPICS THAT I WOULD LOVE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN ABOUT - In other words, e-mail me if you have something wise and brave to say (from personal experience) about any of the following:

Interfaith marriage
First came baby, then came marriage
Plus size wedding dress shopping
You're a dude (Calling all Brave GROOMS-- we want to hear from you!)
Remarriage
A relationship changed or evolved during the wedding planning process 
Involving children & stepchildren in a wedding
Marrying later in life
Cold feet
YOUR dreaded bridal diet story (Please browse my posts on diets first.)
Same sex marriage
Elopement
Interracial marriage
Large age gap between bride and groom
Wedding dress that was bought used and/ or online
Canceled wedding
Unusual weddings
Wedding day disasters and how you dealt with them
Your parents/ family/ friends don't "approve" your fiance (or vice versa)
Wedding-related decisions that caused havoc in your family


Looking forward to hearing from you!


Peace,

Kimberly


Photo credit

#36: Up my sleeve

Greetings, lovely people of the world! Today I thought I'd share some exciting news about the future of Brave Bride. Here's what I've got up my sleeve in the weeks to come:

• interviews with brave GROOMS about their wedding planning experience (Cool, huh? SO excited about this.)
• more interviews with a broad range of brides - second time brides, plus size, traditional, offbeat, and women who eloped or had destination weddings 
• kick-ass beauty-related finds 
• reflections on bachelorette parties (plus a review of my co-ed skydiving bachelorette party!)
• more posts on the tough stuff: establishing boundaries with loved ones when wedding planning, updates on my anti-bridal diet (or "non-diet"), having cold feet, tackling inter-faith wedding planning, recruiting the help of friends and family, budget talk, responding to loved ones who you can't freakin' believe RSVP'd "no" to your wedding, how to engage in wedding-related small talk with engaged friends who SERIOUSLY need a little Brave Bride, A Practical Wedding, or Offbeat Bride in their life!
• brave weddings (celebrity edition)
• engagement photo shoots
• ideas for fun, unique, and practical bridal party gifts (made by local artisans on Etsy, of course)
• spotlight on vendors I love
• photos and reflections on MY wedding, which is taking place at the end of this month (Gasp!)

So go off and enjoy your 4th of July weekend! Savor those burgers, hot dogs, and slices of warm apple pie (because you shouldn't deprive yourself of the highlights of summer just because you've got a white dress to fit into). Then meet me right back here on Monday, k?

Have a joyful and safe weekend!

#27: NEW feature on Brave Bride!

Exciting news, people! This week I will be launching a new feature on the blog that's so wonderful it's got me doing naked cartwheels.

Moving forward I will occasionally be shining a spotlight on women who I believe to be brave brides. Lovely readers, this means you'll get to...

• eye other people's fabulous wedding photos (Feel free to drool, fantasize, and have your pants charmed off.)
• learn from their wedding planning experience (Advice and wisdom will be shared - hooray!)
• steal their cool ideas (in an imitation-is-the-best-form-of-flattery kinda way)
• feel encouraged and inspired to make your own brave choices (because that's what this blog is all about)

I want to emphasize that this new element of the blog opens up the opportunity for YOU to be interviewed and featured on the site. So after you've returned home from the honeymoon, settled into your life with the hubby (or wifey), and have gone through all of your wedding photos at least 2 times (with subsequent laughing, sighing, and happy tears), shoot me an e-mail and let me know if you're open to inspiring other brides by being featured on my blog. :)