If you are a fan of lifestyle blogs, the odds are very high that The Pink and Blue Blog is in your reader. The Pink and Blue blog is one of my favorite blogs and I’ve felt compelled for quite a while now to interview “Ms. Pink” herself. Ms. Pink is one half of the amazing duo that launched the Blog Brunch network (a collaborative creative bloggers network). She also writes an amazing lifestyle blog that is packed full of amazing photography, fabulous recipes, fashion posts, and everything else that inspires her.

Read on to find out how she juggles blogging, her half of the Blog Brunch network, and her amazing career as a Creative Marketing Director.

Take a moment to introduce yourself. What prompted you to start writing The Pink and Blue Blog? How would you describe your content?

My name is Ms. Pink, I write a little blog called The Pink and Blue Blog and I wear many hats. Mostly I like to think of myself as a person who can’t sit still- and that may be why I have a full time job, a blog, a small business, and consulting work… not to mention a husband, but somehow it all works out! The P&B Blog, started as a smorgasbord of sorts, but over time I became fascinated with the things that go into a relationship with the opposite sex (whether you are in a romantic relationship or platonic friendship); the quirks, moments of opposite attract, balance and learning opportunities – it’s all just too interesting not to talk about!

Gradually P&B has adapted into a His and Her Lifestyle Blog, because that’s’ what I found I liked talking about the most. The voice of the blog is mainly female and I have moments of extreme girlish-ness but my husband has a strong presence and I think it brings great balance. Overall I would say the content is a mix of our everyday life; we cook, make home-projects, admire design, search for fun finds, travel and shop. I always say Mr. Blue has all the taste, sometimes it rubs off on me and hopefully it spills onto the blog.

You are also one of the masterminds behind the very popular Blog Brunch collaborative network. What inspired you to launch Blog Brunch? 

Ah Blog Brunch… (First of all, a mastermind I am not – but thank you) I have never given birth before, but I have to think the awe-inspiring admiration I have for this project has to be similar to having a child. Okay- I’m exaggerating a bit, but it is truly special to both my co-founder Megan and myself. It all came about very simply, Megan and I started to email and chat because we liked each other’s blogs. We both did an exchange type-post for the other person’s blog and we really liked working together. At the end of the day we didn’t want our collaboration to end! We were having so much fun getting to know one another, trading blogging war stories, and learning from the other’s experiences that we figured other people would love connecting with other like-minded bloggers too! The concept of Brunch came quick, we wanted a relaxed atmosphere that everyday bloggers can meet, engage and cultivate new relationships with each other online. Blog Brunch was made to bring people together and offer a platform for people to grow their blogs. We are only in the beginning stage of our plans for Blog Brunch, and I am extremely excited for what’s to come.

How has Blog Brunch impacted your life?

Never did I dream of such a warm welcome from the blogging community. I see bloggers guest posting on eachother’s sites, new ideas hatched and businesses growing from the ideas/relationships forged at Brunch and it thrills me. Blog Brunch has inspired me to make more time for my personal projects and put some of these “side projects” in the spotlight.

You are well-known for your blog, but you also have a career. What can you tell us about what you do for a living?

I have had some interesting jobs in the past… but this one takes the cake. My title is Creative Marketing Director, but it breaks down as such; I’m responsible for the online marketing, SEO, social media, web content and usability for several sites ranging in subject matter from e-commerce to social media… It’s a healthy mix of stress, excitement and research but at the end of the day it’s quite rewarding.

How would you describe a typical day in your life? 

A weekday:

I wake up early, and go for a ride on my horse. Then I come home and have a standing date with my husband over breakfast, blogs and coffee. We typically publish a pre-made Pink and Blue post while we chat. After that, I set out for my day job. Once off I make dinner, write emails, skype with Megan, shop online, check in with family and catch up on trashy tv. After hopping into pj’s I settle in and blog for the next day. At the end of the night I always wind down with a glass wine or cup of tea and a good book.

Weekend:

DO NOTHING AND LIKE IT!

You have so much going on! How do you manage to “do it all”?

Ha! That’s my problem, I always feel like I could be doing more! Lists are my bests friend, but knowing how much I can take on has been a lesson in itself. The challenge for me has been saying “no”. I realized how much I worked when my husband (who at times can work up to 80 hours a week) sat me down and said I should take a break… I don’t know how people post 2-3 times per day of amazing content, update their twitter, facebook and instagram like no tomorrow and have full time jobs… but I tip my hat to them!

What has been the most rewarding part of managing your blogs?

I love hearing from a random stranger that they have heard of my blog, or getting a comment that someone made my recipe or was inspired by something I wrote. Something as simple as a text from a friend saying they loved a post can really make my day.

What tips do you have for busy people trying to manage blogging, social media and a busy career?

Start small, and focus on writing/blogging about what you truly love. I haven’t met any bloggers that write about what they originally set out to do- let your blog grow and change gradually. Mostly though, don’t worry about competing with others, enjoy yourself and you will attract readers!

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Do you know someone who has a fabulous career and lives a fun, full life? Submit their story in the comments section below or send me a “tweet” @imwaytoobusy for interview consideration. I’d love to hear from you!

As many of you know, I have been very busy working on my California Project. I am excited to tell you that I have accepted a position in Silicon Valley and will be moving to the San Francisco Bay Area this month! I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself. What does this mean for the blog? It will be a little quiet around here while I work on relocating. I will continue to regularly post Monday Morning Inspiration for you under the Monday Morning Inspiration tab. I also have an exciting interview post coming up in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for that!

I am very excited to make the transition from the Midwest to Northern California. If you have any relocating or moving tips, please share them in the comments section. I would love to hear from you!

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While things are quiet, you can always stay up-to-date by following me on Twitter. If you aren’t following @Imwaytoobusy yet, let’s get connected!
 
 

At Imwaytoobusy, we have a great appreciation for people who have fantastic careers and live fun, well-rounded lives. Kristin Porter, the blogger behind Iowa Girl Eats, is one of those people.

Kristin has a fabulous career in marketing, loves running, cooks healthy dinners on a regular basis, travels, and writes a blog post every day of the week. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Kristin about how she manages her career and fun, busy life. Here is what she had to say:

Take a moment to introduce yourself. What prompted you to start Iowa Girl Eats? How would you describe your blog?

My name is Kristin Porter, and I’m the woman behind the stove, sneakers and passport stamps at my blog Iowa Girl Eats. I started blogging two and half years ago after reading tons of cooking and lifestyle blogs for a few years before that. It looked like so much fun, I decided to join the party!

I mainly blog about cooking, running and traveling, and aim to post seven days a week. I usually try a new dish four to five days a week, and my favorite recipes are low-fuss, quick, easy and made with seasonal, readily available ingredients.

In addition to cooking I also love to run, so I try to occasionally post fun and interesting treadmill routines to use at the gym to help get through an otherwise boring workout. Finally, I have a HUGE passion for traveling, which I love to chronicle on the blog. I want my readers to feel like they’re with me on my trip, whether it be in Vegas, or at the Vatican!

You are well-known for your blog, but you also have a career. What can you tell us about what you do for a living?

By night, I am Iowa Girl Eats, by day I am a Marketing Manager at a local outdoor history museum. I’m a huge history nerd, so working for an organization that shows the changes in Midwestern agriculture over 300 years is kind of a thrill for me.

How would you describe a typical “day in the life of” Kristin?

Every morning (when there’s not snow on the ground!) my Mom and I walk 1.5 miles at the crack of dawn. Actually, earlier than the crack of dawn – 5:15am! I work four, 10-hour days, so I am usually in the office from 6:30am-4:30pm. I try and exercise 3-4 days a week, so I’ll hit the gym after work, then start dinner shortly after I get home. After cooking, photographing dinner, then blogging about it, it’s usually 7pm before I’m winding down.

For the remaining couple hours before I hit the hay, I close up shop and give my husband my undivided attention. The temptation to spend hours on social media and reading blogs is high, but spending quality time with him is the post important thing to me.

You have so much going on! How do you manage to write high-quality posts everyday?

I feel like I’ve been doing this so long, that it just becomes part of my routine. Cook, photograph, post, repeat!  Honestly, I do all my grocery shopping on Sundays then prep as many meals for the coming week as I can by chopping veggies and pre-making things like soups or casseroles, which can be reheated later. These couple of productive hours on Sunday save me gobs of time during the hectic week.

I do all my grocery shopping on Sundays then prep as many meals for the coming week as I can by chopping veggies and pre-making things like soups or casseroles, which can be reheated later. These couple of productive hours on Sunday save me gobs of time during the hectic week.

What has been the most rewarding part of writing your blog?

I absolutely love hearing back from readers who have tried a recipe of mine, and loved it just as much as I did. There’s nothing more satisfying and rewarding than that to me!

What are your tips for busy people who aren’t currently making time to cook healthy meals?

Make time! Life is not a dress rehearsal, and you only get one body. Treat it well and you will be rewarded. Also…this is easier said than done. Don’t stress yourself out, or set yourself up for failure, by trying to be perfect, or do it all at once. If you aren’t eating as healthy as you’d like, set a goal of trying to cook one or two meals at home a week. After that, try and work in more veggies to your meals, etc. Baby steps will get you there eventually!

Life is not a dress rehearsal, and you only get one body. Treat it well and you will be rewarded. Also…this is easier said than done. Don’t stress yourself out, or set yourself up for failure, by trying to be perfect, or do it all at once. …Baby steps will get you there eventually!

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Do you know someone who has a fabulous career and lives a fun, full life? Submit their story in the comments section below or send me a “tweet” @imwaytoobusy for interview consideration. I’d love to hear from you!