Happy 2016 | A Quick Update

Hello lovely reader! I hope you are having a good start to 2016. Today's post is more of a chatty post one, which I don't do often but in some ways I see this blog as a bit of a journal and a place to share feelings that other bloggers or readers may be able to relate to. Like most people, I have made a few "New Years Resolutions" one of them being to post more when I have the time which I already seem to be failing at. However, another one of them is to be more optimistic, focusing on the positive side of situations, and not stressing out about unnecessary things. I absolutely love blogging but sometimes I'll hit a bit of a wall as far as things to post, it then spirals into worrying because I haven't posted something in a while, and questioning my content and whether or not I should just quick whip something up in order to have a new post, even if the content is not superb, or if I will loose the traction that within in the last few months I have been quickly gaining (Thanks to you!). I then step back and remind myself of why I started blogging and think about how quality over quantity in the blogging world is one of the most important aspects. (It is also one that I very much value and practice day to day) I also realize that the only person creating this pressure is myself and that it's okay to do something else for a little while.

If I wake up in the morning and feel like creating a post, great I'll do it, but if I wake up and would rather bake something and not document it, that's okay too. Sometimes I feel like blogging and social media in general can keep us from being present. We become so wrapped up in "capturing the moment" with a phone that we miss the actual experience. Staying present is another resolution I have for this year, and while I know it will be one of the hardest ones, I think it will be the most rewarding.

I believe that this cycle can be applied to a lot of things in life, questioning yourself, self doubt, and loosing sight of why you began something. Feeling like your fire within has become a tiny match, and wondering where that massive bonfire went. But with a new year comes a fresh start, and the perfect opportunity to start searching for things that fuel that fire once more, taking time and not rushing, doing certain things when it feels right and not feeling like you must force yourself to do something if your heart isn't fully in it. So after all this, may you be optimistic and present in the coming year! I also want to say thank you to everyone who has continued to or started reading "Not Exactly Plain Jane" this past year. The growth within the last few months alone has been amazing and it makes me so excited for what's to come. I have been given some great opportunities and cannot wait to see what 2016 will bring!

Happy New Year! Xx

4,000 Views & Being Honest

Hiya lovely reader! Oh my goodness, I logged on today to be greeted with the amazing fact that there have been over 4,000 views on "Not Exactly Plain Jane"! That is so amazing and exciting to me! Thank you so much!

If I'm honest, I haven't been extremely pleased with myself about the content that I have been putting out these past few months. Before I came home from school, I felt so ready to have time to get back into the swing of blogging. I had written out all these ideas for posts (some of which I have accomplished, but others I have not) but when I got home, I just felt like I had lost it. My enthusiasm for blogging was still there but I felt like my content was not up to par (still do to an extent) and just felt really down.

However, I have been doing some thinking lately and I think that my problem is that I have all these visions and goals for what I want this blog to be, but a lot of them aren't going to happen overnight, so until then I need to focus on what I can do and post about presently. My blog is my blog and I shouldn't be looking at people who have been doing this for years and years and compare my blog to theirs. I continue to work on this concept in my own life so it's silly to me that I started getting wrapped up in comparisons in the blogging world. Things will happen when and if they are meant to happen and until then I should just do my thing and trust myself.

So, my goal now is to treat this blog like I did when I started out and remember why I started this it in the first place. I am a creative person and this blog has been/is an amazing outlet for me to share my creations, as well as my interests, thoughts, and life events. There have been a few things that have happened lately, that I feel have re-lit my blogging fire and I am ready to go!

Cheer's to anyone who has contributed to these thousands of views and here's to thousands and thousands more! Now let's do this! Xx

2500 Views and Counting!

Hey lovely reader!! Just wanted to do a quick post to say a massive thank you!!! "Not Exactly Plain Jane" has over 2500 views! That is insane to me, I cannot thank everyone who reads this blog enough, it means a lot to me. I know that I have not been positing as many content filled posts but I promise you they are coming soon! (Possibly a fall look book?...) I absolutely love blogging and the blogging community and plan to continue blogging for a long long time! So again thank you for reading my blog, whether you've read all the posts or this is the first post you are reading, I appreciate it! 

Do you have a favorite post? Also, if you have a blog, feel free to link it in the comments, I'd love to read it and I'm sure others would too. Sharing is caring! Xx

App-y Days

Hello! I hope your having a nice Sunday! As we live in a tech world and everyone is always on some form of technology, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you some apps that I am loving. They are also all FREE which makes things a whole heck of a lot more intriguing! So have a look and see if any of these interest you. Xx

LINE camera

This app is my "go-to" for editing and putting filters on pictures. The Beauty section is quite amazing also with how many changes you can make:)

Montage Lite

I really like this app, especially for when you want to post multiple photos on Instagram. 

Squaready

A must if you do not always want to post square photos on Instagram!

Songza
I mentioned this app in my July Favorites post and I am still loving it. There are tons of options for what type of music you want to listen to whether you're relaxing or getting ready for a night out. 

VEVO HD

HD music videos, what more do you want? 

Calm

This is a recent download after hearing different people talk about it. I must say I was a bit skeptical but even after doing one session, I opened my eyes and was like wow! It allows you to get in a zone and just have some time to focus on yourself. It is also supposed to help with anxiety which is one of the main reasons I got it. I will give more updates on that after using it for a while. 

Flappy Bird

This game is so simple yet so frustrating at the same time! It is also hilarious to watch someone else play:) Intense!

Words HD Free

Yes I know that you are probably thinking "OMG Words with Friends is sooo last year!" Well, my friend and I are bringing it back. 

Heads Up

I know I said that all the apps in this post are free, but I couldn't leave this one out. It does cost but it is so worth it! If you do not know, the game is by Ellen Degeneres and is basically a sharades game. There's multiple categories and it also films you and allows you to go back and watch the video after the round is over. Great game to play with friends and family!

Blogger

This app is definitely necessary for blogging on the go. I do have some issues with it though (not being able to change image size or insert links). But, overall it is a nice app.

Bloglovin

If you are on bloglovin (which I am, follow me by clicking the lovely lady on the right) you need this app! You get a feed of all the blogs you choose to follow and can also easily find new blogs based one categories or searches.