(My freshly applied henna tattoo.)
Since she moved to Austin, my friend Lindsay and I have discovered just how much we have in common. Our wedding anniversaries are the exact same day, and it turns out our birthdays are two days apart. I wanted to celebrate turning 35, since it seems like a milestone, so we decided to get henna tattoos! We’ve both had them in the past and knew what to expect, so after a lot of schedule juggling, we made an appointment and went last week. It was fun to celebrate our birthdays with a little “girl time,” and we had so much fun getting to know the artist, too.
Nisha Agrawal is the talented owner of Henna Arts, located in Round Rock, Texas, and she is truly an artist in every way. Besides henna, a technique she began learning as a young girl, Nisha also paints and designs jewelry. All of her pieces are beautiful and ornate, inspired by her native India. As she worked, Nisha kept us entertained with her own tales of motherhood and assured me that raising two boys does not get easier with time. Thanks, Nisha!
(Nisha making me laugh as she works.)
Henna has become more common in the U.S., and is a natural, plant-based paste applied to the skin and allowed to dry. The process is relaxing and painless, and it’s a great way to get the look of a tattoo without the pain or commitment, since it gradually fades over time. I wore my dry paste overnight, covered with a tissue and medical tape, and then gently rubbed it off the next morning, using a touch of cooking oil. The paste leaves behind a beautiful stain on your skin that lasts for several weeks. In India, henna is generally applied to the hands and feet of brides, as well as to women before parties or holidays.
(Nisha beginning to work on Lindsay’s pattern.)
In college, I had several henna tattoos applied, always choosing a conservative bracelet style on my arm. This time, I chose a larger design, and Lindsay had her entire arm covered. Nisha is incredibly talented and works quickly, making beautiful designs as she goes. I’m thoroughly impressed with the details involved in her work, and this is, by far, the best henna tattoo I’ve ever had.
(Lindsay’s finished design.)
Lindsay and I are planning to visit Nisha again in the next few months, and I’m already imagining my next design. I love the look so much, and I’m thinking of doing it regularly, just for fun.
(My henna tattoo now.)
My design is slowly beginning to fade, since it’s near my hands, which get washed a lot during the day. But it should last a few more weeks, and I’m so thrilled with the result. It was such a fun way to celebrate my birthday, and I can’t wait to do it again!
If you’re in the Austin area, I can definitely recommend Nisha of Henna Arts!
We got some much-needed rain over the weekend, and it hasn’t been too hot lately. I’m enjoying this “mild” summer and looking forward to fall, too. Shayla and I are nearing the end of our blog collaboration, but the plan is to pick it up again in a few months, once things settle down for her. If you have any questions you’d like us to tackle, feel free to ask!
Today’s question is: What Tips, Tricks, or Techniques Have Improved Your Blogging?
If you’re a blogger, you’ve probably heard of an editorial calendar. It’s a tool used to plan and schedule your blog posts, and most bloggers find it invaluable. I don’t use an actual plug-in for scheduling posts, like a lot of my friends do, but I do plan out my posts weekly in my trusty notebook. Since my first job is taking care of my family, and I’m now trying to start a little editing business on the side, I really have to budget my blogging time. Knowing what I’m planning to write about each week helps me stay focused on the actual writing part, so I don’t spend too much time searching for and stressing about topics.
I keep a notebook by my computer, and I always have a list of topics jotted down. I make two columns, one for the week’s posts, and one for future post ideas, as well as any other blog business I need to work on. I think this habit stems from my teaching days, when I planned my lessons on a weekly and monthly basis, so it’s a great tool that I’ve carried over into the blogging world. I also keep a list of questions for this collaboration, as well as events I’m attending in real life or online. It’s basically my homemade planner, and one page can last about two weeks. Also, I only use it for blog-related stuff, so things like doctor’s appointments and the boys’ schedules go somewhere else. This is my “work” planner only.
(The Writing Corner Of A Chintz Bedroom, via Vintage Printable.)
At the end of the two-week period, or as the page fills up, I start a new page with the same columns, and carry any unfinished business over. It’s fun to look back at previous pages to see what I was writing or thinking about in the past, and I find it inspirational, too. It’s not very high-tech, but it works for me.
Another trick I often use involves my blog photos. Once I take photos, I transfer them from my camera’s photo card to my computer as soon as I can, so they are fresh in my mind. I select the pictures I want to use and leave them on my desktop until I upload them to my blog and write the accompanying post. Once I’ve done that, I move the photographs to a storage folder and my desktop is clear. This really helps me to see, visually, how many posts I have in mind to write, and how much work I have to do. If I have post ideas, but no pictures on my desktop, it means I need to get to work. Sort of a visual way to clear out my To Do List, I guess.
I’ve found that these little tricks, which came about naturally, really help me stay focused on writing each week. I never have to scramble for ideas, and since I prefer to post five times a week, it helps to be prepared. Do you have any blogging tricks that work for you? I’d love to hear! And be sure to read Shayla’s answer, too, since, as a reporter, she is literally writing all the time!
(My mom spoiled me on my birthday!)
I did a lot of royal watching this week, and celebrated my 35th birthday, too. I guess this age is kind of a milestone, but it never seems like a big deal. Here are a few things that caught my attention this week, besides His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge!
Ernest Hemingway’s mother kept scrapbooks about her son.
The controversy surrounding women who are caught “not at that moment smiling.”
All the details about Kate’s coming-home dress. I’m a big fan of this blog for its attention to detail.
A fun makeup tutorial for Marie Antoinette Doll Makeup.
How “Venture Brothers” portrays men better than “Mad Men.”
A friend’s company is getting some well-deserved attention.
Have a wonderful weekend!
