Bloglovin!

Hey guys! I know there have been a bunch of posts telling everyone the Google Reader is going away and that you can now follow on Bloglovin. I am saying the same thing! I have been using bloglovin for the past week and it has really helped me discover some great blogs.




Also you can import all of your Google Reader subscriptions by following these instructions bloglovin.com/import/reader.

Emily

10 signs your a compulsive "Nester"

Hi! My name is Emily and I am a nester. I do not even have my place yet and I am picking furniture out, buying housewares, and scouring the internet for deals. Steve and I are still on our search for the perfect house either to rent or possibly buy?!?!?! However, It seems like we might have missed the deal buying moment in our area. There are not a whole lot of houses for sale within our price range anymore. We want a place that is small that has around an acre of land. Also we are not afraid of doing some DIY. But back to the nesting. I have came up with 10 signs that you are a compulsive "Nester."

The Signs:

1. You drag your friend into furniture stores and plan out your "dream" rooms. 
2. When you see a for sale sign you immediately take a picture of the sign and try to find the listing online to see inside. 
3. The idea of just driving by a thrift store does not cross your mind. (Well I already had this problem.) 
4. Boredom means going to Marshalls and wondering around to see if there are any cute home goods. 
5. You have already convinced your boyfriend or room mate to give you full decorating control. 
6. There are at least 3 totes of house goods sitting in storage or a garage with your name on them.
7. The idea of finally being able to display your vintage dishes with out them being broken makes you giddy. 
8. You start to remind people that certain items are yours and not shared. Like my little table that I set up at my moms. 
9. Pinterest has become like crack for diy ideas. 
10. Conversations begin with "How do you feel about......." When you are referring to paint colors.

The Evidence:

Did you buy things in preparation for having your own place? Are you doing so right now?

Emily

Pinterest Contest Do's and Don'ts

Pinterest has grown leaps and bounds and now has 31 million users. The demographics of its users appear to depend on the area from which they are coming from. In the United States the majority of the users are 86 percent women compared to the users in France which are generally male at 74 percent. 

The material for Pinterest is sourced from a variety of web sites. The user can create a board of their specific content and there are an unlimited number of boards for each user. The content is generated by users either by uploading pictures or “pinning” photographs from websites. This means that companies and non-profits can then generate their own content on a user page. Then users can “pin” from other user’s boards if they do not want to be the source for new content.

If you like I have noticed that Pinterest is even changing the internet landscape. Websites like Mashable, Flickr, Craigslist, and more have been changing their layout to be similar to Pinterest.

Pinterest is built on creativity. This is the creativity of the people creating the content and that of those curating their own boards. Contests have appeared on Pinterest in different forms:

•             Best pinboard. Users create a pinboard under the contest guidelines, and brands select the best one.

•             Most likes/repins. Contest entrants create pinboards and specific images for users to like and/or repin, and entrants win based on the number of likes/repins they get.

•             Sweepstakes entries. Random winners drawn from a pool of entries. People can enter the sweepstakes by repinning an image and/or following a brand on Pinterest. (p. 1)

The problem for Pinterest with these types of contests is that it affects the content of the website. If everyone decides to pin the same pin to be entered into a contest it negates the creativity. To combat this Pinterest has released their own contest rules that they wish users to follow.

7 Pinterest Don'ts 

1. Don’t suggest that Pinterest sponsors or endorses your brand or contest
2. Don’t require people to pin from a selection—let them pin their own stuff
3. Don’t Run a Sweepstakes where each pin, repin, board, like, or follow represents an entry.
4. Don’t encourage spammy behavior, such as asking participants to comment.
5. Don’t ask pinners to vote with pins, repins, boards, or likes
6. Don’t overdo it: contests can get old fast
7.  Don’t require a minimum number of pins. One is plenty.

While that narrows down the possibilities for contests Pinterest also released ways to create successful contest: 

4 Pinterest Do's 

• Remember that Pinterest is all about people discovering things that inspire them. Reward quality pinning over quantity.
• Make it easy to get involved with clear and simple instructions.
• Read our anti-spam measures to keep your contest fun and useful.
• Check out our branding guidelines if you’re going to reference Pinterest in any way.

 This will probably cause the actual creators and the participates in the contests to be more creative. Then it will increase the content on the site. Combating the threat of stagnate content on Pinterest. 

For more information on the subject check out the article Pin to Win Contest Guidelines Updated: What You Need To Know. Also check out the Pinterest for Business site.

I am curious.

Have you ever participated in a Pinterest contest?

Would you like to?

How do you feel about having the contest judged on content?

P.S. My Pinterest account is found in the top tool bar or here.


Emily

Excited for 4th of July!

1. Chambray Shirt Dress, $32.80, I love chambray! 
2. Milk Bottle, $5.99, Cute for a picnic. 
3. Americana Fabric Garlands, $15.98
4. YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 4 Rouge in Danger, $34, Can not get better than classic red. 
5. Multi-Colored Bandana Print Scarf, $10.80, I think that this would be cute wrapped around the waist of the Chambray dress. 
6. H&M Dress, $12.95, Cute navy dress! 
7. Keep You Posted Wallet, $37.9
8. Heart & Arrow Ring, $2.80
9. Americana Bunting Flags, $24.99

I am so excited about the 4th of July. It is my favorite summer holiday. We always have a cookout at my granny's. Then I drag my friends to the Marietta Square and watch the fireworks. I love the square it is beautiful. I love the arts and crafts festival that is held on the 4th. I wanted to share some 4th of July themed items.

 What do you do for the 4th?


Emily

Giveaway Winner!!!!

I am so excited to announce the winner of Eager Emily's first giveaway! Martina! (I have sent you an email for your information.) I really enjoyed replying to everyone's comments. It was great to hear about what everyone's favorite activities for summer are. I love that everyone had different things they love to do. It appears that going to the pool was the winner though. I am almost done with my 2 four week summer classes. Then I can actually get down to my pool!

Having a giveaway was a lot of fun. I think the next giveaway would be on my other blog Focusing Daily. Definitely check it out and follow on bloglovin to find out when the giveaway will be. I think this is a fun start to having more givaways!



 Emily

Wedding preview!

I photographed Meghan and Matt's beautiful wedding about 2 weeks ago. It was lovely. I wanted to share a sneak peek picture of their rings. I love Meghan's ring it is so delicate. Matt and Meghan grew up reading Harry Potter much like I did and they wanted to have a picture of their rings with "The Wedding" chapter in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have always loved the illustrations in the front of the chapters in the books. I think it was a great idea to customize their wedding and make it more personal.

More to come!




Emily

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Starbucks Facebook Communication Analysis

Starbucks Facebook Communication Analysis How many of the 50 users did Starbucks reply too? | Infographics

Starbucks has a massive presence online with over 34 million users following on Facebook. There is content posted onto the page by both Starbucks and the followers. This analysis concentrates on the posts created by followers of the Facebook page and Starbucks response to the posts. It is important to actively participate on social media pages to user’s questions and comments. 

The sample illustrated in the Infographic is of 50 different user posts onto the “wall” of Starbucks page. These posts were diverse examples include; pictures of a customer’s coffee with “happy birthday” written on the cup, a customer trying to help someone with find a lost wallet, to complaints about the amount of coffee in a cup. These comments were narrowed down into comment categories such as; product offerings, coupons, customer service, concerns, pictures, and miscellaneous. 

Product offering questions were 24 percent of the comments. These were centered on either product ideas or complaints about the new bakery items. Questions or complaints about coupons were 18 percent. Most of these complaints were centered on the My Starbucks Rewards program and how to load coupons onto the cards. Comments that are customer service issues were 22 percent. One user had an issue with his recent visit to Starbucks because a Barista would not allow him to have a cup of ice for his tea. Then there were 10 percent of the 50 comments that were about concerns. These were mostly about the quality of food products. The last 2 categories are miscellaneous and pictures. There were multiple pictures of Starbuck’s cups. 

 The recommendation for the Facebook page would be to reply to more users. There were only 10 replies to the 50 posts that were sampled. Out of the 10 posts 8 of them were "likes" and only 2 of them were direct comments to users. Also the majority of replies were on positive feedback. While it is great to reply to positive feedback there was more negative feedback on the site. Out of the 50 user comments 30 of them were negative. Many of them would have been easily addressed by directing the user to the appropriate phone number to have the issue acknowledged. These posts seemed to be ignored to the point that dedicated users had begun to answer questions. To the point that they have even argued with some negative posts. This causes the dedicated users seem as if they are actually employees of Starbucks meant to check the Facebook page. 

Overall out of the 50 posts tracked 20 percent of them were replied too. This number could increase and which posts that are commented on could be evaluated differently.

Have you ever commented on Starbucks Facebook page? Or have you had customer service help from a Facebook page?

Emily

Ikea Bedroom Favorites

Steve and I are still in search for either a rental house or an apartment. Steve and I have our hearts set on a little house. I would love to have the outdoor space. Yesterday we went and looked at a house that had been built in 1860. One year before the Civil War! Hard to believe. It is a really neat house. It definitely is in need of some love though. Hopefully, If it is at the right price we will be the ones giving it some love.

Of course I have started nesting. I am a serial nester. I love being able to see the big picture in a house with no furniture. To start off I started by looking at Ikea. Here are some bedroom items that I have found.

 

•  HEMNES Bed frame, gray-brown $199.00

 

• BJÖRNLOKA Duvet cover and pillowcase(s), red $39.99

• ALVINE KVIST Duvet cover and pillowcase(s), white, gray $29.99

• TARVA 3 drawer chest, pine $79.99

This would be a great DIY project! 

I hope everyone is having a great week!!!! My giveaway is still open until Monday! Check it out at Eager Emily's 1st Giveaway.




P.S. What items would you like from Ikea for your bedroom? 


Emily

Eager Emily's 1st Giveaway

To celebrate summer I wanted to have my first giveaway! I picked a few things that I like and that I thought would be great for summer. I have been collecting items for a while.

I will start with the makeup. I love the E.L.F. gel eyeliner in black. I think it is a great product. My eyeliner had been left open and I needed a new one. When I picked this up I actually bought myself another one. Everyone loves the Color Icon Trio Walking on Eggshells by Wet 'n Wild. I think it is a great palette for summer. The colors are perfect for a soft not to over done look. So the eyeliner is to amp up for a night time look and the palette for a day look.

Nail Polish!!!! This is my ode to 4th of July! This give away will end on 6/24 so my hope is that who wins this will have the glittery blue and red nail polish for the 4th. The colors are "Tame Me Now" and "Deja Vu" by Pure Ice.

My trip to Lush was wonderful. It is officially one of my happy places. The great associates did facials on my best friend and I so we could try out some new products. I picked up the Love Lettuce fresh face mask for myself. While I was there I found these two. I love the little Robot it is so stinking cute!!!The bath bomb is called the Ickle Baby Bot! Then the white bath bomb is called Butterball. It is made with cocoa butter and I thought that would be great for summer skin.

Lastly, My little fun extras. I included a cute bandana that I found. It is perfect for 4th of July. I am excited for the 4th. Can't you tell? I also bought one for myself and I am going to do a diy on it and see if I can make it feel all soft and broken in. Then there is the candle. I am in love with this candle. It is the perfect fresh scent. Every springy/fresh candle always wants to smell like the "ocean" or "fresh linen" and they never really smell like that. The Green Tea and Sage soy candle is the perfect clean, right after a spring rain, happiness filled candle. I love the styling of the label and the jar is adorable.


Guidelines for Giveaway

Possibility of 3 entries:

- *Mandatory* I must have a valid email address. I only need this to contact the winner.
- *Mandatory* By commenting on this post you are entered into the giveaway. Participants must
   do both. The comment must answer the question:

 "What is your favorite summer summertime activity?"

- If you follow me on twitter @emilyvannah
- By Liking my Photography page EV Photography 

The giveaway if open to the United States and Canada. Also I ask that participants are 18+ because these items will be mailed to you.Giveaway begins 6/17/13 and is over 6/24/13.


I am so excited for the giveaway!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Emily



This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with any of these products companies or social media platform. I hereby release the product companies or social media platform of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send me an email at emilyspugh@gmail.com!

Things I love Thursday!

1. C O R O N A T I O N necklace by ArrowAndEra (N/A),Beautiful! currently out of stock though.... I am going to keep checking to see if it is stock. 

2.  Flower Girl Dress from Altar'd State $64.50, This store just opened at the same place I work. I went in and my jaw dropped. I love so many of the dresses. They have a lot of vintage looking pieces. 

3. Songbird Bag I Saddle by Kelly Moore $199, Beautiful functional camera bag. I would love to have one. I especially like the style of the Songbird. 

4. Georgia State Earrings by Vinca (scoutmob) $12, I have discovered a love for scoutmob. These earrings are perfect for me. I am a Georgia girl all the way through. 

5. Tyler Sofa from Thrive $1,599.00, I am in love with this sofa. I want a midcentury sofa. I love the clean lines. I am generally a slightly shabby chic kind of person but, this couch is amazing. 

6. Pyrex Carnaby Tempo Casserole Dish Bowl X 2 from Nostalgiabloom $16.50, I am in love with vintage dishes. I first jumped onto Fire King dishes and my obsession is now morphing to include Pyrex. 


I have been crazy busy with my 2 summer classes that I am taking. They are both 4 week sessions so as my teacher likes to say a class is literally a week of content. I will be starting to post some articles about Public Relations. 

This past weekend I was very lucky to take the pictures at a wedding of some friends Meghan and Matt. I will be posting some images to show on Focusing Daily. 

The give away is coming soon! I picked up what I think are the final items today. 
What are you loving right now? 


Emily

Living Room Ideas!

I have been pining ideas on pinterest for our living room. This is my wish list. I know we will probably have to have hand me downs and some random furniture. But this is how I wish I could have it!

I am obsessed with Mid Century sofas. I love the Chester Tufted sofa from West Elm. I love the tufting and the tapered legs. I have found a couple of original Mid Century Sofas on craiglist and they all are in desperate need of reupholstering. And that costs a lot of money. So my only hope is to find one at an estate sale that has hopefully been covered with plastic for its whole life.

This Aiden coffee table is wonderful. I love the wheels and the combination of wood and metal. I am starting to look like someone who loves modern furniture. But in reality I love anything that has an old feeling to it. And this does!

This might be neat as a side table! I love how the drawers look like a library card catalog. It is called the Black 5- Drawer Preston Table from World Market.

I want everything in our apartment to look like we have collected it. Granted we are only 21 and 22 so we have obviously not had the time to collect furniture. Hopefully, we will be able to find some items that have a similar feel to these. Maybe we will even find the actual old counterparts. 

I am still gathering items for the giveaway I will be featuring soon! I do have a sneak peek that I  just posted on Vine. I think Vine is really neat and I think I will be posting a lot of different videos. You can reach the sneak peek by following me on Twitter @Emilyvannah.

Do you have a Vine account? What do you film?


Emily