5 On Friday

1. I found a new blog I love

I don't know about you, but I feel so lucky when I find a new blog that is worth returning to. Hello Nature is just that kind of a blog! 

2. Free in-post ads for 2 bloggers

Two codes for 2 bloggers. Must be used in May. Get the ad HERE. And the code is : MAYcode123

3. Describing me

I decided to create a Pinterest board about things, thoughts etc. that describe me. 

Follow Mrs K's board Describing me on Pinterest.

4. Interesting article if you own an Etsy shop

Etsy is bleeding money as Amazon prepares to attack

5. Aww! I'd love this

It would be so cute to have a portrait of my silly Tilli labrador retriever. 

I need 10 grand!

I'm lucky. There are no tuition fees here in Finnish universities. We even get student allowance. I'm able to get my masters degree! Like in this JUNE!!! Yay! (My professor emailed me today that my thesis is OK!)

But why I need 10 grands? I want to become a couple's/family therapist. And I want to get my (online) degree from an American/Canadian/British/Aussie/Kiwi university. 

What would you do with 10 grand?

Check out tomorrows's 5 on Friday to get a free in-post ad!

Summer! My bucket list

Spring and summer always surprise me. Suddenly everything's so green and fresh!

My summer bucket list

1.  Have a picnic

2.  Pick blueberries

3.  Pick raspberries

4.  Make smoothies and fruities

5.  Enjoy my small garden

6.  Don't use socks if possible

7.  Visit Porvoo and Fiskars

8.  Read books

9.  BBQ!

10. DIY projects

Do you have any summer plans?

A Summer Book List

Here's a list of books I'd love to read this summer. Do you have any book plans?

1. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

3. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

4. Easy by Tamara Webber

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

6. #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

8. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

9. Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

10. The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott

My 5 Blog Sins

1.  I publish before editing

I'm too excited about my posts. I publish them before editing. There are too many typos, Finglish (Finnish in English) sentences and weird word choices. Forgive me. I'll try to do better. 

2.  Blog burn out

Sometimes I feel like I'm letting down my readers. I don't post enough, my posts are not unique enough... When I start to worry I seem to lose my blog inspiration; I can't come up with any post topics and blogging is more a chore than a way to express myself and be creative.

3. I envy "big bloggers"

Some of my favorite blogs have thousands of followers. When I have a bad blog day, I am jealous. I wrote Enjoy your small blog, when I needed to remind myself to happy about my own blog. I've worked hard and my blog has given me so much.

4.  I don't really utilize social media

One of the best ways to get readers and followers is to promote your blog on social media. I have never enjoyed it much. I'm still trying to fall in love with Twitter. I don't have an Instagram account for my blog and I often forget Facebook completely. 

5. I get embarresed when I tell people I have a blog

I don't know why, but I'm quite shy about my blog. It took me a long time to admit that I have a blog. And even longer to promote my blog on my personal Facebook wall/timeline. Why? I have no idea.

Men in kilts and other awesome things!

I saw a trailer of Outlander (TV series). I had to check it out. I ended up watching 13 episodes and ordering the first book.

If you love romance, history and action, this is a story for you!

Have you watched Outlander? Or read the books? 

I'm INFP, nice to meet you

I love tests and quizzes and THIS personality test is my favorite, because you'll get an amazing overview of your personality.

My personality is INFP

I am...

idealistic, open-minded, flexible, very creative, passionate, dedicated and a freedom lover.

I need to...

disappear for a while to re-center my mind and feelings, see that I'm impacting other people's lives.

I can... 

communicate deeply with other people, lose myself in my quest for good and neglect the day-to-day upkeep that life demands and get overwhelmed by all the bad 

I have...

a desire for harmony and a need to always look for good in people and events.

What's you personality type?

20 Movies I've Seen More Than Once

... and still love to watch.

1. Save the Last Dance

2. Sweet Home Alabama

3. 10 Things I Hate About You

4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

5. Won't Back Down

6. The Notebook

7. A Walk to Remember

8. Persuasion (2007)

9. Love Actually

10.  Sleepless in Seatle

11. Notting Hill

12. The Lord of the Rings (trilogy)

13. Star Wars (all episodes)

14. Sister Act 2

15. Anastasia

16. The Phantom of the Opera

17. You've Got Mail

18. The Wedding Date

19. Chasing Liberty

20. Never Been Kissed

How to advertise your blog 2/2

Read the part 1 HERE.  

Payed options

1. In addition to regular blog ads, many bloggers offer other advertising options. For example they might have a social media option. They will advertise your blog and your posts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. I've noticed that this is a great way to get more readers. In my case, it's been more effective than blog ads on blog sidebars. 

2. Some bloggers offer a chance to co-host their extremely popular link up/blog hops. Usually it's free, but there are exceptions. Co-hosting has also been an effecting way for me to get  more readers. 

"Friendly" (and free) options

1. Comment other blogs. First of all, I never comment just to get readers. I only comment if I really want to say something to the blogger. I believe it's really tacky to comment only to get readers. But I've noticed that many of my comments have brought me new readers. Especially comments on smaller blogs. 

2. Mention other bloggers' posts on your posts. This is a great way to form blog relationships.

3. Link ups/Blog hops can bring you more traffic. Check out Top 3 link ups traffic wise 

4. Share your posts on Facebook. Don't do that too often, though, so your friends don't get annoyed. Twitter and Instagram are also great!

5. One word: Pinterest. Pinterest has brought me tons of traffic. This post about "pin"able blog images helped me a lot!

6. Guest post. This could also be under Payed options. I've guest posted couple times, and I enjoyed these experiences. I recommend this option!

How do you advertise your blog?