Name & URL Change

You may have noticed that there have been some name changes occurring here on my blog. I decided recently that I outgrew the name "Unlaced Heart" -it doesn't have quite the ring I want and I don't feel like it depicts who I am right now in my life. So, the new name is Strange Ink & Wine which I am thrilled with! I also re-did a few of the graphics, although the layout is pretty much exactly the same.

I have also changed my url to manda-rave.blogspot.com, so you should all update your bookmarks. I still own ladyraveunlaced.blogspot.com and it currently just has the link to my new url posted on it. I realize I might lose a few people because of this switch but I thought it was necessary.

What do you guys think?

Manda x

WHOA

Today I broke 50,000 pageviews for this blog. I repeat, WHOA.

That is so incredible, I am so grateful for everyone who takes the time to stop in here and share this piece of the internet with me. I love you all xoxo

Manda Rave

P.S. Do you guys like Merlin? I love that show, I wish it wasn't over.

Blog Redesign

What? A new design? Again?

Yes!

Technically this design went live yesterday but I always feel silly posting more than once in a day, so I decided to forgo the announcement until today, on here at least. If you follow me on twitter or facebook you probably already got the memo.

I feel like I am constantly changing and I want this space to reflect that. This new design is a lot simpler and brighter -I'm really liking it. We'll see how long it lasts!

As far as the layout of my blog goes not much has changed, everything is pretty much in the same spot as it was before, so navigating shouldn't be a challenge. I really just changed the graphics and the colours. I loved my old design, but I think this is a bit easier on the eyes. I'm sure come the fall I'll want something with warmer colours and more patterns again, but until then I'll enjoy this.

To match the new design I added some new buttons to my sponsor page. So take a look (and link back to me because you love me.) 

I'm also accepting sponsors for July, I offer swap spots (free!) as well as featured ads that come with a guest post or giveaway option.

What do you guys think?

Manda Rave

In Case You Forgot!

In case anyone forgot, google reader is shutting down (soon!) so if that's the reader you use to follow my blog you might want to add me on bloglovin.

You can also use Feedly which I've heard is a great google reader alternative as well.

I hope everyone is enjoying their week! It's been pretty rainy here the past few days but I am trying to keep productive anyways.

some fresh flowers, they really brighten up our living room

Manda Rave

Sponsor me in April!

 
March is quickly coming to an end. It has been a great month, especially here on the blog. I got a few new followers, a bunch of views, oodles of comments, and a few really lovely sponsors. There's not much more a blogger can ask for. I am hoping April is just as wonderful (I'm sure it will be) and I would love if you would join me on my sidebar!

I already have a few lovely people signed up to spend a rad month with me and it would be totally awesome if you did, too. I have a swap button option that is FREE so you can get your blog seen without paying anything. Everyone loves some free advertising right?

I also offer a featured ad spot which is only $6 and gets you the chance to host a giveaway on my blog or write a guest post, and some serious love in a monthly sponsor post by me, and some love on facebook and twitter as well. Essentially I put a bunch of work into spreading how awesome you are.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL SPONSOR DETAILS.

Lady Unlaced

Alternative Ways to Follow Me When Google Reader Vanishes

So chances are you have already heard that Google is going to be getting rid of Google Reader as of July this year. And while that is still a few months off, I want to give everyone a chance to make sure they have a way to follow my blog (and others) once it is gone. 

You can follow along with Unlaced Heart on bloglovin here:

(this button can also be found on my sidebar)

You can like my facebook page. I always share the links to my latest posts, as well as photos, updates about what is to come in my shop as well as here.

You can also follow my twitter. Links to my latest posts are also shared here, as long as other life tidbits.

If you're looking for another, easy to use reader (and you're not a fan of Bloglovin for whatever reason) I've heard really good things about Feedly.

Aaand, if all of that were not enough, you can connect with me on Google+ for blog updates and other random things.

I really don't want to lose any followers and I would love to be able to connect with some more of the people who stop by my blog. So follow me (various places!), leave comments, and all that jazz.

I hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday!

Lady Unlaced

February In Review & New Sponsor Info

February is at it's end! I know it's the shortest month and all but it still feel like it went by really fast. I'm glad it has though, because that means we are all the closer to spring! Unfortunately warm weather takes awhile to creep back into New England and settle down to stay, but I am getting more and more antsy for it nonetheless.

All in all this past month was much better than January. I have had my down days, but I have been happier and more productive in the past few weeks than I was before, so that is definitely something! So let's take a look at the goals I set for myself

Continue my online job hunt.  I hunted and hunted, and almost had something, but unfortunately the place never emailed me back. I am not giving up though. This search will continue!

Finish Looking for Alaska and A Fistful of Charms (books) Actually, I'll be honest, I only finished Looking for Alaska. I got a good way into A Fistful of Charms but I'm just not feeling urban fantasy right now. I will definitely be going back to it though. I'm still calling this one a success though because I did start another book and get more into Women Who Run With The Wolves.

Journal more. Fail. I didn't. I am working on it though.

Work on updating the shop. Success! I reopened the shop, renamed it, made a new banner, and added new stock!

Work on updating this blog (I want a new look!) Also a success! I (obviously) gave my blog a complete redesign that I am thrilled with and created a bunch of new buttons. Plus I gave my Tumblr Tuesday posts a new look and have been working on adding new, more interesting content.

Restart a daily yoga practice. There is still work to be done on this one, but I have been integrating a simple yoga practice back into my life. I hope to keep it up and also add in some strength training and cardio.

I would definitely consider February to be a success! Check back tomorrow for my March goals list.

***

And onto my new sponsor information! I mentioned in my style obsession post yesterday that I was using Passionfruit ads again for my blog. I offer two, completely affordable, option: Featured Ad and a smaller, Button Swap option. 

The Featured Ad gets you a large (200x200) button on my blog for an entire month, including a spot in a new sponsor post that I will do during the month. The sponsor post will feature a bit about your blog and all your links, plus you will get shout outs on my twitter, facebook, and pinterest. You also have the option of hosting a giveaway on my blog, or writing a guest post that will be featured here.

The Swap option is for a smaller button (200x100) and with the code SWAPME you can get this spot for free! The only catch is that I ask you put my button up on your site as well so that we both get exposure. These spots will also get a small shoutout in my monthly sponsors post.

Take a look and grab a spot on my Sponsor Page!

Lady Unlaced

New Blog Design

After a lot of brainstorming, photoshopping, and staring at my computer screen going "why the hell did that happen?" I have finally finished my new blog design! Hurrah!

This is something I have been really wanting to do for the past two months but I kept putting it off. I procrastinate very well, haha. But in the past week or so I have been scheming ideas and making little things in photoshop. Today I finally buckled down and got it done. And I really like how it turned out.

I am enjoying how much brighter everything is. And I really think these colours and designs are a much better fit for this phase of my life. Everything feels much more "me."

You can still find the archive, tag cloud, and friends links in the sidebar. I have also added social media buttons to the sidebar instead of having them under the banner. The tab for the shop information is in the same place, and the "about" section has been updated with a new picture and information. I also designed all new buttons for you to grab which you can find in the advertise tab.

What does everyone think? I'd love some opinions and feedback!

Lady Unlaced

New Look!

If you've visited my blog before then you may have noticed that things have changed in the past few hours. That's because I have spent a good portion of my day giving my blog a makeover!

Why was this so difficult? Well, first of all I couldn't upload a banner for the top of the page with the google account I have been using. So I had to make another account and make it an admin of my existing one so that I could use the new account to make changes. I don't know if that made sense to anyone, but the point is it worked! I was allowed to upload a banner aaaannndd change the background, something I haven't been able to do in awhile.

The background image I created on colourlovers.com. Jjolimie is responsible for the design of the pattern and I added the colours that I wanted. By the way, you can check out my ColourLovers account here.

The new header-banner is just something I whipped up in photoshop. It's not very complex but I think it works well and all in all I'm quite happy with the way everything looks. It may not be as bright and fancy as other blogs, but I think it fits who I am as a person. And that's the important part, right?

I hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday!

Lady Unlaced

Back to Blogging

Sorry I kind of disappeared without warning this weekend. I went from a new post just about everyday to disappearing for three days. Buuuut I was not home or near a computer all weekend as I was visiting with a few old friends from high school.

I'll be honest, I'm not that great with keeping in touch with people, and I don't actually have the desire to talk to most people i knew when I was a teenager. High school was a disaster for me and I try not to think about it. But I had been texting an old friend for a few weeks and we finally decided to make a reunion happen. He's one of the few friends from those days I still would like to be connected to. That's saying a lot. We had a good time hanging out, I can't wait to do it again!

I did miss my blog-life while I was gone though, as lame as that it! Between this blog and my tumblr I have found an internet home. Again, lame, I know! But I just love you all so much :D

I also missed my boyfriend and my cat. I am hopelessly attached to both of them and not falling asleep next to them is always a little bit sad. Devoted girlfriend? Absolutely. Crazy cat lady? Oh yeah.

Anywaaaays, I will be back to blogging daily. Expect another tarot post soon (maybe even today!), a Tumblr Tuesday tomorrow, and some other neat-o stuff. I am thinking or writing a tribute post to my internet family and how the blogosphere has influenced my life.

How was everyone else's weekend?? Seriously, I want to know!

Lady Unlaced

Bloglovin' & Tumblr Tuesday

You can now follow this blog on Bloglovin! There is a button in the sidebar to find it on that site, or just click here. I don't use the site as blogger allows me to keep a reading list of all the blogs I follow, but I figured it would be nice to be on the site for those of you who do use it.

Now on to the Tumblr Tuesday part of this post!

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This is so perfect.

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Look at how cute this kitten is! sajkfgiusdk

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A dose of inspiration for you all :)

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Have a good Tuesday everyone! I have to finish studding my jean vest before tonight. I am going to be a Rockabilly Zombie tonight for my favourite clubs "Zombie Prom" event!

Lady Unlaced