Two Girls Cooking
June 23, 2010 by Sara · 2 Comments
Bloggers Jodi and Patricia are known as the Two Girls Cooking. Jodi is a wonderful baker that has taken on increasing her cooking skills since starting this site. Cooking is Patricia’s passion, though she has been learning how to bake. The two of them crank out several blog posts a week, spreading their love of cooking and trying to inspire others to get into the kitchen. Jodi has two beagle puppies named Zelda and Gidget. Patricia has a yellow lab named Clyde, a Shih Tzu named Coco, and two young grandchildren. The pups and the kids have a grand time eating Jodi and Patricia’s successes, as well as their mistakes. For people looking for quick, easy, inexpensive and fun recipes to make meals and desserts, pay attention to these two. They aren’t afraid to try it all and will share their successes and failures with their readers.
What inspired the two of you to start the Two Girls Cooking blog?
We both love to cook and or bake. Jodi started watching a cooking program online and that gave us the incentive to do this on our own!
What are the biggest challenges the two of you face when creating new content for the blog?
Making sure that what we put on our site is going to bring people to visit us. Like the photos are good, the food is easy to make, and that others will want to try our recipes.
What do you hope readers take away from reading Two Girls Cooking?
The passion that we both have individually and together for cooking/baking. That it’s easy to prepare the food we make.
How has blogging changed your lives?
We got to meet some great people online and in person. It’s taken us to a newer level of what we can do with food.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
We both like to read Brown Eyed Baker, My Baking Addiction, Bakerella, Pioneer Woman, Baking Bites, and Annie’s Eats. The Twin Cities blogs would be The Dutch Baker’s Daughter and Cafe Cyan.
What do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
The twin cities is a beautiful place to live. Both of us grew up in MN and our families are here as well. We both love Spring/Summer; we can grow our own food in our gardens and make some great food!!
What are your biggest blog-related goals for 2010?
We both would like to improve the quality of our photos!! We had our site made over a few weeks ago and we are quite proud of it. There are some things that still need to be tweaked, but we love it!
Already Pretty
June 15, 2010 by Sara · 3 Comments
Sally McGraw is a blogger, freelance writer, and communications professional based in Minneapolis. She is the brains behind daily style and body image blog, Already Pretty. Through this blog, she aims to show that knowledge of ones body, gained through explorations of personal style, can foster self-love and self-respect. In addition to Already Pretty, she has guest posted on The Coveted, You Look Fab, Work it, Mom!, Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing, and Academichic. she has also blogged for Glamour and been published in US Airways’ in-flight magazine. Sally is an ongoing contributor to Channel 12′s Money Savers segment, has been interviewed on the popular talk radio program the Lori & Julia Show, and has given guest lectures at the University of Minnesota. She holds a degree in creative writing from Binghamton University.
What inspired you to start the Already Pretty blog?
I started the blog in September of 2007. A coworker friend had approached me for some personalized style advice, and I was positively giddy at the prospect of telling her what she could and couldn’t wear. I wrote up a list of guidelines – seasonal style rules, wardrobe basics, and the like – and handed it over a week before our little closet consult. She was blown away and said, “You should put this on a blog. People would love it.” So I did. Because I ALWAYS do what I’m
told.
What is your biggest challenge for developing new content for your blog?
I try to maintain a balance between fun, fluffy, fashion-y posts and supportive, serious, body-image posts and sometimes I feel like I’m just creating a giant hodge-podge of topics. But so far, mixing it up seems to be working!
What do you hope readers take away from reading Already Pretty?
My entire blog is dedicated to helping women accept their own beauty and love their own bodies, and I am constantly finding new ways to discuss and explore body image as it relates to style. I hope that all readers will eventually see that the path to body comfort lies in remembering that you are NOT solely defined by your weight or dress size or BMI. Your body is a complicated system that demands respect and understanding, and it’s well worth your while to learn to respect it and strive to understand it. If you treat your body as an ally instead of an enemy – if you learn to accentuate its strengths and natural beauty through figure flattery – it will repay you in confidence and radiance and joy. Clothes are tools. Use them to you reflect your amazing self outward to the observing world.
How has blogging changed your life?
Geez, how hasn’t it? I started the blog simultaneous to tackling a second bachelor’s and a new band. Both of those projects were abandoned fairly early, as the blog completely took over my life. I have no regrets, though. Writing daily about topics close to home and connecting with a community of smart, savvy, amazing women has absolutely transformed how I view myself and my life path.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
You Look Fab, Hello Beauty! and Inside Out Style are my go-tos for advice and guidance. All three of those ladies dispense endlessly useful information about style, figure flattery, and smart shopping on a daily basis.
Futurelint, Fit This Girl, and Yes and Yes are my hometown honeys.
What do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
The Twin Cities have all of the cultural advantages, artistic diversity, and modern amenities of a colossal city with none of the jacked-up prices and unbearable hassles that you’d find in New York or L.A. I’ve lived in Chicago, San Francisco, and Upstate New York. Minneapolis is my forever home. I’ve never been this happy anywhere else.
What is your biggest blog-related goal for 2010?
I’ve got to keep my biggest project under wraps for the time being. In terms of non-secret stuff, I’m hoping to do more TV spots with Channel 12 news, see if I can secure more radio time, and meet more amazing local bloggers.
Michelle Sauer Photography
June 8, 2010 by Sara · 5 Comments
The Michelle Sauer Photography blog is, of course, maintained by Michelle Sauer. She is a natural light photographer in the Twin Cities Area of Minnesota who specializes in taking pictures of children and families. She is self-taught in her craft and has been in the photography business for 2 years. Michelle has a special talent for portraiture and lifestyle photography. She is also wife to an incredibly supportive husband and mom to 3 young children, ages 4, 3 and 2, who will always be her number one priority. She attended St. Olaf College and currently lives with her family in Lino Lakes.
What inspired you to start the Michelle Sauer Photography blog?
As a photographer, having a blog devoted to your up-to-the-date sessions is an integral part of running your business. Potential clients can see your most recent work and your current clients get instant gratification in the form of sneak peeks of their session. It’s a great way to share my current deals, any news I may need to get out there and just a place in general that the readers can get a little glimpse into who I am and the work I do.
Many people blog for different reasons. What is your ultimate goal as a blogger?
My ultimate goal is to spread the love of photography. I love sharing my work just as much as I love viewing the work of other inspiring photographers out there. In such a digital age it’s important to get your work out there as much as possible and a blog is a perfect way to spread the word.
What how do you decide which photographs are displayed in your blog?
When I perform the initial upload to my computer, there are always several pictures that stand out to me as “favorites”. I try to choose photos that represent that client at that time. I’m a sucker for gorgeous eyes so I always include some nice close ups of the baby blues (or browns, or greens, etc.). Of course the fun and unique shots tend to win me over as well.
How has blogging changed your life?
Blogging has given me an outlet for my passion. I have a personal blog that allows me to share my personal life in ways you just can’t do every day with friends and family. My professional blog gives me the opportunity to grow both as a photographer and a woman. I get to meet such fun people in Minnesota by blogging and the best part is I get to be part of their lives by documenting their milestones and joys. It really has created a unique experience for me and I am truly grateful for that!
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pioneer Woman’s Blog (who doesn’t) and I am really inspired by Karen Russell as well. They are amazing women who have taken blogging to a whole other level. They are blogging icons in the world of photography and are very successful doing so. I’m also a sucker for mommy blogs. I love reading about other families who are experiencing what I am. I like blogs that are real and honest. No sugar coating please. We all know parenting is tough and it’s not always peachy! As far as local, it’s hard for me to name just one, but I love reading Stickyfeathers. Jenny is honest and you truly get to know her just by reading.
What do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
I grew up here, I had my babies here and my friends and family are here. What’s not to love about that? I can’t say that I love the winter, in fact I despise it. However I think the long and cold winter give us much more perspective into the other fabulous seasons Minnesota has to offer.
What is your biggest blog-related goal for 2010?
My biggest goal is to actually keep up with blogging! I have 3 young children and a thriving business keeping me from my blog. Unfortunately it’s a catch 22, if I don’t blog on Michelle Sauer Photography, I’m not getting my name out there effectively enough. My secondary goal is to inspire people to follow their dreams. 2 years ago I didn’t even know I had my dream. By reading blogs I became envious of other photographers and it inspired me to learn, learn and learn some more. I took my life into my own hands, started a business and have become successful in just a matter of 1 1/2 years. I like to think that I can inspire at least one person to follow their dreams, whatever they may be.
Pink Vanilla Cupcakes
Meet Suzi, the writer behind the Pink Vanilla Cupcakes blog. She is mother to two beautiful daughters and wife to “a robot,” living in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. She works as a manager of a technical writing team for a large company. A self-proclaimed techie and social media junkie, she is a devout reader of many great blogs. Through them, she was inspired to send her own thoughts out to the universe through Pink Vanilla Cupcakes. At her blog, she discusses current events, life at home, eating healthy, getting in shape, and of course, blogging. She is also an Official Blogger for the Susan G. Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure, has guest blogged on Girl Meets Geek, and was a featured blogger at The Secret is in the Sauce.
How long did you think about it before you started the Pink Vanilla Cupcakes blog and what was the catalyst for your first post?
I had thought about starting a blog for a month or so before I did. I’ve been reading blogs for years and just decided that I wanted to join the fun. Not sure what started it, but I just took a leap and started it one night. 
How has blogging changed your life?
My life has changed in so many ways because of my blog its hard to really count them all. I’ve met amazing people through my blog, I’ve had opportunities to work with fantastic companies, I’ve been able to write about subjects that affect me, and I’ve learned a lot about social media and how it you can build a whole community from it.
What do you hope readers take away from reading Pink Vanilla Cupcakes?
I hope reader like what I write enough to come back for more–isn’t that everyone’s hope!? I hope they realize that my writing is genuine and that they connect with me.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
I love all sorts of blogs. My top faves are Dooce; Enjoying the Small Things; and Matt, Liz, and Madeline. My local bloggers that I read are The Snyder 5; The Marketing Mama; Lazy Lightning; and Prior Fat Girl.
What do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
I love minnesota because of the amazing quality of life we have here. We can enjoy all 4 seasons to the extreme, have tons of amazing things to do, I love my neighborhood, our schools, etc. We love living here.
What is your biggest blog-related goal for 2010?
I am going to BlogHer this summer in New York City and I hope to meet some amazing people and introduce them to my blog. I am planning on hosting my blog independently this summer and that will require a complete redesign–something I am looking forward to. Mostly, I’d like to grow my readership.
