Behind the Blog: Rachel Rewritten

Hi y'all and welcome to the 2nd interview of our Behind the Blog series.

 Today, we're taking a peek behind Rachel Rewritten, written by Rachel Dillard. Like me, she recently started over in the blogging world.

She has some great recipes coming up soon. In the meantime, check out her inspiring post on cultivating friendships.

She's beautiful and so is her blog.

 

 

What do you do when you are not blogging?

 I'm a L&D nurse, so most of my time is spent at work--those 12 hours shifts are tough! If I'm not at work, I love spending time with my husband, cooking, working on DIY projects around our house, entertaining, and reading! I've also been practicing my photography a lot lately.

What inspired you to start a blog?

 I started blogging when I was in college, as a way to document life and the journey I was on. My reason to blog has transformed a lot over the years, but I keep blogging because I love the community, love having an outlet for creativity, and just simply love writing!

How did you choose your blog name?

After blogging at another space for almost 3 years, I was burned out and needed a break. Rachel Rewritten came about when I decided to get serious about blogging--it was created as a space for me to find my voice and rewrite my story! 

What inspires you to keep writing?

I write about anything and everything--favorite recipes, life happenings, thoughts in my head--I used to blog strictly for what was "popular," but now I blog the way I want to and just write what I love writing. I draw inspiration from other bloggers, friends, relationships, books I'm reading, and such. Almost anything can become blogging inspiration in my book!

Is there one thing you want your readers to take away from your blog?

 The one thing I've hoped and prayed is that people would come to my blog and find themselves encouraged--that they would see the joy of Christ and would leave with a little more happiness than they came with.


What are your favorite projects or posts on your blog?

I recently posted on how to spruce up your space--I love decorating but am on a budget, so I've found ways to do it on the cheap! Also, I love my post on how to pray for your husband--something I have printed out and use every day to remember.

Has blogging allowed you to do something really cool, that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?

 

I've made friendships with so many great girls and am actually attending my first blog conference in March-- Hope Spoken! I never would've known about it nor had the courage to sign up if it wasn't for blogging! 

What’s your current obsession?

 

 Practicing photography! I've had a nice DSLR for over a year now and truly haven't spent enough time on learning the art, so I've been working on that lately. It's been fun to explore and just snap photos as we go. 

 

What are your goals for this year? For the next 5 years?

 

Hmmm, that's a good question. This year, I created a list to hold me accountable. It's been fun to complete, and I need to do an update soon! For the next 5 years? Continue to grow my blog, travel to Italy, become more involved in a church home, and hopefully have a baby (or two!) Life is so great right now.

What three blogs do you enjoy reading and why? There are SO many blogs I love reading--the list is long and I have different reasons for each. It's hard to pick three, but I'd say:

1. Oh Simple Joys  I've grown to know Rachel well and I love her genuine heart. She posts the best recipes and has me intrigued about her "capsule wardrobe" idea. 

          2.   Happy is a Choice  Brittany and I text all the time, and I love the friendship we've created. Her blog is always full of great posts, from running, to marriage advice, to recapping fun weekends. She's the person I go to when I need a little blogging inspiration!

         3.  Carrie Bradshaw Lied  Kathleen is a Mississippi girl transplanted in California. I love everything about this blog, from her photography while traveling, her outfit posts, and her fun job! She has it all.

Doesn't she sound amazing? Go show her some love.

Behind the Blog: Carmen at Life Blessons

As promised, today is our first Behind the Blog interview.

 

 

 

Today's guest is Carmen from Life Blessons.

 

 

 

I've been a fan of Carmen's blog for sometime now. I really love how open and honest she is. I first started reading Life Blessons because I was interested in how Carmen lives out her faith. Reading her blog, brings me fresh inspiration and encouragement. As a fellow Christian, it's nice to feel that sense of community with other believers. Now, I also enjoy the glimpses of life as a new mother that she shares with us.

 

I feel like she posts a good balance of articles ranging from  her faith, marriage and motherhood to fashion and lifestyle topics.

 

 

Read on to learn a little more about Carmen.

1. What do you do when you are not blogging?

My husband and I recently bought a new house so any spare time has been spent doing a lot of house projects, unpacking and decorating. We also spend a lot of time outdoors with my daughter, Claire, who loves being outside.

2. What inspired you to start a blog?

I started my blog soon after my husband and I married and moved to Atlanta where I didn't know anyone. Blogging was a way for me to find community and connect with people virtually at a time when it was difficult to do so in real life.

3. How did you choose your blog name?

It came to me in the middle of the night as I thought about the purpose I wanted for my blog: to document the blessings and lessons I was experiencing--my "Blessons."

4. What inspires you to keep writing?

Lately I have not had the time to do much writing, between moving and raising an active little girl. But I am most inspired to write lately because I know blogging helps me remember these moments of my young daughter's life and document them in a way I wouldn't have otherwise.

5. Is there one thing you want your readers to take away from your blog?

I hope they are encouraged. I never want my blog to feel judge-y or better or stir up envy; I want it to be a place that helps people, whether it's connecting in their faith, making it through some of life's hard times or even coming up with a recipe for dinner. If you dig through the archives there's a little bit of everything there.

               7. Has blogging allowed you to do something really cool, that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?

 

It's allowed me to connect with a lot of really inspiring and friendly women that I never would have known otherwise, and feel like we're friends even if we've never met and I love that. I have also gotten to try out some cool products to review on my blog that I likely wouldn't have otherwise, and that's been a fun perk, too.

               8. What’s your current obsession?

Decorating my house and making it feel like "me." I have been enjoying the creative outlet and the results make me smile.
               9. What are your goals for this year? For the next 5 years?
While setting up our house has taken up a lot of energy lately, raising my daughter and figuring out how to be a God-honoring mom to her is my ultimate goal. It is new territory and so difficult to cultivate when all she understands is wanting to go outside and play. But we are learning and so my goal would be to continue to home that and create a family where Christ's love and the Spirit's fruit are evident.
                10. What was your most recent “Wow!” moment?
Probably something involving my daughter and how quickly she learns things. It keeps me in awe of her little, energetic mind and the God who created it. She is forever inspiring me and impressing me! I love watching her grow.

Please click on over to Life Blessons and show Carmen some love!