Please feel free to comment!

Hi Everybody!

OK, most of you know that I've had some - shall we say - Problems? 

with my Blog Comments.

Well, after exactly 6 days and a bunch of support from my bestest blog buddies, my precious hubby, and an unknown stranger (you know who you are :), 
the problem has been RESOLVED!

It took me to a very dark place. I know, it's not the end of the world to lose contact with the people you have built a community with for almost 4 years... Oh, wait, Hell Yes it was! 

With all the other 'stuff' going on in my little corner of the globe, 

this was the nail on the coffin of my sanity.

If anyone has had this problem with their blog comments, 

pop me a line and I'll tell you what happened in detail....

I must thank my best blog buddy ever for her help. 

And to everyone who has joined my new fan page.

Keep on coming, it's still there and growing ;) But, enough about me...

 Outfit posts to resume ASAP!

And, would ya please leave a comment? I've missed them so....

Super Big Hugs!

Reva

Moonlighting and Camouflage

Hi everybody!
I got this dress sometime last year on a thrifting trip with my Mom. I loved the dropped waist, and the handkerchief hem. I was in a 'twenties' vibe that day. I got home with it and realized it has a hole in the bottom. My Mom, being a seamstress just said to 'fix' it. So, I cut, I chopped and stitched and re-stitched the darn thing until it was wearable. Bet ya can't even tell :) 
It was easily camouflaged -  Which got me thinking...

There has always been a time honored tradition of camouflage.

I'm not talking about the kind used in Vietnam, or just fixing a rip in a dress - but the way we try to hide our 'flaws' or just improve on what the good lord gave us. And yes, it's generally the ladies who take part in this kind of cammo. It's genetic, dating back to cavemen days - the need to appear young to continue to procreate. To remain desirable.

It began for most of us in our teens. Zit cream, perms to give our flat hair 'Farrah' locks, and earlier teens teased their hair to monumental heights and donned really bright red lipstick. (Another sign of youth - a post-sex lip glow...). Even the photos from the 30's  had fake pink cheeks and really blue eyes painted onto their black and white photos.

Then, there was the first on camera TV image I really noticed a new type of cammo. It was unforgettable to me. The show Moonlighting! Cybill Shepherd had a angelic glow, but Bruce Willis looked normal.

Bruce finally caught on...

Today, we have mad skills and products to hide our perceived 'flaws'. A bathroom full of youth. Hair color is a staple in mine. Base, false lashes, curling irons, "repair" creams, spackle, staples and so on...

 Of course, If you have the cash, You can make such flaws completely disappear. 

Poof! Your 50 year old ass is now 25!

They can even make you look just like a Barbie...

However, for us Bloggers, we have a much easier, 

more sophisticated kind of camouflage. 

We call it PHOTOSHOP! Picmonkey, Lunapics, and PhotoMania!

 We have our secret poses to hide our belly fat, boobs and even turkey neck!

My hat's off to all the beautiful, smooth skinned, thin 40-somethings out there who don't need a little cammo. But, I also gotta give props where props are due! YOU GO Picmonkey! Blur my fine lines, and while you're at it, could you do something about my ass?

Reva ;)

Links: Lunapic, Picmonkey, PhotoMania

The Simple Six

Well, folks, Spring is once again upon us...

New trends, new blogs, and a fresh new peek into what I've learned during my bloggy year(s)! 

In the first year, I did about 3 posts on stuff I'd learned, now I'm pretty sure these tried 

and true things are a winning plan for any blogger to have a fun, successful experience. 

Throughout the time I've spent blogging, these 6 things keep showing up over and over.

They are so simple, yet sometimes really tough to do, but here is my recipe for building 

the best blog out there in 6 easy steps.

   

1)Be Yourself!

I can't express this enough. We all know when someone is full of crap! Be honest. If you need a break, take one. Putting on a false sense of joy is too hard and your blog will suffer for it.

With that said, if a good 'vent' is the topic of the day, - go for it! 

We all love to back a team-mate.

2) Get involved. Participate. 
Who knows you're here if you don't tell them?

3) Be original and take clear, honest photos. 
If you're a smiler, smile :) If you're a great poser, 
pose your ass off ;)

4) Make your blog easy to look at. 
(Keep her clean and fresh) - my biggest problem struggle.

Stay on point and try to be brief. I know I have the attention span of a gnat.

(Time yourself. 3 minutes is about as long 
as anyone can give to one blog.)

Put your best photo first for non-readers.

5) Have fun! Be creative and thoughtful of others.

6) Forget about the numbers! Many super-successful blogs have small 'follower' numbers, but have tons of hits per day. With Twitter and Facebook links available now, the sky's the limit!

This is a very simple, yet effective blog plan. 

It is meant for the sole purpose of enjoying your blog, not having it feel like a job.

As 'plans' go, however, once in a while you must pitch it and go another route. 

AKA-follow your heart...

This may seem incredibly simple, but shouldn't your passion be fun and easy?
There are a few technical things to watch out for, like turning off the word verification,etc., but you guys already know those...
(These are the expressed opinions of Retro Reva 
and are not meant to be a permanent solution to blog-itis or blog burnout...)
ATTIRE: Blouse: Land's End, thrifted / Dress: Mine,Old,80's / Cardigan: TheWPlace / Boots: Target,clx.
xXx
Reva
PS, today is the last day to enter the give-a-way!
Ends tonight (Wednesday) at midnight.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Random Thoughts and Killer Sunnies...

Hi everyone!

This is a topic you've probably had to deal with before, 

but I am taking a slightly easier, less time-consuming approach...

Ya pull up your blog - and there it is, someone has broken up with you! 

What? I begin the healing process with a quick run-through of what 

I've recently said, worn, or commented on lately...

Now, I've been called 'cheeky' and have a very dry sense of humor - 

kind of a cross between Seinfeld and the lady who wrote 'I hate my neck'. 

I once lost a pal for 'disliking' mom jeans. (I know, right?!)

How much room does one little title take, anyway? If I deleted all the blogs I have kinda lost interest in, my blog list would be a tiny bit smaller. It's as if someone is saying. 'I don't want you anymore' and leaving no reason or positive feedback as to why they went bye bye! Leaving me to forever wonder why...

And of course, they want me to know someone thinks I suck... Hmm....

Sure, it may just be that they are AWOL....

But to be sure, here are 3 cover-all responses to those who abandon someone's hard work without a proper goodbye.

These are based on 3 different sets of thought processes.

Feel free to copy and use any of them you need ;)

THE WHINY GROVEL

1.   Dear fellow human being:

If I have said something offensive, 

Please realize that all my thoughts/comments are not personal. 

"Bitch-seat" is funny. Come on!!!

Sincerely apologetic, Reva

THE APPROPRIATE BLOGGER ETIQUETTE COVER-ALL

2. Dear leave-me-in-the-dark:

I realize I must not be what you are looking for. 

If you'd like to leave a comment telling me where you went or why - 

Please do. 

I accept positive and honest feedback.

Thanks for popping by, Reva

THE OH WELL....

3. (And as my Hubby always says):

'Joke em' if they can't take a f*'Uck!'

Love & Hugs, Reva :)

mwa, ha,ha!

SUNNIES: ASOS / BAUBLES AND BROOCHES, OLD AND VINTAGE

ATTIRE: TEE, WALGREENS $2.50 / 'MIDI' SKIRT: THRIFTED / BAG, THRIFTED

I did take time out from my favorites week, 

though really, a plain tee and full skirt are my favorites! 

Sometimes an idea hits and I've just gotta go with it ;)

(85 degrees in March!!!)

INTENTIONAL DISCLAIMER:

This post was not directed at any of my loyal and kick-ass followers!

xXx

Reva ;)

CREATING A BETTER BLOG PART 2 / WHAT I'VE LEARNED SO FAR.....

SOMEONE RECENTLY ASKED ME WHAT I'VE LEARNED THIS PAST YEAR.  I REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT,  AND THOUGH NONE OF THESE THINGS ARE PROBABLY ORIGINAL,  THIS IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH. 


FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT. IT IS MUCH HARDER TO ERASE A BAD EXPERIENCE THAN BUILD  A GOOD ONE :)  ~ THERE ARE MANY THINGS I THINK I'VE LEARNED, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS TO REMAIN HUMBLE AND KIND. EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL, CREATIVE AND HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER...


WHAT I LEARNED THIS PAST YEAR :

1.  Be Myself and be honest and sincere about my style choices.
2.  I can't please everyone. If that is the goal of a personal style blog, it will show through. No one wants to read about someone else's style choices. Remain true to yourself :)
3.  Listen to your audience. ( I used to blast "theme music" when other's clearly didn't enjoy it. Not everyone likes the same tunes ;) It was detracting from my blog.
4.  I've learned to try to stay on topic and not ramble so much. I have a unique voice and that's what I try to put out there ;)
5.  Be polite ! If I don't have anything positive to say, I zip it. I want my blog to be a friendly place to visit :)
6.  It's important to acknowledge my commenter's and visitors. To support them in their endeavors. I like the community I 'live' in .
7.  I've learned a clean blog is a better blog. Too many distractions take away from the true intent of my blog.
8.  To produce good quality images and not post 10 images of the same pose !


THINGS I AM STILL WORKING ON :

1. To produce good quality images and not post 10 images of the same pose ! ;)
     ( It is hard for me to choose, but my "posing" and image quality are improving, making it more 
        easy to just pick a "few" ;)
2.  To limit myself to only a couple hours a day blogging, instead of hours on end !
3.  Letting go of perfection . ( See number 2 .... )
4.  Honoring my fellow Diva's more, and making my posts more interesting. ( Yawn ;)
5.  Keeping up with new technologies. I don't "tweet" and the applications are ever changing as 
     well.  When you are on a strict budget, this can be challenging.  ( That is why I want to open a 
    "thrifty" custom header/ads shop. Not everyone has hundreds of dollars , or the time, to spend
    on things like that , and I hope to make them affordable for all of us . Not just the 'Big Timer's' ;)
    Of course, I hope to make a few bucks as well, but I believe that to help out others should be my
    primary goal in this venture.  A few "thrifting" dollars would be Icing :)

WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM OTHER BLOGS AND BLOGGERS :


1. No one likes "forced" music tracks ;) ( Generally )
2. Good images and original content are the key to a good blog. There are blogger's I feel I know, simply by their blogging styles.
3. A little goes a long way! ( Some of the most interesting blogs I read have simple, clear messages in their posts.)
4. Being honest about who you really are , and how you really think keeps me reading a blog.
5. Always say thank you and give props when someone does something terrific. ( It makes my day :)
6. Originality and thinking outside the box is most interesting to me. I love variety and risk takers ;)
7. You keep what you have by giving it away! ~ Sharing advice, tips and ideas (if asked) can really help others.
8. I don't enjoy blogs that are always asking me to follow them to win something. ( I had a give-a-way once, and will probably never do it again, unless it requires something like doing a good deed :)
And lastly the two most important :
9.  * The amount of "followers" isn't what makes a good blog. Many great blogs I read have a small "following" (per Blogger) But are awesome , while some of the blogs I have read have tons of "followers" but lack the content I like.
10.  * Love What I'm Doing and Try my Best to do it Well :)

IF YOU TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THIS POST I HOPE IT IS TO JUST BE YOURSELF !
PEOPLE REALLY DIG THAT :)

CERTAINLY THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS. THANKS CITIZEN ROSEBUD FOR THE QUESTION :)
PART THREE WILL BE POSING AND PHOTO TIPS I'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

HAPPY HUMP DAY !

xXx

Reva