Meet and Greet Friday | Cupcake -n- Bake

Happy Black Friday! Are you working or shopping today? I'm decorating! YAY! Soooo excited about this time of the year!

We're in the last few weeks of the Meet and Greet Friday.  I sure hope you've enjoyed meeting some other bloggers!  I'm excited to introduce you to Renea of Cupcake-n-Bake! Let's get a little better acquainted, shall we?

What was your original purpose for writing a blog? Has it changed?

I originally started blogging because it gave me an excuse to bake all the time. I wanted to share all the wonderful recipes that I grew up on with everyone else. Eventually, blogging became a wonderful hobby of mine. It gave me something to help cure my A.D.D. Plus, it ultimately made me a better cook. At the beginning of the year, I spread my wings a little and started to craft and give tips, too. I still blog mostly about cooking, but occasionally I’ll add a craft in.

Could you provide us with links to a couple of your most popular posts? 
Sure! All but one of my most popular posts are from really early in my blogging career. They include: Caramel Filled Cupcakes, Giant Cupcake Smash Cake, Peanut Butter and Snickers Cupcakes (a personal favorite of mine), and Why You Should Always Use Vinegar in Your Dishwasher (an extremely useful tip).

Where do you find inspirations for new posts?
It really depends on the subject. Sometimes, inspiration just hits me randomly, but sometimes I find it elsewhere. For example, I’ll stroll through craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, and I’ll come across some cute outdoor holiday decor. Then, I’ll check the price. If it’s kind of expensive, I’ll ask myself, “Can I make this?” If the answer is yes, there’s my inspiration. Food is a little different. I get my inspiration from all sorts of places like TV/movies or conversations with friends or family. There have been plenty of times when someone has said I should do something. That always helps when I’m having a dry spell. I have a list saved on my computer of things I’d like to try out. I think I may get to those eventually.

Tell use 3 blogs you visit and read enthusiastically.
I’ve found so many great blogs over the time that I’ve been blogging that I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise. I still read the same ones that I started with the most, though. Tidy Mom and Bake at 350 were my biggest inspirations, so of course I have to mention them. Cheryl has some great household tips, while Bridget is the only reason I know how to frost cookies with royal icing. I also really love Lemon Tree Dwelling. Cathy always shares the most delicious looking recipes.

Do you publish on a schedule or are you more free spirited? If you publish on a schedule, why? How strict are you about your publishing deadlines?
I tend to publish on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday deadline, though its more like a Sunday night, Tuesday night, Thursday night schedule. I find that i’m more likely to have regular readers if I stick to that schedule. I really prefer to schedule my posts in advance, that way I’m not rushed to post it. Also, I sometimes deviate from my schedule for special posts. For example, I have a random series called “I’ll Take It Tuesday”. Obviously, it runs on Tuesdays, but not every Tuesday. If I know I have one coming up, I schedule my other posts around it. That series basically gives me leeway in case I don’t have enough to post that week. I’ll also deviate from my schedule if I have something come up, and I know I won’t be able to post much. I try to let my readers know in advance, though, and I keep them updated through the process.

You can also find Renea here:

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