One of the things I love and hate about blogging is you’re never really there. By that, I mean you are never popular enough, never have enough reader engagement and your blog can never look pretty enough! At least for me, that is. If you have a blog I bet you feel the same way!
As a part of my partnership with HP, I’ve now had my HP Sprout for a little over a month. I have to say, if there ever was a machine that could propel me toward my blogging goals and get me closer to that glass ceiling, this futuristic design wunderkind is it!
I’ve been having a blast playing with my Sprout. Last time, I gave my holiday hostess gifts a design upgrade. This time, I decided to use my HP Sprout to tackle my travel index. To say it was an eyesore is an understatement.
I love how easy it was to add handwriting to my photos. The HP Sprout has a huge touchpad, so all I had to do was find the photo I wanted in my blog archives and open it up on the touchpad. Then I used the stylus to add my handwriting to the photo. Voila, a custom photo index for my blog to make it easy to see all of the places I’ve been!
This was such a fun and easy design upgrade for A Side of Sweet and I can’t wait to use it to make my blog look even more professional!
I’ve also been enjoying seeing the projects my talented blogging friends have created with the HP Sprout! Everything from printable gift tags to a whole cookbook! You can see a few of them here:
Sarah’s Wedding RSVP Cookbook
Sarah’s Spiced Pepita Printable Labels
Ashley’s Memory Collage
Lauren’s Wine Country Scrapbook
Lauren’s Bedroom Design Two Ways
Thanks so much for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts (see sidebar).
This post is a collaboration with the new HP Sprout. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me sweet!
Nancy says
Can I just say I feel the exact same way? When will we ever be pleased? There are times I feel like such a failure with my blog, especially after over 10 years of blogging under my belt. My husband blames it on my poor writing, so I’ve stopped writing so much and started filling it up with pictures instead lol :/
One day I’ll get over it, and be happy with the blog.
But please know, and let me tell you that I really do love your blog! You take awesome pictures, you’re so creative and you are definitely a go-getter. You get shiz done. I’m a procrastinator… lol. Anyway. Oh and your blue desk is awesome.
Merry Christmas Kelly!
Kelly says
Merry Christmas Nancy! I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way. Your writing is NOT poor! I look forward to every one of your posts – pictures and words! You’re awesome!
suki says
Definitely hear ya. Still haven’t quite figured out how to organize seven years of archives. I’ve been doing a little sorting, going through and deleting, retagging, that sort of thing. :/ I guess it’ll be a goal for 2015. It won’t be perfect, but I’ll be closer to what I’ve envisioned?
Kelly says
I wish it was easier to be organized! I still haven’t found the perfect plugin for featuring recipes or DIYs. Everything out there requires coding knowledge or is just plain horrific! We should start a startup and make our own! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Kelly! So lovely! I agree that there is always more to do with blogging, but I must say you’re doing a heck of a job with it. Great travel tags!
Kelly says
Awww, thanks so much Ashley! When I think about your posting schedule I’m always inspired to create more content!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Oh and of course, thanks for the shout-out to my collage!
Kelly says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Carla (@charliesue) says
I love these new index photos! YES! (And… blogging. AM I RIGHT?) 🙂
Kelly Egan says
BLOGGING….{smacks palm on forehead}. Can’t live with it, can’t live without it!
Jeanine says
That looks gorgeous, and I agree looks super nice! I think most bloggers feel the same. I’m working my butt off on mine and often feel the same.
Kelly says
Thanks Jeanine! We can never be content, can we?
Laurie Barrie says
You got me to click on your link to find out what Sprout is! It looks really great!
Kelly says
Haha, it’s so fancy isn’t it!?
Shannon Peterson says
I love the new look and am amazed it came from an HP product, as I’m an apple junkie!
Kelly says
I was, but HP is winning me over with their new technology!
Alice says
Oh wow i shall check the HP sprout out, anything that helps to organise me is worth a go! Your travel index looks great 🙂
Kelly says
Thanks Alice!
Alycia says
This looks pretty amazing! I didn’t even know there was such a thing!! I will have to check it out!
Kelly says
It’s brand new – only out for a few months! I was lucky to get one right at its release!
Amber C says
That looks great! And I definitely agree with you, there is no such thing as “good enough” in blogging! I always want better! Your blog looks great!
Kelly says
Thanks Amber! So does yours!
Chelley Martinka says
As writers, we are always striving for better and thinking it’s not good enough! …but you look like you’re well on your way to a wonderful year!
Kelly says
Thanks Chelley! That’s one of the best and worst things about blogging I think!
Karissa Ancell says
I think that looks amazing, I want to check out the sprout.
Kelly says
You should! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!
Hima says
This is so cool! I love how your handwriting adds a personalized touch 🙂
xo, Hima
Hima Hearts
Kelly says
Thanks Hima!
Mia Myrabev says
They look amazing and can not believe you did it all on the sprout love it.
Kelly Egan says
Thanks Mia! 🙂