How to move from Google Reader to BlogLovin

I was recently asked how to add the blogs you follow via Google Reader to BlogLovin because Google Reader will be closing it's doors on July 1, 2013. This is a big deal for those of us who read blogs almost exclusively through Google Reader. 

Last year, I put together a post on how to set up BlogLovin and transfer your subscriptions from Google Reader over but Google's changed their options a little bit. So here's an updated infographic for you. I've also edited that first post on How I Set Up BlogLovin too :) 

What will YOU use instead of Google Reader?

How to Change Your Twitter Header Image

Twitter profiles have a new look! Did you notice? That new area is called the Twitter Header and you can upload an image or photo behind your profile info.

To activate your header, you'll need to go to twitter.com and do the following:

1- Click the Settings Icon
{looks like a gear}
2- Click Settings3- Click Design
4- Click Change Header
{are you bored of clicking yet?}
4.5- Select Your Header & click open
{any image 1252×626}
5- Adjust the zoom of your image & click Save
6- Click Save Changes

And you are done!

But Wait, That's Not All! 

For a limited time only... just kidding! No, but seriously, that's not all. To get you started I made a few header backgrounds that you are welcome to download and use.

Just click on the one you want and then right click & "save image as" to your computer. Follow the instructions above to install your new Twitter Header!

If you end up using one of these, tweet me or leave a comment to let me know!

How I set up Blog Lovin'

Did you guys know that I read blogs via RSS? Yes, I'm one of those. Until recently, I exclusively read my blogs using a cool little mac program called Reeder, which syncs with Google Reader. But I started getting frustrated at the inability to pin the cool things I found without re-opening the blog in my browser, and also how frustrating commenting could be. In steps Bloglovin'.

A few weeks ago Emmy June did a Review of Bloglovin' and I couldn't help but wonder if I might like it better. Go read her post, it explains why Bloglovin' is awesome & also the basics of how to set it up. I love the little navbar on the bottom, that lets you click "next" and move on to the next blog.

My main concern was how I would get all of my blogs from Google Reader into Bloglovin' because there are well over a hundred blogs that I follow. But, I found a solution for that. I know what you are thinking,

If you have a gmail account and follow blogs via Google Friend Connect // Google Followers then you already have a Google Reader list set up of all the blogs you follow! Google owns Blogger & is smart like that. They automatically import your Google Followers into your Reader, even if you have never set it up!

I bet you've already put two and two together! Instead of having to add all your blogs one by one, you can export your blogs from Google Reader & import them into Blog Lovin'. Problem solved!

And because I'm hip like that, I made y'all an infographic to walk you through how to add the blogs you follow via Google Friend Connect // Google Followers to BlogLovin'. Give it a shot, and if you have any questions, let me know!

NOTE: INFOGRAPHIC UPDATED MARCH 2013

GOOGLE READER SHUTS DOWN JULY 1, 2013

Challenge Complete!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 10 Days in Dominica Challenge. I was shocked that so many people decided to participate; 17 participated in the challenge for at least a day or two.

I am especially amazed by Jessie and Cassie who both gave birth to baby girls during the challenge! Congratulations to both of you on the new additions to your families, and your first baby girls.  

I will be keeping a quick link to the 10 Days in Dominica challenge on my sidebar. Readers will be able to click the 10 Days logo to see all the posts. If you'd like to do the same, here is the how-to:

> "tag" each of the posts under the label "10 Days in Dominica"
> from your main blog page click the label "10 Days in Dominica" and it will open up a new page with all the posts with that label.
> copy the web address from your browser's address bar.. it will look something like: http://www.pricelessadventure.com/search/label/10%20Days%20in%20Dominica
> go into your layout and click "add a gadget"
> choose to add a picture
> in the html box, paste the web address you copied
> be sure the box "shrink to fit" is checked
> choose the file from your computer with the 10 Days logo
> save, and you are done!


For those who are still working on the challenge, I would LOVE to still read your posts. Writing every day for 10 days was more difficult than I thought it would be. Not only with remembering to do it, but finding the time to squeeze it in. I really enjoyed reflecting on my time in Dominica and was reminded of some great reasons to treasure the time I have left here.