Favorite Things & Ch-Ch-Changes!

{The Marvels by Brian Selznick, Efy Tal Owl Necklace, Read More Brooch, Life Is Tough Hoop, 

Mulan Funko Pop, Frostbeard Winterfell Candle & Beauty and the Beast Pop-Up Book}

I was already to start editing my NaNoWriMo novel come January 1st, but I came up with another novel idea and have been writing it nearly every day this week! It's a fairytale retelling -- as if there aren't enough of those, right? -- but when a fun idea comes your way, you just have to write it out, and I really, really love this story idea!

I know some really wonderful girls! I got so many cool gifts! One of the gifts my friend Avra gave me was this Beauty and the Beast pop-up book! Isn't it beautiful? I can't even imagine the amount of thought and talent that must go into creating one of these books.

I also got The Marvels from Brittany, a Life Is Tough Hoop from Naomi, and an adorable owl necklace from Martina! 

♥ A few fun links:

♥ Love this cute comic about resolutions.

♥ 5 affirmations for 2016.

♥ 3 ways to complete your New Year's Resolutions at home.

♥ Top posts for growing your blog.

♥ 12 perfect classic black pumps.

♥ Being more with less in 2016.

♥ How to set a clothing budget and stick to it.

♥ 12 ways to be happier in the new year.

♥ Twirling Page's favorite bookstagrammers.

♥ How to make extra money (by doing stuff you already do).

♥ 3 ways to get ready for 2016.

♥ Swap friends: Rissie, Such A Novel Idea, The Knotted Home, Below See Level & Nom Elizabeth.

♥ Fashion faves: lace dress, lace and floral top, mini satchel, lace burgundy dress, marbled dress, red scalloped dress, star print blouse, cat print dress, gray striped dress & hot air balloon sweater. 

♥ ♥ ♥

BLOG CHANGES COMING IN 2016!

I've had this blog for over four years now and during that time I've posted five times a week almost the entire time with only a few breaks. *pats self on back* Even when I went from being in grad school to currently working part-time, there have only been a few times when it got to be too much, and that's when I took a day or two off. 

Blogging still hasn't become overwhelming, but in 2016 I've decided to take things slower, so I'll only be posting three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The main reason? I want to focus more on putting out quality content over quantity. AND I want to focus on my writing. I want to edit my NaNoWriMo novel and I want to write my new novel idea. 

So here's to an exciting and creative 2016!

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Blog Break

Hello, wonderful blog friends!

I've been blogging on Sincerely, Sara for almost four years and haven't taken much of a break. A day here, two days there, but not a real break. I did take a week off in May (with amazing bloggers to guest post), but it's been a busy summer, so I feel like I need a small break. 

I'm taking this week off (without guest posts) to recharge. I'll be back on August 31st. 

But don't worry, I won't be entirely missing from social media: 

You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter!

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My Blogging Essentials

Now that I've been blogging for three years, I thought I would share my blogging essentials. 

When I first started out, my essentials were my computer, a point and shoot camera, and a tripod. Three years later I still use the same essentials, but now they're updated versions. There are a bunch of items that I use every day for blogging, but my main four essentials are: my computer, my Canon Rebel T3i with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, a tripod, and a camera remote. 

You absolutely don't need these to be a blogger. A computer and your thoughts might be all you need or want, but I've found that having a good camera (even if it's just a really good point and shoot) helps because people love looking at pretty pictures. A tripod and a remote are also not essential, but they most definitely help if you're a style blogger or a food blogger (you don't want those sticky fingers touching your camera), or any type of blogger because they have prevent shaky pictures. 

All of my blogging essentials are: 

• HP Pavilion computer {newer version}
• Canon Rebel T3i camera
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens 
• Canon 18-55mm kit lens
• Tripod {this one looks really good}
• Camera remote
• iPad Mini
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 
• Sticky notes & pen

What are your blogging essentials?

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Outfit: Three Year Blogiversary!

Happy birthday, blog! 

November 30th was my blog's third birthday! Yay! I can't believe it's been three years already. It feels like I've been blogging forever, but also like I started yesterday. I've learned so much about myself and what I can accomplish, I've made so many great friends (and I wish I could meet them in real life), and I can't wait to see what else I learn in years to come.

I wore this lovely wine-colored dress (that I got for only $6!) and this sparkly beaded belt to celebrate by blog's birthday while awkwardly hugging a giant golden 3. I blew up the balloon using a bicycle pump and then realized it wasn't floating because there's no helium. Haha!

As a thank you to you guys for being amazing blog readers and friends, 

be sure to stop by tomorrow for something fun!

Sweater: American Eagle | Dress: Wet Seal {similar} | Belt: Anthropologie

Fleece-lined tights: Forever 21 {similar} | Booties: Charlotte Russe via Poshmark

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Blog Business Cards

I've been wanting blog business cards for a while now and if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen them already, but I wanted to show you how I created them in case you were thinking of getting your own business cards. 

It all started one day when I saw Gabby of Essentially Eclectic's tutorial for making her blog business cards. I fell in love with how easy it was to make my own business cards and how she had designed hers. The look was so simple, but still colorful and cute. This is definitely why mine look similar to hers. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say.)

Before when I used the free Vistaprint business cards, I would use the ones with a cute background and don't get me wrong I still like them, but it makes it harder to focus on the meat of the card, which is your information. With a white background, the focus is the words, not the picture in the background.

I don't need to rehash all the details since Gabby does the tutorial beautifully, but I downloaded the business card template with the blue lines (so nothing gets cut off during printing), opened it in Photoshop, played around with where I wanted my information, added a QR code (go to Google and type in "QR code generator" to make your own!), and when everything was perfect I saved it. 

Per Gabby's recommendation, I went to Overnight Prints and got my business cards printed there instead of at Vistaprint. At Vistaprint, the lowest amount of cards you can get made is 250. That is way too many for me. At Overnight Prints, the lowest is 50, which is what I got for under $10. 

Anyway, what I'm really trying to say is Gabby has an amazingly helpful tutorial and you should check it out! Thanks, Gabby!

Do you have blog business cards?

Will you be getting them?

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Follow me via Bloglovin!

Follow Sincerely, Sara via Bloglovin!

You know you want to!

Google Reader is disappearing soon,
so don't forget to follow me if you want to keep in touch!
Thanks and have a great weekend!

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Blog Title

Hey guys!

So you may have noticed the Sincerely, Sara signatures at the bottom of my posts lately. Well that's because I've been thinking of changing my blog name. Although I really like Build Castles in Air, I've been considering switching it to Sincerely, Sara.

I named my blog Build Castles in Air because I wanted this blog to be mostly about my thoughts. After all the title means "lost in thought." But I think my blog is about so much more than that. It's about fashion and entertainment and life....and my thoughts. So I think it's only fitting that the title of my blog represents that. To me, Sincerely, Sara means that I wrote it (obviously), but it's more than that, it's like I wrote it to you. Like a heartfelt letter. I put a lot of time and energy into this blog, so I want it to reflect that passion and intimacy. I hope that makes sense.

Plus, I just like how Sincerely, Sara sounds. Don't you?

I'm not sure when or if this change will happen, but I want to know what you think. I've seen bloggers change the title of their blogs before, but do you think that I should? Do you like the title?

And just so you know if I change the title I will also change the blog design as well.

Happy Tuesday! Thanks ahead of time for your input!

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