Thursday, May 23, 2013

How to Make Feedly Look Like Google Reader

I know we’re all dealing with the loss of Google Reader in our own way. I’m still using the Next button until it fails me, but I’ve also set up a contingency plan for the day when my reader is no longer.



There’s a lot of talk about Feedly vs. Bloglovin’, vs The Old Reader, and I’m a Feedly convert. Sarah from Whoorl wrote a great post about how to use Feedly, and you should definitely check out her tips for getting started. But what I really wanted was for my new reader to look like my old reader. I know Feedly is pretty and has a lot of great options, but I’m only interested in those options that give me a familiar experience.
First of all, set up your Feedly account while Google Reader is still around, because you can import your feeds. They sync in real time, so you can use them interchangeably for the time being, which I have been doing for a while, mostly out of habit (and for the love of than darn Next button.)
Once you’re in, do not be overwhelmed if your start screen looks like this:
feedly, google reader alternatives
When I first started using Feedly, I didn’t like it. This isn’t the way I think when I’m in my reader. I like a nice list, easy to navigate. This is pretty, but not working for me.
The first thing you want to do is switch to list view.
feedly, google reader alternatives
It’s already better, right?
To avoid having to to make this change every time, you’re going to want to change your default settings, so click on the Prefs button to change you options.
The first two options are the ones you’re going to want to change. For start page select “All” and for Default View select “Titles Only.” The rest of the options are totally up to you.
feedly, google reader alternatives
Finally, for the ultimate in the Google Reader experience, you might want to be able to see a list of all of the blogs you subscribe to along the side. Easy! Click the small arrow next to the category and you’ll see the list. Within the Prefs screen, you can choose to hide those blogs that don’t have any unread content, which is what I do.
feedly, google reader alternatives
Now, for the app. A lot of people really liked The Old Reader, because it was already the most similar to Google Reader. I didn’t like it because it doesn’t have an app yet, and I do of ton of my blog reading via my phone or iPad.
When you open the app, you’re probably going to get magazine view again. Simply click the three stacked boxes icon to get the display options, then choose list view.
apphomescreen         app list view
Now that you have a nice clean list, you need to change your default settings so that this is what you’ll see every time you open the app. Click on the three bars to open up addition options. This is also how you can view the list of everything that you subscribe to by clicking the arrow next to the category. For now, choose Settings.
app options       IMG_6796
Choose Default View, and then Title Only.
appview     IMG_6799
And you’re done! The next best thing to Google Reader without any of the added new things for those of us who like things to remain the same forever and ever, amen.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Blondies, Parties, Long Weekends

Last week was a doozy for us. Well, for me. No one else really seemed as crazed as I was, but then again six year olds don’t really have to do lists. And I just referred to Bub as a six year old in spite of the fact that his birthday isn’t for three weeks. I’m leaving it. It’s an accurate sign of my mental state right now – time is moving so fast and I just need a little glowing cube and the ability to stop time for a few days! (Side note: Is there anyone who didn’t want to be Evie?)

I had cereal, a cupcake and an Arnold Palmer for breakfast, because I will not let all of these leftovers go to waste. We had our t-ball team party on Saturday, and 25 of my husband’s family members over for lunch yesterday. Our fridge is overflowing with leftovers which is great because I am officially over dinner. This is my annual “I just can’t be bothered to make another dinner because everything is the same and the children will just whine about chicken, AGAIN?”  moment. It’s timely, because in about a month I will stop planning dinners. I will shop for fruits that aren’t apples and oranges and veggies that aren’t peas and corn. I will buy whatever meat looks good and all of the popsicles*, and we will grill all summer long. One month exactly, and counting.

AND, now that this weekend is over, I can officially start working on the kids birthday party, which is in two weeks. Invitations have been sent, and that’s about it.  This week is normal busy, which is to say that now that t-ball is over we have so much time back, but I just looked at my calendar and it’s still kind of insane. I think maybe this is just life with slightly older kids? Playdates and swim lessons and Open House and field trips and holy moly a long weekend ahead of us.

Oh! The whole reason I started writing this is because I wanted to tell you that I made Smitten Kitchen’s Blondies this weekend and you should make them, too. I’ve never had a blondie before and I think  I might like them more than brownies, now.

*I have to be in charge of the popsicle buying, because my husband manages to get the sugar free ones EVERY SINGLE TIME and I can’t eat those and then I get the rage about being denied my popsicles. It isn’t pretty.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Makeup Monday–Lips

I was really disappointed that I didn’t get my act together in time to play along with Makeup Monday last week, so you better believe we’re starting today. I’m starting with lip stuff, because it’s my favorite, and I have a lot of it. A lot is relative, I guess. Of everything, I have the most lip stuff, so we’ll start there.

IMG_6735

This is by no means everything, just the stuff I use frequently. I had to throw away several lip glosses since I know they were probably years old. Ick.

IMG_6736

Chapstick – Necessary. The spearmint is my favorite, and I have one in every purse.

Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm – I haven’t found one of those Revlon lipstains that work for me, but this is essentially the same thing and I love the color.

Dior Addict Extreme – This must have been in a Birch Box a while back. It’s kind of an insane color in the tube, but it goes on like a balm and I usually layer it with another gloss.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss, True Color – I think this was in the Sephora Give Me Some Lip Sampler (Recommend!) and it’s basically like, Your Lips, But Better.

Fresh Sugar, Rose – Because of course

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm, Healthy Blush – From the Allure Summer Beuaty Box and a new favorite

Buxom Lips, Destiny – A little tingly, a little sparkly, kind of fun

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Gloss, Spring Splendor – Not my favorite lip gloss formula, but I do like the color.

Tarte Rise and Shine Gloss and Stain, Mauve – Such a boring color name for such a punchy product. This was also in the Sephora Lip Box and it’s my favorite going out color.

Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss, Wallflower – This looks like the color my mom wears, which is not a bad thing, but it’s what I think every time I look at this gloss. It’s a pretty pigmented gloss, but in a neutral color. Like.

Revlon Lip Butter, Berry Smoothie Because I jump on every lip color bandwagon, okay?

I’m linking up with Maria and you should too!

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