COFFEE TALK WITH DESI #18

Good morning friends! It’s been a while since I last shared a Coffee Talk with Desi and I’m happy that it’s back. Thank you so much for sending in your questions. Let’s dive right in and get started.

Congratulations on your blog anniversary Desiree! I love visiting here everyday! When did you start to see that your blog could become a real career? I’ve always been interested in this, even though I don’t plan on starting a blog. 

Thank you for the blog anniversary wishes! You’re so sweet! That’s a great question. I started my blog as a hobby in 2010 and it was between 2012-2013 when I started to make money on my blog through affiliate links. Since then, my blog has grown and I also receive collaborations with brands that pay a flat fee. It’s been a blessing to be able to make a living after pouring my heart into this space and spending 40+ hours each week creating content and traveling for hours to find pretty shoot locations.

Hi Desiree! My son is graduating my highschool next year and really wants to go away to school. Do you have any advice for preparing college applications? I would love all the great tips I can get. 

Great question and congratulations to your son! College applications are like filling out a job application, so it’s in your child’s best interest to be able to know how to fill out the applications that best reflects his/her highschool career. I hired someone in my town to help my youngest son fill out his college application and he got in to his dream school. He met with her twice for one hour each and I was happy to see that his college applications represented him in a beautiful way that was authentic. Well worth the money I paid and he’s so happy!

I know you took a leave from work last year. Would you consider retiring from teaching to blog full-time?

I feel blessed to have two careers and wasn’t ready to quit teaching. I’m able to do both, however as I mentioned before, it’s a lot of work when I get home from teaching all day and have to work on the blog. I work on the blog, because I love it so much! I love connecting with my readers, sharing what I love, and hearing what my readers love. To answer your question, I am considering early retirement from teaching sometime in the future.

Thank you so much for sharing scriptures on your blog! When did your faith grow so strong. 

You’re welcome! I am nothing with out Jesus. So in everything I do I have to give Jesus the Glory. I’ve always had a close relationship with the Lord since I was a little girl. I loved going to mass with my grandparents every Sunday, receiving the Eucharist, and was baptised in the Holy Spirit at fifteen. Since then, my faith grew and I was blessed to marry my husband who shared the same faith as I did. I know the Lord had a great plan for us to be married, because we found out that I was baptised as a baby on his second birthday! My faith sky-rocketed through the experience of losing a baby in utero when I was six months pregnant almost 22 years ago. His name was Benjamin and he had Trisomy 13. I can write a whole book on that experience and how the Lord swooped my husband and I into His arms and didn’t let go. I feel like I gave birth to a real angel, because my sweet little son Benjamin changed our lives for the better. To this day, I still remember how it felt to see his precious face for the first and last time. During this time the Lord gave my husband the scripture (in a miraculous way) Jeremiah 29:11-13 and we knew for certain that God was with us.

I love how you were able to create such a beautiful website for us to enjoy. Can you share any future desires in regards to your blog?

Oh wow! Thank you for asking! Well, I would love to have my very own branded products to sell. I have a few ideas right now that I plan on working on very soon. I feel that being in this space has opened doors to be able to venture in this area. I also found someone to design my very own logo, which I’m really excited about!

 

I hope you enjoyed this Coffee Talk with Desi #18! Want some fall inspiration? Here are my recent blog posts in case you missed them.

Weekend Picks: Stylish Autumn Getaway

August Showers of Blessings Giveaway Winner

What to Pack For a Fall Getaway

Looks I Love: Pink Outfit For Fall

One Fall Basic I Wear Every Fall

Yay! J.Crew Extended Their Biggest Sale

 

In case you missed it! I announced the August Showers of Blessings Giveaway yesterday. Congratulations to the winner of this fall inspired box. Have a beautiful and blessed day everyone! Thank you so much for visiting me today and leaving a comment to enter the Showers of Blessings Giveaway! Click here to subscribe to my newsletter and pick your preferences on what emails you want to receive from me. I shared one SALE ALERT email this week that my readers enjoyed! Make sure to sign up in order to receive the new HOLIDAY emails from me. XO, Desiree

 

BEST SALES OF THE DAY

J.CREW save 30% off your purchase with code AUTUMN

J.CREW FACTORY 30-50% off cozy fall picks

ANN TAYLOR extra 40% off all sale styles & 40% off sweaters and tops with code GETCOZY

 

For I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11