HCB in 2013: Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway!

*Rules were UPDATED on 1/2/2013*

Happy New Year, folks!  We've all officially survived an end-of-the-world false alarm, the rise of jeggings, dangerously crazy nail-art, and Ryan Gosling's all-pervasive dreaminess.  I loved 2012, and I have the highest hopes for 2013 across the board - and this includes the development of HCB.

I used the holiday break to do a little vision mapping for HCB; I started with a calendar.  'This will be easy' I thought to myself.  'Plug in fashion here, fitness there, block off Fashion Week, and voila!'

...I'm a bit behind already. Lots of peeps already beat me to the punch on Gwen, too.

...erm, not so much.  Usually I THRIVE by scheduling (seriously, I even calendar time for 'planning time' on a regular basis) but when it comes to something as dynamic as blogging, it is TOUGH!  Yes, there are definitely posts for which you can plan in advance (like Fashion Week coverage, or holiday dresses) but what about when something big happens? Or when you read some new fitness tip or styling idea that is so intriguing, you just have to post immediately (instead of waiting for an open slot on your calendar, one month from now?)

It's a double-edged sword.  I think the beauty of blogging is that it's so dynamic, and can foster the diffusion of news, advice, tips - and perhaps that ONE thing that your reader just really needed at that very moment.  But then, there's that trusty calendar of ideas, which is a beautiful little reminder to every blogger with end-of-day writer's block that, yes, you are creative (after all, it's YOUR calendar!) and you can do this.

Via here

Bottom-line:  I can calendar all I want, and there are times at which it will be beneficial to me, and to readers.  But there are going to be times - many times - when something will strike my fancy and push all plans by the wayside.  And that's okay, because it makes me happy, but there's another, equally important component of this blogging business, too:  and that's making YOU happy.  I derive so much joy from reading other blogs and fashion/fitness/health content every day that doing the same for you is a true measure of this blog's success.

So, I'm taking a tip from IFB and asking you to participate in a survey, to help me focus my blog's content for my calendared and whimsical days.

I've posted a BRIEF survey below, and I would be so grateful if you took a couple of minutes to complete it.   The best part of this? Well, beyond *hopefully* seeing a bit more content that you'd personally enjoy, you are also automatically entered in a drawing to win a $20 Starbucks Gift Card! YOWZA.

RULES
If you fill out the form below, you're automatically entered. Additionally:
 - Each additional follow (Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest) grants you an extra entry
 - If you also leave a COMMENT stating how you followed, you will be granted an ADDITIONAL entry.
 - You have until 1/15/2012 to enter.
 - **NOTE:  You may enter if your country accepts Starbucks GCs from the United States.**

Thank you so, so much in advance for your participation.  It's very much appreciated, and I'm so excited for one lucky winner to enjoy a cup (or 10) of joe on HCB.

Best,
Amy