I’ve got something brand new to introduce today: Smart Cookies! (and a picture flashback to one of my go-to recipes: paleo + vegan chocolate chip cookies)
Every week I share my favorite reads from around the web, and now I’m adding one more spotlight: a special shoutout to one awesome Jaybird sponsor: a blogger or business creating something great. I hope you’ll enjoy finding new blogs to read and new items to make your life a little lovelier. And with that, let’s get to this week’s smart cookies!
Politeness is important…but so is honest discussion. How to respectfully disagree with a blogger.
PSA: you never know what’s going on in someone else’s relationship. Preach, KA.
An exquisitely photographed dessert and some thoughts on being a good daughter after moving away from home.
I’m still not over Stabler’s departure from Law & Order: SVU. That said, I love reading about the impact Christopher Meloni has now as an actor + LGBTQ advocate.
One of priorities: travel more. How to do it? Cheaper vacations.
You don’t have to see Divergent to enjoy some Theo James eye candy.
I’ve been around the web this week too. Check out my guest post on running in Chicago and a dinner recipe that’s even easier than pasta. Last but not least, have you checked out my new Blogging Resources page? More coming soon!
Without further ado, I’m excited to introduce you to Megan so you have even more good reads ahead of you this weekend. Happy Saturday!
Megan | The Artistic Brunette
In her own words: The Artistic Brunette is all about living a creative lifestyle! Visit my site to learn about amazing places to travel, eat, living a creative 20-something life and discovering your passion career. Think outside the box, then live it!
* Resilient (an admirable quality) * Best Apps for the Young Professional (so helpful) * 20 Things to Do in Your 20s (#11 is crucial!)
Thank you to all of you for reading + supporting Jaybird. If you’re a blogger (or you love writing super long Facebook statuses) I hope you’ll join me on Monday for the first ever Love Your Body Link-Up! We’re celebrating our stories of strength and self-love and the more who speak up, the better. You can find more information here. Talk to you soon!
What Are Smart Cookies?
Smart Cookies is my weekly love letter to the internet. Every Saturday, I round up the links that made me think, laugh, nod in agreement, or want to book a flight immediately. The name comes from that feeling when you stumble on a piece of content that feels like a little treat for your brain—a smart cookie, if you will. And yes, it’s also a nod to those paleo + vegan chocolate chip cookies I baked way back when, which remain one of my favorite recipes to this day. Just like a good cookie, a great article or video should be satisfying, a little indulgent, and leave you wanting more.
I started this series because I found myself constantly emailing links to friends, sharing them on social media, and thinking, "Everyone needs to see this." Smart Cookies is my way of putting all that goodness in one place. It’s part curation, part diary of my internet wanderings, and part love letter to the creators who make the web a better place. I hope it becomes a part of your weekend routine—a moment to slow down, sip your coffee or tea, and discover something new.
Each week, you’ll find a mix of topics: blogging advice, personal essays, travel inspiration, recipes, pop culture takes, and more. I don’t stick to one niche because, frankly, neither do I. My interests are all over the place, and I think that’s a good thing. After all, variety is the spice of life, and the same goes for what we read online.
How I Choose Links
You might wonder how I pick the links that make it into Smart Cookies. The short answer: I read a lot, and I’m picky. The long answer involves a combination of instinct, experience, and a little bit of magic. I spend hours each week scrolling through my feed reader, following rabbit holes on Twitter, and clicking through recommendations from friends. I save anything that catches my eye, then go back and re-read the best of the best. Only the truly exceptional make the cut.
What makes a link "Smart Cookie" worthy? Here are a few things I look for:
- Originality: I love pieces that say something new or approach a familiar topic from a fresh angle.
- Usefulness: Practical tips, how-tos, and life hacks that actually work are always a hit.
- Emotional resonance: Whether it’s a tearjerker, a laugh-out-loud story, or something that makes me feel seen, I’m drawn to writing that moves me.
- Beautiful writing: If the prose is gorgeous, I’m sold, even if the topic isn’t something I’d normally click on.
- Diversity of voices: I make a conscious effort to share work from creators of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
I also try to balance the serious with the light. For every think piece on politics or social issues, there’s a recipe for a ridiculously good dessert or a roundup of adorable animal videos. Life is complex, and so are we.
Sponsor Spotlight: Behind the Scenes
You’ve probably noticed the new addition to Smart Cookies: the Sponsor Spotlight. This is where I shine a light on one awesome Jaybird sponsor each week—a blogger or business creating something truly great. I’m incredibly picky about who I partner with because I want to make sure that anything I recommend is something I genuinely love and use myself. If I wouldn’t shout it from the rooftops, it won’t get a spotlight.
So how does it work? I reach out to bloggers and small business owners whose work I admire, and if they’re interested, they share a little about themselves and their site. I then write a short intro, share a few of their best posts or products, and encourage you to check them out. It’s a win-win: you discover a new favorite, and they get a little love from the Jaybird community. I’m always on the lookout for new sponsors, so if you have a blog or business that you think would be a good fit, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
One of the things I love most about the Sponsor Spotlight is that it helps support independent creators. The internet is a vast, noisy place, and it can be hard for small voices to be heard. By featuring a different blogger or business each week, I hope to amplify those voices and help you find hidden gems you might otherwise miss. It’s my way of giving back to a community that has given me so much.
Travel Spotlight
Since Travel & Links is the name of this corner of the blog, it’s only fitting that I give a special nod to travel-related content. I’ve always had wanderlust, and I’m constantly dreaming about my next adventure. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a month-long expedition, travel has a way of opening our eyes and feeding our souls. In Smart Cookies, I love sharing travel stories, budget tips, packing hacks, and destination guides that inspire me to get out and see the world.
If you’re a fellow travel junkie, you’ll want to keep an eye on the Travel category here on Jaybird. I post about my own trips, as well as curated lists of the best travel reads from around the web. And if you’ve written a killer travel post or found a great deal, send it my way! I’m always looking for new places to add to my bucket list.
Join the Conversation
Smart Cookies is nothing without its readers. Your comments, shares, and emails make this community what it is, and I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. If you have a link you think I should feature, a blogger you think deserves a spotlight, or just want to say hi, please leave a comment below or connect with me on social media. I read every single message, even if I can’t always respond right away.
And don’t forget to check out the Favorites page for a roundup of all the past Smart Cookies links. It’s a treasure trove of great reads, and I’m sure you’ll find something you love. As always, thank you for reading, for sharing, and for being the smartest cookies on the internet. Happy browsing, and I’ll see you next Saturday!