I spend most of my time telling American readers about Poland. Today, I thought I would share a bit of the United States with Polish readers. I heard about Pinterest (Pin + interest) from a fellow food blogger and signed up while it was in its beta phase, but it’s only recently that I’ve been “pinning” regularly. Once I installed their button to my browser’s tool bar, it was so easy! I find I’m better about organizing webpages I want to save and revisit this way – more so than with bookmarks. It’s like a set of virtual bulletin boards.
Pinterest is the 14th most popular website in the U.S., and my homeland accounts for half of the users. Poles, on the other hand, makes up .05% of the users, and Pinterest comes in 105 on the list of popular websites in Poland. Maybe we can change that.
Let me explain how Pinterest has caught my attention. It’s a great way to:
— collect inspiring photos for my hobbies
— store images of things I might want to try out or buy
— organize ideas
— share ideas with others
After living in an apartment with a small balcony for the last few years, I am looking forward to returning to our home and garden in Arizona. The yard hasn’t gotten much attention since we’ve been here – just enough to keep the HOA (home owners association – my feelings about HOAs could fill another post) out of our hair. So, as I browse websites thinking about patio furniture, flower beds, or setting a pretty table for an outdoor party, I click on the Pinterest button in my tool bar and save the image to my “outdoor living space” board. Not only that, I can search Pinterest to see what other “pinners” have found interesting for the great outdoors.
Looking for inspiration for a Christmas craft with the kids? They’ve got it. You can imagine how bridal parties use Pinterest boards to organize ideas for every detail of the wedding and showers. Planning your outfit for a job interview or another special event? You can create a board to keep track of ideas and also check out what others are wearing for similar occasions. In case I’ve made it all sound too girlie, categories also include cars & motorcycles, geek, and tatoos.
Not only can you see other peoples boards and they can see yours, but there are also group boards with multiple people contributing. I’m part of a few groups boards, a huge source for ideas. You can also create boards and keep them private – perfect for a visual, virtual Christmas gift list.
Hopefully, I piqued your interest. Zapraszamy! You can check out what I’m doing on Pinterest by clicking on the follow me button in my sidebar. I’d also like to see what you find inspiring.
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Marianne
Thanks for an informative post about Pinterest. I have it but I wasn't quite sure what to do with it! Now at least I have an idea!
Lois B
Marianne – it took me awhile to figure it out, but it's not like I need another reason to spend time online. LOL
Edi
Yes, ditto on Pinterest… pretty cool tool. Speaking of weddings+pinterest… just read somewhere that thanks to a bride pinning her ideas for a dream wedding, a groom organized a surprised wedding that matched his bride's dreams 100%… courtesy of pinterest;)
As far as decorating ideas, you may want to visit houzz.com – plenty of great ideas and it also has an option to save them.
Mrs. Munchkin
I am addicted to Pinterest!!! Love it!!! I just need to get home to the States to make half the recipes I have pinned.