Brainstorming for how to get the message boards more active!

[greeneyedgirl107]

I think many of us noticed the thread started by @itscarin titled Are the message boards dead? .  I'd like to have BICers brainstorm ways for us to make it more active again.  There are so many great people on here, and I think we could all use some more ways to engage with each other.  BIC is about beauty, but it's also about friendship.  Please consider this a place to post ideas about how we can inspire more conversations.

Here are some ideas that I humbly offer to get us started:

-post on an older thread and revive it (some ones I like are  CRYSTALS, GEMS AND JEWELRY )

-start a challenge (a la the 💕😌 Mask of the Week Challenge 😌💖 or 100 Days of Lipstick Challenge )

-start a new thread (remember the seasonal threads like  ?  Or, what about brand threads that we don't have yet?  I believe we're missing a Paula's Choice thread -- especially since it's now carried at Sephora.  Or, what about a thread devoted to all the celebrity beauty brands for us to chat on?)

-reach out to BICers that you haven't seen post in a while

-set a BIC goal for posting or reviews and see where it takes you.  (I know I'd like to post more pics of hauls, but never do.)

[sprocketta]

@greeneyedgirl107 Thanks for the tag. We definitely need a Paula’s Choice thread. I intend to revive the holiday decorations thread closet to that time. I became much more active due to the 100 day lipstick challenge. I need to think about that for sure as one doesn’t come to mind. I think a non-beauty hauls thread or threads. Purses, shoes, etc. I am really into sending cards now. I like giving someone a tangible reminder that I care. Maybe some kind of card exchange/pen pal thing? I am not sure how to organize that. I know there’s a thread somewhere for where your username came from that I would like to find and revive to learn more about folks. That’s what comes to mind now…I may pop back in later.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@sprocketta I love all these ideas!  The non-beauty haul would be up a lot of BICer's alleys, I think.

It's interesting that you mentioned a card exchange, b/c I've been playing with that idea for a while.  IDK how we would do it to make it safe with address exchanges, though.  But I know that since so many of us have been corresponding for a while, and b/c there's a Unicorn Mail thread and a gift exchange and a trade thread and a TSB thread, I know it can be done.  ---<---@

[sprocketta]

@greeneyedgirl107 I started the non-beauty hauls thread. I am obsessed with a British shop I found on Etsy that has super cool quirky cards. I am probably their best customer. I am already looking at the holiday cards. I have sent a number of cards and a couple prints from there and they are always well-loved but I’m afraid to share the name of it with people! This placemat just arrived today, to give you an idea. And this card for a friend I will be sending tomorrow.

I am not sure how to make a card exchange happen though. Need to think about it.

 

 

[Kim888]

@sprocketta A non beauty based haul thread would be cool! I would be down to see what people buy otherwise! 

I agree about the 100 days of lipstick challenge - I've been thinking of doing that again though I feel a bit weird about it since I only go to the office 1-2 days a week so I would really just be putting it on at home for myself haha 

[sprocketta]

@Kim888 I think all my posts to the non-beauty hauls thread would be clothes. I’ve lost a lot of weight and basically buying a new wardrobe.

[CookieGirl1]

@sprocketta good call on reviving the decorations tag!  I really liked that last year.

[sprocketta]

@CookieGirl1 I was really bummed about not seeing my family for the holidays so I went pretty hardcore into the holiday spirit. I am a little nervous about putting up a tree with my crazy lady Pepper here. It will certainly be interesting.

[CookieGirl1]

@sprocketta I remember your impressive decor from last year 😉

[sprocketta]

@CookieGirl1 I look forward to hanging up the ornaments gifted to me by @quspork i’m last year’s secret Santa.

[Titian06]

@sprocketta - Didn't you get a handmade wreath from one of your neighbors?

[sprocketta]

@Titian06 Yes! It’s sitting in the closet waiting to be brought out. 

 

[Ispend2much6]

@sprocketta  That's so gorgeous!  I remember the story from last year; glad it ended well.

[sprocketta]

@Ispend2much6 yes! The first one she made was hideous but it came out so nicely. 

[curlychiquita]

I'll think about it, @greeneyedgirl107.  Maybe there are more threads I can start!

[greeneyedgirl107]

@curlychiquita I'm some great ideas will come to you!!!

[Ispend2much6]

@greeneyedgirl107  Thanks for the tag!  I like the idea of a challenge.  I think another idea, (both your challenge and this other type could be done at the same time,) might be to host a challenge that's a little more personal.  For example, we could share our thoughts about the following:  favorite season and why, favorite holiday tradition, food, or cookie; hobbies we had when we were young, hobbies we have now, a most embarrassing moment, a most proud moment, etc.  I'm not very good at thinking of these subjects, but wanted to list a few that could get us sharing more of who we are and have some fun while doing it.

[pocketvenus]

@Ispend2much6 Agreed, the annual holiday thread is always fun ❤️

[Ispend2much6]

@pocketvenus   I just realized Thanksgiving is a few weeks away; I always aim to have some cookie dough in the freezer by then; we'll see if it happens. 🙂  Do you have a favorite cookie/dessert you make for any holiday?

[pocketvenus]

@Ispend2much6 I tend to switch it up and have been baking more cakes these days, including this fantastic pomegranate molasses cake from the NY Times, highly recommended 🍰 💗 What kind of cookies do you like to make? 🙂

[curlychiquita]

@pocketvenus This sounds absolutely fantastic, and I didn't know pomegranate molasses was a thing! I'm definitely going to make this for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

[pocketvenus]

@curlychiquita It's great! You can use it to dress all kinds of dishes and it gives an acidic tart and sweet flavour.