Fashion. Music. Family. Life.
Sale alert! I just received an email from Tamara of High Gloss Fashion that they are having a 48 hour special: all of their sale items are just $15! The sale started today at 11:59pm CST and will end at 11:59pm CST on March 26. Click on the banner below to take advantage of cute sale items at a great price!
(This post was originally scheduled for last Friday, but was postponed until today due to my participation in the “Bloggers Day of Silence” for Japan)
This week’s topic for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday asks: So far, what has been the 5 hardest blogging lessons you’ve learned during this process and what has helped make you a better blogger as a result? These aren’t really hard lessons, but moreso things I’ve discovered during my blogging journey that definitely have made me a better blogger. If you’re a blogger, what lessons have you learned?
1. Be Not Afraid – I was a bit apprehensive about putting my outfit pictures out there for the world to see because I wasn’t sure how I felt about possible criticism. But I love to play dress up, so part of the reason I started this blog was because I get asked quite a bit “where did you get those shoes?” or “where do you get your clothes?” This seemed like an easy venue to showcase my style and give up the goods on where I shop. Everyone has their own taste and style, so criticism will come with the territory if someone doesn’t quite like what they see. But I have been so fortunate to see and experience that the blogging community is so very kind and everyone is extremely supportive. It has been fun so far!
2. Community – Getting to know other bloggers and spotlighting others is something else that I’ve discovered is very important. We all share the same internet space, so why not make the most of it and get to know your neighbors?
3. Finding Your Voice – With so many fashion bloggers out there, it seems like it’s easy to get lost. But I remember reading a post on The Citizen Rosebud when Bella interviewed Collette of “Statements in Fashion” (see post here). She mentioned that “finding your voice” is something that is very important, and that really hit home. I’m a 40-year-old woman who still loves to stay stylish, even with being married with a child and busy career. Why “phone it in” only to be something that you’re not? Be yourself, and your voice will be loud and clear.
4. Planning Ahead – One of the most valuable things I have learned about blogging is the need to plan ahead. Even if something “breaking” happens that should be posted right away, the majority of what I post is something that occurred a few days ago. This allows me to really plan what gets posted, and allows for creativity.
5. Get Creative – Whether through clothes, DIY or a recipe, I found it important to get creative with posts. I do it to stay inspired. I haven’t posted about it as much lately, but I do have a couple of DIY projects that I need to complete. They’re fun and they show my crafty side.
Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is a Google group for bloggers to converse on a given topic each week. Katy from ModlyChic sends the questions, bloggers post their responses and then add their post to the list of people sharing their thoughts on the subject matter. To get started, check out this great tutorial on Grit & Glamour here.
(Image courtesy of Allroundart.net)
This week’s Friend Friday asks the question “How do you find balance between life and blogging?” My friends are always asking me this same question, especially since I’m very busy at work full-time as an Operations Supervisor, then I come home to be a wife and mother. How important is it that I make time for blogging? Maybe the answers to these questions can shed some light. How do you all find the balance in your lives, whether or not blogging is involved?
When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall?
I make time for it, but it I make sure I take care of my family and household first. This means that I’m usually blogging after my son and husband are asleep. There are times when I come home from work where I can get in some time on the computer early. But if my little boy comes tugging on my leg while I’m on the computer, wanting to dance with mommy…I will stop everything to dance.
We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible?
I really try to get the whole week done ahead of time. My outfits are not necessarily what I wore the day they are posted, so I’m able to post things well in advance. I type out lots of ideas and titles of posts with just a paragraph or two of what I intend to write about, and flesh it out later if I still like the topic. My draft list is crazy right now, but it’s chock full of ideas that are ready to be turned into posts at anytime.
Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient?
Yes! Scheduling entries to post at midnight everyday. I know it’s common knowledge that posts can be scheduled, but I didn’t know that until a friend and fellow blogger turned me onto it. It has made my life infinitely easier. Plus, as I mentioned above, coming up with a weeks worth of posts ahead of time and typing lots of draft ideas really is a time saver.
Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead?
I actually started to do that just recently. Mondays are usually dedicated to what I did over the weekend. Tuesday and Wednesdays are outfit days. Fridays were my “Randomness” entries, but that has moved to Thursdays now that I am a part of FBFF. It makes it SO much easier to plan out my posts. If there is something that I want to post in a more timely manner, I will push an outfit post to another day.
If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?
If I had more time, I would devote it to learning more about the fashion industry. I’m only really reporting on what affects me and what I buy and wear, rather than the latest trends, the seasons and what designers are doing. To jump-start this part of my blogging experience, I’m shooting for going back to New York City in the fall for Fashion Week because I think it’s important to be right there “in it” as a fashion blogger. I know I can’t do that every year, but I think this year will be an important year for me to do so.
Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is a Google group for bloggers to converse on a given topic each week. Katy from ModlyChic sends the questions, bloggers post their responses and then add their post to the list of people sharing their thoughts on the subject matter. To get started, check out this great tutorial on Grit & Glamour here.
(The fantastic image was used with kind permission from artist Valentina Ramos. Click on the picture above to view her blog and shop!)
Today’s Friend Friday from ModlyChic is all about the products that help us stay pretty once we wake up in the morning. I’m fairly simple when it comes to everyday make-up and beauty products: I cleanse, mosturize, add a bit of power, do up my brows, line my eyes and wear a light gloss or sheer lipstick. No matter how simple I keep things, I definitely have my favorites. What are yours?
What’s your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?
I love the UK brand, Boots for skin care products. I tried the Boots brand in London and have been hooked ever since. One can imagine the elation I felt when the line came to Target. Now, it’s the only product I use. Being an Anglophile, I gravitated towards the Rimmel London line for make-up. As far as high-end products, I used to like Clinique and Estee Lauder, but now I really just stick to the Boots and Rimmel lines.
Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can’t live without?
I need some kind of everyday exfoliant or light facial scrub. I also love facial wipes when traveling. I consider the Boots Cleansing and Toning Wipes a girl’s best friend! I just like products that keep my face feeling refreshed, since it tends to get oily quickly. Oh, and my Brow Fix kit by Milani Cosmetics (seen here).
What’s the best hair product you’ve ever used?
Joico K-PAK conditioner and Joico Brilliantine pomade.
Fess up, what’s the worst beauty look you’ve tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?
I tried the tanning salon to even out a tan right before a wedding I was in. I will never go to a tanning salon ever again as long as I live.
When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?
I don’t usually use beauty products to show off my personal flare. I use my hairstyle and clothing to do that. I simply use beauty products to keep my skin healthy and to maintain a clean, fresh look. I’ll just brighten and accentuate my make up for evenings out or parties, but really, I’m quite simple when it comes to beauty.
(Images courtesy of Target and Counter Culture Beauty)
I finally did it! I have been reading about this group for a while now, seeing the posts on many of the blogs that I follow, but I finally joined Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.
If you are not aware of this group, there is a fantastic introduction as well as “How To” on Grit & Glamour that explains everything you need to know (see the post here). This group was created so that bloggers could share their thoughts on a topic given by Katy of ModlyChic. As a result, we have instant interesting content and we get to know other fellow bloggers in the process.
Well, it looks like I arrived just in time because this week’s FBFF post launches the “Blog Awards” (hence the pictured tiara). Participants will nominate one blogger for each of the categories below and explain why they were nominated. All the responses will be collected and a list of the top five bloggers will be named in each category. Those finalists will then be opened up to a public vote. I am unsure of the timeline as this is being posted, but I will definitely make sure to post updates as I find out. Being a newbie, I apologize if I put the same blog in more than one category. Happy Friday!
This fantastic picture was taken by my friend Andrea, whose blog, Fish Outta H2O Photography, is in my blogroll in the “I Know You” section. She is a talented writer and photographer. If you like what you see here and on her blog, she also has this image and many others available in her Cafe Press store. I purchased the yoga mat as a gift for a friend, and I’ll be getting the calendar and journal in the near future. Show this talented artist some love by paying her blog and store a visit!
I received an email regarding a new site called HighGlossFashion.com. It’s a brand new online clothing, shoe and accessory boutique that offers trendy and high quality items at great prices. They offer many well-known designers such as BB Dakota (one of my personal favorites), Gentle Fawn, Plastic Island, Motel Rocks as well as up and coming designers with prices ranging from $5 to $150. They will be getting many more items in over the next few weeks as the resort and spring collections arrive. To celebrate their grand opening, they are offering a coupon code for 20% Off All Items. Enter GRAND20 at checkout to take advantage of the discount. The coupon code expires on February 6, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST. Plus, they have $5 flat rate shipping. Happy shopping!
This has been a spectacular year, and I have so many wonderful memories that I was able to capture in pictures. Having a son means documenting his every move, which means that I’m capturing everything around us as well. Also having this blog has me thinking in terms of pictures, locations and how to style myself and what I’m photographing. So my last post of 2010 will be a year in review in pictures.
Some pictures I haven’t shared yet (I started this blog in July of this year, so I included some from my trip to NYC and other events prior to July). I also included pictures from my favorite outfit pictorials. I also included my most viewed post, which happens to be the recipe for Lauren Conrad’s Eggnog Cookies!
(Next highest viewed posts were all the ones featured on IFB and all posts on Depeche Mode.)
I want to thank you all for stopping by and reading my humble little blog about so many of my favorite things and happenings in my life, and I hope you continue to follow along. I also want to thank my friends and family for all of your support, especially my husband and my son. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year. See you in 2011!
I’ve got a few deals to share from my inbox. The Bona Drag one is a bit late and ends tomorrow. The Neiman Marcus Last Call coupon starts tomorrow. The Rock & Republic Warehouse Sale picture does say San Diego. But if you click on the picture, the information on the site shows upcoming events in Dallas, San Diego and San Francisco.
Take advantage of a deal or two, or three…you know you want to! (Click on each picture for a link to the site.)
It’s always difficult to accommodate a busy weekend when you’re ill, and I’m about to discover how much more difficult it will be when you AND your child are both ill. My little boy caught a cold from my niece, so Thursday night was spent staying up with my husband trying to sooth an upset 20 month old.
After two hours of sleep, I had to still go to work and get through an 8 hour day on Friday, then go with my husband to pick up things needed for the party tonight. Afterwards, my husband watched my son because I went to a birthday party for a very dear friend for just a couple of hours. I came home to a son who was wired after a two-hour nap.
So today, my in-laws will be in town to accompany us to a 95th birthday party for my great-aunt tonight. Relatives will be coming in from all over for this event. My family is in charge of the music (I think I mentioned my husband is a deejay) and the cake that will be presented to my great-aunt. It will be good to see everyone all gussied up and in one place!
Dominic has an awesome little outfit that I bought for him from H&M, so I’ll post pictures of him and the event after this weekend. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and most of all…stay healthy!