Make the Most of Your Year: 10 Things to Do Before the End of 2023!
And another year has basically flown by! I still remember ringing in the start of 2023, and in what feels like the blink of an eye, I am prepping for Thanksgiving and getting ready to dust off my holiday decoratins!
As we approach the end of another year, it's the perfect time to reflect on the goals we set and the experiences we've had. The end of the year often brings a sense of closure and a fresh start, and there are plenty of things you can do to make the most of the time left in 2023. While my personal productivity has fluctuated A LOT this year due to plenty of emotional and life ups and downs, I’m ending the year on a positive note, focusing more on self-care and less on feelings of accomplishment.
Keep reading for 10 things to do before the end of the year, so you can finish the year on a high note, no matter how you are feeling right now!
10 Things to Do Before the End of 2023!
Reflect and Set New Goals
Before jumping into new adventures, take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and experiences throughout the year. What were your goals at the beginning of 2023, and how far have you come in achieving them? Celebrate your successes and learn from your challenges. Then, set new goals for the coming year. Whether they are personal, professional, or a combination of both, having clear objectives can help you stay motivated and focused.
Explore a New Hobby
The end of the year is an excellent time to try something new. Explore a hobby that you've always been curious about. It could be painting, gardening, dancing, cooking, or any other activity that piques your interest. Learning a new hobby can be a fun and enriching experience, and it's a great way to broaden your horizons.
Volunteer and Give Back
The holiday season is a time for giving, and there are numerous opportunities to volunteer and give back to your community. Whether you choose to volunteer at a local food bank, participate in a charity run, or help organize a toy drive, contributing to a good cause can be a heartwarming and fulfilling experience. Make a difference in someone's life and spread kindness this year.
Reconnect with Loved Ones
Life can get busy, and it's easy to lose touch with friends and family. Before the year ends, make an effort to reconnect with loved ones. Call or meet up with old friends, arrange a family gathering, or simply send a heartfelt message to someone you care about. These connections are invaluable and can bring a lot of joy to your life. Since I’ve traveled and moved around so much, I’m working on scheduling touch bases with my friends and family to make sure I stay connected. With everyone being so busy these days, you have to be proactive about managing relationships with loved ones.
Declutter and Organize
A tidy space can lead to a clearer mind. Take the time to declutter and organize your home before the year's end. Donate items you no longer need, reorganize your closets, and create a serene and clutter-free environment. It's amazing how a clean and organized living space can positively impact your overall well-being. Some people prefer Spring cleaning, but I prefer to do a deep clean and purge this time of year, so I start the new year with fresh, clean energy.
Travel Somewhere New
Traveling can be a source of inspiration and personal growth. Plan a trip to a destination you've never been before, whether it's a nearby town or a far-off country. Exploring new places can provide you with unique experiences, broaden your horizons, and create cherished memories. Even if you don’t take the trip now, take advantage of Black Friday travel deals to plan a dream trip for later!
Learn Something New
The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey. Before the year is over, consider learning something new. It could be a new language, an online course, or even picking up a new skill, like playing a musical instrument. Expanding your knowledge and skill set not only enhances your personal growth but also offers new opportunities and challenges.
Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is crucial for your overall well-being. Make self-care a priority before the year ends. This can include practices like meditation, regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and pampering yourself with a spa day or a weekend getaway. Ensuring that you are physically and mentally well will enable you to tackle the challenges of the coming year with resilience and positivity.
Plan for the Future
Set yourself up for success in the new year by planning for your future. Whether it's creating a budget, making investments, or setting up a retirement account, taking steps to secure your financial future is essential. Additionally, consider updating your will or estate plan to ensure your loved ones are protected. Planning for the future can provide peace of mind and a sense of security.
Create a Year-End Tradition
To make the most of the year-end, consider creating a tradition that you can look forward to each year. This could be a special New Year's Eve celebration, a gratitude journal, or even a symbolic ritual that marks the end of the year and the beginning of a fresh start. Traditions can bring a sense of continuity and anticipation to your life.
As we approach the end of 2023, it's the perfect time to reflect on the year that's passed and prepare for the year ahead. These 10 things to do before the end of the year can help you make the most of your time, create memorable experiences, and set the stage for a fulfilling future. So, seize the remaining days of the year and make them count. Whether it's personal growth, giving back, or simply cherishing the moments with loved ones, make the most of your time before we ring in the new year!
What are you looking forward to most for 2024?
10 Things to Do Before the End of 2023!
Reflect and Set New Goals
Explore a New Hobby
Volunteer and Give Back
Reconnect with Loved Ones
Declutter and Organize
Travel Somewhere New
Learn Something New
Prioritize Self-Care
Plan for the Future
Create a Year-End Tradition
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10 Tips to Survive a Couples Trip
Are you in a new relationship and getting ready to plan your first trip? This post is perfect for you! If you just started dating, are in a new relationships or situationship, or whatever you want to call it, specifically how you can get through your first trip together.
Your first trip together can really be make or break for your relationship, so these tips will hopefully help it be a success, or help you realize you need to break up with him. And in this post I’m spilling the tea on planning, who pays, what to do, and how to manage expectations if it’s a new relationship and you do or do not want certain activities on the table.
Keep reading for 10 tips to survive your first couples trip!
Decide Who is Paying
So you are going to have to be honest with yourself and with your partner when talking about the money, and depending on your relationship and finances it can be a difficult conversation. Obviously I always prefer when a man pays, but that may not always be realistic unless you are dating men that are more wealthy and are also more generous.
And do not confuse the two - just because has the money doesn’t mean he is going to be generous with spending it on you. My husband and I were international long distance when we first started dating, and he paid for several trips so we could see each other. And in each of those cases he made it very clear he was paying so there was no confusion.
Once we established where we were going and when, he asked for my passport info so he could make the reservations and sent me the email confirmation so I would know it was done. There was never a conversation about what I was contributing or paying him back. So I think it’s safe to say that if your man hasn’t made it clear he intends to pay for the trip, then he probably isn’t planning to. So when you bring up the conversation, you can ask pretty simply - what should we budget for this trip, and plan something you can both afford.
If you are both on similar budgets it should be easy to make a plan that will work for both of you. But if one person out earns the other, one has different financial obligations or whatever, there may need to be some compromise. And don’t assume that just because he makes more than you he is going to pay! If he doesn’t offer, have the grown up conversation and decide if you can even afford to travel and how much you can spend.
Make Sure You Have Your Own Money
So even if you did establish he is going to pay for the trip, that doesn’t mean you show up with no money. You’re a grown up and you need to be prepared to handle some costs.
You may want to offer to buy dinner or surprise him with a thoughtful souvenir. Or something could go wrong, like his credit cards could get hacked, you could get robbed, or he could just piss you off and make you want to dip. I recently posted a YouTube video on on being flewed out, and discussed this point as well. You need to be able to exercise your own autonomy, and having your own money allows you to do that. Make sure you have cash and credit cards that will work wherever you are going, just so you are prepared for everything.
Discuss A Budget in Advance
Discuss your budget in advance. If he is paying for it then you do not need to discuss the budget because it really is up to him. However if you guys have decided to split the cost of the trip, you need to consider how much you each can afford to spend.
I remember a story trending on Reddit about a girl who was invited on vacation with her wealthy boyfriend and his family, but they expected her to contribute equally even though she was very low income and couldn’t afford it. That is completely unfair, and does not bode well for your relationship. Do not be that person, and if your man is acting like that person, dump him immediately and move on. Set a budget you can both afford, and plan your flights, accommodations and activities in advance to make sure you can both have fun within that budget.
Plan an Itinerary Based on Mutual Travel Styles
Speaking of activities, make sure you discuss an itinerary and consider each other’s travel styles. One of you may want to do more adventure activities that the other person isn’t interested in at all. One of you may want to do things that the other person really can’t afford. If you’re going on vacation together you should have some idea of each other’s interests, so do some research on different things to do in the destination and discuss some ideas. You also need to decide if you are even people that want to have a defined itinerary or just play it by ear, or a little bit of both.
My husband could sit on the same beach for 7 days straight, I need more variety because I would be bored as hell. So we compromise when we travel and plan a balanced itinerary that we will both enjoy. And don’t be afraid to plan some time apart or do things exploring your separate interests.
Be Prepared for Travel Related Mishaps
Number 5, understand that things will go wrong and be prepared for what that can mean. Travel can be fun and amazing, but can also be incredibly stressful. You could encounter anything from food poisoning, flight cancellations or even a natural disaster in the place you are visiting. And honestly, if something does go wrong it can really help you learn about each other in a way that you wouldn’t if everything was always perfect. It can also help you decide whether or not you even want to continue this relationship.
Personally I have very low tolerance for men with tempers, and if I saw a man lose his shit at a slight inconvenience, berate a flight attendant for asking him to put a mask on, or anything ridiculous, obnoxious, or potentially violent, it’s a smooth no for me. And let’s say you do end up getting sick - does he care for you or go about his business and leave you to fend for yourself while he has fun? A trip together can be an amazing learning experience for you, and can either take your relationship to the next level or end it. It’s important to not expect things to be perfect, and to handle travel related mishaps without letting it ruin your trip.
Establish Healthy Boundaries When Traveling As A Couple
Some people may believe otherwise, but just because you are on a trip with a man, and even if he pays for it, you are not obligated to have sex with him.
Let me repeat, you are not obligated to have sex with him! You aren’t even obligated to share a hotel room with him if you aren’t sure you want to. It’s perfectly acceptable to maintain and enforce your own boundaries, whatever they may be. And you can also take note of how he handles you actually having some agency, which in a new relationship is incredibly important. Does he respect them or continuously push or disrespect you?
Healthy Communication is Key
Communication is the foundation of really any healthy relationship. You guys should be in a place where you have healthy communications before you hop on a plane together, because if you can’t talk to each other at home, it’s going to be incredibly awkward when you’re together for a few days straight in a new city or country.
Talk about what you want to do, any fears about travel in general or with him in particular. Before you start planning a trip together you should be in a place where you feel comfortable and safe, are able to have deep conversations, and express yourself, and feel like he listens and respects what you have to say. It doesn’t have to be deep soul-wrenching intense conversation, like if it is a new relationship you may not have fully opened up to each other in that way, or really been through anything crazy or unique together.
Decide How To Handle Social Media
Decide how you want to handle social media, in advance! You may have noticed that while I frequently travel with my husband, you have never seen him posted. We have a firm no social media policy, it works for us and makes sense. You may want to be posting pics of each other and he isn’t into it, or vice versa. Don’t automatically be offended or suspicious if he doesn’t want to post you. Some people may get in your head about it, but don’t let them, everyone has different attitudes about social media and he may have valid, not shady reasons for not putting you on his gram, or for letting you put him on yours. The key as I said above is communication!
And obviously you want dope pics of yourself on your trip, but he may find playing Instagram boyfriend to be extremely annoying so be sensitive to that! He may be terrified of ending up on Influencers in the Wild, or just be a terrible photographer. I usually book an affordable photo shoot with a local pro to make sure I get great vacation pics and don’t make my husband go crazy.
I usually use Snappr or AirBnB experiences, and plan my shoots for an hour or 2 early in the morning, like 8:30 or 9am, since the light will be softer and there are less crowds, and then we have the whole day to spend together.
Don’t forget your snacks
This may sound silly but pack snacks! No one wants to get hangry on vacation and I feel like packing extra snacks isn’t something most men will think about. I always leave room in my purse for mini bags of chips or pretzels, bars, and jerky since they come in handy at the airport, but also on your trip.
Not every hotel has vending machines, you may end up on a full day tour and need a bite to eat, or you may make the fatal mistake of not timing your meals around the hours most restaurants are open. For example, in most of Europe a lot of the restaurants close for a 3 hour block in between lunch and dinner, and if you didn’t eat before they closed, you’ll be left out starving or trying to find a McDonalds. So pack some snacks, and trust me he will thank you if you guys need them!
Make it a Short Weekend Trip
And finally, if this is your first trip together - make it a short one! We’re talking 3 day weekend max, preferably somewhere with a short direct flight. You may not have spent more than a day or 2 together, much less an entire week in a new environment.
It can be intense and emotional, so a short trip is an easier way to warm up to how you travel together and the potential positives or shortcomings of your future relationship. If things go well you can happily start planning a longer itinerary for the future, if they go poorly, at least you didn’t waste too much time.
And making it a short, easy trip will reduce some of the stress and pressure or potential for things to go wrong, like missing a flight due to a lot of connections, being bored on a long layover, or having to kill too much time if this trip starts to get awkward on day 2.
If you have any more tips or a fun or interesting couples trip story, leave me a comment below! And happy planning!
How to Travel More in 2022
How the hell can you afford to travel so much! That is probably the question I get asked the most in person and on social media, so we’re going to answer that today! If you’ve been following me or reading this blog for a while, you know that I have traveled a ton, and lived in 2 different countries as an expat - first Milan, Italy and now currently Beirut, Lebanon.
I have traveled to about 20 countries including Spain, Switzerland, Bermuda, Colombia, South Africa, and most recently Zanzibar! Before covid, I would usually do about 3 or 4 big trips a year plus a few smaller weekends in the US or Caribbean. Things obviously came to a complete halt in 2020 then very slowly picked back up, and I hope in 2022 I’ll be able to get back to my normal travel speed.
So here are some of my tips to help you budget to travel more. If you are looking for short term hacks this is unfortunately not the blog for you, but keep reading if you are interested in changing your lifestyle to make your dream of frequent travel part of your reality.
How to Travel More in 2022
Get Your Basic Finances in Order
So first and most obvious - make sure you have the disposable income that you can use to fund your travel. That means that you have stable employment, you are not struggling to pay off debt, and you have emergency savings. If you don’t have those things covered, then you need to focus on finding your financial footing before you start planning and paying for trips. Even if you travel cheaply or on a budget, travel is still a luxury and financial responsibilities are more important.
So if you know you want to be able to have more financial freedom to travel more next year, spend the time now to take steps to work toward that goal.
Consider a Career Change
Number 2, consider a career change. If you want to travel more, there are just some jobs or career paths that are more conducive to that lifestyle. Having a salaried job with a generous PTO policy will make it much easier to get those vacations in, as well as jobs that still allow remote work so you can work from anywhere. The one good thing that came out of the pandemic was how normalized remote work has become, so definitely take advantage of that! Many employers are much more willing to negotiate remote work or a hybrid half in the office half at home model than ever before.
Again, a career shift will take time, which is why I said this video isn’t about quick little hacks, and it will take time to find a new job that will give you the pay and flexibility that you want, so keep that in mind.
But if you want to be able to travel frequently as a lifestyle, this is kind of an essential part of it.
Start Saying No More Often
Most people don’t have an unlimited amount of disposable income, so you need to decide what you are going to spend it on. If you say yes to every birthday dinner, party, girls night out, wedding, and whatever else, you are easily spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year that could be funding your next trip.
Think about how much you can reasonably afford to spend on your social life without compromising your goal to save more for travel and stick to that. Even things like your beauty maintenance can be cut to help you pay for travel, if that is more important to you. So yes I traveled a lot, even before I moved abroad, but I almost never get my nails done, I have still never once had eyelash extensions, and I may set foot in a hair salon 3 times a year at most.
Take a look at how you spend socializing, on beauty or other miscellaneous stuff like that, and think about what you can reprioritize to make more room in your budget for travel.
Make it Part of Your Job or Side Hustle
Making travel part of your side hustle is a great way to travel more and save on travel. And I don’t mean becoming a travel influencer because that is a long and competitive journey that is not for everyone.
But you could start a side business in hospitality consulting, team up with companies that host group trips and offer your services as an assistant or find conferences or events in your industry that you can travel to. And if you are a content creator or aspiring influencer, there are a ton of ways you can work with brands for free or subsidized travel.
I have been able to work with brands and tourism boards to go on sponsored trips, but I have also used my own personal travel to pitch brands for sponsored posts.
For example, when I used to go to Miami Art Basel, I could never get a brand to cover the cost of my travel. But I could book my own travel and negotiate enough sponsored posts from fashion and beauty companies who wanted product placement at that big event, that I ended up getting my expenses covered and had a profit.
Making travel part of your business also gives you the opportunity to deduct some of your travel expenses on your taxes, but the key here is they have to be deemed necessary and reasonable.
So for example travel for a conference and staying 2 nights at the hotel where the event is held or somewhere nearby would probably be acceptable. Staying a week at a 5 star luxury resort probably would not be! But I am not an accountant or tax preparer so check with the experts on that one!
Start a travel account
I recently started a separate travel savings account to make it easier to save for and fund my trips. Usually I would just use my normal bank account and one of my preferred credit cards for booking, but I want to travel more, especially small weekend trips around the Middle East so I decided to get more organized.
I had a second savings account that I used when I was planning our destination wedding since it charged no fee for international wire transfers.
Since the wedding is over, I decided to use that account as my travel account, and fund it with a small direct deposit every week just to keep it active and build my stash. It’s small for now, but with my regular contributions and interests that will accumulate I will definitely have enough to put towards travel in Spring and Summer.
I also like having a separate travel fund because it helps keep me from having travel related debt. So even though I use my credit cards for booking travel, I can always fully pay off my balance using my travel savings account. And I can also use that money for expenses when I’m on the trip, since I do have a debit card attached to it that doesn’t charge international fees.
Plan Trips That Fit Your Lifestyle
This one is important, and don’t get caught up trying to compete with other people’s lifestyle! Not everyone can go on a 3 week long adventure through Europe in the summer, and that is nothing to feel bad about. You can start planning trips that make sense for you and where you are in your life. If you have a super tight budget, try traveling in an off-season to make it more affordable, or even taking road trips instead of flying everywhere. If you have limited time off and can’t take an extended international trip, think about domestic destinations or places that have easy direct flights that you can take in a quick weekend.
Take Advantage of Credit Cards with Perks
I am not advocating building up credit card debt, so if you know you cannot use your credit card responsibly and pay that balance off in full, then ignore this tip and just skip to the next chapter. But I am a big fan of using credit card perks to finance travel. Almost every airline has a credit card that usually offers perks like free miles, free checked bags, and gives you more flexibility with booking and cancellations. My favorite card is the Delta SkyMiles, which gave me about 75k miles when I opened the account, which is already more than enough for a free trip.
Plus it also gives you a free companion certificate every year, so every year I basically get a buy one get one free flight. Do some research on credit cards that might make sense for you, and remember to use them responsibly!
Loyalty Pays Off
One approach to traveling frequently is to just always look for the cheapest or best deal, and the other is to focus on your preferred brands and build loyalty/status with them. I do a little bit of both, and can see that there are definitely perks to showing a brand a little loyalty. I use Amex and my Delta card exclusively for booking travel, so I always have a ton of points and miles and my husband has status with both Hilton & Marriott, so his points come in handy for booking hotels.
Before covid we planned to honeymoon in the South of France, and booked the entire week just on points! I’ve recently become a fan of Booking.com for hotels because I love their no prepayment and flexible cancellation policies, and their loyalty program gives me additional room discounts and room upgrades at check in.
Unfortunately there aren’t any Delta flights out of Beirut, so I’m either going to have to find a new preferred carrier while we are here, or stick to Skymiles partners that do serve this area. But the biggest perk of showing loyalty to an airline or hotel chain is not necessarily saving money, but just having more small perks and being treated better as a traveler, so that will make your overall experience a little better.
Find a Travel Community
If you don’t have friends to travel with it can be a little harder or more expensive to travel more, just because you don’t have anyone to split expenses with and hotel or AirBnB costs can add up.
And a lot of people, especially women, are afraid to travel alone. Facebook groups, Instagram group travel pages, and themed retreats are all great ways to find travel buddies or go on group trips without having to do all the legwork and planning yourself.
Guided group trips tend to be more expensive because of the service they provide and of course because the organizers are taking a cut, but if you want the convenience and can spend the money enjoy it!
And you can get to know people through those experiences that can become your future travel friends, if you find people you hit it off with and want to plan your next trip together.
Consider a Move Abroad
Moving abroad does come with some big initial budgeting and planning, but living in a new country is one of the best ways to increase your opportunities to travel more frequently.
I know expats who have moved to Portugal, which has some of the lowest cost of living in Western Europe, and I myself spent 3 years living in Italy and now I live in Beirut, Lebanon. Living in a new country opens up the opportunity to take amazing long weekend trips for a fraction of the price.
From Italy I was taking cheap weekend trips by train or on low cost airlines for like 50 euro round trip. From Beirut I’m planning weekends to Morocco, Jordan, Turkey, and even all over Europe since there are many flights to major European cities for under $500 and it will only take about 4 or 5 hours to get there.
If you are interested in moving abroad, check out some of my other videos on planning for your move abroad, and budgeting for that as well.
Timing is Everything
Everyone was shopping on Black Friday and you wanna know what I bought - trips! There are unfortunately never airfare deals out of Beirut, so I wasn’t looking at anything like that, but there are always flight sales and specials from the US to almost anywhere.
But since I can’t take advantage of those, I spent more time looking at hotels and other travel perks. I booked hotels for a week in Southeast Asia that were 50% off, and a few small European weekend trips because the hotels had free cancellation and did not require prepayment. Yes, I locked in unbelievable pricing at some luxury hotels and I don’t have to pay for it until I check-in.
I also got some miles on my preferred airlines because they were 30% off and didn’t expire, so I can use them towards award travel pretty much anytime.
If you are trying to travel more, taking advantage of fare sales is absolutely essential, but in many cases you do need to have the money ready at the time of booking, which goes back to my earlier point on maintaining your travel fund. I’m going to leave a few of my favorite places to book discounted fares in the description box as well.
And remember a lot of cities and countries are going in and out of tourism lockdowns, but that can work to your advantage.
These places will be trying to lure back tourists, and get high occupancy rates, so you may find that you have more flexibility or added perks to sweeten the deal. I think the hotels I booked for my upcoming Asia trip were all ridiculously cheap because the countries I’m visiting had such strict tourism restrictions for so long and they need to entice tourists to come back as soon as they can.
Get Vaccinated
I know some of y'all are not going to want to hear this, but if you are still unvaccinated, travel is not going to be easy for you. Covid is still a serious problem and most countries that have reopened to tourism are only allowing vaccinated visitors.
Even if you don’t care about public health, ending the pandemic, stopping the spread of a preventable disease, etc, you probably care about how the restrictions affect you.
So if you have been vaccine hesitant but want more flexibility and freedom to travel, you’re probably going to have to get jabbed sooner than later, because most countries will continue to have restrictions on unvaccinated travelers.
So that’s it, thank you so much for watching! I hope these tips help, and if you have any other travel tips I didn’t mention, let me know in the comments below! Are you planning to travel more this year?
5 Expert Tips to Legally Protect Your Blog
Blogging and working as a social media influencer is an in demand career path and shows no signs of slowing down! But what do bloggers need to know about their legal liabilty? Every small business has legal considerations they need to know. I chatted with a lawyer, Courtney of Courthouse Couture to get her expertise. Keep reading for 5 tips you need to know to legally protect your blog!
5 Expert Tips to Legally Protect Your Blog
Disclosure: all statements made are my personal opinion and do not reflect the opinion of my employer. No statements made establish any form of an attorney client relationship.
1. Tell me about yourself and your background/experience as a lawyer and Influencer.
I am a lawyer and have been a practicing attorney for over 10 years and I currently do commercial real estate transactions. However I have experience in criminal and civil litigation as well. I joined Instagram in 2014 however, I thought of my IG/Blog name probably 2 years before that. I officially launched my blog www.Courthousecouture.com in 2018.
2. What are some mistakes most Influencers make when it comes to legally protecting their business?
Influencing is ultimately a business and I would suggest doing some basic research on taxes and business entities. Each state is different and based on each individual’s personal situation different business types may provide more tax benefits. Legal zoom may be able to walk you through the process but if you are starting to earn lots of money I suggest a consultation with an attorney and accountant.
If Influencers are creating products or have a unique name, they may need to seek the assistance of an Intellectual Property lawyer to figure out how to protect themselves and/or their product.
Influencers should also be cognizant of disclosing when they are receiving sponsored product or gifted product. Here is a quick primer from the Federal Trade Commission. Often brands will ask an influencer to use the proper hashtags but it is the influencer’s ultimate responsibility to be knowledgeable. If you are confused, ask an attorney.
3. Contract negotiation never gets easy! What are some major red flags a new Influencer should look out for in a contract for a brand partnership. How can influencers protect themselves from scams and being taken advantage of?
I think common mistakes with contracts are not fully reading the contracts received, even for gifted items. Hidden provisions on usage of photos, non-compete clauses, and penalty for non performance are just a few examples of things to look for in a contract. If someone doesn’t understand a provision, they need to ask for at least 24-48 hours to review and see if they can consult with an attorney who handles influencer contracts. They can also ask the brand they are working with but it is not the brand’s legal responsibility to protect them.
4. Do you see any legal trends emerging as the influencer industry grows
I think influencer trends we will continue to see are influencers working together in teams to leverage their collective following when pursuing brand partnerships. I foresee Instagram, and brands, wanting to use the Instagram platform for people to buy merchandise instead of users going on outside programs ie: LIKEtoKNOW.it to purchase product. And I think that brands are going to continue to rely on influencers during the pandemic because it lowers the cost of their overall marketing budget. And they may not pivot after the pandemic. The influencer space provides a place for honest feedback in real time. Something large expensive marketing campaigns can’t provide.
5. You posted an interesting story about influencers being sued for promoting counterfeit products. Some influencers have also been sued, fined, or just downright shamed for failing to disclose or promoting questionable brands/events (Fyre Festival and sponsored pharmaceutical posts for example). What do influencers need to know about their responsibilities/liabilities?
Over the past year I have seen more Influencers using and linking products that are copies of branded items. For example, wearing a bag with Louis Vuitton logos that is not a Louis Vuitton bag but an exact replica of one. This is not the same as wearing an item that looks substantially similar to a designer item but does not use a brand logo. An influencer was sued for promoting these copied items and I think that as brands get smarter they may go after influencers who keep promoting these types of products. LIKEtoKNOW.it has already sent a letter to influencers asking them not to use the word “dupe” or copy in captions. They suggested using phrases like “the look for less.” We will see if people continue to promote these items but I wouldn’t do it to be safe.
Influencers should be mindful of what they promote, and the ramifications of promoting something without having full details on what they are promoting. If you are not sure on the details, feel like something is wrong, or don’t like the direction of something don’t accept payment or move forward. It is better to say no to a project than to say yes and ruin your personal brand by attaching yourself to something like Fyre festival for example.
About the Contributor
Courtney is an attorney in Houston and the creator of courthousecouture.com, a fashion blog and lifestyle brand where she discusses fashion, life, and her journey as an attorney. Follow her on Instagram for more!
Money Moves: How to Not Go Broke This Holiday Season
Tis the season to spend money! Seriously, who else feels like time of year your wallet is just bleeding cash? Between entertaining, going out to holiday events, travel, and shopping, it’s so hard to keep your finances on track. This year I’m really being tough on my spending because I’m recovering from the cross-country move, being in between jobs, and of course wedding expenses. Even if you aren’t in my position, it can never hurt to be mindful of your spending! This year shoppers are planning to spend an average of $1,047 according to the National Retail Federation!
In the spirit of belt-tightening, I wanted to share a few ways I’m planning to keep my spending down this season so I can focus on my financial future. Stay tuned for my tips to not go broke this holiday season!
Skip the New Dress
During the holidays there are a ton of social occasions and you may feel tempted to get a new look for every event. That is going to be a huge financial strain and if you are trying to cut back that is the place to start! Shop your closet for old favorites, pick up some low-cost accessories to spice up your look, or think beyond the cocktail dress. Style your separates in a more formal way, and use hair, makeup and accessories to elevate your look. If you do happen to have a month of jam-packed events, clothing rental services like Nuuly or Rent the Runway are a great alternative to shopping traditional retail.
DIY Your Beauty
If you find yourself having regular appointments for hair, makeup, manicures etc, think about what you can do yourself before you enlist the pros. There are thousands of tutorials you can watch for free on YouTube and practice before you have to nail a look for a big event. And if you aren’t confident in your abilities, you still have options! Hair accessories are trending this year, so you can always do a slick bun and embellish it with hairclips, or pop on a chunky glitzy or velvet headband for a look that makes a statement. And you can rely on the beauty counter at most department stores or Sephora for a free makeover! Usually you’ll have to buy product or be a member of their loyalty program, so take the opportunity to pick up a gift for someone on your list.
Get Thrifty With Your Decorations
I love decorating for the holidays! I don’t go as far as a lot of other bloggers, but I like having a nice stylish Christmas tree and a few stockings. I always go for a synthetic version since it can be reused for years to come, and I keep about half of the ornaments each year. I give myself a little bit of wiggle room to style my tree based on my mood that year, and only shop for ornaments on sale! Michael’s pretty much always has stuff for 40% off and Amazon has an amazing selection of décor pretty much at any price. You can also check out your local dollar stores for some goodies on the cheap. Give yourself a budget that makes sense and stick to that! And remember, everyone cares more about the presents that are under the tree than how the tree looks!
Do Your Shopping Online
Shopping online requires you to plan your purchases more carefully and reduces impulse shopping. When you are in a store there is product everywhere you look, and they trap you even further with lines and lines of merchandise (usually at jacked up prices) as you wait to checkout. Shopping online requires a little more planning, which is critical when you are trying to stay on a budget. Plus, you can take advantage of coupons and cash back programs to maximize your savings. Almost every site offers a discount code for signing up for emails, and you can always do a quick search for codes for that site to see what works. Just be sure to double check return policies so you don’t end up stuck with something that doesn’t fit or is lower quality than you were expecting.
Limit Your Gift List
There can be a lot of social pressure on how many people get gifts and how much you spend, but at a certain point you have to draw the line. Establish what you can reasonably afford to spend on gifts this holiday season, making sure that number includes wrapping and shipping if need be! Then split it up accordingly. You can also encourage friends and family to have a secret Santa or white elephant style party instead of bringing individual gifts for everyone. Everyone knows how expensive the holidays can get so no one should be surprised that you want to keep expenses down!
If you start getting discouraged or need better direction, keep a financial goal in mind that will help you stay motivated. It can be something big or small, just make sure there is a number associated with it that you can keep top of mind. It will be difficult but worth it in the end!
10 Expert Self-Care Tips You Need to Survive the Rest of 2020
If 2019 gave us the words “toxic” and “no cap” then 2020 gave us #Self-Care
The year 2020 has been brimming with words such as #quarantine and #Covid19. It’s been an insane year, and as it comes to a close, things just don’t seem to be letting up. In many ways, we are all way more stressed and anxious now than we were back in March!
In spite of, or maybe because of all the craziness, another trending hashtag emerged in 2020 - #Self-Care. People have been posting about all the ways they prioritize taking care of themselves and maintaining their sanity in these trying times.
But what exactly does it mean to practice self-care? For starters, self-care will look differently to different people. For some, it may be a spa day to get a manicure or a massage. For others, it’s about looking in the mirror and saying, “I’m proud of you”.
The essence of self-care is to reflect on the relationship you have with your inner being, the goddess that is within you. There are many forms of self-care ranging from physical and emotional to social and spiritual. Self-care, in my opinion, is taking time to practice forgiveness and extending grace to yourself. It’s a time to be intentional about your goals and assess what you are doing to attain them. Self-care is more than just a hashtag. It’s about being present and available to the people that love and support you. It’s also about showing gratitude. Self-care is acknowledging that you have made mistakes and being kind to yourself. Self-care is recognizing that your healing and well-being are a priority. After all, if you are not good for YOU, then you won’t be good for anyone or anything else.
What is self-care?
Self-care is any activity that is done deliberately in order to take care of your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. Taking the time to be intentional about your own well being is vital to your relationships with others. As I said earlier, self-care in practice can look very different for different people. Part of practicing self-care is finding rituals that work for you.
What isn’t self-care?
Knowing what self-care is not might be even more important. By taking care of ourselves, we are in a better position to take care of others who depend on us such as our kids, romantic partners and colleagues. It is important that we understand that self-care is not a selfish act, but rather something we do selflessly in order to be our best selves.
We are mothers, entrepreneurs, wives and visionaries. Women are ambassadors for the human race, representing strength, love and life in all that we do. Thus, the need to maintain a positive state is essential to all those around us.
10 Tips for Practicing Self-Care
Create a work-life balance.
Take breaks when you need to.
Learn to say no.
Give yourself credit for how far you have come.
Make an appointment to see your doctor.
Do one thing a day that gets you closer to your goal.
Tomorrow is not promised. Use your PTO.
Get some sleep - you probably need more than you are getting
Focus on nutrition - not dieting to lose weight but making sure you are eating healthy.
Take a walk - sunshine and fresh air do a body good
And remember - refrain from judging how others practice self-care. Everything from a therapy session to a stiff drink can be self-care for someone!
About the Contributor
De’Jarnette K. Johnson is an author, blogger and owner of TheRealBlackCarrieBradshaw.com, a blog dedicated to love, life and relationships. De’Ja is a graduate of UA Little Rock with a Masters degree in Applied Communication with an emphasis on Interpersonal & Romantic relationships. Having completed her thesis on Ghosting, De’Ja has extensive knowledge on relational issues such as Attachment styles, Dark Triad personalities and Intrapersonal communication. She is also the creator of The Breakup Space, a 12-week program designed to help you cope with the loss of your relationship, manage your emotions and empower you to obtain the love that you deserve.
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10 Must Haves For The Most Fashionable Fall Ever!
Fall is finally here! The weather may still be pretty warm where you are, but any day now you’ll start to notice that crisp morning air. There is something about Fall that just makes me want to get more dressed up, put on some glam makeup, and refresh my home! I’m definitely looking forward to putting away my flip flops and sundresses and transitioning into booties, layers and cardis without breaking a sweat. Are you planning any Fall fashion updates? I know you may not feel very motivated, especially if you’ll still be working from home. But hopefully things are starting to ease up in your city and you can start having some fun! In the spirit of getting ready for the new season, here are 10 fall must-haves you need to add to your shopping list!
Flat Leather Mules
Stylish and super comfy, these are a requirement for the transition into the fall months. Nude or classic black pair perfectly with most outfits, and a pattern or animal print will easily elevate an outfit, providing interest.
A Chunky Knit Sweater
With social distancing still a requirement, a chunky sweater is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe as temperatures start dropping and we safely enjoy drinks or outside dining in the evening with friends.
A Pair of Comfy Ankle Boots
I don’t know about you, but I love the look of a dress or skirt with booties! Booties are an absolute must-have this season. Whether they’re flat or have a bit of a heel, you can’t go wrong!
A Dramatic Fall Mani
I’m all about a good mani, and the fall is the perfect time to start transitioning to darker hues. This year, I’m committing to trying blues and greens. Of course, it wouldn’t be fall without a good burgundy, though!
If you’re into dip powder nails, I’m loving Revel Nails’ Flannel, Eucalyptus and Elderberry. For a regular mani or pedi – Drama at La Scala or Complimentary Wine are also good, from OPI.
Skinny Black Leather leggings
I’m a sucker for a good pair of leggings, and leather ones with a pair of boots easily dress up a sweater or tunic, or are perfect for a weekend outing with a pair of sneakers, too.
Classic Leopard Flats
Believe it or not, leopard-print is a neutral and one that adds a ton of flair to an outfit! Pointy-toe leopard flats are my favorite, as they can easily be dressed up or down and allow me to still keep it comfortable.
A Simple Shirt Dress
Keep a shirt dress simple with a pair of Converse on the weekend, a pair of heeled booties for date night or pointy-toe flats when we go back into the office, and you’re good to go!
A Pair of Dark Wash Jeans
Dark wash denim in any style (boyfriend, skinny or flared) is a fall staple, and can literally go with anything! Dress up with heeled boots or booties or dress down with loafers or sneakers. Dark wash denim is a wardrobe addition that will easily get you through the fall!
An Elegant Duster
Buttery soft dusters are my fave! Paired with leggings or jeans, a comfy cami or long-sleeved tee, a good duster is both comfortable and stylish!
A Chambray Button Shirt
A Chambray top is a classic that is easy to style multiple ways. Tuck it into a skirt, wear it with black denim or layer it with a blazer for a more dressy, polished look.
Whether you’re in warmer temps eagerly awaiting fall’s cool down, or if you’re further north and already feeling the dip of the season, grab some of these essentials to make your stylish transition into fall!
What are you looking forward to most this Fall?
About the Author
Melissa Ortiz is the woman behind Missa Ortiz Lifestyle {MissaOrtiz.com | @missaortiz}, your reference for millennial womanhood. Melissa is an Orlando photographer and corporate professional, who loves to share the things that add value in her beautiful, busy life with her husband and two daughters. From business knowledge to home DIY tutorials or the truth about motherhood, Melissa hosts meaningful discussions for women juggling life’s multiple priorities.
How to Make Low Carb Cocktails With White Claw Hard Seltzer
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #PureTwist #DrinkPure #CollectiveBias
What’s the best part of summer? Pools, BBQ’s, and of course rooftop cocktails! Being on the keto diet means being pretty careful about drinking, especially mixed drinks. I’ve been keto for about 6 months now and the biggest challenge is staying on track while still maintaining a social life. I’ve been playing with low carb cocktail ideas that are refreshing, tasty and give me the freedom to enjoy socializing with friends while not cheating on my diet.
I had the opportunity to partner with White Claw to create a few fun and easy cocktail recipes.
White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer is made using a blend of seltzer water, our gluten free BrewPure® alcohol, and natural flavor. Pure Hard Seltzer contains 5% alcohol, 100 calories, and 0g carbs. Check out how I put my spin on it!
White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer Lemon-Lime Spritz
This is a classic and refreshing cocktail, like sparkling lemonade with a hint of booze. Just squeeze a quarter lemon and half a lime into a White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer over ice, and garnish with some fresh mint. If you want to sweeten it up a bit, a few drops of liquid stevia will go a long way.
Raspberry Lime White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer Mixer
This one looks super pretty and the berries add a hint of sweetness. If you don’t eat the berries you save on those carbs, but if you do decide to muddle them or eat them whole it’s still only a few berries so don’t stress over it! Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and use a slice for garnish.
Even though I’m no longer on a low-carb diet, I love these quick and easy DIY cocktails with White Claw Hard Seltzer. They come together in no-time and are perfect for socially distant get togethers, virtual happy hours, or lounging on the beach. They also come in a ton of great flavors, like Lime, Grapefruit and Mango! Try a White Claw Variety Pack to see which ones are your favorites.
#NYCStories: What Life in NYC Has Taught Me
I started posting a series on Instagram sharing some of my favorite NYC Stories. Growing up in this city has shaped me in ways I’m slowly becoming more and more aware of as I get older and travel more. If you don’t live in NY, living here is like no place else. If you are planning a move or even n a trip, here are some things you need to know to make the most of your experience!
Some people have been saying NYC is dead, and yes, things have changed for sure. But New York will never die, only evolve. The city has survived everything from attacks to a pandemic, and will only continue to thrive.
NYC Life & Travel are Expensive
If you’ve never been here before, the prices wil be shocking! Growing up in the city made me a little more used to seeing extreme prices at every turn. That skill comes in really handy when traveling because I rarely get sticker shock (except for in Switzerland, where the combination of pricing and exchange rate is insane). Save up and prepare yourself and your wallet for outlandish rent, overpriced restaurants, $15 cocktails, and a view that can bring tears to your eyes.
You’ll Make a Lot of Friends But Only Have a Few Friends
Living here means you are constantly surrounded by people. The opportunities to socialize are endless and you’ll be able to meet new people at every turn. However I’ve learned that true friendships and authentic bonds are few and far between. In retrospect I wish I had devoted more time to those relationships, but it seemed we often took for granted that we could see each other any time. Have all the fun you can with all the right people, but make sure you find ways to prioritize the relationships that really count.
Street Food Is Always a Good Idea
From the halal stands to the gyro carts, NY street food is legendary. If you are germophobic or nervous about eating off a truck, start working on that before you land in the Big Apple! Of course the city is known for it’s concentration of incredible high-end restaurants, but considering the need to respect your wallet as discussed above, make sure you explore the low-cost options that can be just as delicious!
The Options Are Endless and the Familiar is Comforting
The city that never sleeps is also the city of endless options. There is so much amazing everything - restaurants, museums, lounges, and the list goes on. Anything your heart desires, you will find and it will be good! Even though we are spoiled for choice, you’ll see that New Yorkers often frequent the same spots! You might think we bounce around to a new place every night, but the fact is we all have our neighborhood bar or go to restaurant that we hit up a few times a week. If you visit NYC or make it your home, find the balance between visiting your faves on a regular basis and exploring something new when you can.
If you are planning to move or visit NYC, let me know your questions in the comments!
How to Plan The Perfect Post Quarantine Vacation
What a year 2020 has shaped up to be! One of my first posts this year was a Travel Bucket List - all the best destinations to visit each season this year. Of course the plan was never to visit all of these countries and cities in 2020! However, it was more to provide guidance and inspiration based on the best times to travel and which destinations would be best to visit at which time.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other plans! The virus quickly became a pandemic, shutting down everyday activities and making travel impossible. Any vacations you may have planned are now probably up in the air, and many brides are being forced to cancel their weddings due to Covid. Of course, we will be able to travel again safely one day. But will we be able to take vacations this summer with the effects of coronavirus? The main thing to focus on is health and safety, so the decision to travel has to take that into account. You’ll need to consider the prevalence of cases in your city and the city you are thinking about traveling to, as well as what activities and dining are available.
I’m cautiously planning some travel for June and July 2020 and am unbelievably excited. Keep reading for some of my predictions on how covid will change travel for the rest of the year and how to I’m planning safely!
How Coronavirus Will Affect Summer and Fall Travel
Summer travel will be less frequent this year than average. From fears about safety, to limited resources due to the economic impact of covid, less people will be taking trips for sure. However, people that were lucky enough to stay in good health and maintain their finances may want to consider planning a trip. International travel will likely be risky until late Summer, and a lot of countries have said the borders will remain closed to Americans indefinitely.
Luckily for me, I’ve been planning to do more domestic travel! The only international trip I had planned was for our destination wedding, which has sadly been postponed. Now is a great time to start thinking about domestic destinations that are safe and fun to visit. Since I’m a West Coast girl now, I plan to spend time exploring more of California and neighboring states. Sedona is top of my list, and I’m also excited about wine country in Oregon, mountains in Utah, going back to Hawaii, and seeing Cabo and Puerto Vallerta on the Western Coast of Mexico.
When we get out of quarantine and can start traveling again, the most popular trips will definitely be those that are close to home. The great American road trip will become popular again, with people planning trips that are an easy, scenic drive away. If you are nervous about flying, a road trip is the perfect way to travel while still practicing social distancing. People may also be more open to vacation homes like AirBnB instead of traditional hotels, largely because hotels require a lot more daily interaction with staff. Safety is always a big thing to consider when traveling, especially as a woman. It will become even more important as we consider health as much as personal safety.
Things may settle down even more by Fall, making international travel more likely. European hot spots and beach destinations will be closing down for the season by then, so think of some fun, new locales to explore. It’s always lovely to catch the Fall foliage, and wine destinations from Napa to Tuscany are gorgeous in September. Do some research into what is seasonally appropriate, safe, and free from restrictions before you book!
Planning a Post Quarantine Vacation
I’m sure we are all dying to get out of quarantine and get back to having fun! It can be a little scary thinking about traveling again, which is why planning a trip during the coronavirus pandemic will require a lot more precautions. If you plan on flying, give yourself extra time at the airport. There will probably not be long lines, but there will be extra safety precautions. A lot of airport restaurants may be closed and food and beverage service on your flight will likely be limited. Plan to eat before your trip and pack plenty of snacks just in case. If you are thinking about taking a long-haul flight, call the airline in advance to inquire about how they are handling meals. If you don’t like their plans, you may want to switch to a different provider or plan a trip with a shorter, easier flight.
And no matter your destination, do your research to make sure you can enjoy your time when you land. If there are certain sites you have your heart set on seeing, make sure they will be open! Purchase tickets and make restaurant reservations in advance as well. A lot of places will be reducing capacity and taking measures to ensure social distancing, so you don’t want to miss out.
While a face mask may not be required to fly or enter certain establishments, I recommend packing a few and wearing them. A face mask can protect you and those around you from getting sick and it’s still important to remain cautious right now. They can be a little annoying, especially when it’s hot outside, but health and safety are paramount. Keep a few cute patterns and colors in rotation if you are worried about how they look!
How to Find Post Coronavirus Travel Deals
The travel industry is reeling from the months of coronavirus related travel restrictions. That means travel deals will be plentiful! Sign up for travel newsletters and alerts from your favorite airlines and hotel chains. They will be offering everything from deep discounts to bonus points that you can use later. Dollar Flight Club has a special Travel Stimulus Package deal, offering $10,000 in exclusive discounts with 40+ of the best travel & outdoor brands in the world. Sign up on their site before May 31st!
There will also be a lot more flexibility with changes and cancellations, so don’t be afraid to make some reservations now. Just double check the fine print before booking! Booking direct gives you more of an advantage than using a third party booking platform, so consider changing your approach to making reservations. And don’t forget your travel insurance!
Hope these tips help! Just remember to have fun and be safe!
Everything You Need to Know for The Perfect Elopement
I’m officially married! My husband and I had an intimate elopement last week and it was everything I could have dreamed of. The coronavirus is wreaking havoc on weddings this year and we had to cancel the legal ceremony we had planned for months. We are still hoping our destination wedding can go on this summer, but had planned a civil ceremony in NYC for March so we could celebrate with our families at home. However, the coronavirus lockdown in NY made that impossible.
We both were so ready to start our marriage, but knew it wouldn’t be possible to have the wedding we planned for at least a few more months. I know how stressful it is to have your wedding affected by coronavirus and wanted to share my tips for pulling off a last minute coronavirus elopement! These tips aren’t just for the coronavirus brides either. There are a lot of reasons to consider eloping instead of having a traditional wedding and reception. Keep reading for more about our elopement story and everything you need to know to plan a coronavirus wedding!
Pros and Cons of Elopement Weddings
There is a lot to consider when planning an elopement versus a traditional wedding. They may have a bit of a negative context because people used to elope when families didn’t approve of the marriage. However a modern elopement can be glam, fun, and a breeze to plan. The main con to consider is limiting your guest count. By nature, elopements are tiny and intimate. If you have always dreamed of a huge wedding surrounded by friends and family, eloping may not be for you.
However, in my opinion the pros far outweigh the cons! Elopements give you more creative freedom, less restrictions, and less stress related to planning. They are also a fraction of the cost of a wedding so you can save a ton of money. Plus the intimacy factor is unreal. There was something really special about our day being all about us and starting our marriage on our terms.
How to Plan an Elopement
We used Opus Events, a full-service elopement planner in Los Angeles. Their fee included day of coordination, scouting and securing permits for our location, the officiant, an amazing photography team, and personalized decor for our mini-reception. They pulled everything together in about 2 weeks and made the process super simple - all we had to do was approve a few options presented and show up and get hitched. I also considered Cactus Collective when we thought about eloping in Las Vegas. They put together some of the most stylish Las Vegas weddings and elopements I have ever seen!
If you want to save even more money on your wedding, you can totally plan it yourself. Get started by researching state parks and community gardens. Most public parks will grant a permit for a nominal fee. Due to coronavirus, a lot of parks are closed or not issuing permits. So you’ll have to do some extra research to find a space that doesn’t require permits. I’ve seen couples on Instagram getting married on beautiful street corners or in front of a stylish facade! Once you have ideas on a location, you’ll want to find a talented photographer to capture your special day. Instagram is the best way to look for photographers with a strong visual portfolio, and Yelp is great for getting reviews and real customer feedback.
You can also think of ways to make it more personal and special. I really wanted wedding cake for our big day. That meant finding a location that would allow food in and would have space for us to set up. I couldn’t find a bakery because everything has been shut down, so I decided to whip up a classic vanilla cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. I did a simple, semi-naked frosting style and topped it with fresh flowers that matched my bouquet for a charming, rustic feel. I also put together my own bridal bouquet with an assortment of grocery store flowers and blush ribbon I had left over from Christmas gifts. If you are not the DIY type totally fine! You can order a bouquet online, just give it a few extra days since shipping is slower. And you may be able to find a bake shop or at least grocery store cake if you need to have a wedding cake to complete your day. I would never DIY my cake or flowers for a big wedding, but since it was just me and my husband to be, there was less pressure for it to be perfect.
How to Include Friends & Family in Your Elopement
The groom told a few of his friends what we were planning, but I really didn’t tell anyone on my side until it was over! I had been feeling so paranoid about how covid-19 had affected our wedding plans and I didn’t want to jinx anything.
If you are less crazy than I am, there are lots of ways to help include your family or bridal party, even if they can’t physically be there. Set up a Zoom session so people can stream your wedding online, invite a few people if it’s safe to do so, and plan a group party to celebrate afterwards! Depending on your timing, you can do it right after your private ceremony, or even a few months down the road. One of my bridesmaids sent me a “something borrowed” for the ceremony, and we got to video chat with a few friends during our cake cutting. Elopements can be as private as you want them to be, or you can find ways to connect dozens of people you want to be present.
Resources for Brides Affected by Coronavirus
We are living in unprecedented times. No matter how crazy things get, you still deserve to have the bridal experience you’ve dreamed of. Hopefully your planners and venue are being flexible with the situation. Many wedding venues have been forced to close or cancel events, giving them no choice but to work with you to reschedule. The Knot and Wedding Wire teamed up to start a hotline for coronavirus brides and Brides has a detailed guide on postponing your wedding if need be,
And remember, there are thousands of brides in your exact same shoes! Follow wedding related Instagram accounts or Facebook groups to swap stories and resources and look for inspiration.
Hope these tips helped! No matter what, your wedding will happen (eventually) and it will be amazing! Also, make sure you check out the details of my super affordable wedding look below! Not counting the shoes, it was all under $200! My exact top and shoes are sold out, but linking a similar ones below.
Coronavirus Crisis – How to Practice Self-Care in Times of Crisis
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been on edge the past few weeks. The news about the rapidly spreading coronavirus has got me feeling a new level of anxiety that I can’t seem to shake. I’m lucky enough to be in good health and not be immunocompromised, but I’m still freaking out almost every day about what the news will bring. Most of my stress right now revolves around how the coronavirus will affect my wedding, since COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc on any social gatherings. It may seem trivial in the face of a deadly pandemic, but I (and thousands of other brides) have put months, maybe even years of effort into meticulously planning and saving for the big day. I feel like the dream day that was within arm’s reach may just disappear. There will also be a significant economic impact of the coronavirus that honestly scares me more than anything else.
Since I am currently in a place of trying to keep myself sane, I wanted to share a few tips I’m practicing to manage my coronavirus related anxiety. I am in no way an expert, just sharing what I’ve been trying to practice to keep myself in check.
Practice Safety Tips to Reduce Exposure to Coronavirus
According to the CDC there are some basics you should follow to help flatten the curve, or slow the spread of COVID-19. At first I felt overwhelmed and paranoid when faced with all the new info and guidelines. But once you commit them to memory and actively practice the techniques, things become far less anxiety inducing. Think of a great song to sing or hum when washing your hands, break out a few pairs of stylish gloves, and get used to putting distance between yourself and anyone you may encounter.
Stay Productive When Working From Home
A lot of offices have been closing or reducing hours, leaving employees working from home. If you have never had to work remote, trust me, it is not just a free vacation day! My days are packed with conference calls, online presentations, and getting a head start on brainstorming Fall strategies. I’ve also found that staying busy with work related projects keeps me focused so my mind isn’t wandering and falling into a pit of anxiety. I’ll be working from home at least the next 2 weeks and keeping my days as structured as possible helps. I get up at the same time I would if I were commuting in, get dressed and do makeup. It doesn’t matter that no one will really see me – the routine is reassuring and helps me maintain a sense of normalcy. Sometimes I will pick up a coffee from Starbucks, which is part of my daily routine. Other days I will make one at home. Then I settle into my dedicated working space and get busy!
I make it a point to set up a few conference calls each day. Number one, human interaction is nice! Number 2, it keeps me accountable and helps break up the day.
The most important thing to note about working from home is to stay focused on work! Do not use business hours to do random chores or tasks in the house. That takes your head out of a professional mentality. You’ll have plenty of time for personal errands and house work on evenings and weekends since all of your social plans are being cancelled!
Indulge in a Hobby
I’ve seen a lot of stuff trending on Instagram about using your quarantine time to start a business, focus on your side hustle, invest in stocks etc. That is not necessarily bad advice, but I do believe that hustle culture can be toxic and now is not the time for negative energy. You don’t have to pressure yourself to be on your A game right now! It’s ok to focus on your feelings and things that bring you joy. That may be reading a good book, writing in your journal, or practicing a new language. As long as you can get it done while maintaining self-isolation go ahead!
Spend Time with Your Friends
The beauty of modern technology is the freedom and methods of communication we have! You may not be able to go out with your squad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy each other’s company. Set up a virtual girl’s night happy hour on Zoom, start a group chat to keep in touch during the day, and plan an epic trip for later in the year! Staying connected and having something to look forward to is critical in times like this.
Turn Off the News
The 24 hour coronavirus news cycle is enough to make anyone insane. To manage my coronavirus anxiety I’ve starting restricting how much time I spend listening to COVID-19 related news. I get a daily check in for 10 minutes, twice a day. That is all! When the news first broke and started getting aggressive, I was constantly monitoring for updates, refreshing Google News and my Twitter feed every 5 minutes for the latest news. That was giving me major emotional stress and once I started chilling out I instantly felt better. Now is not the time to completely bury your head in the sand, but you do need to monitor what you are exposing yourself to (physically and emotionally!).
And please stop hoarding food and supplies! There won’t be a shortage if everyone only takes what they need. Shop responsibly, be mindful of reducing your waste and wash your damn hands!!!
#LifeOnAPlane! 4 Ways for the Frequent Traveler to Stay Sane
This season has been a whirlwind of travel! I have been home to NY, down to Laguna Beach, across the country to North Carolina, all in a few short weeks. Plus I have trips booked damn near every weekend this month and a few more I need to lock in for January. As much as I’m loving it, all this travel can get completely and utterly exhausting! Since I’m sinking into that life on a plane flow, I’m sharing a few tips I’ve learned for staying sane when you have to travel frequently. Here’s how I stay organized, streamline my packing process and get the most out of my travel experience.
Unpack and Repack Strategically In Between Trips
Normally, I’m terrible at unpacking. Unless I know something is stained or smelly, I tend to I leave a full suitcase in the corner of the room for weeks on end. But since I’ve been traveling so much more frequently this season, I need to be able to pack and repack on the fly! Once I come home from a trip I immediately dump dirty clothes in the laundry bin. Once they are clean, instead of putting the pieces away, I decide if there is anything I want to take on my next trip, and throw it back in the suitcase. That saves me time folding, putting away laundry and taking out new things when it’s time to pack again.
I also like to assess if there is anything still in the suitcase that is clean or unworn that can stay in there. I usually pack extra options for photo shoots when traveling or if I’m not sure what’s on my itinerary. If I already have stuff packed that can work with my next destination, it stays put. I also keep a clear zip top toiletry case packed at all times with all of my beauty essentials. If I remember something I just used is running on empty I swap it out for a replacement or refill the bottle. The only liquids I need to pack last minute vary based on how I plan on styling my hair during the trip. If my hair is curly, twist out cream and gel are must-haves, but. If it’s a straight style a dry oil will hold me over a few days.
Use Loyalty Programs for the Best Travel Experience
If you aren’t taking advantage of travel related loyalty programs you are seriously missing out! I swear by American Express, having both a personal card, and a Delta SkyMiles card for travel and business expenses. The annual fees more than pay for themselves in the perks, like earning points for free or discounted travel, a complimentary companion ticket so a friend can fly with me for free, and more opportunities for upgrades. Even if you don’t have or can’t get a rewards credit card, most hotels and airlines have their own loyalty programs you can join for free. Perks vary, but some include basics like free wifi, waived resort fees, to room upgrades when available.
Thanks to all my use of my Delta SkyMiles card, and choosing to fly Delta on the majority of my trips this year, I am like 1 flight away from securing coveted Medallion Status. I’ve been a frequent travel for years, but this is the first time I really focused my travel with one airline, instead of just booking the cheapest flight. Of course I compare prices and sometimes your preferred carrier will be way more expensive than other options, so you’ve gotta respect your budget when it comes down to it. However try starting your search with your preferred airline or travel booking site to make sure you don’t miss out.
Also, be sure to read the fine print! I had stayed at several hotels in the IHG family and thought I was earning points on those stays. Turns out you can’t earn points if you book on a third party site, like Hotels.com or Travelocity! In order for your stay to qualify for points, you have to book directly through the hotel or on the IHG site!
Stretch Before and After Every Flight
Trust me, your body will thank you! Even if you are young and healthy, frequent flights and being crammed into a tiny uncomfortable chair can start to wreak havoc on your joints and muscles. Stretching is a huge part of my fitness routine, so it comes naturally for me, but make a point to spend a few minutes stretching before and after a flight. If you can squeeze in some stretches while on board even better! Listen to your body and focus your stretches on where you tend to get achy or tense. I do a lot of hip openers and hamstring stresses since that is where I get the most sore, but do what works for you.
Clear Your Schedule Between Trips
The fastest way to burn yourself out is to travel every week and make social plans for nights out in between. You will need downtime in between for R&R, and normal adult things like laundry and cleaning. It sucks to have to go MIA for a bit, but think about taking care of yourself and what you really need.
Save these tips as we go into the insane holiday travel season, they will definitely come in handy!
My E-Course is Live! How to Make Money as a Microinfluencer!
One of my most popular posts last year was all about how I make money as a microinfluencer. I gave you guys an overview of all my tips for working with brands and getting paid, and I got a ton of follow up questions after that post. I decided to really dive into some of the questions that were asked the most, along with some of the things I thought were super important to know. I’m so happy to announce I finally launched my first ecourse – The Ultimate Guide to Monetizing Your Blog!
This guide is designed for microinfluencers to help you maximize your earning potential and start working with your dream brands. I started working on paid brand collaborations when I had less than 5k followers so I’m spilling the tea on how you can too! I am also writing this not just from my perspective as a blogger, but also from my extensive background as a marketing manager. I have worked with huge brands and small and managed influencer and celebrity campaigns at pretty much any level you can imagine. So I know what I’m talking about when it comes to this stuff, and I’m here to help you with your road map to blogging success!
Here is a chapter by chapter breakdown of what’s you will see in the course!
1. Branding Yourself as an Influencer
This chapter is all about how to position yourself as an influencer, define your niche and the type of content you want to create.
2. How to Grow Your Audience
Here we go into several different approaches to growing your audience across platforms and how to diversify your platforms for maximum impact.
3. Partnering with Agencies vs Brands Directly
In these 2 chapters I explore the differences between working with agencies/influencer networks and brands directly. I also share feedback from decision makers at several of the leading agencies and brands I’ve worked with on how you can succeed as an influencer and nail your campaigns.
4. How to Negotiation an Influencer Contract
The more business you bring in, the more versed you need to be in negotiating the best deal. In this chapter I go over how to interpret an influencer agreement, common terms and what they mean, and tactics to make sure you are getting the best rate.
5. Other Ways to Generate Income
And finally, I go over some ideas and strategies to maximize your earnings through other streams of income, not just sponsored posts with brands.
I’m releasing this just in time for the holiday season, which is when most brands activate influencers for campaigns so it’s the perfect time for you to get started earning those coins! My course is live on Teachable and you can access the Basic Edition for only $20! If you want more personalized support the VIP Edition is yours for $75 which includes the course and a follow up strategy call. In the call I’ll give you the opportunity to address any pending questions or areas you need more support with to get started.
Check it out on Teachable if you are ready to get started!
5 Annoying Things That Happen When You Get Engaged
So I recently announced our engagement and couldn’t be happier! I am in the midst of planning the wedding of my dreams with the man of my dreams and pretty much feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. But I can’t help but notice a few annoying patterns of behavior that have come up since we really got into the planning process. I know I’m not the only bride to be that has dealt with her fair share of drama, judgement and guilt, so read on for 5 of the most annoying things that I’ve encountered in the planning process and how to handle them!
People Suddenly Get Nicer When You are Introduced as Fiancee
Obviously, people are happy and congratulatory when they find out you just got engaged. That is totally normal and welcome! However, I did notice that people were generally just nicer to me when he introduced me as his fiancée vs his girlfriend. I kind of thought it was in my head the first few weeks, but I happened to find several articles and YouTube videos from other women, particularly black women, discussing this phenomenon. It’s almost as if your relationship has suddenly been legitimized by a piece of jewelry. This is just one of those things you have to grin and bear. No one means any harm and you can’t call anyone out for being nice and happy without looking crazy.
The Sudden Increase in Pregnancy Related Questions
Once there’s a ring on it, interest turns very quickly from your wedding to your future reproductive plans! Again, most people mean well and are generally very excited for you, but I find questions or comments about when I’m having a baby inappropriate and offensive. I generally try to be aware of how difficult having a child can be for many couples, so I avoid bringing it up, but most people don’t think that way. You never know if the couple wants kids, is struggling with infertility, has suffered miscarriages or anything of the sort, and putting someone on the spot in that way can be very difficult and emotional for them. And on another note, if you happen to be in an interracial relationship, get ready for all the commentary on how cute your future baby will be. It’s annoying, gross, rooted in anti-blackness but unfortunately way too common. Depending on who is asking and how invasive or persistent they are, I will either ignore the commentary/questions or flat out tell them to stay out of my uterus. Putting it in clinical terms is pretty effective at getting people to shut up and change the subject.
The Reaction to Name-Changing or Not
People started asking me what my new name was going to be pretty much as soon as our engagement became public. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to change it, hyphenate, or just stay plain old Kelly and I am not rushing to decide. However, even in 2019 people still think that’s a very strange decision to make. I have been told I have to take his name or at least hyphenate, and had others actually question my commitment because I am attached to my own identity. Plus, back to my above point about nosy people in my uterus, there is plenty of concern about how confusing it will be for my future kids. This decision is a personal one that no one can make but you, so you need to do what you think is best and feel most comfortable with. The rest can fall into place!
The Judgement Over Your Wedding Plans
People will think they have a right to weigh in on anything when it comes to your wedding. From where it is, to what date, to how much you are spending to who is invited, get ready for the floodgates to open! My fiancé and I are doing an international destination wedding and the reactions are pretty extreme. People are either super excited about the travel or disappointed we didn’t do something locally. Guest list decisions can also be tough! Weddings can be outlandishly expensive and the single biggest cost driver behind them is the guest list. The more people that attend, the more your costs increase at every level, from food to rentals to staff. If you can’t afford or don’t want a huge affair, you will have to be ruthless about headcount and deal with the backlash. And trust me, there will be very loud and clear backlash! Try to take it in stride and stay positive, and remember – the thing that matters most is your marriage not the wedding plans!
The Bridal Party Politics
This has been another sticky issue for me, and I know I’m not alone. We’ve had so many debates about whether or not to even have a bridal party, how big they should be, and if they have to be even. We decided to keep it pretty tiny for several reasons, and that has definitely caused some tension. Every bride I’ve ever met has gone through the same thing, so I know I’m in good company. It’s just one of those things where you can’t make everyone happy. Plus it’s also tradition that you include a close female relative of the groom, or vice versa, to represent families coming together. The factors I considered were my current relationships with each person, how I thought the group dynamics would play out, and what might be going on in my friends lives at the time (financial challenges, starting a family, planning a wedding of their own etc). While it is an honor to be in someone’s wedding, it is also an obligation that includes time, money, and vacation days. I tried to consider factors that would have made it harder for some to effectively participate in the wedding and also who had things going on in their lives that I did not want to distract from. Unfortunately, several people had already made assumptions that they would be bridesmaids and were flying with the bridal party plans before I had even made up my mind. Others didn’t like my thought process behind how I put my bridal party together or thought I should have extended invitations anyway, to be nice. Doing things for the sake of being nice will always add up to be a losing game, so stick to your guns and do what is best for you and your fiancé. It will be hard because you know that you may end up disappointing some of your close friends, but this is not a situation where you can make everyone happy.
There will be many more annoyances you encounter on the wedding planning journey so keep your head up and remember the thing that matters the most - marrying the love of your life! Nothing tops that so remember the end game when people start to work your last damn nerve!