{Top: c/o Sheinside, Denim: Levi’s, Shoes: BCBG, Tote: Mimi Boutique (similar), Necklace: c/o LYLIF, Monogram Necklace: (similar), Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta (via TJMaxx)}
I went in for a simple and quick eyebrow threading appt, and left with Zooey Deschanel inspired bangs (you always envision it much better than it actually turns out, huh?) and a short haircut. I am still getting used to the new look. Husband thoroughly approves, so I guess I will keep it for a while;)
By the way, threading for the first time is a painful experience. I got light headed and almost fainted…no joke. And I am supposed to have a high pain tolerance?! At least the result is great! I’m telling you the menfolk have it easy. (Although there was a pretty manly dude getting his eyebrows waxed next to me?? I don’t know, you tell me!)
How was your weekend friends? Will share more about what we did later this week! Happy Monday:)
The True Beauty Files
A lookbook for the modern modeste.
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
I have mentioned from time to time about the inspiration magazine I design, called Radiant (more about it here). The fall issue launched this week, and I have to say its my favorite cover yet. The cover was shot by Sheila Sheridan Photography in hot weather! Hats off to the models, huh?!
The fashion spread features fresh color pieces to add to your fall wardrobe (in the issue’s color scheme of course;)). We have had a tremendous response since the tv interview, and both Rose and I feel so blessed to be doing what we love for a greater purpose. (The magazine is a Catholic magazine for young girls ages high school, college, and post college that takes current events, moral issues, and stories and makes them reachable to the targeted age.) You can see the full issue here.
I am still not quite ready for Fall, but I admit this post got me kind of excited for fall wear.
Lastly, I am cleaning out my closet!I just started a Copious account and selling a bunch of my like new clothes. All just too small or too big for me but in excellent condition:) Will be listing more throughout the weekend! You can check them out here.
As promised, I am following up on the last Blog Boosters post, with tips on how to nail your niche! *Please note, this is for bloggers who want to grow their blog as a business they enjoy. If you blog strictly for personal reasons, these tips should not apply;) These posts are based off of what I have observed and experienced as a blogger, and also based off of the questions I have received from readers!
Whether you like it or not, readers who visit your blog are going to immediately categorize your blog by the previous 5 posts displayed. Its just the way our minds work. Think of it like walking by a storefront and concluding based off of what is displayed, what the store contains. Thus, its important to ask yourself what you would like visitors to take away from their first visit of your blog. I obviously am not strictly one topic or another, but I did finally manage to narrow down the topics by what I was passionate about, what interested me, and also what was connecting with readers.
At some point, its important to think and re-think through these questions: 1) What do I love to write, photograph, document, and create most? 2) What are my strong points and what steps should I take to develop them further? 3) Who is my target audience? What do they respond best to?
For Example – If I were to introduce IHOD to a someone, I would introduce it as a Fashion (Lookbook, DIY, and Style posts) and Lifestyle (photography, real chat, family posts) blog. It took me a while to really narrow down all my interests and things I wanted to share. I have had some series that I thought would be long runners that only got a few posts, while others started as an occasional here and there that became main attractions. For instance, I shared a few From My Kitchen posts which were very fun to do and had a great response. However, I don’t have a passion for cooking and there was a lot of time involved to create the posts, so I couldn’t stick with that series. DIY’s on the other hand is something that was already worked into my life. I am always looking to re-work my wardrobe, I have craft stock from my accessory business, and I love to create. It came naturally, and they have become my #1 source of traffic here on the blog. This is why it has been easier for me to make the DIY series a regular part of my weekly posting.
Can’t Decide? Take a Poll and Ask your Readers – If you don’t think you can quite narrow down your topics and niche, ask a few close friends what they look forward to on your blog. Create a poll for your sidebar for readers to vote what they want to see more of. You could also conduct a vote through your facebook page.
Practically Speaking Use your analytics! What is gaining the most traffic? What is getting more interaction from readers? If the content is interesting, readers will engage or share! There are great sites and resources available to help you figure this out. Blogger – Blogger now has blogger stats which helps you determine pageviews per post and top traffic sources. Google Analytics – I use google analytics for a more specific breakdown of information. Its free to use, and helps to know where your major traffic sources are coming from, what countries are visiting, how many unique visitors versus regular visitors, etc. HooteSuite- This site has multiple benefits to help you manage your social media platforms, as well as measure the reach of your links. Its free to use with a very user friendly interface. You can create your links here as well as attach images. The shortened url you create will then save the link to your dashboard to analyze the reach later. Facebook Fan Page Statistics – If you have a blog or website, a fan page is important to set up to help you get to know your audience on a more engaged level and understand your reach. That is why its a better option over a standard facebook profile or group page. Fan pages now have fantastic statistics information that you can access through the top of your page which measures the interaction of your links, the number of active users, your fans ages, and even what states and countries are visiting most. This has really helped me understand my target audience on a better level. Bitly – Its another way to shorten, save, and organize all of the links you are sharing as well as view stats on their reach. Free to sign up.
What sites do you love to help you keep track of things?
Once you feel you have found your niche, run with it. Think of the angle that will challenge you to do something bigger, and that is something unforgettable to your readers.Believe me, there are days where it is much easier for me to share a pretty photo than to create unique content, but mediocrity won’t grow your blog naturally, it will most likely cease to grow. For example, I look forward to series such as Emmadime’s Top Notch Type, You Are My Fave’s Themes in a Box, Bri Emery’s Style series, House of Earnest’s Handmade posts, and the list goes on!
I hope this helps you find your way in the blogosphere! I will be sharing more tips on branding, sponsorship, and more soon! Stay tuned:)
Its no secret that Gabe and I love good grub, so our last two dates were to test out some local spots. We share a mutual obsession with guacamole. The best we ever had was on our honeymoon in Cabo where they had giant plates full for $5.00. Since being back in Atlanta, we have been testing guacamole at various Mexican restaurants to find the best guac. We still have a few places to check out, but Tin Lizzy’s is on the top of our list so far. Served in a tin with seasoned crispy chips, their guacamole had just the right kick…..killer. Not to mention the rest of the food served was pretty fantastic. This is a well known popular place to go in the Buckhead/Atlanta area, so there is always a wait. Gabe and I managed to get beautiful weather and minimal wait for back patio seating on a Saturday night. A miracle.
(The one blurry photo we got together- notice a difference on Gabe from the last dates? 😉
Our next goal was to try out a local hole in the wall that was rumored to have amazing gyros. Well folks, lets just say I was not ashamed of the sauce dribbling down my chin as I gobbled the thing down in 5. Amazingness. You would never know by looking at this joint (which is practically hidden next to a Shell gas station) that it was a pretty nice pace inside with friendly Greek waitors and the best darn gyro you can probably get in the south.
I tell you its the local mom and pop places that turn out to be the best!
One of the reasons I have loved blogging, is connecting with women like Jessica. Just from the emails we have exchanged I feel like I have met a true gem of a gem. She is on fire and ready to spin off a chain of positive actions for people in need. She exemplifies my favorite motto, “Do small things with great love.” (Mother Teresa) Jessica is a stay at home mom who decided to use her passion for helping others by starting Create for Hope. Please take a moment of your day to read the full post and consider helping! It just takes a few willing hands to make a big difference right? As Jessica said, “It is time to act, to inspire, to lift, and create, in order to instill a little hope in those that need it most.”
You can read the full story of how Jessica started Create for hope here. Using a little creativity for the good of others, here is how you can help…
The first organization Create for Hope is helping:Sylvia’s Children,which was created in 2003 after Sylvia went on a humanitarian trip to Uganda. While she was there, she was asked by the head of the Mbiriizi Primary School, to be the school’s Grandmother. With 1,000 children in the school, (of which 250 are orphans due to the AIDS crisis), she was honored to accept the responsibility. Out of this Sylvia’s Children was born, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of her ‘grandchildren’; to give the children a fighting chance – through education. Their goal is to make the school totally self-sustaining so they can take this model and apply it elsewhere. They’ve built: a boys dormitory, an addition to girls dormitory, a well for fresh water, three new double classroom blocks, a new library, a building for corn milling, a playground in memory of Kasozi Moses Ten unit, teacher’s housing, and a sewing business. To see more photos, and read the full story, visit the blog.
The Goal: Create and send 1050 drawstring backpacks for the students of the organization. This only takes beginner sewing skills! Easy instructions and downloadable file here.Backpacks for all these beautiful smiles!(I remember how proud I was of my first backpack:)) If you don’t think you can make a backpack, at least consider sharing Create for Hope on Facebook, Twitter, or Blog post. Email or call a friend and rally some able hands. Have a movie party with the supplies there to work while you watch! Action will affect these lives much more than our words ever will:)
Check out Jessica’s brand new venture, Create for Hope! :
Remember how you all helped me vote on which Hatch Collection dress to get on the fan page?? Well this one tied for most votes. I think everyone knew how much I love stripes. I can’t imagine why?? 😉 Its so comfortable I want to sleep in it! I wore it out on our date this weekend. (More on that later.)
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Anyone else a little depressed the Olympics is over?! It was an incredible year for the games….Although I can’t say the Closing ceremony was all that grand. Agree or disagree? At least the Spice Girls made a cameo and rocked it! (I shamelessly admit I got giddy excited about that one.)
Wishing you a great start to your week!
The True Beauty Files
A lookbook for the modern modeste.
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
I would love to start sharing with you all more ways I go about finding the look for less! And I mean as close to the look as you can get;) Hence, For a Fraction series. I fell in love with this look on J.Crew this week, so I rounded up some amazing steals for you to get the look for a fraction of the cost.
So what do you think? Am I getting close enough to the look for you? Will be hunting for some more great looks For a Fraction to share:) Have a fantastic summer weekend ahead!
