Reveal Your Best Self

Happy Friday everybody! I don't know where you guys are but today is GORGEOUS in New Jersey. I am currently getting ready to go to the beach for the first time this summer and I couldn't be more excited. What pops into your head when you think of the summer? One of the first things that comes to mind for me personally is how the weather transforms everyone's attitudes for the better. Everyone seems so much happier when the sun is out, and when you can actually wear what you want to wear without being covered in layers, am I right?

I have been looking forward to summer for what seems like forever, and now that it's finally here I am taking full advantage of my time. Last summer I was very self conscious and didn't even want to be seen in a bathing suit. This summer, I am revealing the new healthy me! For a whole year I worked very hard to become healthier, eat clean and more importantly work out. I went from never working out, to being in the gym 4-5 days a week. I feel so proud of how far I have come, and it makes me even more excited to enjoy my summer days.

I am also excited to be doing some traveling overseas in a few weeks, so this summer is definitely going to be one of my best yet. Part of revealing 'my best self' means using products that I really stand by and trust. I think confidence aligns with how we treat and present ourselves. That's where Nair Moroccan Argan Oil Rinseable Wax comes in. This wax is perfect for any unwanted hair, not to mention the Argan Oil and Orange Blossom leaves your skin feeling silky smooth (and smelling amazing!) No razor burn, no fuss, and it's extremely easy to use. Also, results last for up to 8 weeks!  I think that feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin is extremely important all year round, but most importantly in the summer and Nair is helping me feel more confident and comfortable in my suit this year.

This year has changed my life for the better, and I can't wait to see how much I continue to grow. How are you revealing your best self this summer?

Nair Like Never Before

Compensation was provided by the makers of NAIR™ via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of NAIR™

Gearing Up For Summer With Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee // Closet Refresh

I don't know about you guys, but when the seasons shift the first thing I do, is rearrange and refresh my closet. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW! Being in a new apartment all to myself means having a lot more space for my items, and being able to organize in my own way. Since I live in a house that's a little bit older, I actually lacked a lot of closet space. Luckily for me, I had a closet built that fits all my clothes, and my purses/shoes too!

As you can see, I have a lot of clothes. Some things from the colder seasons carry over into the spring and summer months, but for the most part I try to stay consistent with each season. I keep the sweaters and long pants for the fall, and the shorts, rompers and dresses for spring and summer.

This winter was a cold one, so I had to really put away so many items I hopefully won't be seeing for a long time. What I really wanted to focus on this summer is bringing out more patterns, colors and styles. After a rough winter of layering, and lack of color (and so much snow) all I was hoping for was sunny skies, a warm breeze and colorful clothes to wear every day. Here are some patterns and colors I am loving this season, and can't wait to wear out this summer. Which is your favorite?

Since this cold to warm transition has happened so quickly, I didn't have much time to prepare for all of this change around here. I definitely have been extremely busy, and one of the things that's keeping me going is caffeine. And by caffeine, I am of course talking about Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee. If any of you actually know me in real life, you'll know that I drink iced coffee all year round, so being able to just grab it out of my fridge when I'm tackling a big project like switching my closets around- IS HUGE. I need the convenience of being able to impulsively start and finish my projects whenever I get the chance, so this iced coffee definitely does the trick. It especially comes in handy when you're having that midday slump and you need a little pick me up. My favorite flavor is the caramel iced coffee, but I also really love the vanilla flavor. They also offer a low calorie coffee and milk option which is great for those of you who are concerned with calorie counting.

Bottled Starbucks Iced Coffee beverages are the perfect blend of premium Starbucks coffee and 2 percent milk. Available in four delicious offerings: Coffee + Milk, Low Calorie Coffee + Milk, Vanilla, and Caramel, Starbucks Iced Coffee ready-to-drink beverages are the perfect on-the-go refreshment to get you through the daily commute, big projects such as spring cleaning, or an exciting road trip with friends. Look for it at major grocery and convenience stores, available nationwide.

Compensation was provided by Starbucks Coffee Company via Mode Media. 
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Starbucks Coffee Company.

Five Ways To Connect With Other Bloggers

So one of the most common question bloggers get is how to make connections, how to network, and more importantly, how to grow their readership. The funny thing is we all start at the same place. No one begins this journey with 6,000 followers or even 1,000 for that matter. The most important thing I have learned is to be open to new collaborations, and be friendly and outgoing! I decided to make a list of five ways that have personally helped me connect and become more involved in the blog world. Let me know if you have any personal tips of your own, I would love to hear them! 

Attending Conferences: This has been a huge one for me. I can't stress enough how much networking I have done at conferences like TXSC, and IFB. I had a great time at both, and really learned a lot which is the most important part of it. You make new friends, and then you have some newly found information which will hopefully bring you to the next step, if you use it properly. Just like you would learn more at any job, it's the same with blogging. The internet is ever changing and always improving, so you have to be able to keep up with what's going on! These don't have to be big expensive conferences either, a lot of bloggers host things locally, and stores also host blogger nights so look into it, and see what suits you best.

Collaborate With Other Bloggers: This is also so important! I have seen so many bloggers collaborate throughout the few years I have been doing it, and it's always a success. What's better than combining readerships and doing something you love? The great thing about collaborations is that you can bounce ideas off of each other, and possibly learn a thing or two in the process. Here's an example of a collaboration Much Love Illy and I did for Blowfish a few years ago. And here's another set of posts I worked on for a series called "In Bloom." You can really do anything you want, and working together is always fun.

Sponsoring/Reviews: A great way to be noticed is by sponsoring one of your favorite blogs. If you love this person's work, and you are a huge fan of what they do, then why not attract the same kind of readership for your own blog? It's pretty easy, and most bloggers love working with others, so it's a win- win. Again you can find someone who is affordable for you, and someone who you'd love to be promoted by. Bloggers also usually do reviews for products, so if you happen to sell something, they can review it, or wear it and thus increasing clicks over to your blog. Putting in some money isn't a bad thing, especially when you're very serious about your blog/company. There's a reason most companies started working with bloggers, it's because we're great at advertising products and promoting! If you make a few friends, you may even be able to swap buttons with them!

Guest Posts: Guest posts are a great way to get your name out there. A lot of bloggers take trips or vacations, and sometimes they need guest posts to fill up the posts during that time. One recent example I can think of is Tieka from selective potential, who is taking a week off in August and put a call out for anyone to submit their work. I think this is a great idea, and it's awesome to be able to share recipes/outfits/DIY projects with someone's readers. Most bloggers offer guest posts with their sponsorship as well, so if you get an AD spot, make sure you ask if you can provide a guest post for the month! 

Leaving Comments:  This is definitely my favorite one of the bunch. Commenting is so important, and most people just look right past it. It's a great way to bond with other people, and show them that you're taking the time to read what they're putting out there. It's also the perfect chance to get others to take a look at your blog. It's also a great way to keep readers, it's important to keep engaging and stay afloat of what's going on.

Hope you enjoyed my tips! xo Have a good weekend!