Blogger Insight: How We Collab With Fellow Bloggers

 
   
Throughout your blogging career, I definitely believe it's important to 

collab with fellow bloggers and form what many call your "blogging tribe".  I've done this many times and always had fun doing so and it's a great exposure strategy as you're exposing yourself to another audience you might not have a chance to.

Here at Mind of a Fashionista, soon to be Just Bloggers, we have many opportunities that we offer our fellow bloggers because we just love working with them, point blank.

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Ak Brown (@akjapbae) on Nov 13, 2015 at 6:08pm PST

One way, which is actually something we've never done before is a photo challenge.  Each day of the month for December, we urge all of followers on Instagram to post a different picture.  For example on December 5th post a work selfie, or Christmas Eve post a Christmas Tree selfie, something fun, doable, and doesn't limit anyone because of their "niche".  The deadline to sign up is TOMORROW so if you're interested just fill out the form below and you're in!

Another way we bring fellow bloggers into our world is through Pinterest.

   Visit Just Bloggers: No Explanation's profile on Pinterest.
We have many different boards on Pinterest from fashion/style to blogging tips and tricks and we allow our fellow bloggers to become pinners on those boards!  Probably the easiest way of collaboration in my eyes.  If you're interested, fill out this form below:
  Something we've been doing for a while, and that a lot of people have taken interest to is bringing on contributors to our site.  Now you're going to hear a lot of people say you shouldn't allow people to post published work on your site because of Google rankings, and in turn their right to a certain point.  Allowing contributors or guest posts on your site is ok because you have the source from the author right there.  By knowing how to direct the post and use tools such as "no follow" both your ranking and the author's ranking will be just fine.  And this allows different content on your blog you might not have thought of and for that author to be expose to a different audience.  If interested please fill out this form below. since we are moving towards a nicheless blog we are open to really any and all topics:
Last but not least, and what I am really excited about is our blogger workshop series Divergent Place.  We have created a workshop series and eventual blogging conference that is geared towards being an all inclusive space where those of like minds can create, inspire, and thrive from each other...a diverse creative space.  These workshops are open to ANY AND ALL bloggers from ANY NICHE.  They are also open to creative writers who are on the fence of becoming a blogger.  We hope we can be that outlet that helps you decide your blogging fate!  The first workshop entitled "Now Why Are You Here?" will explore the reasons why we as bloggers decided to get into this field and how we eventually want our blogs to grow with helpful tips and tricks to do so!  If you would like more information on Divergent Place, fill out this form here:


We also offer ad space and other promotional services for our fellow bloggers and are open to new and fun ideas for collaborations!  If you have something in mind definitely reach out to us at mindofafashionista@hotmail.com!

Rants & Raves: The Corruption of Black Friday

I don't even think you can call it Black Friday anymore.  Considering that most retailers are starting sales at 3pm on Thanksgiving, the name Black Friday is sort of redundant at this point.  Nonetheless, I've never really got the point of Black Friday until I entered into the fashion industry and even then, the concept pissed me off even more.  First and foremost, the majority of these "deals" you think you're getting on Black Friday, you could get any time of the year if you knew how to shop the right way.  A lot of those products will go on sale again next month as they are the oldest models in their line, and the newest products will be introduced come next year, even as soon as January.  Especially for clothes and shoes, new season means season mark downs to make room for new inventory that's coming in.

Second, out of the thousands of dollars that's made in these Black Friday sales, not even a quarter of that is seen or given back to the employees in the form of their paycheck or benefits.  Time and a half and/or holiday pay does not add up or amount to the bottom line and profit that's made.  That's 50% of the reason why I refuse to work retail ever again.  I know the TRUE business side of the industry and I understand that the employees are ultimately getting fucked over.

Third, most importantly, and most disturbing, is that I should not have to fear for my life or pack like I'm going on a damn camping trip just to go Black Friday shopping.  WHY ARE YALL FIGHTING OVER TV'S AND VEGETABLE STEAMERS? Like it really makes me look at some of yall like "these mfs must not have shit nice for them to be acting like this".  I seriously considered buying a TV and quickly changed my mind.  It's not worth it.  As you can see in the video below, little kids aren't even safe anymore.

Moral of the story is....Black Friday is not what it used to be, and is tainting what the Thanksgiving holiday should be about, friends, family, and good food.

If you do choose to participate in Black Friday, there are a lot of retailers that have the same deals online as they do in store, and I personally suggest only buying from places you wouldn't normally shop at on everyday occasions.  What I mean is, if you really like a store but you limit your spending because it's too expensive, use Black Friday as the time to stock up on goodies that will hold you over till the next big sale.  I just scored a shit ton at Sephora including samples for only $25 (post coming soon).

All I'm saying is, do not let materialistic thoughts turn you into a crazy person.  Whether you believe it or not, you'll live without that TV.

Thoughts?

Rants & Raves: Kendrick Lamar & J Cole Bless Us This Black Friday

Y'all know Kendrick Lamar is my huband right?  Yes, Mrs. Duckworth over here.  But forreal, probably the most exciting news to happen on Black Friday and more so the "gift" worth having on Black Friday was both Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole both dropping "Black Friday", in more efforts to tease all of us worthy fans of the collaboration between the two.  Haven't listened yet, but as soon as I hit publish, I will be!  

Black Friday. gift from @kendricklamar https://t.co/fE5wgBosWO

— J. Cole (@JColeNC) November 27, 2015

Black Friday. gift from @JColeNC https://t.co/Vte415SuWP

— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) November 27, 2015

Love & Relationships: Baby Momma Diaries-Girlfriends Never Win

No matter how hard I try to identify with everything but this term, I'm a "babymomma".  It is what it is.  And with being a babymomma, a whole lot of bullshit tends to come your way, it's just given.  Bullshit for me comes in the form of females who think that they have my place, or are on the level that I am, and you have to play the typical role of a babymomma and raise hell for people to know you're ultimately the boss.  Yep I said it.

Long story short, I'm not with my daughter's father and I don't plan to be.  I haven't been with him since the day I found out I was pregnant.  Let's just say that night consisted of a party, yelling at 2am while Diamond tried to calm me down, and boom, my fears of being pregnant were true (told you Diamond).  Anyway, the woman who my daughter's father had been unfaithful with me to, he had decided to have a relationship with well into last year.  Again, I do not want this man, but there are many red flags and concerns that many conscious sane mothers would have problems with as well no matter if this was your man or not.  And I just need all of my "girlfriends" to understand where us mothers are coming from before you get your ass whooped.

Coming from a home where my mother always made it a priority to have a civil, respectable relationship with my step mother or my step sister's mother, I was expecting the same from this woman.  If you have plans on being around my child, I need to know who the fuck you are.  Point blank.  And I would think any respectable woman would want that to avoid conflict at all cost, meet with me, and get an understanding of what we all want and what is best for my child.

In my eyes, girlfriends who don't have children of their own never win, because they try to be on the same level as mothers and in reality that will never happen.  Anything I need, at any time day or not, he is prompted to come if it concerns my child, and for people who don't have children, especially women, you wouldn't understand that.  We (as women) are already needy ass creatures and emotionally unstable as it is. So throw in a situation with a "babymomma" and a child that aint' yours and you gone be going through an emotional roller coaster.  Do not argue with me, because I've been there and done that before I had my mini me.

Single ladies, whoever you are, if you do end up in this kind of situation, take it from me who just had to let this idiot know whats up, know your damn place.  You want to be with him? Fine, have a conversation with the mother, it's called RESPECT! If you're not sure if you can or cannot do something for or with the child until that mutual understanding is met, ASK...IT'S CALLED RESPECT!  It's not because we want him, want this stupid idea of our family back, or don't want you two to be together, it's called we are MOTHERS!  We worry about everything from the rock on the ground that could hurt our babies to the juice they drink that could poison our babies.  We need to make sure we are comfortable with whoever our child is around, that's it.  And until you become a parent, more so a mother, you wouldn't understand.  So once again, just avoid an ass whooping and have some respect.

Rants & Raves: #thanksgivingwithblackfamilies

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  Facebook has been cracking me up for the past 24 hours with what is called the #thanksgivingwithblackfamilies memes.  These memes are funny as hell but more so TRUE FOR EVERY BLACK FAMILY!  I'm sitting here crying, tears coming down my face at work because of how true all of these memes are, it's ridiculous.  So please enjoy our personal favorites of the #thanksgivingwithblackfamilies memes, you'll be sure to get a great laugh for today!