Hey guys! So we decided to try our hand at reaction videos because damn it we have a lot to say about the bafoonery we see, so hey we did it!
Check out our first one and make sure to subscribe to our channel for more reaction videos to come!
Makeup: Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Holographic Palette First Thoughts!
Yall! I found my new bae! And no, I don't mean a man, I mean my new holographic palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills. I wasn't even looking for this palette. just so happened to have found it on Facebook along with some other holographic goodies and as soon as I got it in I instantly fell in love.
6 beautiful shades that are actually holographic, smooth, and not chalky in their formula. I've seen and even tried a few holographic products but I haven't found a company who has been able to successfully achieve the true holographic element needed to create the desired look until I found this palette.
Check out our YouTube video with our complete review and swatches of this bomb holographic palette!
Blogger Insight: Why Every Blogger Needs a Video Business Card for 2017 + Free Prinable!!
As a blogger, you are always looking for ways that helps set you apart from your competition. Sitting at the GoBlogSocial conference last year, one of the speakers had mentioned "video business cards". I immediately wrote it down on my to do list because it was a great idea to help market myself but I never gave it a second thought after that day...
Until two weeks ago.
I ran out of business cards. The only ones I had were old and ugly which posed a problem because I had/have upcoming events I'm expected to be at. More importantly I am in the process of redesigning our logo which takes time and effort, so I didn't want to waste money on ordering business cards when we'll need more with our new logo. So what did I do? I revisited the helpful tip from the blog conference, put on a nice shirt, slapped some makeup on, and made my first video business card and I absolutely regret not doing it sooner.
Video business cards are an ingenious tool. As a blogger, you are already in the business of digital media, so having a video business card is something that can be included in that category. Some may say that's a crazy idea, but here's why video business cards may be the future of networking:
YOU WILL NEVER FORGET IT
The problem I have with physical business cards is... I always forget them. Even if I make a note to not forget them, I forget them. When I have an event to go to I'm usually switching purses, making sure my outfit coordinates, I don't smell musty, you know, so business cards sometimes are skipped in that equation. What I have found is with networking, most people are now leaning more towards exchanging phone numbers and social media accounts as opposed to business cards. So, when conversing with people who may ask for your business card let them know you have a virtual one and you would be happy to send them a link in their email or even through text if they are comfortable. Most of the times they are so impressed and intrigued that you have a video business card that they want you to play it right there and then. So make sure you have it saved on your phone and let them see who you are!
PUTS A VOICE AND A FACE TO YOUR BRAND
With physical cards you only see what the brand could possibly be by making educated guesses from the font and color scheme. With a video business card, they can actually put a name, face, voice, and personality to your brand which makes the whole experience more personable.
PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO THROW AWAY A VIDEO BUSINESS CARD
Let's face it, business cards are probably more so thrown away or lost as opposed to ever being used. The last time I actually went looking for a business card was last year. As I stated before, more people are leaning towards staying connected virtually, it's less of a hassle.
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How do you make a video business card? It's simple really. All you need to do is capture who you are, what your blog/brand is about, a few stats, offer the opportunity for partnership, and end with a nice closing. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
*keep your video under 2 minutes*
*mention who you are/what you do for the blog and brand, and a few powerful sentences that describe your blog/brand*
*use this time to show off, mention past collaborations, where you've been featured, awards won, etc*
*at the end put your contact information, social media handles, and where one could find your media kit if they were interested (ex. all media inquiries including media kit requests please email .... or visit ...) similar to a YouTube ending card*
And once your video business card is completed, there are a number of ways to implement and use this tool to your advantage, including:
*sending along with your media kit when inquiring about partnership opportunities*
*use instead of a physical business card when networking (as mentioned above)*
*hyperlink from your resume or email signature*
With everything that I've said please note this, this shouldn't necessarily be a replacement for physical business cards, because those still do serve a purpose, and there will be people who you encounter who just are set on having a physical card they can touch, feel, and read. What I am suggesting is to simply have an alternative given the technologically driven society we live in and the industry we are apart of. It never hurts to be over prepared than to be under prepared!
As a special treat, we have a new printable! This printable is our Video Business Card Checklist, an easy list of everything to include in your business card in order to do what it should do, bring in those new clients!
Available now in our FREE blog resource center! We're also offering editing services for video business cards! All you need to do is shoot the video and we'll take care of the rest, if you're in St. Louis we can shoot it for you too! Email us at justbloggers@outlook.com for more info!
The Adventures of AK & Aubrey: Maybe Legoland for Your Birthday?
So in my last parenting post, I mentioned that my baby girl was turning 5 this past December. Because her birthday is not only in the winter season but too close to Christmas (2 days before) I wanted to do something different and out of the box for her birthday. For the life of me, I couldn't think of anything. I thought of doing a spa party but she just started a new school and didn't have that many friends. Thought of a costume party but we did that last year with her Frozen themed party, so what in the heck was I going to do for my babygirl's 5th birthday?!
And then...it hit me! Legoland! My daughter has been playing with legos ever since she could comprehend what a lego, let alone a block was. My brother even gave her all of his legos (tens of thousand of pieces) and all she does is sit in her room thinking of things to build. A jail cell, a garden, a classroom, a mockup of our apartment, you name it. I've honestly never seen a little girl so obsessed with legos!
So it was decided. We hit the road on her birthday to Legoland. I've never been there and have only been in Kansas City passing through going to other places, so this was an experience for the both of us. When I tell you...I was amazed at not only how big Legoland KC was, but how many interactive activities there were to do. It wasn't the fact that you paid and then ventured off to different random places, you had to hit each room and each room served a purpose.
The first room we were in was Santa's workshop, where we built reindeer and presents and got to see some of the other figures created who served as elves in the workshop such as Pikachu from Pokemon and my favorite, The Minions!
Next, we had to save the princess. If you're familiar with the Scooby Doo ride at Six Flags, then you'll be familiar with this ride too. Going through a tunnel, we had to defeat the villains by shooting them with our guns from our car, I think I had more fun than Aubrey on this part.
After saving the princess, you were let off on the other side where you were free to explore the other attractions and different exhibits such as the movie theater, swing ride, 3D models of notable Kansas City attractions, the inflatable maze, the race car track, the playhouse, the restaurant, the store, and so much more!
All in all, this might have opened up the door to a new tradition, family trips for birthdays. Normal birthday parties are cool and everything, but we're explorers, and birthdays are the perfect reason to get up, get out, and find new things around you to enjoy and have fun with!
Be sure to check out our video recapping our day trip (and subscribe, like, and share as well) and if you'll be in the KC area soon, be sure to check out their promotion for 1 Kids Go Free Ticket per 1 paid adult ticket to Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium!
Until next time!
Lippie Review: Maybelline's Loaded Bold Lippies!
Hey guys! Back with another lippie review (definitely well overdue) and I decided to test out some lippies I've had for quite awhile and should have given you guys the deets months ago. While in Walgreens, doing my usual binge shopping, I came across the Maybelline Loaded Bold lippies, and the name is true to what they are, very bold colors you wouldn't normally see from a drug store brand. What really grabbed me was the pure white color they had, so you know I had to cop them!
Overall I love these lippies, the creamy finish, the fact that they don't stain, and more importantly being able to get these bold colors for the price I paid ($9 at Walgreens).
The only two cons to these lippies that I want to mention are one, these lippies do not work well if you are trying to do an ombre. Because they are so creamy, the other lipstick or liner you choose to make your ombre will be very hard to try and blend. Second, for the white lippie swatched, once again because of the creamy texture you may not get the desired look given it is a white lipstick. I suggest lining it with a white liner or choosing a different white lipstick all together, preferably a liquid lipstick that will finish matte.
Well guys those are my thoughts on the Maybelline Loaded Bold lippies. For those of you subscribed to our YouTube channel, I went ahead and swatched them for you! For those who are not, make sure to click the video below to subscribe, like, and share the video!
Until next time!
Chronicles of a Sh***y Adulter Part 2: Dealing With Mental Illness
I believe another factor into my shitty adulting is because I am just now being able identify I have anxiety, like panic attacks can't breathe anxiety. Why am I just now being able to come to terms with this mental illness of mine? Because no one ever wants to deal with it.
Growing up, me and my mother would get into these pretty chaotic fights. I don't know if this is like every mother and daughter during a girl's teenage years, but talking to my mother was possible. And during these fights when I would cry and get upset my mother would say I was being
melodramatic. Why the fuck do I have to be melodramatic because I'm passionate about how I'm feeling? Especially when you're saying things that you honestly shouldn't say to your child.
With that being said, this is why I don't like to disclose my feelings, maybe this is good in some situations, but I know this is bad for my overall state and being. I don't like getting close to people at all, I'm considered non nonchalant and "heartless" and I tend to let things bottle up until I explode, whether it's justified or not, I don't like to be in that mental state. It doesn't feel good at all.
In this society, it seems it's easier to treat people who have drug problems but when we talk about mental illness no one ever wants to get down to the route of the problem. I remember when I revealed I was pregnant (check out part one of the chronicles). Instead of addressing the fact that because I was so depressed was part of the reason why I hid my pregnancy the hospital staffed stereotyped me as being some type of drug addict. Apparently that was the only logical reason as to why I could hide my pregnancy. After the fact when I went to my doctor about a year or so since Aubrey had been born, I told him I needed something, whether medicine or coping methods, for my anxiety. I was told verbatim that it was probably postpartum depression and that it would pass.
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So is this how doctors make all of their money? By making me waste my time and money my insurance company has to pay just for you to fucking tell me that I PROBABLY just have postpartum depression and then you don't even help me with that problem, like bruh! This...is part of the problem when it comes to addressing mental illness.
How am I suppose to be able to function as somewhat of a conscious adult when part of the reason why I can't is because no one wants to help me treat and cope with a serious problem that affects the
way that I'm suppose to function as an adult?
Anxiety is a big deal, for me, and anyone else who experiences it. Anxiety for me can hinder my interaction with my daughter, which is a big no no, my productivity, and motivation in life. I just wish someone would realize it, once and for all.
I believe the reason many of us with depression, anxiety, or any mental illness are afraid to disclose how we feel with others is because we get treated like shitty adulters for doing so. We get stereotyped into being in this category that having a mental illness means you aren't capable of doing normal things. In actuality, we just need the space to vent and cry without being judge. Is that too much to ask?
I think what I'm learning on this journey is to be more open about how I'm feeling. I try to let everyone around me know what my anxiety entails so that way when I do have an episode, it's not such a shock.
Until next time...this is the queen of shitty adulting, signing off.
Rants & Raves: 10 Types of Petty People (Petty Chronicles Part 2)
The "no poker face" petty person
The "extra crispy" petty person-their jabs are just that on point!
The "person who can't stop being petty to save their life" petty person
Love Sex & Relationships: 10 Reasons Why You're Still Single
A common question that I've heard people say is "why am I still single?". At the moment it may not have been the best time to spell out each reason that they possibly could be...so we did a post instead
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You can't stop being a pimp
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You keep running back to your ex
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You're too high maintenance
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You don't know what you want in a relationship
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You don't have shit to bring to a relationship
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You don't realize what you bring to the table
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You're immature as fuck
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You're nonchalant as fuck
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Or dramatic as fuck...like forreal who tf wants to deal with that?
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You always lie, about the simplest shit
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But probably the biggest reason of them all, the hidden reason and actual reason #11 why you're still single is because you just don't fucking know what you are doing. You refuse to open your mind and horizons, fix the issues that you have to deal with and actually be committed to meeting different types of people. Remember, every person you encounter is not going to be that #1, Mr. Right, the person you end up walking down the aisle to. Each experience has something that you should take away from it.
So have fun, have an open mind, and just relax, that special person will come!
Blogger Insight: Our First Year of Being Nicheless!
Last year, we decided to take the most unorthodox approached in the blogging industry by far. We decided...to go nicheless!
That's right guys, we've been nicheless for a year now! When we decided to, honestly we didn't know what the hell we were doing, but we knew this was the only way we would be happy in this industry.
We decided to go nicheless for a few different reasons. The first reason was and still is that the fashion blog industry is highly over-saturated and the fact is we're 3 busy ass adults. We can't have an on standby photographer at any given moment or even have one of us be on standby to take outfit posts. We don't have gobs of money to buy shit out the whazoo to do reviews on, and most importantly...we don't want to talk about fashion 24/7. I honestly believe that's how the passion for fashion was killed for us (coming in another post).
Secondly, we've had a couple of situations here in our local blogging network that turned out to be a case of low-key blackball. While the situation has been resolved and people involved eventually moved on to other companies, it showed us that this industry, at least here in Saint Louis, is all about kissing ass and sucking up, and I believe that for fashion in general, whether that's fashion blogging, fashion designing, modeling, you name it. That's something we absolutely positively do not do. We've never kissed ass to get to where we are, hard work is what we use in order to move up the success ladder, so that's what we will stick to.
2017 goal? continue to be the #nicheless pioneers we are!— Just Bloggers (@justbloggers) December 31, 2016
Lastly, I'm personally just over these fake experts talking about how you have to have a niche in order to be successful. Here's the thing, you SHOULD stick to a niche if you're looking to sell a particular product or service, but when it comes to monetizing blog content, that shit doesn't apply, at all. We've been able to get sponsored content from companies in the niches of fashion, beauty, food/drink, parenting, and travel and we plan to expand that even more in 2017. So to those blog experts, what do you have to say about that?
Overall, our first year of being nicheless was a success! There were a few bumps in the road at first because no one ever really heard of a blogging brand purposely becoming nicheless, and in essence, we're pioneers. In our year of success, there are things that we do want to work on and grow for 2017 since this was a trial run that we kind of...went full force with a big ass blindfold:
grow our email list
be consistent with an editorial and social media schedule
sell products
finish our workshop for Nicheless is the New Niche
be consistent with Youtube videos and our podcast
expand to other companies and make our presence known
This is only the beginning, that's evident, and as our readers, we're glad you're on this journey with us! Cheers to being nicheless!
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