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2021
A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox
Christmas came early! I love receiving gifts from Influenster. Thank you Influenster for thinking of me this holiday season. I have been reviewing products for Influenster for all of 2021, and I’ve enjoyed getting the products they send me to test out. I have had the opportunity to try new products that I’ve heard about, products that I wasn’t familiar with, products that I became disappointed with, and products that I, now, refuse to put down. The latest box of goodies that I received from Influenster contains beauty products from Rimmel London.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Rimmel London
Rimmel London is a massive cosmetics brand. I’m sure you’ve heard of or used their beauty products before. Rimmel London products are everywhere (Ulta, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon). This voxbox came just on time because I have needed good drugstore dupes for my favorite name-brand beauty products. So I hope to like the contents of this voxbox.
Rimmel London Voxbox Contents
The first product from the Influenster Rimmel London voxbox is a full-coverage foundation. The 25-hour foundation is also a lightweight foundation that feels soft and smooth after it dries. It promises to make your skin look great! This foundation will stay put from morning to night! I like that this foundation contains sunscreen. It has SPF 20 & is a plus for keeping my skin protected from the harsh winter winds and sun. It retails online for $7- $10 and is in any of your favorite drugstores for purchase.
The second product from the Rimmel London voxbox is a serum that promotes healthy growth for your brows and lashes. The Wonder’Serum is a revitalizing serum infused with nutrient-rich complex of vitamins, proteins, and peptides to promote natural lash growth. This serum is perfect because I am familiar with serums like this one. I’ve been interested in something like this for fuller lashes and brows. Thirdly, I used a similar product and started seeing results within weeks, but I lost it and never replaced it. These types of beauty products will not guarantee instant results! With continued & overtime use, users can expect to see fuller, longer, stronger brows and lashes. Results come after using it for four weeks or 30 days. It retails online for $9 and is in any of your favorite drugstores for purchase.
My Thoughts About the Rimmel London Voxbox
I tried both products from the Influenster Rimmel London voxbox and have strong feelings about each one. #1: wasn’t too fond of the Lasting Finish foundation. It was very smooth and soft on my skin; I forgot that I had makeup on throughout the day. I don’t like that it promotes itself as a full-coverage foundation because it does not give full coverage. However, the Lasting Finish foundation is buildable. I had to do concealing and contouring to get it to cover all of my dark spots and blemishes. I can’t say how I feel about the Rimmel London Wonder’Serum yet. I’ll continue using it before giving my final opinion. However, I believe it will help my lashes and brows grow naturally.
Click the YouTube video below to watch me try out both products and give my honest thoughts on each one!
Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox Unboxing Video Click here if you’re interested in signing up for the Influenster app, and want to start reviewing products for free!
Should I Trademark My Online Business Name?
Your name is your superpower. What you call yourself (personally or professionally) is your unique identifier. Your name, aka your identity, sets you apart from people/ businesses with similar names. Entrepreneurs realize that it takes hard work to establish their brand and create an identity different from their competitors. So, how will you stand out without blending? How will you organically grow your business? As a result, business owners must establish their rights to ensure that their name is one of a kind. Therefore, it is important to trademark your online business name.
Scroll on to learn why you SHOULD trademark your online business name. Learn how to start the trademarking process and resources to help you start trademarking your business or brand today.
So, what is a trademark?
A trademark is a symbol or word(s) legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. Registering a trademark helps protect a name or brand from intellectual property theft or misuse as a business grows (Forbes). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website is where entrepreneurs can go to begin the trademark application process, search the trademark database, and check the status of a trademark. Filling out the trademark application is an easy beginner’s first step to trademarking your business.
How does a trademark help my business?
It gives you a legal avenue to protect your business or brand from copycats replicating your identity. Trademarking your business name, product, or symbol can protect you from scammers looking to make a profit off of your name. In other words, a trademark establishes your exclusive business owner rights to use your name, symbol, or word(s). Trademarking also helps you run a successful company. You will also be able to use the ® symbol next to a successfully registered trademarked name. Completing your trademark registration will make it much easier to file for trademark registration in other countries.
I have an LLC, sole proprietorship, and DBA business. My brand is already protected.
That’s great that you formed your online business. However, you should still decide to trademark your business or brand. A trademark is different in the sense that:
- Forming an LLC (limited liability company) only protects you from individuals using your business name/symbol in your state. It does not protect you nationally or internationally.
- DBA or doing business as; only protects you from individuals using your business name/symbol in your state. It does not protect you nationally or internationally.
- A copyright will protect original artistic and literary works. Copyrights apply to logos but usually do not apply to names.
How to Trademark Your Business Name
Here’s how you can start trademarking your online business today:
First, remember filling out the application is the initial step. If you do not have the necessary information for your application, an attorney can help you with this step. Next, you should figure out what trademark class you want your business’ name or symbol recognized in before submitting your application. (There are 45 trademark classes, and each trademark class covers a wide range of goods or services.)
Example: If a beauty company with the name “Enchanted” wanted to register this name in the cosmetics trademark class, it could. However, if this company also produced jewelry, it might require an added listing in the jewelry trademark class. Therefore, the beauty company has to file for each trademark class that the business will be listed under.
Additionally, if you want to trademark the same name for multiple classes, it might be a little costly. It costs as low as $250 to file a trademark application. To file for a trademarked name for multiple classes, that’s $250 for each trademark class.
Attorneys Can Trademark Your Online Business Name
Sometimes it is best to talk about things like this with your lawyer or attorney. If you are not sure how to fill out your trademark application, schedule a time to consult with your attorney or lawyer. If you do not have an attorney or lawyer, I have an available online resource for you.
Attorney Kiara Taite is a licensed Mississippi trademark attorney dedicated to protecting your legacy. She provides her trademark services to business owners and entrepreneurs anywhere in the country!
Attorney Taite is an attorney equipped to help you understand why trademarking your online business is key to protecting your brand, filing the trademark application, explaining trademark classes/ fees in greater detail, and getting your business trademarked.
If you are looking for quality legal service in the U.S., then look no further. The Law Office of Kiara Taite’s mission is to ensure that clients are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and quality legal representation required to create, protect, and preserve the legacies they intend to leave behind for their children, loved ones, community, or the culture. Visit the Law Office of Kiara Taite website to learn more about her services, fees, and to schedule a time to consult with her about trademarking your online business today!
Enjoying these trademark tips? Check out these similar posts for online business tips:
25 Gorgeous Winter Nails & Designs
Winter nail season is here.
Winter is coming! Shorter days and cold, dark nights are upon us. In addition, it is dismally cold outside, but it is a cool time for nail trends. Fall nails have much appeal, but just like seasons change, so do current trends.
‘Tis the season for sparkle, shimmer, glitter, and snow! The winter nails are here to sleigh, spread joy, and be the gift that keeps on giving.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. However, if you decide to buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Elegant, Classy, Gorgeous Winter Nails
If you are looking for nail inspiration, the nail designs and colors are all about big fun with minimal work this season. Red and green are not the only colors for the holidays! There are a lot of metallics, icy blues, and wintry hues for inspiration. These designs are so fire that your manicures will melt the snow this winter.
All of the nail art and design inspiration is on Pinterest. Click featured images to get tutorials, nail polish names, etc.
Classy winterish nails This is perfect for all the minimalistic ladies out there who like a clean manicure but don’t like crazy designs. Not to mention, this nude nail design will go a long way with many outfits so you don’t need to constantly worry about getting a different color manicure throughout the cold season. Via Selfcarebysum
Glamorous maroon winter nails You can never go wrong with shiny, sparkly nails. If you want to try to recreate this nail design, you’ll need matte maroon polish, glossy maroon polish, and glitter polish.
gorgeous ombre winter nails How gorgeous is this ombre nail design? These nails are perfect for the winter & any winter outfit essentials.
Goregous, Classy White Winter Nails
icy chill winter nails Nothing like a classy white snowflake design! Paint your nails white and add snowflakes on one of them for that seasonal reminder. Via Selfcarebysum
milky white marble nails Nothing looks more pretty and dreamier than some white almond nails. You can paint your nails like this and it will go with almost everything this season. Via Selfcarebysum
opulent glitter winter nails A nail design that can be recreated with minimal work needed to accomplish it! This cute, simple design will cost you a little shimmer and glitter, with a little gloss and a clear coat.
arctic blue winter nails Freezing in the winter and dreading getting out of your blankets? This color happens to describe that exact feeling. Via Selfcarebysum
frost winter wonderland nails This nail art is all about fun and festive vibes. If you’re looking for something icy, this nail art is definitely cool enough for you to try.
metallic frozen winter nails In the midst of grey skies and gloomy days, a new nail design is guaranteed to switch up the mood! To recreate this look and the look below, you will need glitter, grey, and holographic nail polish.
posh frost winter nails In the midst of grey skies and gloomy days, a new nail design is guaranteed to switch up the mood! To recreate this look and the look above, you will need glitter, grey, and holographic nail polish.
green Christmas ornament nails This oval design and art is the perfect choice for holiday nails. You’ll need green, white, and glitter nail polish to recreate this festive look.
red christmas nail art Get crafty with this nail art design while opening your stocking stuffers. Apply a red polish and use your DIY skills to replicate the ribbon and snowflake. Via Selfcarebysum
red sleek stiletto holiday nails Go for this classy red nail design this holiday season for sleek and effortlessly hot nails!
classy black nail art If you’re looking for something simple and natural this winter, try this classy black nail look.
gorgeous christmas ornament nails Here’s another festive Christmas nail design if you’re looking for natural nails this winter season.
basic cozy winter nails Not celebrating Christmas or just want something other than the red and greens? Wear this nail combination to look extra adorable. Via Selfcarebysum
textured grey winter nails Grey has never looked so good! These nails are so gorgeous and will be easy to recreate with stickers and two shades of grey nail polish.
Christmas blue winter nails If you’re feeling blue this season, you’ll want to try this starry night nail art the next time you’re in the salon.
cute grey christmas nails Another holiday nail design for your Christmas spirit! This nail art is a cuteness overload of all of your favorite winter things.
cute peppermint holiday nails Another holiday nail design for your Christmas spirit! This nail art is a cuteness overload of all of your favorite holiday things.
cute oval snowflake nails Here’s another festive Christmas nail design if you’re looking for natural nails this winter season.
glamorous classy winter nails A nail design that can be recreated with minimal work needed to accomplish it! This cute, simple design will cost you a little shimmer and glitter, white polish, and a clear coat.
whimsical holiday nail art If you’re feeling whimsical this season, these unicorn coffin nails could be your next nail design. Gorgeous ombre nail design with glitter and unicorns!
snowflake sweater winter nails If you didn’t get to try this trend out during the fall, you still have a chance! Sweater nails are still trendy for the winter. To recreate this look you’ll need a nude color (or whatever color of your choice) and white polish for the nail art (snowflake, ornament, etc).
These red French tip nails include a silver glitter detail that makes them look even more festive! Via beautifuldawndesigns
25 Gorgeous Spring Nail Trends for 2022
First Look: Sally Hansen X Peeps Nail Polish Collection
25 Gorgeous Winter Nails & Designs
This Is What My Stay-At-Home Mom Schedule Looks Like
I never believed that this would be the life for me. The life of a stay-at-home mom. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the stay-at-home life would be something that I could afford to do or that it would be something that I could get comfortable doing. The pandemic forced me to see that I could create a stay-at-home mom schedule. I literally lost my job and became a stay-at-home mother overnight! Before this, I used to spend most of my time at work. Away from my family. Since 16, I have worked countless jobs for financial stability and security. While all the while, I was missing out on quality bonding time and precious milestones. Then four years into my son’s life, I suddenly became more accessible and available.
So I was at home, all of the time, 24/7.
Related: Social Distancing: Choosing to Self-Care & Keep the Faith
Subsequently, I have been dedicated to a stay-at-home mom schedule that allows me to work from home, start and build my business, complete household chores, and devote time to my husband and son.
The ultimate goal for my stay-at-home mom schedule was to have time to do it all.
Having no extra help made me realize that I needed to follow a schedule that could keep me organized and focused on my priorities: starting a business and being there when my family needed me the most. A flexible stay-at-home mom schedule would become my secret weapon, and it continues to be a routine that brings contentedness and peace. My daily stay-at-home mom schedule works well for me, and I want to share it to help other stay-at-home moms figure out a rhythm to juggling everything at home.
5:15 am
I set my alarm to wake up 45 minutes before Landon gets up. Starting my day earlier allows me to get mentally and physically prepared for my day. I like to use this time for prayer and quick stretching exercises. Then, I will start ironing school uniforms and making Landon’s lunch to take to school. I will use any remaining time to let our family pet, Pablo, outside to use the potty and put food in his bowl.
Early mornings set the tone that I am ready to tackle anything. It also allows me to finish all my tasks at a reasonable ending time. I don’t even sleep in late! To be honest, I can’t sleep past 7 am without feeling unproductive. I like to maximize my time in the mornings by choosing not to waste a single minute.
6:00 am
I wake Landon up and make him breakfast. I’ve got to brag that I do my best gentle parenting in this hour. I want to make sure I am helping my son start his day with some positivity. There’s lots of hugging, smiles, and I love you‘s exchanged during this time. In conclusion, 6 am is one of my proudest hours of the day.
Related: 20 Affirmations for Abundance & Success
6:50 am
It’s time to drop Landon off at school for the day. Morning drop-offs are usually 10-15 minutes long. While we are in line, waiting to make our way to the front, Landon and I will practice repeating daily affirmations. I like to encourage Landon to have a great day, believe in himself, give his best effort, and commit to learning new skills. This type of encouragement is the final preparation before he walks through those school doors to begin his day as a Kindergarten student.
7:15 am
After drop-off, it’s time to get started with work. Before I shift into work mode, I take 20 minutes to eat a light breakfast, let Pablo outside again, and do those things that I might have skipped earlier (prayer, stretching, meditation).
8:00 am
After that, it’s time to dedicate myself to my brand, my business, and evolving as an entrepreneur. From 8 am to 1 pm., I give my all to writing new blog posts, creating YouTube videos, Reels, or TikToks that could help increase awareness about my business, scheduling or creating content, reviewing products, editing, etc.
I maximize my time during these hours because I can complete the bulk of my tasks without any distractions. No one is here to disrupt me or feel like I am not giving them any attention. I am prioritizing my business and my clients. I will schedule all of my consultations, client calls for social media management, and brand strategy between these hours.
1:00 pm
At this point in my day, I realize that I’m either hungry (if I’ve skipped breakfast) or feeling like I need to take a break. I usually make myself some lunch and watch something on tv, catch up on social media, or take a nap. Just because I can’t sleep in late doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to go lay down somewhere in the middle of the day.
1:55 pm
After a much-needed recharge, it’s now time to get Landon from school. School dismisses for each day at 2:55. However, parents of car riders line up an hour early to prepare for dismissal.
In conclusion, sometimes your schedule will have events that throw curveballs in your plans.
Expect this. It’s okay.
For example, waiting to get my child home from school takes an hour out of my day, but I choose to look at this differently. Instead of viewing this as me losing out on time, I will use this time to finish up something that I was working on or do something that I haven’t had the chance to do yet.
Examples of Time Fillers for “Lost Hours”
- creating captions for Instagram posts/ reels
- researching blog topics and ideas
- researching youtube video topics and ideas
- pay a bill online
- watch an episode of a tv series
- digital planning
3:00 pm
I’m back at home and back to full-time mama status. This hour belongs to Landon. He usually has so much to tell me about what happened at school! We also have snacks, do homework, and go outside to play before it gets too late.
4:00 pm
It’s almost time to end my work for the day. I wrap up anything that I didn’t finish that morning. Every day is different. On some days, I can say that I finished my workload by 5 pm, and on other days I can’t. Wrapping up the day helps me understand what I’ve already accomplished for the day, what’s left to do, and where to pick up the next day.
4:30 pm- 5:00 pm
It’s time to start making (or buying) dinner. I’ve never been into meal prep, but perhaps it’s time that I start; because I never know what’s for dinner! Most of my dinner ideas come to me throughout the day. At 5 pm, I am cooking dinner or asking my husband to grab something on his way home.
7:00 pm After everyone has made it home and had dinner, I get a little bit of free time. It is the ultimate hour for relaxation and chill time. I dedicate this hour to doing whatever I want to do.
- conversations with my husband about his day
- bonding time with my husband, Landon, and Pablo
- taking a nice hot shower
- browsing social media
- listening to music
- preparing for the next day (pulling out school uniforms, making lunches, cleaning up)
8:00 pm This is Landon’s wind-down hour. His dad bathes him, and after bath time, we read a 15- minute bedtime story. I appreciate this time to be able to take a break and regroup.
9:00 pm It’s Landon’s bedtime and his parents’ bonding time. Both mom and dad are exhausted by now, but we still make time for each other. We have to because we hardly have any time earlier in the day to make it work.
10:00 pm If I want to get up for my 5:15 am alarm, I need to be in bed no later than 10 pm.
More Tips for Success
- Don’t get wrapped up in exact times! These are the hours that work best for my life at home, and I provided them for structure.
- Find your rhythm and rhyme for your reason. You’re crafting the ideal schedule for your life and goals.
- You can still be productive throughout the day even if you don’t stick to a strict routine.
- Plan around family bonding time. Choose the repeat times throughout the day for consistent, fun times with your loved ones.
- Most importantly, don’t stress on days where following your schedule does not work out.
25 Best Christmas Songs For The Ultimate Holiday Playlist
Siri, play the “Best Christmas Songs” playlist. It is officially Christmas time in the city (we only acknowledge Christmas after Thanksgiving over here). I know that many of you have started prepping for Christmas by decorating and shopping. I don’t fault you for getting a headstart on spreading the holiday cheer! Even though we all choose different times of the year to start celebrating Christmas, there is one certain thing:
There’s something magical in Christmas music!
What could it be? It could be the traditions we create, the nostalgia, and the feelings that come over us whenever we hear our favorite Christmas songs. Hearing the right Christmas song is guaranteed to put anyone (Santa or the Grinch) in a merry mood. So, even if you’ve already started decorating the house, trimming the tree, wrapping presents, or needing to change your bah-hum-bug attitude, I’ve created a list of the Best Christmas Songs of all time.
This list has many traditional and modern songs that you can add to your playlist this year. The songs range from many different genres of music– from gospel, rhythm and blues, and pop. You can definitely expect to find some of your favorites on this list! There is something on here for everyone! Whether you prefer originals or your favorite renditions, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love. As you are putting together your Christmas playlist this year, use this list of the best Christmas songs to help you create the ultimate holiday vibes.
List of Best Christmas Songs
“All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” Christmas Song No Christmas playlist is complete without the best-selling modern-day Christmas song of all time.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Jackson 5
Jackson 5 “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” Christmas Song It’s always wonderful to hear young Michael sing. This rendition by the Jackson 5 will for sure have everyone singing and dancing together.
“You’re a Mean One,” Tyler the Creator
“You’re Mean One” from The Grinch (2018) Christmas Song The Thurl Ravenscroft version is a phenomenal classic, however this modern version from the 2018 remake of The Grinch from Tyler, the Creator is just as great.
“This Christmas,” Chris Brown
“This Christmas” music video from Chris Brown There are so many great versions of “This Christmas”. I’ve got to admit that this Chris Brown remake knows how to get in the holiday spirit! Add this version or your favorite rendition to your playlist and you’ll catch yourself singing along in no time.
“Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt, “Santa Baby” Christmas Song This classic holiday tune is my favorite Eartha Kitt song of all time. If you are needing some ideas for what to include on your Christmas list, play this song for some inspiration 😉
“Let It Snow,” Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight
Boyz II Men music video for “Let It Snow” Christmas Song I’m not making any promises that it’ll snow where you are, but just in case, I’ve got something that will make snow happen right in your living room. Listen to the smooth voices of Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight to make your winter season warmer!
“8 Days of Christmas,” Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child music video for “8 Days of Christmas” A fun spin on the 12 Days of Christmas and guaranteed to make you do a little holiday dance!
“Silent Night,” The Temptations
Silent Night Christmas Song “In my mind” your playlist will never be the same. The Temptations truly sang us into a blissful, peaceful night.
“My Favorite Things,” The Supremes
My Favorite Things Christmas Song Although I love the original from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”, I prefer listening to this rendition by The Supremes.
“Player’s Ball,” Outkast
Official music video of “Player’s Ball” from Outkast The 1994 Outkast album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was heralded by this song as their lead single which was just in time for the holidays. The song imagines a “player’s ball” for pimps and hustlers on Christmas Day.
“Sleigh Ride,” TLC
Official music video for “Sleigh Ride” Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with this fun, holiday classic. You’ll be spreading lots of good cheer with this holiday dance tune.
“What Do the Lonely Do?,” The Emotions
What Do The Lonely Do by The Emotions Christmas time can bring lots of feelings and emotions for everyone. You’re not alone! Whether you’ll be celebrating with family in person or virtually this year, this song will be sure to help you get through your holiday emotions.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” The Temptations
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Song The famous reindeer of all has countless Christmas songs about him, but I’ve got to say that this one is my favorite! This rendition by The Temptations will for sure make you join in on all the reindeer games.
“Silver and Gold,” Kirk Franklin
Silver and Gold Christmas Song Whenever I want to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I always play this beautiful gospel song from Kirk Franklin and the Family. “I’d rather have Jesus, than silver and gold.”
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” Whitney Houston
Audio from “Do You Hear What I Hear” on Youtube Enjoy a holiday tune from the greatest voice of all time! Whitney Houston’s “Do You Hear What I Hear” is a beautiful classic spin on previous renditions of the song.
“Silver Bells,” Johnny Mathis
Silver Bells by Johnny Mathis The unofficial announcement song of the Christmas holiday season.
“Merry Christmas Baby,” Otis Redding
Otis Redding’s’ “Merry Christmas Baby” An American Christmas standard song that has been covered dozens of times. This rendition recorded by Otis Redding in 1968 is sure to be a playlist favorite.
“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire,” Nat King Cole
“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” One of the most famous Christmas songs of all time is also known as “The Christmas Song”.
“Christmas in Hollis,” Run DMC
Music video for “Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC “Christmas in Hollis” is the ultimate holiday song. Wrapped in samples of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Joy to the World,” and one of the best Christmas gifts ever presented in song.
“O Holy Night,” Mariah Carey
Music video for “O Holy Night” on Youtube A truly iconic performance of “O Holy Night” from the Queen of Christmas.
“Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas,” The O’ Jays
Holidays are most meaningful when they are spent with the ones you love. If you are planning to spend Christmas with family and friends, this song will be a great addition to the playlist.
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” Luther Vandross
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” A soulful rendition of this classic Christmas song by Luther Vandross.
“O Come All Ye Faithful,” Juanita Bynum
Audio of “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Juanita Bynum A rendition of the classic holiday song by gospel singer Juanita Bynum.
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” Brian McKnight
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” track from Brian McKnight Another song for your holiday travels and family gatherings.
“Jingle Bells,” Ella Fitzgerald
Clip of Ella Fitzgerald’s performance of “Jingle Bells” Known as “one of the smoothest voices ever”, Ella Fitzgerald brings a swinging, unique sound to this Christmas classic.
Need More Christmas Songs?
Follow me on Apple Music to listen to my playlists. Be sure to leave me a comment below so that I can follow back 🎄🥳
3 Cute & Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs
I love whenever I make a new cute hairstyle discovery! When I decided to go natural a few years ago, I never thought I would struggle to find protective hairstyles. It has been hard for me to find protective styles for curly, natural hair that I like! Why is it so hard to find cute and easy hairstyles to protect and support my hair’s health and growth? Why is it so hard to find protective styles that will keep edges safe from thinning out?
It should not be this way!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps to keep the lights on! Thank you!
Who doesn’t love cute and easy hairstyles?
Wigs and braids have made styling my curly hair less of a struggle. I love using wigs and braids to switch things up. Wigs are a preferred protective style because they are generally quite simple to wear and don’t require much maintenance. After reading reviews online about different wigs, I decided to try a new style that I’d never heard of before: headband wigs.
Headband wigs work to protect natural hair and edges. As a result, this wig is the answer to all of my haircare prayers! The quality of my natural, curly hair life increased by 100 points after wearing this wig for the first time.
Here’s why…
This wig has been the most manageable and convenient wig I have ever worn. The headband makes it easy to slip on over your natural hair without much maintenance. In addition, the biggest flex here is that no glue is necessary for this wig! It’s my favorite benefit of the wig because I know that my edges and natural hair will be 100% protected. Sometimes I like to take a break from wearing wigs that require a glue application. Therefore this headband wig continues to check off all boxes for convenience, ease, and support!
More About Headband Wigs: Cute and Easy Hairstyles
I got my 22″ Kinky Straight textured headband wig from LuvMe Hair. I chose the kinky straight-textured wig because it matches my hair type and texture (4c). My wig came in a beautifully packaged box that contained:
- Additional headbands and hair accessories
- Iridescent cosmetic bag
- LuvMe Hairclip
- Bobby pins
- Wig Cap
- Wig Care Instructions
- Hair Wrap
- Edges Brush
The wig came with everything that I needed to style it. I put this wig on and styled it in less than 15 minutes! So, let me show you how I did it.
Keep scrolling to reveal the long headband wig and easy hairstyles you can recreate using headbands.
To Achieve Cute and Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs, You’ll Need
- wig cap
- wig w/ clips and headband straps
- extra headbands and accessories for styling
Firstly, I brushed my hair down using curl-enhancing mousse and styling gel for it to stay nice and slick. Next, I used bobby pins to secure the hair in position before placing the wig cap on top. Then, I pulled the detachable straps to the headband apart to put on the 22″ kinky straight textured wig. To get it perfectly adjusted on my crown, I secured the wig using two techniques: the wig clips and reattaching the headband in the back. That’s it! Again, you can do this in under 15 minutes.
Then, I started to play with other ways to style the wig. I just wanted to play around with it to see what I could come up with and what kind of fun looks to create with it. My favorite thing that I love about the wig is that you can switch it up at any time with this headband wig. I can put it all to one side, up into a ponytail, half ponytail, wear it in a bun, or switch out the headbands with the extra ones that I got from LuvMe Hair. In addition to my review, you can watch the video for my hair tutorial for the 22″ Kinky Straight Headband Wig on YouTube for more guidance on how to rock this wig and how you can style it.
Wearing the headband wig with one of the extra headbands that it came with. 
Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the LuvMe Hair headband wig as it is (kinky curly) 
Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the headband wig with a middle part and headband. Wig Hairstyles Are Easy To Achieve!
I honestly love everything about wearing headband wigs as a protective style. It’s perfect for someone like me who loves convenient, cute, and simple hairstyles. I can still look cute while protecting my natural hair and my edges. It is so versatile and gives plenty of inspiration for switching up my hairstyles whenever I want. I’ve finally found the ideal protective style for me.
I believe that the headband wig could help any naturalista looking for protective hairstyle solutions and inspiration. It is not too good to be true, ladies! You can achieve this simple look too!
Watch my LuvMe Hair Headband Wig Tutorial and Review on Youtube What do you think?
Visit luvmehair.com to check out the 22″ kinky straight headband wig and to view other textures from the collection.
I even have a referral code for you to take something off of your purchase once you’ve found the wig for you. Just use offer code KRIS at checkout to get 23% off of your LuvMe Hair wig purchase.
Comment with some of your favorite time-saver protective hairstyles below!
Check out more beauty and haircare posts:
6 Wishes For Kids From Parents
Typically I try to steer clear of giving out unsolicited parenting advice. I rarely share my parenting experience or detail what my parenting journey has been like for me. When my son was born, I made a promise that I would not be one of these moms out here who shares everything. I am someone who enjoys privacy and likes to protect the people that mean the most to me. I believe in keeping some memories sacred and only allowing the people who experienced them to know what those memories are. Moreover, one thing that I believe in when it pertains to parenting is creating special bonds with your children. As I watch him grow, I wish and hope for him to have the world. What other wishes for kids do parents want?
Wishes for kids are plentiful. However, the parent’s job is to love, provide, protect, listen, understand, and teach their kids. There’s no official parenting handbook that teaches or prepares you for the “perfect” way to do any of these things. Parents will always wish the best for their kids. When I found out I was going to be a mother, I vowed that I would do everything to help my son grow, develop, and reach every milestone. I couldn’t be more proud of the little person he has become! As his sixth birthday approaches, I am hopeful that he will continue growing and owning his individuality.
The following wishes for kids are from parents like me. We are the parents that will be there to help our kids navigate in this world.
My six-year old son Landon Wishes For Kids From Parents
Always Count On Me, Don’t Ever Count Me Out
I wish that my son always reaches out to me. I want him to know that I am forever accessible and only one call away. There isn’t a distance that I wouldn’t travel to get to him. One thing about it is mamas make great friends and confidants. I want my son to never feel like he can’t talk to me about something (good or bad). I don’t want him to rule out using the “mama lifeline” in a time of need.
The Gratitude Attitude
Sometimes people take their blessings for granted. I never want my child to miss out on his blessing for not possessing a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is a catalyst for change in life. My wish is that he thanks God every day for his life and his blessings. I hope that he appreciates and cherishes everything in his life and that he has no room to complain about anything. I want him to practice understanding what it means to be selfless versus selfish.
Be Proud Of You Who Are
I want my child to know that it’s okay to be inspired by others and still be himself. Embracing individuality will help him understand that no one is the same, and everyone is unique. I encourage self-love and self-care. He needs to know I am proud of who he is. Additionally, I would like for him to affirm the type of person he wants to become. Be bold and unapologetic at all times!
Chase Dreams & Passions
As a person who is in the pursuit of making their dreams come true, I can only hope that my son becomes inspired to do the same. No, I do not wish for him to have my dream. My wish is that he finds the courage to pursue his own dreams. I ask that he discovers his passion for something and choose to go after it. Please never allow anyone to convince him that his vision isn’t capable of fulfillment; or that he isn’t deserving of success and happiness. Fairytales can come true, and children should believe in happily ever after. They should always follow their hearts and do what makes them happy.
Forgiveness
Moms are not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes. I know that whenever I make a mistake, I hope for understanding and a chance to correct my wrongdoing. I never want my child to make a mistake and feel they aren’t allowed to make them. Mistakes happen; it’ll be okay. Disappointment in mistakes made should never lead to grudges. I want my son to learn how to let things/emotions go and accept them. I want him never to fear the words I’m sorry.
We’re all trying!
We are all doing the best that we can.
We are humans who deserve compassion.
Be a Good Person
Kids are naturally kind and sweet. They have to learn how to share, be polite, and engage socially. My son started Kindergarten this year; and has had to adjust how to learn and play in a classroom setting. This type of school environment is key because he needs to experience what it’s like to learn and play with other kids at school, listen to teachers and follow the rules. My wish is that he continues to challenge himself to be patient and kind to others. I want him to learn good versus bad behavior and the consequences for each of them. I want him to never be timid in meeting new friends and expressing his feelings. May he never be a bully, may he never be bullied by someone! Allow people to see the goodness of his nature.
If you are a parent or soon-to-be parent, what wishes would you have for your children?
If you enjoyed this post, check out:
Comfort Foods: One Delicious Chocolate Velvet Cake
The holidays have arrived! The 2021 holiday season would like to enter the chat and remind you to start prepping for the busy season. With Thanksgiving being just three weeks away, I have to ask. Have you finalized your holiday plans for the year? What comfort foods will you have this season? Who will be cooking for the holidays? What does your holiday dinner menu look like?
If you aren’t able to answer those questions yet, it’s okay. Don’t panic. You still have a couple of weeks to make and finalize your plans! It doesn’t matter if you are the one doing the cooking, bringing a dish to the work potluck, or family gathering; I have an idea for a recipe that you’ll want to try this year. This Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe will bring something different to any menu and is the perfect addition to your holiday spread. Hopefully, this recipe will make your comfort foods list!
That’s right. If you’re a chocolate lover, you will love this recipe! It’s an alternative to some of your favorite holiday desserts (red velvet or German chocolate). I found this recipe online via the Magnolia Charm Baking Company, and I’ve been thinking about adding it to my Thanksgiving menu. Every year I search for recipes and dinner suggestions to get ideas for my menu theme; this year was no different. Y’all, I believe this will be a sweet conversation piece around the table this year!
Hold on. Before I reveal the recipe…
You should know more about the creators of this recipe!
MCBC is a family-owned cake and dessert boutique. Magnolia Charm’s cakes and desserts are made to order with only the best ingredients and personalized for any special event or occasion. Magnolia Charm’s mission is to create memorable sweets that exceed customer expectations through innovative, high-quality ingredients, event personalization, impeccable service, and flawless presentation.
Delicious, Chocolate Comfort Foods
Click here to reveal MCBC’s Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe. Be sure to download and save it so that you can make this dessert whenever you’d like!
The Magnolia Charm Baking Company is located in the Greater Baltimore area and accepts local custom cake and dessert orders. You can visit the Magnolia Charm website to get more sweet recipes, view their portfolio, and shop their online store. Follow Magnolia Charm on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms for updates and recipes!
I’ve got to know if you will be giving this Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe a try this holiday season? What are some of your must-have desserts?
Leave a comment below!
Celebrating 50: 10 Bonafide Favorites
It’s time to raise our glasses and cheer because it’s a celebration! I am very excited about this accomplishment that I’m getting ready to announce, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with you, my friends, so that we can celebrate together. Its The LEWK is celebrating 50 published blog posts! Subsequently, I’ve officially shared 50 lifestyle blog posts with you, and I could not be any happier and prouder of this achievement. In short, for the past two years, I have shared content on my blog with the intention to help and entertain women and provide valuable advice, tips, information, and solutions.
I must say thank you to you, the readers, for reading and your support! I am grateful for every single comment, read, share, and view. In honor of you, my friends, let’s take a look back at some of your favorite posts on the blog so far.
CONGRATS ON REACHING 50!
We’re celebrating 50 published posts on the site! Will you celebrate with me? Then, help me celebrate by joining the LEWK community by subscribing to the blog. Firstly, enter your email address below to subscribe and become a part of the Members Only community. Then, you will need to confirm your subscription to the blog. Members receive exclusive monthly newsletters, freebies, and discount code offers. In conclusion, members receive special notifications and alerts when new posts become available on the blog.
Celebrating 50: Popular Blog Posts
Building Backdrops for High-Quality Content
This post is an easy how-to guide to building a backdrop to enhance digital images and videos. Backdrops are a cute and fun way to bring aesthetic value to your digital content.
Influenster Product Reviews
If you enjoy product reviews, you’ll love Influenster. Influenster is a product discovery app that allows consumers and influencers to review and discover new products. In addition, this app also sends free products to consumers and influencers to review and post on social media. In short, this post serves as a product review of my first ever Influenster voxbox, the reviewer platform, and how it works.
Self-Care and Stress Management Strategies
If you are looking for suggestions on ways to unwind, manage, and let go of everyday stresses, give this post a read. Most importantly, you will learn how to identify signs of burnout, when to find time to care for yourself, and ways to self-care and feel better in stressful situations.
Reach New People and Make an Income on Instagram
In the world of social media, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms out there. Users post pictures and videos daily for personal enjoyment, exposure, and business opportunities. For example, entrepreneurs and business owners use Instagram to reach their target audience, client, or customer for their business. If you are a business owner/entrepreneur, I recommend making a business or creator account to help you grow your business. There are over 1 billion monthly active users defining their audience.
Life-saving Habits and Practices
The road to self-improvement can be a long journey that requires routine maintenance. Learn how to stop and redirect negative energy, healthily express thoughts and emotions, and give yourself grace.
Manifest and Attract the Life You Want
People use affirmations daily to attract confidence, abundance, love, success, and happiness. To clarify, affirmations are short and powerful statements that people can use to promote positive thinking. They allow us to be in control of our thoughts and shape our realities. Individuals can repeat affirmation statements until they become new beliefs. This blog post will provide insight into what affirmations are, what the laws of attraction mean, and how to incorporate these things together when motivating ourselves through self-care practices.
Create an Income With Affiliate Marketing
Companies are looking to work with content creators daily to reach consumers through sponsored advertising. In addition, many Bloggers and Influencers use sponsored posts to generate more traffic and get link clicks to their website or social media. To sum up, sponsored posts are just one of many ways you can create additional income online and monetize your blog. If you aren’t using sponsored posts as a way to reach bigger audiences, drive website traffic, and increase your engagement on your website or social media, you are missing out!
Discover At-Home Body Waxing Techniques
A product review about Veet’s 3-in-1 at-home waxing kit. I had quite the experience with body waxing and having to do it myself during the pandemic.
How to Set Goals and Get Organized
Here are three great resources to help anyone looking to buckle down and get serious about executing their goals, consistency, and organization.
Discovering Friendships & Sister Circles
This featured post from guest writer BuckleWithJo is about maintaining friendships and sisterhoods. Read about her experience in sister circles and how she made genuine connections, identified red flags in friendship behavior, and stayed clear of the drama.
Celebrate With More Posts!
Thank you for celebrating 50 published posts with me! Are you enjoying reading the content on the site? Then, make sure you visit lifestylewithkris.com every Friday for new blog posts! In the same vein, you can check back daily to catch up on previous posts and reviews.
Please comment on which post has been your favorite to read on Its the LEWK. Let’s celebrate together! I’ll be following everyone who leaves a comment below.
125 Of The Best Fall Hashtags For Instagram 2021
Fall is such a fun and festive season for indoor and outdoor activities. There are many activities to celebrate and enjoy in the Fall. Many people look forward to county or state fairs, festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween fun with their loved ones. Thanksgiving, harvest season, buffalo plaid, cooler weather, etc. Fall is easy, breezy, and beautiful. If you’re planning to participate in the Fall fun this year, statistics show that you’ll definitely post about it. Moreover, you may need some fall hashtags to sum up how you’re feeling (or what you’re doing) this Fall, and I’ve got you covered.
It’s time to take your Instagram posts to the next level. If you are searching for hashtag inspiration then look no further. Firstly, I’ve got 125 Fall Hashtags that are perfect for your Instagram captions.
Secondly, I’ve broken down the list of Fall hashtags for Instagram into different activities and events. This breakdown will certainly make it easier to find hashtags quickly. However, I am recommending these hashtags for nano and micro Instagram accounts.
Accounts with a small following (1000) to large (10,000 +) can use these hashtags to reach more people. All hashtags in this list have about 10,000 – 300,000 people who use them every day on Instagram.
Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
Before I reveal the Fall hashtags, do you need ideas for what to post on Instagram? What good are hashtags if you don’t know what to post? If you are stuck trying to figure out what to post on Instagram, check out 10 Ideas for Creating and Sharing Engaging Content on Social Media to help you with your in-feed posts, stories, and reels.
Types of Fall Instagram Posts
Here are a few of the best ideas to inspire you for your Instagram posts during the Fall:
- cozy-at-home
- Trends: Fall Makeup (Is The NEW Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?)
- More trends: Fall nails (These Pinterest Finds Will Make You Want Ferocious, Stunning Nails This Fall)
- Family Portraits/ Photography
List of Fall Hashtags
Home Decor
#fallcandles #fallhomedecor #fallfavorites #autumndecorations #autumnfoliage #autumnwreath #falldecorating #falldecoratingideas #fallaesthetic #fallcenterpiece #fallflorals #pumpkindecor #pumpkindecorating #halloweendecorating #thanksgivingtable #thanksgivingdecor
Fall Beauty and Fashion
#fallnails🍁🍂 #fallclothes #fallmakeuplook #autumnmakeup #autumntrends #autumnhair #fallfashiontrends #fallfashion2021 #fallfashions #fallfashioninspo #fallstyles #fallhairstyles #fallsweater #falloutfitideas #fallboots #bootweather #falllooks #hoodieweather #scarfweather #autumnstyles #autumnmakeup #cozysweater #falljacket #autumndress #autumnlooks #fallnailart
Fall Activities and Events
#fallactivities #fallharvest #fallwinter2021 #autumnfair #fallroadtrip #falltravel #fallcleanup #fallweddings #cornmaze🌽 #applepickingseason #applepicking🍎 #fallwalks #fallfestivals #autumnwalk #autumnactivities #harvestseason
General Fall Hashtags
#fallthings #fallessentials #fallready #fallinlove #fallmood #fallvibes🍁 #fallvibes🍃🍂 #fallvibes🍂🍁 #fallbucketlist #fallisintheair🍁 #fallismyfavorite #fallismyfavoriteseason #fallismyfavoritecolor #fallishere🍁 #fallisthebest #fallisthebestseason #fallisfinallyhere #ilovefall🍁 #ilovefallmostofall #falldays🍁 #autumnadventures #autumnquotes #autumnfeed #autumnessentials #autumnvibes #fallcolors🍁🍂 #falltime🍁
Family and Love
#fallfamilyphotos #falllove #falllover #falllovers #autumnlover #fallfamilyfun
Fall Weather and Nature
#beautifulfall #beautifulfallday #cozyfall #autumnsunshine #autumntrees #autumnnight #autumnsun #fallleaves🍁🍂 #falltrees #fallsky #fallsunset #fallmornings #autumnleaves🍂 #sunnyfallday #beautifulautumnday #autumnsunset
Food
#thanksgivingfood #thanksgivingmeals #turkeytime #thanksgivingturkey #comfortfoods #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdesserts #fallfoods #fallbaking #falldrinks #fallcocktails #pumpkinpies #pumpkinspicelattes #squashseason #falleats #soupweather
Comment below if you use these hashtags and find them helpful!
Follow me on Instagram at (@krissybri)
Leave me a comment on one of my posts that you’re following me and I’ll follow you back! 🙃
Is The Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?
Hi friends! I have been keeping a HUGE secret from you all for a few weeks now, and I am very excited that I can finally let the cat out of the bag. I can not tell you how stoked I am to be sharing this post! The Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette from Pat McGrath Labs has arrived! YES, friends! I got the chance to be one of the first to try this palette before it hits the shelves (the palette from the Celestial Odyssey collection launched 9/24). I received this product complimentary from Influenster, in exchange for my honest opinion.
This blog post is my official review of the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey holiday palette. In this review, I will be getting into all the shades, swatches, and sharing a look I put together while using the palette.
Celestial Odyssey Palette from Influenster
The products that I get to review each month are sent to me from Influenster. I was selected for the Pat McGrath Labs campaign and asked to share my honest thoughts. Product reviewers and influencers on Influenster get sent surveys to qualify for campaigns. I never know what is going to show up in my mailbox or doorstep. I could not contain the excitement I felt when I found out that I was receiving this palette. Before I get into the details of the Celestial Odyssey palette, I want to share another secret.
Get ready for this! You might need to sit down for this one.
You can review products on Influenster and receive free products, too. Use my code to sign up and start filling out surveys and reviewing products.
I have heard nothing but amazing reviews about Pat McGrath Labs, and I have always been interested in purchasing products from this brand. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Celestial Odyssey palette is my first Pat McGrath product ever. It’s surreal that I get to use this palette as my introduction to the brand. The Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette is from the brand’s 2021 holiday collection released on 9/24.
This palette value retails at $78 online and was the first product from the collection to become available for purchase. The Celestial Odyssey palette has 18 beautiful shades. The Celestial Odyssey palette from Pat McGrath Labs beams beyond the spectrum in an array of supernova gemstone-inspired shades presented in a cyber bronze starscape balanced with warm and cool tones. Each eyeshadow color consists of creamy textures in five different finishes: sateen shimmer, 24k duochrome sparkle, foiled metallic, velvet matte, and iridescent sparkle.
You can watch my YouTube video for a deeper look into each shade in the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette when it premieres, this Sunday, October 17th at 12 pm central standard time. In this video, I will be discussing my thoughts on the palette and sharing how I achieved my first Celestial Odyssey look. I have so many ideas for these eyeshadow shades! You can count on me to create more holiday looks with this palette during the fall and winter seasons.
My Review Look
After swatching and playing around with these beautifully stunning hues, I couldn’t wait to try on a few of them. I decided to pick four colors that I loved from the “swatch reveal” and get creative with them. My application process was very random and spontaneous! I just wanted to throw something that I thought might look good together. If you want to recreate this look at home, I will share the colors I used below to achieve the look I created in my YouTube video:
- Lunar Haze
- Noir Moon
- Solar Flare
- Lotus Luxe
Now for my final thoughts…
The verdict is that this palette is EVERYTHING, and it is absolutely worth trying! I did not know that Pat McGrath Labs was coming like this. This palette is AMAZING. I was not disappointed. Since this product was my introduction to this brand, I will say that I don’t think it was too hard for me to be pleased. I have always expressed an interest in purchasing products, and I’ve heard nothing but great things online and from friends. I think this review will be the first of many about Pat McGrath Labs. I will be trying out some other beauty products, and I know I will continue creating more looks using the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette.
Sign-up for The LEWK Digest to get detailed honest reviews from me! I review all the products mentioned on the website. Get them delivered directly to your inbox today.
What do you think about the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette?
Will you be purchasing this palette after reading this review?
15 Pinterest Nails For Fall
The best thing about the season changing is not the weather or daylight savings! It’s honestly the new vibes and colorful foliage that I look forward to in autumn every year. It’s the fall color scheme that truly gets me going! I like to incorporate fall foliage and earth tone colors in my outfits, makeup, and nails all the time now. Pinterest has become my go-to for all my seasonal moods, aesthetics, and inspiration for fun and festive ideas for beauty and outfit choices. Lately, Pinterest nails have all been all of the nail inspo for the fall season. There are some new colors, shapes, and designs that are trending to be popular this season. LET’S GET INTO THEM!
Don’t ask for my mood, just check my nails. They say it all.
Popular Pinterest Nails: Color
Now, as far as colors go, there’s PLENTY for the girls to choose from; because of this, you may have difficulty picking one you will enjoy. Shades of brown, orange, red, purple, gray, and blue will continue to reign supreme for fall colors. I am in love and invested in the brown color scheme. I love me some chocolate! Caramel and coffee are popular universal colors to have in your palette. My searches on Pinterest have also indicated never rule out shades of white. Why? Cream, ivory, or coconut colors are great for creating nude and natural nail aesthetics. My general advice is to choose colors that will accentuate your personality and capture your vibe.
Popular Pinterest Nails: Shapes and Patterns
Choosing my nail color and design will be easy- Said no one ever
Choosing a nail color is not the only decision you’ll have to make during this process. Patterns and designs are ways that you can create signature nails to match your personality or vibe. It’s all in the details! If you’re looking to spice it up this season, there are certainly some different trends for you to check out. Ombre or duo tone nails (features two colors that are smoothly graduating into each other) are not new but trendy. Plaid nail art is ideal for outfit matching, especially with anything flannel.
Find Pinterest Nails to Recreate
It’s important to remember to pick patterns and designs that your nail technician will be able to replicate. Nail technicians will be creative with abstract, marble, and leopard print designs. If you do not have a regular nail technician, please make sure that your tech can replicate the design you’ve chosen. I use Pinterest to create mood boards to show my nail tech where my nail inspiration came from. Look at the board that I’ve started for fall! It has all sorts of ideas for the season, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
Nails are the #1 thing you can get into shape without exercising
Nail color, design, and art are NOTHING without shape and length. Yes, girl! Your nail’s shape and length are important, too. It’s the first step in nailing the right aesthetic. How long will your nails be? How short would you like them to be? Do you like your nails square or oval? All shapes and lengths can be customized to any preference if you have communicated this with your nail technician.
I want you to nail it this season! Get fall-inspired nails from Pinterest searches if you are in need of some nail art ideas. Pinterest has you covered on the entire look! Piece your new nail art together by choosing from colors, patterns, designs, and shapes that you find on pins and boards. Halloween and Thanksgiving are just a jump, hop, and skip away! Set off your new season with some fun, festive nails.
What is your favorite go-to color or design that you love to wear during fall?
What are some colors or designs that you hope to try this year?
Good Podcasts: SIPMYTHOUGHTS
Good podcasts have been taking over the entertainment world for a few years now, and that reign is far from over. The podcast world continues to see significant upticks in podcasts created. Episodes are uploaded daily and listeners are looking to discover new podcasts to add to their audio library. Tyler Carter, journalist/ media professional, is a talented creative who’s entertaining, and enlightening stories through the audio waves.
His brilliant SipMyThoughts podcast focuses on the storytelling of the Black community that mainstream media often neglects to share with the entire world. This blog post focuses on the creator Tyler Carter, what inspired him to create his awe-inspiring podcast, and how listeners can discover the SipMyThoughts podcast online.
(more…)How To Start YouTube Channels & Earn Money
YouTube is one of the biggest video-based platforms on the entire world wide web. There are more than 37 million YouTube channels out there (2020 latest data)! So many people create YouTube accounts to watch new and trending videos that are uploaded daily by creators and vloggers. YouTube continues to be a popular platform that creators use to grow their brand or business, nurture video content for target audiences, and generate passive income online. If you’ve ever wondered how to start YouTube, this post is for you! YouTube users are subscribing daily to creators who provide relatable and valuable content! I recently developed a YouTube strategy to become more comfortable with creating video-based content and grow my brand. I have always felt that I’ve been ready to join the masses, but I had NO clue what my channel would be. What would I post?!
(more…)Finding Friends: Black Women Sisterhood
Are you aging gracefully into your 30s and 40s but finding it hard to build new friendships or find a group of women that you can genuinely call your sisterhood? Do you get overwhelmed trying to establish genuine friendships and connections with women in your age bracket? Finding friends can definitely be challenging.
You are not alone.
Thank you, Jody-Ann Buckle, for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com!
(more…)8 Blogger Groups to Help You Master Blogging
Are you a newbie blogger, business owner, content creator, or influencer looking to meet and mingle with other content creators within your niche? Are you looking for a networking community where you can promote your brand and learn about brands and businesses? One of the ways to build your tribe and community for your brand or business is to join online blogger groups.
Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com Blogger groups have been helpful for me because I’ve learned from competitors about the dos and don’ts of being an online business owner. I’ve learned how to grow my business and generate website traffic by adopting marketing strategies and planning out content. Additionally, I’ve learned how to land collaborations and how to engage with all types of niche brands.
This blog post will provide tips to newbie bloggers, business owners, influencers, and content creators who want to start networking and find blogging groups to join. This post also contains 8 Blogging Groups that I have recommended that will help you get comfortable navigating and engaging in online groups and communities.
Finding Blogger Groups on Facebook
Facebook is the #1 platform when it comes to searching for blogging groups to join online. I know that some people are skeptical about if Facebook groups are worth joining or if they work. I have had more success than bad experiences. Facebook is one of the best platforms for marketing and advertising your business, and it is easy to connect with content creators and business owners. Most blogging groups contain threads that will have discussions to allow you to ask questions for advice and support.
There is a range of people who use Facebook groups to connect– from newbies to advanced experts. You must take advantage of the tools and resources given in discussions and topics posted in the blogging groups that you plan to join. These tools and resources will help you grow and promote your business online. I’ve tripled my followers, likes, and views on social media by networking in Facebook blogging groups! I’ve seen influencers land 3-6 figure brand deals with brand companies. The possibilities and opportunities are THERE. Just look at what other business owners, content creators, and influencers had to say about their experience with blogging groups:
How To Join Blogger Groups
So, how do you get involved and start networking? You can:
- Join the conversation
- Give & receive feedback
- Take advantage of opportunities
- Follow, engage, and subscribe to competitors
Start with searching groups on Facebook to find one that will fit your goals and to achieve them. After you join your first group, agree to the rules of engagement and begin jumping into community discussions. It’s okay if you want to observe what’s going on first, to get an understanding of how the engagement group will work. Introduce yourself and your brand! You can instantly start following, engaging, and subscribing to brands that respond to you. Leave comments on social media posts and YouTube videos! There are some great conversations taking place and you should want to be a part of them. This is a great idea for influencers who are interested in landing brand deals and partnerships. Brand companies look everywhere online for influencers to be a part of their influencer campaigns!
To help you get started building your online networking community and discover engaging blogging groups, here is a list of 8 Facebook groups that I would like to invite you to join:
Black Bloggers Community
This group is a created private space for Black bloggers, influencers, and content creators to interact, connect, and network their creativity.
Boss Girl Bloggers
If you’re looking for a place where Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion Boss Girl Bloggers interact, collaborate, & help each other with their growing blog success, then this is the group for you.
BossBabe Engagement Tribe
Although the name of the group is “Boss Babe”, this group is a safe space for women & men to connect with one another, grow your Instagram, encourage one another and learn/ask questions! 💕
Digital Boss Hub
Welcome to The Digital Boss Hub, here, we level up. This space was created for bloggers and NEW entrepreneurs to get access to tips, resources and support to successfully market, network, increase engagement to start or grow their brands!
Black Women Who Blog
This group is for Black Women Who Blog or are just getting into blogging. Here you can share your blog links, find other bloggers to collaborate with, and get insight and opinions on subjects you may want to post about. If you are interested in joining this group, please read the thread posting schedule and complete the mandatory questionnaire before your request to join the group will be approved.
Influencers Only: Learn and Grow as an Influencer
Influencers Only is a group made for social media influencers to discuss brands, sponsorships, and give all the tea on personal experiences with influencing.
SEO for Bloggers
SEO tips for bloggers + training. Learn how to use SEO on your blog! A community for bloggers who are in search of SEO help. Inside the group you will find SEO tips for bloggers and SEO tips for beginners.Come on in!
Women in Instagram Marketing: Social Media Engagement
Women in Instagram Marketing is a group designed to support and empower women to make connections, build engagement, and learn how to earn money through Instagram marketing.
There are several blogging and engagement groups out there on Facebook and other social media platforms. This list was created to help you figure out where you should start in networking and marketing your brand and business. I hope that you will STOP limiting your reach and maximize every platform that could help your business grow by networking and engaging with your peers.
Get out there and meet new people! It’s time to spread those social butterfly wings and soar.
Did you find this blog post helpful in the decision to start marketing your brand or business in blogging groups? How do you currently advertise your business online to make sales and boost website traffic?
Comment Below.
How To Get Sponsored Posts On Instagram
Have you ever wondered how to get sponsored posts? Sponsored posts are advertisements created by a brand or business for a product/service. Companies are looking to work with content creators daily to reach consumers through sponsored advertising. Many Bloggers and Influencers use sponsored posts (also known as promoted posts) to generate more traffic and link clicks to their website or social media. Sponsored posts are just one of the ways you can create additional income online and monetize your blog.
In the past, I worked with brand companies such as Amazon, Jenell B. Stewart’s DCU affiliate program, Influenster, and The Raw Dosage. I continue to work with businesses on collaborations through sponsored ads and partnerships. In this blog, you will gain insight into how sponsored posts work and how to get sponsored posts. Are you ready to generate website traffic and revenue for your website, blog, or social media? Let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate marketing is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to brand websites. This is at no additional cost to you!
Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com UGC is Key to Sponsored Posts
It is important to remember that when promoting a company’s services and products through sponsored posts, you are introducing your community to brands that they’ll be interested in purchasing from and learning more about how they can benefit from them. Brands are looking to reach communities and audiences through UGC, user-generated content. You want to collaborate with brands related to your niche to create the authentic, quality image and video content that brands are looking to use to attract consumers.
For example, my blog is a lifestyle blog. I am inspired to create content around my interests and daily activities. I create brand awareness by sharing content from companies who express interest in reaching consumers with interests in many topics (beauty, health, wellness, finance, travel, food, etc.). I love to promote products and services that are relatable to my everyday life and my brand.
How To Get Sponsored Posts With Influenster
The bulk of my sponsored posts are from my collaborations with Influenster. Influenster is a product discovery app that allows consumers and influencers to try products for free; in exchange for an honest review of the product on your website or social media. By signing up and becoming a member of the Influenster community, I save money by not spending it on products, connected with lots of cool brands to establish long-lasting partnerships, increased traffic to my blog, and gained followers on social media. Let’s look at some of my favorite campaigns that I have been a part of so far:
TurboTax Ambassador Campaign MAC Cosmetics Campaign Are you ready to land sponsored posts to gain website traffic and grow your business? Are you ready to land sponsored posts as a way to generate a source of income? It’s time to figure out what your next steps should be. Here are 4 ways that you can get started today:
4 Ways To Get Sponsored Posts
Start a Blog or Create a Social Media Account Now!
Having a website is a no-brainer decision. It’s time to start building your online platform if you haven’t already. Online marketing is crucial for brands in 2021. I recommend beginning with a blog to share quality content that you know your audience will want to see. Do research. Learn. Apply what you learn! Establish what you want you think your niche should be and create good content. If you aren’t on social media already, the decision to join is something that you will want to make soon. It’s free to create an account on all popular social channels (TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter) and most blog platforms (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, ).
Pitch Ideas to Brands
If you have an idea for a sponsored post, it’s time to pitch that idea to the brand or business. Don’t let imposter syndrome set in! Pitching content ideas is one of the ways that you can start landing brand partnerships. Create a media kit before reaching out to brand PR to showcase yourself and your business. Most media kits contain:
A list of services that you offer
Statistics (website/blog stats, engagement rates, followers/subscribers)
A bio (one for yourself and your brand biz)
Network Within Your Niche
Most collaboration opportunities come from networking and meeting other business owners and content creators. It’s time to get comfortable with the competition by getting to know them. There are opportunities out there for everyone! I have met some amazing content creators in online groups and through taking blogging courses. Blogging and Engagement Groups are great ways to learn about partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations. Facebook has a wide variety of blogging groups for you to research and join.
Join Influencer Marketing Platforms
There are several influencer marketing platforms online that you can join to help you get sponsored posts that can help you grow your business and generate traffic to your website. I recommend researching each one to find out which works best for you. Most of these influencer marketing platforms will allow you to join for free; after approving your website and social media accounts. I compiled a list of the influencer marketing platforms that I have had success with so far. These websites allow me to generate traffic to my blog, grow my brand, and make money. Click the jump to download the list.
FREE DOWNLOAD
Did you find this post helpful? Leave a comment below. Tell me your niche and what brands you are interested in collaborating with.
Book Review: Reflections of a Queen Rising
Reflections of a Queen Rising is an inspirational, autobiographical poetry book written by author and blogger Jody-Ann Buckle. The poetry book has a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon and has been the source of motivation and encouragement for women of all backgrounds to believe in themselves, take risks, find their purpose, and live out their dreams. Jody-Ann began writing poetry at a young age to help her cope with expressing her feelings. Through her writing that she has been able to find comfort in her talents and realize her worth as a woman. This blog post is the ultimate guide and book review of ROAQR!
(more…)6 Best Thrift Store Fashionable Finds
I recently went shopping to find some cute little summer outfits to take pictures in. Thrifting is one of my favorite ways to pick up fashionable threads for less. Whenever I need to search for statement pieces for a photo shoot, something to wear while vacationing, or maybe for a summer event like a barbecue, I can always count on finding unique threads at the thrift store. During my recent shopping experience, I found six creative and trendy looks for the summer. I traveled to three different stores (two Goodwill Stores and one America’s Thrift Store) and found six cute outfits under $20 each! I was impressed that I was able to find clothes that have never been- worn before. Markdowns on items already marked down! I even found a great pair of gently used shoes!
(more…)7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence
In a world that is constantly innovating, challenging and competitive, taking risks is paramount. Taking risks builds confidence and uproots you from your comfort zone. In addition, risk takers are more likely to take a stab at other endeavors that they were once afraid of doing. Let’s explore some good examples of ways to boost your confidence.
Story time. If blogger and author, Jody-Ann, played it safe, she would have allowed her talents to waste instead of publishing her blog and writing her first book in 2017. For way too long, she’s allowed fear to get in the way. Stepping out and doing what she was afraid to do has been liberating.
If fear and doubt are getting in the path of starting your business, publishing your book, or trying something new, here are a few things to tips from Blogger Jody-Ann Buckle that start to boost your confidence and be the first steps you take in getting out of your comfort zone.
Thank you, Jody-Ann Buckle, for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com!
(more…)Top 10 Reasons To Use Lightroom
There are many photography apps on the market these days, so I can only imagine that it can be hard to find one that you’ll enjoy. You might have found yourself asking, Do I need to pay for an app to get the best option? Do I need something to do quick edits? Do I also need to think about being able to store and organize my photos? Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo and video editor for managing and processing thousands of stunning images.
Thank you Tracey Jones for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com
(more…)10 Creative Post Ideas for Social Media
You’ve started a business, you’ve created a brand. You’re ready to start marketing your business/brand on social media, but there’s so much overwhelming information out there. Everyone is telling you that you should post at least 3 pieces of social media content per week, post to your social channels every day, and create high-quality content, but where are you going to find inspiration to post interesting, engaging and relevant things to share with your audience? Here are 10 creative post ideas for social media that can work for you!
Thank you Tracey Jones for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com
(more…)Powerful Words of Affirmation For Success
Words of affirmation are short and powerful statements that people can use to promote positive thinking. They allow us to be in control of our thoughts and shape our realities. Individuals can repeat affirmation statements until they become new beliefs. I use affirmations to eliminate negative thinking and to help me navigate challenges that will make achieving goals easier, through the law of attraction. This blog post will provide insight into what affirmations are, what the laws of attraction mean, and how to incorporate these things together when motivating ourselves through self-care practices.
Every day, people are using affirmations to attract confidence, abundance, love, success, and happiness. Studies have shown that it is not uncommon for people to increase their happiness through a positive mindset. Plenty of people desire to be more successful in life and have found affirmations help combat negative self-talk and negative mindsets. After I started using affirmations, I found that I have a better outlook on what my purpose is and that I am worthy of attaining success. I’ve learned how to be gentle with myself by becoming more trusting and confident in my abilities to make decisions. Positive affirmations require regular practice to achieve long-term changes in your life.
Related: How Letting Go of Negative Thoughts Changed My Life
Words of Affirmation: The Laws of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is the belief that positive thoughts will yield positive results in your life, career, health, or relationships. There are 3 Laws of Attraction that detail this concept:
- Like Attracts Like
- Removal of Negative Energy
- The Present is Always Perfect
Like Attracts Like is the law that similar things are attracted to one another. Although opposites can often attract, it is the belief that it is more often that like attracts like. What we think about and choose to believe is what we tend to do. People will use affirmations to think and believe positive thoughts to do the work needed to attract positive results.
Removing negative thoughts makes space for positive thoughts! This law of attraction is identified as “nature abhors a vacuum” and is the belief that if we remove negative energy and replace it with positive, we will create a space to attract new things. Ex: Decluttering your closet will allow you to make room for the new clothes that you just purchased
The Present is Always Perfect if you’re looking to use this law to attract the things you want. Amid a challenge, it can be hard to see the good in bad things. It is never too late to change how you choose to respond to negative situations. Implement the use of affirmations whenever there is a desire to complain about something that isn’t going right for you. Look for ways to improve the present moment.
20 Powerful Words of Affirmation to Attract Abundance & Success
Related: Who Else Wants a Free 7-Day Gratitude Journal
Now that you know about affirmations and the 3 laws of attraction, here are 20 affirmation statements that you can use to help you attract abundance, confidence, and success into your life. This list of affirmations that I’ve compiled consists of action statements that I’ve repeated throughout the year. Try saying them in the morning, to start the day or at night, before going to bed. Repeat affirmations daily and regularly (at least 10 times a day). Listen to yourself say each word, focus on them as they are leaving your mouth, and believe them to be true.
I hope that this post helps anyone interested in learning how affirmations work, and how to use them to attract success and happiness in their life. I have always encouraged positive thinking as a form of self-care and I believe it motivates people to meet their goals. What are some positive affirmations that you may say to attract what you want?
Let me know in a comment!
5 Proven Tips For Starting Your Online Store
Photo by Ann Nekr on Pexels.com You have been crafting for some time and now feel it is time to start selling your masterpieces, but you have no experience running a business. You aren’t sure where to start and the whole thing feels a bit overwhelming at the moment. You’re interested in starting an online store but not sure where to begin.
(more…)The Secure Guide to Filing With TurboTax
Thank you, TurboTax for sponsoring this post!
Filing taxes is a stressful situation for everyone. Every tax season, American citizens are hopeful and excited about their tax returns. Some look for ways to ensure that they’ll receive as much money back as possible, some are prayerful that they will not have to owe the IRS anything, and some look for tax preparers or financial advisors to help them because they need professional tax advice.
Whether you decide to go to a CPA or financial advisor, or you decide to do your taxes alone, you want to feel comfortable about the decision you make. TurboTax is the best solution for all your tax filing fears! I am an active and current TurboTax user. I have always had an easy, comfortable, and reliable experience with using their software. In conclusion, this post is your secure guide to filing your taxes with TurboTax.
(more…)How to Use Instagram to Grow Your Audience
In the world of social media, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms out there. Users post pictures and videos daily for personal enjoyment, exposure, and business opportunities. For entrepreneurs, it’s important to reach your target audience, client, and/or customer for your business. This post contains everything you need to know about how to use Instagram for business. Anyone can grow an audience on Instagram! There are over 1 billion monthly active users, with accounts, defining their audience.
With The Five C’s Contingency Plan, you will be able to organically grow an online presence. You will be able to use this contingency plan with any Instagram algorithm. This Contingency Plan is a combination of strategies that I use regularly and simultaneously to reach new readers and subscribers to my blog, sell gratitude journals, and land brand partnerships. I used the 5 C’s Contingency Plan and reached over 60,000 accounts, receive over 400 new followers, and increase content interactions within 90 days in Q1.
What is the ‘5 C’s of Contingency Plan’?
- Connect
- Consistency
- Comment
- Commit
- Create
Connect & Network
Connecting with people can and will help you to grow your audience. You should be following more people and engaging in conversation. Get to know the competition, but do not compare too critically! Networking is an easy way to land new opportunities and business deals. Collaborations happen every day on Instagram.
Note: You should NOT be following “overwhelming accounts” that can trigger emotions like imposter syndrome or self-sabotaging doubt.
Consistency Is Key
Post consistently to your feed and Instagram stories. If you are inconsistent with posting, how will you truly be able to cultivate an audience? When will your audience know when or where you post? Everyone’s posting schedule is going to be different. Your posting schedule should be based on the peak days that you receive the most views. Using your insights and metrics, you will be able to figure out what is the best time for you to post your content.
My peak days of the week are Monday through Friday (9 am-9 pm). That’s a twelve-hour window for me to post my images and videos and maximize the views I receive during those times of the day. Although Saturday and Sunday are not the best days for views, according to my insights, I still find the best peak time of the day whenever I’m looking to post on the weekends. Enjoying this post? Check out more Social Media Tips & Tricks
- 125 of the Best Fall Hashtags For Instagram 2021
- 8 Blogger Groups to Help You Master Blogging
- How To Start YouTube Channels & Earn Money
- 10 Creative Post Ideas for Social Media
I’m 100% certain that commenting and liking posts will help you grow your audience on Instagram. After you leave a comment on someone’s post, their followers can see your comment and now have the option to engage with you! This type of banter often leads to clicks on your profile, clicks to the link in your bio, and someone else learning more about you. I hold plenty of conversations with brands in their comments! I’ve also pitched to brands for sponsorship post opportunities via email just through conversations that developed in the comment section.
Note: Pinning comments is good exposure for your business, and can be small examples of CTAs when guiding your clients to make a purchase or subscribe to a newsletter.
Commit to Quality
Commit to sharing quality pictures, videos, and graphics. Use Canva to create your graphics and use photo-editing apps like Lensa for brighter and high-quality pictures. Image quality is important to increasing user engagement and decreasing your bounce rate, which means more traffic and higher rankings! Commit to making content with value! When recording videos, try to find spaces in your home that will make great aesthetic backgrounds. Committing to sharing quality images will help you create content you know your target audience would want to see.
Create The Content They’ll Love
Always remember to create content with value when creating engaging content. When you’re ready to share the content that you’ve created, you’re going to want to create captions that will grab the audience’s attention. OMG, did I just make a scroll-stopping caption? Be sure to also include CTA (call-to-action) statements in your caption and use relevant hashtags. Additionally, if your post contains a product, tag the brand in the post and the caption. Ideally, it would help if you were using one CTA and at least five hashtags per post.
You want to avoid asking your audience to do too many things in one post. Why? Your audience won’t know what you want them to do first and they will do the exact opposite of what you wanted. Lastly, do not use hashtags that are already being used by too many users or will cause your post to be shadowbanned.
Note: Shadowbanning is the practice of blocking a user or their content online from being seen or shared.
There’s no doubt that when (not if) you incorporate the ‘5 C’s of Contingency’ into your social media strategy, you will begin to see an increase in your engagement on Instagram, new clients or customers for your business, new subscriptions to your blog, and more. Using these methods are ways that you will learn to navigate any algorithm and help you grow your audience!
Follow me on Instagram for more tips and strategies.
What do you think about the ‘5 C’s of Contingency’ Plan and how will you use it to grow your online presence on Instagram?
INFLUENSTER: Unboxing + How To Get For Free
Influenster is a product discovery platform for consumers and influencers. There are hundreds of thousands of brands looking for honest feedback in exchange for free products! Influencers are surveyed and matched to campaigns or a voxbox to review and share with their audience on social media.
HOW TO GET A FREE INFLUENSTER VOXBOX
Influenster is a product discovery app that encourages consumers and influencers to write reviews on products from thousands of brands. Reviewing products and being active on the Influenster app increases your chances to receive free stuff like voxboxes and match for voxbox campaigns.
WHAT IS A VOXBOX?
O- M- G! The Love In The Air Voxbox from Influenster has arrived. I am so excited and grateful to have been chosen for this amazing opportunity to test a box full of free products. This post will contain product reviews about the products that were sent to me for free, in exchange for my honest review.
Love In The Air Influenster Voxbox
The voxbox that I received in the mail came with four products
- Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Body Cream
- Goop G.Tox Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo
- Mont Blanc Legend Eau de Toilette
All items are available for consumers to purchase online (brand website, Sephora, Ulta). The fragrances that I received were not full-size. The Voxbox also came with details on each product included in the box.
Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum (2020)
I will be shopping for a new perfume after sampling this fragrance from Coach. Coach Dreams evokes the freedom and adventure of a road trip across America. The scent combines radiant bitter orange with the sensual warmth of gardenia, cactus flower, and Joshua tree. The fragrance is light and long-lasting. My only wish is that I could have received a larger size to sample. The Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum retails $28.00- $102.00 online.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream (2021)
This is body cream is amazing and is my favorite product of the four that I received. This luscious body cream is whipped with vitamin-rich watermelon seed butter, naturally smoothing hibiscus AHA and multi-weight hyaluronic acid for deep moisture and ultimate comfort. I applied this body cream after an AM shower and felt hydrated instantly and throughout the day. It didn’t take much effort to rub and absorb into my skin. Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream will leave your skin baby-soft and with a healthy glow. This product is the newest out of the four and retails online for $28.
Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scrub Shampoo (2018)
I had no idea that this product is from Gwyenth Paltrow’s skincare line. I didn’t even know that she had a skincare line! This salt-enriched whipped-mousse shampoo removes product buildup, dirt, and oil, and leaves hair looking healthy and shiny. The scrub did not cleanse my scalp as much as I would have liked. Since I do have thick and coily hair, and I believe that I did not use enough of the scrub (6oz) on the first try. I do like that the shampoo has rosehip oil and peppermint to leave the hair feeling purified and cleansed. I will give this product another chance, as I’ve heard great reviews from other influencers! G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scrub retails for $42.00 online.
Mont Blanc Legend Eau de Toilette (2011)
Influenster sent some amazing fragrances! Mont Blanc Legend is a masculine and iconic fragrance for a charismatic and unforgettable man. It has key notes of bergamot and pineapple leaves and is subtle but striking and masculine. I gave this men’s fragrance to my husband to test and we were both impressed with how light and enduring the scent is. My only takeaway here is that this was another sample just like the Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum. Mont Blanc Legend is the perfect gift for the special man in your life and retails for $75.00- $120.00 on Ulta.
Love is definitely in the air with my Influenster voxbox. I am happy overall with the products in this campaign. I would recommend any of the items in this box for self-care or gifting someone that you love. I’m excited to have partnered with Influenster and look forward to bringing you more reviews just like this one.
Have you heard of Influenster? Did you already join Influenster and received products like these? Do you want to join Influenster to receive free a voxbox and want to know more about the community?
Leave a comment and tell me what you think about Influenster and the product discovery app.
Subscribe to lifestylewithkris.com to get early access notifications when new Influenster Voxbox reviews post to the blog.
Join 818 other subscribersCheck out more Influenster Voxbox reviews:
- First Look: Sally Hansen x Peeps Nail Polish Collection
- 12 Classic Pink and Red Lipsticks for Valentine’s Day
- Wash Day Routine for Optimal Hair Growth (4c Hair)
- Starting the New Year With Hope and a Radiant Glow
- Is The Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?
- A Special First Look at the Rimmel London Voxbox
How To Meditate: Checklist and Guided Practice
In 2018, I learned how to meditate effectively due to high-stress levels from working a job that brought me much misery and grief. I had to find a release, an escape, something that allow me to relax and be at ease. When I first started my journey into meditation, I had no clue how to meditate, did not know if it really worked, nor what it all meant. I always heard it explained as “a way to practice mindfulness”. Moreover, I thought that it sounded like an option to explore to relieve stress. After two years of practice, I still continue to meditate and use it to help with stress.
Firstly, my journey introduced me to breath work and guided practice. Secondly, the meditation-guided practice helped me achieve inner peace has made things 100% easier. I share and document my meditation process on social media often and I get lots of questions from others about how should they begin meditation. Lastly, there are many people interested in meditation but feel that they’re not doing it right or have absolutely no clue what they’re doing.
Meditate With Guided Practice
You are NOT alone! You are NOT the master!
Yet.
I can relate to the feeling of being excited to do or learn something new and not knowing where to start. It can lead to an overwhelming feeling and sometimes makes you lose your desire to learn. As a result, I created a Mindful Meditation Checklist to help beginners feel comfortable with learning this new skill. The checklist has the basic tools that you will need to successfully complete one meditation session and will need to be repeated frequently to see results. This checklist is able to hold you accountable when you’re wondering if meditation and mindfulness is affective for you, as it is for me.
Click here to download your free checklist today to begin your first meditation session!
Get Your Free Meditation Checklist
Check out more self-care tips and tricks:
3 Tools For Goal Setting and Excellent Planning
It’s been super important for me to get organized with my ideas and goals because I’ve got all these great, big ideas floating around in my head, but no clear thought on how to execute them. It’s not enough for me to just come up with an idea (nor should it be enough for you). I need to find tools for goal setting and planning. The only way to see the outcomes of these ideas is to plan them out.
What am I doing? How will this work?
My impulsive thinking can sometimes lead to a load of inconsistency in executing these ideas. I get so excited that I rush or skip several steps in the execution process. This is how dreams get deferred and ideas get crushed. When you know better then you’ll do better.
That’s why I am sharing three tools I use to assist me in setting clear and concise goals through planning. Keep scrolling to learn new ways to help you stay organized, plan out ideas, and develop strategies for executing your plan.
Necessary Tools For Goal Setting
Tools for Goal Setting: Gratitude Journaling, Planning, Organizing
Journaling is the #1 source of where my ideas and goals begin. Through self-reflection prompts, I construct a list of 3-5 personal and professional goals I want to accomplish for the week. I also set monthly goals and daily affirmations using a gratitude journal. I find appreciation and gratitude to be instrumental in planning and setting realistic, attainable goals. The Daily Expression Gratitude Journal that I use comes with a “Gratitude Garden” that contains mindful questions and notebook pages for me to jot down my emotions and thoughts. I created it as a way to live with gratitude and appreciation. It’s available online for purchase and on sale for $7 here.
Goal Setting Tool #2: Planner
Having a planner as a tool is necessary because this is where I can sort out goals and figure out how I will meet them by listing small tasks that I can complete. Sunday- Saturday, I fill my planner with productive activities related to my weekly or monthly goals.
Let’s use an Instagram Reel as an example. The objective will be to create an Instagram Reel for the week.
I pick a day during the week that I can research reels to trigger inspiration, days that I can prepare for creation, and then the day that I want to post it. Making a reel does NOT just happen in five minutes! I realize that there may be intricate actions that I will need to take before it can happen. I may need to learn audio (lyrics and dialogue), rehearse dance moves, and sort out a look. Some of the questions I ask myself:
- Where will I film this reel?
- What should I wear?
- What is the tone?
I maximize a lot of my time by using a planner. The mom life is sporadic and chaotic. It’s easy to feel spread thin and busy. Honey, that’s the quickest way to burn out! Using a planner is beneficial to productivity. I’m able to juggle all of my many hats (human, wife, mom, teacher, writer, etc.) and not feel like I’ve completely exhausted all my time. It all gets done through time blocking, sticky notes, affirmation stickers, and lots of colors.
TIP: Use markers and colorful pens to list your tasks in your planner.
Goal Setting Tool #3: Google Calendar
The last tool allows me to schedule my tasks into a digital calendar, and get reminders and alerts when it is time to execute them. Once I learned from other digital content creators about all of the magic that Google Calendar has, I started using it for purposes other than birthdays. I use Google Calendar to
- help me figure out what time I have available to get things done.
- stay on track with time blocking
- celebrate accomplishments
- remember what’s planned for the day
- follow a schedule
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Was this helpful for you? How do you set goals and execute them? What tools do you use to help you execute your goals? How do you hold yourself accountable? Comment your thoughts on this topic below.
Check out more planning and organizing posts like this one:
