What are you to do when your best isn’t enough?

Take those lessons and turn them into actionable, undefeated results. DUH.

If you want to go anywhere in life, except fixated where you currently are, you can’t get stuck on failed relationships, mistakes, or missed opportunities and more importantly, you shouldn’t let them define you. Yes, the feeling of sucking (or failing) makes you feel inadequate, hewns away the drive, and mentally thrusts the end goal an extra 10 miles away, but you gotta pull yourself together and bounce back no matter how hard the fall.

Easier said than done, but here’s how you can rebound from anything in life:

– Let it out.

Admit it and accept the anger, the despair, the helplessness, and the bitterness. Take it all in and then let it out – let the raging tears flow as necessary. But not for long. You don’t get stuck there, just acknowledge the defeat, accept responsibility for the loss, and get back into the game. This is important because the aftermath of failure is sooo emotionally draining and devastating that it’s going to be your first step to emotional freedom.

– Focus on the process.

What do you do when you need to go to work, but your normal route has been blocked because of construction or a car accident? You find another way… You immediately stop focusing on getting to work, but rather how you’re going to get there. Same situation. It’s not the about reaching the ultimate goal, it’s about the journey, plus the journey’s always funner and there’s always a good story to tell from it.

– Reframe the delusion.

Failure isn’t a one-way street and never forget that you can always reframe anything to support what you believe. Ratify an optimistic mindset and choose resiliency and persistence. You gotta make the call to move on… You always have a choice.

– Set another goal/deadline.

Put a cap on the time you let something negative deplete you. Remember, you don’t move forward by fighting the old, but by focusing on the new. This would also be the time to put a deadline on a new goal or vision. Restoring your energy into this “new thing” subtracts wasted energy from the loss. It also gives you something more exciting to look forward to.

Image Source Credits – LA Cool et Chic

You Should Also Read:

How to Claim Back Independence When You’ve Forgotten Who You Are
Honest Things to Tell Yourself When You Feel Like A Complete Failure
Getting Back on Track With Your Goals After They Fall Off Your Radar

The post How You Can Rebound From Anything Like a Champ appeared first on Zanita Studio.

First was ombre, then sombre, and then balayage just went berserk!

You might already know that balayage is a French hair coloring technique and term that means to sweep. It’s applied free hand, using actual sweeping motions… Despite its esteem today, the technique has been around for decades. And if you haven’t heard of balayage, you’ve definitely seen it on your fave A-listers (Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Jessica Alba, Rihanna, the K-clan, et al)… Unfortunately, not many salons have caught on to this burgeoning trend if you’re outside a forward hub like LA or NYC… you might be like me: Charlotte, NC.

I’d been fishing for a balayage expert for about 4 years now in my area and finally discovered a passionate master stylist, Megan Rafidi, who specializes in balayage and precision cuts!

Needless to say, I was flabbergasted and immediately booked her for a mega transformation. Megan was kind enough to share her expertise and take me through the entire coloring process from start to finish. Prior to the real deal, I received the Malibu C Crystal Gel Treatment, which is a demineralizing treatment that rids the hair of any mineral and product build up. It takes ~45 minutes and ensures the color being placed in your hair yields more predictably and accurately. The benefits of this treatment was instant – my hair felt fluffier, each individual strand stronger, and overall, just hydrated. Megan advises the treatment be done prior to balayage because chemically treated hair (professionally or boxed) outputs unpredictable and uneven results.

On the big day, I had shown Megan a few lob haircuts on Pinterest and particularly noted the crude, straight cut and texturized ends… To get this exact cut, Megan says one should be asking for a lob (long bob) with blunt, texturized ends and just enough subtle layers to create movement – this will show off the color. It’s apparently a super versatile cut that can be tweaked for all hair types (even fine, limp hair like mine) and to no surprise, the most popular cut right now! We did a rough haircut first since balayage is applied according to one’s hairstyle and I was hacking ~5+ inches off.

For the actual color, I gave Megan the freedom to pick, but noted I did not want any stark blondes or warm, brassy colors. Without much direction, she went with traditional balayage applying it in Vs (see below), which highlights the roots slightly, but concentrates the color on the ends.

Versus Foils

Traditional balayage takes longer to process (between 30-50 minutes) as it sits in open air compared to foils (20-25 minutes), which hold in heat and in turn, processes color a lot faster. One thing to note is that there are many balayage techniques – American balayage or Foilayage combines both foil and painting techniques and this is perfect for anyone wanting to go much lighter than their natural color. Don’t be alarmed to see some stylists using plastic wrap.

The outcome is discernible between the two… Megan says that no matter how great someone is at foils, you’ll always get obvious lines, but that’s not the case with balayage – it gives you a softer grow out. The other difference is that foils will really lift your roots (lifting = lightening) diffusing the color towards the ends, whereas with balayage, it’s the opposite – the roots are traditionally more diffused.

Ultimately, balayage is the healthier, more natural looking option.

Maintenance & Touch ups

Megan noted that her previous foil clients would come back every 6-8 weeks for touch ups, so if you’re low-maintenance (and lazy about your hair), you’ll be happy to hear that she doesn’t see her balayage clients for ~3-4 months depending on how “rooty” of a look one is comfortable with! Overall, balayage grows out really well and that’s part of the charm in the technique.

Who’s it for?

Although balayage is beautiful and highly sought after these days, that doesn’t make it perfect for everyone. For instance, if your hair color is naturally super dark, but you want to go platinum blonde, it probably wouldn’t be achievable with balayage.

The Verdict

I LOVE MY HAIR! I’ve only had my hair colored professionally twice now, first with foils and now balayage. I can say with confidence, that balayage is much more involved than foils, but the output has a lot more depth and dimension, and emanates a really soft, sun-kissed finish. I would no doubt opt for it again and again.

If you’re in the Charlotte, NC area, Megan is without doubt the balayage connoisseur to see.

Don’t forget to follow Megan on Instagram, Facebook, Bloglovin, and her Blog.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

You Should Also Read:

Adding Oomph to Stubborn Flat Hair
How To: Not Be Awful At Styling Hair
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The post Balayage Hair: Everything You Need to Know and More appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Guys, forget about florals or fringing this summer. That’s old news. Pom-poms are definitely this summer’s hottest trend!

You might disagree, thinking pom-poms are actually rudimentary and not so cool, but there’s no denying they’re lively (and fun) and that’s the exact reason why we love them, right?

If we look back at the catwalks, Gucci shoes had pom-pom lace-up ties, Fendi’s pom-pom key rings were equally as successful. I also cannot forget about Elina Linardaki’s hand-made and beautiful sandals encased in pom-poms. Whether they’re adorning handbags, shoes, or phone cases, or attached to the sleeves and hems of any garment, pom-poms are an essential in any blogger’s wardrobe at this moment!

If you’re looking to make a subtle introduction, pick a pair of socks embellished with little fur balls or start with an accessory like a necklace or the aforementioned pom-pom handbag.

Shop My Picks

Hate ’em or love ’em, pom-poms are here to stay!

– Camila

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook

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The post Trend We’re LOVING Right Now: Pom-poms appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Sophia Amoruso says, “You don’t get what you don’t ask for.”

So like Georgia easily asked a question, you too can easily ask brands to work with you. Ok maybe not easily, but you can certainly ask. What’s the worst that could happen? They say no? In that case, you stay in the same place you’re in now and you move on to the next one. However, if brands say yes, an entirely new door of opportunities open up for you. So let’s stay positive and aim for that goal, shall we?

Step 1: Send a warm e-mail.

The first step in contacting brands is to send a warm e-mail. I say warm because a cold e-mail would be something you send to a big time blogger or some CEO you’ve never met or encountered. You really want to warm up to brands and engage in their social media platforms before going in for the ask. Brands will be much more apt to respond and say yes when you do this first.

You send a warm e-mail when you’ve already established some sort of rapport with the brand. Either you have a blogger friend, friend of a friend – anyone who knows someone who works at the company, or this brand has given you a shout out on some social platform prior. In that case, you’d start your warm e-mail like:

“Hi <insert brand/person’s name>,

My name is ___ and you told me ___ when I asked about ___. Thank you for the tips! Anyway, I am a huge fan of ___ and I would really love to make a video for YouTube about ___. Please let me know the next steps!”

Obviously, you want to personalize the e-mail as much as possible and that script isn’t guaranteed to work but it’s worth a shot. I’ve gotten both positive and negative responses using a similar format. What I do know is, the more personal and the more value you can offer, the better.

Step 2: Create & include a media kit.

Including a media kit in an e-mail to brands show you’re serious about business and you’re no dummy to how this whole “influencer” thing works.

Media kits don’t have to be intricate or as daunting as they sound. In fact, you can find a cute one-page kit on Etsy for like $12. Obviously, if you’re just starting out, a one-page media kit will suffice and as you grow, you could increase it to 5-7 pages.

Your media kit should include your name, e-mail, blog, and number of followers you have on each social media platform. If your following on one platform is super low, you can leave it out. Brands want reach, so make sure you’re only including your largest reaching platforms. Any other tidbits like brands you’ve worked should also be included because it builds your credibility.

You can also give a little blurb of what your blog and aesthetic is about. What value can you offer them and your followers? Brands want to know this!

Then comes the fun, or not-so-fun part… the pricing! Just starting out, I wouldn’t include any prices here. I would just include the services you offer (Instagram post, sponsored blog post, etc.) and let the brand drive the rest. If money gets brought up, you can refer back here and use that as a guideline.

Leave the collab room to grow.

When you initially contact brands as a newbie, you don’t want your rates, guidelines, and expectations to be so set in stone. Even as a macro-blogger, collaborations are negotiable, though you can definitely be more strict because you have the credibility and influence.

Either way, go into brand collaborations with an open mind. As much as you have the right to say NO, you should absolutely consider all possibilities because you never know where it could lead. If you have a positive experience with one brand, they may recommend you to another brand or consider a long-term partnership. No matter how big or small a brand is, never rule them out completely until you’ve done your due diligence.

Have a question and want to be featured? Ask in the comments and I’ll give you a shout out next time!

Image Source Credits – Drea Chong, Love Shop Share

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram Periscope Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

What to Charge for Collaborations as a Blogger
The 3 Most Important Lessons for Women in Business
 How to Get Brands to Pay You to Blog for Them

The post The Right Way to Contact Brands for Collaborations appeared first on Zanita Studio.

This sale is massive & we’re going bananas over everything we have to choose from!

While we were just complaining about having nothing to wear to our next wedding, Nordstrom’s biggest sale of the season makes the dress-up (or dress-down) process so much easier. There’s always room for a cute dress or a great flat and anyone can shop it now through August 8th guilt-free. So many great prices with an abundance to choose from, it’s ridiculously hard to resist! We’ve added a few more picks below…remember, early bird gets the worm so don’t wait until the last minute to shop.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your professional wardrobe or acquire new basics, Nordstrom is easily your go-to.

Tell us about your favorite items from the sale!

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest

You Should Also Read:

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is Now Open to All (Until the 8th)
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The post Still a Few Days to Enjoy Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale appeared first on Zanita Studio.

My first encounter with Klorane was when I was on the hunt for an effective eye makeup remover without the grease and fuzzy vision (for the record, I am no fan of any bi-phase makeup remover). The one Klorane makes with Soothing Cornflower was startling (sooo good) and since then, I’d been dying to try more products.

Lucky me, I’ve been on the Klorane Chamomile line over the last few weeks.

The one thing that makes the entire brand so freakin’ enticing is that they pride themselves on concocting products with plant extracts and for someone who completely believes in both a holistic and scientific approach (to everything), that was like a match made in heaven.

The Klorane Chamomile products are for blondes (or those with light brown hair) so the fact that I’ve been using them probably sound more than peculiar being that I’m not blonde (or light-haired) at all! But, stop there…these products are just as effective for anyone with color-treated hair! I’ll admit, I was apprehensive when I read that the yellow pigment in chamomile petals will lighten and brighten blonde highlights/hair naturally.

Well, Klorane didn’t fail to deliver again this time.

Shampoo & Conditioner with Chamomile

I still had highlights in my hair from a while back and then box-colored my hair not too long ago so I was fervent giving this a go before my balayage experience. Generally, I’m not a fan of “clear” shampoos – they just don’t feel as effective in my opinion. However, this shampoo was different – it didn’t lather as much as I was used to yet my hair still felt clean and it left a lovely light floral scent. I don’t use conditioner regularly, but this one performed to my expectations (my hair was soft and brushable).

Over the course of two weeks, I wouldn’t say my hair became “lighter”, but it certainly looked brighter, which gives the illusion of a “lighter” look overall. I’m really pleased with both the shampoo & conditioner so far and my balayage highlights are certainly reaping the benefits.

Sun Lightening Spray with Chamomile & Honey

I’ve been seriously enjoying this spray… Aside from the delicate scent, which I love, I have to admit it works! We’re in the perfect season too because the sun activates the lightening/brightening properties. Even with daily use, it hasn’t changed the texture of my hair or made it feel drier… Another major bonus is that my hair isn’t turning orange. I can only imagine how great this would be for a natural blonde.

Vinegar Shine Rinse with Chamomile

The shine rinse was my least favorite only because the vinegar odor is quite strong for my liking… It smells pretty sour at first although that diffuses quickly with the whiff of chamomile. I am convinced it will work so I’ll get on a regular schedule eventually. I plan on diluting it first, then dampening my hair without rinsing. I’ll follow up.

If you’re interested in alternatives or feel that these might be out of your price range, John Frieda and L’Oreal make decent options as well; I just happen to prefer Klorane of the bunch.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

You Should Also Read:

Adding Oomph to Stubborn Flat Hair
How To: Not Be Awful At Styling Hair
Balayage Hair: Everything You Need to Know and More

The post Essential Products for Keeping My Hair Light & Bright appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Naturally, we all start to fall out the fitness groove this time of year. The gym and regular jogging course unfortunately get boring fast! So if you’ve been lacking a good workout inspiration and not breaking a single sweat, I have the perfect session that will get your heart rate up and those calories burnin’!

First of all, you just need to know that this workout is killer… Be prepared to get your butt kicked even if you only have 30 minutes. As a matter of fact, 30 minutes is all you need to actualize this insanely good fat-burning workout.

So, what exactly is EMOM? It stands for: Every Minute on the Minute!

Every minute, you will aim to complete ONE exercise and then move onto another. The faster you complete the exercise, the longer rest you’ll get – SAY WHAT!? Up for the challenge? Let’s get started.

Before you do though, here are a few tips:

• Make sure you have a full water bottle handy (don’t want anyone passing out on me now).
• Invite a friend to join in on the fun.
• If there’s not enough equipment at your gym, start with different exercises and rotate as you go!

The following workout comprises of 3 exercises to be performed for ONE minute each, so that’s a total of 3 minutes per set. Complete 10 sets for a total of 30 minutes training time. That’s it! Good luck

Exercise 1: 7 Cal Assault Bike / 150m Row

Note: If you’re a beginner try 5 Cal on the bike or 100m on the rower and then gradually increase it as you need. If you are a fitness nut, do 10 Cal /200m and congratulate yourself!

Exercise 2: 10 Burpees x10

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms down by your side. Lower into a squat position and place your hands flat on the floor in front of you. Jump your feet backwards landing in a press-up position and lower your chest to the floor. Push back up (like a pushup) into to the press up position, then jump both feet forward close to your hands and back into the squat position. Finally, jump up and raise both hands over your head. Land and repeat.

Exercise 3: Kettlebell Squat Press  x10

Grab the kettlebell and flip it upside down so that your thumbs are inside the ‘D’ handle and your hands wrap around the ball. Squat down while keeping the KB close to your chest, explode up, and push the KB up over your head. In a controlled manner, lower the KB back to your chest while squatting back down.

Wearing The Upside 

Get Motivated

SWEAT. MOVE. SMILE. #TheHarperMovement

– Mon 

Follow Mon:  Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest, Twitter, Youtube, BlogLovin

Image Source Credit: Fashion Gone Rogue, Fab Fashion Fix 

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The post The Major Workout Routine You’re Missing Out On: EMOM appeared first on Zanita Studio.

For many months, I’ve been meaning to visit my cousin’s grandparents at their new apartment. My cousin told me how exquisite it was and I’ve heard nothing, but good things about it. Still, I never understand the fuss they were making. Over the past few weeks my cousin was actually staying there so it was the perfect opportunity to drift on over.

It was a Saturday morning and the weather was quite nice. When I arrived at the apartment, my cousin took me up. I immediately noticed the modern accents – lots of concrete and stone surfaces. We went through a few elevators and at the final stop, I was expecting for the doors to lead us into an entrance hall, but that was not the case. The doors took us directly into their home. But that wasn’t the part that put me in shock – the apartment itself was. Imagine this: a completely open floor plan filled with art deco furniture and imported cloths, cushions, and carpet. The sunlight lit up the entire space and illuminated all the lacquered surfaces. The kitchen was one I have never seen in my life… The counter tops were made of this beautiful green marble, covered with glass vases and jars of exotic colors. Behind that was this glass room filled with what looked like hundreds of plants hanging in baskets and pots. Anyway, by the end of the day, I was so overwhelmed and saturated with this new way of living that I couldn’t even think about cooking. It was probably one of the best days of my life though it took me while to get used to normality again.

So before I decide to move out or something, let me tell you about my delicious creation thereafter: mini zucchini cakes.

I never really liked zucchini (or courgettes) as a child. I always thought they were bitter until today when I transformed them into these amazing cakes. They’re made with grated zucchinis, onion, feta cheese, and oregano (plus a few other binding ingredients). They are perfect served as a side or main dish to any Mediterranean style meal.

Mini Zucchini Cakes

Makes about 15 courgette cakes

Ingredients:

• 1kg grated courgettes
• 2 grated red onions
• 250g crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cups plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp chopped oregano
• 2 tsp sea salt
• A little olive oil for frying

Method:

Place the grated zucchinis in a clean tea towel or cloth and squeeze to remove any liquid.

Place all of your ingredients (excluding the oil for frying) into a large mixing bowl and mix together until incorporated.

Place a frying pan over low to medium heat. Drizzle a little olive oil in the pan and leave to heat.

Spoon a heaped tablespoon of the batter into the pan and flatten out slightly. Cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pan and taste to test the flavor. Add necessary seasoning to the batter to your liking.

Continue cooking the cakes until all of the batter is used. You will need to do this in stages. I managed to cook three at a time in my pan.

Once all cooked, serve.

Recipe originally posted on Ben’s Kitchen Blog

Enjoy!
–Ben
Instagram @benorkin + Blog + Pinterest
Snapchat: @benorks

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The post Exquisite Mini Zucchini Cakes You Must Try appeared first on Zanita Studio.

It’s pretty obvious we’re major advocates of traveling here at the Studio. In fact, it’s one of our favorite past times. Who doesn’t like traveling? Exploring new destinations, jet setting to a topical location, or reuniting with family and friends back at home just can’t be beat.

It’s the perfect break from life.

I’m actually setting sail across the Atlantic for one-on-one time with my hometown beaches. It definitely isn’t summer without a trip to Portugal and packing is my favorite thing. I love planning outfits and huddling the right beauty products. Through experience, I’ve figured out the absolute summer travel essentials that always make it into the suitcase.

It all depends on where you’re going, but if like me, you’re off to somewhere warm, these are total must-haves.

Summer is about having fun, so play with colors, shapes, and accessories.

To carry it all, I’m taking my fabulous first class luggage at coach price.

Away has the most exquisite luggage and is inspired by the truest jet setters and globe trotters. Traveling just wouldn’t be the same without it.
 

Hope you too have the chance of going somewhere this August! Enjoy your weekend and see you in Portugal!

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest

You Should Also Read:

Still a Few Days to Enjoy Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale
Trend We’re LOVING Right Now: Pom-poms
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The post Summer Travel Essentials Every Girl Needs appeared first on Zanita Studio.

August marks the nearing close of summer…

And that insinuates change in everyone’s life in one of two ways: 1. You’re either going back to school or 2. dealing with the logistics of it (directly or indirectly). While your brighter hues get sucked back into the closet, that mentality doesn’t have to apply to your face. You might as well liven up your look if you can’t liven up your wardrobe this time of year even if that means faking it a little. To help you get that off-beach tinge or a natural, sun-kissed appeal, I’ve aggregated my TOP summer bronzers to keep your cheek game strong year round.

For a Tropical Tan: Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer

If you’re looking for something not too glittery and won’t wash you out – nothing orange or dirty, Tarte’s nailed it. It gives you the perfect hint of sun-kissed freshness that looks like you just came back from some tropical island. It applies so evenly and softly so you get an all-over healthy wash of color.

For the Desert Wanderer effect: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

If you’re an endless summer girl year-round, Estee Lauder gives you the seductive bronze look we oft imagine in some temptress of the desert. It leans slightly red-orange without turning you into an oompa loompa. It also has a subtle sheen that goes on unnoticeable. Aside from it’s gorgeousness, it’s really buildable and seriously lasts forever.

For a Natural Summer Glow: Dior ‘Diorskin’ Nude Air Glow Powder

This powder contains a soft rosy undertone that just lights you up. If you’re looking more for a glow enhancer and not a sculpted effect, this is your gamut. It’s really hard to mess up the application. A simple dusting across the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin instantly adds life back into your complexion.

For the City Girl: Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder

A true city girl knows her contour can be her best asset – chiseled cheek bones and a softly defined bone structure speaks business. With a matte formulation and neutral tone without any signs of ruddiness, this Sculpting Powder mimics natural shadows best! No one will notice you’re even wearing makeup. Everyone waxes lyrical about Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer, which is pretty good, but Kevyn Aucoin comes out on top.

For Any Occassion: Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Bronzing Powder

One size fits all do exist and Rodial is my go-to for that! In the pan, I admit, the color isn’t very flattering, but it’s surprisingly laudatory on all skin tones and quite reminds me of the Kevyn Aucoin mentioned above, except this one will give you more of an all-natural effect. Whether you’re wanting to create the illusion of a slimmer nose or defined jawline, this product is ideal for the day or at the office.

For the Beach Bum:  Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer

This product isn’t talked about enough! It’s a cream-to-powder formulation that just melts into the skin, making it a a perfect option for beach or looking like you’ve spent an entire day flopped across the beach. It’s also known for being a dupe to Chanel’s Soleil Tan de Chanel. I keep this one in my “within arms reach” stash year round.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

You Should Also Read:

No Makeup Makeup For the Beach
Wedding-Proof Makeup Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
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The post The BEST Summer Bronzers to Sustain Your Glow appeared first on Zanita Studio.

A few weeks ago I talked about blowing up as a fashion blogger and one of the things I mentioned was to try under the radar apps that will get your blog noticed.

My next thought was, well now how are these bloggers going to know what they are if no one tells them? So here I am.

Balancing all these apps that will get your blog noticed, in addition to your other responsibilities as an influencer is hard – trust me, I know, which is why I urge you to try them out. Nothing has to be engraved, but just to put it into perspective, the first few 14-year olds that tried Musical.ly now have millions of “fans”, like 11.4 million. *gulp* Can you imagine what kind of an impact you’d have with that kind of exposure?!

#4 Blab

If you’ve never heard of Blab, then congratulations – you could make a huge impact in your niche. Blab is essentially a mix of Periscope and Anchor (hold tight I’ll explain both of those apps in a minute).

Blab is a live streaming webinar or conference call where people can “blab” about whatever they want. This is a great collaboration opportunity for you and your blogger friends. Not to mention it’s a great way to network and make new blogger friends to collaborate with.

You have an entirely new audience that ranges from 30-60 years old, which is an advantage to you. Think of how much you could teach them about blogging, social media, fashion – you name it! The older crowd is always looking to the younger generations for inspiration and what’s “cool” so now is your chance.

#3 Anchor

Anchor is the perfect platform for aspiring podcasters. Anchor is a great app to tap into yet another audience and add value by talking about topics related to your niche. Anchor isn’t for everyone as it’s hard to keep people’s attention nowadays so you have to be sure you’re really adding value, keeping the segment quick, and speaking eloquently. If you read from a script, you won’t do well here – it’s a very candid setting.

#2 Periscope

I’ve talked about Periscope before and I still love it and feel it’s an extremely valuable tool, similar to Facebook live. I like Periscope more than Facebook Live because with a catchy stream title, anyone from around the world can tune in, whereas on Facebook ,only people who like or happen to stumble upon your page can join. Can you imagine reaching people in Africa or Asia? You’d be surprised but a lot of smaller countries Periscope and those are all followers to be gained.

Like Anchor, your videos have to be really engaging to hold your audience’s attention. Some people can tune in to your conversation halfway through so you want to make sure you’re keeping them entertained the whole way. Any Periscopes that go longer than 5 minutes usually don’t do too well. Short, sweet, and to the point is the way to go.

I’ve found that it’s also more effective to have other people join your Periscope with you. When my boyfriend and I log on, people get a kick out of asking us (sometimes inappropriate) questions and our banter keeps them entertained.

#1 Musical.ly

Musical.ly, Musical.ly, Musical.ly… I can’t get enough of Musical.ly! The opportunities to be creative and make a unique imprint on the Musical.ly world are endless. Musical.ly’s audience is mainly 13-19-year-olds and that may be pushing it, but either way, it’s another audience to tap into.

At a glance, it may seem like we have nothing to contribute to the younger society, but really we can learn a lot from each other. Even if you’re not crazy about the idea of putting out lipsynchs, there are tons of other ways you can use Musical.ly so it stays “on brand”. If nothing else, try it out and see what the kids are doing. It’s all about staying relevant and predicting/following trends.

Have you tried any of these apps? Which one is your favorite and why? Comment below.

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram Periscope Snapchat @notanothrblonde

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The post 4 Under the Radar Apps That Will Get Your Blog Noticed appeared first on Zanita Studio.

If you wanna be a #bossbabe, learning should approximate high on your to-do list…

One of the obvious but best ways to continue your ed. is through books, and we can’t recommend enough How to Win Friends & Influence People. Despite the huge time change that’s transpired from the time the book was published up until this point, it’s still a profoundly relevant topic that’s totally necessary when you’re a blogger.

If you have any intention of becoming a highly influential person,

whether that be a digital influencer, freelancer, or entrepreneur, this book is a must read. We’re giving you a sneak peek inside this genius by harping on our favorite lessons corralled through its pages.

#1 Give honest & genuine appreciation.

Feeling important is an innate craving in everyone. Whether or not you want to admit it, you join the digital space to be heard, recognized, and be part of the conversation – to feel important. Service 101: treat your readers as though they are superior to you. When someone makes a comment or sends a laudatory e-mail, express hearty, sincere gratitude. IntoTheGloss does an excellent job by sharing their readers’ top shelves when they use the ITG hashtag, which leads us into Lesson #2…

#2 Arouse desire.

Everyone is interested in themselves and therefore, pays attention only to things that pique their interest. Sounds like an obvious concept, right? Yet, more often than not, we’re doing things we want and not what someone else wants. In a blogger’s perspective, this might explain why your blog isn’t gaining the attention you yearn… You post beautiful pictures of yourself cloaked in meticulously styled outfits with a few words explaining the reasoning behind your costume, but how antiquated is this formula? Although blogging is about sharing “your personal interests”, do it in a considered way that arouses an eager desire in others… What’s going to make them excited about coming back? Offer that instead.

#3 Be genuinely interested in others.

There’s no point in forcing others to be interested in you… That might actually deter people. So the next time you post something on social media or on your blog, you should think about whether or not it seems like you’re interested in your audience… There’s energy in your voice through your words – that’s why writing, no matter what anyone thinks, remains an important part of the digital space. If you analyze the behaviors of your favorite YouTubers, influencers, and even managers, don’t be surprised that part of their success is possessing this quality.

#4 Sincerely make others feel significant.

Encourage others to share ideas or make suggestions and take it seriously. If your readers are constantly making the same criticism or request, and you’re not minding them any business, they’ll eventually stop returning the visit. If you’re new to blogging, think about how many more hits you can get by leaving bona fide comments on others’ blogs without asking them to follow you. This concept also applies in corporate settings – ever notice how drastically morale drops when management doesn’t care about the input of its employees.

#5 Dramatize your ideas.

Why do brands spend so much money on marketing campaigns and visuals? Because it’s necessary to gain attention. Fashion week stages can get outrageous, guys get on their knees when they propose, car ads magnify performance by being on race tracks, and Beauty YouTubers show sensational before and afters… How will you make your idea larger than life and get people to pay attention?

#6 Make people want to do what you want them to.

People are more likely to do what you want them to when they’re happy about it. Part of making it as an influencer is getting others to follow you, so make this (unspoken) request in a way that your audience believes they’ll benefit.

Image Source Credits – The Fashion Spot

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The post 6 Commandments of Becoming a Highly Influential Person appeared first on Zanita Studio.

“Hell F*@kin’ Yeah!”

                               – me,  after being asked if I’d like to design my own sneakers from Nike Id.

Well, it was a no brainer. I’m a sucker for all things custom, and sneakers are the holy grail of custom shiz. Here’s the result – and that’s right, I had the names ‘Bowie’ and ‘Prince’ printed on each heel, a homage to two dearly departed kings of ear candy. Feels right.

I’ve a new found appreciation for sneakers since arriving to NYC. While public transportation usually works pretty well here, in the summer, it’s stinking hot in the subway, and so often the traffic is that bad. Your best mode of transport is by your own feet. It’s made me moan and groan just looking at my shoe-filled closet. I’ve realised I own so many fabulous pairs that weren’t built to hustle 3 km (equivalent to 1.86 miles) in the heat. Blister city.

I’m really into the retro vibes of my new pair. With Nike Id, there’s a staggering number of detailed combinations. In fact, this pair alone could have ended up in thousands of different ways – I love the idea that I’m the only person in the world with this style (probably)! You can even add studs and spikes! I’m into wearing them with Mom jeans – and maybe a plain white tee, or perhaps just a t-shirt dress and a cap.

Below is my journey through creating the sneaker – truth is, this video was supposed to have sound but somehow failed. Perhaps it was for the best because the original was 15 minutes long. I was joking all the way through, but I couldn’t, in honesty, vouch for 15 minutes of lame humor from yours truly.

I cut it down to 37 seconds, so you’ve definitely got the time to watch it now.

Thanks so much to Nike for working with me on this – absolutely loved the experience of creating and own my very own sneaker style. Feels so exclusive!

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The post Design Your Own Sneakers – The Results appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Lately, we’ve been chatting a lot about working with brands and brand collaborations because if you want to become a full-time blogger, these are the things every blogger needs to know. I’d bet that the majority of bloggers think sponsored posts from luxury brands is the only way to collaborate with them, get featured, and make money.

So, in turn, micro-bloggers get down on themselves and think they don’t even have a shot.

While, yes, sponsored posts of any kind (blog, Instagram, Snapchat) are important in generating an income and gaining exposure from blogging, so are the countless other ways that bloggers don’t talk about. Here are other ways to collaborate with brands if you’re a micro-bogger.

Paid Sponsored Content

Let’s get this one out of the way first…

We all know that when bloggers post a picture of them “casually” using a product, a. it was scrupulously planned, and b. they were paid to do so. We also know the really big bloggers were most likely paid lump sum, meanwhile we’re over here struggling to get featured on @ootdmagazine.

The misconception we always seem to come back to is if brands will actually spend money on micro-bloggers to promote their products and the answer is YES. You just have to price yourself appropriately and according to your following.

Think about it… Facebook ads is the other most popular form of advertising and they went from $1/day, to a minimum of $5/day and that may only get you a reach of 1,000 people. So if brands were thinking about building a long-term, trusted awareness, a micro-blogger would be a much smarter investment than Facebook ads, (if you disagree tell me in the comments below).

If you really want to work with brands, but you’re afraid of scaring them away by asking for payment, try using the other options below.

Blog Posts in Exchange for Exposure

Speaking from experience, I’ve noticed the new thing brands are trying to do to get around paying you to promote their products: running “contests”. These contests are mainly geared toward micro-bloggers and usually go something like this, “Post a picture of your best selfie using the hashtag #brandname and get a chance to be featured on our website!”.

This is an effective way to get you to promote their brand for free, which is fine. But as a blogger trying to turn her side hustle into a business, you could be doing other things like working with brands who will guarantee you exposure in exchange for a blog post. Now if you happen to get featured, that’s a totally different story.

You have to start somewhere, especially if you’re a newb, and this isn’t a bad place to be. If you’re working with a brand who is fashion related, odds are their audience will be fashion lovers too; thus you have the potential to increase your following by being exposed on their social media platforms or website.

Gifts in Exchange for Blog Posts

Sometimes it’s easier (and cheaper) to give a blogger a product (aka gift) in exchange for a promotional post. This is one of my favorite forms of collaborations – who wouldn’t want free stuff? Of course, money is preferred, but sometimes brands can’t or won’t meet your financial requirements in which case you may have to settle for gifts instead.

After all, hopefully you’re working with brands you believe in and in that case, gifts in exchange for a post works better because it’s less money you have to spend on new products.

Be grateful, be patient, and the money will come.

You can turn any situation into a positive. And if that means “sucking it up” and accepting gifts instead, deal with it until you’ve built up your credibility.

Giveaways

If brands aren’t willing to gift you with items to blog about, they might be open to hosting a giveaway with you. This way your followers are not only aware, but they get their friends of friends of friends involved and that’s a lot of PR!

A lot of bloggers do giveaways and they’re becoming less and less extensive, which is good for you if you’re entering them. Before it used to be, “Go here, sign up, go there, comment on this, follow her and you’re done!”. Now giveaways are as simple as “Tag 2 friends below”, which quite frankly is more effective anyway. So now both you and the brand are gaining exposure to new followers.

Blog Tip Bonus: If you’re getting too many free gifts (apparently there is such a thing), you can host your own giveaways where you have your followers tag friends, repost the image, or sign up for your email to win. This exposes your blog without having the hassle of meeting certain brand requirements. 

What has been your best brand collaboration experience? Tell us in the comments!

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram Periscope Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

The 3 Most Important Lessons for Women in Business
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The post 4 Ways to Collaborate with Brands As a Micro-Blogger appeared first on Zanita Studio.

While everyone’s busy keeping up with the Kardashians, the Hadids, and the ever-escalating Swift-West rivalry, we’ve been secretly ogling over Ms. Kloss. BTW…

Happy Birthday Karlie Kloss!

Now 24 years old, Karlie comes at us constantly with several marvel elements – first, dashing around the world as a supermodel whilst making college priority, then came the fashionable and healthy (and philanthropic) Karlie’s Kookies, and then YouTube, imparting the REAL Karlie Kloss; and as of late, teaching our upcoming generation of women how to code! Now, that’s more than enough confirmation we need to balk the idea that nice gals (and guys) finish last. If Karlie isn’t the epitome of #bossbabe, we don’t know who is…

In celebration of her 24th, we’re sharing a few mantras you can start welding into your life to get klossier…

– Have a desire to do it all and just do it!

Karlie believes there’s no reason to wait to continue learning and challenging yourself; if you want to do it all, you just have to start. We’re completely on board with her! If you have grand ambitions in your career and personal life, and want to make meaningful imprint on the world, you’ll make time for it as best you can. The endless drive and can be exhausting at times, but you will find a way if it’s important enough.

– Empower females all over with what you have.

It’s no secret that men and women are wired differently – our motives, ideas, and innovation come from diverging directions and different fundamentals. That’s why it’s so important to empower women to use what they have to do what they can when you have the kind of influence to do so, even if it’s just one girl. Any way you can make that happen often translates into revolutionary results – you never know… So cheers to Karlie for starting Kode with Klossy.

– Live a little.

Everyone breaks down and cries every once in a while and Karlie is just as human as the rest of us. Do it as you need unapologetically. She also believes in procrastination (as long as you’ve got it under control) as much as the next college student.

– Disconnect & reconnect.

The digital detox is something Karlie engages in…who would have thought? We live in a very fast-paced world, and it’s easy to forget your priorities or lose your perspectives when you’re constantly absorbed in these Instaglammers. Disconnecting digitally and getting back in touch with yourself as well as others on a deeper level allow you to fully exist in the moment.

– It’s not always about winning. Be nice.

Karlie is just as competitive as the next athlete, against both herself and her peers. Her milestones as one of the highest paid models in the world, overtaking the runways with a cult social following, all spurred from a certain competitive drive without the bleakness. She’s down to earth and approachable, admitting she hates confrontation and doesn’t do well in fights. She’s all about working through the difficulties. What more can we say, the world is making a well-informed judgement when they say Karlie’s a nice girl… She really is and you can see right through her that it pays to be nice!

Image Source Credits – Front Row View

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The post Life Mantras You Should Use from #BossBabe Karlie Kloss appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Being in deliberate control of your thoughts makes all the difference in the world, but it’s too bad we don’t take control of those thoughts enough.

Unsurprisingly, Pinterest is a wonderful place to start! Read our selects below once and we guarantee you’ll instantly be on the right path to change. Whether your spark has been dimmed by insecurity, fear, guilt, or shame, you’ll see positive change unfold in massive waves by simply integrating these little, but power-packed, words into your morning mediation.

No matter what anyone says, you’re special, important, and worthy – and above all, you’re enough. Now light that fire and use these affirmations to jumpstart your day TODAY.

Image Source Credits – Pinterest

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The post 7 Underused Affirmations to Jumpstart Your Day Every Day appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Do you ever start a workout, with a few reps in, before you suddenly realise that the music you’re listening to isn’t helping you out?

Taking an unnecessary break just to get the next few beats right edges on the annoying side. Unfortunately, it’s those very beats that dictate the energy of your entire workout. They’re a “make it or break it” factor that puts you in the right mindset and helps you squeeze out the last few reps. We’re down for anything that slaps on your poker face and confronts the burnnn.

The feeling of having a kickass song playing while smashing out your workout and dancing between sets just can’t be beat!

Tip: Set aside a dedicated 30 minutes to sitting in front of your computer, starting a new playlist, and sorting through your songs. Pick ones that make you want to get up and conquer the world, but also work together rhythmically and flow.

It’s amazing how dreary a gym session can be with the wrong music and how quickly the entire atmosphere transforms with one pumping track.

So here you go – 10 new workout songs to add to your gym playlist! Thank me later.

Caroline – Amine

 Jenny from the Block – Jennifer Lopez

 Cream On Chrome – RATATAT

 Ooh Wee – Mark Ronson

 Request + Line – The Black Eyed Peas

 O.P.P – Naughty By Nature

 What’s the Difference – Dr. Dre

 What’s Golden – Jurassic 5

 Willy Wonka – Russ

 Butterfly – Crazy Town

– Mon 

Follow Mon:  Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest, Twitter, Youtube, BlogLovin

Image Source Credit: Stylecaster

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The post 10 New Workout Songs to Amplify Your Fitness Session appeared first on Zanita Studio.

If you ever find yourself kicked out of your own game, here’s a reminder that you can always bounce back!

You probably remember Megan Rafidi from my elaborate balayage experience, and we have her on the blog again to shed some light on real life behind the chair. We’re incessantly intrigued by women forging their way and Megan is one of those archetypes. Growing comp sales by 55% over last year is no easy feat, so it’s obvious Megan knows a thing or two about success. Today, she talks to us about how she became a self-made hairstylist and reveals her top tips for achieving a fulfilling, prosperous career.

Megan’s career originated on the traditional path: beauty school at The Aveda Institute to working up the stylist ladder at Aveda salons. She rose up the ranks to Senior Stylist when she realized she’d hit a ceiling. Any progression after that became politics against her skills; she also started to notice an increasing control over her creativity (blowdrying, cutting, and coloring ONE way). She essentially wasn’t allowed to be creative, and like most artists (yes, hairstylists are artists), it was those austere moments when she knew the salons were no longer fitting.

Megan already built up a strong client base and was confident in her skills, so she branched out on her own first by renting a booth, and then transitioning into her own studio. She says, “It was scary, but it’s one of those things that just has to work”. The path of self-employment wasn’t always though especially when you’re in an industry dictated by lightning fast trends… Clients eventually began asking for balayage with the emergence of ombre (I was one of those, but elsewhere). With a long career consumed in foils, Megan had no clue how to make it happen and she recalls telling one client specifically, “There’s no way I can do that”. In retrospect, Megan says embarrassingly, she can absolutely do it now. The real eye-opener came after Megan had her second child.

Something wasn’t right as she returned – her phone was no longer ringing.

That was her a-ha moment – she’d scroll through the Instagrams of people she admired (@lisaheartwalker) and realized, she wasn’t offering balayage. Her career then took a turn for the better. Here’s what she has to say about transfiguring a hindering business:

Stay hungry.

You can’t allow yourself to be limited when you’re an artist. That also means you can’t stay comfortable… Megan said,

“I got comfortable, and then I got broke too!”

She knew balayage was a service she needed to offer because everyone was asking for it! Once she made the connection, she basically became obsessed with it. She admits balayage was really hard at first and she loathed it because of that, but “you get what you put in”.

Be resourceful.

Keep educating yourself – again, knowledge doesn’t stop after school. Balayage was never taught in beauty school. It was an outdated technique, so Megan never learned it. However, she took advantage of her resources (the wonderful Internet) and joined Facebook forums and watched videos about the application process. That was how she learned the fundamentals: being self-taught. She’d research it in every way possible and reach out to other stylists online if she had a question, and from there, she developed her own style using basic balayage techniques.

Invest in yourself.

Once Megan got the hang of balayage, she began investing in classes. She noted specifically Siggers Hairdressers as a game changer. She also began taking advantage of social media, a place we all know top notch images are mandatory, so Megan invested in a ring light. These investments earned her features on Behind the Chair and Modern Salon as well as notable business growth.

You can be sure, she’ll continue to invest in herself. And you should too.

Don’t forget to follow Megan on Instagram, Facebook, Bloglovin, and her Blog.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

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The post Real Life Behind the Chair in the Eyes of a Self-Made Hairstylist appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I know…seems premature to already be talking about fall when we are in August at the peak of summer. But fashion works in *not so* mysterious ways.

Let the pre-fall trend spotting begin.

There’s no fault in improvising your must-haves for next season whilst sipping on a glass mimosa or rosé. If you haven’t started, I’ll be showing you what everyone is going to be wearing this fall… Being that I’m in constant contact with one of the biggest fashion bloggers out there (hey Z!), it’s only natural that I look ahead with the rest of the gang. Though we often look to fashion mavens like Zanita, and other influential girls, for inspiration, it’s not always realistic given our different budgets…

Sooo, I decided to give you two options for each trendy item…

One where you can splurge and another where you save some serious bucks. From velvet boots to mule loafers, fall is looking remarkably freshhh.

It’s amazing how you can find amazing and much cheaper options!

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest

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The post What Everyone is Going to be Wearing This Fall appeared first on Zanita Studio.

In a hyper-competitive generation of “me me me” and “do do do”, it’s very possible to fall into the entrapment of things that don’t make a ton of difference.

Sure, we can all use prestigious jobs, luxury delicacies, and lavish vacations; as a matter of fact, for the most of us, those things only exist in our dreams… But even if it could be reality, what are you going to do with all of that? If you haven’t realized it, this trap of “more more more” sets you on an insatiable appetite of living purposefully. As a result, you’re probably looking in all the wrong places for the basic building blocks of constructing a meaningful life.

Here’s a start – the smaller things in life that make a tremendous impact:

– Small decisions.

Look back at how your life unfolded… Did any of those big decisions hugely impact your life? Maybe, but look again… It was the smaller things – those decisions you made day in and day out – that had a greater impact on the whole. The lesson here, don’t stress the big stuff – instead, redirect your energy towards the small actions you can take for that’s what’ll hewn your character and change your course in the long run.

– People who need you.

In the end, things are just things. The love of family and friends is far more important than wealth and privilege. What’s the point of materialism when you have no one to share it with? So, put your phone down and escape social media… Give someone your time and be 100% present. Be the friend someone can vent to for just 30 minutes, the one who reads and re-reads that annoying resume, and replies to the e-mails of the insignificant girls next door. Be the parent who listens to that boring narrative your child has to tell. That’s the type of shit that makes a difference.

– Kindness.

In tandem to the point above, we frequently forget that the world can use more kindness. Teach others to be kind by being kind – it’s a contagious act that keeps going round and round once given. At the root of kindness is love, respect, and consideration – essential morals typically forgotten amid power, fame, and ignorance. Start by always saying please & thank you, holding the door for someone behind (or in front of) you, lending a hand to the struggling mom with two kids, and picking up something when someone’s dropped it.

It’s always the smaller things in life that matter!

Image Source Credits – Cargo Collective

You Should Also Read:

7 Underused Affirmations to Jumpstart Your Day Every Day
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How You Can Rebound From Anything Like a Champ

The post The Smaller Things in Life You Should be Paying Attention to appeared first on Zanita Studio.