Part of our list of to-do’s this summer is always the major NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE!

From now until the 20th, you can purchase your favorite items – or just take ours. And on the 21st, shop away unless you’re a Nordstrom card holder, then you can start shopping right now.

We figure it’s a great way to get started on your fall wardrobe or in case you’re bombarded with work, family, friends, and errands… You can relax at the sound of each click. Fill your shopping cart with your greatest desires for the season ahead.

Whether you’re a dress girl, have weddings to attend, or just need something to toss on in a whim, shop a few of these greatest hits…

Moving on to denim bottoms, there are never enough pairs in my closet. This sale only lures me to snag a few more. I reckon one or two can’t hurt – and I can get an early start on fall!

For the love of the beach, it’s not too late to get that swimsuit or tunic. We are obsessed with summer essentials, and what’s more essential than a great bathing suit and something beautiful to cover up in?

Of course sandals have to be a part of the mix. Anything flat works for me – with some exceptions. I actually have a wedding to go to and found the most perfect pair of midi heels. Not too high, but high enough to achieve that runway effect.

And finally, let’s not neglect our accessories. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I’m always up for either having a few pieces on me or none. In the summer, gold accents seem to be key – and my personal favorite.

What’s in your Nordstrom shopping bag?

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest YouTube

You Should Also Read:

The Ultimate Summer To Do List
Summer Essentials for the Fashion Girl
Hot In the City: The New Boho Is Chic AF

The post Nordstrom Summer Sale Bonanza appeared first on Zanita Studio.

New bloggers tend to go all in when they start out. You have these great ideas with every intention of bringing them to life. You’re going to be the best blogger ever! You’re ready and willing to put in the time necessary to make it all happen.

You say yes to every collaboration, you work double time at creating content 7 days a week, and you buy a bunch of stuff you think you’ll need. Then it’s the weekend and you have a baby shower but also 50 deadlines you have to make. Now what?

You want to go to the baby shower, baby showers are cool, but you can’t because you’re in over your head. But you go to the baby shower anyway and tell yourself you’ll do everything when you get back. Well, all the girls are going out after the baby shower… so you join them.

Now you’ve set yourself back even more. So then you just skip some content for the week which turns into 2 weeks and 3 weeks, and before you know you’ve given up blogging altogether.

I realize I’m being extreme here but it all starts by being too ambitious. Don’t be cocky and think you can do everything because you can’t. Do only what you can and outsource the rest. And if you can’t outsource, do the best you can with what you have. Know your limits and be cautious when doing these 3 things:

Launching too many things at once

When you first start blogging it’s natural to be overwhelmed. You look at other bloggers around you and you automatically compare yourself to them. Then your wheels start turning and you start implementing all these things the other bloggers have. You’re going to start a clothing line, open an Etsy shop for jewelry, write a book, be a lifestyle blog, you’ll write 5 times a week, it’s going to be great! You go 0 to 100 real quick.

Then you realize how much work it is to just blog once a week and you think eh, maybe I’ll hold off on the clothing line and book deal for right now. It’s great to have lofty goals but take them one. Goal. At. A. Time. I always say Starbucks started with one cup of coffee.

Right now I have like 50 things I want to do with my blog but I’m not doing them all at once because that’s silly. I wouldn’t be able to give each project the attention it deserved if I did that.

Last year I launched my Build Your Own Blog eGuide (currently being updated), which was on my list and this year I launched #BlogWithBritt which was also on my list. And if you’re one of my email subscribers, you’ll know what else I launched, ::wink wink::. So as you can see even I’m taking things one step at a time.

Launching too many things at one time is distracting and honestly annoying to your followers because it’s hard for them to keep up.

Working for other people

Working for other people is tough, really it is. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It’s an even harder pill to swallow if climbing the corporate ladder isn’t your end goal.

If your side hustle is your ultimate dream, working for someone else becomes an inconvenience, to say the least. However, more often than not it’s necessary in order to fund your passion project(s), which leaves us in a bit of a pickle if you will.

So most of you know I write for my own blog, Not Another Blonde, Zanita (duh), Azalle, and The Wonder Forest. I write for Zanita and The Wonder Forest once a week and Azalle once every other week (if I can)… In addition, I write for my own blog twice a week so now we’re up to 5 – 5 blog posts a week!

That’s a lot for someone who blogs and works for a company full-time. I’m not complaining but don’t be fooled when bloggers make blogging look easy because it is far from that.

Now let’s talk about time. I work about 45 hours a week at my day job. One blog post takes me around 2 hours to write on a good day when I’m feeling inspired, which includes editing pictures, adding links, proofreading, scheduling, etc. And on a “bad” day, I could write half a blog post in one whole day. That’s a LOT of time spent working and blogging.

The best solution to this issue is to not work for someone else, obviously. But my other more realistic solution, because, let’s be honest, most bloggers will need a full-time job to fund their blogs, is to batch.

Batching is when you bang out a big task or multiple tasks at one time. So instead of writing blog posts for Zanita every week, I write 4 of them in one day for the month. That way I don’t have to worry about them every week. When you batch you’re able to do a lot more in a shorter period of time thus freeing you up for other things like your day job, relationships, fitness, etc.

Having no short-term goals

Short-term goals will save your blog time and time again. I mean, you need to have smaller goals in order reach your bigger goals. When I first started blogging I only had major unattainable goals like make $1 million per year. That’s still a goal of mine but that shouldn’t have been something I had in mind for my first year in business.

A short-term goal would be something like make $5,000 per month which could be broken down into 5 collaborations per week at $1,000 per collab or 7 clients a month at $715 per client. So your short-term goal of making $5,000 a month turns into a long-term goal of $60,000 a year which is totally attainable. (These numbers were all made up BTW.)

Another short term goal would be to gain 1,000 Instagram followers a month which means you would need 250 new followers a week. And then 1,000 new followers a month would equal 12,000 more followers for the year.

When you only have long-term goals it becomes more like a fantasy because there’s no action plan behind it. Therefore every year you make these goals, don’t reach them, get disappointed, and do the same thing all over again next year.

Short term goals set things in stone and get the plan in motion to reach whatever milestones you had in mind. 250 new followers a week doesn’t sound as daunting as 12,000 followers a year. You’re essentially dissecting the big picture into smaller steps that will help you get to where you want to go.

What is the most overwhelming part of blogging for YOU? Share your story in the comments below! 

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram YouTube Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

Get to Know Your Audience: Instagram (Part 3/3) 
The Secret Sauce to Growing Your Following
Why Only 4% of Bloggers Make It 

The post 3 Ways New Bloggers Get In Over Their Heads appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Even if you’re lucky enough to have pretty smooth skin, you still need to exfoliate.

Unfortunately, I’m not one of those, which means exfoliating remains paramount in my skincare routine. And I’ve been testing more scrubs than ever this summer. Lucky for you, we’re still in smooth-skin season and I’ve got the best exfoliators to get you there (and keep you there)! Let’s start with body scrubs.

LaLicious Whipped Sugar Scrub

These LaLicious body scrubs are made up of a concoction that comprises of cane sugar, cold-pressed coconut, and almond oil making it a calming souffle from heaven. It feels nonabrasive and just melts into the skin. The cane sugar buffs out any rough patches and sloughs away the excess. Coming out of the shower, my skin feels much softer and deeply nourished. I love how delicious they smell… The coffee scrub is my fave!

Herbivore Coco Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish

I’m almost out of this Herbivore Body Polish in case you can’t tell… I’ve been using it religiously these last 3-4 months because I love scent of coconut and rose petals, and also how gentle it feels on. A definite beach bag essential, and for everyone who loves coconut as much as I do (not to mention the chic packaging that’s completely IG worthy).

REN Micro Polish Cleanser

Though marketed as a 2-in-1 face wash for cleansing and exfoliating, I use this strictly for exfoliating. I love that it’s jam packed with lactic acid and vitamin C because that’s exactly what I need when my skin gets crazy hormonal. I use it two times a week and instantly notice how clean and decongested it makes my skin feel. If you’re dry and acne-prone, I highly recommend this product.

Yon-Ka 305 Exfoliator

If your skin is really sensitive, this one by Yon-Ka is a great option. It’s an ultra gentle enzyme exfoliator AND contains exfoliating, clarifying, hydrating, and balancing elements. You won’t feel the grittiness intrinsic in these products. I apply this product as a mask and then rinse off with a cloth – LOVE the results!

SHOP THE POST

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

You Should Also Read:

From Day to Night in 5 Minutes with 5 Products
I Tried Laser Skincare for the First Time – Here’s What Happened
Getting Ready for a Girl’s Night Out on No Time

The post Best Exfoliators for Smooth Skin appeared first on Zanita Studio.

It seems that anytime you ask an influencer or industry expert on how to make it as a blogger – or a creative in general – everyone says the same thing… Have a unique perspective… Be yourself… Show the world something different… But what does all that even mean?

If you scroll through Instagram daily, then you’ll easily find that everything has already been done – photography styles, aesthetics, and fashion sense. The reality of the digital space is that originality is hard to come by these days. You can do all kinds of things to be noticed – objectify and sexualize your image, show #nofilter, but not many of those things make a lasting impression. If you’re looking to make an impact and drive up your influence, consider this…

Stop paying attention to what everyone else is doing

You’re learning via consumption constantly and you don’t even realize it. By consuming the same content all the time be it through looking at someone else’s Instagram feed or reading ONLY one person’s blog habitually, you’ll naturally start to desire what they’re doing… and eventually start copying what they’re doing… If you create as much as you consume, you’d be surprised at what you actually produce. The key lesson here is focus on what YOU’RE doing. Ignore the rest.

Work on self-discipline

It’s true that someone may be more talented than you, have better connections than you, and even be smarter than you. Whatever you are, someone will always be a step ahead. But your drive, work ethic, and commitment can take you further than talent, connections, and intelligence. Develop the self-discipline to commit to something and work on it until you perfect it. Most people will eventually give up at some point. Don’t be that person.

Know your audience

No one can be something for everyone, but anyone can be something for someone. The best way to stand out is to be visible to those who are looking for you – those who need that thing you have to offer. That means figure out who your audience is, where they’re at, and make some noise. Think about the tone you need to be communicating in versus how you’re delivering your message. All these little elements matter.

Communicate with yourself

The next time you catch yourself liking a certain image, a certain style, or a certain aesthetic, ask yourself why? Constantly ask why and how… The more you know and recognize your intention, the closer you move towards achieving it. The best work comes from within so start there.

Use your resources

I encourage you to join Azalle today – not because because I’m behind the scenes, but because these are the types of resources I wish were available to me five years ago. By using successful influencers as a case study for how to stand out, you’ll navigate the playing field much faster! Plus, it’s very unlikely you’ll accomplish everything alone. Consume and utilize the right resources to get you to the right place. With your first 7 days free, there’s no reason to wait.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

You Should Also Read:

Taking Stunning Photos With No Photographer
3 Ways New Bloggers Get In Over Their Heads
5 Ways to Tell You’re Making the Wrong Decision

The post How to Stand Out When Everyone is Doing the Same Thing appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Throughout my entire adult life, one thing that’s remained consistent with my skincare is a dedication to my nighttime beauty routine.

It’s really as simple as this, if I don’t give my skin a good cleanse and re-nurturing with my favourite products, I won’t wake up with better skin. It’s rougher – more dull and likely to have blackheads or pimples. It’s overnight that your skin does it’s repair job, so it’s about giving that process a fighting chance and waking up with a clear, glowing visage.

I’ve been using Estee Lauder’s famed ‘Advanced Night Repair’ serum for some time now – and more recently, had the chance to start using new products within the range to complement. I’m crazy about the newly launched ‘Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm’ – partly because I’m getting older and my skin just can not tolerate harsh soaps ripping all the natural goodness from my skin. I hate that feeling of tightness after cleansing. It’s like my skin is screaming. What comes next is an overproduction of oil to compensate generally rougher texture. The balm leaves my skin feeling very clean without being stripped (so important!) – and it’s also a stellar product to travel with as it’s not going to burst in your bag all over the place.

As for the rest, I’ve worked together with Estee Lauder and #esteestories to create this video – to honk my own horn for a moment (Toot toot!). I feel like my skin is looking pretty great – and this might not be what you’ve experienced, but I genuinely feel like a consistent night time routine has been even more transformational than whatever I’m doing in the morning.

Thanks so much to the Estee Lauder team for inviting me to share with ya’ll! You can see my full interview at Estee Stories HERE.

shirt by Poustovit

The post The Ultimate Nighttime Beauty Routine appeared first on Zanita Studio.

We hear from bloggers, writers, and photographers all the time that they’ve created something great, but can’t seem to grow a following.

To everyone who has ever felt this way, here’s what we have to say: These things take time. Finding your formula takes time. Good things take time – and everything together takes years to unfold. The good news is there are now people, resources, and networks to help you.

With years of first-rate industry experience shaping the playing field, we’ve witnessed the ebbs and flows of influencers and organizations. Through all the changes that manifested in the past decade, only a few networks have remained constant – and one that’s always been a proponent of bloggers is Bloglovin’. Bloglovin’s goal has always been to help influencers like you succeed. This is the same exact driving force behind Azalle.

Gratefully, the two have joined forces to put you on a fast track to organic growth in Azalle’s latest course Growth: Bloglovin’!

Whether you’re running a business, writing a blog, or building a career out of influencing, you’ll eventually feel overwhelmed by the countless functions a self-made career involves. You’ll look to everyone else – the mega-influencers, micro-influencers, and entrepreneurs – and wonder how they pull it together so seamlessly and perfectly. This course was devised to help you focus on the right things… It’s injected with industry forecasts and analyses from experts, straightforward yet feasible instructions and advice, and exclusive tips from your favorite influencers. We designed it to pull you out of the trenches so you can identify the essential and ignore the rest.

Remember, when growth seems impossible, there’s Azalle. And there’s Bloglovin’.

Growth: Bloglovin’ is a must-read course for anyone looking to start a blog with an impact or take an existing one up several notches.

SIGN UP TODAY!

The post When Growth Seems Impossible appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’m typically a fan of “lessons” posts at the end of the year, but I’ve encountered enough sticky situations that I’m starting early…

Most of this may seem intuitive, but life is funny in what it throws at you and how it takes you for abrupt twists and turns – so much and so unexpectedly that what sounds intuitive doesn’t always feel so intuitive. If there’s any year I can deem a drastic time of change, 2017 is without a doubt the year. Change is imminent and ever-occurring – most of us can live with that, but when change is metamorphic, it can feel scary and lonely all at the same time. That’s where we start to have problems.

Here are the few life lessons helping me outlast the wear and tear…

A lot can happen in 3-6 months

Just 6 months ago, I would have never imagined being in the situation I’m in today. How many of you can say the same? I know I’m being super vague here, but even though 3-6 months feel like a small chunk of time in the grand scheme of things, a lot can happen in that little window. Never think that you’re in a situation that can’t change – no matter how good or bad it is. Whatever you’re going through will change so go through it and let it go.

Someone who claims to be a good friend won’t always be YOUR friend

Friends can be the best and worst things that will ever happen to you. A true test of friendship comes when life heads south. Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of friends or people in your life – only a few amazing people who are willing to go as far for you as you would for them. Find and pick those people carefully. Trust people until they give you good reasons not to – especially amid separation or a break up. It’s often difficult for mutual friends to “pick a side”, but watch those words and actions carefully. It becomes obvious when “neutrality” is really a covert bias. Having said that, recognize the toxic actions that warrant unwinding years of friendship and give people time to show themselves.

Even the best fall

Bad things to happen to good people. No matter how great someone may be in something and no matter how perfect their life looks, there will always be setbacks for everyone. We’re all human. If it can happen to them, it can happen to you. Never be so sure.

Do what you don’t wanna do

The best way to stop thinking about all the things you don’t want to do, is to do it and get it over with. Nothing gets better or easier over time – especially when you already don’t want to do it.

It’s ok to feel alone

Walking a path that aligns with your conviction, but against everyone else’s is hard. It often leaves you lonely – awake and feeling broke inside when everyone’s asleep. But remember, the most negative feedback comes from the people who care most. Embrace it even when it’s hard. And always remember your purpose – knowing that purpose and being reminded of it works wonders because it’s better to follow your heart than the crowd.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

You Should Also Read:

How to Stand Out When Everyone is Doing the Same Thing
When Growth Seems Impossible
5 Ways to Tell You’re Making the Wrong Decision

The post What 2017 Has Taught Me About Life So Far appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Q&A’s are quickly becoming my favorite thing to post about so keep the questions comin’ in hot! I figure we can do a massive blog tip Q&A once a month, what do you think? The reason I’m so obsessed with Q&As is that it helps us at Zanita Studio understand your wants and needs – that way we can continue to bring you the most value.

It’s also extremely frustrating when you can’t find the exact answer you want on Google or the first person (bloggers especially) you asked doesn’t answer it. But that’s not what we’re about. We’re about simple, no BS tips, tricks, and advice that will take you to the next level in your blog whether that’s beauty, health, fitness, whatever it may be. We got your back!

With that said, let’s jump right into the latest Qs from our lovely readers…

Little Miss Mon Bon wants to know… Is it important to have a given niche – i.e. only beauty or only travel? I love so many different aspects of my life and my job, and I LOVE sharing it all with my audience but I feel like that hinders me.

Great question Mon! Yes, it is extremely important to have a niche. In fact, I recently attended an event hosted by WhoWhatWear and Danielle from WeWoreWhat (tongue twister I know) said “Today everyone and their mother has a blog, literally, so it’s very important you find a niche”. I mean, it doesn’t get any more pro than her, right?

But she’s right. You need a niche to stand out. I mean, you don’t need one but the odds will be in your favor if you get one and stick to it. I always compare niches to shopping. If you want a pair of quality jeans are you going to go to Forever21 or Paige? You’re most likely going to go to Paige because they specialize in jeans! They’ve been around for a thousand years (exaggerating) selling denim so they know what they’re doing at this point.

I feel like if you want to expand to be more lifestyle, you need to be at the level of WeWoreWhat, Sincerely Jules, Zanita, The Blonde Salad, etc. They can blog about whatever they want now because they’re so big and they have their readers’ attention no matter what. However, I do believe you have to try your hand at different topics before you nail what works for you and your readers.

When I first started blogging I was all over the place. I was blogging 5 days a week about all kinds of random topics but from those topics I was able to see what got the most clicks, shares, comments, etc. so I started to create more of that content thus my blog because more targeted.

Now after 6ish years, I’m starting to incorporate different aspects like travel, but I still recommend staying pretty targeted for the most so you develop that tight, close knit readership. You want to become a master in your field!

Gabrielle wants to know… As a marketer how do you balance marketing for your clients, and marketing for yourself and doing partnerships for your brand? Are there ever any conflicts?

Another great question! With my NAB blog mentoring services, I treat every client’s blog as if it were my own so I implement the same strategies, techniques, and content ideas (to some level) that I would for myself. They come first then my own stuff comes second. I carve out time throughout the day that I give attention to certain things.

For example, I market/blog for myself before work, after work, and on the weekends, unless I have a deadline for a client, then that client comes first.

It’s a counterbalancing act in that I focus on the parts of my life that need TLC the most, then I switch off to something else that needs TLC. You won’t ever be completely in sync in all areas of your life, that just doesn’t happen. It’s impossible to actually balance everything. It’s more about prioritizing what needs to happen right now to get to that next step.

So yes, of course, there are conflicts, I spend a lot of time commuting and I wish I could just teleport places because it would give me more time! But I can’t so I work with the time I do have. 

There are also times where I can’t attend certain events or do certain things because of other obligations. So that’s a bummer but for the most part, I’d say I have this whole counterbalancing thing down and the drama is very minimal. 

Pinja wants to know… I would like to know more about reaching out to brands, how do I do it? What is it that they’re usually looking for? I really struggle with ‘pushing’ myself and would love to hear how to do it without being annoying/obnoxious!

Girl push yourself! What do you have to lose?!

The easiest way to reach out to brands is to find them on Google or Instagram and get the contact info. There are so many other ways to do this but I prefer Google and IG. If you Google, you can search “::brand name:: pr” that way if the brand has a pr contact, it will automatically pop up. Otherwise, you can just search the brand name and then head to the contact page and either fill out a contact form or send a cold email to whatever email address is listed.

I would try and get as specific as possible – really try and find a person to contact rather than “contact@brandname.com” – that way it’ll show the brand you did your homework and went the extra mile.

Then when you send that cold email, mention something you love that the brand has been doing lately, say what you’ll do and how you’ll benefit the brand, and include your media kit.

You never want to come off assuming and deserving, meaning something like “Hi! Love your brand, I have 5,000 followers and I’d love to promote this dress for $200!”, like no. That won’t fly. Baby steps. If you want to work with them, you need to play by their rules not your own.

The Dressed Fork (in response to this post) wants to know… I’m curious: how do you write on the train, on your laptop?

I actually write on my phone in the notes section. I don’t get service so writing on my laptop wouldn’t work and the notes section seems to be really effective thus far. Once I’m done writing a blog post or ideas or whatever I copy and paste it into an email to myself and then when I get home I turn it into a blog post. Easy peasy!

Melody (in response to this post) wants to know… Are you ever not plugged in?

No. I am always plugged in. I actually recently took a “social media break” that I Snapchatted about the whole time… some social media break, right? Anyway, I hated it. 

I felt lazy and like I fell so far behind (which I did) so I prefer to stay plugged in at all times. If I’m doing something super amazing (like scaling a cliff along the Amalfi coast) or spending time with family and friends I try to give that my undivided attention but I also bring my experiences and my family into my little online world to keep it real. I think that’s huge.

It’s not fun when you don’t see everything or you only see certain angles of a person’s life. I mean obviously I don’t show everything but for the most part, I’m pretty transparent about what’s going on in my life. And that works for me but it may not work for everyone. Ultimately you have to do what feels right for you. 

Like I said before guys, I LOVE Q&As so be sure to submit your questions below for next month’s Q&A! And don’t forget to tag your URL or Instagram name for a special shout out. 

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram YouTube Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

A Day in the Life of a Micro-Influencer
3 Ways New Bloggers Get in Over Their Heads
The Ultimate Beginner Blogger Cheat Sheet

The post Monthly Blog Tip Q&A: August Edition appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’ve been talking about writing this post for a longer time than I care to admit. You could never accuse me of not being true to form.

Name, Age:   Zanita Whittington, 31

City:   New York

Diagnosis type: ADHD, Inattentive

Age of ADHD Diagnosis: 29

THE BEGINNING:

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, but I’ve been aware of its effects on my life since childhood. I’d like to preface that this is not a ‘woe is me’ story, I am writing these words in the hope that sharing my experience, might be a small help to someone who is struggling.

“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by a combination of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Symptoms include difficulties with attention to tasks, being forgetful in daily activities, difficulties in organizing, and following through.” – Psychology Today

It’s not at all common for females to be diagnosed with ADHD, in fact, as much as 50-75% go undiagnosed. The stereotype is the young male, playing up and causing distractions and failing at school. Now informed, I can see I was a pretty textbook case as a child. I would constantly get in to trouble by causing quiet distractions, chatting to other students during work times and day-dreaming out the window. Finishing every project or essay in the final hour was (still is!) my normal.

Many falsely assume people with ADHD are unintelligent, or doomed to fail at school. Through school, I was almost always top of my class – but when it came to attending university, I failed at longer form projects – especially when it meant needing to focus on the same topic… Let’s just say that my Commerce degree couldn’t hold my attention. I dropped out after six months when the opportunity to model in Sydney came up. Yay, fashion!

 I came to be diagnosed two years ago, after suffering from anxiety and depression and being compelled to seek therapy. It was very emotional. I characterized my life as a series of failures and letting down everyone I cared about.  I couldn’t see how any of my successes were attributed to talent or drive, rather believed they were one lucky accident after another, Hello, imposter syndrome!

SYMPTOMS:

ADHD manifests definitely for everyone. For me, there is a daily struggle to drive myself towards completion of daily tasks; each day is a tale of bumbling and forgetfulness. I often can’t follow a line of conversation – when someone talks to me at length – I find myself tuning out, focused out the window, and trying to NOT check my phone. I’ll be telling a story and half-way through, change my line, effectively interrupting myself.

When tidying up my apartment, I’ll pick up an item, remember something in another room and leave what I was focused on half done, over and over. Procrastination, forgetfulness and disorganisation are my MO.

After spending a week sitting at my computer I couldn’t recall anything I had effectively achieved, so I sought help. A typical day, would involve opening my laptop sitting there all day, feeling as though I was working, but constantly being drawn to anything and everything other than the task at hand. I was failing my team, and myself,  and my life felt wildly out of control. Post-diagnosis, I was able to increase my own productivity by 500 percent +, with the help of strategies and constant coaching from my Doctor.

MEDICATION:

There is a huge stigma around taking medication – and in some cases with valid reason; stimulants are a coveted recreational drug! I’d prefer not to go into the medication topic at length – there’s no perfect solution for ADHD and all the drugs available on the market have pretty serious side effects. Every person has a different experience using them and they can be abused.

Thankfully I have found a few solutions that are right for me – but medication aside, the biggest help has simply been being aware of the way my brain works.

PERCEPTION:

I’ve often heard the dialogue that ADHD in kids is just an excuse for bad parenting. But in my adult life, I am also bombarded with lack of understanding. When I have confided in friends that I have ADHD they say, “Oh me too!” or laugh and dismiss it. Other standard/hurtful responses include but are not limited to, “Oh that’s heavily overdiagnosed.” or “You don’t have ADHD!”

Everybody suffers from distraction, so I can see why it might seem like an absurd excuse and a made up ‘disorder’ from the outside. Dismissiveness of the disorder, is essentially the dismissiveness of my reality, and reinforces within myself, the idea I’m that making excuses, I’m lazy – or I’m just genuinely useless. In part all of these things are true, it’s why my self esteem is low, I feel like I’m choosing to fail. What’s required of me to achieve better things is constant tenacity, a practise of snapping my mind back to hourly goals, sometimes every ten – fifteen minutes. On the flipside, It’s also true that many people with ADHD have the ability to hyper-focus – meaning, you’re able to focus on something if it engages you – if it’s fun, you can do it! Which also makes ADHD sound like a total luxury. It’s for this reason that I’ve been fired or ‘let go’  from more casual jobs than I care to admit – and that I was been compelled to make a career from a hobby I fell in love with. I can say with certainty, that if I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy I wouldn’t be a model employee.

THE BAD STUFF:

So, while a lack of focus doesn’t seem like the most terrible of afflictions – ADHD is also associated with many co-morbid disorders. I was suffering from anxiety and depression because I was struggling to cope with the results of my inability achieve simple tasks on a day to day basis. OCD, Bipolar Disorder, learning disabilities and substance abuse are also common co-morbid disorders. Other traits include; insomnia, low self-esteem, self destructive behaviour, struggles in maintaining relationships and rejection sensitive dysphoria. I’m a people pleaser, will over compensate by constantly buying lunches and dinners, even gifts – all the while feeling guilty and paranoid that my friends all hate me – because I’m so unreliable, forgetful, a failure. Whenever I have a drink it’s kind of permission to let go of all the things that have misplaced, my worries over late deadlines, details I’ve almost certainly missed. If it weren’t for my diagnosis and developing strategies for managing my life, I dread to think where my own self destructive behaviors might have lead me.

Plenty of ADHD’ers develop coping mechanisms just like anything else, when you lose a leg – you learn to walk in a new way. When you brain functions in a unique way, you adapt.

THE GOOD SHIT:

While all of this sounds incredibly dreary, having ADHD makes up a big part of my personality and while I’d love the ability to be a little more put together on a day-to- day basis – I can appreciate that there are certain things about my disorder that are assets. I’m SUPER adaptable! For example, if something goes wrong on a photoshoot and we need to change concept, I can pivot with ease. I can identify that this comes from constantly needing to quickstep as a consequence of being forgetful. I’m also pretty great in social surrounds, a creative conversationalist, someone who strives to find common ground and connect. I have a creative mind and a constant stream of ideas. I’m forgiving of the flaws of others (I hope they forgive mine!), encouraging, and optimistic.

“If something goes wrong on a photoshoot and we need to change concept, I can pivot with ease. I can identify that this comes from constantly needing to quickstep as a consequence of being forgetful.”

WE MADE IT:

Now that I’ve finally got all of this out, I hope that my story might be able to help anyone else with ADHD to know that you’re absolutely not alone. OR perhaps help the friends and family of someone with ADHD better perceive their experience. I’ve learnt so much and been encouraged by the stories on The Kaleidoscope Society, a community for women with ADHD – especially when it comes to focusing on my achievements and talents, rather than my pitfalls and mistakes.

I’d love to hear any stories you might have – and I’m so grateful you’ve made it to the end of this article, especially if you too do have ADHD. I would personally consider it an achievement.

…And finally, to everyone ever, sorry I haven’t replied to your email.

Zanita xx

The post Mental Health: My ADHD Story appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything else…

But, what you perceive on the outside isn’t always as prestigious as it seems. Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard that a million times before – and yes we all know there’s good and bad, but I’m here to shed some very real perspective. Everyone is different so I can only speak to the struggles of working as a 50% creative, 50% non creative.

Inspiration just doesn’t come sometimes.

This is my biggest battle… When I’m writing thousands of words per day, I naturally go through periods where I just can’t write anymore. No matter how much I read, how many breaks I take, and how many photos I look at, my inspiration juices are dry. That’s a very scary place to be in especially when your career relies on it! Inspiration is random… I go through spurts where I can write all day and then spurts where I can barely write a word for an entire week… It drives me mad.

Distraction is the enemy.

Although I’ve gotten a million times better at dealing with distractions, but I can’t deny that they still happen… There are days I find myself wasting a lot of time doing things that aren’t so important, but that’s not to say I don’t get my work done… I think we can all be a little more efficient and productive. Unfortunately, the Internet and social networks are distractions in themselves albeit being a part of the job. Distraction from the job and because of the job are pretty equal in my case. Meaning if I’m working, I might stop to wash the dishes and throw some clothes in the laundry. However, during dinner, I’ll also stop eating to check some emails, post some Instagrams, or whatever… You just have to find the balance.

Flexibility isn’t always so flexible.

It’s funny how when your friends and family know you work from home and make your hours, everyone starts to think that you’re constantly available. Sure, I can be flexible, but remember the first point… Inspiration just doesn’t come knocking all the time, which takes away a lot of flexibility. When inspiration hits, it’s time to hit the ground running or else you risk throwing away that jolt of energy to create.

The lines are blurred.

The boundaries between work and home life can get so blurred that it gets hard to distinguish what’s what… Being in the same place all the time can feel like a dark cloud looming over especially when you have a stressful situation at home. I’m still working on taking lunch breaks or quick strolls outside for a breather.

Not everything you do or touch interests you.

Everyone assumes your job is so easy because you “love what you do”. Sure, if you take on projects that really interest you, then working as a creative is naturally easier. However, when running a business, it’s not always feasible to only select the tasks that you enjoy. There are things that still need to be done even when you don’t want to do it. As a writer, I am sometimes obligated to write about things I’m not necessarily interested in, or about topics I’ve written about dozens and dozens of time. However, I still have to write in the best possible way even if I’m not in the “mood”.

These are the realities of my work I don’t often speak open up about, which I’m sure any other creative can relate to. Have you had similar experiences? Don’t forget to share below!

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

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The post The Brutal Truth About Working as a Creative appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Summer is normally a slow season everywhere. People tend to take days off, things are quiet, and creativity seems to hit a low. Even at the studio, we’re guilty of a little down time. But that does not mean we’re not here, still working and cooking up things.

There are a certainly tricks we usually have to get stay creative during summer – even if at a slower pace. And we don’t shy away from sharing what they are. Because maybe, you’re going through them as well.

#1 Disconnect

First off, if you’re feeling that your creativity is taking a turn, slow down even more. Disconnect from what you’re doing. Focus on other activities. Go to a museum to get inspired, shop to treat yourself, try a new workout, restaurant or rooftop. Turn off your phone and computer and immerse yourself in something else.

#2 Travel

Last week, I went to Charleston with my husband because we were hitting up our limits. We packed our bags and just enjoyed each others company in a new city. I can’t tell you how happy and energized we both came back. Even if it’s just a weekend, trust me, it helps to escape your routine.

#3 Try something new

When we’re so deep into our daily lives, new experiences can just pass us by. Ever since summer started, I’ve tried to take on a new activity or thing during the weekends. Whether it’s a new exhibition, restaurant, workout, event or place, you just have to push yourself a little bit harder into trying. You never know what can come out of it.

#4 Set goals

It’s easier said than done. I know! I’m the same. I set myself up for failure sometimes. But you know what? I also thrive when I make up a list of things to do because it keeps me focused. I know summer days tend to make people lazy – guilty as charged – but you can start small. For example, on my list now I have: edit content from my Charleston trip, learn a new software program and do laundry. No big deal. Just know yourself and what you’re capable of. And don’t come down on yourself if you don’t do it today. It’s okay!

Do you have any tips or tricks to overcome the summer slow and laziness? I would love to know so I can try them out!

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest YouTube

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The post How to Stay Creative During Summer appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’m an avid book reader. I might not have been the best at it lately with all the work I have going on, but I promise I am.

My parents have always transfused that eternal thirst for books in me. My father even has an actual library at our place. And my mother says, one of the reasons she fell in love with him was because he was always carrying a pocket-sized book.

How beautiful is that?

So, every year, when the season turns, I gather a few books I definitely want to tackle, stack them, and carry them with me everywhere I go. Especially on those long beach days, I love curling beneath the shade, putting my sunglasses on, and reading an entire afternoon’s worth of novels – but only when I’m not playing volleyball or swimming in the ocean.

Given that, that’s on my summer to-do list, here are my ultimate book list for this summer (in no particular order – and feel free to reserve them for fall or next summer!):

Hatching Twitter

This is what I’m reading right now. The story of Twitter written by Nick Bilton, a British-American journalist known for contributing to Vanity Fair. Hatching Twitter is a the story of Twitter and how it came to be. So far it’s been pretty interesting to know that one of the founders also founded Blogger!

Just Kids

Written by Patti Smith. This book, I borrowed from a friend and sounds very promising. She told me it’s one of her favorite books, so I can’t wait to finish the one I’m reading now and start on this one ASAP. It’s supposed to be a never-before-seen glimpse of the writers relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, in the late 60’s and 70’s. Oh Old New York!

The Revenant

The book that led Leo DiCaprio to win the Oscar for best actor is on my to-read list. I still haven’t watched the movie because I heard the book is oh so much better. So exciting. No spoilers in the comments please (winky face).

1984

1984 is a classic! Written by George Orwell in 1948, this book talks about the future and predicts how things are going to be 36 years later. It’s a timeless piece of literature that still focuses on a lot of problems we are facing in today’s modern society. Which makes it all that more of a must-read.

Bloom

Finally, to kick things down a notch, I want to read Bloom. Estée LaLonde’s book about navigating life and style. She’s a pretty famous blogger and YouTuber that I’ve been following for a few years now – probably since moving to New York. Her witty personality and perfect aesthetic sense are a source of grand inspiration.

What’s on your reading list this summer?

X Eduarda

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest YouTube

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The Ultimate Summer To Do List
Summer Essentials for the Fashion Girl
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The post Summer All Time To Read Book List appeared first on Zanita Studio.

I’m guilty of associating my self-worth with the most frivolous things in life like my career and education…

What I’ve come to realize is that even when I became that thing I wanted to be, it was never enough… The chase and idea of being something was always more grand than actually being it. And a few years ago, I began to wonder what this insatiable desire was… What was I really looking for? Why was it that whenever I did what I wanted to do, it was never enough? What I’ve come to realize is that all these things are temporary and have no relevance in my identity. I think when you’re young, it’s easy to think the competition, the drive, and the comparison mold you into who are – or who you’re supposed to be. But let this be a reminder that these external factors do not at all define your identity.

Your Career

Your job will be ever changing. What you begin at 22 most likely won’t be the same at 30. Whether you’re a waitress for a hole in the wall restaurant or owner of a startup, these are most likely temporary things you’ll do in your life. Remember that the positions you hold don’t define the kind of person you are.

For instance, someone who is CEO of a large corporation but steals from the company defines who he/she is more than the position they hold. And imagine if you land your “dream job” but end up realizing it was more a of a nightmare than a dream – how would you feel if someone associated that job with your identity? There’s no correlation.

Your Education

Were you a Straight A student throughout school? Do you have a bunch of degrees to show off and gloat about? Or did you struggle and maybe even drop out? It doesn’t really matter. Your education says nothing about how useful you are in society. As a matter of fact, several articles have popped up recently about how valedictorians rarely become successful… Let that be a reminder that your education and intellect don’t equate to success. One of my favorite quotes that expresses this strongly is, “intelligence without ambition is like a bird without wings”…

Your Past

We all make mistakes… We screw up. We screw people over and we mess things up for ourselves constantly – and almost always unintentionally. The best thing you can do is forgive yourself, move on, and course correct along the way. Sure your past says a lot about who you were at the time, but that can always change. Almost everything in life is temporary.

Your Appearance

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – this we know, but when everyone looks seemingly impeccable, it’s hard not to wonder why we didn’t hit the gene lottery. Fortunately, we all wrinkle and age. There will always be someone prettier and skinnier. I always joke that at this point in my life, I’m a raisin… and it doesn’t even matter because people will remember you more by the way you make them feel over how you look. A pretty face with a crap attitude is worse than a not so pretty face with a heart of gold.

Your Hobbies & Interests

So I think there are two parts to this depending on what your hobbies and interests are… For those of us in the fashion industry, we know that it often gets a bad rap for being superficial and unapproachable. Just because the industry may be crowded with people of that mentality, it doesn’t mean someone who takes a deep interest in it is guilty. I always give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise… While your hobbies and interests can define you, they don’t always…

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

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2 Hard Realities Every Blogger Has to Face
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The post 5 Things That DON’T Define Your Identity appeared first on Zanita Studio.

It was an exhilarating and nerve wracking experience to say the least. You’re excited because you’re hanging with the crew of Lord & Taylor, hello! But you’re also a nervous mess because you don’t want to blow it! At least that was how I felt…

Despite my discomfort, I pushed through and gave it my all even though I had no idea what to expect. I spoke to every crew member and exchanged Instagram names and phone numbers with most of them because I wasn’t going to not network. I try to use every social event as a networking experience because you just never know! I also learned a lot in terms of modeling/the fashion biz which is what I want to talk about today.

There’s a lot you don’t see

When you’re working with a brand, in a case like this, you’re not likely to have as much creative direction as you are with your own content. So because we were working for Lord & Taylor, creating content for their campaign, they say jump and we say how high, which is pretty standard for any client regardless if it’s fashion or otherwise.

Of course, you implement your own unique talent which is why they hired you in the first place, but you’re not sitting there directing the director if that makes sense. It’s basically like any other job in that you’re working for them so whatever needs to happen you make it happen!

One thing to remember when working on campaigns is that it isn’t your blog. Any modeling gig is a legitimate freelance job and should be treated as such.

Something that took me by surprise was that we didn’t get to choose what we were going to wear. Thinking back, it makes total sense. Campaigns = promotion of specific products, duh Britt. So the wardrobe was handpicked by Lord & Taylor and there was a stylist on set who nipped and tucked me in all the right places.

There was also a hairstylist, makeup artist, assistant stylist, videographer, project manager, and… I’m forgetting people but it was definitely a full house. And with every gust of wind or smeared lipstick, someone was on set to the rescue (not the luxury you have when you’re shooting for your own blog).

Because there was an entire staff on set, there was also an entire buffet of delicious food. So guys, hate to break it to you but all those model memes you see on Instagram aren’t true, brands actually do “feed the models”.

You have to work your angles

For me, because I was such a newb, the photographer was telling me “Look at me, look at me!” But in my head, I was thinking, ‘Ugh that’s a mistake – I don’t do great head on without sunglasses’. Yes, it’s true. It sounds so silly but everyone has their “good side” and everyone can take unflattering pictures. Mine happens to be when I look head on at the camera without sunglasses. My eyes never cooperate. I don’t have “bedroom eyes” if you will, so it’s very hard for me to achieve any sort of sultry model look.

So after being photographed for 6 years now, I have my go-to poses: “ponder into the distance”, “look back at it”, and “watch your step” just to name a few.

Since this was my first official shoot, I didn’t want to be too high maintenance or demanding so I would suggest my own poses here and there while trying to achieve what they wanted and they seemed to really like it. Overall, the “ponder into the distance” was the winner winner chicken dinner. So if you see me in a Lord & Taylor campaign, just know I wasn’t looking at anything and I was thinking ‘Don’t eff it up Britt!’ the whole time.

Photography is your “frienemy”

As I’ve mentioned before, Zanita is just a super sweet, goofy, down-to-earth girl. And she put my mind at ease by giving me little helpful hints for posing.

She mentioned looking at shiny objects such as a car or glass on a building because it reflects in your eyes thus making them appear brighter. Who knew?!

Zanita also said when you’re posing you want to think intelligent thoughts. So you want to think about how you’re going to kick a$$ in the world or dominate a big meeting. Basically, you want to think like a boss, and when you do it’ll show in your face. I don’t know what I was doing wrong but I just looked angry. Zanita however, looked stunning as usual.

Before the shoot, the only thing I knew about modeling was what I’d seen on America’s Next Top Model which wasn’t much. But after the shoot, what I learned was that it’s important to remember photography is your friend when your thoughts are; meaning if you’re thinking crappy thoughts you’re going to look crappy. You have to get in the right mindset for whatever it is you’re trying to portray. And honestly, this goes beyond modeling… this is something to keep in mind for anything in life!

Attitude is everything.

Overall it was an amazing opportunity and I’m extremely grateful to have been a part of it. I realize every collaboration is going to be different but this was my experience and my experience only. As with any of my posts, take what you want and leave the rest.

What questions do you have about brand collaborations? Share in the comments below! 
 

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram Facebook Snapchat @notanothrblonde

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The post What I Learned During My First Major Photoshoot appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Lipstick is one of those things I used to think I could live without until I recognized its ability to transform your look (and lips) with a swipe or two.

Having said that, I’ve touched more lip products these last few months than in my entire lifetime combined. I’m still always on a time crunch, but I know now there’s nothing a good lipstick can’t fix – besides, changing your lip color is easier than flipping an entire wardrobe as we shift out of summer and straight into fall.

So, here are my top fall lipstick picks…

Tarte Quench Lip Rescue

I found the Quench Lip Rescue from Tarte to be perfect for summer and for that reason, I know I’ll be loving them through early fall! The after-effect reminded me so much of the Dior Addict Lip Glows without the price point – and these are much more hydrating. You get tons of slip out of these and they melt against the lips when applied. I love how sheer yet visible the washes of colors are, but note that I don’t have very pigmented lips either. I used these all summer long and really appreciated the high-gloss, moisturizing features. Be careful not to press too hard because the product may break off (especially if it’s been sitting in hot weather). If you tend to get drier lips in the fall, you’ll really appreciate these.

Butter London Satin Matte Lipstick

I love the cushiony, luxurious texture of these lipsticks. I found them to be extremely pigmented, but my favorite part is how they dry to a lovely satin finish that feels and looks matte without the dryness. They don’t emphasize lip lines at all, which I was kind of expecting so that was great news – and they’re incredibly long lasting! I’m wearing Charmed (Berry) and Clever (Nude) below – both making perfect transitions into fall. Looks like I have my lips covered for the rest of the year!

Butter London Plush Rush Lipstick

I love the texture of this product – it’s incredibly moisturizing, weightless, glides on like butter, and the finish is flawless – in between glossy and matte. Butter London claims that these contain a plumping complex that makes the lips feel firmer and smoother, which I can attest to. I’m wearing Nostalgic here, and I’m loving how rich and fall appropriate it feels.

Tarte The Lip Architect

This is the perfect product for girls on the go – you get a two-in-one lip liner and lipstick! With the lighter shades, you don’t get as great of a color payoff, but the deeper ones work like a charm. Below, I’m wearing Diva, a deeper red berry color, and Cutie Pie, a mauve berry color – and you can tell how smooth and pigmented they look. The lipstick side features a slippery and light texture that offers a slight sheen while the pencil side has a dryer texture as expected. Be careful not to apply too much lip balm prior to applying these otherwise you’ll experience some feathering with the lipliner. I also caution that there’s a slight variation in how these apply… The deeper shades were definitely longer wearing than the lighter ones so if that matters to you, it might be worth sticking with the two I’m wearing here.

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

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The post Top Lipstick Picks To Take You Into Fall appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Adulting is the talk of the 20s…

But really, your 20s are a time of experimentation… It’s prime time to develop your sense of self, figure out what you really don’t like (and like), and having fun in the process! Real adulting starts when you edge into your 30s – and it’s scary to me that I’m only a few months away.

All our lives up to this point, the only thing hammered into our heads are all the habits we need to form, all the things we need to do by X, and all the goals that should be checked off. There’s not much to be said of all the things we shouldn’t be doing – and although most of that might seem like common sense, it always isn’t so conspicuous. Here are my top habits to break before 30:

Procrastinating

I’m still entirely guilty of procrastinating, but some days I actually get it right. I’ve learned that the best way to tackle procrastination is by doing things you want to do the least first. Responsibility grows with age, and you’ll only be given more responsibility if you’re showing full capacity of taking care of the things that need to be done even when you won’t want to do them.

So, let’s deal with those inconvenient tasks first and let the rest of the day, week, and month sail.

Impulsive Spending

I understand that most of us were probably broke college students, so when you get that first job and start earning a bit of money in those early years, you’re going to want to spend. I’m guilty of frivolously spending on trendy clothes that went into the donation bin within a year and not really creating a strong budget. Looking back, it was a lot of money wasted! Saving is actually one of the best things you can do in your 20s because you don’t have the responsibility of a mortgage and possibly a car payment – the two biggest expenses in anyone’s life. The point is, break the habit of irresponsible spending and start saving as early as you can because it only gets harder down the road.

Idolizing Others

When I reflect back on how I spent my 20s, I found myself idolizing lots of people… What I’ve realized is, no one is you. Sure, we all need people to learn from and role models to look up to, but no one’s path to success is the same. You cannot follow someone else’s foot steps so quit watching everyone else’s world unfold and shift your focus to your own path. Harness your journey, embrace the mistakes, and move forward.

Not Trying

Excuses, excuses. Wishing doesn’t make things happen. Use whatever free time you have to do whatever you need to accomplish whatever you want. Stop making excuses… Get off the Internet. Quit sleeping. No more relaxing for just 5 more minutes. Get up, get out, and make things happen. You won’t feel the go-go-go momentum all the time, but the trick is to getting out off your bum and out of that furrow.

Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different?

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

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The post Habits to Break Before You’re 30 appeared first on Zanita Studio.

When you hear “investments”, you immediately think monetary goods, but there are other things in life worth investing in that don’t cost a thing – and they produce exponential returns…

Investing in this sense comes in the form of time, effort, and money – but of course no money necessary if you’re on a serious budget. Here’s what’s worth investing in right now:

YOURSELF

The older we get, the more we limit ourselves… We know ourselves best – our strengths and our weaknesses – what we’re capable of and certainly what we’re incapable of. But the only limitations that exist are the ones you impose on yourself. It’s possible to be what you don’t think you are by investing time and energy into that thing you didn’t. And it’s never too late. Nothing is set in stone.

I never thought I’d write blog articles for a living. I have never been a runner. I have never been a big risk taker. What I have been is someone who follows rules, fall into the conventional, seeks to make others happy, and searches for security. This is how I was raised.

I know now that all of that is nonsense. In the last two years, I left a comfortable, secure corporate job for something completely unfixed. Trained hard to be able to run 5.5 miles nonstop. I’ve made more decisions that weigh heavier on the reckless side. How I got to this point? Investing time and energy into introspection, journaling, practicing, and being in touch with my feelings rather than sleeping, running a Netflix marathon, or surrounding myself with people and noise. It took a long time, but I’m finally here.

Your RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships aren’t something you plant and expect to grow on their own. They take nourishing and time – what you don’t water will eventually die. But, not all friendships are meant to last forever and not all of them hold the same level of quality. You won’t have the time and energy to invest in every single person – and not everyone is worth it. Pick your people carefully. Are you giving the energy and attention to the people who deserve it? If someone is enriching your life, bringing forth value, and lifting you up, that’s probably something worth investing in.

GRATITUDE

Spend time every single day being thankful to be who you are and grateful for the life that you have. I’ve been paying much attention to the Law of Attraction (more on this later) and this is the first step. You can’t receive more without appreciating what you already have. No matter how unideal your current circumstances are, make a conscious effort to be grateful as often as possible. Remember that what you think you become. What you are, you attract. Good vibes only.

Start today!

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube SHOP

You Should Also Read:

Habits to Break Before You’re 30
5 Things That DON’T Define Your Identity
What 2017 Has Taught Me About Life So Far

The post 3 Major Investments to Make that Don’t Cost a Thing appeared first on Zanita Studio.

If you’ve read any of my posts on Zanita, you’ll know I’ll be the first person to tell you blogging is incredible.

It’s not only the future, it’s what’s happening right now and there’s enough to go around for everyone. But I’ll also be the first one to tell you blogging is hard, especially since the market is so saturated. There are no ifs ands or buts about it if you want to “make it” you better be ready to work your face off. Seriously.

With that said I really wanted to go over some amazing perks that I’ve personally experienced along with some not so glamorous aspects of the job.

So let’s start with the bad stuff, shall we?

The worst part about being a blogger

When you decide to blog you’re basically deciding to share your entire life to hundreds, thousands, and potentially millions of strangers. You are in the public eye and that’s just how it goes. With that comes some enormous pressure – pressure to be the best, pressure to please everyone. Pressure to say and do the “right” thing. It’s a lot.

If you’re just starting to blog, I’ll give you the heads up now… Someone, if not multiple people, will get offended by what you say/do. You wear faux fur and some people still think it’s real. You’re honest about your feelings and some people judge you. You take a selfie and you’re narcissistic. Like really? Come on. Can we live?

Regardless if you “offend” one or one hundred people, it still doesn’t feel good. No matter how out of line or ridiculous the other person is being. You still can’t help but think ‘Is it me?’

Not to mention when people watch your Snapchat or Instastory, they think you just prance around town all day and sip lattes. Remember social media is the perception people want you to see. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears – real life stuff that goes on behind closed doors. I’ll say it again, can we live?

And then you have the kicker: fear of being a failure. In my experience, the #1 thing that holds most bloggers back is fear of failure. So all these bloggers start blogs and then a few months in they stop, or they’re back and forth for a year all because they’re afraid of failing. They think by not doing anything it saves them from doing something and potentially failing.

But let me ask you something… Isn’t not doing anything worse than if you try? If you at least try, you’ll know it’s for you or not for you but either way, you’ll know. Not trying = not knowing and not knowing can result in regret. And nobody wants regret.

The best part about being a blogger

As a blogger, you’ll most likely influence and/or help at least one person along the way. That’s incredible. Some people may disagree with me, but I genuinely believe bloggers have their hand in every aspect of the job market (fashion, health, beauty, lifestyle, etc.). Like, we’re it, people! So you better be blogging about something meaningful that will impact your audience for the greater good.

Whether that’s helping curvy women become confident in their own skin or showing fitness gurus how to get past their plateaus, or helping bloggers grow their blogs and businesses (cough cough), there’s nothing more rewarding than someone telling you that you’ve changed their life.

Once you find out how to blog with a purpose, the other perks fall into place like free gifts, paid for trips, getting paid to do what you love, etc. But I genuinely believe that you must first blog about something bigger than yourself. Something meaningful that has depth and not just the surface stuff.

You can add meaning and value to fashion, health, travel, beauty, business, etc. For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, instead of just posting your OOTDs, show us how to style a certain piece or help women shop on a budget or how to know when to splurge and when to save. There are tons of ways to be a valuable fashion blogger and not just an #ootd #beachvibes kinda gal.

Another great part about being a blogger is watching your blog baby grow. You’re essentially starting a business from scratch. Do you know how hard it is to start and continue to run a business? There’s something to be said for someone who can do that and be a mom and have a full-time job and take care of themselves physically on a daily basis. It’s a very very cool accomplishment in my opinion.

And then last but not least the best part about blogging is it allows opportunities to open. Whether that’s the free stuff, discounted vacations, meeting experts in the industry, or making a living doing what you love. Like if you love to blog, you can 100% make a living doing it! How amazing is that?

There’s always good and bad, yin and yang. You have to decide whether the good outweighs the bad or if the bad is worth tolerating. I can go up and down about how blogging is great and not great but it doesn’t matter. That’s something only you can decide, no one else.

What would you say are the best and worst parts about blogging? Tell us in the comments! 

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram YouTube Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

What I Learned During My First Major Photoshoot
Monthly Blog Tip Q&A: August Edition
3 Ways New Bloggers Get in Over Their Heads

The post The Best & Worst Part About Being a Blogger appeared first on Zanita Studio.

It’s no surprise that the bloggers who do go to fashion week are going to post about it.

They’ll be creating content during fashion week on Instagram and Snapchat and creating content after fashion week on their blogs and YouTube. So with all that content, how will yours stand out if you’re not going to fashion week?

First of all, you want to include tons of SEO related to fashion week, which means plugging in “fashion week”, “nyfw”, and “New York fashion week” into your blog posts as often as you can without being spammy.

You also want to own your current situation and get creative with it. If you’re not attending fashion week, be honest with your readers and don’t pretend to be an insider if you’re not really. For example, you’ll never see me post about my favorite shows because, well, I didn’t go to any. And there’s nothing wrong with that so don’t ever feel ashamed for not getting invited or simply choosing not to go.

Read on for more of my favorite ways to optimize your blog for fashion week especially when you’re not going…

Post about what would happen

Like I said above, you want to own your situation, whatever that may be. That doesn’t mean you should get angry and bash designers who didn’t invite you to their shows. Instead, it means being transparent about your stance on fashion week. Like, “Hey guys, I didn’t go to fashion week but if I did I would wear this…”

Your readers who didn’t attend fashion week may relate to you even more since they didn’t go either (and let’s be honest, that’s probably the majority of your readers). Topics like what you would wear or what you would do or what would have happened are great, unique spins on fashion week versus sharing your favorite shows or top picks. Everyone does that. Get creative!

If you’re a new blogger or a micro influencer, your readers might not care about a fashion week recap from someone who didn’t attend any shows. If they want to see what fashion week looks like they can follow a true insider like Danielle Bernstein for that or any other mega-blogger for that matter because they all have the behind the scenes content we crave!

Post about what did happen

You can also optimize your blog for fashion week by talking about what you did instead of going to shows. Arielle from SomethingNavy shared a small snippet of why she cut back this year on her Instastories and it actually made me feel less guilty about not being so involved in fashion week. That’s the good stuff right there! She talked about why she cut back and what she was going to do instead. That type of content helps form a deeper connection to your audience and it also goes against the grain and helps you stand out.

Now, if you actually are attending fashion week, try to give your audience a different perspective than they’re used to. If you’re going to some cool event, share why it’s so cool and how we can benefit by following along. It’s important to remember to always bring value to your audience/readers/followers, etc. We see and hear about the same events and shows over and over again during fashion week so how can you give us something we don’t see? What can we learn from your experience in particular?

Post about what you want to happen

Something that never happens (at least I never see it happening) is bloggers talking about what they want to see happen during fashion week. It would be interesting to see bloggers predict trends, surprises, or what special guests will show up to shows and events.

After all, bloggers are supposed to be the pulse of the market so why not share what you think will happen? Doing so shows you are super involved in the “movement” if you will, and you really do love fashion aka it shows you’re a true expert… especially if your predictions come true!

You could also post about what you want to happen in terms of meeting people or attending certain shows. For example, if you record an Instastory saying how’d you’d love to meet so and so and then tag that person, that’s like social media flirting. You put it out there, the person may watch your story and reach out making arrangements to meet. How cool would that be?! But you never know unless you try. I’m a firm believer that no one can fault you for being a fan of them and if they do, you don’t want to both with that person anyway.

Posting about what you want to happen in terms of your dreams and aspirations if you will, is a way to attract those things into your life. I’ve been talking about Danielle Bernstein from We Wore What for years now and I’ve had the pleasure of hanging with her a few times as of late. What you put out into the world, comes back to you. My point is, there’s no harm in talking about what you want to happen because if you do, it might just happen.

What are your thoughts on fashion week? Love it? Hate it? Tell us in the comments below! 

xx Britt

Follow Me – Blog Instagram Facebook Snapchat @notanothrblonde

You Should Also Read:

What I Learned During My First Major Photoshoot
Monthly Blog Tip Q&A: August Edition
3 Ways New Bloggers Get In Over Their Heads

The post How to Optimize Your Blog for Fashion Week (Even If You’re Not Going) appeared first on Zanita Studio.

One of the most important things a blogger has to learn how to do is overcome shyness…

Watching someone put photos of themselves everywhere online might lead you to think these people are extremely confident and extroverted, but most bloggers are super shy in real life. I think that has been one of the most surprising things I’ve learned working in this industry. Reality is, it’s much easier to put yourself in front of tons of people you’ll likely never run into. I also happen to be one of those… I can write for hours fluidly – and even do extremely well driving one-on-one conversations, but when it comes to a room full of people (or more than 3 people), I shut down. #introvertproblems

It’s extremely hard to run a blog with this mentality… So, how do you overcome shyness?

Do more things that scare you.

I’m sure you can think of so many things that make you uncomfortable – and those things vary from person to person. A few weeks ago, I ran into a situation that took me far out of my comfort zone. I was in NYC when I stumbled upon THE Anh Co Tran and nearly had a heart attack! Most people lose their mind over bloggers and celebrities but I lose my mind over makeup artists, hair stylists, and photographers (the behind-the-scenes team).

We were literally crammed back to back in a tiny Vietnamese restaurant. I was so nervous and excited I could barely bring myself to say “hi” – I was terrified! After what felt like an hour or so, I finally racked up the courage to turn around, tap him on the back, say “Hi” and ask for a photo. I was surprised at how startled, friendly and humble he was – and I think he was just as surprised that I knew who he was. Looking back at this moment sounds a little embarrassing… why was I so scared and uncomfortable? I don’t even know… but that one incident has taught me that if I want to approach someone, I just need to do it. Any opportunity you don’t take now is a potentially missed lifetime opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever see him again!

Play the power trick.

Brittany spoke about the Lord & Taylor shoot we did over the summer with Zanita, but Zanita did teach us a really good trick. She instructed me to envision myself as a kick-ass lady boss going to a meeting and shaking other people’s hands – basically, visualize yourself dominating the world! It really helped (and worked) considering I had never done a photoshoot before! The saying is true… if you see yourself doing it, you will eventually do it!

Rewire your brain.

Figure out why something is making you uncomfortable and reframe it in your mind. For me, self-promotion is just something I cannot wrap my brain around. I don’t want to be that one person, but it’s not about being that person. I’ve learned to think of sharing my work as literally just sharing my work rather than looking at it as a way to brag about myself. The more people take interest in it, the more I’ve excited I’ve become about sharing frequently…

Why bother making a big deal out of an issue that exists purely in your mind? If you have no negative intentions when doing something, don’t allow your mind to tell you that it’s wrong.

How do you cope with shyness?

xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube Facebook SHOP

You Should Also Read:

How to Stand Out When Everyone is Doing the Same Thing
When Growth Seems Impossible
5 Ways to Tell You’re Making the Wrong Decision

The post 3 Tips to Overcome Shyness like a Pro Fashion Blogger appeared first on Zanita Studio.