5 Best Blogger Investments

I have been blogging for a little over three years now and I have put a little money in behind the scenes. If you are a new blogger, I wouldn’t recommend going out and dropping a lot of money, especially since you don’t know if blogging is something that you are going to continue doing. If you are serious about blogging, then these are a few things that I have found to make blogging easier. Enjoy!
  1. Ring Light- a ring light is perfect for the cute flat lays that you see all over Instagram.
  2. Theme- If you want your blog to have personality, purchase a theme that fits your aesthetic.
  3. Smart Phone- If you don’t already have a phone with a good camera, you need on in your life. 99.99% of the time, I am taking photos, writing blog posts, and taking notes on my iPhone 8 plus. Just saying, these devices are worth it in the blogging world.
  4. Custom Domain- This makes you look professional and makes it easier for your audience to find you!
  5. Grammarly- Although there is a free version, the premium version helps improve your vocabulary.
There you have it! My 5 investments as a blogger. Do you have any favorites? I need to do some more investing. I hope that this helped.

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How to Practice Self-Care

Self-care is something that I have always struggled with. I have always been one to work constantly, keep moving, and get everything done. I would make myself sick because I would not take a break. As I got older, I realized that if I keep going without taking a break, I’m going to work myself to death. On this new journey of mine, I have practiced self-care and love it! If you keep reading, you will discover my self- care habits.

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1. Take the day off

If I know that I have been going non-stop and don’t want to get up for the day, that means that it’s time to take a day off.

2. Turn on my favorite music

I don’t know about you, but music always helps me to escape this crazy reality. 90’s country is the way to go for me.

3. Take a hot shower

A nice, hot shower can calm any day for me. I can stand there for hours just relaxing and thinking.

Put on a face mask

I don’t know what it is about face mask, but they scream relaxation. Sheet masks are my favorite for self-care days.

Turn my phone off

No phone, no distractions.

Go get a pedicure

I love to let someone take care of me for a change.

Go Shopping

A little retail therapy never hurt anyone! Torrid and Forever 21, I am coming for you!

Go see a movie

This helps me escape from the real world and forget about everything that is stressing me out.

Exercise

Exercising can also be another way to clear my brain.

Go to the beach

Some days I like to just get up and drive to the beach. I am at the edge of the world and the stress stays in Bakersfield.

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Father’s Day: Meet my Dad​

The thought of this post getting out there for everyone to read it just scares the hell out of me, but that is exactly why I am posting it. For those of you that have a complicated relationship with your dad. In honor of Father’s Day, I felt the need to share a little more of my personal life with you. I know that most of you follow my blog for the fact that I am a plus size woman that loves fashion. Or the fact that I write a lot of boss babe inspired posts, but today I want to share more with you than just my favorite dress at the moment. I want to share a big part of my story with you. I hope that you are ready because, to be honest, I may not be.

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This is my favorite and one of the few photos that I have with me and my dad together. Meet my dad, David, a hard working man that lost his life too soon. I don’t even know where to begin.

My dad and I haven’t always been the closest. He got my mom pregnant at a young age and then left her while she was pregnant to join the Navy. I know that it sounds horrible because it was, but the truth is that he wasn’t ready to be a father. He was in and out of most of my life, he made me cry, and made me feel like he didn’t love me. He missed father-daughter dances, he missed all of the football games that I cheered at, he even missed my high school graduation. I can count every single fight that we got into, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t good enough for him to want to always be around me. Some may say that he was not the best father, but I can’t say that it was his fault, not entirely. When someone wasn’t taught how to love another person, how can you expect them to love you?

When I did get to see my dad, we always had an amazing time. He took me to the San Diego Zoo, I got to go on his boat, and he even took me ice skating. When he wanted to be, he was the best dad that a girl could ever ask for. I can remember every single moment that I got to spend with him growing up. Him not being around all of the time, made the moments that we did get to spend together even more special.

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As I got older I started to accept the fact that he wasn’t always around, but once I accepted it, we became closer. He taught me to always be humble, to be thankful, and to be strong. A big part of who I am today is thanks to him. Him not being around showed me that I am strong. I am able to take care of myself in the worst situations. I don’t need anyone to depend on, and if I want something in life, I have to get it myself. He also taught me to not take things for granted, he is proof that people are not going to be around forever.

September of this year will be five years that my dad has been gone. Once again; he wasn’t there to give me away at my wedding, he isn’t going to be there when his grandchildren are born, and he will miss their high school graduation. It hurts to say that out loud, but it’s the truth. Dad’s are blessings, mine was a blessing in disguise.

I want to thank my dad for everything that he has done for me. He may not have even known what he has done, but he has helped me out tremendously. For those of you that have a weird relationship with your dad, try to see the good in what he is teaching you by not being around, or by being too harsh on you. Do me a favor, make sure that you tell your dad that you love him today. Even if you have to write him a letter and throw it away, he won’t be around forever.

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Makeup Products: Charlotte by Charlotte Russe Review

 

Hello there! If you didn’t already know, I am here to let you in on a little secret. Charlotte Russe has launched their very own makeup collection! Yes…That’s right, a new makeup collection! I was lucky enough to get sent some of the products in the collection. If you would like to know more about it, keep on scrolling. 

Here are the products that I was sent:

  • 2 mascaras
  • 3 lip products
  • an eyeshadow palette
  • 2 eyebrow pencils
  • a primer spray

All of these products turned out pretty good. I feel as if the eyeshadow palette isn’t as pigmented as I would like it to be, but pretty damn good for the price point.

All three of the lip products are amazing. I especially love the lip balm, I take it with me everywhere. The eyebrow pencils are creamy and are easy to use. The primer spray sprays evenly and smells incredible!

As for the mascaras, I am obsessed with the lengthening mascara! I need an entire box of them! The volume mascara I like, but not as much as the lengthening. I prefer the volume mascara on my more natural makeup days.

All of these products are worth the purchase, I mean how stinking cute is the packaging? That alone is worth buying in my opinion.

There you have it! I like to keep these product reviews short and sweet. Let me know if you have tried any of these products from the collection. I would love to know which ones are your favorite. 

Bakersfield Beauty Blogger3 Comments

5 Tips for Bloggers Taking Photos in Public

As a blogger in a city that isn’t Los Angeles, I get a lot of weird looks from people when I am taking blog photos in public. When I first started blogging, those look from people would bother me so bad, I wanted to stop taking photos and go home. Now I could care less about what people think of me, especially when I am posing to get that perfect shot. In this post, I am going to share 5 tips on how to feel more comfortable when it comes to taking photos in public. If you are someone that is a beast when it comes to taking photos in public, then congrats, you’re winning at life. IMG_5577 2IMG_5578IMG_5584IMG_5590IMG_5591 

Tip #1

My first tip is to remember that you most likely won’t ever see the people that are staring at you again. If you ever happen to run into them on another day, there is a good chance that they are not going to remember you.

Tip #2

Take someone with you that you are comfortable around. With them encouraging you, it makes it that much easier to smile, take a great photo, and have an amazing time.

Tip #3

Try to start out somewhere that doesn’t have a ton of people, but still in public. For example, go to a park to take some photos, compared to a coffee shop downtown. Ease your way into it.

Tip #4

Practice makes perfect! The more that you go out in public and take photos, the more comfortable you will feel.

Tip #5

My last tip is just to have fun! Remeber that you are taking these photos for you and your audience. You’re not taking them for the random person walking by. You are obviously passionate about these photos, so anyone else’s opinion shouldn’t matter, so just have fun!

I hope that these tips helped you out a little. I would love to know any tips that you have, leave them in the comment section! 

 

All photos were taken by Kaya Irene Photography

My dress is from Forever 21

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Product Review: Beauty RX Exfoliating Pads

 

Another day, another skincare product! Hello there, Today I am here to give a review of these Advanced 10% Exfoliating Pads. They are from the brand Beauty RX. Stay tuned to read what I have to say!

Product

This product is an exfoliating pad that is supposed to remove dead skin cells, brighten dull skin, and even texture. It contains 10% buffered and PH-adjusted glycolic acid. It also says that it is paraben free, fragrance-free, and dermatologist tested. It comes with 50 exfoliating pads that are supposed to be used on alternate nights. The product also says that it can be used on all skin types.

Price

On the website, these exfoliating pads run for $70.00 for a one-time delivery. I think that the price is pretty standard for a high-end skincare item. I know that I would pay that much for something to brighten and even out my skin.

Packaging 

The exfoliating pads came in pretty standard packaging, it is easy to access, the overall look of the product is clean and simple. I love it.

Overall Thoughts

I am going to rate this product 5 out of 5 stars. I have been using the exfoliating pads for a little while now, and I believe that it is delivering everything that it promises. It is fragrance-free, I feel as if my skin is brighter now that I have been using it, and so much use comes out of one exfoliating pad. I love this product! The product does have a tingling sensation to it and I would not recommend using this product on open sores, because it will burn like hell. I also feel like there is a lot of product for the price point. All in all, I would recommend this product to anyone and everyone that is in need of some great skin! I am happy to show a before and after photo in a few weeks! Keep a look out for that on my Instagram. If you have any questions about this product, please leave them in the comments.

I hoped that you enjoyed this review and I hoped that it helped! 

xoxox

BBB

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5 Plus Size Clothing Stores That I Love!

As a plus size woman myself, I know how tough it can be to find clothes that fit in the right places. I have searched high and low for these stores and I am glad that I found them. Let’s jump in!

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Torrid

If you have been following me or my blog for some time now, then this should come as no surprise that Torrid is my first favorite store. They are a great company, I love the way all of their pieces fit my body, and they have so many different styles. Every time I walk into the store, the ladies all make me feel so welcome! I just can’t get enough, they are a little on the pricey side, but the quality is worth the money.

Charlotte Russe+

Some people don’t know this, but Charlotte Russe has an incredible plus size section! I always find all sorts of great pieces there, along with shoes, jewelry, and hats! Their pieces are more trendy and for those that are willing to wear off the shoulder tops. I also love the quality of their pieces.

Forever 21 Plus 

This store must be everyone’s favorite store! The Forever 21 here in Bakersfield is huge! I can see why; they have amazing prices, they have soo many options, and they cater to so many different styles. I can find just about anything there. I am in love! Did I mention that they have an amazing price point? Oh, yes I did hehe.

Target

Target has some amazing pieces that are very comfortable! I am in love with their plain T-shirts! They also have the most amazing dresses, so adorable! And who doesn’t love target?? Just the thought of eating popcorn while shopping gets me excited.

Ross Dress for Less

If you have a Ross, I strongly encourage you to stop in and check out what they have available. They have amazing prices, they have comfortable clothes, and also cater to so many different styles and sizes. I find items in there as low as two dollars. I love fashion, but I also love saving a buck or sixty if I can.

 

If you have made it to the end of this post, this I reward you with a virtual high five! Thank you for sticking around. If you have any recommendations for me, I would love to read them in the comments! I am always looking for new places to try!

 

 My top is from Torrid and my jeans are Suzanne Betro.

Bakersfield Beauty Blogger12 Comments