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BLOG LIFE: Starting A Lifestyle Blog Sucks

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Okay, let me clarify.

The idea and thought of starting a lifestyle blog doesn’t suck. Actually, it can be very fun and tap into your creative side. Also, depending on purpose (i.e business and branding), blogs can be very beneficial to your company.

However, the work behind the scenes of actually molding a blog with content, design, and overall management can be very daunting and tedious. That is very true when you have absolutely no clue on how to do anything related to running a blog. Keep up with me, now.

When I bought the domain StainedCouture.com all the way back in 2006, I was not very happy. I was a disgruntled freelance writer and graphic designer who bought the domain to harbor samples of my work for potential graphic design and writing ops. However, I had an abundance of bandwidth left from my hosting which made me decide to create one of those new things that all the kids and millennials (read: recent college graduates and sparkly pre-teens) were making….a blog. Tah dah…Stained Couture was born.

Back then, the majority of the blogs out there were gossip/celebrity news site and fashion and beauty blogs were slowly picking up. Therefore, I wanted to create a website that provide readers with the outfit deets of their favorite celebs and/or similar items and looks. However, I didn’t want to focus on just fashion, but I wanted to do beauty (I’m was a hardcore beauty junkie). So, I decided to ultimately make it a hybrid of fashion and beauty WITHOUT the celebrity twist. A simple fashion and beauty blog and it was my baby.

Just thinking back to all those amateur graphics and self coding looks I created makes me cringe and slowly rock in the fetal position in my chair. We’re talking bright colors, crazy fonts, and sidebars full of garbage. However, at the time, I loved it! It was awesome, because I was able to create, write, and design so many things that I loved and was passionate about….at the time.

Blogging was fun and presented me with so many other opportunities that I didn’t expect, including events, free products, writing for other respected blogs and sites and of course, you can’t forget money. Ah, yes, money.

It took about 6 months for me to get my first ad revenue, which I about $100 for sidebar ad for a month. At that time, that was unexpectedly amazing. Remember, back then, blogging was more about sharing your interests with a community of people that were interested in the same thing. Making money from blogging was barely a thing, let alone expected.  Blogging, in it’s purest form was for the love of loving things, not love of making money. Hey, but I’ve never been one to knock hustles, especially in these internet streets.

However, once people starting finding out you could make money by writing about your new overpriced mascara or the ‘it’ socialite on the scene, blogs and bloggers were everywhere. Therefore, the content and creativity started to get diluted and it ultimately became really hard to come up with fresh content. Eventually, I, like most bloggers lost the passion and interest. Bloggers started to abandon their blogs or move on to create other blogs are become professional bloggers for corporations and brands…including yours truly.

My life away from my blog got a little hectic. I had a full-time job (a real salaried job with benefits and direct deposits) and even stumbled into a few relationship (Hey!!!), which lead to less blogging and more blabbing about how I was creatively drained. Then there was family problems and issues that completely rocked my world off it’s axle.

Now, that I’m single (it’s complicated. TMI.) and I’m looking for a new job (4 years can go burn you out), I’m starting to tap into my creative side and get a passionate about life and new things and the desire to share them online. Therefore, I’m starting to explore blogging again and I have so many ideas in the pot and it’s beginning to bubble over.

Also, I’m reeducating myself about the management and business of blogging and it’s so interesting. I’m anxious. I’m excited. I can’t wait, because, once again, I don’t think that blogging sucks.

Stay Stylish!

 

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LUST-HAVE LIST: April 2015

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Yes, Spring arrived and I was finally able to put up my snow boots and shoes for the rest of the year and break out my sandals. *Insert 2-step*

I must also give Mother Nature a huge shotout, because the first day of spring was beautiful here in Memphis. Sunny, 70 degrees, and barely a trace of a cloud in the sky. It was utter perfection and we’ve had more of those beautiful days since and I hope this carries on for a while.

Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to switch up and out some new things for this new season. So, keep reading to see the things that I’m lusting for this month in the this month’s Lust-have List.

  • Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel – That cold and drying winter air did a serious job on drying out my skin. So, this exfoliating peel from Boscia sounds like the perfect remedy to get rid of this dry skin that’s hibernating on my face. It never hurts to welcome a new season with a lovely facial treatment.
  • Michael Kors Metallic Jelly Sandals – I’m always down for anything metallic gold, plus I think I need a pair a jelly sandals for spring. These jellies by Michael Kors kills both of these cravings.
  • ASOS Curve Embroidered Kimono – I guess kimonos are going to be pieces that every spring trendy wardrobe needs. I’m loving this one from ASOS Curve. The embroidery on the back is beautiful and perfect for spring.
  • Zara Bucket Bag – The perfect white bag can be hard to find. This white bucket bag from Zara might the perfect white bag thanks to its clean lines and minimalist-friendly design.
  • Nike Gym Tote – I recently joined a gym after 3+ years (YAY!) and I’m in need for a new gym bag. Nothing too big or flashy, but still fun. So, pretty much this tote from Nike hits on all cylinders.
  • Nude Sunglasses – It’s common fashion sense that you need a black AND brown pairs of sunglasses, but I think I’ve been sleeping on a pair of nude sunglasses. This pair from TopShop are perfect and well under $100. Score!

Stay Stylish!

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Weekend At Home: Uses for Lemon Oil and Peppermint Oil


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Over the past couple of years, I’ve been experimenting with a few different oils, mainly for my hair and skin. The main oils I used, consistently, were coconut and olive oil. Soon after, I introduced myself to others including argon and Moroccan. Eventually, I became obsessed with oils and their many uses.

The latest oils I’ve been using on frequent occasions are lemon and peppermint; 2 of my all time favorite scents.

Although there are quite a few uses for peppermint and lemon oil, the main reason I wanted these oils were to use as natural home fragrance by warming them up in oil warmer. Both of these scents are very clean and fresh, which is what I prefer my home to smell like.

Scents aside, these 2 aromas provide other uses around the home. So, keep reading to see some more uses for lemon oil and peppermint oil.

Peppermint:

  • For bug bites, use a combination of peppermint essential oil and lavendar essential oil to quickly dismiss the itch! It’s really similar to the logic of using toothpaste or menthol cream, but without the messy paste. Remember to dilute with a carrier oil if you are sensitive to straight essential oil on your skin.
  • If you have a problem with ants in your house, leave a peppermint soaked cotton ball in their pathway. They’re not big fans of mint and you’ll have the nice aroma lingering in your home!
  • To remove ticks from your pets, place a drop of oil on a cotton swab and swab the tick until it unhinges its head, allowing you to remove it without the risk of it breaking.
  • Give your trash can area a break and add a few drops to the bottom for a pleasant minty aroma.
  • Add it to paint to reduce or eliminate fumes as you are painting. Add as many drops as necessary until the paint odor has been replaced by a refreshing minty smell.

Lemon Oil:

  • Keep a bottle of lemon oil in each bathroom and add 5 drops or so directly into the commode water to instantly freshen the area. The oil remains there until someone comes along and flushes it away. This is a fabulous way to freshen up your bathroom during the day or before company is to arrive.
  • Use 6-12 drops of Lemon essential oil in a spray bottle mixed with distilled water to use in the bathroom as an air freshener. Or you can diffuse Lemon essential oil to clean and disinfect the air in any room.
  • Use 1-2 drops of Lemon essential oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon.
  • Add 2-3 drops of Lemon essential oil to water and spray counter tops to sterilize them.
  • Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon essential oil to disinfect and kill germs.
  • Add a drop of Lemon essential oil to your dishwasher before the wash cycle.
  • Rub a drop of Lemon essential oil on your hands after using a public bathroom.
  • Use a paper towel soaked with several drops of Lemon essential oil to sanitize bathroom fixtures and toilet seats.
  • Rub a drop of Lemon essential oil to clean a butcher’s block or other cutting surfaces.
  • Put 10-15 drops of Lemon essential oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room.
  • Drop a cotton ball soaked with Lemon essential oil in your vacuum bag and fill your home with the refreshing scent of lemon while vacuuming.
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LUST-HAVE LIST: March 2015

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New month, same issue as the previous few months: it’s cold. Can Spring spring up already? So, while I wait, I will vicariously enjoy spring weather with this month’s LHL. I think I’m going to be into pastels this season. So, keep reading to get the deets on the things I’m lusting for in this month’s Lust-Have List.

  • Sateen Bomber Jacket – This sateen embroidered jacket is an awesome transitional piece from winter to spring. It supplies you with enough warmth for chilly moments, but the pastel and sateen makes it very appropriate for spring.
  • Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil – I’m very intrigues with Bumble and Bumble’s Invisible Oil line that eared for extremely dry, brittle, and course hair. Although I want to try every item from line, the oil is currently at the top of my list, because you can use it before and/or after heating tools and claims to leave your hair smooth, silky, and conditioned.
  • Chunky Twisted Chain Necklace – The layering of thin necklaces is my staple look every Spring. However, I love to throw in a chunky chain into the mix every now and then, to add an unexpected, but chic look to the combo. This is especially true when accessorizing a simple white tee and pants look.
  • Pastel Mule Pump – This is such an expected surprise for me to be drawn to a pastel, heeled mule, but leave it to Vince to create it. Although this mule is available in nude and  black, but this soft blue gray looks so luxe and chic.
  • Perfecting Foundation and Concealer – I’ve been having an amazing love affair with my Make Up Forever HD Foundation the past couple of months, but I think I’m about to run out soon and this foundation from Clinique is definitely at the top of the list for the next foundation I want to try. I’ve heard great things about this covering combo.
  • Butter Yellow Pouch – Anya Hindmarch has really been peeking my interest in her bags, as of recent. This little piece of textured leather pouch is the perfect accessory to use as a wallet, clutch, or catch-all in your day bag. Perfection.

There you have it, the things are interested in acquiring this month. Do you know of something else that might interest me? If so, leave it below!

Stay Stylish!

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ONLINE WISHLIST: ShopBop

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I admit, I’m one of those people that overthinks the look I want to have weeks before the beginning of a new season and this spring is no different.

For the past few weeks, I’ve narrowed it down to dark denim pieces, classic tees, crisp blouses, and flouncy dresses. Also, for accessories, I’m thinking about layered dainty necklaces (my spring jewelry staple), stacked thin bracelets/cuffs,white sneakers with clean lines, tan sandals, and black wayfarer style sunglasses. Very classic, functional, and chic.

So, I did some virtual window shopping on ShopBop.com and, as usual, found tons and tons of items that fit into Spring 2015 style aesthetic. I’ve gathered my ultimate favorites of favs to share with you in my lasts Online Wishlist.

I couldn’t have picked a better time to pick some new pieces, because ShopBop is currently having one of the awesomely HUGE SALES that starts TODAY!

You save 15% with purchase over $250 – You save 20% with purchase over $500 – You save 25% with purchase over $1000

I suggest you use this time and code to buff up your spring wardrobe NOW, because this sale ENDS on Sunday, March, 8 @4am est.

Stay Stylish!

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