me and Minnie

In life, change is the only constant.

With the celebration of my 2 year blogiversary, I decided to make a make a few changes; a fresh new website for the exciting changes that are on the horizon and a small name change. Head over to meandMinnie.com for the complete story.

XOXO,

Shanna

8.28.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

To say this has been busy week for the blog would be an understatement! I have so many cool projects in the works and I’m both excited and nervous about how its all going to come together. When I was heavy into acting, I rarely told people about my auditions. I didn’t want to tell 50 people I landed an audition for this amazing role only to not be chosen for the role; then have to go back to said 50 people and tell them what happened. Same thing with this, have told a few people but I don’t want to announce it yet until I know for a fact its going to happen. I have my fingers and my toes crossed that it all works out and keep yours crossed too!!

Summer camp has come to an end, but classes start so there’s no slowing down in the near future for me. Classes actually started last week but because of work, I was unable to attend; don’t worry I emailed all my teachers and let them know. I’ve been juggling work and school for about an year and half and I’ve gotten a rhythm with making it all work but with blogging moving from a hobby to something more, I have to sit and make some adjustments to fit it all in.

Well that’s it for me. The last few times I’ve spoke to you have been pretty short but soon I will have A TON of things to talk to you about so be prepared! I have class in the morning so I need to find something to wear because I can finally get out of running shorts and tee shirts (insert dancing emoji) lol

 

XOXO,

Shanna

8.21.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

I know, it’s been a while since the last time I’ve spoken to you. I wish I could say I’ve been so busy I have not had the chance to write to you but honestly I’ve been lazy; plain and simple. Blogging is a lot of work. Blogging and working is a lot of work. Blogging and working and going to school is a lot of work. And add being a mother and running a household in the mix; yes A LOT OF WORK!! So I got a bit lazy and I slacked off with blogging. But I’m back. And I’m glad to be back. I hope you missed me. Because I missed you too. But absence makes the heart grow fonder right???

XOXO,

Shanna

 

 

7.17.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

I returned back to work after three days off and though I was suppose to take a week, the few days I spent away worked. As promised, I tackled some task around the house while on my mini vaca; my biggest project…the closet! I swear, I don’t understand how I could ever say “I have nothing to wear”, because my closet conveyed a different story lol! Half of the unwanted items went to Goodwill and the other half are being shipped off to Thread UP; I am stalking two pair of booties and I’m selling old stuff to get new stuff lol!

Nothing new going on with the blog, everything is chugging along smoothly. I’ve been posting three times a week and traffic is increasing daily. I have a few post in my draft box that I need to finish up and finally schedule time to meet with Lauren to shoot pictures for the series I’m working on. That’s it…I kinda feel like I should be saying more, but I don’t have anything else to update you on.

Short and sweet!

Until next time,
Shanna

7.10.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

Work this week was super crazy! So crazy it was suggested I take a few days off to get my mind together and though I was reluctant with the idea, I caved in. I don’t take off during the summer and I have guilt leaving during the busiest time of the year, but I know if I don’t take a step back I will do something that I’ll regret. I’m going to sit down today and make a list of things that I need and want to get done with all of my free time. When I get home from work I just want to shower and sleep, so now I’ll have plenty of time to knock out a lengthy to-do list. Though I’m nervous about how things will run while I’m away, it will be nice to sleep past 5:30am and not have my name called 100 times in an hour lol

When I sat down to write today I realized that I’ve been posting regularly for the past few weeks! I talked last week about being consistent and without me knowing it I’ve been doing just that, yea me!!  There’s been a steady stream of traffic AND I’ve started to make a bit of money; $3.10 to date lol! Yes, it pales in comparison to other bloggers and I can’t even buy my favorite drink at Starbucks with it, but this proves that I can one day turn this into a full-time job. Through one of the Facebook blogger groups I belong to, I found another blogger, that has a HUGE following, looking for contributors and I’m trying to decided if I want to use a post from my blog or create a new one to submit. If my post gets picked, it could be great for the blogs exposure so fingers crossed! My “Five Things” series has been well received by my readers and could not be more happier! I have soooo many “five things” that I’m working on and can’t wait to share them. I’m still working on that 4 part series as well! I had to push back the date it will go live on the blog but it’s still coming, it’s just not where I want it to be yet.

Now that I’ve been blogging on a steady basis, I’m going to set a few monthly goals for myself. I’ve seen other bloggers post monthly goals for traffic and income earned from their blogs and they say that having these goals have been really good for growing in these areas, so here are the two goals that I want to focus on for the rest of the month.

July Blogging Goals

Traffic:

1000 page views

500 unique visitors

Income:

$10 (enough for two lattes lol)

Now it’s time to put in the work to make these goals a reality!

Until next time,

Shanna

7.3.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

The first week of camp is done and I am still alive lol! I’m trying to get my body adjusted to getting up at 5:30 am and after another week of early morning wake up calls, I think I’ll be just fine. My summer class starts Tuesday and I am excited! Since its only one and online, I won’t have any issues with feeling overwhelmed. Last summer I took 4 and I was at my whits end 3 weeks in; lesson learned!

I got the opportunity to attend another sort of blogger event Saturday, this time for the opening of the new Kendra Scott store in RVA. The event was hosted by a fellow blogger and was really nice. I was only able to stay for about 30 minutes but enjoyed window shopping all the pretty earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I am slowly getting involved in the RVA blogger scene and I’ve been enjoying meeting other local bloggers! In keeping up with my networking, I joined the “Style Collective” and so far its OK. I have to get used to the layout of the website and how to navigate through it and I am excited to connect with other members.

I have decided to take a break from reaching out to brands for collaborations and add all that focus on the blog and building my content. I realize that in order to have a brand take me seriously, I need to show them that I can produce constant, quality content. The goal is to start reaching out again in the next few months when I have a bigger body of work.

Well that all for now; off to enjoy the rest of this looooog weekend!

Until next time,

Shanna

 

6.26.16

 

Dear Diary,

Tomorrow my full-time job gets a little bit busier; summer camp begins! And while I enjoy the constant running around; it makes the day go so much faster, I don’t enjoy the extras stress it brings. My mind never get’s a chance to rest; it’s always running about one thing or another and that drives me insane. A few summers ago, I took 20 minutes before getting ready for work to run and that really helped with my stress levels, so I’ll be doing the same this summer.

I have my first sort of blogger event today and I’m getting kinda excited. A few local bloggers are hosting a styling event at Sephora and at first glance I made no plans to go but since I’ve been working hard at networking with other bloggers, I changed my mind and decided. Last night I pulled a million outfit options and still have yet to settle on one, but that’s an everyday struggle for me so….yeah lol

I’ve been a busy, busy worker bee with the blog this week. In addition to putting the finishing touches on the series I have been working on for the last month, I will be adding a new weekly series to the blog and that hits this Friday. I’ve always been a big fan of reading them other bloggers have on there blogs but until putting one together, I never knew the work that is involved, they make is seem so easy!! It has been so nerve wracking making sure everything is just right and I am nervous about how it will be received by my readers. I’ve made more changes and edits to it than I can count but I’m finally happy with how it’s turning out. I have to add a few more things to it; visuals and possibly a video and then it will be ready to hit the blog.

Well I have to sign off, lots to do today before tonight’s event and even more to do to get ready for the first day of camp tomorrow.

Until next time,
Shanna

6.19.16|#DOFB

 

Dear Diary,

My little graduated from elementary school and I was so proud of him!! He’s on to Jr. High School and he though he tells me “I not excited” and “I could care less mommy”, I know it’s the opposite. I can remember his first day of school and sitting there watching him graduate, I couldn’t believe that his time there was over. I told him that I was sad he was not going to be my little boy any more and his response was “Mommy I will always be your little boy because you will always be older than me” LOL! That’s my boy!

And I have to wish all the dad’s out there a Happy Father’s Day and especially to my dad! He’s not a fan of the sappy stuff but I can’t let the day pass without saying….Daddy I love you very much and I am lucky to have you. Thank you for having my back, giving me good advice and being such a great papa to my son. You don’t say you love me opting to show me instead and that’s worth more to me than gold….but if you want you give me gold I would not turn it down!

You may have noticed I only posted once over the past week….shit happens. It was all about prepping for a two day training and I still haven’t recovered from back to back 10 hour work days. This week I will be playing catch up with the blog; posting on a regular schedule, scheduling a shoot with Lauren, prepping post and finishing up a series that I’m working on. Blog traffic has been really picking up over the past week and that is giving me the motivation to hang in there. For new bloggers its the one thing that can be frustrating, not seeing any traffic and the leads to many closing up shop very quickly. I have learned that building an audience takes time and you just have to keep pushing. If you stay consistent, join blogger groups and stay encouraged, the audience will come.

I have one more week of training and then our summer camp program begins, so I’m researching scheduling apps for Instagram because posting will be a chore and a half until camp is over. I’ve been saying that I wanted to put IG posting on auto pilot and now I’m finally forced to do so. I post all of my pics in real time, most of the time, and that won’t be an option during the summer. Not only will I have to plan out my blog post, I will have to get in the habit of planning my IG post as well so that is on my list of things of to knock out this week. I’m looking into Hoot-Suite but I will be asking around for other ideas in my blogger groups!

Well its time for me to sign off. I have to take my dad his gift, Chipotle lol

Until next time,

XOXO

Shanna

 

6.5.2016|#DOFB

Dear Diary,

So a few days ago I told my mother, sister and one of my best friends that I had a blog. Up until then, only two people knew. My mother asked why I never told anyone before now and I really didn’t have reason besides the fact I didn’t want anyone to say anything negative. In my past life, I was an actress and I’ve never had a problem performing on stage, in fact I loved it, but the second I knew my family was there, I got kinda nervous of what they would say. They never said anything bad, in fact they are my biggest cheerleaders; and they have cheered for me in about 100 endeavors I’ve journeyed into lol, but I was always nervous. The same thing with this blog, I was nervous of what they would say but as always everyone was supportive. I think my mother binged read the entire blog from the beginning and I know my bestie did, I was on the phone with her while she was reading. My mother even left two comments on my latest post I have yet to respond to….thanks for the nice comments mommy! So again I was worried for nothing and now my secret is out.

So to keep myself on track, I made a ToDo list of the things that I wanted to get done for the week and prayed to the God’s I would get it all done……

1. Create media kit
2. Reach out to two bloggers and leave comments on a post or two 
3. Plan out three flat lay photos for Instagram 
4. Reach out to two brands for possible collaborations (I reached out to just one)
5. Prep post for the upcoming week

I am happy to report that I have done everything on my list; well I only reached out to one brand, but everything else is done! I am sitting down today to create this weeks list and I am confident I can get it all done or at least a good portion of it done. I have come to find that blogging is not just creating a post, but its networking with other bloggers, something that I never really did until now, so my weekly goal is to reach out to two bloggers and interact with them. I also joined a group named Small Talk Social. This group is all about helping creative businesses (would not go as far as to call my blog a business yet), grow their social presence on Instagram. Using the hashtag #thegramgang I have been able to connect with other like minded creatives and learn a ton of tips and strategies that have been helping me step my IG game up! I’ve had a ton of engagement; more than ever and I’m slowly learning how to put a feed together that is an accurate representation of the brand I am trying to grow. I highly recommend this tribe to any creative content creators who are looking to improve on this social media platform.

Well that’s it for me; I am cooking dinner as I type this and my son has given me his “I want dinner” face a few times, so I have to go.

Until next time,

Shanna

 

Oh, update on the car you ask….well don’t! I could create an entire blog about it featuring my my dad!

 

This post got featured in Links a la Mode! Check out the other bloggers who were chosen!

Links à la Mode, June 9

• Elle Is For She: DIY Chic | Liv’s Tie Dye Jeggins
• Female Jungle: How to Wear Lace Tops | Styles under $100
• Fleur d’Elise: Look of the Day | Black Mockneck & Blue Linen Joggers
• Get Styled: #Guccigram | An Instagram Art Initiative
• Grazielle Camilleri: Denim Shorts and Colourful Tee
• Home to Hem: How to Ignore Fashion Rules and Find Your Personal Style
• InCorporate Mode: Guide to Shopping in Paris
• Les Assorties’: Bucolik | Exposing Design Talent Globally
• Minnie Rose: #DOFB
• Original Sam Smith: This Dress is “Mint” For Summer
• Outfit Zest: Strawberry Season
• Prime Butterfly: 7 Ways to Give Your Instagram a Facelift
• Purushu Arie: Gucci’s New Direction is Bad News for Fast Fashion
• Tales of Two: Minimising the Minimalist Trend
• Tell Me, Y…: Raffles International Showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2016
• That Trendy Fellow: Color Pop
• This Season’s Gold: Being Mom | Celebrating with Maggy London and Wendy Williams
• Trends VIP: Australian Fashion Week from a Blogger’s Perspective
• The Wanderbliss: White Out!
• We Are Ready Made: Japonisme

SPONSOR: Amazon’s Shopbop Rachel Comey, MIKOH Swimwear, Temperley London Dresses, Lioness, Sydney Evan, Arik Kastan, Bridesmaid Dresses, Boyfriend Jeans, Lace Tops, Men’s Etudes

5.29.2016|#DOFB

Dear Diary,

I’ve been told that the relationship between blogger and photographer is a sacred one. You have to be one with each other, in tune to with each other, communicate the perfect shot with a single look; ok I may be taking this a bit far, but you do have to a level of comfort and work well with the person you choose to take pictures for your blog; I mean the pictures are a representation of your brand. For the past few weeks I had been on the hunt for one and wasn’t having any luck. I was a the point where giving up was a real thought and then I got a response from one of the photographers I reached out to. I saw her work while scrolling through Instagram and I loved the work that I saw. She had the look I was going for and I really wanted to work with her. We had our first shoot over the weekend and it was great to work with her. I got a sneak preview of the pictures and I am excited to see the final ones and with that my search is over! Thing one checked off the list, now if I can get my blogging schedule in order, because that’s a hot damn mess!

I have yet to come up with a schedule that I am happy with and I am pulling my hair out trying to get it right. I was going to keep with the one I had the last time I blogged, but I added a few new sections that I want to introduce and the old posting schedule won’t fit. I know I’m just over thinking it because it really shouldn’t be this hard. The goal is to nail down the posting schedule by mid week and just roll with it. I guess the issue is, I want this to be the schedule that I stick with and I’m just trying to make sure the schedule will work out in the long run. I’ll be sure to report back next week; fingers crossed lol

In other news, there is been a ton of activity over on my Instagram page and that has me super excited! I’ve been doing a ton of research on making my content better, so I’m happy the work is showing. I have been posing on a regular basis, making sure that the content is relevant to me and have been working, on, well being social and it has been paying off! I’ve had so much activity I’m hosting my first giveaway….eeek! I posted it a few hours ago and I have been checking my IG like a crazy person and so far a good response but no one has followed the rules as listed. Man how embarrassing would it be if  nobody followed the rules…. Do I just pick a person anyway? Do I run it again? The giveaway runs until next week so there is time to figure all that out.

In other other news, I got my car stolen and that was the most annoying thing ever! I am still sorting out that mess and it looks as if I will have to get a new car as a result of the damage. If you follow me on Instagram you saw what I posted about the matter and I am feeling better about the issue. I wanted a new car anyway so I’m trying to look at the positive and stay focused on that. I’m on the hunt for a new car and I will keep you posted on how that process goes. I start classes in July and its a social media marketing class and I’m excited to get that going plus the start time gives me time to relax at the start of the summer.

Well that’s it for me Diary!

Until next time,

Minnie