Books I’ve Read Lately #9 - 40 in 2019

This year so far has been AMAZING in terms of books! I have found some absolute favourites already so I can’t wait to tell you all about them. 

Something I recently realised was that most books have one key message – any easy bite sized take away that encapsulates the true meaning of the book. It’s the one concept that is explained over and over using different examples and ways of describing the same key advice.

Because this is the first instalment of this series for my 2019 reading list, I thought I would shake things up a little and this year I will be including details of every book’s main message, key takeaways and sharing how I rate the book.

It’s also incredibly valuable for me to reflect upon each book I read because it not only refreshes my memory or allows the message to seriously sink in but it’s also a great reference point for me to re-visit in the future.

5 Easy Ways to Make More Money

I’m a freelancer, and making money is usually a big deal for me. As writing usually takes my time and need ways to make money. 

Making money fast and ‘legal’ depends on your talent and level of experience. It’s true that money isn’t everything, but it won’t hurt to add more zeroes to your account. Make more of it, and you will see how important having that extra cash can do for you. Not having anything is not new to me too. I know how it feels. Even though I’m trying my best now. My experience has made me come up with these 5 ways to make more money. Though, these tips have always been in existence. So, I think it’s worth sharing.

• Become a blogger.

Work from anywhere in the world and choose your own hours! Write about the things that you are passionate about and build connections with an online audience. Everyone has something worth saying that others would be interested to read about. Pick up a copy of Jordy's book 'A 3 Step Guide to Turn Your Blog into a Career' for the ultimate playbook on starting a blog and building financial success. Get your copy HERE.

Must Have Valentine’s Day Accessories

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you might find yourself with plans for a romantic date or dinner reservations. 

So naturally your next train of thought is what to wear, given that it’s a special occasion and any excuse to dress up will do.

I have spent some time pulling together my top 4 accessory essentials for the most romantic day of the year, making a chic statement regardless of the outfit you decide on.

I also thought it would be a cool way to tell you about some designer pieces I have added to my wardrobe in an effort to start building a strong collection of high end and quality pieces. I want to start focussing on investing in designer pieces that I know are built to last rather than having a high turnover in my wardrobe from semi quality pieces. I will explain this in a future post, as well as my detailed plans on how I will build out my high end capsule wardrobe, but for now I have a new bag and pair of shoes to discuss further in this post.

YSL Kate Tassel Logo Bag 
As an avid Louis Vuitton fan for a number of years now, my swap in loyalty of brands has been quite a daring one. I love how indestructible a LV canvas bag is and how you can throw it around but when I went to invest in a new one, nothing jumped out at me. I feel the chic and timeless look of a YSL bag speaks more to my personality now and recently adding this versatile piece to my collection was a worthwhile investment. It’s the perfect in-between of a day bag and night clutch – big enough to fit all the essentials but not too large that you will overpack it. Overly big bags are where I went wrong with LV – think a Neverfull and a Speedy 30 – they allowed me to carry around way too many unnecessary items. The classic pairing of black leather and gold decals makes this a stunning piece.

MAC Ruby Woo 
We love a good red lipstick moment on Valentine’s Day and this cult classic MAC bullet is kiss proof. It’s a creamy rich red that suits the most skin tones and has a blue undertone to bring out the white in your teeth. It’s a matte finish so the colour is opaque but stays put. This has been my go-to red for years and I think it is highly worth the investment next time you’re picking up some goodies at the MAC counter.

Christian Louboutin So Kate 
I have had one pair of Loubs in my life before and recently sold them because they had never fit correctly. I blindly bought them second hand so got a size 39 and they were a good size or two too large that no gel pads could fix. So, I never ended up wearing them for long because I was always padding around falling out of my shoes. This time I made sure not to repeat my mistake, investing in a brand-new pair for size 37 120mm So Kate’s. I also opted for nude this time instead of black because I feel a killer pair of high-quality nude heels is ESSENTIAL for a capsule wardrobe. I’m so glad I made this investment into a pair of shoes I know will last my years and years, suiting nearly everything in my wardrobe. You can’t go past these to complete your outfit on an occasion like Valentine’s Day!

Pandora Linked Love Ring 
Bring a subtle hint of love and romance to your accessories with this heart link ring. There is something so feminine about this dainty stacking ring and the rose gold adds warmth and sparkle to the look.

Happy Valentine's Day lovers!

Why You Need a Blog Mission Statement + How To Write Yours

The same thing that makes you different from other people on the planet - your unique personality and approach - is the key differentiating factor between your blog and anyone else's. 

Just as you have a set of personal values and morals, your blog should follow suit and have an overarching set of principles and beliefs. As the saying goes "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything" and this is particularly true with hosting a creative platform.

As you will often be approached by brands, fellow creatives, lucrative opportunities and content ideas you must be able to identify whether it is right or wrong accept or reject these offers. It is important to achieve balance and I always ensure that each opportunity I take is in line with personal values and the moral compass of my platform. The easiest way to achieve this is to have a mission statement that anchors your platform and centres your content.

A mission statement is a short and concise sentence or two, which encapsulates what your blog is all about and the key objectives of your platform.  

Airplane Productivity + How to Get More Done in the Air

Sitting on a plane for up to 13 hours can seem like a waste but like with anything it’s really what you make of it! So, in this post we’re going to be discussing how you can make the most of your time spent up in the air. 

I’m preparing for my impending 13 hours in plane rides to and from Bali so want to set myself up for success where I use that time productively. You know, to cross off a few items on my to-do list and such. So here is a rundown of some potential things you can do on your next flight and what my itinerary is looking like.

I love feeling on top of my work so my ideal flight to a beautiful location is spent wrapping my head around what I need to get done, getting on top of important tasks and feeling clear in my mind that everything is in order.

GIVEAWAY + Big Announcement ♥ My New Book!

I am SO EXCITED to be doing this massive GIVEAWAY and giving a HEAP of lucky subscribers a copy of my book! I am giving away both print and eBook versions to as many people who enter as I can! 

So to be in for your chance to win, head over to the video HERE on my YouTube channel and leave me a comment letting me know your most burning question about the blogging industry and blogging full time etc.

If you can’t wait to see if you won the competition, I’m also offering an insane discount code so you can purchase a copy now. This way you can instantly read since the eBook version is sent to your automatically upon purchase and even if you purchase the print copy you will also be sent the eBook version.

You can use the code ‘YT50’ for 50% off the entire store. This means that you can grab a copy of the eBook for the crazy low price of under $5 or a print copy for just $10 when you purchase from the store HERE.

Good luck in the giveaway or happy shopping!

SHOP HERE.

Behind the Desk- January 2019

Hello! How has 2019 been for you so far? 

We have managed to speed through the first month of 2019 and are finding ourselves now at the end of January! I have so much to talk to you about including how I’m headed to Bali in just a couple of days and have so many other cool things coming up! Bali Let’s start with where I’ll be next week….

The Facial Features We're All Self-Conscious About

Everyone gets self-conscious about something at some point in their life. If you don’t, then I would love to know your secret! It would be amazing to walk out of the door and not have a nagging worry in the back of your mind about at least one of your features.

The Blogger’s Guide to Building Industry Relationships [Blogger Broadcast]

It is fundamentally important to work on building relationships and connections with people in the same industry as you, whether they are colleagues or clients. I have always believed that no matter what kind of career you are in, you must carve out an enjoyable role for yourself and cultivate positive relationships with whomever you encounter. 

Especially in the close-knit industry of blogging, being a genuinely nice person with virtuous intentions will get you far.

You hold the power of your experience in the industry. You decide your fate if you approach the blogging industry with a positive mindset, grateful for all opportunities, or with limiting beliefs, jealousy or cattiness towards others. Think of this not only the way you handle a career in blogging but how you approach life in general. It is my personal recommendation to not get sucked into gossip or negative energy that others can sometimes bring to the scene. You have already won if you approach all situations with a sense of thankfulness in your position and positivity towards your future. Even better, this light energy will transfer to others and the flow of effects will be a harmonious industry of bloggers helping each other. I feel we have come such a long way in this regard already and my heart is so full with how many women I see helping other women. This is the type of helpful community we need to continue to cultivate to help each other succeed.

The fundamentals start with treating your colleagues and clients with kindness and respect. Let me explain further. 

4 Healthy Summer Dinner Recipes

When the sun is shining until 7:30pm and outside feels like a sauna, you may find yourself wanting to eat a lot lighter than usual. 

At least, that has definitely been me this Summer! I have been craving fresh and nourishing foods on the lighter side, with a focus on veggie packed vegetarian meals or the occasional fish. In this post I’m counting down my top four dinner recipes for this time of year.

Get your grocery list ready because it’s time to fill up on nutrition packed and affordable meals this season...

7 Ways You Can Spice Up Your Look Today

Feeling bored with your clothing choices? Want to spice things up a little and enjoy an edgier, cooler look? You’re in the right place! Here, you’ll find 7 ways you can spice up your look today so you look cooler than ever before. Read on to learn more!

Looking After Your Skin In Winter

The winter weather has a lot to answer for. Our central heating bills rise, we say goodbye to our lovely summer wardrobe, and most of us end up catching the dreaded flu. If that wasn’t bad enough, the cold weather is also responsible for making our skin dry, flaky and itchy. The harsh temperatures and blustering winds certainly like to do their damage on our complexion.  If this sounds familiar, use the following tips to ensure your skin looks radiant come rain, snow or sleet!