#askHTC - Question and Answers from Instagram
It’s FRIDAY, YO! I’m currently working a full day at Headquarters, getting ready for my last quiet weekend for the foreseeable future (see: weddings, buying a house, moving, going to Boston.) I feel like I should probably start packing, but since we’re still waiting on a closing date for our house, I don’t want to jinx anything.
Over the last few months, I’ve seen some of my favorite blogging friends do Q&A posts on their blogs. They were some of my favorite blog posts to read - it was so fun to get to know them through that format. I really wanted to do my own but was kind of nervous no one would have any questions for me. At the beginning of this week, I posted an Instagram asking for questions, and I was stoked to see that people actually had some. So, thanks for not making me feel like a complete loony toon, and leaving me questions on that post. Today, I’m sitting down to answer them!
Question and Answers for HTC
What’s your favorite move? (-Lauren B.) The Keira Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice. I have lost count how many times I have watched that movie. Not only do I love and appreciate the story behind it (#englishmajor) but I think it is the most beautifully filmed movie of all time. Also, the soundtrack is so beautiful, and I listen to it at least once a week while writing.
What’s your favorite Colourpop Lippie? (- Summer T.) This is such a tough one! I initially wanted to say Lyin’ King, because that was my first love, but I think November is my all time favorite. It is just so wearable and goes with just about any makeup look, and I love how feminine and girly it makes me feel.
How do you find such cute outfits for such a great price? (-Vicki P.) Honestly, it started with following my favorite bloggers on Instagram. I would follow them at first for outfit inspiration because I wanted to figure out new ways to wear the things I had. That lead me to the shops on Instagram, which showed me how to search for other boutiques on there. I also try to stay on top of sales at big box stores, like Nordstrom, because I’ll never pay full price for something there, but I will jump on it if it goes on sale for something reasonable (like the $100 dollar leather jacket that I got for under $60) Also, I learned that it is possible to be a successful thrifter after discovering ThreadUP! If I see an outfit I like on Instagram that’s linked to a ton of high-end stuff, I’ll check ThreadUP first to see if I can find something similar for a decent price and 90% of the time I can!
What is your least favorite/the hardest part about blogging? (-Kristin C.) Man, this is a tough one, because I really love blogging! But I guess I would say I don’t like the algorithm games I play to try to make sure my followers actually see my stuff. It kind of sucks the joy out of promoting my blog! I, by no means, am a big blogger or even have a desire to have millions of followers, but I do love the followers I have and want to share my discoveries with them. It’s so disheartening to put a lot of effort into writing and photographing a blog post and sharing a photo about it on Instagram and only 200 of my 18,000 followers even SEE it. Trying to figure out how to get my readers to actually SEE my updates is kind of stressful and it makes me sad! (P.S. if you don’t see my photos on Instagram regularly, make sure you check in and say hi once in a while! @heytherechelsie)
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from living in such different states? (-Alexandra S.) In case you are new here, Dustin and I have lived in 5 States in the last 2.5 years of our marriage (Idaho, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Utah.) I also grew up in Southern New Hampshire, just 45 minutes outside of Boston. I feel like I have experienced a lot of America by living in such diverse states and it’s been really fun and really crazy to see how different life can vary in various parts of the country. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned, however, is that home is wherever Dustin and Rosie are. We can pick up and uproot our lives, but it’s never too hard of a change because I’m always with the most important people in my life. And, I’ve learned that there is a lot to discover and learn in new places if you are willing to embrace it.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in blogging? (-Taylor M.) Blogging has taught me that I am capable of hard things. I didn’t know ANYTHING about designing a blog, networking, content marketing, graphic design, or coding when I started blogging. But, I loved it enough that I wanted to figure it out. I wanted blogging to work for me, so I MADE it work! I wanted to do it, so I DID it! And I am incredibly proud of myself for that!
RELATED: 6 Lessons I Learned in 6 Months of Blogging
What’s your favorite place to shop at? (-Cara O.) I just discovered a thrift store chain in Utah called Uptown Cheapskate and I am MADLY obsessed. It’s like threadUP, but in a brick and mortar. You can sell your clothes to them, and buy designer pieces at a fraction of the price. And they have such cute stuff! I just bought a pair of American Eagle jeans and a green utility vest for $24.00 bucks and they look brand new. So, if you are in Utah, pay them a visit! They have locations in Murray, American Fork, and South Jordan!
How do you find courage and strength during tough times? (-Rachel R.) Whew, I’m not sure that I can say I’m very courageous and strong during tough times, but I’m honored you would even think that about me. I will say that one of my coping strategies for when things are spiraling out of control is something that my mom taught me during my chemotherapy. On rough days when I was sicker than a dog and so upset about the cards that had been dealt to me, she would say:
“Belle, you have 5 minutes to be the victim. Then you have to live the rest of the day as a survivor.”
I try to apply this to my life regularly, especially on days when I’m struggling with survivor’s guilt or having a pity party. I think it’s important to acknowledge my feelings and to actually feel them but to not let them take control of me or ruin my whole day. I try to feel them, accept them, and embrace them, and then move forward from them for the rest of the day.
How do you stay motivated when going through a slump? Both in terms of blogging and personal life? (-Krysta L.) I treat myself. It’s taken me a long time to learn that it’s okay to treat myself, but it truly helps. When I’m in a slump and just not getting anything done (and spending all day in bed watching some trashy historical drama on Netflix) I know that I need to do something to help me feel “new and fresh” again. So, I’ll take myself for a manicure, or I’ll go get a hair cut. Just getting out of the house and doing something for me gives me motivation to get off my butt and get back to work!
What tips do you have for sharing and building up a community? (Kelsey T.) Don’t be afraid to be honest. Blogging and Instagram can easily become filtered versions of life and can give the impression that everything is perfect and nothing goes wrong. That’s no real life and that doesn’t create real connections. Be honest in your struggles. Share what’s on your heart if things are rough. Ask for encouragement if you need it. Show people you are a real person, and allow the paths of communication to work both ways. Be there for those who need a sounding board and encourage them on their rough days. Be honest and real, and your community will be real.
For someone who only buys mascara regularly, what are your makeup must-have basics? (-Emily S.) The three must-have makeup basics for me (besides mascara) would be an eyebrow pencil, concealer, and a lipstick! I feel like I can take on any day looking put together if my brows are filled, my dark circles are covered, and I have a fun lipstick color on. And, if you are looking for some great (and affordable) products to start out with, I recommend the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, the NYX Micro-Eyebrow Pencil, and the e.l.f. matte lip crayon in Tea Rose!
What’s your favorite clothing item? (-Jenn H.) I think this changes for me depending on the season, but for right now, I am loving my double hoodies from Simple Addiction. The are so cozy but are stylish and totally work appropriate (for me, at least!)
Right now, Simple Addiction has them on sale for less than $24.00, so if you have been wanting to snag one, now is your chance. Plus, save an extra 15% by using chelsie15 at check out (not an affiliate code, just a “save you some money” code!)
What’s one food you can’t live without? (-Jasmine V.) Hamburgers. I. love. hamburgers. With only mayo, pickles, and lettuce. And maybe sauteed mushrooms if I’m feeling fancy. When I’m having a bad day, Dustin takes me out for a hamburger and everything becomes magically better.
What I’m wearing:
Floral Tunic: Indigo & Sage | Leggings: Simple Addiction | Booties: Old Navy (borrowed from my best friend!) | Hat: Walmart (on clearance for $5.30) | Earrings: Ink & Alloy | Watch: JORD
What’s one thing marriage has taught you that’d you’d share a soon-to-be newlywed? (-Alexis D.) Don’t make jokes about one another at the other’s expense in a public situation. This was something Dustin and I struggled with at first when we got married - we would poke fun of each other in front of our friends because we both kind of thought “Oh, we’re married now, we can be sassy because that’s what married people do.” Except, sassy jokes quickly escalated and became mean jokes and we both realized that we didn’t want our friends to think that we disrespected each other. We wanted our friends to know that we loved and cherished each other, and we needed to act like it! It helped remove a lot of tension in our relationship and it helped us strengthen our marriage - when you build each other up, you build your marriage up, too!
When you starting blogging how did you get noticed/first network with other bloggers? (-Emma P.) I decided to start blogging more seriously after reading HelloRigby for a few months. Jenn is one of my favorite bloggers of all time and I was just so inspired by her, so I decided to go for it. And, it turns out, Jenn is also one of the nicest people on the planet and was more than happy to answer some of my newbie questions about blogging and networking. She told me about blogging communities on Facebook and that is how I was able to start connecting with other like-minded bloggers!
So, this might have been one of my favorite posts to write in a very long time! It was so fun just to sit and chat - and I’d love to know if you have any additional questions that I can answer for you!
