HTC Happenings, Updates & Favorite Reads: December
Hey there, friends. It’s time we took a few minutes and caught up on life. It’s been a while since I checked in with you all, and it’s important to me to make sure you all know that there is a person behind this screen!
HTC Personal Happenings
// I’m going to start off with the biggest news right out of the gate: I accepted a job offer and started work this past Monday at a REALLY cool tech company that specializes in SEO and social media for businesses. I’m an administrative assistant for the HR department and will be working at the headquarters here in Utah. And it’s part time (only 15 hours a week) so I will still have PLENTY of time to be present here at HTC.
I mentioned a couple months ago that I was going back and forth about going back to work now that we had finally settled here in Utah. I even accepted a job at a nail salon but realized it wasn’t the right fit for me and backed out. And while I LOVE my blog and love being able to work on it full time, I also realized that I was craving some human interaction during my day and could also use a little extra cash to fuel my makeup shopping habits. So, I decided I would keep an ear to the ground and apply to anything that would be a perfect fit. And even though it took a while, I found the PERFECT fit! I’m working for a really hip tech company in an area I wanted to explore more (HR) and it’s the perfect amount of hours to start off with! My first few days have gone extremely well and I’m so excited about it! So, I apologize for being a bit inconsistent over the last couple weeks as I’ve gone through the rather extensive interview process and then adjusted to my new work schedule. Hoping to have things settled down after the holidays!
// Dustin and I have made it our personal mission to try every Thai food place in and around Salt Lake City and then put together a list of the best to the worst. We both just love Thai food SO much and there is a TON of Thai food places here in the SLC valley, oddly enough. So far we’ve tried three and definitely have a clear favorite so far!
// We had an amazing Thanksgiving break (minus the incident with the tenants who live below us during out dinner – those on the HTC mailer list will know what I’m talking about) and it was filled with family, friends, food, and my golden pups! I got to have sweet Cooper Trooper stay with us for the week (the goofy Goldendoodle that I watched all summer) and Rosie was so happy to have a friend to play with! We had my brother and sister-in-law come down to stay with us, had some dear family friends over for dinner along with my sister and brother-in-law. My baby sister and her fiance came up for the last part of the break so we got to spend a good two days all together as a family! We missed our parents, but I am so grateful to be so close to my siblings and happy that we all get along!
// Yes! You read the right! My baby sister is engaged! Her darling boyfriend proposed to her over break and I got to do a mini engagement shoot for them while they were here visiting at the end of the break. I’ll be doing a full shoot with them in the next couple of months, but it was so fun to get out and capture the excitement of the week for them! (And yes, my baby sister is naturally that blonde!)
// We saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and I had the goofiest grin on my face the entire time. It was an absolute joy to be transported back to the magical world and to experience it in new ways. The best part? At the end of the movie, Dustbust turned to me and said: “I get it now. I get the love for Harry Potter.” My heart just about burst! My darling husband barely understood HP when we first got married but has tried to get into it for my sake. Going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this summer was definitely a step in the right direction, but watching the ending of Fantastic Beasts really sealed the deal. Dustbust gets the magic!!
HTC Blog Updates:
// I am just over 1,000 followers away from hitting 15K on Instagram! WHAT?! Can’t even handle the growth I’ve seen there and am so excited about the projects and content I have lined up for the rest of the month!
// Speaking of Instagram, I launched a holiday hashtag challenge called #myvibrantholiday! You can get the full details here, but the gist of it is this: use the #myvibrantholiday hashtag on any of your holiday photos and get entered to win a gift card of 20 dollars to any place of your choice! The hashtag feed is so pretty and I love checking it every day, so keep those holiday photos coming! (Below are several of my favorites so far!)
// I was doing really good (as in, I sent out two weekly emails consistently) with my HTC newsletter and loved getting some great feedback on them. Then I got this job and things got a little crazy and I dropped the ball. So, I’m going to try to get back on the train this coming week. Thanks for sticking in there with me!
ICYMI HTC Recent Reads:
December Weekend Outfit & Simple Addiction Coupon – Sharing a cozy outfit idea and an exclusive discount code for HTC friends to use ANYTIME on ANYTHING at Simple Addiction!
The #myvibrantholiday Challenge & 30 Holiday Photo Ideas for Instagram – All the details on the hashtag challenge and a list of 30 prompts to inspire you for what to post!
4 Things We Do Together for a Good Nights Sleep – Remember that time Dustin woke me up in the middle of the night to see if his pet spider wriggled out of its leash? All the details from that funny story, plus a step-by-step guide to companionship inventory!
The December Report (Blogging Goals, Stats & Income) – A comprehensive report of my blogging goals, stats, and income to help show others how I’m growing HTC!
How Music & Community can help Cancer Survivors – Opening up a little bit about my diagnosis of pediatric cancer and what YOU can do today to help out those currently battling!
5 Ways to Get Re-inspired to Blog – The step by step process I took to find inspiration in my blogging journey again!
Hey There, I’m Chelsie – Reintroducing myself to this space and styling a midi-length customized dress from eShakti!
HTC Favorite Reads:
Here are a few of my favorite reads from around the web/blogosphere over the last couple of weeks!
Why I Won’t Apologize for Writing Sponsored Content – Lynzy & Co “So when someone says to me, “I hate that you post sponsored content”, it confuses me. You go to work too, right? You need to pay your bills, right?”
4 #GIRLBOSS Ways to be Yourself – Style Miss Molly “As I reflect on my life and seek to remain genuine to my personality, I realize that being myself 100% is the greatest feeling ever.”
How to Include your Kitty in your Holiday Photos – A Balancing Peach (okay, I know I am a dog person, but Kelsey’s photos of her kitty, Finnick, are just TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! You HAVE to look at them!)
Well, that just about wraps it all up! Let me know what’s been going on in your life below so we can catch up!
