IN MY BAG: Black Shopper Tote | thinkThink® Protein Bar {chocolate strawberry} | Eyeglasses | Aviator Sunglasses | Foldable Flats | Portable External Charger | Cosmetic Pouch | Rose Gold Emergency Kit | Chapstick | Lipstick | Black iPad Flip Cover | Cognac Notebook

FULL OUTFIT DETAILS

I’m officially winding down from the hecticness of last weeks’ NYFW festivities, and wanted to share some of my guiltless on-the-go essentials with y’all. Combating the cold weather, along with a seemingly never ending agenda of meetings, shows, presentations, events, parties, etc. can get tiring. Don’t get me wrong, it’s ALL kinds of fun, but when you’re on-the-go for 6 days straight in the freezing NYC winter temps, it’s important to have your essentials organized + ready to go.

First up – and perhaps the most important for me personally…a good snack on the go. When I’m super busy I often forget to eat, or it doesn’t become a priority {terrible, I know}. That’s where thinkThink® comes in. Their bars are jam packed with protein, which is really filling {in a good way} and satisfies my body until I have a chance to sit down for a real meal. They’re the perfect guilt-free snack since they’re gluten free {happy tummy here}.

Second – electronics. Because whether we admit it or not, we’re all a little addicted. Back up + external chargers keep all my devices up and running while I’m on the go, so I can indulge in all those little guiltless online pleasures. Let the likes, comments, and uploads continue!

Third – beauty/health. I don’t know a single gal that doesn’t love a little lip product in her bag. I mean, it’s a no brainer. Moisturizer goes a long way to fight that winter chill + dryness, but playing with different flavors and colors is all the fun!

While these on-the-go essentials are tailored to my NYFW trips, they’re all pretty guiltless essentials all winter round! Would love to hear some of your winter travel faves! Do you carry around any guiltless snacks with you for your days on-the-go? Do share in the comments below!

I know I don’t typically get ‘deep’ or personal here on LICP, but today’s post has been heavy on my heart for a while and is something I’ve been asked about more frequently, so wanted to update y’all. I’ve been a bit apprehensive in sharing this {no one ever wants to accept defeat} but hopefully by putting myself, my challenges + my struggles out there, it will inspire or encourage some of you to embrace the imperfect {not to mention it’s somewhat therapeutic}. So here goes…

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always put very high {perhaps unattainable} expectations on myself {and to my fault, sometimes upon others}. I can still vividly remember the first time I came home with a ‘B’ on my report card. I sobbed + cried my eyes out, thinking I had failed in some way. Let’s just say, my Mom never had to get on me about homework or school – I had it covered, haha. That same toughness I place on myself has transcended beyond school, but into pretty much every aspect of my life. It’s certainly not always a weakness {as it’s important to have drive + strength to want more, to achieve more}, but it can also be blinding. It sometimes prevents me from accepting failure, or my imperfections. Something I’m working on.

After about a year + 1/2 of successful freelance PR projects, I decided that taking the next step to expand was the logical move. Because everyone has to progress, right? As many of you know, in April of 2014 I launched REFINE PR, along with my late business partner. It wasn’t long after we set off on this adventure that Nicholl + I split ways {completely amicably I must add}. While my gut told me not to, in true Kristin form, I felt compelled to see the new plan through. After all, I had been a lot of time, creative energy + effort into building a new brand. After hiring interns + an employee {that also didn’t work out}, I found myself drowning in all the responsibility that came along with running TWO businesses…on my own.

Following weeks of back + forth {along with countless conversations of solicited advice from friends + loved ones}, I decided it best to dissolve REFINE PR earlier this year in order to really hone in + focus my efforts here – with Living In Color Print {and continue selective freelance work on the side}. It was as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders! I had been so bogged down with ‘keeping up’, it sucked the fun + joy out of my days, leaving me unfulfilled – that’s no way to live. Now, it wasn’t easy at first to ‘admit defeat’. To come to terms with the fact that I tried something, and it didn’t work out. But a mentor of mine put it best: no one sees this as a ‘failure’ but you. And she was so right {bringing me back to my unrealistic self-placed expectations}. My decision to shut down one business in order to focus on another, that was proving to be more successful, is not a disappointment or a failure. If anything, it’s a strategic move in the right direction – cut your losses + go with what’s working best!

If something is working for you, don’t always feel pressured to ‘take it to the next level’ or get ahead in the game. It’s inspiring to aim high + obtain your goals, but don’t continue to strive towards something at the expense of your sanity, your family, your life, etc. It’s not worth it. Not to mention, I can attest to the fact that managing others is a pain in the ass. Again from a woman I truly look up to, if you’re killing it on your own {setting your own schedule, being your own boss} there’s no need to fill that ‘social norm’ of hiring others or putting more on your plate…for what?

With all that being said {sorry for the lengthly post y’all!}, I feel truly blessed with where I’m at today + just wanted to share a small hiccup in this grand scheme we call life. So while I am no longer the Owner of REFINE PR, I’m pretty freakin’ excited to continue sharing my thoughts + inspirited with you all here on LICP – hope you continue to enjoy following along!

KEEP UP WITH ALL THE ACTION
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A little bit of the nitty-gritty for you tech lovers: the Dell XPS 13 is equipped with a 5th generation Intel core processor, quad HG+ display with 5.7 million pixels, infinity display {first of its’ kind} + is light as a flitter at about 2.6 lbs. Battery life on this little baby is incredible…literally 10-12 hours with normal use. May be less if you’re streaming, etc. but for just everyday use {emails, web browsing, docs, etc.} it’s amazing. The touch-screen capabilities took a little bit of some getting used to, but once I got over the mental block that I could actual touch the screen, it was smooth sailing {and somehow the screen doesn’t collect a ton of finger prints…magical}. I also love that the keyboard is comfortable + quiet; quiet being key while I’m on a plane or surrounded by others. Overall, great experience with the XPS 13! I can’t say I’ll switch everything over to this Dell, but I will certainly continue using it for travel – the weight + battery life alone won me over.

Black Denim | Express White Tee c/o | identical White + Black Fedora | Dell XPS 13 c/o | Sunnies | Marc Fisher LTD Flats c/o | similar Black Shopper Handbag
photos by Luccia Lowenthal

Piggy-backing off the conclusion of my two-week trip to Texas, most of which was a work trip, I decided to put together a few tips for working on-the-go from {my} a blogger’s point of view. Hopefully it will help/inspire a few of you as well!

STAY ORGANIZED | Whenever I travel I always have a system to keep everything organized: receipts in an envelope or specific pocket in my suitcase. And same thing with business cards. If you’re working on-the-go, attending events, networking, etc. you’ll start collecting little scraps of paper in all your purses. Drives me crazy. Cleaning out these items at the end of each day will help keep things organized, and make it easier for you to find them for reference later on.

FOLLOW-UP | Sometimes this can be tough when you’re traveling non-stop, but it’s SO important. If you connect with someone you hope to work with in the future, shoot them a quick ‘hi, nice to meet you email’ as soon as you can. Could even be that same evening! I’ve had people email me while they’re still standing in front of me, haha, but it works! Then you have an online conversation/dialog started with that person, and can begin brainstorming ideas.

STAY JUICED; ALL DAY-EVERYDAY | As a blogger, your access to technology is key for doing what you do! Don’t leave your house/hotel without at least two external chargers + a cable for your phone. Having a camera backup battery is a good idea as well, if you’ll be snapping a lot. A blogger who’s phone is dead? Not a good look.

PRIORITIZE | You’re traveling, you’re meeting people, you’re networking your butt off, you’re sight seeing – the list goes on + on for a working gal on-the-go. Prioritizing all of these things, and realizing you just can’t do it all will 100% help your sanity. Determine what your objectives are while traveling/working on-the-go {is it to create great content, meet people, network, learn, etc.}, then establish the amount of time you can realistically dedicate to each of those goals. Maybe you really want to attend an event to meet someone on a panel, but you also want to go to an intimate industry dinner – which to choose? It’s all based on your personal priorities: learning vs. networking in this case. Think about the bigger picture {the long run}, and that will help you determine where to delegate your time/energy.

REST UP | I’ll admit, I often don’t follow this advice, and I should. I know it seems like common sense, but working on-the-go takes its toll, so it’s important to re-fuel your body and get some freakin’ sleep. Whenever I make a conscious effort {even if I’m missing out on a cocktail party} to get at least 7 hours of sleep {as opposed to 3-5, ugh}, I feel so much more energized + ready to take on the next day. It makes a world of difference, I promise.

STAY ON YOUR TOES | No Business Card? No problem! How many times are you out meeting people + someone says they don’t have a business card on them? Don’t let that be their excuse. Open your ‘notes’ section on your phone + ask them to type in their contact info! Be sure to label it with the company, etc. so you don’t forget who that info belongs to later. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake all too many times. You can do the same for yourself as well! If you forgot your cards {or ran out, go you!} than offer to put your info in their phone.

Have any other working on-the-go tips to share?! Would love to hear in the comments below!

 Custom place card illustrations done by Christy Joehl – each drawing was individualized per guest

OUTFIT DETAILS: LuLu*s Dress in ‘Mauve’ | Kendra Scott Bracelets | Hair + Makeup c/o Glamsquad | Crown c/o Crowns by Christy | Karen Walker sunnies

It feels so surreal to be writing this post; crazy to think back to day 1 {don’t laugh too hard} and how far I’ve come as a individual, as a friend, as a daughter, as a writer, as a business woman. Living In Color Print has already taught me so much. Things I could have only dreamed would be my current reality, and I’m so truly blessed for that. This is a total ‘pinch me’ moment for myself + this amazing journey I continue to explore.

Aside from this being simply a day to commemorate all my blood, sweat + tears over these past few years, I most importantly thank all of YOU – LICP’s amazing, wonderful, magnificent + always encouraging readers/followers. Without your daily interaction {whether it be online or via social media}, Living In Color Print would not remaining online, nor would I have the opportunity to continue to do what I love and share my journey with you all along the way. So seriously, thank you!!! From the bottom of my heart; every single comment, like, retweet, etc. has such a positive impact on my day.

I had such a tough time narrowing down which pics to share with y’all, so I’ve uploaded even more of LICP’s Garden Party shots on Facebook – check it out!

EVENT SPONSORS THANKS
Furniture | The Salvage Snob
Flower Crowns | Crowns by Christy
Place Card Illustrations | Christy Joehl
Rosé Brut | Le Grande Courtage
Hair + Makeup | Glamsquad
Photography | Luccia Lowenthal

Happy {almost} weekend! Can you tell I’m already counting down the hours…haha. I’m excited to be back on my ‘Blogger to Blogger‘ game today – for those of you who may be new to LICP, or just stumbled across this post, I put have some ‘tips + tricks’ {slash advice, if you will} I try to put together once a month – a little thing I like to call…from one Blogger to {another} Blogger.

Today, I’ve put together my top 10 tips for ‘newbie’ bloggers. Not that I’m a certified expert by any means, heck I still learn and improvable upon things every day. But after blogging for 2 1/2 years {which I can happily call a successful full-time business}, I’ve been asked numerous questions by new-er curators in the blogosphere and thought it would be great to have those answers in one place. And not just the typical ‘stay true to your voice’ mumbo jumbo.

Hope you enjoy + find something a bit helpful!

WordPress vs. Blogger
The age old question, ‘should I use WordPress or Blogger’? The answer should always be WordPress.org {NOT wordpress.com}. Yes, Blogger is free to begin with, but in the long run WordPress.org is so much more customizable and will allow you to grow and evolve your site’s look/usability for years to come. Both are virtually the same on the back end in terms of uploading content.

Do I need a nice camera?
Would it be nice to have a professional grade camera right off the bat, of course. Is it absolutely necessary, no {although it really is a huge help}. Don’t let the lack of a camera hold you back in the beginning {I personally started with my iPhone and point and shoot!}, but certainly aim to work towards that purchase if things are going well. Quality imagery is key to longevity in blogging. Of course there’s always the alternative of hiring a photographer.

Consistent social media channels
When you’re looking to establish social media channels that coincide with your blog, be sure that your handle is the same across the board. It’s also wise to take the time to create unique header images, backgrounds, and a high quality head shot {I suggest this is also the same image across all channels} that speak to your blog’s content as well as your personality. Make it visually appealing and professional. Be sure to include a bio, about, and contact info when asked.

How do I {organically} grow my social media following?
This is the ultimate goal {along with traffic} for every single blogger or digital influencer, as it should be. And while there are a number of ways to go about this, I’ve found the best growth comes from a combination of follower interaction {respond to questions and say ‘thank you’ – as well as engaging with other influencers}, and brand partnerships – even if these partnerships are with small brands to begin with! Every single social tag, mention, and share is valuable – don’t take them for granted.

Engage with your local community
This is so so important for new {and old} bloggers. I can’t stress enough how beneficial it is to get connected and engage with your local community of influencers and brands. Attend events, networking functions and get yourself out there! If you’re assertive, doors will open.

How do I work with brands?
If you’re starting from square one, reach out to small businesses that strike your fancy! Think Etsy shops, small online boutiques, or local designers {hey, tap into your network of friends/acquaintances}. Brands expect some type of ROI when working with bloggers, so while you’re growing your readership and following, smaller brands is the way to go. It’s also a great way to gain experience working with brands and learning the ropes.

How do I work with PR agencies/firms?
Again, if you’re starting from scratch and are unsure of how to work with PR companies, a great way to start is simply to introduce yourself! Instead of waiting for a brand or PR rep to find you, be the first one to reach out – request a list of current clients that may be a good fit, or simply say hello and that you’d love the opportunity to partner in some way. A simple, kind email goes a long way and will not be forgotten.

Free product
The saying ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ still very much stands. If you begin to work with brands, typically for complimentary product initially, keep in mind that there is something expected in exchange. There are a lot of misconceptions that blogging can get you a lot of ‘free stuff, however it’s so much more than that. Keep in mind that there is something the brand that sent you free lipgloss is looking to gain. It may just be a tweet, or perhaps a full post, but be mindful of the products you accept and ensure they’re in-line with your personal tastes/views. Don’t burn bridges over free stuff, it’s not worth it. Saying no to something is ok if you’re not feeling it, or don’t have time to commit to actually putting thought/effort into the partnership.

Great resources
Aside for ‘Blogger to Blogger’ of course! When I first began blogging, IFB was a great resource for providing articles on all things blogging – definitely a great go-to.

Saying no
This is very important, as I eluded to previously…saying no is okay! If you’re not comfortable with the product or message being presented to you, don’t accept. Compromising your blog’s integrity isn’t worth a mound of free product, or even a high compensation rate. Brands do take note of who works with who, so by accepting a partnership with a brand you don’t truly love, could potentially jeopardize a future pairing with a ‘dream brand’.

Any additional tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

 HAPPY FRIDAY everyone! Just wanted to make a quick moment and share a few of my favorite pinterest accounts that {if you’re not already} you should be following! There are wayyy too many ‘style’ pinners I love, so I wanted to share a few other categories to {hopefully} brighten + inspire your day.

Let me know what you think + if you have any suggestions on pinners YOU love!
Thank you so much for popping over to my little space on the web today!