Blogging Q&A with Diana Elizabeth Steffen

In today’s post I welcome Diana Elizabeth Steffen of DianaElizabethBlog.com to answer a few blogging questions regarding blogging full-time. To help clarify what you might not know about how it’s like to be a full-time blogger.

Read on to hear her thoughts and learn from her advice. She’s a true inspiration.

I met Diana at my very first blogging event I attended in Phoenix about 2 years ago. I was super new and very nervous but so so glad I went. Getting to connect with some of the amazing people in your industry is wonderful and Diana is one of the people I admire and get inspired by what she creates.

Today, I’m so happy to share her thoughts on blogging full-time with you and for you to get to know this talented lady. I promise you will gain some helpful tips from her perspective and point of view to up your blogging game and/or become a full-time blogger yourself.

Read along and share your thoughts with us in the comments.

I will leave it to Diana now and will see you again on my next blog post.

Enjoy reading!

How did you become a full time blogger?

I left corporate 10 years ago and became a full-time entrepreneur juggling photography and graphic design that had been my side hustle, that’s when I had a blog. My blog focused on my photography work, but when I wasn’t sharing photography I started to blog about daily life and thoughts, it was a personal blog where I dumped thoughts and dreams. Slowly brands started to send me products in exchange for product and it was great practice! I had so much fun, then I started to get paid. I have a B.A. in journalism, experience in corporate marketing, html web and graphic design, and being a photographer it seemed natural to pursue blogging and see where it would take me. Today I’m a full-time entrepreneur juggling photography and blogging (graphic design has taken a back seat but I still do it for the same clients).

What does your day look like?

I wake up late like around 9:30 because I work late – I am more creative at night! I’ve always programmed websites and liked to write in the evenings so that’s a good time for me to collect my thoughts. The day varies from an all day photoshoot with campaigns and I hire makeup and hair and a photographer to hammer out 4 to 5 campaigns and content, or I am in my home office on conference calls answering emails, editing images and scheduling content. It’s different every day.

What are some recommendations for someone who wants to become a full time blogger?

Make sure you love it, like really love it – every part of blogging. From pitching brands, to designing your website, to sharing the content you believe in and enjoy creating, invoicing, and networking. It’s so much work and it’s not all glamorous, it really is a hard job. I’ve seen friends try to start a blog for the money but burn out easily when they realize it’s not that easy. It takes consistence and passion – you should want to share information with others and you would want to blog for free. If you want to do it full-time, be hungry, take everything when you start out because you’re practicing. As you get busier and better, increase your rate and make sure you are always continuing your education to improve your craft.

What would you say to people who think it’s easy to be a full time blogger/ influencer?

I know it looks easy, but I think over time people who sees the ins and outs realize being a blogger or influencer is a lot of work. It can also be a struggle for influencers ourselves because our job is social media and we put so much more emphasis on it because it’s our job. Creating content takes time, scheduling, having the energy to get ready and also market yourself is a full-time job. I know some influencers make it look easy but I know once people see how much work goes into it, they respect the work.

About Diana Elizabeth Steffen

Diana Elizabeth Steffen is an entrepreneur based in Phoenix. She is a full-time editorial photographer, marketing strategist and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about home, gardening, travel and lifestyle on DianaElizabethBlog.com.

Blog: DianaElizabethBlog.com

Instagram: @dianaelizabeth_

3 Mood Uplifting Tips to Help You Stay Happy

Fashion, Lifestyle, Self-Care

Feeling down or unhappy lately? Today I share three doable tips to beat the blues here on All About Good Vibes.

These tips are very simple and affective. You can do it yourself and can start right away. If you’re ready, let’s dive into the 3 Mood Uplifting Tips to Help You Stay Happy.

1

Surround yourself with funny people

Funny people have one thing in common, which is that they can make a joke about anything and make you laugh. Laughing is a great remedy to beat the blues. By trying to surround yourself with friends who can make you laugh will definitely help increase your joy.

If you can’t find them in person, I recommend watching funny shows. This is a good alternative that can help you stay happy.

2

Only listen to happy songs

Songs can play an important role in changing your state of mind and mood. Have you noticed yourself when listening to a sad song? You tend to switch your mood to a sad state. We don’t want that to happen in this case, so you should only listen to happy and uplifting songs.

I recommend to take time and put together a happy playlist. So when ever you feel down you have the right tools to help you get back on being happy again.

3

Connect with nature

A good way to beat your sadness is to connect with nature. Believe it or not, nature can heal your emotions on a deeper level and you have no idea when it happens, you just feel happier.

A Stanford-led study finds quantifiable evidence that walking in nature could lead to a lower risk of depression. (source)

Listening to birds chirping, feeling the nice breeze on your skin, hearing the leaves on the tree shaking through the wind, feeling the warm rays of sunshine on your skin, laying down to look at the stars at night and the activity list goes on.

When you feel down or in a sad mood, take yourself out in nature to de-stress and realize all the beauty around you. If you live near the park, go for a walk there. If you live near the mountains, go for a hike there. If you live near the beach, go for a walk and listen to the waves there. Just get yourself out in nature and you will find yourself feeling much better.

What if you live in a busy city with no nearby parks? You can build your own nature by creating a garden to connect with. Find some plants and arrange a small area in your home to create your happy corner. The best part is that your happy corner is only a few steps away.

Share with mE:

What do you normally do to beat those blues?

Remember that when you’re felling down, there will be ways to lift you up. You have to find the right action to take, the one that makes you happy, you know what it is. In this case I recommend 3 ways, be with a funny crowd, only listen to happy music and stay connected with nature. If you can do all three that will be amazing. These actions will keep you far away from the blues.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I hope you get some new tips to work on your blues next time it rises up, (hopefully your blues won’t last long).

Stay tuned for more #MondayMotivation posts.

See you again soon.

Favorite Spring/ Summer Floral and Fruity Fragrances

Beauty

This post has been a long overdue post I was planning to publish since late winter. But I couldn’t do it until today because I kept getting new perfumes to fill my Spring/Summer Perfume Collection.

Since we are a little over half way through spring, and summer is just around the corner, floral scents can still make it to the next season. I’ve shared both fruity and floral fragrances in this post for you to explore all the options.

One of the fragrances in this post is one of my favorite scents for over 10 years and I just now had the chance to own it. Find out in this post which one it is.

Surround yourself with positive energies is a great way to stay positive.

My husband and I went to pick up some flowers for our backyard last week. We were so happy to be able see all these beautiful flowers. Since they are a part of our happiness, we love to visit the nursery near our home, walk around and pick at least one plant to take back home with us. We have noticed that the second we placed the new plant in the house, the overall energy shifted into a happy mode.

We once hired a psychic to clean the energy in our home and he recommended us to put live plants in the house. They will help clear negativity and make everything more lively. We love the positive and happy energy around us so this year we’re filling our house with more indoor plants and flowers.

I also find fragrances to help uplift the overall mood. The other day my daughter was playing with my perfume samples and she sprayed so many of them on her which left the room smelling so amazing. The one that got my attention most was the Tocca Eau de Parfum Florence. I really love the Gardenia note so I searched for more info on their website. I’m surprised on what I found that they offer home fragrances as well. We normally use essential oils in the house but I think I’m going to order a few Tocca diffusers to switch things up around here.

Talking about fragrances, this season I had a chance to try out some new perfumes. Last year I shared my favorite fragrances in this post where you can check them out as well.

For this Spring/Summer I added 9 new scents to my perfume collection. I shared all of them with you below.

Floral & Fruity Fragrances

1. DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum

This perfume is my favorite for over 10 years but I never had a chance (aka money) to get it then. I finally own it and so happy I decided to purchase it. It brings back a lot of my college memories. Its scent is strong and lasts all day.

This fragrance was launched by the design house of Donna Karan in 2004, DKNY BE DELICIOUS by Donna Karan for Women posesses a blend of: cucumber, white muguet, violet, magnolia, apple, grapefruit, tuberose, woods and rose. It is recommended for casual wear.

2. diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette

This is my first diptyque perfume. I saw a lot of hype on the internet about their candles but never had a chance to try any of their products until getting this fragrance.

What I like about it is the lightness scent of fresh roses. It’s very natural and not over powering at all. Very subtle and also lasts for long hours.

Notes; Top: bergamot, blackcurrant, lychee. Middle: centifolia rose, damask rose, geranium and hedione. Base: white musk, cedar and honey.

3. Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile

This perfume represents the expression of natural and understated elegance. The subtle citrus and sweetness scents are what I love most. I wore it out to this photoshoot and a few bees visited me while we were taking the photo. Even the bees got confused, no need to explain how natural and beautiful this scent is.

Top notes of Italian bergamot, lemon, and citron blend seamlessly with magnolia accord, a rare ingredient extracted with time and dedication. The heart evolves with notes of rose, jasmine, and tuberose and the base notes unfold with sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, and vanilla.

4. Nest Wild Poppy

This perfume smells SO GOOD! It features pear, raspberry, and apricot with hints of Himalayan jasmine and Rose de Grasse.

I smell the fruity scent when first sprayed then followed by the florals. It’s very fun and bright fragrance. Perfect for a sunny spring/summer day.

5. Givenchy L’Interdit Eau de Parfum

This perfume is so classy with a fun twist. The first scent I can smell is orange but with a very soft and light note, not a screaming citrus smell. The fragrance still represents the classy Givenchy signature which is very chic and well-mannered.

Top note: orange blossom, Middle notes: jasmine, tuberose, and Base notes: vetiver and patchouli.

6. Ralph Lauren WOMAN Eau de Parfum

This perfume is very feminine and modern. It’s fresh, sweet and lovely. Perfect for everyday wear and for any occasion.

Top notes: Pear, rhubarb and blackcurrant. Middle: Tuberose, orange flower, Turkish rose, and Base: Sandalwood, hazelnut and vibrant woods.

7. Tocca Florence Eau de Parfum Spray

This is magic in a bottle that brings memories of South East Asia to me. I know you’re supposed to feel like you’re in France but believe me if you are from or visited my country, Thailand, before, you probably once experienced this smell. It’s a beautiful gardenia scent. Very sweet, soft and fresh. If you’re into floral notes, make sure to check out this Tocca Florence.

Key notes: Bergamot, Pear, Gardenia and Blonde Woods.

8. Moschino Toy 2 Eau de Parfum Spray

This cute teddy bear perfume bottle caught my eyes first and made me want to own it. I decided to purchase it after my first smell out of a magazine. It’s a fresh, fun and sparkly scent. I love the scent as much as I love the bottle. It smells a little strong at first but after a few seconds it appeared to be more fresh and very subtle. I love it so much!

Top notes: mandarin orange and Granny Smith apple. Middle: magnolia, jasmine petals, peony and white currant. Base: musk, sandalwood and amber woods.

9. Atelier Pacific Lime Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume

This perfume can last on you for a few days if you don’t take a shower. Lol! It’s very citrusy, tangy and so delicious. I feel like I’m having a cocktail and wandering around a tropical island. I love how fresh and bright this perfume makes you.

Key Notes: Coconut, Lime and Eucalyptus

Shop All of My Favorite Fragrances

On My Wish List

Share with mE:

What’s your Spring/Summer fragrance?

Those are all of my new additions to my spring/summer perfume collection. I hope you find some interesting scents that you want to give a try this year.

I’m sure I’m in a perfume heaven this year and I can’t wait to see what I will get next spring/summer to share with you.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

See you again in my next post!

7 Recommendations For Blogging Full-Time

Blogging Tips

Morgan Tyner is taking over my blog today. She will be sharing with you her “7 Recommendations For Blogging Full-Time”. With her many years of successful blogging experience, you will find a lot of great advice.

If you’re looking to become a full-time blogger, and making it a career, be sure not to miss this post.

“TAKE MY COURSE AND YOU CAN GO FROM $0 TO A 6-FIGURE INCOME IN SIX MONTHS!” What you are you waiting for? Invest in YOURSELF, today.”

Clueless, I dived headfirst into the world of blogging full-time. Guided by — well — a total LIE (like the one above), false pretense, and false hope.

But wow, I would never turn back. Because the wisdom, learning curves, and sleepless nights have led me right here.

Right here, creating content to genuinely provide you the means to monetize YOUR authentic voice. I hope to empower, educate, and enrich the professional skills, lives & relationships of your entrepreneurially-minded blogging endeavors!

Keep reading this post and learn 7 recommendations on how you too can become a full-time blogger!

I’ve blogged for 6 years. My transition into the world of full-time blogging began 2 years ago rooted on one passion: I want to empower women to be more confident. But — my how’s, what’s, where’s, and tools were totally hidden — waiting to blossom.

I’m not going to spend much time on my background/me because you and I both know why you are really here — you want the 7 recommendations — and I don’t blame you. If you want to learn more about my story, I invite you to tune into Episode 012 of The RAW Business Creating Podcast.

7 Recommendations For Blogging Full-Time:

001. Know your “why” & NEVER deviate. If a brand, affiliate, collaborator, etc. want to work with you, but the brand at all deviates from your blog’s mission — it’s a NO. Every time. I don’t care if the brand is credible, reputable, & offering your $10k for your collaboration efforts — it’s still a NO if it deviates. Aligning your core values, your audience’s trust, client’s trust, etc. are your priorities — first & foremost. I promise — fulfilled money will come to you when you work hard and stay true to YOU. So many bloggers deviate and thus lose their roots. Don’t be one of them.

002. Don’t rely on social media. Social media is FICKLE. Can I get an amen? A common misconception in the blogging world is Instagram is all you need. Yes, you can make money with your Instagram platform as an “influencer” — but to really flourish as a blogger you need a personal platform, too. One you can control. Your own platform (i.e — a blog site) allows you to showcase all your value — posts, videos, social platforms, products, services, background, values, programs, etc. — in a place you can control & fully run. Algorithms change! Heck, who knows when something comes out to take the place of Instagram ??‍♀️. My point is, be mindful & harness your OWN space.

003. Connect, connect, connect. Yes, free marketing is a thing. No — paid ads are not the only way to market yourself. You need to be engaging with your target audience, of course! That is who you are serving. But to tag along with that, you need to be meeting others in your industry. Have blogger meetups, hangouts, or collaborations. Guest write, appear on podcasts, be OUT in your community! Yes, your business is virtual — but being active & engaged in your community is essential. This is (often) a free means to market yourself, and it’s so much fun!

004. Know your funds. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Before you dive into blogging full-time — you need to have all your funds laid out. Know how much money you can invest (at the beginning), how much you need to make, and who can support you financially — should you jump in right away. With my clients, I never recommend anyone to jump in full-time “cold turkey”. It’s okay to be radical and assertive, but that’s quite different than jumping in with no plan or financial means to do so. It will take time to grow your blog. Time is GOOD. Time allows you to grow, learn & expand your passion.

005. Think long-term, not short-term. When jumping into this blogging process full-time, I envisioned an “instantaneous success”. One that my Google Searches (like the one I shared at the beginning of this article) often made me believe in. I remember thinking it would be fairly ‘easy’ with a few roadblocks mixed in. I was very mistaken, and that’s okay! The numerous blogger roadblocks provide me with stepping stones to create a blogging business I love. Create long-term goals and plans for your blog. These will keep you aligned on your mission’s path. These goals keep you focused on the bigger picture, and not the daily grinds that tend to weigh us down.

006. Actively practice gratitude. You cannot be worrisome and grateful at the same time. Part of my morning routine is writing down 3 reasons I am truly grateful for the path I am on. Every day becomes an opportunity to rise up & boldly continue down my entrepreneurial path. You must recognize that no one owes you anything. You cannot expect opportunities to come to you. Often, you must ask! Especially in the beginning! And that is A-okay! Getting turned down from brands sponsorships, collaborations, etc. means you learn what you can do stronger to succeed next time. Every opportunity to jump into a chance to develop your own blogging platform is a blessing. Regardless of where you are at now in your blogging journey — there are reasons to be grateful. I often will mediate, have quiet times of prayer & journaling to get my mind on track if I’m feeling negative or down. Take care of yourself. Gratitude is your superpower.

007. Fall in love the process. We are always wishing for a point in our future where we believe “true happiness and success” exists. This is a terrible way to look at your full-time blogging journey. I’ve been there. I was always wishing & hoping to be at step 10 when I was still at step 6. Instead of being thankful to have made it to step 6 — I was wishing on the future. You must learn to love exactly where you are at RIGHT NOW. Maybe you are at step 1? Well, you are STILL making impressive moves! Remember a time when you were unable or unaware of how to begin step 1? Well, now you are here! That is a huge deal. Everyone is on a path unique to him/her. Comparison is the thief of loving the process (more specifically, loving your process). A funny thing starts to happen when we mute the noise, stay on our path, seek wisdom from those we trust (i.e a mentor/coach), and just keep moving. Each day is a new day to succeed step-by-step. And each step (no matter how big/small) is still a HUGE milestone. Remember this as you take on blogging full-time. It can be easy to lose your focus. But appreciating all the moments (good & bad) works wonders. You become an unstoppable blogger.

Incorporating strategic actions into your daily schedule is monumental for growth as a full-time blogger. What does your daily routine look like?

I always incorporate these 5 moves into my daily schedule as a full-time blogger:

Quiet time to journal, breathe, pray, and clear my mind
Making my bed (as crazy as it is — this always starts my day more productive)
Ignoring emails/tasks upon first waking up (it’s “me time” at this point)
Taking a shower (removing any unconducive noise/thoughts from the day before)
Telling at least 3 people I know in my industry why I appreciate his/her content (I am always looking for an opportunity to build authentic connections & show appreciation)

Let’s Review The 7 Recommendations For Full-Time Bloggers:

1. Know Your “Why” & NEVER Deviate

2. Don’t Rely on Social Media

3. Connect, Connect, Connect

4. Know Your Funds

5. Think Long-term, Not Short-term

6. Actively Practice Gratitude

7. Fall in Love With the Process

Are you ready to start your blog full-time?

Many will tell you it’s so easy, try to give advice, or maybe even question your choice. You must do what sets your soul on fire. Ignore the noise. Many people simply cannot understand the world of blogging, because they are uneducated on the industry. Stay true to you. Do not justify your passions — chase them.

What’s one tip YOU have for a full-time blogger? Tell me below!

About Morgan Brooke Tyner

Morgan Tyner is your RAW truth provider, direct, genuine + wicked capable creator bestie you’ve always wanted. A vibrant speaker, life coach & business mentor, Morgan’s genius is helping women embrace their capabilities, take messy action & monetize their passions of creating via their authentic voice. ChicaConfident.com founded in 2017 exists to empower, educate, and enrich the professional skills, lives, & relationships of entrepreneurially-minded bloggers everywhere.

Blog: www.chicaconfident.com

Instagram: @chicaconfident

Black and White Summer Dresses

Fashion

When it comes to Spring/Summer outfits, we always think about bright and colorful pieces. But not in today’s post because I have picked dresses that are black, white and black & white. They are so pretty and for sure fun to wear from spring to summer.

Picking a lot of cute black and white dresses for you today because you might be tired by now of all the colorful florals and bright spring outfits. Adding black and white in between your week will make it more fun to dress up.

Black and white are my all time favorite colors. As well as mini and midi dresses. That’s why I choose them for you today.

I’ve picked all the dresses from my two favorite shops, Reformation and Revolve. My dress is from For Love & Lemons and it’s by far my favorite dress I got this year.

Below are my picks, hope you like them!

Reformation

Image source: Reformation

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

Revolve

Image source: Revolve

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

My husband has something to say about this dress I’m wearing,
so he will be my guest today.

Andrew here, Molly’s husband, and I am taking over her blog for the rest of this post. If you haven’t seen my caption I left for her on IG, check it out here! I wanted to steal the keyboard for this post as I can’t peal my eyes away from the screen while looking at these pictures, for even just a second. For love and lemons is a brand we have been gushing over for awhile now and absolutely adore. Their style is just like my wife’s personality, fun, flirty and hot hot hot!

The reason why I am obsessed with these particular photos is that they remind me of the first time we met. Here is this hot, out of my league woman, agreeing to go out on a date with me even after I called the last minute to cancel our first date! (Scared Face!) That’s a story for another day but I just wanted to say that these photos remind me of why I fell in love with her in the first place.

She is the most amazing, intelligent, hard working woman, wife and mother I have ever met and I am grateful that I get to share these moments of my life with her.

I am so proud and happy for everything you have accomplished to get to this point, including raising 3 babies, me included (Embarrassed Face), while slaying it! Keep up the good vibes and always, It’s ALL ABOUT GOOD VIBES! Laters!!!