It's been a while since I've posted a blog, but with good reason! I've been working on a lot behind the scenes. The main one has been focusing on my account growth. I hit my goal of 10k followers on IG!

If you're a blogger, influencer, or content creator, this might have once been or maybe is your next goal too. Why is this so important? Because it gives you that pesky "swipe up" story feature! This means instead of having to direct people to your bio and then your link, you make yourself so much more easily accessible. You instantly drive up blog traffic, affiliate link clicks, and commissionable sales. All steps towards generating a part time or even full time income.

These are some of the ways I have helped my account and blog grow, and how you too can help drive traffic and monetize your own blog:

1. Create a LANDING PAGE on your website. A landing page is somewhere you can post all of your links in one place. I used free LinkTree until I realized I could create one on my own website. Watch your website traffic increase. This will be important when you're listing your website and blog engagement rates on your media kit and rate sheet.
2. Apply for a LIKEtoKNOW.it account. This is a free app where you can link products and outfits through commissionable links. Some of these items are just cents per sale in commission, but some of these are way more! Every sale gets you closer to your first $100 payout. You don't need a huge following. You just need a clean editorial IG design, 4 months + of consistent, quality, and original content, and an engaged and growing audience. If you're interested in applying, I'd love to refer you! We can both earn an equal commission if approved.
3. Apply for affiliate programs with companies you shop from. Start earning commission from brands you already support. You're simply sharing something you love, but now you're earning from it too. It's nice to have these from different companies, but don't over do it. You want your audience to know it's authentic and you genuinely love the brand and product you're selling. And if you don't already shop from a company, you may end up spending more than you're earning, plus you're advertising for free too.
4. Be consistent, but also just post... I always hear to "be consistent" or "post on a schedule". While yes, this may be important for some, you can also always JUST POST! There are so many times I wasn't going to post something, decided to anyway, and surprise to me, I earned a commission. You may not make money every time, but you definitely won't make any money every time you don't post.
5. Use Pinterest. It's a search engine for all things magical and cute. Need an idea? Pinterest. Need a recipe? Pinterest. Need a solution? Pinterest. PINSPIRATION. Switch yours to a business account so you can link it to your LIKEtoKNOW.it, blog post, instagram page, or wherever you're trying to increase views and traffic. Utilize specific key words you would search for like "matching mommy and me outfits" "Fall entryway table decor" or "ombre gel nails". Think of words you use when you're looking for something and include them in your description.

I hope these help and/or inspire you! If you have any other tips of what's worked for you, I'd LOVE for you to share them in the comments below! You can also find and follow me on social media by clicking on the icons at the top of this page. Let's grow together!

I spent 15 months nursing Roman and have been on my nursing journey with Aria for over 7 months. So now that I feel like I have some experience, I wanted to share all of the things that have worked for us.

First off, nursing can be HARD, especially in the beginning. It's a lot of work. It's a lot of patience. It's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but maybe I'm not. It's different for everyone! So do what is best for YOU. I'm just sharing tips if this is what you choose for you and your little one!

I'll take it back to the beginning. If you want a successful journey, work with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Even if it's just once in the hospital after delivery. Ask for a consult. Roman had lost about 9% weight at his first weight check. That was the first time I met with an IBCLC, and he gained perfectly afterwards. Roman was 2 years old when I had Aria. Even though it wasn't that long ago that I was nursing him, nursing a newborn was long forgotten. Even at 2-3 weeks old babies have already adapted to nursing, but as a newborn, you have to teach them. So let someone teach you how to make it easier on yourself. Once you've done that, you're off to a great start! 

Here are the essentials that made my nursing life a whole lot easier:
Support pillow (Boppy or My Brest Friend) I used and liked both
Nursing bras (sports and regular so you can choose your level of comfort)
Nursing cover (you can also use muslin swaddles as covers)
Caddy for your nursing station (diapers, wipes, onesie, burp cloth, snacks, water, hair tie)
Spectra pump (for the working mom or if you plan to ever go anywhere without your baby)
Pump replacement parts 
Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags (I never had an issue with leaky bags)
Cute lounge set (not necessary, but makes you feel better)
​Sunflower lecithin (I had an oversupply with Roman and this helped prevent clogged ducts)
Co-Sleeper (dockatot, snuggle me organic, and Arm's Reach are all good)

​When we look back on the most historical year of our lives, what are you going to remember most? What will you take from it? How will you use what it gave you? As crazy as this unexpected year was, I know it taught us all at least one thing about ourselves, hopefully more! I know it taught me a lot about myself. Here are the things I never want to forget that 2020 gave to me.

My FAMILY. It completed my family. It made me a mommy of two, a family of four. They are the most important humans in my life, and I've learned the meaning of unconditional love. I'd do anything and everything for them. There's no way to explain it. Everyday I feel like there's no way I could love them even more, yet I still manage to love them more than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. Thank you 2020 for giving me love and life.

VISION. Remember January 1st, 2020 when we said this was the year of clear vision? Well that still holds true for me. To not just accept what I'm told. To question and research. The more you know, the more powerful you are. There are so many decisions I've made that I'm lookin back on now wishing differently because I know better. But there's no better way to learn than by experience. Don't stop researching for yourself. Use any and every available resource to continue to grow. Be informed and make conscious decisions for yourselves and the little humans you're responsible for.

STRENGTH. I don't know anyone who is still the same person they were 1 year ago today. This year brought a lot of uncertainty, unknown, change. This year was hard in so many ways, but it doesn't mean it was bad. Now here we are, closing it out. If you made it through 2020, you are blessed, and you are a much stronger person.

So thank you 2020. You've changed my life forever. That doesn't mean I'm not ready to get past you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Welcome 2021 - let's pray for peace, love, prosperity, strength, patience, understanding, kindness, and better times. 

We have holidays coming which also means lots of SALES approaching! I wanted to share some of my current beauty faves, more specifically my skin and makeup go to products since this will be a great time to purchase!

I'll start in order of application...skin care!
I use 3 Monat skin care products:
Rewind Age Control Nector serum to help smooth fine lines
Eye smooth nourishing cream to fight eye discoloration and tighten skin
Be balanced lightweight moisturizer which goes on like a cooling gel to refresh and moisturize skin
Then I use Good Molecules moisturizing primer. My skin is combo, so this gets in some extra moisture without making me oily and helps my makeup last all day.

So once this is all set, I have made the switch to a one compact palette that holds all of my makeup except mascara. Seint {previously Maskcara Beauty} is my new holy grail. It's concealer, contour, blush, highlight, eye liner, eye shadows, everything you need, all in one!! They're magnetic tins so it conveniently fits in one compact and travels easily. The makeup doubles as well. I use the contour to fill in my brows, the blushes as lip colors, it's seriously everything you need. And no, I'm not a distributor, but I know a good one if you want more info! There is also a setting powder, but I haven't tried it yet! My usual routine is Laura Mercier translucent powder set with a damp beauty sponge. This is a full proof no crease method. Oh and the beautiful rose gold double end makeup brushes? Also Seint. 

To top everything off, I use Nyx matte setting spray. This does not make me matte dry. It's a perfect finish that helps blend everything together and stay in place. Benefit 24 hour brow setter combs my brow hairs {once upon a time I used hairspray before brow gels were a thing}. Finally, I clean my brushes off with IT cosmetics brush cleaner. It's an instant clean and dry concoction. 

Sharing my links here! Happy Shopping! :)
LIKEtoKNOW.IT 
SHOP SKINCARE 

Message me for SEINT makeup information!

1. DRY SHAMPOO
It's no secret washing your hair doesn't come easy with a newborn lol. I didn't even like washing my hair before I had kids! So a dry shampoo is a must for me! I live by Monat's dry shampoo. When I first started using it, it would leave my hair flakey by the end of the day and just didn't seem to work for me, but the bottle is now silver. I'm honestly not sure if it's been reformulated, but I am absolutely LOVING it. It works so well for me. So if you've tried it in the past and didn't like it, I recommend giving it another shot!

​2. COFFEE MUG OR TUMBLER
Coffee is a necessity when I'm waking at least 1-2 times in the middle of every night, so at least make it look CUTE and enjoy! Even if you don't drink coffee, fill it with your H2O or a relaxing tea. I've found plenty at Target and Homegoods for under $5.

3. MOMIFORM
I call it a momiform anyway. A basic tee that you can throw on, along with your workout pants. You can be comfy, but still look decent enough to go outside without looking like the crazy neighbor. I love these TEES from Target and also found these amazing VS BIKER SHORTS. They have a pocket and everything! THESE are my favorite high rise leggings.

​4. EYE CREAM
Long days and nights, call for tired, sleepy, dark circle under eyes. I swear by Monat's eye cream. It's the first cream that has helped lift my dark circles and firm my skin. No SERIOUSLY. I've tried plenty of creams who say this, but I've never experienced it until now. Plus, who does love all natural, vegan products? You can always catch Monat flash sales too. There is at least 1/week always being different products or enroll as a VIP customer to get 15% off or a market partner for 30% off!

5. DIAPER CADDY
We have a 2 story house so having a diaper caddy stocked with the obvious diapers, wipes, and changing pad really helps! I also add some extras in it such as a onesie and nose frieda, with things for me like snacks, a hair tie, and water. If you have a changing station, you can do this there too, but I like the caddy can go anywhere I do.

6. CAMERA
May it be your cell phone or a nice, real camera, who doesn't want pictures all day?! I always find when I leave my phone behind, the baby does something cute or we get her dressed for the day. Keep something with you to snap a quick photo. You'll thank yourself later. I do have a Nikon as well as my phone that was a gift from my husband around 6-7 years ago. I don't have to worry about pixels or lighting with it, so consider investing in something nice. It will last and be worth the money. Photos become PRICELESS!

​7. PACK N PLAY/SWING
It doesn't have to be both. It doesn't even have to be either of these. Just get yourself something MOBILE where you can put the baby down! Boppy makes a lounger that I will sometimes put on my counter while I'm washing the dishes (baby isn't mobile yet, so make sure it's safe for you). Sometimes I'll put her down in the swing or sometimes I put together the pack n play. We're fortunate to have options to rotate, but at least one will help!

8. BABY WRAP CARRIER
If you can't put the baby down or if you're going out and the baby hates the car seat, this can be LIFE SAVING. I know ours was for both Roman and Aria. Roman loved the baby K'Tan and Aria has done well in KeaBabies. I also have an Ergo 360 Roman used and plan to use with Aria. This is the easiest way for me to go on walks, visit parks, grocery shop, and be hands free to chase my toddler. Babies love to face outward.

9. AMAZON PRIME/TARGET SHIPT
Again, it doesn't have to be both or either of these, but being part of a program that has versatile products and fast delivery is everything for me. I can't always get out. Not to mention in Covid times, sometimes I don't want to pack up my newborn and toddler, wear a mask, and go to a store. So having quick home delivery is a game CHANGER. Props to all of the moms and dads who do without these services.

​10. PLANNER
Okay, this is definitely not a must have, but it is nice to have. Moms have a million and one things going through their brains at all times. So when you can write down the bills not on auto pay, the 10 doctors appointments you will go to, or work due dates, this can be important. Plus, they're PRETTY. You can have fun with this one! I love Happy Planner, but there are so many different and affordable options! Utilize what you have too! Calendars are built into smart phones. I also write everything in my "notes".