How Did We Get Here?

I have not blogged in OVER A YEAR. You’re reading this like, duh b*tch. I’m not even really a blogger anymore. Really haven’t been for years, but is anyone? I recently asked this question on my Instagram Stories:

1. Do people blog anymore?

2. Do people even read blogs anymore?

The results were pretty divided. 6% from an even split! So maybe blogging is so totally over? Or maybe not? I’m not here today to tell you that I had a baby and I’m becoming a mommy blogger. Even though that would thrill my husband. I am going to keep this site up though and maybe check in periodically because I DID have a baby and I’ve got a lot of shit to get off my chest. And I do like to try and share that on Instagram, but sometimes the captions are too long and its probably a bit much for the ‘gram. Instead, maybe I’ll come here to unload some of the things floating around in my head. Kind of like a journal and less like a blog I guess? I don’t know this is a work in progress…

One thing that people have shared so openly and honestly in my Instagram comments is how lonely and alienating it can be to parent. That is something that I was completely unprepared for. We’ve been at this for three months and I’m hardly ever alone. We are so fortunate to have family close by who love to help with the baby. And social media! How am I surrounded by people IRL and you can connect online all day long, but this weird feeling still creeps in. Like no one gets me! But they do. Every time I share, people are quick to hop in and say, you got this or I felt the same and it gets easier. How awesome is that?

So in all likelihood, I am writing to myself and no one else is reading this. Therefore, do I really need to think of a way to close this out? Or can I just say, I’m shutting my laptop to go eat a bowl of ice cream before the baby wakes up and this post took more brain power than I’ve used in weeks! Yeah, that sounds good. Bye!

One Lucky B!*ch

Recently I attended the Grand Opening of Sacramento’s FIRST Drybar. Add it to the list of things upping Sacramento’s cool factor. 

Aren’t these gift cards amazing!? Captures the Drybar vibe. 

Drybar focuses on one thing…a great blowout. The location has a great fun/loud vibe - very helpful for someone like myself who lacks an inside voice. I hate when I get my hair done and I either have to sit silently for three hours or share my life story with everyone in the salon.  Not here!

"Drybar focuses on one thing... a great blowout.

The Sacramento location has 10 stations and does about 90 clients a day. A service usually lasts around 40 minutes. Mine was a full two hours. Those with a ton of thick hair be prepared, the crew here are consummate professionals and your blowout may take longer. 

Drybar has a lookbook that offers various styles from the Southern Comfort - think big curls, to the Mai Tai - beachy waves, and more. {Check them all out here.}  I naturally went for the Mai Tai. Everyone knows how I love my curls. I highly recommend adding a floater to your service. It gives a full 10-minute head massage while your hair is being washed, and it is PURE heaven. 

I felt like my service took a bit long, but I'm hopeful that as the new staff acclimate to the process, my next blowout will be much shorter.  Having horse hair also adds time! 

It takes a lot to keep my hair looking good!

Let's Get Social: Schedules

First, go download Later and Planoly.  Then let's talk...

Everywhere you look, people are preaching social media schedules.  I bet that really helps people in their success and it sounds like a totally reasonable plan.  I wish I could tell you I am one of those people with their shit together, but I am not.

It probably seems weird to them that I would be sharing with you two apps that help with keeping an Instagram schedule, but there is a method to my madness here...  I promise.  

1. I believe if you are dedicated and/or managing multiple social accounts then this is absolutely necessary for your sanity.  
2. Sometimes I do have my shit together and I like that these apps allow me to preview what my feed will look like should I upload the pics in my 'drafts'.  

I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'll say it again - consistency is everything.  Not just in your voice, but visually as well.  I'm never going to have an all white feed because I have gray counter tops and dark hardwood floors, but I like there to be consistency in my look.  Loading my photos into these apps lets me see how this new photo could fit into my feed without actually posting it.

What's the difference in these apps?  Generally speaking they both do the same thing, but I personally use Planoly because they have a website platform, which allows me to load my "real photos" more easily than texting them to myself.  It does cost a little bit of $, but the solo fee is less than a venti frappaccino with an extra shot.  And after popping over to their site, I realize they have a free option if you're not posting more than 30 pics a month.  Check them both and decide what frosts your cupcake.

The thing that I think Later really has going for them is their newsletter!  I know you're thinking FUCK NO, not another email, but this is the one newsletter I actually read.  Not every day, but I read at least one article from them every week.  They share Instagram news, offer step-by-step tutorials and marketing/campaign brand stories.  All interesting to a social media hussy like myself.  Let me highlight for you the last few items I actually CLICKED ON AND THEN READ:

• 5 Instagram Trends Popular in 2017 (So Far)
• 5 Things to Know About the Instagram Algorithm
• This Under-the-Radar Pose is Taking Over Instagram

Now go forth, check these out.  If you take nothing away from this, just sign up for the Later newsletter.  Let me know what you think and if you have any InstaTips (can I make that a thing?) for me I would love to hear it.