Jasmine Alley

Lifestyle

7 Crucial Things to Think About If You Want to Create A Successful Blog

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Creating a blog might sound simple.

If you’re considering creating a blog, you probably love to write or have something to say.

So it’s easy enough to put your thoughts into each soon-to-be post, but you might realize it’s not quite so easy to create your blog as a whole.

There are a lot of things to think about when creating your blog.

It’s going to be your baby in a sense- your creation, something that shows who you are to others.

The crazy and awesome thing about blogging, is that so many people out there that you’ll probably never meet will know your innermost thoughts. Or at least the ones you post!

Though there are so many things to consider, I’ve narrowed it down to seven main things for you to think about in order to create a successful blog.

Also, please note that a successful blog doesn’t *necessarily* have to rake in the big bucks. It should, however, meet your goals, such as sharing inspiration with others.

1. Audience

Who are you writing to? Not just “girls.” Not even necessarily “girls who love to travel,” though that too may be true.

Think about who would benefit from reading your blog. Though all sorts of people read my blog (and I’m thankful for each person!), my blog has a specific audience.

Though different people could benefit from different posts, as a whole my blog inspires people who want to travel or be a travel influencer.

This matters because it’ll give you direction.

2. Niche

And a big part of that direction is your niche.

You’ll see I have a few food recipes under my Lifestyle section that almost NO ONE VIEWS. Food is NOT my niche.

Are those posts a waste of time? No, they were part of the foundation of my blog- when I was trying to figure out my niche.

Having a specific niche is important in attracting subscribers. People generally come to blogs for a specific reason. They subscribe because they know they’ll get more of whatever it is in future posts.

Don’t be afraid to experiment before setting your niche- it’s all a learning experience anyway!

3. Platforms

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My post on the top 40 (I know I said 30 yesterday but there are just so many!!) Instagrammable places in Dallas is live!! I've linked it in my stories!! I spent the past 2 years finding these places so I hope you find the post useful ☺️ And if you do, please share it to Pinterest (that's basically the nicest thing you could do for a blogger 🙈)! 💕 Also a shout out to my girl @thecolorsofsam because I drove by this adorable wall on Saturday and it made me think of one of Sam's recent posts. I went to her feed to get some 50's vibes inspo… And realized it was the exact same wall!! 🍒 Where do you get photo inspiration? #texaslife #texas_ig #instadfw #dallasblogger #instadallas

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You might just want to have a blog, but a lot of people branch out to different platforms as well.

I love Instagram because I absolutely love creating beautiful photos (shameless plug- you can follow me here!) and use it as a way to connect with others and hopefully drive some traffic to my blog.

I also love Pinterest as it is a huge tool for people coming to my blog as well.

What are you interested in? Are you good at witty tweets? Or talking to a camera as a Youtuber?

If you are choosing a platform, I’d recommend picking one or two– don’t spread yourself out too thin.

Dedicate your time to one before trying to dominate them all.

Trust me- unless you have the energy of a toddler, it’ll exhaust you trying to do it all!

Another aspect of your platforms is what platform you’d like to use to potentially generate income.

There are two main sources of income from blogs: affiliate links and ads.

Affiliate Links

Affiliate links give you a commission if someone clicks through your link and then purchases something through it.

My favorite affiliate programs are Amazon and RewardStyle.

I prefer these because they are easy to use and have great potential.

Amazon is especially a great program because if someone clicks through your Amazon link, even if they don’t buy your product, you get commission off of anything they purchase.

RewardStyle is a great option if you are a beauty or fashion blogger.

Ads

In my limited understanding, Google ads are put on your site and income is based on clicks (you’d need a high volume of traffic for ads to be successful).

Companies such as Media Vine are a great source of ad income, but you can only apply to be on Media Vine after you have a certain number of monthly views.

(I’ve heard that number is at least 25,000 a month, but don’t quote me on that!)

4. Marketing

Like I mentioned above, social media can be a great source of traffic for your blog. And that is HUGE.

You could have all of the best content in the world, but no one would read it without proper marketing.

You could have all of the best content in the world, but no one would read it without proper marketing.

I find that Pinterest is the best way to get traffic. People use it like a search engine, so advertising on Pinterest can be a great investment.

However, you don’t need to use paid advertising on Pinterest to have it work for you.

Some of my most popular pins on Pinterest have never been used on a Pinterest ad.

Succeeding on Pinterest takes research, time, and constantly staying up-to-date on the latest Pinterest news.

5. Goal setting

This comes in two parts:

Part one: What is your goal in creating your blog?

To answer this, ask yourself again why anyone would read your blog. Is it for inspiration? For tips? For how-to articles? Your goal should line up with that.

My heart is filled with joy when I get emails or comments about how helpful an article was, or how inspiring my blog is.

That is how I measure success.

If you’re in it just to earn money, it’ll be draining to write blog posts about things you’re not passionate about.

So think about the goals you have, and orient your blog around that.

And the next part:

Part two: What are your goals when it comes to your timeline?

How many posts do you want to write a week? What do you want to accomplish each day on your blog?

What is your goal for this year?

Set goals that are specific, attainable, and measurable.

For example, my goal for this year (updated in 2019) that is specific, attainable, and measurable is getting to 25,000 monthly page views.

That goal is specific (it has a number and an end date), attainable (I’m focusing on Pinterest and SEO to build my viewers), and measurable (I can easily check my Google Analytics or Jetpack results).

6. Brand

Branding is important because this is what people see. If you have a consistent style, voice, etc. it engages your readers.

One personal example of this is in my photos.

I edit my photos in Adobe Lightroom with these presets to create a specific look. That look ties all of my photos together- those light blues, light pinks, low shadows, etc. It’s part of my branding.

This definitely has developed over time for me, but it’s something to still consider when you’re creating your blog.

7. Spending

When you’re starting off, it’s probably best to be frugal. Some blogs become successful rapidly if a lot of marketing and effort are put into them.

But the reality is, it can take months or years before a blog starts generating any sort of income.

So if you put a ton of money into your blog right off the bat, you might not see much fruit from it, and it could just downright depress you. (That’s how I would feel at least).

I’m generally conservative with my money and I’m a pretty big saver.

What I do is spend as little as possible and only spend more when I’ve earned something. So whatever I earn goes back into my blog.

Here was my first year’s spending pattern:

  • When I started off, I only paid for web hosting through BlueHost and my URL. Those are the bare necessities. I definitely recommend BlueHost for anyone creating a blog from square one.
  • Next I purchased my WordPress theme, since I had written about 20 posts on the free theme and it was time to let my then-Instagram followers (all 500 of my friends and family) know that I had created a blog. To prep for that, it was time to upgrade the look.
  • I paid for a few Pinterest ads, which have to potential to do wonders for traffic as I stated earlier.

As you can see, there’s a lot to think about in blogging. Hopefully these seven tips help you on your way!

Comment any questions or suggestions below!

Xo,

Jasmine

PS. If you found this post helpful, please share it to Pinterest! That way you can save it to go back to later or share it with others. It would also help me out as a blogger!! You can use the image below for easy pinning!

The Bikini Body Guide: 10 Unexpected Ways to Get Bikini Ready for Your Travels

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This Unconventional Bikini Body Guide is for all my fellow ladies out there (and guys too!) who have had it with those extra pounds.

If you’ve got upcoming travel, a big event, bikini time coming up, or you just plain-ol want to slim down, this guide is for you!

If you’ve tried conventional methods to slimming down (counting calories, running every day, going on a juice diet), and have had it with results that don’t last, then this guide is especially for you!!

Commence the Bikini Body Guide!

First things first for this Bikini Body Guide: abs are made in the kitchen.

You’d have to work out an absurd amount to get your whole body toned- and even then, some fat just won’t go away with just exercise alone.

To get your body ready for bikini season, try these ten slightly more unconventional methods to trimming off extra fat.

Your body will thank you!

Bikini body guide. Girl in bikini on towel with hat.

1. Intermittent fasting

Before you call me crazy, let me explain. No, this is not a starvation method. Fasting is the controlled withholding of food.

On that note- you need to read this book, The Obesity Code, by Dr. Jason Fung, MD.

It changed my whole view of what makes us fat, and explains the science behind the common lies our society feeds us.

Anyhow, long story short (and way oversimplified), intermittent fasting can be done in different increments of time.

It can be as easy as combating the myth that you HAVE to eat breakfast to keep your metabolism up by instead skipping it (a 12-hour fast).

Or go the 24-hour fast route and skip breakfast and lunch one day.

I know this probably goes against everything you have been taught, but the science is there.

When you fast, you allow your insulin levels to stabilize, instead of constantly bringing your insulin levels up (which, over time, can lead to insulin resistance and fat gain).

Again, this is highly oversimplified and I’m not an expert on the topic. But Jason Fung is, and that’s why you should read his book.

2. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great way to shed that belly fat.

The acetic acid in ACV can aid in burning fat, curbing your appetite, and reducing fat storage (source).

And here’s this cool fact from The Obesity Code: “Two teaspoons of vinegar taken with a high-carbohydrate meal lowers blood sugar and insulin by as much as 34%.”

Insulin and fat go hand in hand, so it makes sense that reducing your insulin is a great way to cut down on fat.

So try taking a tablespoon or two of ACV in a glass of water before your first meal or before bedtime (you’ll probably need a chaser- but opt for sparkling water… NOT a soda!).

3. A low carb diet

The low carb diet is your friend.

Not to sound like a broken record, but guess what carbs do? They spike your insulin.

So naturally, eating less carbs will help stabilize your insulin levels, and aid in getting rid of that fat.

4. Cut out sugar completely

Low carb mug cake

Sugar is your dream body’s enemy.

It is in practically everything these days, and causes insulin resistance that ultimately leads to obesity (I know, I know, you get it by now).

And that means cutting out all artificial sugars as well.

But don’t worry, you can still eat delicious desserts, like this low carb dessert recipe for a two minute mug cake!

5. Meditate/pray

Meditation and prayer have amazing health benefits, from lower stress to clearer skin. And they are great on your waistline, too!

From my favorite book (The Obesity Code, of course):

“Cortisol raises insulin levels and is a major pathway of weight gain… Reducing stress levels, practicing meditation and getting good sleep are all effective methods for achieving lower cortisol levels.”

Cortisol is commonly known as the stress hormone, and as Dr. Fung explains here, it plays a part in weight gain.

So reducing stress is a piece of the puzzle.

Meditation, yoga, prayer, restful sleep, massages- these are all great tools for reducing cortisol.

6. Eat more fat

This goes hand-in-hand with a low carb diet.

Most diets seem to fail because you’re hungry, you want to eat more food, so when you give in, you give in a LOT.

The good thing about healthy fats is they fill you up like none other.

Think about it this way: you’re snacking on chips and on walnuts. With the chips or another high-carb food, I bet you could easily go for a few more handfuls. But with the walnuts, after eating a handful, the thought of eating a few more would kind of make you feel sick.

Healthy fats include: high fat nuts (walnuts, macadamia nuts, etc.), grass-fed butter, coconut (milk, oil, etc.), avocados, nut butters, cheese from grass-fed cows, etc.

7. Less cardio

Less cardio, more weights. Rumor has it that muscle burns fat, and the way to get muscle is to pick up those weights. And research supports this rumor!

Don’t worry about getting bulky! For women, we don’t have enough testosterone in our systems to get bulked up without additional supplements!

Of course, you don’t have to cut out cardio. It has amazing benefits as well. But since long-distance cardio can be strenuous on your joints, try doing sprints, or activities like walking or swimming.

8. Get a hobby you love

If you’re passionate about something, you’ll work at it tirelessly and be in a “flow state”.

What is a flow state? It is a feeling of extreme concentration where everything else (time, hunger, sounds, distractions, etc.) fade away. Read more about it here.

For me, my flow state happens when I am creating a piece of art.

Whether it’s painting on a canvas or decorating my home, I get so immersed in what I’m doing that when I’m done, hours have flown by.

Afterwards, I’ll realize that I’m hungry, but the whole time I haven’t even thought of food.

9. Explore a new place

More specifically, exploring a new place without splurging on restaurant food!

You don’t even have to leave your home city- there’s bound to be a new place to explore right where you are.

Have you hit up every garden, park, museum, zoo, festival, and shopping center in your town? Probably not.

So go on an adventure!

Exploring a new place captivates so many of your senses- seeing new things, feeling new emotions, new scents, etc.

You’ll be too busy doing things to sit at home looking for your next snack.

And if you are making the drive out of town, pack healthy snacks beforehand. Those gas station stops are not your friend!

What snacks should you pack?

Try kale chips, seaweed snacks (we are obsessed with Chomperz), vegetables, fruit, salads, Epic pork rinds, nuts, and beef jerky (we love these Epic beef bars).

10. Drink more tea

We’ve all heard by now that we should drink more water. But while you’re at it, drink tea as well!

How come?

If you drink peppermint tea, it has a satiating effect (source).

Drinking tea before a meal will fill your stomach and that can help you realize when you’re actually full from the food you’re eating.

Plenty of teas have antioxidants and these are great for you:

“Green Tea contains large concentrations of a group of powerful antioxidants called catechins… Catechins may play a role in inhibiting carbohydrate-digestive enzymes, resulting in lower glucose levels” (from The Obesity Code),

and…”Many health benefits have been ascribed to green-tea consumption, including increased fat oxidation during exercise, increased resting energy expenditure, lower risk of various types of cancer” (also from The Obesity Code).

So there you have it.

If you haven’t tried any of these methods in the past, give one (or all if you’re really ambitious!!) a shot!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Do you have some unconventional & healthy tips to trimming your waistline? Comment them below!

Cheers!

Jasmine

If you found these tips helpful, please share this post to your Pinterest! You can use the pin image below!

Travel Wear: 10 Tips for What to Wear during Airport Travel

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Oh, airplane travel. The nasty little things standing between you and your vacation.

Every flight is different. Different lengths of time, destinations, occasions. And if you’re like me, when you fly, you also often get travel anxiety.

So you’re at the airport. You’ve got so many things to look forward to… after you land. But in the meantime, between the fear of forgetting your passport, having long periods of time where you’re forced to stay seated, and eating crappy airplane food, you’ve got some rough hours ahead.

Let’s simplify at least one thing: travel wear. Here are some tips to help you figure out what to wear- so you can check that off of your travel to-do list.

1. Comfort is key!

girl looking out of an airplane window

You’re going to be on an airplane, most likely in a tiny seat that doesn’t recline, and chances are good that you’ll get stuck next to someone who hogs the arm rest. And good luck if you get a middle seat.

So please, think of your poor body and all of the things it’ll have to endure over the next few hours. Don’t cram it in your tightest pants or wear a top that requires a strapless bra that may or may not dig into your skin or keep falling down.

Wear something comfortable that is easy to move in and won’t cut off your circulation.

2. That’s not an excuse to look like a slob

There’s a line between comfortable clothes and slob clothes.

Let me explain.

My freshman year of college I brought a ton of T-shirts from home with me. And when I say a ton, I mean basically a large suitcase worth of tees. Flying across the country from Maryland to California, I thought they would remind me of home.

When my then roommate and soon-to-be best friend, Lainy, saw the crazy amount of T-shirts I’d brought with me to college, she was appalled, to say the least. She is probably the classiest girl I know- always flawless and put together, so this didn’t come as a surprise, but her reasoning really got to me. She stressed the importance of looking great wherever, whenever, because “you never know who you’ll meet! You’ll never know when you’re going to meet your future husband for the first time.”

Freshman Jasmine was single, and was definitely open to finding prospects. So over winter break I went home with a suitcase full of T-shirts, and there they have stayed, to become rags or sleeping shirts for family members. Lainy’s quote has stuck with me ever since! (And I did marry my college boyfriend, so hey- maybe it worked!)

Back to airplane travel wear.

Think about it this way… you could meet your future husband at the airport (or if you’re not out to get a husband, imagine running into your boss at the airport) so have some decency and leave the baggy t-shirts at home.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear sweats or leggings. There are so many cute sweats out there that can be chic when paired with just the right thing. Athleisure is your friend when it comes to airports!

3. Dress for yourself

Looking good builds confidence. Dressing to be the best you can really brighten your mood, making things as tedious as airplane travel become exciting and fun! Too much enthusiasm for you there? Well, at least it’ll make traveling tolerable 🙂

4. Dress for the flight time

girl looking at flight arrival/departure times

Is your flight an hour long? Lucky you! Is it 8 hours? 24 hours? Pretty much, the longer the flight, the more comfortable your clothes should be. 

Also- if you’re flying on a red eye flight, feel free to get really comfortable.

5. Dress for the arrival location

I have made the mistake of leaving one location that is sweltering hot, and arriving at my destination that is entirely and unfathomably too cold, and forgetting a coat. Don’t be like me. Check the weather beforehand (which I do), and realize just how cold or hot that temperature is (which I don’t do), and dress accordingly.

Say you leave Texas at a sweltering 98 degrees with full humidity, and land in San Francisco, where the water breeze makes 65 degrees feel like 50 degrees. Either wear clothes that could work in both places with an added jacket for San Francisco, or make sure a change of clothes is handy.

You won’t want to rummage in your suitcase once you land, so keep it in your carry on if you’re not planning on wearing it!

6. Dress for the occasion

couple embracing outside

When I was in college, over the summers I would visit my then boyfriend (and now husband), Harrison, in Dallas. It would always be the first time seeing him in months, and I would prep like crazy. I’d plan out my outfits for every day in Dallas months in advance, and all summer I would imagine that first moment of seeing each other again over and over.

So I’d always want to look amazing- with my manicure/pedicure done and in a cute but comfortable dress.

Then there’s the other side of the spectrum.

Last summer, Harrison and I went on a mission trip with our church to Guatemala. We were going to be doing construction work, so nice clothes were completely unnecessary. So I ditched my normal attire for practical attire and even wore my construction boots.

I realize this contradicts Tip #2, but there are exceptions to every rule!

7. Pack smart- wear your heaviest/bulkiest items on the plane

On that trip to Guatemala, our goal was to pack light, so I wore my jacket and construction boots on the plane. These were definitely my bulkiest items, and by wearing them, I significantly downsized my suitcase. 

This doesn’t only apply to big items like hiking boots. Are heels your bulkiest item? Wear them! And, no, that doesn’t contradict my “be comfortable” tip, because if you think about it, most of your time in airport travel is spent sitting down. So shed a few pounds off the luggage scale and wear those chunky wedges! Keep your heavy coat with you instead of packing it!

8. Dress warm

Not only will keeping your coat with you save room in your suitcase… but it is also completely necessary for comfort’s sake. I almost always freeze on airplanes (I blame my poor blood circulation), so if you’re like me, bringing a jacket is key!

9. Be practical

people in an airport

Don’t forget some airplane necessities: a book, headphones, a neck pillow if you’re going a long distance. Read this article for the ultimate travel checklist of 15 things you won’t want to forget!

If you’re a contact lens wearer like I used to be (prior to getting Lasik), and you’re planning on sleeping on your early morning or late night flight, take them out and opt for your glasses.

Definitely keep your passport/ID in a safe but convenient place! And as soon as you’re done using it, PUT IT RIGHT BACK WHERE IT BELONGS.

The main reason I’m stressing this is because I recently lost my driver’s license on my flight back from LA. Important things seem to love to disappear, so make sure you know where they are at all times!

10. My airplane favorites:

Believe it or not, maxi dresses are my all time favorite for airplane travel. Not only are they super cute, but they keep you warm since your legs are covered, and are the most comfortable thing to wear.

Also, comfortable dresses that are cute but don’t cinch at the waist are great for long flights since they allow for plenty of blood circulation.

There are also plenty of ways to make leggings cute, and there are a ton of great athleisure outfits out there.

Safe travels!

Jasmine

P.S. If you found this article helpful, please share it to Pinterest! You can use the image below!

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide

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The clock’s ticking! Do you have your gifts picked out yet? If not, here are some helpful items to get for him, for her, for the traveler, and for stocking stuffers! Christmas is sneaking up, so start today. Without further ado, here’s my Christmas Gift Guide!

Happy gifting!

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Xoxo,

Jasmine

Like this gift guide? Pin it using the image below!

Welcoming Affordable Luxury in Italian-Crafted Boots by Ross & Snow

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STYLE TIP: That awkward period trying to break in new boots is no issue in these gorgeous shearling Michela SP boots from Ross & Snow. I was gifted a pair to try out and I’m in love!

Designed in California but hand crafted in Northern Italy, Ross & Snow shoes are a masterpiece just waiting to be worn everyday. 

The boots

These boots are the most delicate shade of gray, have a warm shearling interior and a buttery smooth leather exterior.

Best of all, they’re both elegant and functional. As someone who loves to travel, finding boots that look good and walk good is crucial. 

They are actually weather-proofed so there’s no need to worry about unpredictable weather.

Logistics-wise: these boots have a 3.5 inch heel, a medial zipper for easy wear, and they are absolutely true to size. I have pretty big calves but these fit perfectly!

The company

The company itself, Ross & Snow, is from America, but their gorgeous shoes are made in small batches in Northern Italy- their attention to detail is beyond compare. Ross & Snow does more than just partner with local Italian artisans, they actually truly care about and trust them. It’s a partnership that goes beyond a transactional sale but into a relationship- that’s how you know you can trust the quality behind their shoes.

How to style

As versatile as they are, you can easily pair the Michela SP boots with jeans, a skirt, a dress, or leggings.

Here are several ways I’ve worn them in the past week of having them:

 

Pairing them with a cozy hat and sweater makes for a perfect cold weather outfit.

When it comes to those sunny warmer days, a skirt and a cute beret finish off the look.

If you’re interested in trying out these boots for yourself, you can get some at Nordstrom.com and on their website, ross-snow.com. They’ve got a variety of styles from knee highs to ankle boots- go check them out!

XO,

Jasmine

Triphop: The Best Way to Get Cash Back When Travelling

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Center Hotel Plaza Reykjavik

Travel can be expensive, and I’m sure I’m not the first person that you’ve heard say this!

From flights to hotels to restaurants to activities- experiencing new places can cost a pretty penny.

You’ll find me penny pinching wherever I can- from finding cheap flights to booking hotels wisely.

I’m talking about the latter today!

Did you know that there is a booking service that gives you CASH back after you stay?

Not rewards points that give you a new level of membership or go towards another reservation- they give you MONEY back.

When you book through Triphop, you get cash back. Just like that.

I’m not joking, I tried it myself!

My experience with Triphop

Hot tub at Guesthouse Storu-Laugar
This is where we stayed in Laugar, Iceland.

On our recent trip to Iceland, Harrison and I tried to be wise with where we booked our stays.

A big reason for that is that Iceland is just SO expensive. 

Average dinner entree: $40 per plate

To fill up half a tank: $100 for gas

So you can see why we tried to save where we could. 

Enter Triphop into the picture.

We booked our stay at the Guesthouse Storu-Lagar through Triphop.com and got cash back for staying there.

After our stay, I received an email from Triphop notifying me of a balance ready to be cashed out. I cashed it out via PayPal, and now it’s in my bank account.

Just like that!

They work with a ton of hotels all around the world, and you can sort by price, how much cash back you’ll get, etc.

So don’t let lack of funds stop you from traveling. There’s a smart way to travel- it’s called Triphop!

Xo,

Jasmine

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