Today is the last day of 2020 and just like any other year, I like to create vision boards. Both physical and digital. I prefer digital though because I am always looking at either my phone, Apple Watch, or MacBook. Having my visions right in front of me all day everyday is a reminder to keep focus and work hard on achieving the goals I have set for the year.
For those of you that do not know what a vision board is, it is basically visual representations of goals you want to achieve for the upcoming year placed either on a poster board or the home screen of your device. You determine how you want to set your goals. Whether it be 6 months, 1 year, or even 5 years.
I created a sample vision board for you all to get ideas from. Some ideas can be traveling, going back to school, getting married, paying off debt etc. It's whatever you want to accomplish.
First things first, find pictures of things you want to put on your board. Pinterest is a good app and of course dear old Google. You can add as many pictures that you want, just be mindful of your device's wallpaper dimensions. You will want all your pictures showing up and with a clear view.
What you will need for your device
1) Download Pinterest for picture ideas
2) Download Canva or Photogrid (add your pics and create a collage)
sn: Canva also lets you resize your collage in case it is too small or too big once you convert it into a wallpaper.
Happy goal setting and Happy New Year!
Later love bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
When you hear the words "Happiness" and "Peace" what does it mean to you? Does it mean finding those qualities in someone else so that it makes you feel whole? Or does it mean you taking control of your own? Prior to having a husband and children, I was looking for happiness through people and things. I hung out with people that I wasn't really feeling like that, I bought things that I DID NOT need. Those things made me happy at that moment, but it was temporary. It wasn't until my expectations from certain individuals let me down that I realized I was putting TOO much expectations on people. I was silently broken and knew that I had to shift my mindset. For me, it was ending some friendships, quitting a job, moving to another city, and starting fresh. Even with doing that, I still have to be mindful about my aura and reminding myself to live for ME.
Society has a way of distracting us in the cycle we call life. It makes us think that certain people CAN NOT amount to anything. Which is NOT true. You want to go back to school while working and having a family at home? Yes, go for it! You want to buy that Louis Vuitton bag because you worked hard, paid your bills, handled your business first? Yes, get that bag girl! You want to write that paperback or eBook? Who said you can't? Go for it! You want that raise at work? Don't be afraid to ask for it... You deserve more! and the list goes on... Your life is for you! My advice is to just make sure you make the right decisions. If you are a parent especially, make sure you handle home first. Don't buy that LV bag and there's no food in the fridge or the rent/mortgage and light bill is not paid. (make sense?)
You also have to stop living in fear. I am still working on this as I type. The world we live in is a very scary one. If I could keep my family in a shell away from everything and everyone, I would. BUT, I shouldn't. There are so many opportunities out there, so many different places to visit and create memories. I want to experience it all and I want my husband and girls to as well. You too should feel this way. As the new year approaches, I suggest you choose one thing that you want to conquer that has you fearful. It could be as big as traveling to a different state or country or something small as doing your first live on Facebook or Instagram lol. Stepping out of your comfort zone will definitely change your life and make you a better person.
Later love bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
My eBook is still available on Amazon.
I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. We stayed home an enjoyed each other's company. This year I decided to do Christmas pictures. I did not want to spend any money hiring a photographer, when I clearly have the things at home to do my own shoot. It's very simple, all you need is a few items and to move your furniture around if you are taking photos indoors.
Things you will need
1) Good lighting. Turn on all your lights lol. Also get you a ring light. You can find those anywhere. Best Buy, Amazon etc. My husband gifted mine to me when I started blogging.
2) Tripod. I purchased mine from amazon. There are different sizes and designs. I got a regular one that stands about 5 1/2 feet maybe a little higher it also comes with a bluetooth remote.
3) Props. It's always a good idea to get props. It will help your pictures stand out. For this shoot, our props were our TV... we went on YouTube and found a 10 hour video of a fireplace with crackling sounds... that helped set the mood for our Christmas theme.
Here are a few more pictures from our "at home photoshoot"
Can you believe that the year is almost over? 2020 is definitely one for the books. I can't even fathom the amount of craziness that transpired. I learned so much about myself, my job, people in general, and society. My mindset changed as well. I learned how to ignore things that I can not control and to be more grateful for what I have.
I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and branching out on different projects. I birthed my blog and also dropped an eBook.(What?!). I am more aware of peoples energies and I have the ability to remove myself from their aura. I even got confirmation that work is work and there are NO friends in it. It's a "dog eat dog" world. (Sorry to burst your bubbles lol).
Nobody knew what 2020 was going to bring... but for me, it was the year of "vision" for real for real. It opened my eyes to a lot. It also gave me the vision I needed to see to make new moves. Thank you 2020 for the reality check. What has 2020 taught you? Let me know in the comments.
Your girl released an eBook a few days ago... It's a self-care book telling us women how to get our "ish" together. You can purchase yours here....
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
(This post is an affiliated post)
Happy Sunday! I hope all is well. I wanted to come on here and give a tip/hack on how to get long healthy nails without breaking the bank by getting fake nails. Back in the day, I was an acrylic nails guru. It's not until I got older, and I was spending too much every two weeks on refills IF my nails didn't already pop off. I love having long nails... I didn't have any nails when I was younger because I always chewed on them smh. A few years ago, I found this nail product at my local drug store saying my nails will grow instantly in 5-7 days. Of course I was skeptical, but I was also desperate. Let's just say that nail polish was my Holy Grail for about 4 years. Now my nails are super long and healthy. I do go to the nail shop every 3-4 weeks for a dip powder which is my preference..but even my nail tech brags on my nail length.
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| My natural nails... |
Click the link to get your very own.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Christmas is almost here!!! I am somewhat of an "almost" last minute shopper lol. However, these items that I chose for my wishlist is not hard to get on any day. I am pretty sure there are some ladies out there who are eyeing some of these goodies too. Have a safe holiday season :)
What are some items on your wish list? Let me know.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Everyone has someone or something that either inspired or motivated them to do something. I have always been interested in blogging because I like to write. I didn't know anyone who shared my interest in blogging until I revamped my instagram page and started networking with people within the blogging community. In my search, I came across a young lady by the name of Maria Cadet also known as Bella Rosa. I reached out to her via DM to ask some questions about blogging as well as marketing and she's always helping and being supportive. I am blessed and fortunate to have interviewed her last week for my blog. Check out the interview below...
EJ: Tell us about yourself (name, where are you from)
BR: My name is Maria Rosa Cadet. I was born in Les Cayes, Haiti, but grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida.
EJ: How did the name "Bella Rosa" come about?
BR: Well, my first name is Maria Rosa and at the time, I was trying to figure out a cool name for my blog and came up with Bella Rosa which is Italian for " a beautiful rose"
EJ: What made you start blogging? Do you have any blogger inspirations?
BR: I started blogging because I've always been into fashion. In high school, I started discovering blogs and reading fashion magazines. One day I said, "I want to have my own blog similar to the ones I read all of the time." When I first thought about starting a blog, my cousin "Dadouchic"started a blog around the same time and she inspired me to go for it. I have many bloggers who inspire me. To name a few--- "dadouchic" "Monroe Steele" "Mattie James" "Dayna Bolden" "In the frow" and so many more.
EJ: Do you think blogging will always be relevant the way Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube is?
BR: Yes, I think blogging will always be relevant, because it's evergreen. I can go on someone's blog and search for information they wrote about 10 years ago. I can't do the same with IG. I think social media is to be used as AD space, where you advertise your work and build your community. You should always have something that you own....and that's your blog.
EJ: Has blogging opened any doors for you or given you any awesome opportunities/connections?
BR: Blogging has opened many doors for me and introduced me to some amazing people. I've worked with brands that I dreamed of working with and made income from doing things that I love and would do for free.
EJ: How do you balance your blogger life?
BR: I schedule everything. Even with a schedule, there's no true balance. My mindset is, if I put 100% into my 9-5 today, my blog/side hustle gets pushed back that day and vice versa. Everyday I have to decide what I give 100% energy towards.
EJ: What advice do you have for anyone trying to get into this craft?
BR: My advice is to just start. If you're waiting to have everything together, you'll never take the leap. Cancel out all of the noise and all of the naysayers and do it. Most importantly, be super consistent.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Happy holidays everyone! Christmas time is so special to me. I get a sense of happiness and peace whenever the holiday season comes around. Sadly, the season is a little different now due to Covid-19. Social distancing is required and lots of families and friends are unable to travel and be with one another. As for our family, we are still going to make the best of it but with being safe of course. I decided to create a list of things to do at home during quarantine with friends or family during the holiday season.
Holiday Movies
Starting the month of November, you will start to see Christmas movies coming on. You can find them on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Hallmark Channel or Lifetime. This is a good time to bake some cookies and watch a movie with the family.
Christmas Music
The best way to uplift your spirits during this crazy time is to play some good ole' Christmas classics as loud as you want and just sing and dance. To kick it up a notch, do this while decorating your place. That will really be a good vibe :)
DIY Projects/Crafts
There are so many things to make. From Gingerbread houses or homemade gifts. Let's get creative people. Go to your local craft store like Micheals or Hobby Lobby. For Gingerbread houses, you can purchase the premade ones from Walmart or Target. You can even turn that into a competition of who decorated the best house :)
At Home Photo Shoot
Save your coins and do your photo shoot at home. Get you a bomb back drop( table cloth is a good choice lol), some props, a timer on your phone, and great lighting and snap.
These are some ideas that I plan on doing with my family. Please share if you have any that I may have missed. Remember to stay safe this holiday season and keep those masks on and remain social distanced.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Happy Sunday everyone, I hope you all are having a great morning. I woke up this morning with NO intention of blogging today but this was really weighing on me and I can't seem to shake off this feeling. For the past couple of months, I have been feeling very stagnant, with both my blogs and teaching. I know it's my mind playing tricks on me because I am actually doing good in both aspects(in my opinion). I just feel like I can do a better job with organization and possibly executing a plan for some things. If I am feeling this way and having a hard time getting rid of the feeling, that only means someone else is feeling this way and may need a little push or encouragement.
Sometimes the feeling we get, could possibly be God telling us to slow down and hear him. We are stuck because maybe we are missing something that he is either showing or leading us too. Today or whatever day you are reading this, I encourage you to date and journal your feelings, sit still for a few moments in silence with God and ask him what it is that he needs from you, I also highly encourage you to not let ANY thing distract you especially social media. Drink water, drink water, and drink some more water. Reflect on everything and see what happens. I can guarantee that you will feel better.
Have you been feeling stagnant in some areas of your life?
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
(Not a Sponsored Post)
Happy Saturday Love Bugs, I hope you all are having a great day! I'm not one to blog about fashion, but I was going through my closet a few days ago and noticed a redundant piece of clothing. DISTRESSED JEANS!!! omg I didn't realize I had more than 2 lol. I decided to play dress up with those jeans and show you all how I dress them up and down...
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| These cute distressed jeans came from Target You can pair them with a nice shirt and some heels for a night out with friends or date night with your man |
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| These distressed jeans are from Walmart In this pic, I decided to pair them with a blouse and some cute sandals. This can be worn for a day filled with running errands but still want to be cute. (Couldn't find the exact jeans online) |
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| These oversized distressed mom jeans from Shein are my absolute favorite. They are super comfy and I love the look I created with these jeans. I think dressing these jeans up is a MUST! |
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| These jeans I got from the men's department at Walmart I just paired them with a casual tee and some kicks. This would be cool to rock for a day out with the kids to get ice cream etc.(Couldn't find the exact jeans online) |
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| These jeans are super old. I got them from Kmart. You can find distressed jean shorts anywhere. I paired these with a casual blouse and some boots Super cute and comfy. Do you have a favorite piece of clothing that you like to dress up or down? Let me know! Later Love Bugs, Elizabeth Jacas |
Tis The Season
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| Hobby Lobby |
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| Hobby Lobby |
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| Hobby Lobby |
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| Big Lots 50% off |
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| Big Lots |
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| Big Lots |
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| Big Lots |
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| Big Lots |
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Hello educators. Happy Friday eve. Listen, I don't know about you all, but I am legit #TeacherTired lol. We are only in November and I'm ready for spring and summer break. A lot has been weighing on my shoulders and I decided to blog about it because I am pretty sure there is a fellow educator that is feeling the same way or has been through something. I thought to myself, why not do a weekly check in just to see how we are all holding up during these trying times.
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| Adding books to my new book shelf :) |
As for me, if you haven't known, I am a "semi" first year Kindergarten/First Grade teacher at the preschool where I have taught VPK/PreK for 5 1/2 years. I say "semi" first year because I am not a typical first year teacher like in the elementary school. I wanted too, but things did not go as planned (God had other plans for me obvi). But yea, I have been winging this thing from day 1. That is an issue because I am a planner and organizer. So not having an actual plan in order to execute is a bit stressful. The fact that I am teaching EVERYTHING at the top of my brain with minimal resources, without any training or workshops is phenomenal in my opinion because the children are learning. I have seen a lot "AHA" moments within the past few weeks. They are all succeeding in reading and I create lesson plans as I go and I create lesson activities in my sleep. I just might add curriculum specialist to my resume lol. The idea of opening up a blended Kindergarten/First grade classroom came about in July and the classroom opened up in August. I am building my classroom from the ground up literally. I mean just Monday, I got my book shelves and dry erase board (super happy lol). I'm still getting items in November that were needed in August. That alone is stressful because there are days where I feel defeated and I feel like I am cheating the kids, but then that is where the lovely teacher instagram community comes in to play. Some of the resources I seen on there has been a huge help for me because I am able to implement a few things into my classroom. The help that I have received from teacher friends(in real life) has also been a huge blessing for me. That is just a quick break down of how I am doing right now. I know with time and patience, things will be back in order and I can sit back and just thank God for allowing and giving me wisdom to teach these children. I want to let you all know... YOU GOT THIS!!!
So my question to you guys is this "How are you feeling?" "How is the school year going so far?" "Are you teacher tired yet?" We all have struggles in and out of the classroom. As educators, we go above and beyond for our students and families. It's time we focus on each other but most importantly ourselves. Leave me a comment below and let me know how you are REALLY doing. Also, go ahead and share this post with all of your teacher friends/families :)
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Happy Wednesday guys!! I hope you all are well and safe. Today's blog has been sitting real heavy on my heart and I think its because I too have been feeling spiritually disconnected and I also feel like someone reading this, may have been feeling this way as well. To begin, I am no way shape or form a religious person, I am spiritual. Meaning, I don't identify with a religion. I identify with my spirituality in other words, I believe in God and I believe Jesus is God's son and he sacrificed his life for my sins. Okay, here's the deal... we have all been feeling some type of disconnection especially with what's going around the world on top of our daily struggles whether it be at home, work, or school etc. Sometimes or most times, we find ourselves losing patience very quickly, lashing out, waking up and going to bed upset, and just being in a funk. That is called being "Spiritually Disconnected" I never understood it until I myself went through some things and felt all of those emotions. Not only did I feel the emotions I was not getting any better. I wanted to lay in bed all day and scroll through social media and eat Ice Cream... because that made me "feel" good.... And you know what? It did make me feel good, but only for a few hours. Then I went back into that negative space and just dealt with it.
As humans, mostly women, we tend to hide our emotions and just hold everything in until we explode. Obviously it is not good. Something is causing us to feel empty inside and to be honest, its not what we are going through that is keeping us in that bubble. Its the fact that we are NOT putting God in the center of our lives ESPECIALLY in the center of our problems. I noticed the moment I fell to my knees and prayed to God and let it all out, I started to slowly feel myself again, I started to become more tolerable to things, I started gaining more patience, and I started to feel much more motivated. If you didn't know, God is a jealous God. He does not want us to put anything to anyone above him and we always tend to forget that because our lives are "too busy." We have to remember to always pray because God will make a way. He will never give us too much that we can not bare. I hope these tips will help you connect with your spirituality.
5 Signs That You Are Spiritually Disconnected
1- Lack of Patience
2- Heavy Heart
3- Emotional Roller Coaster
4- Always Angry
5- Constant Negative Thoughts
5 Ways to be Spiritually Connected
1- Pray Daily(talk to God like you would a friend) be yourself
2- Write Your Feelings in a Journal
3-Meditate
4- Burn Incense (Frankincense is really good)
5- Shift your mindset every time you feel negative energy
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Ya'll your girl has really been slacking. I missed two weeks of my series "What Brought Me Joy This Past Week" life happens and I was NOT going to overwhelm myself. Don't get it twisted, a lot has happened and I am truly grateful for it all. I was enjoying my family and just relaxing and binge watching Grey's Anatomy... AGAIN!!! Hahahaha. I find it hard to not find something to be grateful for everyday. I make sure to find something big or little to show my gratitude to God.
What has brought me joy?
1) Adsense Approval: Any blogger can understand how happy I am because the waiting game on getting ads on blogs takes so long. You have to write a certain amount of blog posts and traffic to even get close to applying for Adsense and I must say I have pushed very har with releasing content and being consistent especially when I got disapproved more than 4 times.
2) Giveaway Winner: I won a Scholastics Book giveaway on my teacher instagram page. I was not expecting to win new books for my class. I am truly happy about that because starting fresh in a blended classroom with Kindergarten and First Grade with very limited resources and books can be a bit overwhelming if you don't have the passion and mindset for this field.
3) Back To School: My daughters went back to on campus. My husband had planned to send our girls after the Holidays, but as a mom and teacher. I felt like my oldest needed to be in the classroom not only to be more focused, but to be around her peers. This will be her last year in elementary school, and I want to her to socialize with her friends. I trust that the school is taking the proper procedures and I KNOW the principal will take all necessary precautions to keep her students and staff safe and healthy.
I hope you all had a great week.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Hey ya'll it has been a hot minute since I posted a blog. Your girl has been trying to balance teacher life, mom and wife life, and find some time for myself. I am almost there with balancing it all. A lot of exciting things has happen though. For one, I finally got approved to have Ads on my blogs (huge accomplishment) and some other things which I will talk about in later blogs. I am going to continue to push content and educate myself on getting better at blogging. For this post I have decided to fill you all in on my day as a lifestyle blogger. I know before I took blogging seriously, I researched so many blog topics, bloggers on YouTube, and how their days were. So I would hope that a future blogger happens to stumble on this post and gain some insight.
During the week, I am a teacher and if I do post during the week now, it is a miracle lol. Monday-Friday seems to be an organized mess and my main focus is my 9-5 and not the blog. I may come across some picture ideas or blog post topics during the week, but I save those ideas for the weekend.
First things first, do not force the content. If you are not passionate about what you are going to post or took some serious time planning, then you need to step back for a few days and meditate on it. I say this because I had made a schedule before I went back to work that I will post every Tuesday and Thursday and there were plenty of times where I got writer's block because I did not know what to post. I felt obligated to post a blog because of the days that I told myself I would post. Don't do it!!!!
My weekends are usually planned for the most part (laundry, clean the apartment, cook breakfast etc) Here is a break down of a day in the life of a lifestyle blogger
Saturday 10/17/2020
6:30-7:30am: Woke up, washed my face, brushed my teeth(showered around 12am), open living room blinds & curtains
7:30-8:15am: Got dressed for the day. Picked out an outfit for pictures later. Prayed and meditated
8:15am-9:40am: Cleaned out my car. Got Gas. Did an oil change
10:00-11:15am: Went to the library to return a book. Went to 2 dollar trees for some leaves for a project I'm doing with my class on Monday.
11:15-11:25am: Dunkin Donut Run... (I need my daily coffee dose lol)
11:25-11:55am: Cooked breakfast for the fam and we all ate (waffles, eggs, bacon & sausage)
11:55am-12:55pm: Watched an episode of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix
12:55-2:00pm: Changed clothes and took some pics for the blog in my living room
2:00pm-3:00pm: Wrote, edited, and posted my blog. Promoted my blog post on IG, Facebook, and Pinterest.
3:00pm- Spent the rest of the day with the fam bam
It may seem like an easy day but I also have 2 kids and a husband so in between all of that, I may have paused and tended to their needs. We have to make it work.
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| As you can see she loves to bother me when I am working. |
Also another thing I want to mention is that you DO NOT need a lot of equipment starting off. I started off with just my phone and laptop. I now have a selfie stick with remote(lifesaver) and my husband invested in me and got me a ring light. Those will help you along with some photo apps and you will be good to go.
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| BEHIND THE SCENES LOL |
Thank you for reading!
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Hey y'all it has definitely been a minute. I had set a goal of uploading 2 blog posts each week. I wanted to post earlier this week, but my mental health is way more important. I laid in bed and watched Girlfriends on Netflix okaaaaay lol. But on the real though, I've been focusing on getting back on track spiritually and spending quiet time with God has been amazing. A couple of months ago I started reading plans on the Bible app on my phone and have been journaling what I read. On the Bible app under plans, you can choose daily devotions based on what you are going through or want some clarity on. It can range from depression, anxiety, marriage, parenthood, gossip, jealousy, stress, anger, and the list goes on.
Since starting my blog and connecting with other bloggers, I became more comfortable with putting myself out there (a little bit) just to get my feet wet. I'm a pretty much private person but I know with blogging, people will want to know Elizabeth. I am still a work in progress. I have made some awesome connections and received a lot of positive feedback and constructive criticism from some well known bloggers and a few with a following. Sadly, about a month or so ago, I have been feeling a little unmotivated with my blogs even though I still posted and got great traffic...I guess its a mental thing. I noticed I was going on Instagram and started comparing my page to others and comparing my blog content to others and wondered what am I doing wrong to not get the following or sponsored. I battled with that feeling for a while and it really placed me in a negative funk. I had to really lay it all on the table and ask God to help me remove that negative spirit from my mind and focus on me.
I try to promote positivity in everything I do. But we are humans and sometimes our emotions get the best of us. Believe it or not, I made some connections via social media and have actually supported a few of them too. I'm the type of person that wants to see everyone make moves because I actually use that as inspiration for my moves if that makes sense. But the problem with that is if you are not in a good mental space then your happiness for people at times can be invalid. Last week, I decided to mute a few people that I follow on Instagram not because I am jealous or anything but because I do not want to look at their content and start comparing what they are doing to what "I feel" I am not.
Along with muting some folks, I checked the Bible app for a devotion on "Comparison" and I found one. It was a 7 day devotional plan. This plan was so informative and it helped me look at comparison in a different light. From reading and reflecting on this plan in my journal, it taught me so much about myself as an individual and the the people that I follow. I want to tell you what I learned without giving away the devotional plan in case you all want to read and study it. Day 5 stated the very thing I found myself comparing to or wishing that I had, was purposely placed in front of me so God can show me he wants to put that into my life. BUT, I have to put the work in. It can be me putting in longer night hours and early mornings working on my blog, consistent promoting, investing money into my blog, connecting with more people, attending workshops etc. I know I can do more and learn more on blogging but I have my regular teaching job, taking care of home, and being a mom and wife. Basically, I felt real convicted after Day 5 because it made me really take a step back and think... I am still going to keep a few of the people muted as I work on some other projects that I have up my sleeve and will unmute them when I'm ready. I must say the devotional was right because I am more motivated than ever. I even created a teacher IG page and plan on growing that as well. Go ahead and download the Bible app on your phone or check out the website https://www.bible.com
Have you ever dealt with jealousy or comparison? What did you do to overcome it?
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
Social Media has taken over. People are using their creativity to promote their businesses and/or websites. Blogging has also been on the top of the list especially this year. I have been blogging on and off for many years but I did not tell anyone. I finally took it serious in May of this year and promoted it. I have been loving the positive feedback from my readers and the connections I have made with other bloggers. Blogging to me is like a digital journal or diary. Whatever I feel, I write down. It's very therapeutic and also helps me with my creative side. I classify myself as a "Lifestyle Blogger" there is not one specific Niche. I write about everything that my readers and I go through in our everyday lives. I write about parenting, marriage, finances, education, fitness, reflections, and the list goes on. I feel like a lifestyle blog suits me and what I want to put out there. Yes, It looks easy to just take a picture and write, but there is a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure everything looks up to par. I am still a beginner blogger, so I am not an expert. I am still learning as I go. Although I do have a "7 to 3" as a teacher, I am becoming more focused on MY BRAND. There is definitely no shame to saying that. The consistency of making sure to post a few times every week and finding relatable topics is hard but yet rewarding. Although I am not monetized YET. I know I will be soon.
PROS AND CONS OF BEING A BLOGGER
Pros: I can express myself through my writing
Cons: It is time consuming to create the right look and to type a good post.
Pros: I can eventually do sponsored posts and get paid
Cons: ADSENSE takes forever to approve my page... it is also hard work to get traffic
TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS
2) You do not need to purchase an expensive camera and all of that other technology. As a beginner, just use your phone's camera and download some photo apps(thank me later).
3) Use Instagram and Pinterest to your advantage. Promote your blog HEAVY
4) If you are blogging for quick money right away, Good luck. The only way you can see bucks overnight is if your post goes viral.
5) The best tip of all is to enjoy writing and taking pictures. Think about your readers and how you can be an inspiration to someone.
WHAT I USE FOR MY BLOGS
Iphone11 (for pictures)
After light App ( Lighting purposes)
Mini Tripod with remote ( you will be your own photographer at some point)
MacBook Air (love it)
Instagram and Pinterest account to promote blog
If you are thinking about starting a blog, Don't think about it....CREATE ONE :)
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
1) Transportation
I am grateful for having more than one vehicle in our household. Car maintenance can sometimes be expensive and can be hard if that one car is in the shop.
2) Shelter & Food
I am grateful for a place for my family and myself to lay our heads every night. I am blessed to have food in the fridge without struggling.
3) 3 Day Weekend
If you are a teacher or work in the education field, then you know how IMPORTANT 3 day weekends are. I was able to get all the household chores done and spend some quality time with my family.
I hope you all find a few things each day/week that you are grateful for...
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
There comes a certain point in your life where you start to look at things from a different perspective and start to reflect on situations that could've been or shouldn't have been. When I turned 30 a few years ago, I started to look at things differently and felt like I needed to make some changes quickly. I broke it down to 5 tips I would give my younger self.
5) EVERYONE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!!
I had sooooo many friends when I was younger. I would always want to be with my friends and not worry about anything else. My parents always told me having a lot of friends is not good. We never want to believe our parents until we get older. Majority of those "friends" I had are no longer around. I literally have a handful of people I call a friend right now and they have a purpose in my life. If your friends don't inspire you to do good or hold you accountable for things, then they are not your friend. Being around someone that is always gossiping about other people and making fun of them is not some one you should have in your element.
4) STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!!!
There are so many opportunities out there. It's a shame that we all get so accustomed to our habits and environment, that we are afraid to step out of our comfort zone and take that leap of faith and try something new. Staying closed-minded and sheltered will not help you elevate to the next season in your life.
3) DO NOT DEPEND ON ONE JOB... ALWAYS HAVE OPTIONS!!!
I'm not saying to always quit a job. I'm saying that things can happen. Let it be the company going bankrupt, not enough money to pay all employees, relocation etc. You always have to be 2 steps ahead in case anything happens. For example, a lot of big stores and mom and pop shops ended up closing down due to the pandemic. Nobody seen it coming. It's wise to have multiple sources.
2) HAVE A SAVINGS AND AN EMERGENCY FUND ACCOUNT!!!!
We definitely can't predict any issues that may occur in the near future. It is smart to always have money in both a savings and an emergency fund and to not touch it. It is a life saver.
1) CREDIT CREDIT CREDIT!!!!
Bad credit is no joke and I would never want to go back to that again. I got my first credit card at 18 and lets just say I was stupid smh. If you are going to get a credit card make sure you do your research and PAY your bill on time. Always pay more than the minimum payment amount. Believe it or not, good to excellent credit can get you better deals money wise on cars, home mortgages, credit cards and it can even land you certain jobs. Poor -Fair credit will be hard to get things on credit and if you're lucky to get anything on credit, it will most likely be a high down payment etc.
There are other things that I would tell my younger self, but I feel like these were the ones I should have been focused on at a particular point in my life. What would you tell your younger self? Let me know.
Later Love Bugs,
Elizabeth Jacas
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