How I Keep My Blog Organized

Hey y'all!  Today I'm going to share some of my organizational tips with you.  I didn't write any of this out in advance, so I'm kinda drafting this as I go.  So, please excuse any ADD moments in this post. I'll sort of be walking you through the process of how a blog post (of mine) goes from start to finish, but I'll be jumping all over.

There's no set rules on how to blog.  You can be as organized or dis-organized as you want to be.  If you want to blog, do it how YOU want to do it.  Not how someone else says you have/need to.  This is just how I do it and what I've found to help me stay on top of everything and be organized while doing so.

These are just a few of the things that help me do just that.  I have several SD cards for my camera's, in fact this is just a smaller sized spare one that I have.  I used to keep my pictures on my desktop until I got a bad virus and lost EVERYTHING.  Since then, I've started keeping everything on flash(thumb) drives.  One is dedicated to everything nail polish while the other is for everything else.  I'm actually looking into getting an external hard drive because one of these drives is about full.  Both of these items, flash drives & SD cards can always be found easily online or in stores.  I always look for a deal online or during Black Friday deals.  In fact, I usually tend to stock up around the BF holiday shopping.

Having something external gives me the flexibility to do things on my desktop & move over to my laptop if/when needed without having to transfer everything.  It also makes it easy for those times when I've already edited the pics and just need to type the posts, but I have swatches to get done.  I can just take the drive into the office, plug it into the desktop, and swatch while I'm working on the blog.

I'm always dragging this notebook back & forth from the office to the living room.  I use this to take notes while doing swatches or testing products out.  I used to just use random sheets of paper just to note how many coats & polish names, but I was constantly losing where I put those at.  With this notebook I don't have to worry.  I make a note of the brand & collection name, then list each shade, amount of coats used, and any color/application notes for each one.  If it's a nail art design, I just list each shade used & kinda give it a nickname.

Then when I edit the pictures I have information I need so that I can name each file while saving & I mark each one with a + sign as I go.  That way, I can have everything in reach when I go to add the info to my spreadsheet and type up the blog posts.  Once I'm done, I just cross everything out so that I know it's completed.

I used to make notes with a pen, but I noticed it would sorta bleed through and I couldn't always see on the other side when I'd use my pencil to make marks for each coat of polish I applied.  Plus, using a pencil makes it easier to erase things if needed.  I have them everywhere now and even bought an electric sharpener for myself and the kiddo to use.

Once everything is completed with the actual post I'll either leave it as a draft or go ahead and schedule the post.  Because I'm a thrifty person, I make my own "calendar".  This is actually one I found online for free, and downloaded.  I had some extra plastic portfolio/folders with the 2 pockets & fasteners from purchasing school supplies.  Once the calendar was printed I just punched holes to insert it into the fasteners & use paper clips to separate the previous months from current/future.  Having the pockets helps me keep track of any info that companies might have sent with their products.

Having this in front to look at, rather than just my posts info on Blogger, helps me know when I have empty days to get posts done for.  Because I can schedule everything pretty much in advance, I can move things around if I need to because I write in post titles with a pencil.  This is about as "ahead of the game" as I've been in a while.  I'm trying to get ahead enough that I can take breaks from doing stuff if I feel like it without feeling bad for not having any content to post.  At one point last year I didn't have to actually do anything for about 2 months because I had everything done way in advance and it felt great.

The smallest notebook is something I use to keep up with my stats.  It's not something I actually focus too much on, but I think it feels nice to know what works.


There are also a few things that aren't pictured that I use to help once the post is completed.

• IFTTT - This is a HUGE lifesaver.  While you can do SO much with this one site I do the following: Blog posts automatically post to Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr, Anything I post on Instagram automatically posts to Twitter, anything I post in Instagram with #TrailerHoodChic automatically posts to my FB page, and anything I post on my FB page posts to Twitter.  
• Photofy - While there's a TON of photography app's out there, this is the one I'm currently using.  I have the free version and like the options to add to/edit posts.  It also helps resize my swatch photo's for me to post onto instagram without cropping half of everything out of the shot.  
• Latergramme - This is another HUGE lifesaver.  I can use this app to schedule instagram posts in advance.  Then I don't forget to share things.  I just go ahead and set everything up & when the time comes it alerts me.  I just click on the alert and it loads Instagram with everything I've already typed in.  

That's about all I can think of for now.  Any questions?  How do you stay organized?

April Favorites

Hey y'all!  Today's post is a little different from the normal "favorites" posts.  I don't think I've ever done an actual fav's either.  This is all about my favorite BLOG posts from the past month. 

I've been totally obsessed with the China Glaze Electric Nights collection and had to do multiple posts.....

The Creams

The Glitters

The Gradient

Got the chance to meet some wonderful local nail polish addicts for lunch & shopping....

AtlNailMeet

This entire LifeTherapy collection smells amazing and makes me feel like I'm near the ocean.

View post HERE

My Top 14 Nail Art Posts of 2014

Hey y'all!  I wish I had this posted sooner, but yanno how being in a funk is.  Today I have some of my favorite nail art posts from last year. 

These are in no particular order and the link to each is below the picture.

Leopard Heart Grunge

Naturel Strokes

Bright Hair Gradient

Red Velvet Mary Janes & Tights

Blue & Orange Marble Chevron

 True Blood - One Last Bite

Prabal Gurung Spring 2014

Pink Gradient Dots

Retro Stripes

Blue & White Ombre/Gradient

Purple & Black Prom Nails

Red & Black Flannel

Nike Flyknit Inspired

Tribute To My Dad

Seeing these now makes me want to go do some of these again.  I also forgot a few, but then it wouldn't have been my favorite 14.  

Which one is your favorite??

My Most Recent Fav's

This is going to be a LONG blog.  I could title this my fav's of 2010, but as I've previously blogged I've not really been so obsessed with make-up in the past several years.  I'd only use Bare Escentuals & NOTHING else.  I had found something I LOVED and stuck with it.  The downfall to that is I missed out on a LOT.  Several months ago, I decided to stop using the same stuff over & over again and to use make-up to make me look as beautiful as I feel.  Also, it's fun to play around with.  Since I'm not working it's not easy to buy the big name brand stuff that I was previously in LOVE with, but I can get a few of them and a TON of the inexpensive stuff which I've rediscovered.

Vaseline - I did a blog recently about the reason I'm totally in LOVE with this product.  I have a small jar for when I visit family & a HUGE one that I keep next to my bed.  I think my feet love me for it.

Wet N Wild Color Icon palette in Night Elf - I won all 4 palettes from a YouTube vlogger and I've only used the Night Elf one so far.  I've not used the eyeliner with it yet.  The colors are WONDERFUL.  I use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil & eyeshadow primer underneath.  Luckily I found 2 more of the Night Elf at a Walgreens on my way back from TN and bought BOTH of them.  That's how much I LOVE IT!! You can  click here  to see what I'm talking about & why I <3 it.  Not to mention the fact my main toon on WoW is a night elf.

E.L.F. eyeshadow primer - A few years ago, I started using Urban Decay Primer Potion(UDPP).  I have extremely oily eyelids and my BE eyeshadows just were NOT staying on long without creasing.  The BE primer, IMO, just didn't work well.  I absolutely LOVE the UDPP's (I have 2 diff shades), but really can't afford to use it all up nor do I want to use it all up on my inexpensive eyeshadows.  ENTER the E.L.F. primer
I'm told that the $1 works just as well.......but I absolutely <3 this.  I've only used it with my E.L.F. and WnW eyeshadows (so far), not my higher end stuff.  To me, this works just as well as the UDPP's and for $1 or $3, is a LOT less.

E.L.F. nail polish - They don't have a HUGE color selection, but I do love what I've purchased from them.  And for only $1, the only other polishes I've seen that are any cheaper are the NYC ones at like $0.94. (I have several of them, but have not used them yet).  I'm kinda rebuilding my polish collection since it's cheaper for me to do my own nails and easier too since well......I have my own real nails and not fake ones.  The polishes last a few weeks, but because I do so much with my hands as a SAHM, it doesn't last as long as it would if I had acrylic on my nails.  The colors that ELF doesn't have, I've found(for the most part) with NYC($0.94) or Pure Ice($2.00) - both purchased at Wal-Mart.   

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser - I'm totally in LOVE with this.  I use this with my Clarisonic.  The Eucalyptus feels so great on my face.  I haven't noticed the lavender.  I happened to just grab this on a whim & I'm so glad I did.  I've had far less breakouts.  

 

Result of using this product.

Got 2 Be/Schwarzkopf Smooth Operator Smoothing Lustre Lotion - I heard of this from ForeverYours0727 on YouTube, she raved about it so I decided to try it.  One night I showered, washed my hair, and put this on afterwards.  I pulled my hair back into a bun so I could let it dry as I slept and just straighten it in the morning.  I was SUPER impressed.  I put NOTHING ELSE on it and it was so smooth.  I will definitely buy this again.  

Garnier Sleek 7 Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk - Another one from ForeverYours0727.  I like using this every day....though I'm not at the moment.  I'm trying to use up the old products I have so that I'm not tossing anything away half full.  This works wonders as well.  

Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Shampoo/Conditioner - This line is supposed to compare to Aveda.  I've never used Aveda, but I'm absolutely in LOVE with this.  I saw some YouTube reviews about it and the guru's raved.  With having colored & naturally curly hair, my ends get dry & for some reason lately my roots get really oily.  When I was working, I used Ojon and I absolutely LOVE that, as did my hair.  I tried Tresemme(sp?) and it weighed my hair down, though I have no issues with their styling products.  So to get that yucky feeling out of my hair I use the Aussie Cleanse & Mend then use this the rest of the time.  About once a week I use the Aussie 3 minute miracle & once a month or so I use the Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment.  Back to the Suave.....I found this in a 2 pack for like $3.84 at Target & this week they have it for $3, so I'm planning to get more this weekend.  Yesterday while at Wal-Mart, I smelled the Rosemary & Mint which is for cleansing and the Aloe Vera & Ginseng which is for volume.  Unfortunately, I can't remember which of the two of those I liked better as far as the smell goes, BUT this Almond & Shea Butter smells AWESOME.  I will buy something for the smell before I buy it for the intended purpose.  Ok, I'll stop rambling about this product, this blog is long enough as is.  

Caress Glowing Touch body wash - OMG, I'm totally in love with this.  For the longest time I had to use unscented soaps because anything else makes me break out.  Then, I found I could use Philosophy body washes.  I received a sample of the Vanilla Cupcake from Sephora a few years ago & started using it with no problems.  So, this past March, I'm down at my brothers house and I try this.  It's less than $4, doesn't make me break out, AND smells good......I was sold.  The Daily Silk (peach) one smells wonderful too.  I am so addicted to this that when I get about halfway through a bottle, I go ahead & buy another one so I won't run out.  

Revlon ColorStay Foundation in #150 Buff for Combo/Oily Skin - Another product I purchased from a YouTube review.  I wanted to try the Maybelline Dream Mousse, but after one use of this, I'm SOLD.  I used nothing but Bare Escentuals mineral foundation for YEARS because it wasn't cakey, was very forgiving (meaning no make-up lines and I could switch between shades) so on & so forth.  Don't get me wrong, I still love my BE foundation, but some times I just need/want a little more coverage and this does it.  I could go just a shade darker with this, but I'm fine with this shade for now.  This only has SPF6 where my BE has SPF15, but that's ok.......I really protect my skin.  

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Lotion Hydrating - This I can not live without now.  I did a blog a while back about eye makeup removers & talked about this & why I loved it over the other 2 I have.  You can see that review here.

 E.L.F.  Studio Cream Eyeliner - Yes, another ELF product.  I have this in 4 colors.  Black, Midnight, Purple, and Metallic Olive(pictured above).  The only shade I've not tried yet is the Midnight.  I really LOVE the metallic olive, and the purple.....of course the standard black too.  I was tired of the BE eyeliner shadows disappearing & have found very few eyeliner pencils that I like.  I wanted to try another brand's cream eyeliner, but didn't want to pay the price.  At $3 each, these are a steal.  Another product I will definitely buy again.  I think I want the Copper & Gunmetal shades now.  

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil in Plum -  Yes, another eyeliner.  I happened to find this at Dollar Tree.  I may go back to get more, because the color isn't showing as available on L'Oreal's website.  I got it to try because I've heard that purple brings out blue eyes and well I wanted to try something other than the normal brown or black.  Using this made me try the ELF cream eyeliner I purchased in purple too and OMG, I'm so happy I did.  This was one of my many beauty items in my stocking this year & I'll do a blog later on what all was in my stocking.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - Another item I picked up because of a YouTube review.......are you seeing a trend here?  I bought these on Black Friday and they were out of the Milk.  I've learned that if you wear these alone, you have to use just a little & kinda blend it out or it creases very badly even with primer.  I've mostly been using these as a base under my eyeshadow, but over my primer.  It kinda makes the color's pop.  I think they're about $4-$5 each.  And I've only seen them at Ulta or a few places online.  

E.L.F.  High Definition Powder - This is from their Studio Line and runs about $6.00.  I can't remember what high end lines this is supposed to compare to, but OMG am I happy I found this.  I'd used the BE Mineral Veil for years, but still had a problem with oily shine.  I dislike having to reapply ANYTHING, and usually don't.  WELL, with this there's no need to.  It is very messy once you open it if it gets flipped over, but you can just clean up the mess with a brush.  This is so silky and doesn't make you look like a ghost which is what you'd expect from a white powder.  

E.L.F. Eyelash Curler - Who would expect to love an eyelash curler for just $1???  NOT ME.  I never really used them because in the past they did nothing but hurt me.  I saw a YouTube review on this & the guru said she liked this better than her Shu Uemura curler (that one runs about $19 on their website).  I figured if I don't like it, I only wasted a dollar rather than twenty.  I am not disappointed.  I have found that my lashes look much better when curled except when I use my Falsies mascara (I'll blog about that later too in my Stocking blog.)

EOS Lip Balm - I have this in 2 flavors/scents, Summer Fruit and Honeysuckle Honeydew.  I think out of the two I like the Summer Fruit one better.  They do have other flavor's which you can find here.  I've seen them at a few stores, but if you click on the "where to buy" link at the top of that page it'll show you where you can get it near you.  I've tried millions upon millions of different lip products with crappy results.  Either they didn't work to keep my lips soft or they were just extremely greasy feeling.  This actually works and doesn't feel like I just ate a piece of deep fried chicken without wiping my mouth off.  


I'm sure I missed a few products that I'm obsessed over at the moment, but I can always post those later.  I think I've rambled enough.  


TOODLES Y'ALL!!!