There’s SO much content flying at you on a daily basis. (Thanks to Instagram, Instastory, Snapchat, Facebook, Facebook Groups, Pinterest, and newsletters). I’m testing a new monthly round-up of my favorite things as my way of keeping everything I share throughout the month in one place — and easy for you to find.
Plus, with my current blog calendar, I don’t always have time to write about ALL the things I’d like to, so this will be a quick easy way to share more with you!
Thinking of adding the new Grey’s spin-off Station 19 to my list. Have you watched this yet??
This month I’ve been reading a book called Blue Ocean Shift, which focuses on how leaders in different industries made the shift from “red oceans” (where there’s lots of competition — aka bloody waters) to “blue oceans” (a new market space — aka clear waters). The book teaches you how to focus less on competition in your industry and build yourself in a way that competition is irrelevant. Basically, you make yourself so different that competition isn’t even an issue. REALLY interesting stuff!
For fun, I’ve been reading Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer (which just came to theaters in February). It’s the first book in the trilogy. Area X has been cut off from the rest of the continent for decades. The first groups of explorers had weird things happen to them like mass suicides, murders, cancer, etc. The new group is made up of four women: an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist and a biologist. Their mission is to map the terrain, record all observations and basically avoid being contaminated by Area X itself.
Music:
Not gonna lie, I’ve listened to A LOT of Drake.
I’ve also been going through a 90s boy band phase. I’ve spent lots of days jammin’ to Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 Degrees, OTown and Savage Garden. #noshame
Podcasts:
Conspiracy Theories with Molly Brandenburg and Carter Roy has become my newest obsession!
Each week, they share the really complicated history behind some of the biggest possible cover-ups in history like the death of Princess Diana, Area 51 and Chemtrails. They throw out what we know, plus all the theories.
It can be a little cheesy at parts, but overall they are REALLY good storytellers, which I can appreciate.
We had unlimited sushi at Sushi Masa for our Half Birthdays!
We also made our own homemade crawfish sushi! See the recipe here.
And we couldn’t miss out on Curbside Burger’s PADDY’S PATTY — Corned Beef Seasoned Burger on Marble Rye with Whiskey Onions, Kraut, Irish Cheddar + Garlic Mayo. They never disappoint, and their patio is amazing this time of year.
In other news… what I HAVE NOT Eaten: boiled crawfish! What is wrong with me!?
Jordan Hefler
I’ve followed Jordan for a while now, but I finally got to meet her in person this month! She’s a local Baton Rouge photographer with the BRIGHTEST / MOST FUN photos! If you’re into music, lots of color and just being an all-around-badass, then give here a follow!
She also offers online workshops, including mastering iPhone photography and learning how to create an authentic personal brand!
Jenna Kutcher
I listen to Jenna Kutcher’s podcast on a weekly basis, but I just added her on Instagram — just in time for one of her posts to go viral! The post was picked by major media and news outlets after she shared a photo of her and her husband in their swimsuits.
But it was the caption that got everyone’s attention. A follower had body-shamed her saying they couldn’t believe she had managed to land a guy as good looking as her husband. (#rude)
Jenna regularly posts about her personal body image, embracing all her curves and every pound through her photos and captions. She often shares photos in swimsuits and underwear being proud of her body. If you’re looking for someone who sends positive vibes on a daily basis, then she’s your girl! You can follow her here.
Amber Smith
Amber is a local TV news anchor on NBC 33, who’s recently moved to Baton Rouge from Missouri. Not only does she give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the stories she’s working on, but it’s fun to watch this Missouri transplant adjust to her new Louisiana lifestyle!
She attended our last Happy Hour Club meet-up at The Bulldog but I already knew who she was because I had been stalking her on Instagram haha — give her a follow here!
Favorite New-to-Me E-Newsletter:
I just discovered The Skimm! It’s a daily email newsletter that gives you the biggest news at the moment broken down in really easy bits to digest and understand. It even gives you background info on bigger world issues so you can easily catch up and follow along with. Their target is female millennials who are busy, so I HIGHLY suggest this if you like to keep up with the news, but you feel like it’s REALLY hard to do so. You can subscribe to their newsletter here.
Best Links:
I’m really intrigued by this monthly budgeting post from Cupcakes & Cashmere.
Local blogger & gal pal Emily Dixon turned 31 this month and shared a giant list 30 things everyone should know before they’re 30.
The EveryGirl shared easy ways to keep your house clean. (Still working on most of these lol)
This lawyer went from making mega bucks to following her dream of opening a pie shop! And it’s so inspiring!!
This school bus turned office is serious #officegoals!
Have fears of incorporating bright colors into your wardrobe? Color Me Courtney styled this bright yellow skirt TWELVE ways!
Finally, a little #girlpower! These things wouldn’t exist without women!
Enrolling in Marie Forleo’s B School
I’m in the middle of an 8-week “B-School” course by Marie Forleo. I started in early March and will graduate in May!
My focus throughout the course has been launching my NEW social media services/digital marketing website for local small business owners.
Basically, B-School an online course for small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them focus on their products and profits, website, communication, list-building, marketing and ALL THE THINGS. I’ve straight up worshiped Marie Forleo for YEARS and have held off on taking this course for YEARS, so I’m glad I’m FINALLY doing it.
I’ve learned so much — and we’re only half way done! It’s gotten me SO far out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to CALL potential clients, make REALLY tough decisions on services and pricing, and ACT on things I would normally procrastinate on forever!
I’ll keep you posted, and hopefully you’ll be able to see my finished products/website by May!
Celebrating Half Birthdays
Conrad and I both celebrate our Half Birthdays in March! I’m all about celebrating the little things, so Half Birthdays are NOT taken lightly around here.
Conrad surprised me with flowers and wine on my Half Birthday (March 20), then for his (March 24), we had HALF a chocolate cake… and more wine!
Then, we ate all-you-can-eat sushi before agreeing to never eat that much ever again.
PR’ing in the Rock N Roll Half Marathon
I ran my second half marathon this month and Pr’d by 2 minutes! Conrad and I both ran the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans, which was my first race ever in Nola. I enjoyed the route down St. Charles, through the French Quarter and then ending in City Park! Didn’t get bored with the route at all!
Being Nominated for Best Local Blogger!
Thanks to YOU guys I was nominated for Best Blogger in the Best of 225 Awards! The final voting ends April 3, so you can cast your vote here!
If you nominated me/other businesses, you’ve still gotta go cast your vote for final voting. AND be careful at the end, it’s a two-part submission! I almost didn’t cast my own vote!
Being Featured in DIG Magazine
Dig Magazine interviewed me for their March issue! We chatted about how I began blogging, my favorite Louisiana trends, my favorite local boutiques and businesses, and LOTS more! You can read the full article here!
If you follow me on Instastory, then you saw how I had a weird headache/droopy eye/dizzy situation happening for a couple weeks this month. I went to the doctor and was treated for a migraine and vertigo. We’re still not exactly sure what was wrong with me — I’m hoping it’s just pollen season!
My Spring Break officially starts TODAY! I’m headed home to West Monroe for Easter weekend!
I’ve got a BIG Quarter 2 planning session scheduled for this weekend. I’m excited to map everything out and ready to announce some upcoming events!
I’m looking forward to MORE sunshine in general and just being outside more. Live After 5 starts this weekend and we have The Baton Rouge Blues Festival in just a few more weeks. I LOVE this time of year!
I’ll be participating in an Alice’s Table event at Blend downtown on April 12! This is a floral arrangement class that pops up all over — and this one will have wine and apps included! You can grab your seat here.
Our annual Spring Style Brunch is happening at Kalurah Street Grill on Sunday, April 22! This is always held at The Pelican House, so we relocated this year, but I’m SO excited for the new venue!
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Now, it’s YOUR turn! Tell me about your month. What did you read? What did you eat? What did you listen to? What were your highlights??
Emily
I love this concept! I was thinking of doing something similar, but you nailed it with these posts. Great idea!