Recent Empties-February 2024

It’s been quite a while since I rounded up the products I have used up recently. Many of these are tried and true products and others are things I tried for the first time. 

Big Sexy Hair spray & play hairspray Amber Glow and Bergamot scent-This is my go to hairspray and first time trying this scent. I really like it a lot. The scent is not strong but helps the usual chemical scent of hairspray. I will definitely buy this again.  

Amika dry shampoo-This is one of my favorite dry shampoo options and on the safe list.  

Lancôme HCF triple serum-I got this product to try from Influenster. It is pretty pricey, but it does last for a very long time. I think it was good for my skin, but I don’t know that I will buy it again. 

First Aid Beauty face cleanser-I don’t typically love a cream based cleanser. I was happy to use this from FabFitFun, and I was also happy to return to more of a gel cleanser when it was gone. 

Elemis pro collagen cream-I loved this product. It smells so good and was so nice on my face at night. I also got it in a FabFitFun box. It is something I want to buy again. 

Colour Pop setting powder-I bought this on a whim when my tried and true was completely gone. It has a better price point. It feels like a case of you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a lower price point, this is a fine option. I did not purchase this again. 

Tarte SEA concealer-Tarte makes a great concealer. This is much lighter weight than shape tape and I really liked that. 

Mary Kay lash lengthening mascara-I always go to this mascara for my top layer. It sets everything in place. 

L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara-I kept hearing a lot about this drugstore mascara and decided to give it a try. It is good. It makes my lashes look great. It does transfer just a bit. 

Milk mascara-This was another FabFitFfun box item. This mascara was really dry, but it is possible I waited too long to use it. 

Clinique eyelash primer-I love the sleek tube. I noticed this primer didn’t see to prevent mascara transfer like most do. 

Tarte lights camera lashes mascara-This mascara is great because it is everything all in one. It makes my lashes look great and it is a product I purchase again and again. 

That’s all for now.  Have you recently emptied anything?

How to Profit from Your Blog

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I started blogging years ago when everyone started the family blogs. Eventually I got the opportunity to monetize some of my content. Things continue to ebb a flow with the monetary part of blogging. 

It can be a challenge to turn a profit with your blog, but money can come rolling in once you nail it. It is best not to rely on one method, and fortunately, there are a few you can use straight away. From placing affiliate links to connecting to ad services, here are a few of the best ones.

Offer Relevant Products

Everything on a blog should be relevant to the target niche. There is no point placing posts about lacy underwear on a model train-building blog. Customers just won't engage, and you would never be able to sell products they aren't interested in. For example, a programming blog could benefit from selling white-label products such as independent software vendors merchant services. Offering products you make or partner with can bring in some extra money. 

Include Affiliate Links

One of the most common ways to make money from a blog is with affiliate links. This is a genuine method that can be lucrative, but it relies on traffic. The more people that engage with a blog post, the higher the chances of a purchase. However, any affiliate links must also be relevant. For instance, you can place links to CD Keys video games within video game review posts. From each purchase via your link, you will earn a small commission from that sale.

Profit with Your Blog Sponsored Posts

Sponsored posts are a better way to make money as a freelancer as you are paid directly and don't need to rely on links and leads. If you are serious about blogging and put some time and effort into it, you can make between $500 and $2,000 per month. Methods like sponsored posts will contribute significantly to your income. Sponsored posts include product assessments, reviews, and placed content offered by third-party blogger outreach SEO services.

Connect to Ad Services

Ads make the world go around, and the web is no different. Ad revenue can be very lucrative as you get paid for views and clicks without the need for a purchase. Because of this, ad revenue is based more on website traffic, so it helps to learn how to increase this. Ad services such as Google Ads are very easy to set up and connect directly to your blog. Traffic, ad views, and clicks are monitored, and this is a very easy way to make passive income without lifting a finger.

Bring in More Traffic

The more people that come to your site, the higher the chances of making money. Higher traffic means sponsored post advertisers will want to reach out. And other methods like affiliate links and ads are more likely to make money. The best methods of increasing traffic are to create more relevant content, learn about search engine optimization (SEO), and place pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Of course, the latter will cost you some money but can be very powerful.

Summary

Leading customers to relevant products based on content is an effective way to make a profit with your blog. Sponsored posts and ads are excellent, too, but all rely mostly on web traffic.

*collaborative post

Dealing with Grief

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Grief, unfortunately, is a common human emotion, one we experience after loss or disconnect. The past several years have been full of grief for me and many others I know. There is slight comfort in recognizing that grief almost always signifies how much someone meant to us, and there would be no grief if we didn’t have an appreciation, connection, or love for the person we now miss. In that respect, every moment of grief is a testament to the authentic connection you shared.

However, to put it lightly, grief is rather inconvenient. Sure, it’s a natural human emotion and one that benefits our health as it helps us process and truly express our saddest emotions, which is entirely natural and necessary during the hardships of life. But sometimes, it can get in the way of our wellbeing, our plans, and our sense of productivity.

Now, taking a break from work when you can or negotiating time off with your employer on compassionate grounds is not only healthy, it’s wise. But what if you need to work? Perhaps you’re already trying to make do with reduced clients from your home business, or you’d prefer to be active and focused than sit around all day feeling awful? Well, consider a couple of tips to achieve a healthy outcome:

Admit You Are Human

You may still work while you’re grieving, but allow yourself a little more time to recover each day. Spend your lunchtimes going for a walk in the park and eating a packed lunch where you can, spend time grabbing tea or coffee with a friend, or simply reduce your workload a little. If you need to, take a day here or there. You don’t have to become a lean, mean productivity machine at a time when you’re trying to be a human being as well. Remember that you might not be your sharpest, most capable self right now, so treating your work as if you were getting over an intensive illness or injury (which is what grief can feel like from an emotional perspective), will help you work a little more gently.

Reschedule & Postpone

It’s fine is you’d prefer to be a little more solo-oriented in your work the week or two after your difficult experience. That might involve rescheduling meetings or postponing when you need to. This will not only help you focus with a little more diligence than you would, but it helps you plan your day with open periods when you need it, such as searching for death date scrolls or plaques for grave markers, planning the funeral, or connecting with family and friends more readily. Your clients or colleagues will no doubt understand.

Work Remote

Talking to your boss or choosing not to go into your co-working space for a little while can help you focus on the future a little more readiy. Working remote not only feels good, it can give you the breath of fresh air you need to keep productive from top to bottom. That way, if you start feeling a little off, you can set your hours more flexibly and then move forward still making a little progress here and there.

Grief doesn’t get better with time, but it changes with time. These steps definitely don’t take it away but rather help as you move through grief. I have found that it comes and goes in waves and it is good to revisit ideas to help support when those waves hit the hardest. 

*collaborative post