Over the last year Instagram Stories have become one of my absolute favorite ways to share content online. I love getting creative with mine (especially when I travel) and I’m always looking for new apps and tools that allow me to add something special and different to my photos and videos.

Let’s face it. The Instagram algorithm absolutely sucks. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to grow a following and engagement is down across the board. This is why it’s so important to utilize and leverage stories to promote your content and develop a connection with your audience.

I got great feedback in the fall when I wrote this post explaining how I was customizing the text in my stories. Since then I’ve continued using some of the same tactics, but I’ve also tested and experimented with a bunch of new graphic design apps and text overlay editors. I’m always getting asked “How did you do that???” so I put together this follow up guide including (in my opinion) the best apps for customizing Instagram Stories.

So are you ready to take your stories to the next level? Keep on reading!

The Best Apps For Customizing Instagram Stories

FONT CANDY

In the last six months Font Candy has become my favorite and most-used app for customizing photos for Instagram Stories. It’s way more than just a tool that let’s you add text to your pictures. There are helpful crop presets so you can ensure your final creation is the correct dimensions for the platform you plan on posting to (Instagram Stories is 9:16 or 1080px by 1920px.) There are also hundreds of fun fonts and cool artwork to play with and add to your photo.

What sets Font Candy apart from other text apps is that it allows users to import their own fonts and artwork. So if you’re like me and use Instagram to promote your blog or business, having the ability to maintain branding across platforms is key.

Recognize the graphics that I use to promote new blog posts or a shopping find? I customized those in Font Candy! All I did was create a few different simple background templates in Photoshop (which I imported to my iPhone) to easily re-use and save with new text and imagery.

ADOBE SPARK

Adobe Spark is the latest app I’ve added to my creative arsenal and from what I can tell it goes far beyond simple text overlay editors. This graphic design app allows users to animate wording and add effects to photos turning them videos.

Adobe Spark also includes helpful features like suggested color palettes (pulled from all the shades in your photo), resizing tools (so you get the right crop dimensions) and layout options for creating collages. The only downside I can find is that you can’t upload your own fonts. I’d probably use Adobe Spark much more often if this was possible!

TYPORAMA

If you’re looking for an app that let’s you quickly add attention-grabbing text to photos then check out Typorama. Users can choose from multiple layouts of styled text. Typorama also includes advanced cropping tools, a fun selection of filters and the ability to upload your own branded watermark.

Using Typorama you can crop images to the appropriate dimensions for Instagram Stories, add creative text, filters and overlays, along with your own branded watermark (you create and upload this yourself– I made mine in Photoshop!)

DIPTIC

Interested in creating collages or slideshows? Then consider checking out Diptic. There are a ton of customizable layouts where you can adjust the border color and frame. Diptic allows allows users to add text to creations. Additional features are available with small in-app purchases like the option to change the aspect ratio of your collage. If you’re using Diptic for Instagram Stories you’ll need to do this so you can save your file as 9:16.

IN SHOT

In Shot is a great mobile editing app for video clips. It’s easy to use and has many of the same features you’ll find in a text editing app for photos like Font Candy or Adobe Spark. In Shot lets users easily string clips together, add the speed and customize them with text, music, artwork. filters and voiceovers. It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a way to edit videos on your phone versus an advanced desktop program like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro.

HYPE TYPE

Hype Type is a fun no-fuss app for adding animated text over video clips and boomerangs. You can’t customize the fonts and colors as much as In Shot, but it’s easy to use and will definitely grab the attention of your followers. You can even add music over a video and crop your clip to the dimensions of your choosing.

When using Hype Type make sure your clip is between 5 seconds long and shorter than 15 seconds. If you want to add multiple sections of animated text, just continually save your file and reopen it to add a new layer. 

Do you like using Instagram Stories? What apps do you use to create yours? If there’s one I missed or that you think I should check out I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

PS! If you’re looking for more info on adding custom text to your stories make sure to check out this post here: How To Add Custom Fonts To Your Instagram Story

The post The Best Apps For Customizing Instagram Stories appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

How did you change the font in your Instagram Story?

I can’t tell you how often I’ve been asked this question over the last few weeks! Instead of continuing to reply to everyone individually over DMs, I thought it would be helpful to create a guide breaking down just how to add custom fonts to your Instagram story. It’s really fun and easy! PS you can follow me on Instagram @KatiesBliss.

Today so many influencers and brands are using stories to connect with their followers and I absolutely love getting creative with mine. Whether I’m sharing a photo of a meal, a video clip from an event or announcing that a new blog post has just gone live– there are so many ways you can customize your content beyond Instagram’s built-in text editor or drawing with the pen tool. Want to know how? Here a few of my favorite techniques. Want to know my favorite apps?

MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT MY GUIDE TO THE BEST APPS FOR CUSTOMIZING INSTAGRAM STORIES HERE.

Before I begin: I can assure you that no, you aren’t missing some hidden feature or tool in Instagram that allows you to do this. Believe me, I’ve done my research. I create all of my customized photos and videos in separate apps that I then save and upload to my story. The work I do in the Instagram platform itself is very minimal.

How To Add Custom Fonts To Your Instagram Story

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TYPORAMA

The app that I utilize the most is Typorama. This text overlay editor allows you to add customized working to still images. It’s incredibly easy to use and there are a ton of creative font designs to play around with. One of the best features is that there are multiple crop options to ensure you have the correct dimensions for the platform that you plan on posting to. The text also automatically will align itself with a tap and resize with the drag of a finger.

Using Typorama you can crop images to the appropriate dimensions for Instagram Stories, add creative text, filters and overlays, along with your own branded watermark (you create and upload this yourself– I made mine in Photoshop!)

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FONT CANDY

When I have more time on my hands I like to use Font Candy. It’s a similar app to Typorama, however the tools are more advanced. There are options to add artwork and shapes to your images, plus you can upload your own fonts into the editor. All the added customizations are so tempting that I could probably spend close to an hour on just one photo, so for the sake of efficiency I only use this when there’s something I really want to do that I can’t in Typorama.

Font Candy has a few additional tools that are great for creating really special Instagram Story graphics. These include the ability to add artwork and shapes (you can even upload your own) and lots of tools for customizing text and fonts. What’s great with this app is that you can continue to add multiple layers of text boxes and shapes without having to save the photo and reopen the saved version like in Typorama.

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PHOTOSHOP

Everything you can do in Typorama and Font Candy can also be done in good ole’ Photoshop. Since I edit all of my blog images in Lightroom sometimes it’s easier to just create graphics for Instagram Story right on my laptop.

The editing options in Photoshop are endless. You can start from scratch by creating a new file or crop your own photo to fit the Instagram Story dimensions (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.) I made this one really quickly as an example– all I did was style my wording in two different text boxes. Then underneath I added a white rectangle and adjusted the opacity so you could still see the original photo. Voilà!

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HYPE TYPE

Hype Type is my go-to app for adding text over videos and boomerangs. Like Typorama, it’s easy to use and there are multiple font options, animations and text colors to choose from. You can even add music over a video and crop your clip to a 1 x 1 square or Instagram Story.

Hype is a breeze to use. Just make sure that whatever clip you’re working with is at least 5 seconds long and shorter than 15 seconds. If you want to add multiple sections of animated text, just continually save your file and reopen it to add a new layer. 

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ADOBE PREMIERE

Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro can be used to create custom videos for Instagram Story too. All you have to do is set your presets to the correct dimensions (1080 pixels width x 1920 pixels height or a 9:16 aspect ratio) and string together your clips so the final export is no longer than 15 seconds.

So did I cover everything? I’m sure there are ton of apps out there that I haven’t even discovered yet, so if you have a recommendation or one that you love definitely shout it my way! And if you haven’t yet, make sure you’re following along on Instagram for more and leave any questions in the comment box below. Happy creating, everyone!

PS! Don’t forget to check out my guide to best apps for customizing photos and videos for Instagram Stories here. 

The post How To Add Custom Fonts To Your Instagram Story appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Attending Nick’s sister Kelsey’s college graduation over the weekend brought back so many memories of my last days as a student. I honestly can’t believe it’s been five entire years since I put on my cap and gown and was handed my diploma. I was 21-years-old when I graduated and left school feeling so unsure of where life was going to take me.

Despite furiously applying and interviewing I hadn’t yet secured a job (luckily my first offer came by the end of the summer!) and didn’t even know if moving to New York was feasible. I was incredibly sad to leave my circle of friends and the thought of managing my own finances was beyond intimidating. While I had begun easing away from relying on my family throughout those four years, graduating was the moment where it all came to a head and I realized that what happens next was completely up to me.

Cold Shoulder Top | Skinny Jeans | Tory Burch Bag | Wedge Sandals | Aviators | David Yurman Bracelets | Gold Watch

I’m not going to sugar coat it and act like life is smooth sailing once you get that degree. Like I mentioned in Monday’s post, my first year post-grad was tough. There were many stressful moments where I desperately wished I was still in school and hadn’t moved to New York, however looking back I came out of them a much stronger person. The ways in which we decide to handle difficult experiences is what shapes us the most.

Observing Kelsey and her friends over the weekend reminded me so much of myself. The excitement for the future, but also the anxiety of not knowing exactly what was to come. I got me thinking. What are some things I wish I would’ve known when I graduated college? Here’s what now comes to mind…

10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Graduated College

It’s okay to not have an exact plan. Despite countless internships and a ton of networking, I didn’t have a job offer when I graduated. Society makes you think that you’ve failed if you haven’t secured a full time job or you aren’t immediately heading off to graduate school following graduation. Newsflash: it’s OKAY. Most of your peers probably don’t either and this economy isn’t easy. It’s also very hard to interview if you aren’t physically based in the city where you plan to live after school. With the stress of graduation and final exams behind you it’s much easier to focus on getting an offer. Plus you never want to rush into a job or accept something just because you feel pressured by timing. Wanna know how to stand out on a job application? Then read this post!

Making your own money is way better than spending your parents. While it’s wonderful having someone else pay for your housing and meal plan, it’s so much more rewarding being able to do it for yourself. Just think of the feeling of accomplishment you’ll have when you finally cut the cord from your parents bank account. Being fully responsible for your finances really forces you to grow up and hold yourself accountable. It also will give you that extra motivation to excel at work and get promoted.

There’s nothing wrong with taking time to travel or save money by living at home. I wish I had known this because within three months of graduating I had plunked down of all my savings on a broker fee and first month’s rent for my West Village apartment. While I did had to move to New York for work (commuting would’ve been way too far) I don’t think I needed to move away from home as quickly as I did. I was definitely one of those people guilty of judging my friends and peers who decided to permanently move back in with their parents. Funny enough they ended up having the last laugh because they were able to save so much money not having to pay rent while also working. Another good reminder: once you start a job you are at the mercy of your allocated vacation days. If you have the means to travel, doing it after graduation is the perfect time. As you get older your responsibilities are only going to increase so maybe think twice before delaying that backpacking trip.

You don’t need to stay at your first job forever. It’s okay to not like your first job or realize it may not be the best fit for you. The only way you’ll ever know if you’re on the right path is if you actually take steps on different ones. Don’t beat yourself up, but also don’t make any impulsive decisions (aka quitting after one week.) Be professional and give it 100%. If it still doesn’t feel right, then you can look into other opportunities. Another reason why you shouldn’t stay at your first job too long is salary. Sometimes the only way to make a big step up pay-wise is by leaving for a new role.

You’re not a failure if you still have to intern after graduating. Sometimes summer programs or part time semester internship stints aren’t enough for a company to really get to know you and feel confident in hiring you as salaried employee. Full time entry level jobs are very competitive. Don’t think just because have a bachelor’s degree that you’re automatically deserving of a salary and benefits. When you’re applying for jobs, apply to internships too. Taking an internship after graduation isn’t a failure. It shows hustle and that you’re willing to work unpaid or at an hourly rate to get an offer. Also please don’t go to graduate school just to delay having to get a “real” job. I repeat: do not go to graduate school just to delay having to get a job. A sh*t ton of added student debt is not worth putting off a 9-5 for a few more years. I blogged about all my tips for landing your dream internship here. 

College doesn’t prepare you for the workforce. Don’t freak out, but it doesn’t. College classes are great for honing your writing skills, learning time management, practicing critical thinking and working in groups etc. but honestly it’s impossible to learn what a job entails without actually doing it. That’s why internships are so important. In all of my entry-level job interviews the hiring managers were only concerned about my professional experience. Though remember every industry is different– while the public relations world didn’t care about my media writing classes or GPA, for example finance jobs will definitely want to know you graduated in good academic standing. Just do your research and tailor your resume to each role or industry where you’re applying.

There are no safe spaces once you enter the workforce. When you begin working no one is going to come to your rescue. If you have a rough night, you can’t just call out sick the next day and make up the work by copying someone’s notes. If your manager chews you out for making a mistake, a call crying to your mom isn’t going to help your situation. You have a coworker you don’t like it? Too bad. You can’t just switch classes to get away from a person like in school. I think colleges that coddle and make students feel “special” are doing them a disservice. Beginning my career was a big wake up call because I discovered that no one I worked with gave a f*ck about my feelings. You need to realize that you were hired to get work done– that’s it. Maybe it’s a New York thing but I found that being easily offended and triggered by the small stuff are not traits you want to bring into the workplace.

Cold Shoulder Top | Kendra Scott Tassel Earrings | Aviators | David Yurman Bracelets | Gold Watch

Don’t expect to have the active social life you had in school. College is a unique time in life where most people can party like there’s no tomorrow and still end up passing class. While it’s easy to fake being awake in a lecture hall, not so much at work. At a job you need to show results. Giving the same bare minimum of effort you did when writing that B- term paper most likely won’t cut it. Also get ready because your body is going to change. It’s mind boggling what I was able to eat and drink and still be about to wake up fine for an 8AM class. Fast forward five years later I feel like total crap the next morning if I drink more than two glasses of wine the night before.

You can change your career path. I talked all about this in my post about Why I Quit My Job. I took me a while to get over the feeling of failure when I realized that public relations may not be for me. It’s OKAY. There’s nothing wrong with deciding to take a new path. You’re the one that has to live your life and don’t feel like you wasted your education or college years if you decide to pursue a different route after graduation. You learn so much more in college beyond what is in your textbooks and oftentimes many skills are translatable across industries. It’s all just how about how spin your experience and tailor your resume.

The best days are yet to come. Everyone likes to hype up college as the best four years of your life. I believed it for a little while, but if the last five years have taught me anything it’s that the independence and career growth you can experience in post-grad life beats college any day. There’s only so much joy that you can get out of partying with friends and having a lazy schedule with minimal responsibility. I personally have found life is so much more rewarding when you are working towards goals and reaching personal and professional milestones. Being completely in control of your own life and not at the mercy of professors or your parents is also a very liberating feeling. No one can tell you what to do and you can make your own happiness. Of course you can look back on the amazing moments you had in school, but constantly wishing for the old times and thinking about the past isn’t going to help you move forward. Once you embrace that you are officially a graduate and your school days are over, it’s much easier to tackle grown up life like a boss.

The post 10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Graduated College appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Earlier this month I revealed in a long overdue personal update that I had resigned from my full time public relations job last spring. It took me a really long time to work up the courage to share my news publicly. I wasn’t sure how people would react to my decision and was truly surprised by the overwhelming positive feedback. It was incredibly comforting to know many of you had been through similar situations and that I wasn’t alone. It made writing today’s post a little less scary. THANK YOU!

For those not familiar with my career journey here’s some background… Shortly after graduating in August 2012 I moved to New York where I landed a public relations assistant job at a respected luxury fashion and beauty PR agency. At the time I remember feeling overwhelming anxiety about not being able to find a job so when I got the offer I honestly felt like I’d hit the jackpot.

Fast forward four years– I’d moved on from my first two jobs, been promoted and had taken on more senior responsibility at my latest role. On the surface it looked like everything was going as planned– and it was! I feel very blessed to have had positive experiences at all of my jobs. The public relations industry is cutthroat and if you aren’t proactive it’s very easy to get lost in the shuffle, never find a mentor or receive a deserved promotion. I’m lucky enough to have navigated the ladder and worked alongside some incredibly smart and talented publicists– many of whom I still keep in touch with and call close friends. Looking back I wouldn’t have made any different decisions.

So why did you quit your job?

For the first time since beginning my career I began dreading going to the office everyday. Even at my first job as an assistant I never had this feeling. No matter how mind-numbing or anxiety-inducing the work, I still found motivation knowing everything I did contributed to a greater goal. Those first few years I remember feeling elated when I’d complete a tough project in half the amount of time given or after getting glowing praise on a PR plan I had drafted. During those times I thought, wow I love my job. Looking back I wonder if I just loved the validation of knowing I was good at what I did, and not the actual work itself. Fast-forward to January 2016 and everything had shifted.

While I was making advances in my career, I didn’t feel fulfilled. Pitching and securing a major print story for a client in a top womens’ magazine (something I used to dream about accomplishing) didn’t even make me feel proud. I no longer enjoyed what I was doing and still felt empty even after getting positive feedback. I found myself stressing more and more about real life issues like the quality and cost of my health insurance, my biological clock, the long office hours and travel required of a publicist and my 401k. I saw my boyfriend and many of my friends making dramatic leaps and finding happiness in their careers, while also enjoying life outside the office. It was becoming increasingly clear that my chosen career didn’t necessarily align with my longterm personal goals.

I was crushed when it finally hit me that just being a great publicist wasn’t enough to keep me motivated. I would lay awake at night playing scenarios in my head and wondering if those crucial first few years of my career had been a complete waste. The entire situation made me feel ill– mentally and physically. I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t sleep. Everything I was dealing with at my job combined with the other crappy things that happened in early 2016, culminated in me feeling like a total failure.

Did you try looking for another job? 

Yep! In March I started networking and putting out feelers to all my friends at other agencies and recruiters I’d worked with in the past. I knew this time around I had to be very strategic because the last thing I wanted was to land in another situation where I was unhappy. I ended up interviewing for a handful of promising roles where I would’ve been working on global beauty brands.

Out of them all, I decided to pursue only one at a larger reputable PR agency. The job checked all my boxes, but after three rounds of in-person interviews I just couldn’t see myself going through with it. I had a gut feeling it was a huge mistake. My heart wasn’t in it.

Another blogger quitting their full time job to blog? How original. 

April is when I began to finally consider the most obvious solution– work for myself full time. To be honest, if it wasn’t for blogging I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through those first few months last year. It was the only thing that made me happy and could distract me from stressing about work. I had to wake up very early to keep up with my blog (I’m talking 5AM or earlier) because being productive after a 10 hour day at my PR job was basically impossible. I was always coming home in a negative head space (or tears– that happened more than a few times.) The hours of 5AM-9AM were the best part of my day.

But even though I LOVED working on my site and for months I had been earning more on Katie’s Bliss then I was at my “real job” — it was still very hard for me to consider resigning. There’s a stigma with bloggers that the moment one achieves a little success, they just up and quit their job leaving their planned career behind. Being labeled with that stereotype caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. I had gone to college, graduated with a bachelor’s degree and was working at a reputable company– I was really going to quit to work on my website?

But you still did it? 

Yes, I did and I unapologetically haven’t looked back. The last nine months of my life have honestly been some of (if not) the best of my life. The second I gave my notice I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I had been fighting my feelings for so long– not letting myself give in to that fact that the career path I’d set for myself as a college student wasn’t what I wanted anymore.

I’ve come to realize all of the judgement I imagined was really just self-imposed. Guys, I was the only one holding myself back. With the encouragement of everyone in my life, (and I mean literally everyone– Nick, my entire family, coworkers and friends) I finally made a decision that was in the best interest of my happiness and health– the one that had been staring at me in the face for months. I’m thrilled that I can now say I finally feel like I’m living my truth.

Considering taking a leap of faith?

While I would never encourage anyone to quit a job impulsively (obviously we all have bills and responsibilities ) — I wanted to share some positive motivation for any of you who may be feeling stuck in a rut or disillusioned by your career path. Life begins when you leave your comfort zone and sometimes all you need is a little push to give you the confidence to take a leap of faith. Remember: you are capable of so much more than you think.

The post Why I Quit My Public Relations Job appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

I never thought I would enjoy working out of my home as much as I do. Reflecting back on when I graduated college and my first year in the workforce, I never could’ve done it successfully — I didn’t have the self-discipline! I think that I’ve matured professionally over the past four years (or maybe it’s just my apartment — who knew natural light could be so motivating?), because the days when I get to be my own boss are my absolute favorite.

It’s taken me a few years to really master how to wisely use my time and stick to a routine. In an office environment Ithrive on my coworkers’ energy and the feeling of being in a professional setting. At home it’s much easier to become your own worst enemy and get distracted by personal tasks. I never thought I could be so tempted to clean… I swear, sometimes I have to stop myself! 

In today’s post, I’m excited to team up with the Paper & Packaging Board to share my tips for working from home and how I like to use paper products to maximize my productivity. There really is something to be said for putting to pen to paper – I wouldn’t survive without my lists, planner and monthly calendar!  Anyone else feel the same way? Keep on reading for more!

10 TIPS TO MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY WHEN WORKING FROM HOME

Create Separate, Daily To-Do Lists. This is by far the tactic that aids me most when working from home. Every morning I put pen to paper and create two lists – one for work and one for life. In the work column, I write out all the assignments I need to finish, the specific emails that require a thoughtful response and the times of any conference calls and meetings. Then in my life column I include all my household tasks and personal obligations (i.e. pick up groceries, call my Grandma). I’ll even add something as small as making the bed to my list because if I don’t write it down, it will completely slip my mind. I get the best rush every time I can highlight something I’ve completed off of my list.

Maintain a Paper Planner. I love seeing my commitments visually written out in My Simplified Planner because I can include extra notes and color code with pens. Since I can’t always carry my planner with me, I also the times of meetings, events, fitness classes, plans with friends and all my travel to my iPhone.

Use a Large Printed Monthly Calendar. As a blogger, I maintain an editorial calendar where I schedule and plan out my blog posts. Having a printed monthly calendar where showing all four weeks of planned content has helped immensely. I have a bad habit of biting off more than I can chew, so seeing my calendar in front of me helps me set deadlines and maintain a realistic workload. I love this printed wall calendar I personalized for myself.!

Get Personalized Stationery, Business Cards and Thank You Notes. You guys know I’m a big proponent of sending handwritten notes and thank you cards, which is why I love having personalized stationery. If you don’t work for yourself or your company doesn’t provide business cards, you can inexpensively design your own. You never know who you are going to meet at an alumni networking event or in line at the coffee shop, so it’s worth having something to hand them that lists your email, cell and online portfolio (or blog). I designed all my own stationery and business cards. 

Have a Dedicated Work Space. While I wish I could say I have my own home office, for now our kitchen table has become my dedicated space. I love my desk and vanity, but it was too small of a space. At our table I can really spread out my work, including my calendar, notebooks and to-do lists.

Always Get Dressed. It’s crazy how much more productive I am at home when I get dressed as opposed to staying in my pajamas. I just feel better about myself when I’m ‘put together’ and it gives me more motivation to get things done.

Get Out at Least Once During The Day. I always try and schedule at least one meeting or event every afternoon to get myself out of my apartment on days when I work from home. I’ll slot in a midday Pilates class, take a break to go to the grocery store or run another errand. My energy level always dips after lunch and getting outside gives me a second wind when I return back to work. 

Save Tough Work for When You’re Most Productive. It took me a few years post-college to really grasp how to maximize my own productivity. I finally realized I’m a morning person and get my best work done before noon every day. Now I try and crank out all of my writing and projects that require the most thought first thing and save my ‘easier’ obligations for the afternoon when my motivation starts to decrease.

Surround Yourself & Focus On Things That Inspire You. No matter if you run your own business or work for a company, it’s important to identify who and what brings you the most joy and inspiration. It took me a few years to really develop a great core group of friends who work in PR, but also blog too. Spending time with them every week is a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. I also get a lot of joy from color, which is why you always see me wearing brights and why I decorated my apartment the way I did. I keep a notebook that I always carry with me where I write down little quotes or things I notice that inspires me.

Tidy Your Workspace Every Night Before Bed. Every evening I always like to clean up our living room and put away any clutter that accumulated throughout the day. It makes a world of difference waking up to an organized space!

How are do you stay organized and remain productive when working from home? What are your favorite places to shop for cute paper products?

Have You Seen These Posts?
5 Tips to Get Organized For Fall
10 Everyday Life Hacks to Save Time & Money
5 Easy & Inexpensive Home Décor Hacks

Big thank you to The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds campaign for sponsoring this post!

The post 10 Tips To Maximize Productivity When Working From Home appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

It’s crazy to think that this time about three years ago I was beginning my career in New York. Leading up to graduation I was so anxious about getting a full time job. I began applying for positions and setting up informational interviews the spring of my senior year and landed my first freelance fashion PR role at the end of the summer. While I was fortunate enough to begin my career relatively soon after graduating, the reality is that doesn’t happen for most recent grads.

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success after hanging up your cap and gown? Interning! I wrote an article for Glitter Guide detailing my top 6 tips for landing your dream internship (and once you get it, how to turn it into a full-time gig!).

Start looking and applying sooner rather than later.
Internships aren’t just for college seniors—you can actually start interning as early as high school! Many recent grads who have already received full-time job offers have done multiple internships, not just one. Be aware of application deadlines (some companies begin accepting applicants for summer internships as early as January). Build your resume by getting involved in relevant campus or community activities. And remember: Just because a company doesn’t publicly advertise internships doesn’t mean it won’t need or hire interns!

Build a resume that accurately and impressively reflects your experience and skills.
Your resume is likely the first thing a hiring manager will see, so it should reflect your experience and skills in the best way possible. List past jobs, on-campus activities and relevant coursework. If you have a GPA above 3.5, say so! Even the simplest of experiences and job duties can be described in an eloquent way. (When you worked at J.Crew, did you manage the sorting and merchandising of new inventory? Consider mentioning it!)

Be resourceful when networking, and use social media to your advantage.
Top internship programs can receive hundreds or even thousands of applications. One of the best ways to stand out from the pack is to get in touch with actual employees. Does your aunt’s neighbor’s daughter work at a company you’re interested in? Get her contact information and reach out. Browse social media sites and LinkedIn to find out where fellow alumni now work. Use Google and social media sites to try to find people’s email addresses, which are often combinations of their first/last names and their company’s name. (Tip: In Gmail, enter a hypothetical email address in a new email window, hit enter and then place your curser over the email address. If a Google+ account pops up, it’s often easy to determine if that email address really does belong to the contact you’ve been trying to track down.) Also, don’t overlook Twitter or Facebook! I once set up an informational interview with an editor at Teen Vogue through just a tweet.

Do your research.
Leave no stone unturned while applying. Uniquely adjust every cover letter and email you send out to align with each company and position. Make things personal! Did one company’s hiring manager attend your college? Mention it! Did the PR agency you’re hoping to intern for recently win a big industry award? Note how impressed you were by the campaign the agency executed. When you land an interview, make sure you read up on everything you can about the company—and about the person who’ll be interviewing you.

Don’t underestimate informational interviews.
The best way to get your foot in the door for any internship or job is by setting up informational interviews. An informational interview entails meeting with someone whose job and/or employer interests you. You might ask him or her about the company, what kind of work he or she does, what kind of advice he or she may have for someone like you. These kinds of interviews allow you to make personal connections with contacts (who may later let you know when a future position becomes available, or put you in touch with relevant colleagues).

Try to turn that internship into a full-time job!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all internships ended with a full-time job offer? Unfortunately, this won’t always happen—but that doesn’t mean you can’t set yourself up for long-term success. Interning full time is a great way to maximize face time with supervisors and become familiar with day-to-day tasks at the office. No matter how uninteresting a project may be, show enthusiasm. Arrive on time (or even early!) and be proactive. Always carry a pad and a pen for taking notes. When you ask a question, try to have a potential solution prepared to share—this shows strategic thinking.

There you have it! While I have many tips for getting an internship and how to stand out when applying for a job, these are my absolute top six. I personally have employed them all when I was applying for internships and can attest that they do work. Don’t get me wrong, I was turned down plenty of times for internships I wanted – it happens to everyone. The important thing is to not get discouraged by rejection and have confidence in yourself!

Are you interested in seeing more career and advice articles on Katie’s Bliss? Let me know in the comments!

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It’s been a little over two years since I graduated from college, and wow, the time has flown! Living in New York City has been challenging, but for all the negative experiences there have been just as many positives – making it totally worth it! I’ve been doing a little self reflection lately and I just wanted to share a few things I’ve learned since I received that diploma and started my first job.

1. It’s important to be selective. Over the past year I’ve realized the importance of selectivity. Not only in my time but also in my relationships, career, finances, and blog – the list goes on. I feel like with my generation [Millennials] we’re constantly pushing ourselves to do more and we have this awful inability to say ‘no’ to things. Whether it’s a coffee date with an acquaintance, a new pair of shoes, a company wanting to sponsor a post on your blog, even a job offer – it’s important to know when it’s the right time to say ‘yes’. I’ve learned that I don’t have to take every opportunity that comes my way and saying ‘no’ isn’t being mean or ungrateful – it’s being responsible.

2. Sometimes you have to let it go! Looking back on my school years it’s almost comical to me some of the reasons why I held grudges against certain people. During my first two years of ‘real life’ [as I like to call it] I’ve experienced a few very stressful situations that really put life into perspective for me. Situations that have made me realize just how unimportant and frivolous the reasons were/are behind many of the grudges I held and still hold. Life is short and holding grudges is exhausting. I don’t want to waste my energy waiting for apologies or hoping that people will change. I’m am going to try my best to just accept people for who they are and give more second chances.

3. The importance of family. It’s really hard seeing my parents and grandparents get older. I’ve definitely had a few sob sessions over the past year when I’ve thought about the fact they aren’t always going to be around. It’s sad, but it’s reality. As I continue to grow older I want to cherish the time I have with my family and appreciate the precious moments I still get to have with them.

4. The value of my physical AND mental health. Both are important and I think it’s tough for a lot of young working women to find a balance when it comes to maintaining both. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’ve totally fallen off the wagon with working out. I was going to SoulCycle and barre classes for a while but I just got busy and stopped signing up It’s true that you feel better when you work out – not just physically but mentally!

5. College really doesn’t prepare you for the workplace. I mean, it’s true. In my opinion the only value of college is the experience – not the educational aspect. Everything I learned knowledge-wise came from my internships, not the classroom. But of course if it wasn’t for the fact I was enrolled in a 4-year program I would have never been offered those internships in the first place.

6. Millennials are spoiled. Over the past two years I’ve realized that my generation is incredibly spoiled. I’m not referring to material objects or things – I’m saying we’re “emotionally spoiled.” Growing up our parents constantly told us we were special and important. Anytime I had an issue my family was always there to talk and if I had a problem with a friend or a teacher – I was normally right in the conflict. I’m not just talking about myself, I’ve seen it with friends and other people my age too. The reality is we really are just not that important. In the workplace not everyone is going to care about your problems and it’s up to you to fix them. No one is just going to hand you a job offer because your mom told you deserve it. If you got rained on walking to work and you had a fight with your boyfriend, no is going to coddle you and tell you you’re special and it’s going to be okay (but that’s awesome if you have someone who will).

 7. Don’t forget to have a life! It’s really easy to get caught up in the day-to-day once you start a job. You get so into your routine and all you’re thinking about is how great it’s going to feel plopping down on the couch to watch the Real Housewives once you get home. This has definitely been an accurate description of me at times, as I’m sure it has for many of you! That being said, it’s important to put work and your real life responsibilities to the side and HAVE FUN! Whether it’s having a girls’ night with your friends and going to a dive bar or actually using your vacation time to travel – taking time for YOU is important. Life will pass you by if you don’t make the time to experience it.

Well that’s it for now, but I’m sure I’ll think of more – will have to do a follow up post soon! Let me know what you think in the comments belowwww ! Any life lessons for me you want to share? xo

The post What I’ve Learned Since Graduating College (So Far) appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

I immediately cracked up when I read this post on my friend Krista’s blog yesterday – it all stems from this article here unveiling the truth behind many of the beautful, almost artful, photos that crowd my Instagram feed on a daily basis. I’m definitely guilty of sharing only the most flattering parts of my life on Instagram. I mean, who really wants to see a photo of my seamless takeout order, a makeup-less selfie because I was rushing to get to work or my New York street on trash day (aka everyday). I’m embarrassed to admit it but I am guilty of staging an Instagram and Nick scolds almost every time we’re out to eat for taking photos of our food before he can get a bite. Those poor blogger boyfriends right?

Alright so here it goes… the truth behind 6 of my latest Instagrams!

1. Bedroom Shot

What I’m Trying to Portray
My perfectly decorated bedroom of course! Not only is my bed made but my throw pillows are expertly styled. Any day you walk in my apartment it looks like this!

What’s Actually Going On
Let’s be real, we never make our bed. Ain’t nobody got time for that! You also can’t see that the end of our bed touches the wall – gotta love New York City living! #FML #cantwaittomove

2. View From Above Shot

What I’m Trying to Portray
Not only is my outfit cute today, but this is how I look everyday on my walk to work! My comfy walking flats always match my outfit and my first meal of the day is a chia seed fruit smoothie that I drink out of a cute mason jar tumbler.

What’s Actually Going On
It took me over 20 tries to get this picture to look right. Bend to the side, bend to the back – somehow I can NEVER get these photos to look normal. Also I typically will wear yucky flip flops to walk to work. The only reason I’m wearing these espadrilles is to cover my ratchet chipped pedicure. There was also a homeless guy sleeping underneath a sheet two feet away on the ground. Of course I didn’t realize until after I’d been standing there snapping for two minutes.

3. Favorite Beauty Products

What I’m Trying to Portray
The cosmetics I’ve been using on a daily basis gorgeously sitting around my apartment.

What’s Actually Going On
This was so staged. Who actually just leaves their makeup sitting out like this? No one. I styled this on our storage bench out in our living room and as soon as I was done I put all the makeup away. I wasn’t lying though about the mani – as you can see my nails do not look ratchet and those Jouer shadows are really as long-lasting as they say!

4. Couples Selfie

What I’m Trying to Portray
I just casually snapped this selfie with my sweet boyfriend during a day of touring Washington D.C. We are having the best time and he was as excited about taking this photo as me!

What’s Actually Going On
Getting Nick to take a selfie is worse than pulling teeth. There’s almost ALWAYS a struggle and after one photo the boy is done and will actually run away from me to avoid taking another. Ashamed to admit it, but a few of our arguments have stemmed from a selfie. Here we were sweaty, dying of heat and had missed our scheduled tour of the capitol. I tried to stop another tourist to take a cute picture of us but Nick was being so pissy and would only agree to this one selfie. I take what I can.

5. Junk Food Shot

What I’m Trying to Portray
Delicious burgers, fries and shakes that my boyfriend and I ate on our Saturday night date! I was wearing skinny jeans of course.

What’s Actually Going On
We did indeed eat the above Shake Shack but almost immediately after we finished eating I got THE WORST stomach ache. We had spent the afternoon Citi biking and were about a 15 minute ride from home. I knew I wasn’t going to make it so I had to divert our date to the Eataly bathroom while Nick sat outside waiting for me. So embarrassing. I need to stop eating so much Shake Shack and carry Pepto Bismol with me at all times. #TMI

6. Bikini Shot

What I’m Trying to Portray
Look at my hottttt bod chilling at the pool.

What’s Actually Going On
Again, this was one of those shots that took 50 tries to get right. Nick wanted to drown me in the pool when we were done. Of course the photo had to be cropped right below the booty to hide my vericose veins (thanks Mom) and my nonexistent thigh gap. I will give myself credit for the perfectly round bun though. Why can’t it always look like that??

Haha so what did you guys think? Hope you don’t think I’m too phony… we’re all guilty right? I’m tagging Southern Curls & Pearls, Life with Emily, Corals & Cognacs, College Prepster, Bows & Sequins, Poor Little It Girl, Just Dandy, Skirt the Rules, The Right Shoes, Sequins & Things, Lauren Nelson, Caviar Taste and any of YOU who got an unnaturally gorgeous Instagram feed to spill your secrets – let me know below!

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Happy Friday friends! Today I wanted to share some tips for how I stay on top of my blog while also working a full time job. It isn’t always easy – and I’m definitely not perfect, but these are a few things I think every part time blogger should keep in the back of their minds when it comes to blogging. I love Katie’s Bliss and hope to continue my site for years to come…while also working a day job

Surround yourself with people that support and understand what you do

Whether it’s your boyfriend, family or bff – it’s important to have an encouraging support system if you’re managing two careers. I know for a fact my blog/YouTube channel wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Nick. He takes all my photos on weekends and evenings – basically whenever him and I have free time, which unfortunately we don’t have too much of. I’ve had a few stressful moments where I’ve felt like I couldn’t handle blogging on top of my full time job but he and my family are very supportive and are always there to build me up on days when I feel down or overwhelmed.

Set boundaries

It’s really important to me that my blog and my day job don’t mix. I know everyone’s different but when I’m at work – I’m at work. I won’t ever even bring up my blog with my coworkers – though they will sometimes and I’m fine with that since they’re so supportive  I love my site and I’m proud of it, but I don’t want it to define me – especially at the workplace. It always surprises me when I’m chatting with other bloggers and they’re like, o yeah I blog at work all the time, don’t you? That’s something I’d never do – I wouldn’t have the time! And even if I did have the time it wouldn’t feel right. I like keeping the two separated – much simpler. But to each his own!

Utilize Hootsuite and other scheduling tools

Guys Hootsuite is my Godsend! Since I’m clearly at work during the day I obviously can’t be on Twitter and Facebook doing all my own live updates. Every morning before I leave for work I preschedule all my tweets and Facebook updates using Hootsuite. I also will schedule all my posts and videos using the different presets on WordPress and YouTube. Scheduling ahead of time makes everything about being a part time blogger so much easier.

Keep in mind your priorities

For me, my day job is always going to come first before my blog. My blog is a top priority, but on busy weeks when I have a lot going on at work I have no qualms about cutting back on my posts or not taking the time to schedule my social media updates. It always stinks when I can’t fit in time for my blog but it’s my reality and I’m cool with it.

There are also just those times where I’d rather my spend my entire weekend laying around on the couch and not work on editing my photos or answering my blog emails. I used to feel guilty, or even lazy, when I would take time for myself but I’ve come to realize there is nothing wrong with that. If you’re managing a blog and a full time job it’s important to have ‘me’ time. Cut yourself some slack – you are managing two jobs after all!

Don’t compare yourself to full time bloggers

I cannot stress this enough – if you blog part time, do not compare yourself to people who blog for a career! It will be your downfall! I struggled with this a little bit when I first moved to New York. I’d be at work and scroll down my Instagram feed and feel little tinges of disappointment every time I saw a full time blogger working on a collaboration or meeting with a brand. You just gotta remember the 10 hours a day you’re at your office, full time bloggers are devoting that time solely towards their sites. Can you image what you could do with all that time? I’d probably be killing it too if I could put the energy I put into my job into my blog – but that’s not what I want, and probably not what you want either! Just try your best not to compare yourself to others – it’s such a confidence killer!

Set goals

If you don’t have the time to be thinking and strategizing about your blog all day then make a point to set some long term goals for yourself. Now these don’t have to be huge goals – make them reasonable. It’s definitely a cheerful moment for me any time I meet a goal when it comes to my blog, no matter how big or small. Make yourself a list of what you want to accomplish and make a point to start checking them off!

It’s also important to not beat yourself up if you don’t meet a goal as soon as you’d like. Give yourself a break and remind yourself that blogging isn’t your full time job. Focus more on the goals you have met and give yourself a pat on the back for completing them in the first place

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Now this is one thing I’ve definitely improved on over the last year. When I first moved to New York I was so excited when brands first started reaching out to me and I started getting invites to events – it was the coolest feeling! Coming from college in North Carolina I had never attended a fashion show and I had never met another blogger like myself so it was amazing that I was now being included in this world that I had only seen on the Internet and on TV. However I began to get overwhelmed really fast. I felt obligated to go to every press preview I was invited to and couldn’t ever say ‘No’ to another blogger reaching out to me for brunch or coffee. On top of that traveling around the city is expensive. I don’t have the extra funds to frivolously spend on cabs to go to an event for a brand that I really could care less about/doesn’t translate to my blog. I now make it a point to only attend events for brands I genuinely care about and make time for close friends/blogger pals that mean something to me. I get two days per week off and I try to spend them wisely.

This is also important when it comes to collaborations. It stinks but sometimes you just have to say no to opportunities – I’ve had to. When I’m doing a collaboration or working with a brand, it’s more important to product quality content and devote my time to that one company- rather than take on multiple projects at one time and potentially risk not being able to fulfill the commitment. Trust me, brands will appreciate the professionalism!

Stay organized

It’s vital to stay organized if you blog part time – something I definitely struggle with. I’m awful at keeping track of my receipts and expenses, so you can only manage what a nightmare it was for me when I had to do my taxes this year – ugh, torturous. So for the rest of 2014 I’m making it my mission to really treat Katie’s Bliss like a real business. I plan on staying on top of my emails (as best as I can), keeping a log of my income and filing all my paperwork. If you guys have any tips for how stay organized please let me know…

Do you work full time and blog? If so, what are your tips for managing the two? Let me know what you think in the comments!

The post Tips for Maintaining a Blog While Working a Day Job appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

I’ve actually had this post written for a while, but it took a few weeks for me to actually get the courage to click ‘post’. It’s a scary thing putting your thoughts and opinions out on the web. That being said I have a few things I want to get off my chest. I started my blog and YouTube channel in college without any real direction or goal. I was bored and I just needed a creative outlet. When I moved to New York City a little over a year ago I was really excited about meeting other bloggers and taking my little hobby to the next level. It’s been an amazing experience so far; surprising and also eye-opening. Here are few things I’ve learned about bloggers and blogging since my big move.

1. A lot of bloggers are actually really shy! I don’t know why, but I just assumed that all bloggers were outgoing. I mean, I’m not immune to socially awkward moments and I get nervous going to events. But for the most part I consider myself comfortable in most social settings and pretty outgoing. I think a lot of that has to do with why I started my YouTube channel – clearly I like to talk But guys – a lot of bloggers are actually really shy and quiet. Not that that’s a bad thing at all. It just really surprised me! I’ve gone to my fair share of events and blogger parties since moving to NYC and many times I’ve been taken aback by how reserved, and even uncomfortable some bloggers are in a social setting. It just shows that you really can’t judge a person by their online personality. I think as a reader you just assume that if a person puts their whole lives out there on the Internet, they must be the same in real life too – definitely not true!

2. Blogging is competitive. I feel like this is kind of a DUH statement, but guys I’m so naive. When I made the goal in my 2013 New Year’s Resolutions that I was going to meet more bloggers I kinda just thought ‘oh I’m going to meet bloggers and they’re going to be my friends and I’m going to finally have a social life in NYC.’ Wronggg. Well, not completely wrong. I have made a few blogger friends that I do consider real-life friends, but for the most part a lot of the girls I’ve met I’d just consider friendly acquaintances. I think a lot of it has to do with that fact that blogging is sooo competitive (and the fact that NYC is an IMPOSSIBLE city to make friends in). I never realized it before but now that I work for a fashion PR agency I understand – the blogosphere is so over-saturated. Everyone is competing for the same partnerships, sponsorships, event gigs – it’s kinda crazy actually. I think because of the competition it makes it hard to form genuine friendships. Which is sad, because I genuinely really did/do push myself into the blogging social scene hoping to make friends :/ #foreveralone #atleastigotmyboy

I think the competition also contributes to a lot of insecurity. People don’t want to help one another for fear of contributing to that person’s possible success. Maybe I’m just cynical but I’ve definitely had a few moments where I felt like another blogger purposely didn’t tag me in an Instagram photo or link me on her blog for (what I believe) fear of giving me more followers. I just don’t get the intense competition within the blogging world. Of course competition is healthy and a normal part of life, but to me, blogging is my hobby. I don’t care about it enough to take it to a point where I’d feel the need to be an a**hole to someone else with the same love and passion as me.

3. Bloggers are smart, BOSS ladies. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about meeting other bloggers is just the inspiration I’ve gotten from being around such intelligent, entrepreneurial women. While I don’t blog full time, I’ve met many who do and I’m thoroughly impressed by how business and tech savvy so many bloggers are. It’s crazy! On the exterior blogging can look pretty frivolous but behind-the-scenes of every successful blogger there is a strategy and a business plan. I really think it’s an amazing feat what some of these women do – they manage mini empires, often all on their own! I do view my blog as a business and I’m lucky enough to make a part time income from Katie’s Bliss – but damn, my little empire is nothing compared to what some of these ladies are doing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a brunch or dinner with a group of bloggers and walked away with my mind blown. I feel very fortunate to have a hobby and a career that allows me to meet such inspiring, creative women. It keeps me on my toes and pushes me to reach my own goals.

Now for one of my experiences as a blogger. At a fashion week event a somewhat well known blogger THANKED ME for being one of her ‘loyal fans’ when I casually introduced myself to her and told her I liked her blog. Funny thing is we were both invited to the event as blogger ambassadors… I felt so degraded. It was definitely a moment that made me feel like crap.

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