Ep 212. Stop chasing trends, building a brand that actually lasts, fall fashion report, creator advice + more!

(upbeat music) - Welcome to the Influence Community Podcast. We are your hosts, Danielle and Alissa. We talk about all things influencing and the ever changing industry. We share a lot of tips, our personal experiences, and how to keep up with the social media space that's always evolving. - We also love to chat and share life updates along the way. - We're so happy you're here and so excited for this week's episode. - Grab your drink of choice and let's dive in. - Hey guys. - Hi, Queens. - Welcome back. Welcome back to the pod. - Welcome back to the pod. So excited for this month. - August. - August. - On. - On just on August. (laughing) - It's confusing because it's recapping the previous month and then talking a little bit about the new month. - Yeah. - So excited. - Pretty much all. - We have a great episode for you guys. Followed my favorite segment. - I can't wait, except it's actually 90 degrees in San Diego with 90% humidity. So I am so unwell. - Like this happens every season by this time of year and then we are so excited for fall. - It has never been this bad. - Yeah, it just don't remember this. - Oh, someone told me yesterday it's a super Elmenio. - I do see something about that, yeah. - I don't really know what that means. - But yeah, it makes me even more excited for fall. Like when it actually starts cooling down I'm gonna be so excited. - But I know. - We're gonna be sweating in our sweatings. - I'm gonna have to have the AC in my house at 60 degrees so I can film like coats and joggers. - Yeah. - Otherwise I'm gonna be sweating our electricity bill was so bad this month, it was so bad. - Yeah, we do. - Game changer. - Okay, yeah, we're really do. - And like even with this summer, I think last month was our first month like paying electricity bill because we used more than we like brought in my solar because of the AC and how hot it's been. - I don't know why we don't have solar. - Yeah. - So. - Solar's game changer. - Yeah. - We like we can dive into our episode this week because a lot of it is recapping and all that fun stuff. So we can just hop right in and start with the couch up. What we've been up to, what we did last month. Do you wanna start? - Yeah. - Hey guys, I went to Bali. That's my catch up. - Oh, beautiful. - I'm so crazy. - Yeah, it was a trip I've been looking forward to since last year. I booked it in November, which is crazy. And yeah, first solo trip was literally life changing. It was everything I wanted it to be, plus more. It was so beautiful. I call it my like touching grass trip because it was with no other content creators, no one even like touched their phones. Like during the actual retreat, I have, like I can see it almost all in like two scrolls, which is on my photo album, which is crazy because I can scroll for so long just for one day. So. - Yeah, I wasn't on my phone too much. It was definitely needed. I feel like it was a really good reset that I want to like remember and keep that in my life. - What part of Bali did you go to? - I went to Ubud, which is not by the ocean. It's actually like in the middle, they call it the heart of Bali. It's like a very spiritual place in Bali. It's like all jungle and everyone is so nice and everything is so spiritual. Like if you like that, you will love Ubud. I would totally go back. It felt so safe there. I never felt like scared at all, especially being myself. And I feel like I learned just so much about myself. I loved being on the retreat and you guys like seriously, if you have not been on a women's retreat, like I think retreats are one of my favorite things in the whole world. Like truly one of my favorite things. I learned so much about myself. I learned so much about, I don't know. I feel like my perspective always shifts. Like I just like get a lot out of it. And I feel like retreats are so underrated. They're so beautiful. You learn so much from them. And we hope to host another one soon. So stay tuned for that. But like truly one of the best things I've ever done. And it was so cool being on the other side of it. Because like weirdly, that was my first retreat. I think I just feel so called to them that it feels like I've been on so many, but like we've hosted three if you guys are new. And being on the other side of it was really, really cool because you just got to like receive instead of like plan. Like it was just, it felt really nice. Like I feel like you need to do both. But I already want to go on another one. But yeah, it was so beautiful. I saw a palm reader that was insane. I needed to hear a lot of things that palm readers said. And obviously like you can't like trust everything a palm reader says. But I got really good vibes from this person. And he said things that I just like really needed to hear. Like mixing spirituality with what I'm doing on social media. And like both can coexist in my life. And I was like kind of questioning not for a second because I just feel like they're so different. It's like hard to like make sense of it. In my head, but he knew nothing about me. And that's what he said. So that was crazy. Yeah, I learned a lot about astrology and all the new things. And yeah, it was just, it was so cool. I love Bali. I really love like, I really love Asia. And I was not expecting that. Not that I, I don't know why. I just like, you've been before, right? To Thailand, that was my only other time. So I went for the first time twice this year. And I don't really know what I was expecting. I just thought like Europe is more my vibe. But like, I don't know, it's just so beautiful. I want to explore more. And like I weirdly, really, weirdly, like I really want to go to Nepal randomly. I can't explain it. (laughs) I don't know why. That's one that I remember growing up. Like it was always on the shows with like the most dangerous airport. Yeah, it is. And it's like, to be talking about this, I can't remember if it was you or someone. Well, you were talking about like Mount Everest. Okay, yes, okay, yes. But the airport in apparently like this freezing snow. But they also say San Diego's like pretty crazy too. So really? Yeah. 'Cause it's like a short descent. Okay, I'd like the buildings and then you also like, yeah, and a pulse like in the mountains. And so I would understand. But that's like a really random one that I just like weirdly, really drawn to and like kind of scared because every time I feel that way, like I end up going. So we'll see. But that's definitely not a content trend. (laughs) Um, fun. Yeah, it was really fun. Love that. That was like a big bulk of my month because I got back and I like pretty much brought it until the end of the month. So yeah, just like soaking it in, integrating, trying to keep the vibes and the peace that I felt of Bali. Yeah, 'cause I just feel like it's been so overwhelming lately with social media, which we'll get into. But yeah, I'll just like centered myself again. You did that. I love that. What about you? It's fun. Did you come to think? Let's see. What did Phoenix do in August? Yeah, it was. Well, I recently started my new moms. It's called new mom school class. And she's in the rising toddlers, which is six to 12 months. I genuinely wish I did it when she was an infant and or infant, then newborn. But I feel like I was just so exhausted and tired and overwhelmed. I feel like the mental capacity. And I feel like I've had really good support and a village around me. So I don't think I felt that a media urge to go kind of find a group like that. But I've only been to one class so far, and it was really good. So I would definitely recommend that if you guys are pregnant, you're expecting just how the new baby like look into that. 'Cause it's just, I think my group is like 12 other women with babies around the same age. And like everyone is just kind of talking about their experiences. And it's so different. It's like women who want to go back to work, women who want to be stay at home moms, how they're navigating that. Like what are they struggling with? Like it's just so interesting to hear everyone's takes and like finding a good daycare or finding a good nanny or someone you trust and just like, I feel like there's so much. It's really local, right? - Yeah. - So these are it. - Okay, what's up? - So like there's moms from like ocean side, curls, bad delmar. I think only on Sunita's one, but yeah. So it's like kind of in the area. They also have a location I think in Loma. But if you have anything in your area like that, 10 or 10 would recommend to do that. 'Cause then also we're like in this group chat and people just give like recommendations and tips and whatnot. It's so funny though. Everyone is sharing their Instagrams in the group chat. And I have yet to do that. You're like, I can't decide if I just want to be like, yeah, I'm not on social media. - No, I feel like I would love to see that. - I feel like for me, it's like I don't want you to feel like you have to follow me, especially because I post a lot. - Yeah, it's like a normal person. So I don't want to be like overwhelming your feet, but also they're not on social media all the time. 'Cause they're with you, baby. So I don't know. And then there's the thing of like following them back. And it's just like, I don't know. - Yeah, okay. - You know what I mean? So it's just like, I'm still navigating how I feel about that. And if I'm gonna share that in this group. - Yeah. - So TBD on that. But okay, so I did that. What else? I don't know. - It's a big thing. - I'm like, I need to check my Instagram feed because I feel like it's just such a blur. - Oh my God. - It's so hard to, we also met up with some girls from our last girls trip, South of France. - Yeah, South of France girls. That was so cute to see. - So fun. - Yeah, it was so fun. gosh okay so we ended up doing the gelato place next to the store yeah okay what it was being fullest experience ever so they have you been so they don't have a little flavor and the guy he gave us a flavor tour and we tried every single one and he explained every single flavor okay what it was made up and we tried all of them and they were actually all surprisingly so good and then once we tried them then you got to pick two flavors you could put in your and were they amazing so good what'd you get honestly can't remember what was that they have like different names like I got the Coca-Cola but I couldn't tell you what I was seeing but I got like one that was like chocolate white chocolate and Nutella maybe it was one of them and then the other was their version of cookies and cream but with kind of ingredients I think cool so it was so cool yeah and now I understand why there's a line because if they're giving a food tour to everyone that's why okay so funny because the only time I went there which by the way you guys I don't know if you said it we we're talking about Anne's hat maker apparently I will place in Delmar and they have other locations there's always a liner on the corner but yeah when I went in I actually just needed a nice cream for like some photos like this was like three years ago and so I ran in like got a strawberry and like life I don't know yeah it was really quick oh San Diego is getting a goop I went to the goop opening so that was so exciting it's not only a sale love goop and the menu I don't remember the LA one being as big but it's a big menu I would assume it's bigger here because it's a full-on restaurant yeah it's a big menu okay I'm excited I went to a secret dinner series at Rancho Valencia that was really fun at Rancho Valencia that was like one of those experiences too where you like put yourself out there you go by yourself you don't know anyone you just kind of talk to people yeah who are not in the social media industry so you just get like set like other perspectives and it was just nice to that's cool to meet talk to like that yeah in it you know kind of get you out of your bubble yeah coming else done got my hair done I still need to post my hair that's tomorrow I think just lots of baby stuff okay yeah honestly that's kind of been my life coffee outings the beach yep that's pretty much it for my camera honestly okay that's like my diary basically what I did so okay easy easy month easy yeah yeah yeah okay well should we get into influences of the month yes let's do it okay do you want to go first or should I um are we just like in general just kind of things we've been loving and using yeah okay one thing one my iPad updates um oh technology actually you just turn off yeah I'm screaming she's a really old iPad guys you're looking at the video it has a home button that's crazy great go to Costco okay I have you heard of Mary Phillips beauty mpa really mpa m dot p a b I think it's what it is baby anyways I have been testing their foundation and I really love it it's kind of giving are you wearing it I know no okay this is the fewer foundations yeah which is my I know I love that one this one is giving like the Georgia our money okay of like that kind of like lighter coverage easy application but then our money they like reformulated it's not the same okay so I feel like the mph beauty one is really nice it's called my skin I think it's like a foundation serum or something there's something with serum in it I don't know exactly how it works but I feel like it's a really good go to every day kind of light coverage if you're not doing like that plan heavy makeup like yeah and so I've really been loving that formula and then when I want fuller coverage I've been using my the Dior foundation stick because yeah that one is the best invention ever I love it I can be so long I know I've been using that so too much but that was also easy to apply by I've been loving that so that's one of my influences or sure you can go okay okay I have like product ones and then just like normal ones but I feel it you said this in your monthly favorites video but I also really love the color science sunscreen I recently got put it put onto that and it's so good it's like so affordable that's like my everyday yeah I use that every day now but I want to have SPS SPF on and I want like even skin tone and the SPF is like 50 so it's really good yeah yeah it's 50 it's really good like it's pretty much like it comes out white and then you like rub in your hands and then when you put it on it like I mean just came with so many more shade options because it reminds me yeah now they have want to try and medium okay I need to try that then yeah but that's a really good one and then I tried a new self-tanner um because it was like the only one at Sephora I'm like why are you guys pushing this so hard okay I'll try it um it's called Dolce Glow love that's when I use is this like a new thing or am I late to this like I literally like how this by roll that's what you use okay I really like the color it's really good by roll dinner at Nobu oh who's there it it's like by Natalie Alyssa or something I think it's Isaba who's not top yeah something Alyssa I'm like they have this one yeah yeah yeah okay yeah and I think they have the spray I'm not too sure but yeah they have a spray I want to get more of their stuff because I got I the main seller was they had like this perfect travel kit and so it's super good for travel and I got it for Bali yeah and I'm so using it and I just feel like it's a really good color so oh another one I think is have you seen that they have more things in lip gloss with the lip gloss brand Edom I think EADEM no never heard of that I think that's how you say it I don't know so the applicator has that like like metal silver tip when you apply the gloss it's not just okay I see and I love that and I feel like it's just such a good gloss okay yeah yeah okay I need to try these like I never heard of these brands um one thing I'm at d influenced by which like we should bring that in okay um I take it back you guys I said I love all cyclers stuff but like I do do you use the teodorant yeah I have it all right now okay so the first one I bought was so good the second one I bought it's so wet and watery and it does not dry dude I'm so confused I need a new one I'm about to quit naturally I'm actually gonna ask you about this because when I got mine it tipped over in the box a little bit and I didn't realize and like it was falling like it was leaking no like I'm like you need to travel with this if it's not completely I always travel with it but like I swear the first one I got was amazing I was like this is a game changer smells amazing dry so fast my second one literally won't dry like it's gross and I need to go back but you should take it did you get it yes you should take it back and like it's changed and try to get a new one yeah you're right like could it just be one or if that's how it is because mine was a little I mean I kind of just like stand there and I'm like but like I don't want to do that but I just don't know if that was normal but it does smell really good and I feel like it does work but it does work but now I'm just reapplying more I don't know maybe got a bad batch let me know if you guys have good like natural deodorant recommendations yeah because I'm real close to switching back to not to not not yeah not knowing like I'm I miss a dove like seriously yeah okay what I'll see anything else you think you're your de-influenced by yeah I'm trying there is something but I I'm trying to think hang on okay I feel like I was gonna say another one but I kind of also forgot but that one's like D and Y or you're like sabotage like I'm taking notes for next month and I'm gonna come back okay we'll add that into the notes that's influenced and I just think in general I've realized for a moisturizer I need a cream not a gel if that makes sense so like gels do not work for me I can never use my skin does not like think like clinic moisture sort of step pink that's a gel okay it does see like my skin if it just doesn't hydrate it enough or whatever but that was a note for me so I have to use cream so I've used obagi because I was using cuddly and I think I was breaking out and I'm not sure if it was from the cuddly yeah so I have to go back and try again forever okay yeah so that's that of things that I don't really like I think yeah okay but I did oh this is what I did in August I have been trying to purge so much my amp when my amp came to visit we went through my beauty closet like pulled out everything and you have a store like you could have your own so literally threw away anything that was expired questionable like and the crazy thing is we discovered a lot of products don't have expiration dates unless there's sunscreen or acne so they only will be like oh last 12 months from opening but I'm like I need a hard expiration date of like when I should not use this yes and brands just don't really do that and like you can can't really look up the lot numbers. And it doesn't really tell, it tells you where it was made, but not when it expired. - Right. - So I just throw away a lot of things because I wasn't sure how old it was. And I didn't know. And it's like face products, like you don't want to risk that. You don't want to use old cell tanner when you turn orange, you know what I mean? So like I feel like I had to throw a lot of things away that I just didn't know and I didn't want to risk. So purged all that out and starting to put all my current products out, just like moving everything so that felt really good 'cause they threw away probably like five trash bags worth of product. I believe it. Yeah, and then we like donated and gave away a lot, a couple more bags. So that felt really good to do to kind of start fresh with that. So I'm really excited about that. - Okay, we love that. - Yeah, love that. - My apartment is still not. - Not, okay, use your phone. - I'll just probably use my phone. - Yeah, I've had things. - Okay, well, girlies, let's move into the social report. - Okay. - And talk about like what's new on Instagram, let's do on TikTok, how we're feeling. Okay, first thing, I feel like top of mind is the whole concept of trends. For some reason, the kind of chic trends like really like, what I actually got touchy, it's so funny. That is so funny. Like for some reason, people are using that as the example of like everything. So there's this one girl, I'm sure you go, you guys like no one talking about. But she makes a lot of like strategy content for creators. And it's just so funny 'cause like she'll like say things like, okay, this is trending kind of chic, like go do it, put your own spin on it, and then like the other week, she's like, it's over, stop doing kind of chic. And I'm like, well, this is whiplash. I feel like we had this conversation too when we went to lunch, but there's just a lot of these accounts that are really, really viral and grow a lot. And people just for whatever reason, because I think we just all believe what we see on social media, but like we think that these people know everything. And I think maybe that sparked something in me of like, okay, I think we need to stop putting these people on pedestals respectfully. I think some people have really good ideas. But then some people are just like, it's almost like click baby, like they're following, sorry, they're following the trends of the people who are saying what the trends are. It's like they're telling us what to post. And I'm like, wait, why did we all collectively like bring so many of these accounts up? Those are, I don't know. It's like, just feel like it's great. Everybody wants to be an influencer these days. And it's like, we're kind of losing the plot on how to be an independent creative and come up with your own ideas. 'Cause it's like you said, this trend pops up, and everybody does it. And there's nothing wrong with it, but it's like, obviously it's make it, and then it's super saturated. Like I saw a post, I think it was four.co. But I didn't realize they were still around. But I think they wrote an article or something that said like the first week it happened in the first couple of days, it hit like 100 million impressions, whatever. And then after the following week, it was only at like 10 million impressions or something like that, like not exactly. But like 10 million impressions is still a lot. And like if you want to post it still, post it, I literally post it like, there I go. Because I've been wanting to post it, but it just like hasn't fit on my feed yet. And I was trying to figure out what I wanted to say. And if I wanted to do a lot of slides of it or just one. And like, as like a mom, like I'm just late to trends. I am, but some of them I really like. And in general, I like the word chic. So I was like perfect, like I'm gonna do this one. And then people are like, stop doing it, it's over. Like, why are you telling me what to do? You know what it means? It's like, I think it's just a really interesting thing of like half of the TikTok and Instagram feeds and things that go viral are people telling you what to post. You're like, what's trending? And if you don't hop on it immediately, like you're gonna like the courses. And the course is exactly like you said. It's like, we just need a year's discernment as creators because like, I think it's a lot of fear mongering out there. And the other thing that gets me is these people have only been around for like two years, and it's like, please. And all you know is from the Instagram trenches of 2018. I don't know if I want to hear what you have to say. Because actually, like if you think about it, like in the past two years, like all you know is trends, like I feel like trends have been distinctly popular. The attention spans are so short. Because a trend literally lasts for two days. And then it's over and it's like, I think like we're in this crisis of people not having like an actual strong community because like if all you're doing is what's trending, what you think is gonna perform well solely based on like views and like followers, that's not sustainable. And I feel like we are everyone's realizing that right now. Yeah. I'm actually seeing that on TikTok. Like I think I wrote this down. I think I did write, okay, I did write this down for like the first thing about like TikTok updates. But I'm seeing some videos. I've seen two now of people saying like TikTok is like pretty much dead, especially for like partnerships and people are moving to Instagram. And I'm like, this is so funny. People were saying Instagram was dead how long ago? The circle always comes, like it's just always a cycle. Just like keep going. You write it out, stay true to your brand. Do yes because and figure out what your brand is and it's not the trends I'm telling you that. Like don't be afraid to post something. You know it's gonna flop. Because yeah, one, whether you like it, whether it's building your brand, I was talking to your assistant. She's like half my assistant, slash half my strategist. She's just really hopeful. And we were talking and I was like having her help me just create a strategy of where my brand is going as I integrate motherhood and lifestyle and all that stuff and like all the different pillars that I wanna touch on and talk about. And she told me something that like really put a lot of things in perspective, I feel like. And it was like, these are the different types of content you're gonna post. There's gonna be content that's gonna go viral. There's gonna be content that you're posting that may not do well, may basically flop. But this is what is building and establishing you as a brand. So I feel like in general, I don't know how to explain this or if I'm the only one feeling this, but like fashion on Instagram isn't as big as it used to be. Or just like, there's just a lot of creators have pivoted and like are not fashion creators anymore. And they're like other more lifestyle or like broad, yeah. But like for me, I love fashion. I love outfits, I love styling outfits. It's especially fall and everything. So it's like, you know, she said like keep posting that stuff. And even though it doesn't do well or as well as your other content, it's still there to build your brand image. And I feel like that's a really good perspective to have 'cause it's like not every post has to go viral. Not every post, like we said, has to be a trend that's happening at the moment. Like you can post things that you love that are more personal to you, that are more about you. That way when someone comes to your page, they're seeing the whole picture of you, not just these trends. - Yeah. - It's like I don't actually know you. So I think that's a good way to think about it is like make sure you're still incorporating those kind of posts 'cause that's gonna set you apart. - Yeah, I totally know what you mean. Like identity-based content. Like literally creating a very strong brand and identity. - Yeah. - And no matter what, truly, and I need to remind myself of that too, because sometimes I just wanna like sit and yap on camera, but I'm like, okay, but like what should I be doing? And I'm like, I don't have to be doing anything. Like, I don't know. I feel like identity-based content is really important. And so, yeah, I agree with you. - So that's just, yeah, just something to think about. Like not everything has to be this viral pose, not everything has to do well. I think brands prefer to see a well-rounded creator than a viral creator who's always just, I don't know. - Yeah, you know, I absolutely know what you mean. Like think of like two to three pillars that you really wanna like showcase and like that you're actually interested in. And like that should be how you create content. Not like these little hooks that you see. I mean, hooks are great, but like not these like, I don't know, I see so many videos of like, what's trending and what you need to post this week or else you're gonna flop, like, you know, like please. I need to click not interested in these. Like sometimes there's good ideas and there's like really credible creators, but like I really think people just put this out there for the clicks and the saves and the views and then like randomly they'll get social media clients. Like that's their pillar, honestly. I know same. - Really quick on that. I saw this creator. I don't know if you guys have seen this or heard of her. I randomly got served it, but it's this girl who created the YAP challenge. She recently posted that it's generated $7 million for her. And I feel like not what it just goes to show that like people, I mean, I have not taken her course or done it or seen it or whatever. - It's a course. - I think, yeah, I think it's like you buy it and it walks you through how to like, professionally YAP or like be a good YAP or a camera. And I think people want to be good at that. - To do that, that she just made a crazy, and now people are like not copying, but probably copying her and like creating similar courses and things to be comfortable yapping on the camera. But that just goes to show how many people are-- I think courses are definitely helpful in a sense, but just do your research and please use your discernment. And if you actually trust this person or if they kind of stole from someone else, and also you're talking about how ASU has a new apparently content creator, bachelor's degree, which is crazy. First of all, I'm sorry. Please do not go pay. Please go into asking for a degree and student debt for that when all of this information is on the internet. It's free. You can just listen to our podcast literally like, that's crazy. I'm so curious. What is in that course that you would be willing to pay for a degree for, and who are you showing this degree especially since this industry is constantly changing like are they updating this course? Who are these teachers? If you are a successful influencer with a million hours and you can show me your income, and you've like been doing this for 10 years, you should not be teaching this. Who is teaching this is so interesting. Like are you show like my question is who are we showing the degrees to like do you think like people are taking it high of a content creation, creation and degree and in house content creator situation. Maybe that's becoming more of a thing and we're unaware. Like I know like there are some in house content creators for like fashion brands, but a lot of those people I feel like didn't even go to college and they figured it out and they did their research and they just started and they got in content creation. Yeah. I'm just so interesting. Okay. Other random little updates for Instagram. This happened recently, but Instagram just for, okay, they have a first draft for Reels, which honestly, I don't even know what we talked about before how we have a hard time passing off editing because like you are the one who knows your edit style that you get the right moment of the clip. So I'm curious how because this from what I understand from the post that the creators page posted about this was that you upload a clip and it's going to like edit and pull the moments out initially to give you that quote unquote first draft. Yeah. What I'm understanding really cute concept and honestly, I love the name. I feel like it's a great concept in general. Capcat has this and has had this for a long time. No. Okay. Like well, it's just like so hard because it's like if you're filming and we usually film like art, it's like what 20 minutes of footage. Yeah. To pull it down to 10 seconds to 10 seconds. Like how is it going to know exactly exactly. Yeah. I don't have this. I don't think I need a double check. But yeah, yeah, I am very curious and like in theory, this is great. But like please for the love of God, I just need the collaborative feature on edits. Like I need that feature. Yes. Yes. Yes. That will literally change my life. Yeah. Like if you need help editing, like yes, the situation, like it's just so I feel like it ruins the quality sending things back and forth. It takes so much time that like I'll just do it myself. And that's how I felt about Capcat's version of this. Like I remember it. It loaded and took so long for it to generate this like their first draft. And I didn't even like it. So like I spent 30 minutes doing nothing pretty much. And I was like, okay, I'm never doing that again. So we'll see how that goes. But that's a new update on they also. I don't think I wrote this, but they have an organ a. Oh, I did. Okay. There's like an organization feature on edits, which I am really excited about to just like keep everything more organized. I think it is. I honestly really need this. Like this is really cool. I feel like I'll have like an outfits folder where I can have all my outfit, you know, like a hair lifestyle, things I need to edit, things I need to finish editing. Like that sort of thing that like in my phone. Okay. Okay. So that way, I mean, I haven't been on top of that. I do need to go through. My goal is to go through that every month, but like to go through the content and then pull it into like, okay, this was beauty. This needs to be edited. This needs to be posted. Like it's kind of what I'm doing. Okay. I don't need that on my phone. I feel like I need to not for it. So like this is perfect for me. I genuinely, if you guys don't use edits, yeah, like I really, really love where they're headed with this. It's really helpful. I'm really sad about it. Okay. That's my actual. I have two really big complaints. I actually need to write in about the font suck. They really need to work on their fonts. And maybe this is CapCut. I get them so confused. CapCut always has like new ones. CapCut got rid of my font. And then I don't really do that stuff on Instagram. Pinyons. Oh, okay. I don't think they're a person one. Oh, interesting. It's just like not there anymore. So it's like if I really want it, which I'll usually just have it on a cover photo now, I'll go into Canva. Okay. I'm going to download it and like upload that you could, which I'll probably end up doing, but that was kind of weird. But yeah, Instagram needs better. They need better fonts and their sound effects are so bad. They're all AI generated. Yeah. All the sound effects are AI generated. They're so, so bad. Like I had to do this video where I needed like a texting sound in the iPhone. Like I could have just like screen recorded it honestly, but like CapCut makes it so easy. Every single sound you could think of, they have on CapCut. Yes. Of each sound mouse clicks. You can pick from my stuff for me. And edits has one literally one. And it's so, I don't know. I just don't know how they haven't figured that out. But there's my two biggest things like in shot, CapCut. Okay. And then I'll go into edits and like upload it. Yeah. Like I'll add the audio from edits other than that stuff. Edits is amazing. And I feel like they are making really, really good progress. And I do think that they will push you out more if you are using edits. I really do. So you haven't tried it. Try it. But yeah, something about a still I don't know. They're doing a lot of AI stuff. Like it says like something about you can take a still image and turn it into a video with AI prompts. Don't know what that means. But we'll see. There's just like a lot of AI edits. And then this is so pointless. Like was this a big thing? I don't know. But Instagram has like I would not have known about this if it wasn't for the toast. And we both listen to the toast. If you like are scrolling on Instagram and like slide up a little, is that the only place you see it? I think so. Okay. There's a new logo. Okay. And it's like literally those underwhelming thing I've ever seen respectfully. And it's like how long did that take them? How much money did they spend on? I don't know. It's just like like that's what we're focusing when we have maybe so many other things. And it's like maybe we think that and it was like a really small thing for them. But who knows? Like maybe it was like, oh, it's really tested to see like, yeah, which one would get the best reception or response or generate the most buzz or something? I don't think someone just went in there and was like, I gave this one. Yeah. Okay. Maybe it was final approval. Just like random random, not a ton of new stuff. But for TikTok, yeah, the thing I was talking about with like, I mean, I just think TikTok is so incredibly cluttered. They're ruining themselves. Okay. Did you buy chance going TikTok like yesterday? Yeah. Probably to this older gentleman crying about what? I think he was like Rachel has moved out. It was the funniest video ever. I know. It was like this random person crying, saying whoever moved out. And then you go to the comments and you're like, why is TikTok putting me here? What is happening? We need like the back story. Who is Rachel? Why is my algorithm that is so random? I get the videos like some times. But the comment section was so funny. That's probably why I'm viral. Like people like why am I here? But like people like you're going to laugh at this. But I think more so it's cluttered in the sense of like, there are so many times I have to scroll three times to get past and add a TikTok shop thing or something promoted. I think they're literally killing themselves like with how cluttered it's getting. And it's very clear they're pushing only TikTok shop. I don't know. It's just interesting. People are saying it's like harder for them to like grow a genuine community. Like the brands aren't really like ping. I don't know. Well, because I think on TikTok always like they were like brands would go off views versus small. Yeah. But I feel like views on TikTok are so volatile. Yeah. I don't know. Like some sort of stuff. So just like up and down and you get trolled at people. Okay. That's what people are saying. People are saying it's so weird. Even if you have even if you have a big following on TikTok, like it could be nothing. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like it's always been like that on TikTok. Yeah. I feel like it's high so low for people to like go viral and be yeah. Followings. But then not be able to convert a really doing like that audience. Because then that audience wouldn't convert from TikTok to Instagram. Yeah. Right. That makes sense. So now people are saying like the reals algorithm is way better and people are growing from that. And I'm like, Oh, hilarious. Like, wait. It's funny. Yeah. I don't know. Stay true to what like originally worked for you, honestly. But I thought that was so just so funny. I feel like it's just deja vu with Instagram. We've already been here. If you are like, Oh, Instagram's dead. I'm going over to TikTok and we're like, bye. See you never. Okay. And now we're coming back. Like why? just do it then. We are obviously like, yeah, we love Instagram clearly. We have always loved it. TikTok, I mean, we're still on it, but whatever. I like what we have to be. Yeah. Like random other things for TikTok updates, because I wanted to be fair and include them. Apparently, they have like a better AI detection, which, thank God, because people are really crazy with AI on TikTok. I talk like you really could not tell. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Now there's a label. Show me videos. We like, that is it. You would not know. Sometimes you can't. You wouldn't know. Like, so thank goodness for that. Yeah. I thought this one was interesting. Apparently brands can now find creators based on what their content's actually about. Like, there's a back-end creator AI search. So if you are posting on TikTok, like, I think this is a really great thing to keep in mind, like maybe be posting and creating content around the brands you want to work with, because they could, apparently, they can find you on the back end now, which is really cool. So I'm keeping that in mind, even though I'm like, I thought brands can already do that. It's like confusing to me because sometimes on TikTok, if you tag a brand, they think it's a sponsored post. And then you have to review it and then appeal it because they think it's an ad and it's literally not. So they also need to fix that. Okay. I don't know if I'm just, I don't know. This might be a silly question. Can you tag brands in videos without it being in the caption? I don't think so. You used to. And like, they took that away. Okay. Because that's crazy, right? Because then it's like, if you want to tag all the brands, you want to kind of get the attention of or just like these the products I use, like, you have to do it in the caption. Yeah. I wonder if there's like an AI detection, like, maybe based on the image of it, in the video. Okay. Because I was like, wait, I'm curious now, because it's very hard. I feel like to authentically integrate a brand, let them know without making it look like an ad on TikTok. Yeah. I know. I agree. I'm curious about that. Maybe I mean, I would assume that's the point of the AI thing. Yeah. But why can't we just make a brand in the video? I don't know. Like, seriously, I don't know. I try not to tag brands on TikTok because they literally will flag you and think it's an ad. But it happened to me on one and then it got like no views. Because by the time of my day, it was like dead anyway. So it's like, yeah, they need to fix that. And then apparently Disney has a partnership with TikTok. I feel like Disney is making big moves lately. Yeah. Just in general. Like, I'm always just seeing a Disney collab X, whatever. Like I just saw Disney did a collab with the NFL. So it's like the NFL logos, but it's like a Disney character. And like each team got cool. Like for Disney. Like I'm pretty sure. I can't remember. Check engine. ABS or maintenance light on. Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O'Reilly Vera Scan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASC certified master technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend the shop for you. Ask for O'Reilly Vera Scan today. I think it was the Chicago Bears. The bear, I think is blue. But I feel like most kids don't even know who ballooned. I had to think about it for a second. Yeah. Like old school kind of like vintagey. Wait, love. Honestly, love. Disney is such a love for that. And I think people are obsessed with Disney. Like they're branding marketing. I can't tell if it's just because we know a lot of girls who love Disney or if it's becoming, they're doing a really good job being exclusive Disney. Like with these little limited jobs and like people like want to be in with Disney. Like they're doing honestly such a good job. So yeah, I feel like they're everywhere. I think Bayes just did a huge Disney club. Yeah, they're club and now TikTok. So apparently they, the partnership is they're going to start featuring TikTok fan-created content. Oh, wait, okay, I didn't even breathe this full thing. That's actually crazy. Inside Disney plus is short from form births feed. Okay, but whoa, is this, but are they, are these creators being paid? Are they being compensated or is Disney playing off the exposure tagline? You know, this is so interesting. I need to know more about this. Well, because I feel like, have you rid of this? No. So is Disney plus having like a short , it's giving YouTube shorts for Disney plus inside Disney plus short form. Yeah, they're, I guarantee they're getting paid. Well, maybe not. Actually, no, because some people want the exposure. Yeah, like maybe like the views from Disney plus will like be the view on TikTok. So it's like you just get like the views are the same and it's even more or something like it's pushed more. That's what I would think. I've never heard of this Disney plus is short form births feed. And why is it called births? That's actually really verticals. I don't know. Oh, you're so right. It's what it's like, but I have not, you know, like Disney should have like a cure name. I know, but I mean, I don't know. So that is so interesting. There are so many Disney creators. There is a whole world I learned about literally. And it's actually insane. Like, and it's not like it's the thing is they did such a good job and like respect to you. If you are a Disney adult, I am not talking crap about you. But like, there's like cool Disney creators now. Like, it's not Disney adults. Like, these creators are like cool girl, cool boy creators. Yeah. And they're not like the chewy, you know, like that sort of vibe. So I feel like being a Disney creator is like actually a whole thing in itself. Yeah. And this is like, they're doing a really good job like solidifying that honestly. So that's really interesting. Honestly, I'm going to look into this one. And I'm curious to see how this plays out because I feel like this genuinely could be so big. Like for kids, for these creators who are Disney creators, and I'm sure like people are going to be more inclined to do more Disney content. So good for them. Honestly. Okay. I feel like it's giving fast five of social media right now. If you guys listen to this. Okay. But yeah, that's kind of like everything. I took notes of anything that I missed anything. So I feel like you guys, okay, so I started to try to test some trial rules again. Okay. And I had a few go viral, but not, but in not the right country. And it I'll just say, okay, it went viral in Indonesia. And then for some reason, all these people from Indonesia think that I am this, I don't know what is happening here. This girl in Indonesia, who has like almost five million followers. And she just had a baby. And they keep well, and her name is Alyssa. And they, so I can see the confusion. And I feel like we do look a little similar. You do look alike. Same here. Yes. They keep tagging her like on my post. And then they keep like commenting like, oh, is this baby so, so? And I'm just so confused because obviously it's not. Yeah. So unfortunately, like go to my profile. Exactly. So unfortunately, it just went viral in the wrong country, which is my biggest gripe with trial rules. And then I had to delete so many followers because that's not the demographic that I'm trying to reach because that's not what brands are looking for. So it's really unfortunate. Unfortunately, I'm curious to know your thoughts, my current experience. And then it's been like a couple. So I'm like, well, this isn't really benefiting me because it's not going viral in the US. Yeah. Yeah. I honestly did stop with trial rules for a sec. And I think that has worked in my benefit. I don't know. I'm things like R.A. Yeah, I do. Like I feel like that. I don't know. I was like doing trial rules and like trying to be optimistic and like try and like, yeah, I feel like for like something's weird and maybe the algorithm will get back on track. I'm curious to know your guys thoughts. But like I kind of just like stopped altogether and like, it's been good. But I feel like things wouldn't really like gain traction. But then I would post on my feed in it would. So I'm not really sure. So I feel like I was trying like for trial rules, I would use kind of the same video or a similar edit and then like change the text on the screen to be like, Oh, which text is more catchy or which people respond better to. And then if it did well, then I would like move it to my feed and basically just delete the other one. Yeah. But that's kind of it. Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. It's like tricky. And then when I did move it from trial rules onto my feed, it didn't gain like extra traction. Like I don't think it like got me live. Yeah. Like it. I feel like right now I'm just using it as like if I'm not going to post this on my feed and there's not like necessarily a place I'll just throw it into trial rules. But I don't know. I'm trying to honestly more of a mental health thing I need to stop focusing on the little like, should I use this font or this like that was like seriously taking my whole day for one video and then like nothing. I don't know. I just need it to like stop that for a second. Well, it's because because these coaches on Instagram are like, here's the best font to use. Here's the most viral font to use. And the best thing to use is your intuition. Ladies, that's what I've been using, creativity, and what you're trying to do. - My intuition. - Yeah. And it will fail you. I just get confused when I am fed this every day, multiple times a day. - Brainwashed. - So. - Yeah. - I feel like that's pretty much it for like, present social stuff. - Yep. - Should we talk a little bit about full trends, pre-fall trends? - I'm so excited. - Speaking her language. - I love fall so much. I love that audio. That's like, I am an autumn. - Thanks. - President. - So well with that. - I'm so excited for fall. It needs to not be 90 degrees in San Diego. I feel like fall fashion is truly my favorite. It's the best. I just feel like there's so much you can do with it, the layering, the textures. And like, I just like, have you also seen so many people being like, as a retired neutral girlie and like, now they're wearing color? - Actually, yeah. I'm just like, so intrigued by that. I'm obviously so neutral girlie. - And that is my core through and through and you guys know that. - Okay. - And I just feel like with fall, it's so much easier slash fun with neutrals because you can play with so many textures and structure. And that's what I feel like I'm really excited about is like structure and texture for fall. I think that really brings more to play around with an outfit to life in a photo, essentially. And it's so crazy because it's like, oh, people are like, well, you only wear neutrals, blah, blah, blah. But I'm like, I feel like I'm playing around with like six different colors. Like, that's a lot. - Wow. - You only play around with six different colors too. Like, so what's the difference? - Yeah, it's pretty funny. - If it's in the color versus less color, you know what I mean? - Yeah. - Yeah. - Like, there's still mix and color going on. - Yeah, it's like, you can do like a light beige with like a mocha, exactly a black with the cream. - Yeah. - And like, yeah. So it's just like, - That's funny. - That's a good point. - That's the same amount of color. - Yeah. - It's just like, people don't see it that way, I don't think. - Yeah, I think it's like, people respond differently to the colors. - Yeah. - So you're gonna attract. - So it's just neutral. - It's so interesting. But, okay, so what we're saying, fall trends. Okay. - Swade. - What you're excited for. - I love Swade. - So much. - Love Swade. - Love texture. - Love structure. - So shoulder pads. - The like, little cinched jackets with the peppermint. - Oh yeah, okay. - Leather. - Yeah. - I don't know exactly what it's called. But like, pony hair. - Okay. - Yeah, like a short hair vibe. - Short hair pony hair. - Yeah, cute. - Like shoes, jackets, belts. I don't know, I love that texture for fall. - Boo, that's a good one. - Okay, that's a good one. - That's a good one. - I feel like that. - I don't even know. Is the Chanel, is it Cheetah or Leopard? - Leopard? - The dot, oh. - Yeah, it's giving Leopard, I think. - Okay, we'll call it Leopard for this video. - Yeah. - I feel like that is so popular right now in terms of just like the print, cute. What else? - What about you, I'm trying to think. - Love a dark brown. - Yeah. - I need to get my nails done soon because I broke one. And I think I'm gonna get brown next time. - Okay. - Because just dive in. - I know. - It's gonna be. - It's like something more, yeah. - So might as well. So I think I'm gonna do like brown, go back to neutral, burgundy neutral. - Yeah. - Brown neutral. And I think that'll get me through that. - Yeah. - You see it's good. - Honestly, yeah. - So yeah. - Okay, I feel like I'm just gonna say one because I feel like the main one that I'm really drawn to and that I'm wearing and styling law is like layering but playing around with colors and different colors, which is so funny, which is completely opposite of what you just said. But I'm more into like really, I don't even know what the term is. Like it's like, it's not like bright. I guess it is bright. But like I'm kind of like, I'm realizing what works best for me, my skin tone, what performs better. Like, I don't know. I don't think it's baby pink. I think it's like the candy pink. Like. - Wait, so are you like switching up? - Yeah, I'm realizing that now. I'm like, wait, I actually don't even every, I don't know. It's like a candy pink. - What you're saying, you don't like baby pink? - I like baby pink, but I do think it blends too much into my skin tone and I don't think it does anything for me. Like, when I'm, I'm showing. - I know that you're talking about this so casually. - I know, it was like a recent realization. But I mean, when I think back, okay, I think also what I'm leaning more into is like going back to my roots of like the original - Yeah, like OG, that's what it is. - No, it's more like that my first Balenciaga, like that pink, like a candy pink, like it's not like a, it's just like a candy pink. Like it's more like a developed pink. - That's not the most like, I don't know how to describe it, but I think it does pop more in general. I think it's pop around me. - It's a little more bolder. - It's like more bolder, yeah. And I don't know, I'm liking it more. And it really works well with layering. I feel like I can layer more colors. I have a whole layering series that is about to come out with just like. - I feel like it's doing really well. - Yeah. I don't want people to see that. - Yeah. - It's kind of giving me some info that I want to do like color combos for fall. Like I'm used to people do those videos where it's like brown and blue. - Or like brown and brown. - Yeah, or yeah. - Yeah. - Yeah, I feel like really what sparked it was like, I was just strategizing and I'm like, okay, I want to go back to my roots of like, what I built this page on and like, what I was wearing, what I was doing, you know? And so that's, - I know, I feel like I've been seeing some OG posts on your feet. - And I'm like loving it and- - Just throwing back in a little street. - And this is all time back to- - A little street coming back. - Yes, like what, like going back to your roots and like what you actually were excited about posting, like before all the trend talk came in. - So yeah, that's like genuinely the only trend I can like talk to right now, 'cause I don't even know, honestly, I don't even know what's trending right now. I think I'm just trying not to look at trends, but yeah, just like layering. - I feel like- - Layering. - Mm-hmm. - I just love playing around. - Playing around to the colors, the tones. - Oh, another trend. Have you seen like that one shade of blue? That's like really popular right now. - That's the shade now, like sway. - Yeah, there is. - Yeah. - It's giving kind of to me blue, but it's a little more turquoise. - Which is so funny. I feel like that color was like considered chuggy for like 10 years. I wanna say. - Oh, yeah. - And it's like such a fun color. I literally, I did just get some pieces in that are just fun to like layer in style with. And it's fun. It really works with that like candy pink, but I think it's like a really fun pop of color that we haven't seen in a really long time. So I like it. - Love it. - And I love that Chanel bag. I wish I could rent it. - I don't wanna buy it, but I wanna rent it, yeah. - Or like the tote kind of looking one, like smaller. - I don't think I saw the tote. - Okay. - I like the look. - Yeah. - Yeah. - No, Chanel's killing it. - I know. - I know. - Thank you. - I know. - Yeah. I just, I don't know. Something about fall. I feel like when fall is in the air, people are happy. They have their false Starbucks dream. - Yeah. - Like they, I don't know. I'm just so excited. The coats, it's so funny. You guys, I bought so many coats during my pregnancy. Because I thought I was gonna be styling all these cute bump outfits with the coats. And then I was just way too hot. I could not put a sweater on. I was so hot all the time. - Yeah. - Couldn't wear these dang coats. So now, this year, I have all my coats ready to go. And I'm so excited to wear them, style them. I don't even know, I need to, I need to figure it out. Because in my opinion, fall is the shortest season. So I really gotta get going. - Yeah. - Also, I really, really want a, I think it's Charlotte Simone. - I really want one of those this year. - They're so cute. - They're so expensive. But - They're really expensive. - They're cute. I really, there's a black suede one with brown trim. - Brown. - Brown for trim. - I love the clear color and the rest. - That's true. - Since we also have black and white, but I feel like that's a little too basic. - Yeah. - I know that's the way to brown. - I know that's the way to brown and sounds really cute. - So, yeah, I really want that coat this year. I feel like. - Okay, cute. - But we'll see. - Do it. - TBD, do you have Charlotte Simone? - There's another brand that's also very similar, but I can't remember the name. - No, I was supposed to rent something from them a long time ago, but it didn't work out. So, no, but they're so cute. - Okay, yeah, there's another brand that's similar, but I'm blanking on what it is. They've really similar vibes, but. - Okay. - Okay, fall. And just boots, boots season. - Yeah, I'm excited. - I love boots. - I'm really excited. - It looks so good with outfits. They make your legs look good. Like, so good. - Yeah. - Yeah, there was a point where you couldn't wear boots. - So, this too, you can't. I can wear my boots. - Yeah, that's exciting. - That's a nighting. And then yeah, I think I could just say this forever, swayed, swayed in the fall. - Yeah, you're a big boy, girlie. - That's just the funny thing though. It's like when you travel, swayed is so heavy. - Swade and leather and silk. Like my favorite materials are so heavy. - So heavy. - They make me, in case you need a capsule. - So yeah, super excited. - Oh, and Phoenix's fall wardrobe. - Oh my God, you need to make a video on that. - No, that's like on my to-do list is I wanna make like, it's so hard to talk, 'cause I'm like, do talking videos do well, going through the wardrobe, but like, I don't love sitting down and watching a full talking video. Just wanna see what she says. - I feel like doing well. - So there's the videos of like, you're just folding up the piece or like throwing it onto the bed. - Yeah, there's like so much you could do. - So it's like, do I just make one of each and just see what happens? I don't know. But also her shoe collections specifically. Okay, cute. - Oh my gosh. - She can't wait to see the arms, the boots, the boots. - Well, there's a photo over there. I just saw it on the roof first. - Yeah, like the loafers. - The loafers. - The loafers. - Like, I just like, even just the videos where people like, hold the baby shoes and they like go like this. - Yeah. - And then they just are showing the video. So I'm like, I could do so many videos of showing just like the individual shoe. I could do like, that'll be so cute. - So I need to figure out how I want to organize this content, but that's going to be like the next content I film is her wardrobe. - That's so fun. - Baby clothes for fall. - Oh my gosh. - So cute. - And just to see all the matching moments. - So. - And she's like bigger. So I feel like it'll actually like, I don't know. - I think she's going to be like, she doesn't walk yet, but as soon as she can walk, like that'll be so cute. Cause then she can stand and you can see her outfits. But we're not there yet. - So cute. - But she can sit. - So you can see cute. - Yeah. - So I'm so, like just matching with her for fall winter with the sun, the sweaters. - So cute. - So I can't wait to see. So excited. Okay. Let's see. - Okay. - I get confused. Is the life report now or is that like different than the intro? Then like what we're talking about? - Yeah, I feel like life report, like random thing. Maybe just like a little cutie update. Like any hobbies or like new things. Maybe we should put that up at the beginning. - Yeah. - Maybe we'll move the segments at the beginning next time. - Yes, now it's random. - But I like tried to like take some notes. Okay, random. But like, why is this? - Is a video or the photo of a listen angel, my iPad? - It's like our engagement. - Yeah. Random new updates in my life. I'm trying to cook more. We've been cooking. I'm like, we're practicing like hosting for people. - Okay. - With our families every weekend. So like we're having them come over and like cook like bigger meals. And honestly, I'm really glad we're practicing because last weekend. - What are you practicing for? - Just like for fun. - Yeah, like okay, I have found this new love for cooking. Like genuinely, at night I don't know how to unplug. And it's been like a thing for a long time. I don't know how to like unplug for my phone and like step away or like turn off the off switch for work. But I started like actually cooking dinner every night and that has been off switch for me. - I know he like that it's funny because if I remember doing something like that's helpful around the house. Like Josh will always feel bad if he's not helping. So he's always helping, which is funny. And he doesn't mind it. He's like, he just wouldn't do it on his own. - Yeah. - But like it's been fun cooking together. - Fine. - But he is so meticulous. It pisses me off. Like literally if I give him a job. - He is so cooking in the kitchen is like a one lesson thing. - I will tell him to cook. Literally just have to respectfully. Just have to like chop up the chicken thighs and put them on the like pan we were or the she pan. He's like sitting there for so long making sure every single one is perfect. And I'm like, this is a trauma response first of all. Like it's fine. You're supposed to be messy. But that's been like the funny only other thing. But no, it's been really nice. You've been cooking a lot. And like I'm learning like how long things take or how much food you should have. Like we did not have enough food for our dinner last weekend which ended up working out because my mom was sick and then my family just didn't come. But if they did come, we would have not had no work close to enough food. So it's just like little things like that. And it's been really fun. Like I'm so present when I'm cooking, which is really cool. So I feel like that's like a fun little update. And he like food dishes. Yes, we randomly, I found this like, I found this amazing healthy gluten-free pasta. And the only ingredient, there's two ingredients. It's rice and quinoa. And it tastes normal. Andian, it's like, I've only seen it at gymbos. But it's amazing. It's the only like healthy pasta, Joshua E. Like it actually tastes like pasta. But I found this amazing like white wine shrimp, sun-dried tomato, garlic pasta. And I feel like we have that one down. And I'm playing around with like sheet pan meals, which are so easy. But it's gonna be fun. Yeah. From our place. That is like our number one most-use signature. We have the clonky big ones from Mugja. Oh yeah, so that's the small one. You should get the our place one. I have a bigger one that has two seconds. 'Cause you can, oh, like when we make a roll, we can, we like really good. Okay. Those are really good. Yeah. But yeah, cooking is so fun. And now it's like fun, like we try to have her eat what we're eating. So like, we'll make like a little bit for her. So it's like you can't really season anything until after the facts. Like when it's in the morning, she'll get some eggs. Or like the other day we did salmon and potatoes. So I made her a little side of salmon with the match potato. I'm not sure she loves it. She's gonna be a foodie. She loves, yeah. So, do you think love you, Neil? Like, my hobby is Phoenix. She takes a whole lot of my time and energy and focus. But it's just so fun to like do things with her and like bring her places. And he's like, I'm at a place to where I feel so comfortable just like having her by myself. 'Cause I'm thinking, you're so scary. You're like, what if something happens if they have a blah, like, you know, and like, luckily my mom has been here to help me through all that. But now I'm at a place where I can like, oh, I'm just gonna go take her to do this. And I feel totally good. Like taking her stroller, car seat, holding her like whatever. Like, if you like, try like, I know I can suit her. Like, I know her cues. Like, yeah. So I feel like really comfortable with that. So it's been really fun taking her places. And just watching her interact with other babies that are going on in a mom's school class and just being so observant, looking around, I think she's a little empath because when one baby started crying, she started crying for like no reason. And she like, doesn't really cry for no reason. Yeah. Pretty good at communicating her needs. Oh yeah. So cute. Like, that baby's crying. So I have to cry. Yeah, that's so sweet. That's really sweet. But yeah, I think honestly, it's so happy. Otherwise, I'm trying to like, be compressed and install like just relax or I don't know. And she is seven months. Eight. She'll be nine months in September, which is so crazy. Nine months in, nine months out. I know. I gotta do that content too. So, yeah, it's a whole thing. Oh my god. And I'm trying to think other hobbies. No, but I just signed up for this gym membership. That's very affordable. And I'm really trying to do weightlifting. I'm trying to work my way up to three times a week, but we're not there yet. We are not there yet. And I think I strained my pelvic floor last week at Pilates. So, and I have to rest and we do that. Heal skin, unfortunately. So, the worst. But it's okay. My instructor at Pilates is like out of town for three weeks. She's going on a retreat. She's hosting retreat and then she's like traveling. So I'm like, it's on. Take a little break. Yeah. We'll see, but I feel like those are my hobbies like walking. Yeah, I was going to say strength training too. Or weightlifting. And then Phoenix and just baby things. Love it. All the baby things. That was another thing I wanted to do. I think I want to like post or do a yap stash or something of like, I've like really never held a baby before having a baby. Like I've always wanted to be a mom, but I feel like I never really had that like maternal instinct toward other people's babies. Yeah. And like when you have your own baby, it kind of just like clicks. Yeah. It's like really fun. And now I like babies. Now when I see a baby, I'm like, oh my God, so cute. Oh, yeah. You just like have an appreciation for like mom and babies. Yeah. But it's so crazy because before giving birth, I did not have an ounce of like no interest in other babies. Even when I was pregnant. I was like, oh, that's so funny. Yeah. That makes sense now. But then when you finally have one, you're like, oh, okay, get it. Yeah. Yeah. It's just so interesting. So it's just like if you don't feel like you have a maternal instinct, but you want to have a baby, don't be scared because you have it in you. Yeah. You should do it. You know what I mean? I like that. I was thinking about that the other day. Yeah, you should. So I've literally never held a baby. Well, I mean, I've held babies like not right, honestly, same, not really, but feed these my births. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. That's my life before. I love it. I love it. Okay, and our last section of our community Q&A. thank you guys for submitting these questions. We're always super grateful. Yeah, we're gonna answer like four. Yeah. And then more in the next episode. Um, you should we start a Patreon and then do I know seriously maybe we send so many good questions. We just cannot get to all. Yeah, it could be like a whole Q and A episode of the BD in the future. Yeah. Okay. Um, first question, was there a post you thought would go viral but flopped and what did it teach you such a good question. I feel like I don't really have the mindset of posting something because I think it's going to go viral. I think I've given up that thought so long ago because I feel like my personal end goal is not virality because I don't think that's a sustainable way to grow and maintain a community. And I feel like that happened to a lot of people when TikTok initially started. Everyone was like going viral and growing but then like, then what do you know what I mean? So I feel like I just, and I feel like we've talked about this a lot before on like our old non-video podcasts that like if you're gonna post something post it because you love it and you're not gonna delete it no matter how bad it performs because you're posting it because you loved it. Yeah, regardless. And I feel like that's the mindset I have with posting. So I feel like I don't really aim for that virality because unfortunately for me when anything has gone viral it has been not the right demographic. So I feel like I've never really benefited that greatly from something that would make me want to like keep doing that. I don't know. Yeah. Yeah, I feel like for me I've definitely experienced this like I mean I guess not in the sense of viral but like I there there's been posts where I'm like oh my god this is so good like I'm so excited to post this like I know it's just gonna hit like it's like just like it's more so like the mindset of like oh my god this is gonna this is amazing because I love it so much and it is like so disheartening when you post it and I try not to look at it inside it's like yeah within the honestly like the first few days because I just want to sit in the I love this post so much and then it's like it depends if I want to look I will but I just guess when you've been disappointed so many times for so long you become numb to the disappointment and you know what I mean like yeah just don't expect it. I really then when it happens it's nice but it's like it's not that exciting right I feel like for me like it does teach me like okay I can sit and like stay in the excitement over the disappointment because that literally does and changes nothing. Well that's how I feel too like at this point like I don't really care if something goes viral or doesn't or flops because I know I like the post and I created it because that's what I liked and that's what I wanted to share and so it's like you just like can't control the algorithm unfortunately and it's just always changing and like things that worked last week might not work this week and I feel like the algorithm didn't used to be like that so it's just hard to keep up with it these days and then add being a mom on top of it like I can't play those games. I don't know if I feel like it. It really just teaches you to trust your own creativity and your own vision. And I feel like that goes back to the trend yeah I'm not really going and relying on trends because it's not sustainable so yeah I definitely feel like it it does teach me a lot though like it's like okay so why am I putting so much value into how it performs on the outside. What am I missing right now like what do I need it's like you know what your whole day ruins yeah and like you should not we should not be giving that power performed exactly so it's always good to reflect on it honestly and I feel like you are supposed to learn lesson from that if you do rely on that and it's normal yeah yeah um okay next one what fall trends have you been styling okay um I guess we did kind of touch on this but again for me layering color layering color blocking obviously excited to bring out the uggs and yeah I feel like I have to just say the layering I don't really think I'm like oh okay I feel like I've actually been really into vintage lately and I've never really been super drum to it yeah it's been fun like I'm scouring Facebook marketplace and like kind of eBay like it's like kind of it's actually I feel like I've been on eBay too but like it's like if something sells out it's or each and that you really want I keep finding it on eBay dude you could be doing this like I feel like what is it like double the price or not double but like it's like a more expensive I feel like you you're so good at like getting things when they drop and like I feel like you could resell it and cater to those oh my gosh H&M did a club design their designer club this year was with wardrobe NYC it's very much not you yeah it's very truly true all street stuff not even it's just like black whites neutrals but it's like elevated basics and whatever and and I of course played the game but like yeah yeah so it's like I didn't need to but you never know because you remember when we were in Paris and the Magda Boutram yeah one job and like sold out so yeah so I got a really nice wool blazer and it's like H&M X wardrobe NYC except wardrobe NYC is pretty expensive it's like probably $1,200 for a blazer oh I didn't know that yeah so it's like I think for a while or no they do partnerships with like rosy hunting tin and the like old victory secret model and she's stunning yeah but yeah it's like very expensive for those pieces yeah so to do the whole thing makes it more like accessible and I got some pieces about it okay cool that's exciting okay next question what do you do to prep for a shoot day okay I have actually been doing a ton of prep before shoot days because I'm trying to make them more intentional and less random I guess like I've actually been creating a canva board for shoot days where I'm shooting like two or three because I feel like I got so scatterbrained and by the time I'm on like the second or third I'm just like oh like especially with the heat I'm just like I want this to be over but yeah try to be intentional and it does make me excited like I do try to create a canva board pulling some like Pinterest info or like some of my own inspo and then I put like the outfit in there I don't know I feel like I've been on this like planning kick lately and it's been making me more excited for things so yeah I feel like the canva board I have been doing and that's been really really helpful especially with poses because it's like so hard to like scroll back into your saved and be like oh I saved this and I liked this like five weeks ago like I need it in the canva board so I can glance at it and be like okay got this so yeah love that like for me I just don't have a ton of shoot days these days so when I do I really have to plan I probably go outside of my house to shoot like once a month and so especially if I'm bringing Phoenix it has to be so planned because her bandwidth is only so long so it's like we can't do too much so I usually do three I usually do like one with her mainly one kind of with her and one on my own so I try to do the ones with her first that way she's done and that way she's on her walk and like my mom helps and like takes your installer so nice well I do my last one but yeah so I definitely have to like plan the outfits the changes to be like in like shooting in general too has to be a little quicker because I just don't want her to get fussy yeah especially because it's hot out too or if I'm filming content at home like outfit styling videos all that then I definitely have to plan before because the day before because I feel like with my lighting and timing and like again the baby and her schedule I have to do it when like in a window of time basically so I just have to be so efficient with my time these days that I feel like it does take planning so I am saving my inspo planning the outfits the night before just making sure everything is good to go that way when I actually go to film it doesn't take me very long yeah so I think that's kind of what I do and just making sure I don't forget the accessories because I feel like that also makes a really good outfit is yeah accessories but yeah so I feel like that's kind of my mindset now I do want to like start shooting more but I just figure out that situation because yeah baby and like where like what's the vibe where people shooting these days San Diego it's 90 degrees I don't know I need to wear a fur coat yeah well see get the crack good morning I know and that's the other thing with Phoenix is if we do go out we shoot before her first nap so it's like she gets tired so and I try to shoot when it's like overcast in the morning so I'm really trying to be out there like 7 30 80m but I mean we're awake anyway because that's her wake time so yeah yeah I think that's basically what I do for a prep yeah but and then last question best advice to change a gifted to paid partnership oh yeah I have like such an in-depth episode on this but I guess like a little bit updated I mean it's not really I feel like the things that I would say are pretty similar so like you want to okay if this is a brand you really want to work with then you can accept the gifted. But if someone offers you gifted, I don't think that you should have any deliverables whatsoever. A hundred percent, no strings attached. - No strings attached. - No restrictions. - Don't let them believe in it. - No contract. Do not sign anything. Like, gifting should always be just the brand being just like, hey, we'd love for you to try this if it aligns. And you like it and you think your audience will like it. You know, we would love if you organically shared us in your everyday life and we're not dedicating posts to gift it. But, yeah, if you want to change a gift, it's a paid. First of all, I don't think you should create a whole, I feel like give them a taste. And then, it's not a dedicated, you would make a routine, incorporate their one product, but don't use all that brand's product for your routine. - Yeah, give them a little taste. And then tell them, I absolutely loved working together. I would love to move this more into a formal paid partnership. Here's examples of content that I've created with your brand, whether and then you can like screenshot stories or like tagged posts or whatever you've done. Kind of been like, here's where I featured it. And if you have like any sales that you've driven, LTK, shot my any of that, you can leave that if you've had that. If you don't, then I wouldn't include it. But just anything to help make the pitch stronger. - Yeah, I feel like we've said this in the previous episode, but it's like you want to make them feel silly for passing it up almost. Like why would you pass this up? Like I hear like everything I've done, here's what I want to do. Here's my vision for what I want to create. This is why it's going to work. Here's my, here's like a screenshot of why this will work situation. So yeah, just include it all and give them a taste. - Yeah, and I feel like we talked about this in our OG, OG days, but you have to be ready when you make that conversations which from gifted to paid that if you asked to go from gifted to paid and they say no, you have to decide at that moment if you are willing to go back to gifted, which means they will probably never pay you. Or if they say no, then you politely decline the gifting and you can decide how you want to move forward from there. Like if you still want to integrate the products and hopefully in the future, like you never know what can happen, I had a brand reach out to me who we love and they gift us so much and they never have any expectations and they reach out to, for content to be boosted for just why this thing-- - Yeah, so nice. - That I didn't have to do anything. And it's like send them the content, paid me, and like that was that. All because I love their product, they gift it. There's never been strings attached and, you know? So it's like you always have that in the back of your head and I just think you have to have such a business mindset about it and you can't take it personal and you have to make decisions from a business standpoint. So it's like if you're getting gifted and you ask for paid and they say no and you go back to gifted, they're gonna know that you won't take or that you'll be okay with gifting forever basically. So, and then it'll be really even harder to make that transition. - So, yeah, it's definitely a sticky place, but I think it's just one of those things where it's like you don't get what you don't ask for and if you're not asking someone else is and if you've already shown love to the brand organically, you purchased or get gifting or whatever and you constantly post and tag them, like that should make sense to them. - Yeah, it should make sense. So you just kind of have to catch them at the right time, whether it's budget, campaign, whatever. But yeah, yeah, I feel like people do it and you can do it, you just have to really be confident, I think when you're pitching it out. So, you got this, you got this. - We got this, really. - One last thing we didn't talk about before is September is New York Fashion Week. So, excited for all the grilies going, we have old episodes about New York Fashion Week and I feel like it's all kind of still relevant all the same things, like, say this. If you wanna go, just go, book the hotel, book the flight, show up, there's so many things happening. Just being in the environment is so fun. A bunch of different events to go to. Just getting in-spo, tagging brands that you like, I don't know. I feel like a lot of people are starting to go again and I feel like it's kind of picking up its traction again. So, I think if you wanna go, you should still go. We used to go. So, good luck to all the grils going and how that's so much fun. - I'm gonna amazing Fashion Week. - I know, Fashion Week. - I can't just see all the content from it. I love everyone's outfits and whatnot. So, I think that's it. Really, you got your right fashion month. Start prepping that piece. Put it in your bio, reach out to your brands, reach out to all your PR companies that you know. Google, New York, fashion-based PR companies, pitch them all things, but yeah, I think it'll be so fun. And at anything at the end of the day, you'll get good content. So, New York is so good for content. - So, I think that's it, anything else. - Yeah, I think that's it. - Acarlie, say, another episode in the books. We're loving the studio things. You guys like the studio thing? - Yeah. - A lot of snow. - I feel like it's really fun. - Yeah. - Thank you. - And I like it. And then, we really wanna do a trip. But like, we need to know if you guys wanna do a trip. - Yeah. - Let us know. - Let us know. - We're gonna learn you wanna go. Work on that figured out. We talked to the South of France girls that we got dinner with and throughout some location ideas, but we wanna know. - Yeah. - Maybe you guys wanna go. So, let us know. - Okay. - Yeah. - That is it. And we will see you guys in our next episode. Bye. - Bye. - Thanks so much for listening. We hope you guys love this episode. - Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes every Monday. Leave us a rating and review and we'll see you next week. - Bye. - Bye.