When I first signed up for Poshmark, I only intended to sell my clothes and never planned on buying anything. I’d never purchased used clothes before because I didn’t fancy the idea of wearing something that “smelled like somebody else”.

What changed? I started racking up Posh credits (you get $10 when you sign up for Poshmark using my invite code: SHOPMOONTAYLOR). While I wished I could’ve direct deposited them into my bank account, the only way to redeem credits is by making a purchase.

It seemed silly to have $30 in Posh credit sitting idle in my account. So I began perusing the app. I love window shopping at Madewell, but their prices are outside my budget. When I spotted a cozy Madewell mustard sweater listed at $30 on Poshmark, I made an offer for $20 (shipping is $6.79 so I was accounting for that). The seller counter-offered $25 and I accepted (which meant I paid $1.49 after Posh credit was deducted). How amazing?! I paid $1.49 for a Madewell sweater! I wore it religiously throughout the fall and winter. It is one of my favorite pieces I own.

I wash everything I buy secondhand, so that takes care of the “used” smell I was always worried about. I am very passionate about sustainable living and thrifting is something I’ve wanted to try ever since I challenged myself to live a more zero waste lifestyle. Poshmark has been a great way to ease into shopping secondhand, so here are my best tips/tricks for scoring amazing deals on the app!

1. Follow ethical/sustainable brands

In response to the backlash against fast fashion, there has been an emergence of ethical/sustainable brands. To fairly compensate their workers, brands must charge higher prices—prices that may not fit into everybody’s budget (myself included). This is where Poshmark comes in handy. Unlike thrifting in person, online thrifting allows you to follow specific brands so they get served straight to your newsfeed. This eliminates a lot of the effort that normally accompanies thrifting! Not sure where to start? Some of my favorite ethical brands include: Reformation, Girlfriend Collective, VETTA Capsule, Everlane, Nisolo, VEJA, Sézane, and DÔEN.

2. Select “Just In” or “Low to High” category

When using the search bar, you have several options for sorting your search results. Click the filter button (it looks like a funnel) and select “Sort” and choose “Just In” so you are looking at listings that have been recently uploaded. The default setting is “Just Shared” which shows you listings sellers are actively sharing to their followers from their closet (you may still find some gems this way, but the pool of listings have likely been on Poshmark longer).

Sorting from low to high is another tactic. Follow the same steps above, but instead of selecting “Just In” choose “Low to High”. This will sort listings starting at the cheapest item and ending with the most expensive one.

3. If something catches your eye, “Like” it!

If you hit the little heart “Like” button on a listing, you will get notified if the seller lowers the price. It also gives the seller the option to offer you a private discount and reduced shipping! I like to use this feature if I see an item I love but it’s listed at a price that is outside of my budget. That way I can passively keep an eye on it.

4. Add an item to your bundle

When you add and item to your bundle, the seller will get notified. It gives them the option to make you an offer without including a shipping discount (i.e. they profit more!), so this is another tactic you can use to see if the seller is a) eager to sell the item or b) is flexible on the price. This is a good route to go if you don’t feel like making an offer or you “liked” the listing but the seller did not make a private offer.

5. Bundle several items

When you purchase from my Poshmark closet, I give an automatic 10% discount for bundling 2 or more items. Most Poshmark sellers utilize this feature because it encourages more sales and less trips to the post office since everything will be packaged in one box. As the buyer, this allows you to pay the $6.79 shipping fee only once, which is like a shipping discount in and of itself. As I mentioned in tip #4, when you create a bundle, the seller has the option to make you an offer on the total price of the items in your bundle. If the seller isn’t taking the bait, you can leave a comment on your bundle and communicate with the seller privately. Here’s an example: “Hey there! Would you be willing to take $30 for everything I’ve bundled?” They may say yes or come back with a counter offer. Either way, it’s worth a try!

6. Check back regularly

I’ve scored some of my best Poshmark deals by checking the “Just In” tab regularly. Think of it like going to Goodwill when they have recently restocked new items. The early bird gets the worm, as they say! If someone uploads an amazing listing at an insanely low price, it won’t last long. That’s why you want to make sure you’re the first one to spot it!

7. Purchase during a “Closet Clear Out” promotion

Poshmark has “Closet Clear Out” promotions pretty regularly. During this time, if a seller reduces the price of a listing by at least 10%, you [as the buyer] score discounted shipping (usually $4.99 instead of the standard $6.79). If you have your eye on something that isn’t eligible for “Closet Clear Out” discounted shipping, leave a comment for the seller. I once left this exact comment on a pair of sandals that was listed for $13: “Hi there! If you lower the price to $10 (so I can receive discounted shipping) I will purchase!” She lowered the price and I scored a great deal.

8. Make an offer

I almost always use the “Make An Offer” feature. This allows you to negotiate the price of a listing. Most sellers list items at higher prices because they expect buyers to make a lower offer. Use this feature politely. If a dress is listed for $65, I would not recommend offering $10 because the chances of a seller accepting that offer are slim to none. It’s what many Poshers term a “low ball” offer (and you may notice that some sellers explicitly state “no low ball offers” on their profile). Not sure what to offer? Click the funnel icon in the upper right-hand corner of a seller’s closet. Scroll down and select “availability” and then choose “sold items”. This will give you an idea of the price points that seller is comfortable parting with their items for. If they’ve never sold something for less than $25, they probably aren’t going to start today. But if you notice they’ve sold several items for $3, then there’s a better chance they will accept your $5 offer!

9. Utilize the search bar

One of the perks of online thrifting is the ability to search for specific items. While the search bar is a great place to look up brands, don’t forget to get creative with your key words! Search patterns (e.g. gingham, stripes, polka dots), materials (e.g. leather, linen, silk), and styles (e.g. midi dress, balloon sleeves, boat neck). Based on the current fashion trends, here are some examples of words I might search:

• basket, basket bag, wicker, wicker purse, rattan, raffia, bamboo

• slide sandals, woven mules, block heels, slingback sandals, espadrilles

• floral wrap dress, tie front top, off the shoulder top

• straw hat, boater hat

10. Follow stylish Poshers

Some Poshers have an exceptional eye for style and put a lot of time, effort, and thought into curating beautiful photos for their Poshmark closet. Follow them to get their new listings served to your newsfeed! Additionally, they will likely “reshare” listings from other closets that are super cute. It’s like having access to your own personal stylist. Some of my favorite Poshmark closets include: @shopfreefolk, @eliseapffel, @hannbriggs, @wildonsdottir, @juneberry, and @arvolaundry. If you want to follow my closet you can find me @taylorturner_co. I make an effort to reshare unique finds from other Posher’s closets (especially if it’s something I love but it’s not my size!)

I hope these tips were helpful! Get $10 when you sign up for Poshmark using my invite code: SHOPMOONTAYLOR

Looking to make room in your closet and sell your clothes? Check out my blog How I Made Over $1,100 Selling My Clothes On Poshmark.

Want more Poshmark tips? Go here:

Quickly Grow Your Poshmark Sales With This Time-Saving Tool

7 Tricks That Will Instantly Improve Your Poshmark Photos

9 Essential Tools Every Poshmark Reseller Should Have

Should You Include a Thank-You Note in Every Poshmark Package?

11 Common Mistakes Poshmark Resellers Make (And How to Fix Them!)

Case Opened Against You on Poshmark? Here’s What To Do

6 Ways To Grow Your Poshmark Reselling Income Faster

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I passed out the first time I tried putting a tampon in. That’s right—I full-on fainted with my bare ass sitting on the toilet seat. I was in 7th grade and up until that point, had only ever used pads. I was terrified of tampons. First, I was afraid it would hurt to put one in. Second, I had no earthly idea where my vagina was (yes, I knew it was down there somewhere, but its exact location was still a mystery to me). But when you’re on vacation and you’ve got your period while you’re staying at a hotel WITH A SWIMMING POOL (and all of your friends are having fun without you), you’re willing to try just about anything.

So I gave it a go. I sat on the toilet, poking the tampon around in search of this illusive hole that I (apparently) had. On every instructional tampon guide, they tell you to insert it at an angle. But I wasn’t quite sure what angle. So between my anxiety over locating my vagina and trying to figure out the correct angle to insert the tampon, I got flustered and stressed AF and next thing you know, I blacked out.

Why am I telling you this horribly embarrassing (and slightly traumatizing) true story? Because I know what it’s like to feel apprehensive about using any method other than pads during your period. Pads were easy. Pads were my safety zone. But pads restricted me from certain experiences (like enjoying a pool day) while I was on my period. And I am a firm believer that your period should never get in the way of you living your best life.

I eventually got the hang of tampons (phew!) but the real game-changer for me was the menstrual cup. Yes, you read that right—the gal who fainted the first time she put in a tampon now successfully uses a menstrual cup. So if you’re anything like me and even the thought of trying a menstrual cup makes you squirmy and afraid, read on.*

Why should I use a menstrual cup?

1. It will save you lots of money over time vs. disposable methods (like pads and tampons)

2. Menstrual cups are better for our planet because you’re not sending disposables to the landfill every month.

3. If you want to be lazy AF on your period, the menstrual cup will be your new best friend because you can leave it in up to 12 hours!

How do you insert a menstrual cup?

There are a couple different ways: the “C” fold, the “7 fold”, or the “push down” method. If you’re a visual learner, I found it very helpful to watch YouTube videos like this one. I personally like to use the “push down” method.

Does it hurt to put a menstrual cup in?

If you’re inserting it correctly, it should not hurt. The first few times I used tampons, I thought they “hurt”. But in hindsight, it wasn’t pain I was feeling—I just wasn’t used to putting a foreign object in my vagina. Once I got used to it, I was more relaxed when inserting and removing tampons, which helped a great deal. The same goes for a menstrual cup. If you’re tense and afraid, you’ll probably be more sensitive to it. But remember this: your vagina is made of highly elastic tissue. It is not rigid and stiff—it has the capability to expand. If you use tampons and/or have sex regularly with no issues, using a menstrual cup should be a breeze (as in, no pain). If you’ve never used tampons, it may help to start with those before you switch to a menstrual cup.

Can you feel the menstrual cup once it’s in?

Nope! So long as you put it in correctly (and are using the correct size for your body) you should not be able to feel the menstrual cup. If you do feel it, it is probably not pushed in far enough.

What size should I get?

If you’re younger and have a relatively light period, you should be able to use the regular (smaller) size. If you have given birth and/or have a heavier flow, you’ll want to go with the larger size. The first menstrual cup I used was the model 1 DivaCup. After I got the Paragard copper IUD inserted, my periods were a lot heavier and I had to switch to the model 2 DivaCup. You can read about my experience getting the copper IUD here.

Does it leak?

If you bought the correct size and inserted it properly, your menstrual cup should be leak free. I like to joke that I can wear white pants while I’m on my period thanks to my menstrual cup! If you are new to using menstrual cups, I would recommend wearing a pantyliner, period underwear, or cloth pads the first few times just in case you insert it incorrectly. If your menstrual cup is producing any leakage, try holding the base of the cup after you’ve inserted it and rotate it 360 degrees. You can also try sliding a finger in between the menstrual cup and your vaginal wall to make sure that the cup actually opened up once you inserted it. If you’re still experiencing leakage, you may not be emptying your menstrual cup often enough.

How often to you have to empty it?

This is one of my favorite features of the menstrual cup vs. tampons. You can keep your menstrual cup in up to 12 hours! If your period is super heavy, you will want to empty yours more regularly than every 12 hours. For the most part, I am able to empty mine when I wake up and also right before I go to bed. No more having to constantly change tampons in public restrooms throughout the day. Lazy gals, rejoice!

How do you clean it?

Your menstrual cup should come with cleaning instructions. I simply use hot water and a mild (fragrance and oil free) soap to clean mine. If you’re unsure about the type of soap to use, Google search “menstrual cup cleaner” and several options should pop up. You can also boil your menstrual cup for 20 minutes in a pot (I would recommend buying a separate pot that you use only for this purpose for sanitary reasons).

What brand of menstrual cup should I purchase?

The only menstrual cup I have tried is the DivaCup (model 1 and 2) and it has worked well for me. I discovered Saalt Cup the other day while I was shopping and they have much cuter carry bags (for when you need to travel with your menstrual cup)! Not gonna lie…kind of wish I had a Saalt cup instead just for the carry bag.

Where can I purchase a menstrual cup?

I bought my most recent DivaCup at Walmart. Menstrual cups are also available at Target, on Amazon.com, and other online retailers.

A menstrual cup isn’t right for everyone, but I would highly recommend giving it a try at least once! Remember: practice makes perfect. Insertion gets easier over time. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the menstrual cup in perfectly on the first go.

Any burning questions about menstrual cups that I missed? Leave a comment below!

*I am not a medical professional. These are simply my own personal experiences and opinions. Please read the official instructions that come with the menstrual cup that you purchase.

Think you need a professional DSLR camera* to take eye-catching photos? Think again. We have some of the most advanced photo technology right in the palm of our hands. Yep—our smartphones. I'm going to share a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your iPhone camera.

Below are a few examples of before/after photos we shot and edited completely on our iPhones!

Before we dive into our 5 favorite photo-editing apps, here are a few pointers for taking high-quality photos BEFORE you put a filter on it.

Subject

What does your photo SAY? It's not always fancy filters that make a photo pretty, interesting, or engaging. It's the story they tell. Ask yourself: would your photo catch your eye even if you shared it without any editing? Study photos you love. What makes them appealing to you? The outfit? The location? The pose? The props (flowers, fruit, food, plants, etc.)?

Light

Natural sunlight is the #1 ingredient for a great photo. However, too much light can overexpose and distort an image. You'll notice this if you take a photo smack-dab under the sun on a blazing hot day. For that perfect shot, imagine the way light gently seeps through the windows at a coffee shop. THAT is the kind of light you're looking for. However, never stand IN FRONT of a window. Always stand FACING the window. Additionally, not enough light can create grainy photos with distorted pigments. Night photos are especially tricky because you generally have to use a flash, which can cause red-eye (and if you’re super pale like me, make you look white as a ghost). Since Chloe and I are musicians and concerts typically happen at night, our solution is to apply a classic black and white filter.

Crop

Where do you intend to post this photo? If it's on Instagram, you may want to have the "square crop" on while you're taking your photo so you'll know exactly what it will look like in your feed. While Instagram's latest updates do allow for non-square photos, you may still want to consider how each photo will appear cropped. I like having options, so I'll take both square and normal crops. I prefer posting vertical photos (instead of horizontal) on Instagram because they take up more “real estate” in my followers’ feeds.

Backdrop

All those foodie glamour shots rolling through your feed may have you wondering, does EVERYONE on Instagram own a white table? The answer is: no! Most bloggers use cheap foam board to achieve their clean, minimal food backgrounds. You can find foam board at any office or craft store, like this one from Michael's for $2.99!

When considering a backdrop, think about what you want your viewer to focus on. Colorful walls and murals make for fun backdrops if you’re a fashion blogger who wants to showcase an outfit. If you want your Instagram feed to have a peaceful/calming vibe, avoid photos that are too busy and cluttered (think: New York City streets with lots of people walking in the background) and aim for more white space.

Our 5 Go-To Photo Editing Apps:

1. Lightroom CC for mobile

Did you know Adobe Lightroom has a mobile version? And it's FREE! No subscription required. Not only can you make basic corrections (exposure, temperature, contrast, etc.) you can also fine-tune details (like the hue, saturation, and luminance of a particular color) and make selective edits (i.e. brighten a specific part of a photo). Pretty nifty, huh?

Favorite filters: Lightroom mobile is not your typical "filter" app. In fact, there aren't really any good filters in the app to choose from. Lightroom mobile gives YOU the creative control to create your own filters (also known as presets) that are uniquely you! Another option is to purchase presets (we love these ones from Jaci Marie).

Using Lightroom Mobile: Unless you are using presets as a base, you will be editing your photo from scratch. I recommend correcting the exposure and shadows first and then the temperature. Once those three elements are where you like them, start playing around with the other sliders. It will take some time to figure out your own personal preferences, so just enjoy the process! Don't forget to click the "MIX" button in the upper right hand corner of the Color tab so you can adjust individual colors.

Pros: The ability to customize. You basically have a professional photo editing app in the palm of your hand! Lightroom mobile can also sync with Lightroom CC for desktop.

Cons:  This app is definitely easier to navigate if you've had experience using Lightroom on a computer before. But don't let that scare you away! As we mentioned above, some photographers sell Lightroom mobile presets (usually accompanied with tutorials) which is a great starting point to begin learning how to manipulate the light/colors in your photos.

2. ColorStory

Before I started using Lightroom mobile, ColorStory was my go-to app. It's a lot more user-friendly for beginners. The app itself is beautifully designed. What I love most is the filters have this built-in brightening effect, so I rarely ever have to increase the exposure on my photos beforehand. In fact, I would highly recommend you DO NOT do this until you see what it looks like with a filter on first! Bonus: they offer in-app purchases, like filter packs created by popular Instagrammers (like our favorite, @ps.ny).

Favorite filters: the "Essentials" and "On The Road" collection

Using ColorStory: Start by applying a filter. TBH, that's usually all I have to do! Occasionally I will use the "curves" adjustment in the tools section. If there is a random dark splotch in my photo, I may add a slight 'flare' or 'light leak' effect. But I personally feel bokeh-type effects can easily look fake and unnatural, so I use this feature sparingly.

Pros: Minimal effort required (less time consuming than most other photo-editing apps). Also, fancy customization tools like "curves", a "grid" feature to plan out your Instagram feed, and the ability "save your steps" (i.e. you can make your own go-to formulas). Bonus: it is also compatible with their new design app A Design Kit.

Cons: Does not have any sort of “healing” tool to erase unwanted spots in your photos or the ability to tweak the filters (whereas Lightroom mobile allows you to tweak presets to better suit each photo).

3. Snapseed

Snapseed is my "fixer upper" app. My favorite tool is the "Expand" feature which can expand your photo in any direction. I use it when I need to add more wall space for text above our heads (to make tour posters and such). It is literally magic!

The other Snapseed feature I use is the "healing" tool which allows me to get rid of unwanted telephone wires or other small eyesores that may be distracting. It's not quite as accurate as a cloning tool on your computer (since you're essentially using your thumb) but for editing a photo you took on your phone, it does a pretty good job. I’ve heard the TouchRetouch app does this insanely well (but haven't actually used it before).

If you don't use Lightroom mobile, Snapseed has a "selective" tool that allows you to add or subtract brightness, contrast, and saturation on a specific area of your photo. For example, if I want to make my red hair really *pop* by increasing the saturation (but don't want my skin to turn Oompa-Loompa orange) I can use the selective tuning feature to specifically target only my hair, without altering the rest of the photo.

Pros: Free! And has great "touch up" tools.

Cons: Does not have good filter options.

4. Mextures

I only use Mextures for their "Grit and Grain" feature. It mimics the little specks of dust that you sometimes see on photos taken with a 120mm camera. Their "Emulsion" feature has a similar effect, but it is a little more drastic. 

Pros: It's one of the only apps I've found that can create the dusty "white dots" texture effect!

Con: I don't use the other features because they look a little exaggerated/cartoonish, imho.

5. VSCO

VSCO was our go-to photo editing app when we discovered it in 2013. The app comes with a few free filters, but also offers in-app purchases for additional ones. They occasionally have sales, so I recommend waiting until they announce those if you have your eye on a particular filter pack!

Favorite filters: M5, A6, KK2

Using VSCO: If a photo is super dark, I start by increasing the exposure in the "tools" section. Likewise, if I import a photo that is super yellow, I will begin by decreasing the temperature before I add any filter. Cleaning up obvious issues with a photo beforehand will help you better determine the best filter to add. VSCO allows you to adjust the strength of the filter, which I oftentimes do if a photo is looking too cartoon-y. After I've added my filter, I flip back to the tools to adjust contrast, highlights, saturation, and shadows. If the color or skin tones are off, I'll play with the tint and skin tone features. Check out this blog post by one of my favorite Instagram influencers for additional VSCO editing insight!

Pros: Clean, minimalist, and moody filters that emulate an old-school film style.

Cons: You can't mix and match filters easily in VSCO. You choose one filter and if you want to layer another on top, you have to save the photo to your camera roll and re-import it.

What are your favorite photo-editing apps? Have you tried any of these before?

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*Full disclosure: our Instagram feed hosts a mixture of photos taken on our DSLR and our iPhones. This blog post focuses on iPhone photography/editing for those who want to step-up their IG game without having to buy a DSLR and professional editing programs.

On the corner of Fair Street and Joseph E. Lowrey Boulevard, there was an abandoned building that hosted a triumphant mural of Colin Kaepernick sporting an Atlanta Falcons jersey. The artist, Fabian Williams (Occasional Superstar) created the piece after NFL owners failed to offer Kaepernick a new contract. “I thought Atlanta, because of our civil rights history, would be a perfect place for him,” He said. Apparently, the city had been complaining to the owner of the building regarding the mural. Then two days before Super Bowl Sunday was hosted in Atlanta, the building was torn down.

Convenient timing.

NFL Super Bowl comes to Atlanta, Kaepernick mural is torn down.
Try to tell me that’s a coincidence.

When Williams saw what happened to his piece he asked,

“If I were an interpreter of performance art, what message would you take from that?”

To put it lightly, people were upset.

For me, it felt like Atlanta trying to “clean up” it’s image—trying to say, “this is a non-issue” when police brutality and the violence against black bodies is definitely still an issue.

But the people acted quick.

Overnight Williams got permission from building owners, gathered local Atlanta artists and put up SEVEN new Kaepernick murals—coining it the #Kaeperbowl.

The first piece completed was SO CLOSE to the stadium that most people driving to the game would have to pass it. When my friend Leo and I went to go find it, the parking lot attendant who let us stop for a minute told us it went up around 5AM that morning. Another artist we met said they got the call around midnight the night before.

We got to meet some amazing Atlantans as we traveled from neighborhood to neighborhood yesterday. I even recognized a couple artists I was familiar with from the Signs of Solidarity that preceded the 2017 presidential election. As I stood next to the last mural we were able to get to, the person capturing the image for me asked me a question.

“What does this mural mean to you?”

I stopped.
What does this mural mean to me?
What do all of these pieces mean to me?

I appreciated the fact they made me stop and think. I appreciated the opportunity to take a moment to truly reflect on the significance of what was literally happening before my eyes.

Standing in front of the sixth piece I had seen that day, it felt like power.
It felt like holding hands with Atlanta and saying, “We’re not going to turn a blind eye to what you did there.”
You knock down one, we put up seven.
Try us, I dare you.
It stood as a reminder that we haven't forgotten.
We’re not done fighting.
We will not be silent to this violence against black bodies—the violence that continues to affect our nation and murder our loved ones.
We will not cower to the organizations and people who try to silence the outcries of this violence.
We stand with Kap.
We stand with one another.
It is a statement that we as a city can come together.
Overnight we can organize.
We’re still paying attention.

So—what do these murals mean to you?

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A few years ago, I wrote my most popular blog post to date: a travel guide for Nashville (where I lived for six years). I have since relocated to Atlanta, GA, and figured it was about time I shared my favorite local spots in the city I now call home!

1. Ponce City Market

Located in the infamous Old Fourth Ward district, Ponce City Market is a renovated Sears, Roebuck & Co. building turned modern-day bazaar. Host to some of the most unique shopping and dining experiences in the city, PCM is always the first place I take out-of-town visitors that I want to WOW. You’ll find everything from local gems like Citizen Supply and H&F Burger to commercial favorites like Anthropologie and Madewell. For $10, you can ride the elevator up to Skyline Park for one of the most stunning views in Atlanta (along with carnival games, food, and refreshments!). There is also convenient access to the infamous Atlanta BeltLine trail right outside of PCM!

2. Atlanta BeltLine

So what is the Atlanta BeltLine, you ask? It’s a 22-mile loop of trails, parks, and a modern street car that runs right through the city of Atlanta connecting 45 neighborhoods. It’s THE spot for running, biking, or walking your dog on a perfect summer day. Along the BeltLine you’ll notice local art installations, painted murals, restaurants, breweries, and more! It’s also host to one of the most magical experiences: the Lantern Parade.

3. Krog Street Market

I usually describe Krog Street Market as the smaller “baby brother” of Ponce City Market. In fact, you can easily walk from Ponce to Krog on the BeltLine! Krog is more food-centric than Ponce, but definitely worth checking out if you need a quick bite to eat (Jeni’s ice cream, anyone?). Krog is host to one of my favorite boutique shops, The Merchant. It’s also within walking distance of the cutest Hungarian cafe: Julianna’s Coffee & Crepes!

4. H&F Burger

Searching for the best burger in Atlanta? Then look no further. H&F Burger has two locations in Atlanta, but I recommend visiting the one inside of Ponce City Market (it’s more casual and only serves burgers). The original location is more pricey and has an upscale vibe, and when that location runs out of burgers for the day, they’re out! Not only does H&F have the most delicious burgers, they also make their own homemade ketchup that is TO DIE FOR. You can sit down and eat or order at the walk-up window and take your food elsewhere. As ironic as this may sound, I am a vegetarian so I order the veggie burger (again, the best one in ATL). But I did have their meat burger before I became a vegetarian, so I can 100% vouch for it. Insider tip: order the shaved crisp onions on your burger to take it to the next level!

5. Takorea

O-M-G I am so obsessed with Takorea that we’re on a first-name basis. This Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant is my go-to spot for taco Tuesday (literally EVERY Tuesday) because allllll of their amazing tacos are only $2!! As a vegetarian, it’s so nice to find a restaurant that satisfies meat eaters but also has creative options for us herbivores. My favorite tacos are the tofu taco and Banchan taco. I always add an order of sesame fries, which taste like a heavenly combination of salty, spicy, and sweet. Plus, they come with spicy ketchup that’s made in house. Y’all know I can’t resist a place that serves homemade ketchup ;) If you go to Takorea, tell our favorite manager, Bakari, that Chasing Lovely sent you!

6. Cafe Intermezzo

My mom introduced me to this place years ago before we lived in Atlanta. She knows I’m a sucker for fancy, European-esque cafes that make me feel like a true French girl. I ordered their key lime cake (CAKE, not cheesecake!) and it was the most divine cake I have ever tasted in my life. However, it seems they have discontinued making this cake because I haven’t been able to order it since. These days, Cafe Intermezzo is my go-to spot for coffee dates with my girlfriends. I usually order their hazelnut hot chocolate (Nutella lovers, rejoice) that comes in a giant cup. I’ve also had their Turkish coffee (the presentation is unreal) but I don’t do it often because my body does not react well to that much caffeine. In the summer, I prefer the Dunwoody location because of their outdoor patio. If you’re going to the Peachtree location, there is a parking garage off of 11th St. NE where you can get 2 hours of complimentary parking with a validated receipt. Heads up: the Peachtree location can get CRAZY busy late at night!

7. DC’s Beauty Salon

Chloe and I constantly get comments on our eyebrows and it’s all thanks to DC’s Beauty Salon. I never thought grooming my eyebrows would make much of a difference, but holy cow—it is revolutionary! If you want your “eyebrows on fleek” y’all need to pay this place a visit. It’s located in the Decatur area which is a little out of the way, but they only charge $4 (so please tip generously!) for eyebrow threading. It hurts like a b*tch, but 100% worth it. If I ever move away from Atlanta, I am going to cry because most salons charge $15-20+ to get your eyebrows threaded.

8. Highland Bakery

Whenever I move to a new city, my mission is always to find the best breakfast spot. For me, that’s Highland Bakery (Highland Avenue location) in Atlanta. My brother introduced me to this place and their mind-blowing sweet potato pancakes. If it weren’t for him, I would’ve never ordered them. They melt in your mouth and are served with a warm, caramelized brown sugar butter and topped with toasted pecans. Need I say more?

9. The Local Pizzaiolo

I am a Neapolitan pizza fanatic. If you’ve only ever had “American” pizza, you are sorely missing out! Before this place opened, I used to go to Pizza Antico, but their pizzas are much pricier. The interior atmosphere inside The Local Pizzaiolo is so cute and their pizzas start at $9 for the classic Margherita. The “Gypsy” pizza is also amazing (it’s a “white” pizza, so no “red” sauce). They also have a lunch special where you can get a drink, salad, and Margherita pizza for only $9. Tip: sign up for their email newsletter on their website to get a free pizza!

10. Chattahoochee Coffee Company

This place is pure magic. As in, I literally felt all of my stress and worries melt away the minute I stepped foot on the grounds of the Chattahoochee Coffee Company. It is important to note that I am specifically talking about the location on Akers Mill Rd SE that sits right on the edge of the stunning Chattahoochee river. I have the lovely Miranda from Occipital Media to thank for introducing me to this gem of a spot when she recommended it for our business meeting. The view of the river is absolutely magnificent in the summertime, along with the expansive green lawn and charming forest walking trail. FYI: you must purchase something from the coffee shop in order to park there and enjoy the outdoor space!

11. Piece of Cake

Four words: Best. Cake. In. Atlanta. Piece of Cake has the most moist cake I have ever tasted! You can purchase cake by the slice and every Tuesday they have BOGO cake slice 1/2 off (it is extremely difficult for me to resist this weekly offer). This is the spot for all of your birthday cake needs! Or, you know, your random Tuesday cake-craving needs…

12. The Painted Pin

If you’re looking for cheap thrills, The Painted Pin is the place to go! They have everything from ping pong to bocce ball to giant Jenga. All of the games are absolutely free, with the exception of bowling ($25/hour M-TH and $35/hour Fri-Sun). Located in the heart of Buckhead in an industrial warehouse, this swanky spot has an upscale-hipster vibe. Think: reclaimed wood meets velvet curtains meets leather chairs. It’s perfect for date night (or double-date night) or group parties. I went here for the first time on my birthday and it was a hit!

13. Caffe Bene

Shortly after moving to Atlanta, I found out that there is a pretty large Korean community in the surrounding area. Which was amazing news—not only because I am half-Korean, but because that means…delicious Korean food! Korea is known for its adorable cafes and bakeries, serving up some of the most scrumptious sweets you could ever imagine. I discovered Caffe Bene when my Korean aunt was in town visiting. We drove out to Suwanee because we all wanted to go to H-Mart (the Korean version of Costco) and eat Korean BBQ. When we finished grocery shopping, we were hungry but it wasn’t quite dinner time. So she suggested Caffe Bene and subsequently changed my life by introducing me to HONEY BREAD. It’s essentially a cube of sweet, warm toast topped with a scoop of gelato and drizzled with chocolate syrup. We always order the “triple choco honey bread” because chocolate, duh.

14. Breakers BBQ

If you’ve already made the trip out to Suwanee for Caffe Bene, you definitely have to swing by Breakers BBQ. Korean BBQ is an experience that everyone should have on their bucket list. I say “experience” because this is not your average dinner out. When you walk into Breakers, it feels like you’re walking into an upscale futuristic restaurant. The center of your table has a downdraft grill where the server will bring the meats you order out for you to cook right there. We recommend selecting the “All You Can Eat” option because you will want to try multiple items on the menu! Korean BBQ is definitely more for meat eaters, but there is a tofu steak for vegetarians.

15. The Red Clay Music Foundry

While you’re in the Suwanee area, swing one town over to Duluth to catch a live show at The Red Clay Music Foundry. The 260-seat listening room founded by Eddie Owen (credited with helping John Mayer, Sugarland, and the Indigo Girls get their start) has hosted performances by the likes of Jason Isbell, Shawn Mullins, Patty Griffin, and more. It’s one of my favorite places to play because of the magic you feel—there is something about that room that invites pure, unadulterated human connection. That, combined with the fact that they have one of the best audio engineers, Shalom Aberle, who consistently mixes the best live sound we’ve ever experienced. If you’re visiting from out of town, check our tour schedule to see if we’re playing a concert there anytime soon!

16. Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

There’s a reason this place has 1,411 reviews and 4.5 stars on Yelp. Perfect for vegetarians and meat lovers alike, Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta (and maybe even anywhere). For meat eaters, we recommend ordering the lamb tibs with shiro (tip: don’t order with rice or potatoes because you get less meat…if you want rice/potatoes, order them as a separate side). If you’re the type to order an appetizer, you can’t go wrong with the sambusa. Being a vegetarian myself, my favorite items to order are the miser, shiro, and ater. Skip your traditional fork/spoon and instead use the soft and spongy injera bread as your utensils!

17. Raging Burrito

If you haven’t gathered yet, I LOVE restaurants that have a variety of vegetarians options (i.e. more than just a “salad” or a “black bean burger”). Raging Burrito goes above and beyond because just about every item on their menu can be transformed into a veggie-friendly delight. I also dig their not-so-typical burrito offerings, like the “Tokyo Teriyaki” and “Bangkok” burrito. No joke, these burritos are massive. Come hungry!

18. Eddie’s Attic

One of the most legendary music venues in the city, Eddie’s Attic (yes, named after Eddie Owen) is conveniently located mere minutes away from the Raging Burrito (see what we did there?). This is another one of our favorite spots to play when we feel like staying closer to the city. The list of nationally recognized names that has graced their stage is endless: John Mayer, The Civil Wars, Justin Bieber, Brandi Carlile, Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, and more. This is a listening room for music enthusiasts who are there to truly listen to the songs, so don’t forget to silence your cell phone before the show!

19. Tallulah Gorge (Sliding Rock Trail)

Want to go on an adventure but can’t afford flights? Consider taking a day trip out to Tallulah Gorge State Park. About an hour and forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, this gem of a spot is totally worth the drive. Not only are there incredible views and waterfalls, if you’re willing to make the trek, there is a big rock “slide” waterfall that you can slide down! The water is pretty frigid, but feels good after a long (note: strenuous) hike. FYI: you need a permit to access the sliding rock. They run out fast, so we recommend arriving early (we left ATL at 6:30AM). Be sure to pack a backpack with sunscreen, bathing suit, towels, water, PB&J sandwiches, and plenty of snacks. The rocks and incline can get pretty slippery, so wear shoes with good grip/traction.

20. Raven Cliff Falls Trail

Chloe is obsessed with hiking to waterfalls, so it made sense that she wanted to check out Raven Cliff Falls Trail on her 23rd birthday. This hike is less strenuous than Tallulah Gorge, but definitely longer. You will not regret it when you see the view at the end—large rocks tower over you like giants and you simply must witness the stunning waterfall in person. Just a forewarning: if you get in the water it will be freezing and you may (accidentally) grab a slimy salamander if you hold onto the rocks for balance…don’t ask us how we know.

Other popular places you may want to include on your Atlanta to-do list:

• World of Coca-Cola

• Georgia Aquarium

• CNN Studio Tours

• Atlanta Botanical Garden

• Atlanta History Center

• Centennial Olympic Park

• Fox Theatre

• High Museum of Art

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Historical Park

• The Varsity

Click here to keep up with our latest Atlanta adventures on our @ChasingLovely Instagram!

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*I am not a doctor or medical professional. This post is simply relaying my own personal experience with getting an IUD. This post was most recently edited on May 16, 2019.

The first method of birth control I ever used was the pill. I chose it mostly because I was afraid to get an IUD. I’d heard stories from friends about how painful the insertion process was and I got squeamish even considering it. When I decided to go on the pill, I was traveling on the west coast. I’d previously run into challenges using my health insurance in Colorado during a nightmarish bout of laryngitis (yep, that was fun). Since the pill requires a prescription written by a doctor, I decided to minimize any health-insurance related hassle by scheduling an appointment at the nearest Planned Parenthood (if you do not have health insurance, Planned Parenthood is one of the most affordable options out there—simply give them a call to get specifics on their costs. And if you do have insurance, check to see if you can use it at Planned Parenthood! They do important work in our communities, so supporting them with your business is always a good idea).

Why I switched from the pill to an IUD

I was diligent about taking my pill every day. I put TWO reminders on my phone—one in my “reminders” app and one in my “Clue” app (you can never be too cautious). While having to remember to take a pill every day is slightly inconvenient, I didn’t really mind. The whole time I was on the pill, I never experienced any notable issues. My health insurance informed me that in order to get my BC pills covered, I had to pick them up from Walgreens specifically. It was a hassle because that was literally the only reason I ever went to Walgreens. But since I was able to get a three-month supply each time, it wasn’t that big of a deal—until the day I showed up and found out it wasn’t covered anymore. At that point, I was kind of over it. I did not want to have to think about my birth control anymore—taking it every day, contacting my health insurance about covering costs, keeping track of when my prescription ran out, etc. I will also be taken off my parent’s health insurance in January when I turn 26. So I decided to get an IUD.

Why I chose the ParaGard copper IUD

The main reason I decided to go with a copper IUD is because it is 100% hormone-free and I still wanted to have my period (crazy, I know). I like the reassurance. I remember asking my doctor, “If I got a hormonal IUD, how would I know if I was pregnant or not?” and she said IUDs are one of the most effective methods of birth control and because of that, many women just trust that it’s working after they’ve had it in for a while. She said some women like to take a pregnancy test for reassurance.

Another reason I chose the copper IUD is because I wanted a method of birth control that would keep my body doing it’s most “natural” thing as possible. Two potential side effects of the copper IUD are worse cramps and heavier periods. This definitely turned out to be true for me. I naturally have pretty light periods that last 3-4 days on average. With the copper IUD, my periods are heavier and last about 6 days on average. So if you already have a naturally heavy period, keep this in mind. Note: I use a menstrual cup and had to switch to the Model 2 Diva Cup due to the heavier periods. You can read my blog post on menstrual cups here.

The cramping has definitely been more difficult to deal with than the heavier periods. I’ve had days when I am not on my period (or even close to it) but experience cramps as if I am on my period. There have been moments where the intensity of my cramps has made me question if I should go back in to my doctor’s office just to make sure everything is normal. If you have a hard time tolerating cramps, the copper IUD may significantly exacerbate your pain.

I also want to note another contributing factor to my decision: insurance covered the cost of my IUD. If you do not have insurance and want an IUD, I highly recommend contacting your local Planned Parenthood because many locations offer programs to make it more affordable if you don’t have or can’t use insurance.

Other neat facts about the copper IUD:

1. It can act as emergency contraception (read more about that HERE)

2. It can last up to 12 years!

Getting the IUD inserted

The insertion process took approximately 30 minutes. This is much longer than normal. According to Planned Parenthood (and feedback from my friends) the process usually takes less than 5 minutes. So I’ve basically endured one of the “worse case scenarios” when it comes to how long it took. And I’m still alive to tell the story! So there is hope for you, too.

The IUD insertion felt like super intense cramps. I found it helpful to take steady, audible breaths to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. I am prone to fainting/nausea and I’d read online that some women get nauseous/dizzy. Luckily, that didn’t happen to me even with it taking 30 minutes.

When my doctor was struggling with the insertion, she wondered if my uterus might be too small for an IUD. I was already halfway through the process (feet in stirrups, CRAMPING, with a speculum shoved up my vagina) so I was like, “DON’T TELL ME MY UTERUS IS TOO SMALL TO PUT AN IUD IN!!!” I didn’t actually say that, but I was thinking it. Her assistant performed an ultrasound to confirm that my uterus was, in fact, an okay size. PHEW. Then my doctor informed me she would need to use a larger instrument to further dilate my cervix and a local anesthetic to minimize the pain. After she got it inserted, I was relieved!

Post IUD insertion

Afterwards, I had to walk very slowly because of the intense cramping. I could’ve driven myself, but I will say—it was very nice to have my mom drive me. About 30 minutes after the insertion, I did end up driving to the grocery store for ketchup and was fine. However, I made the mistake of attempting to “jog” into the store because it was raining. Intense cramping ensued. Moral of the story: don’t try to jog.

The rest of the day, all I wanted to do was sit or lay down and take Ibuprofen. The cramping was more intense if I went from sitting to standing (to go get snacks, duh). I wanted to paint, but really only had enough energy to scroll on my phone or watch Netflix. I had a little spotting/bleeding that first day.

I got my IUD on a Thursday. Cramping subsided significantly after 24 hours. By the afternoon the next day I was able to resume life as normal. The bleeding had pretty much stopped after 24 hours, too. However, the following day I noticed some bleeding start up again—but nothing major. Then on Sunday, it felt like I got the equivalent of my period. My period wasn’t supposed to come for another week, so this surprised me. The bleeding continued through Monday. I attributed this early period to the IUD and the fact that my body was adjusting (like, “WTF IS THIS FOREIGN OBJECT DOING IN HERE?!”).

Getting an IUD? Here are my suggestions:

• Take Ibuprofen before the insertion

• Don’t expect to have much energy afterwards (maybe even consider taking the day off from work depending on your pain tolerance)

• Prepare food beforehand (have leftovers in the fridge that are easy to reheat, have food delivered, or if a friend/family member/partner can come help you make food and bring it to you, that’s even better!)

• Use a heating pad or warm cloth on your lower abdomen

• Apply dōTERRA ClaryCalm essential oil to your lower abdomen

• Buy pads (I usually use a menstrual cup, but you may feel more comfortable with pads that day)

• Wear comfy clothes/shoes to the doctor

• Buy everything in advance. You won’t want to have to drive and walk around a store.

• Watch Netflix or read a book

What NOT to do:

• Run or even walk fast. Just trust me on this.

• Think, “I’m not bleeding right now so I don’t need pads!” At the very least, I would use a panty liner for a few days just in case. You don’t want to ruin your favorite pair of pants (because let’s be real—we’ve ALL been there)

• Push yourself too hard. It’s natural to want to immediately “bounce back” to your normal, uber-productive self, but be patient and remember it’s OKAY if you need some time to recover

Final Thoughts

I love the convenience of my IUD. I love not having to take a pill every day. However, I do not love the intense cramps. I try to reduce the pain by taking ibuprofen the second I begin feeling even the slightest sign of a cramp. I also apply a LOT of dōTERRA ClaryCalm essential oil on my lower abdomen (while simultaneously inhaling the scent for aromatherapy relief).

Most of my friends echo the same sentiment: getting an IUD is uncomfortable but they’d all do it over again if they had to. If I could do it all over again, I might be tempted to get a hormonal IUD because of my low pain tolerance to cramps. But if the only reason you are on the fence about an IUD is because you’re freaked out about the insertion pain, let my experience serve as one of the “worst case scenarios” as far as how long the procedure took. I survived and am here to tell the tale!

Of course, each person’s experience with an IUD is different. I’m simply sharing mine in hopes that we can open more dialogue to make discussions about sex and reproductive health less taboo. If you found this post helpful, please let me know by leaving a comment! Knowing what topics you find interesting, informative, or useful really helps me when I’m brainstorming to write future blog posts :)

Taylor

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Let's be real: making new friends can be HARD. Especially if:

1. You moved to a new city

2. All of your friends have been moving away

3. You're no longer in school

4. You haven't clicked with any of your co-workers

5. You work from home

Can I get an amen?

A little over a year ago, I moved to Atlanta. I had a few connections in the city (mostly work-related), I traveled a lot, and I worked from home. Growing up, I always preferred a tight-knit group of close friends. Friends who I could hang out with one-on-one. Friends who wouldn't hesitate to dive into deep conversation. Friends who I could build real relationships with. I wanted that again.

One day I thought to myself: there's a million dating apps—what about an app for making friends? I whipped out my phone and googled "friend making app". That's how I discovered Hey! VINA. It's basically Tinder—for girl friends. Turns out I wasn't the only one who had thought of that idea!

I was equal parts excited, skeptical, and nervous. I had never met up with a complete stranger before. Would it be awkward? What if we didn't hit it off? What if they didn't like me?

I pushed my fears aside and created a profile. The reason I chose Hey! VINA over similar apps like Bumble BFF is because the app encourages you to share more about yourself—your guilty pleasure, how you spend Sundays, how you would describe yourself in 5 emojis. You can take personality quizzes and even join communities like DIY Enthusiasts, Lit Lovers, Sober Sisters, and Entrepreneurs. Side note: Hey! VINA is geared towards women, so if you are a guy I'd recommend trying Bumble BFF.

Out of the seven gals I've met up with, a few of them have turned into really great friends. One of them is a complete soul-sister to me. And I've only met one person who severely turned me off. Is it weird making friends on an app? Sure. But no weirder than finding your future fiancé on Tinder. Why not take a chance? You never know—you could end up meeting your new BFF!

Thinking about trying a friend-making app? Here are some of my tips:

1. Put effort into your profile

Hey! VINA has a generic place-filler text that reads, "Hey! I'm new to VINA, and I am excited to start meeting new friends" if you choose not to personalize your profile. Don't be that person! That spells ZERO EFFORT. I can guarantee when someone is prospecting a friend, "lazy person" is not what they're looking for. Another recurring pattern I see commonly on these apps is: "Loves wine, brunch, mimosas, shopping, and Netflix".

Speaking from personal experience, those types of profiles tend to turn me off. Write something interesting that is unique to YOU. If you like to cook, what do you like to cook? If you like Netflix, which shows have you been watching? If you like podcasts, which ones are you currently listening to?

Here are a few examples: You're a tea sommelier who makes homemade peanut butter. You binge on Tedx Talks and read every self-help book you can get your hands on. You're a body positive yogi who is anti-diet. You're an intersectional feminist who is obsessed with listening to the "Serial" podcast.

See? The more specific you are, the better.

In addition, list things you would like to do. Maybe you want to improve your handlettering skills, practice Spanish, volunteer more, find recipes to cook at home, or get your butt off the couch. This gives potential friends a few actionable activities to envision doing with you.

2. Ask a question

When creating a profile, it's natural to focus a lot on ourselves—our hobbies, interests, etc. But one of the most intriguing profiles I read included a question: If you could live in any TV show, which one would you choose? 

This gives your "matches" an immediate ice breaker. They are more likely to reach out because you already gave them a question to respond to. Relationships are all about give and take—asking questions and sharing about yourself. Let that reflect on your profile!

3. Include information that may turn someone off

This may seem counter-intuitive, but hear me out. Friendship relies on shared values and common interests. If you are an atheist, mention it. Chances are, you probably won't hit it off with a Bible-quoting Christian, so that will help you weed out anyone who you have a major difference with. Same if you like to drink, smoke, and party a lot. Or if you hold extremely liberal political views. While it is great to surround yourself with people who are different than you to expand your horizons, it's probably not what you're searching for on a friend app.

4. Be picky when swiping

You don't want to waste your time. You also don't want to waste someone else's time. Be honest with yourself when you're swiping. Do you have a lot in common with this person? Does their profile sound interesting? There is nothing worse than meeting up with someone, spending your time and money on coffee or a meal, and having awkward, forced conversation. There is never a surefire way to avoid this, but try to give yourself the best chance by truly vetting on the front end.

5. Reach out immediately upon matching

Statistically speaking, about two out of every ten people I matched with would actually take the initiative to message me. I was usually the one to reach out first. Maybe the other person is nervous. Maybe they don't know what to say. You hopped on this app to make friends after all, right? Don't wait too long to make a move.

6. Don't spend too much time messaging on the app

After a few cordial exchanges, schedule a time to meet. If you sit around texting each other, you will either get too comfortable remaining that way or get nervous and psyche yourself out. You're not looking for an Internet buddy, you're looking for a real-life friend.

Nervous about making conversation? Try this:

1. Plan an activity

Go bowling. Try a yoga class together. Break out your watercolor paints. Bring a game to the coffee shop. Planning an activity will help take the pressure off of conversation and actually give you situation-specific things to talk about.

2. Bring the Book of Questions

My brother gave me the Book of Questions by Gregory Stock and it's honestly one of my favorite activities to do with new friends or people I have known forever! The questions are intriguing, hilarious, controversial, and really get you thinking. It's a great tool to get out of small talk or a boring conversation rut. 

3. Lead with these questions

• How long have you been living here?

• What brought you here?

• Do you like living here? (the answer to this can give you a lot of insight into a person)

• What are you favorite things to do in the city? (gives you ideas for future activities together)

• If you could live anywhere else, where would you choose?

• What are you passionate about? (rather than the generic "what do you do for work?")

• What is your favorite thing to do in the (insert whichever season it is)? (again, this will give you activity ideas)

• I've been really in the mood to see a great movie/read a new book/find an interesting podcast. What have you been loving lately?

Make a point to actively listen. That will help you think of other questions to ask. But also remember to share about yourself because you don't want it to feel like an interrogation!

Have you ever tried a friend-making app? Would you be open to it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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I started week 5 training with Kayla Itsines' "SWEAT" app this week and I am loving it. I just graduated from BBG Beginner (Weeks 1-4) to BBG 1.0!

Yes, I admit, half the inspiration is being able to share post-workout selfies on my Instagram story (feel free to respond with encouraging words and emojis! They go a long way). 

The new year rolled around and I (along with countless others) decided to take my health a bit more seriously. So a few weeks into January, I bought a year-long subscription to a fitness app called SWEAT that Taylor introduced me to a couple years ago. The following morning, I went down to the gym in my building, clicked the "start" button, and began my first resistance workout: leg day.

Kayla's workouts are quick: 28 minutes long, two circuits consisting of four exercises each. 

Example: 
Circuit 1: 15 squats, 10 burpees, 24 walking lunges, 24 knee ups
Circuit 2: 24 jump lunges, 15 sumo squats, 24 step ups, 15 squat and press

You have seven minutes to complete as many rounds of circuit 1 as possible, 30 seconds to rest, and seven minutes knock out as many rounds as you can of circuit 2. Then repeat.

Y'all.

I quit in the middle of my second circuit. I made it 10 minutes. 

I glanced down at my Fitbit to check my heart rate: 209BPM. I was certain death was upon me. Or that Taylor was going to find me passed out in the stairwell trying to crawl back up to our apartment. 

I was bedridden for the rest of the day and the three weeks following. Luckily, it wasn't that I was weak—the flu season had hit hard. 

Discouraged (but still out $120) I promised myself that once I recovered, nothing was going to stop me from getting back on the SWEAT train. There's nothing like being sick for weeks to remind you not to take good health for granted. 

Recovery took its dear sweet time. I eased back into physical activity with a few shifts at work and a couple slow miles of running in the park. 

Then I opened up the app again and started the program over.

Week 1. Let's go.

This time I made it through all 28 minutes. By the end, I was exhausted and drenched in sweat—but I had done it.

Inspiration came slowly. Many days, I asked a coworker of mine if she wanted to workout the night before. Otherwise, I would've stayed cozy in my bed instead of sweating it out on the gym floor.

A month later, I have only missed one workout. *Sorry Full Body Week 2*

I have seen some minor physical changes at this point. As a newly converted vegetarian (possibly working towards vegan?) I'm still in the process of trying to find a balanced diet. The app comes with a meal plan as well, but I'm not dedicated enough to let an app dictate my food choices. But I definitely feel changes. The push ups and lunges are getting easier. I feel more energized. I dread workouts a little less. I'm pushing through all 28 minutes rather than getting lazy on the second set of circuits. 

I've generally found that once I begin a workout, it flies by. If you have trouble staying motivated, know this: you'll be too busy moving to keep a close eye on the clock. When I do check it, I'm likely already halfway through the circuit (or only have two minutes left). At that point I think, "What's 2 minutes longer?" and find a way to push through.

I used to go to the gym and waste ten minutes deciding what to do. I don't have time to sit and plan my workouts or decipher how to perform an exercise. The SWEAT app gives you a video of how to do the workout, automatically times your circuits, and my favorite part—confetti falls from the top of your screen when you've finished! (I'm easily amused)

I'll be interested to see how long it takes to notice physical changes. If I don't after week 10, I'm going to be pretty disappointed. But since 80-90% of your physical appearance has to do with diet, I'm going to need to stop eating pasta every single day of my life. 

Stay tuned for future updates on my fitness progress! Or to keep up with my daily grind, follow me on Instagram: @chloturner and watch my IG stories. I can't wait to see what BBG 1.0 has in store because the first "Arms & Abs" workout just kicked my butt!

What are your favorite fitness apps? Have any of you ever tried SWEAT? 

-Chloe

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*This blog post was most recently updated on September 9, 2019

I joined Poshmark back in July of 2014 on the recommendation of my mom. She had told me several times about this "app that you can sell clothes on" but initially, I brushed it off thinking: would people really buy my clothes on an app?

Despite my hesitation, she continued to encourage me. "You're stylish and you keep your clothes in great condition. What can it hurt to try?" So I signed up. I didn't actually list anything immediately. Then I saw one of my friends on the app making a serious number of sales. That caught my attention.

It was encouraging to see because she wasn't selling name-brand clothes. Her listings weren't styled to be eye-catching. But clearly, people were buying. Maybe I had a real shot!

RELATED POST: Quickly Grow Your Poshmark Sales With This Time-Saving Tool

I set aside a couple afternoons to take photos, write descriptions, and upload listings to my profile. In March of 2016, I made my first sale. If you're doing the math, you may be thinking: it took you two years to sell something?! No. Keep in mind that when I signed up for Poshmark I didn't list anything for a while. If I were to guess, it might have taken up to a month after posting my first listing to make a sale.

To be honest, my first sale was kind of a nightmare. Mere minutes after I dropped the package off at the post office and marked it as "shipped" the buyer canceled the order, citing "accidental purchase". I freaked out. It was a nice dress and there was no way I could retrieve it unless the buyer decided to ship it back. I hurriedly contacted Poshmark, explaining what had happened. They responded promptly, assuring me they had added the earnings to my account (even though the order was canceled and the buyer had been refunded). They wrote, "Moving forward, we recommend shipping your sale within 2-3 days of order. Please note buyers can cancel their orders if they are not shipped by the 7th day after order placement."

The thing is, I HAD shipped it within the 2-3 day time frame. Poshmark's FAQ page states buyers can only cancel due to "accidental purchase" within 3 hours of the order being placed. The sale should've been final. So I emailed Poshmark again. If I was going to continue selling my clothes on their app, I needed assurance that buyers would not be able to cancel orders due to "accidental purchase" AFTER the 3-hour time frame. 

Poshmark replied, apologizing for the confusion. "The buyer did reach out to us for assistance, and we therefore canceled the order for her as a one-time courtesy." I have not run into any issues with Poshmark since then.

Today, I have made a total of $2,104.05 and am proud to be considered a “Top-Seller” and a “Top-rated Seller” and Posh Ambassador on Poshmark! These are my simple, realistic tips to help you clean out your closet and make a little money on the side.

Get $10 when you sign up for Poshmark using my invite code: SHOPMOONTAYLOR

1. Sell clothes worth selling

If you're going to put in the effort to take photos, write descriptions, and drive to the post office, make sure the clothes you list are in good condition—quality pieces. If an item in your closet is only worth $8 in your opinion, don't bother listing it on Poshmark. You are better off donating your clothes at that point. For sales under $15, Poshmark takes $2.95. For sales over $15, Poshmark takes a 20% commission. Time is money!

2. Take pleasant photos

You don't need a fancy camera. All you need is your smartphone. Take photos during the day, not at night. Daylight looks 100x nicer. Some people go to a lot of effort to style their photos with accessories and flowers. I personally don't have time for that. I like to stick to a consistent background. I'll set my shoes on a white surface or hang my shirts on a white door. If you have a photo of yourself wearing the item, include that! It's helpful for people to see how it fits. If you scour the Internet, sometimes you can find the original photo from the website you bought it. If your photos look dull and need a little *POP!* I recommend downloading an app called "A Color Story" and throwing on some natural-looking filters. Nothing too bright—you still want the photos to reflect the accurate colors of the clothing.

3. Be honest

Do your shoes have a few scratches on them? Is there a small snag or stain on your shirt? Don't try to hide it. Include photos of any imperfections and be honest about it in the description. If you try to fool your buyer, they will receive the item in the mail and eventually find out (and give you a bad rating). Your rating is how you build trust with potential buyers. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

4. Fast shipping and presentation are key

Ship your orders quickly. The sooner your buyer receives their package, the happier they will be and the more likely you are to earn a glowing review. Make sure your clothes are freshly laundered and not wrinkly. Wrap them neatly in tissue paper and include a short + sweet handwritten thank-you note. In your note, you can even politely ask your buyers to leave a review. 5-star ratings are what you're aiming for. Leave a good impression!

5. Show all angles

You can include up to 8 photos per listing. Take advantage of that. Make sure you have photos of the front, back, bottom, or any little details. Think about the areas of clothing that receive the most wear-and-tear: armpits, the bottom of a maxi dress or pants (if they touch the floor), the inside collar of shirts (check for any foundation/makeup residue!), the crotch area of jeans, etc. If you can show your buyer that these areas are in mint condition, it reassures them and they will have less hesitance pulling the trigger.

6. Title and description

I always include the brand, color, style, and size in the title if I have room to fit it all (ex. J.Crew navy blue button down shirt size small). If I can’t fit all of the words in the title, I choose the ones I think are most important (i.e. what people will be typing in the search bar most). In the description, I write what condition it's in (new with tags, like-new, excellent, fair, etc.) and what the fabric is made of (80% cotton, 20% wool). If the item runs small or large, include that as well. Don’t forget to note any flaws.

I also incorporate as many key words that pertain to the listing as I can. Think: wide leg pants, 3/4 sleeves, crop top, flare jeans, cowl neck sweater. The Poshmark ‘search’ bar is a search engine. Buyers are looking for specific items like ‘brown wide leg pants’ so you want your listing to show up in their search results!

7. Price & Accepting Offers

This part is ultimately up to you. Factor in the time and effort it takes you to 1) list items and 2) take them to the post office. I always list my clothes for a higher price to start off because buyers have the ability to "make an offer" and they always offer lower (duh). I’ve had a couple instances where I “declined” an offer or “counter offered” and lost out on a sale, which I regretted afterwards. All because I was holding out for a couple extra bucks! My rule of thumb now? As long as the offer is not offensively low, hit that ‘accept’ button. If you’re not planning on wearing the piece ever again, it’s just taking up precious space in your closet. I still counter offer sometimes, but only for items that I’m on the fence about selling in the first place. FYI—anytime you lower the price of an item by at least 10%, those who have "liked" your listing will get an email notification.

8. Price Drop

This is one of my favorite new features. On all of your listings there is a blue “Price Drop” button in the lower right-hand corner. Click on it, then select the “Offer to Likers (private)” feature to give anyone who has 'liked’ the listing a discount on the price and shipping. If you want to sell an item more quickly, check your “News” tab regularly so when somebody ‘likes’ your listing, you can swoop in quickly with your discounted offer!

9. Closet Clear Out

Occasionally, Poshmark will have a “Closet Clear Out” special. During this time, if you lower the price of a listing by at least 10%, anyone who has ‘liked’ the listing will get discounted shipping on that item (at no cost to you!). Poshmark’s regular shipping charge is $6.79, so discounted shipping may make your buyers less hesitant to purchase.

10. Look at other profiles

Looking at profiles is a great way to find out how much other people are pricing their clothes for. You can also get inspiration for how to take your photos and what to include in your descriptions! Need a starting point? Take a look at my profile here: https://poshmark.com/closet/shopmoontaylor

11. Turn on notifications

Make sure you get email notifications, push notifications, or both! That's how you will know if someone has purchased from you or made an offer. Offers expire after 24 hours, so you don't want to miss out on a potential sale! Interested buyers will also occasionally leave comments to ask questions about fit/measurement/condition. The more responsive you are, the higher your chances are of making a sale. 

12. Vacation hold

If you're going to be traveling out of town, utilize the "vacation hold" feature. You can set a start and end date to let buyers know that you are out of town and your listings will (temporarily) not be available for purchase. You can find this feature in your settings under "My Seller Tools".

13. Be active

Like any social media platform, the ‘algorithm’ responds positively when you are active on the app. Want to sell your items faster? Then share, share, share! If you are able to, try to share your entire closet 3x per day (once in the morning, afternoon, and night). Share your listings to parties when they’re happening. Share other Posher’s closets (they may just share your listings in return!). Upload a new listing. Browse around on the app. You want your listings to sell quickly, right? Then heed my advice: be active on the app!

14. Patience

I never know how long it's going to take for something to sell (or why some pieces sell and others don't). Your odds are better if you style your photos nicely, have popular brand names, and have currently trending styles. I have had listings sell in as quick as a few hours, while others took over a year! Just have patience. If you follow all of the tips in this blog post, I am confident you will make a sale.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful! FYI—this is not a sponsored post. I am not getting paid to say these things. I've just had a good experience with Poshmark. It's hassle-free and I like that they make it easy by emailing you a pre-paid shipping label. 

That being said, if you're on Poshmark and have any tips that I didn't include, I would love to hear them! I also know there are several other apps out there to sell your clothes on. If you've had experience with a different app, I'd love to hear what the pros/cons are!

Shop my closet on Poshmark: https://poshmark.com/closet/shopmoontaylor

Get $10 when you sign up for Poshmark using my invite code: SHOPMOONTAYLOR

-Taylor

WANT MORE POSHMARK TIPS? GO HERE:

Quickly Grow Your Poshmark Sales With This Time-Saving Tool

7 Tricks That Will Instantly Improve Your Poshmark Photos

9 Essential Tools Every Poshmark Reseller Should Have

Should You Include a Thank-You Note in Every Poshmark Package?

11 Common Mistakes Poshmark Resellers Make (And How to Fix Them!)

Case Opened Against You on Poshmark? Here’s What To Do

6 Ways To Grow Your Poshmark Reselling Income Faster

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I like to experiment with foods that people generally don't make at their homes. I've also always wanted to host brunch and/or dinner parties, so I thought donuts would be a good item to have on the menu. Obviously you never serve a new dish at a party, so I had to do a test run...and a taste test!

They weren't difficult to make at all, and came out with the perfect, soft and fluffy donut texture on the inside!

Lemon Ricotta Donuts Recipe

Lemon Glaze Ingredients

• 4 lemons (to yield 1/2 cup of lemon juice/zest)

• 4 eggs

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1/2 cup butter

Donut Holes Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tbsp sugar

• canola oil (for frying)

• powdered sugar (to dust the donuts with)

Lemon Glaze Directions

1. Zest the lemons, then juice them to yield about 1/2 cup of lemon juice/zest. Set aside.

2. Whisk the eggs in heat safe bowl that on top of a sauce pan (or double boiler). Add sugar and whisk until combined. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Fill sauce pan with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer. Place bowl of lemon mixture over sauce pan and stir until thickened, about 10 minutes.

3. Cut butter into slices and add one slice at a time, stirring until melted. Once all butter has melted, strain the curd. Place in storage container and refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Serve as a dipping sauce in cute ramekins!

Donut Holes Directions

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. In a medium sized blow, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, and sugar (using a hand mixer or stand mixer) until blended. Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

3. In a deep, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium high heat (fill the pot so oil is about 1 1/2 inches deep). Place a paper towel on a plate and transfer donut holes once they are fried.

4. When the oil is hot, flour your hands and take about a tablespoon of dough at a time, rolling it into a ball and dropping into the oil. Fry 4-5 at a time. Turn occasionally, frying until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes).

5. Place fried donut holes on plate and let cool until they are easy to handle.

6. Dust the donut holes with powdered sugar.

7. You can drizzle the lemon glaze over the donuts, or serve with the lemon glaze as a dipping sauce. We prefer dipping the donut holes in the sauce so they don't get soggy. Plus, they store better as leftovers that way!

*Recipe modified from A Savory Feast

So what to you think? Tempted to make your own lemon ricotta donuts at home?

-Chloe

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I have got to be honest. I'm really angry.

On Friday, February 10th, a black man was shot and killed while fleeing a police officer in my old neighborhood. This is an officer who has been disciplined by the Metro Police Department EIGHT times—TWO of which were for poor judgment in regards to excessive use of force during a traffic stop and an arrest. So I would like to know WHY Joshua Lippert was allowed to be policing our streets when the department had already determined TWICE that he can take his use of force too far? His file from THE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT reads that his POOR JUDGMENT has placed HIMSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER.*

How many incidents does it take for an officer to be deemed unfit to patrol our communities?

When is the Metro Police Department going to realize that THEIR poor judgment in keeping someone like Lippert in a position of power and in our streets is placing our people in danger? Who is going to hold THEM accountable? And now that the department has proven to us that they allow unfit officers such as Lippert to be patrolling our communities, how are we supposed to feel safe? The "poor judgment calls" of the department and the officers in it are costing our people their lives. We're looking for accountability not only for the officer who killed Jocques, but for the supervisors who have allowed someone who has proven to have poor judgment of use of force to continue policing our neighborhoods. We want officers who have files that look like this to be taken off our streets. Metro, your job is to protect and serve us—your community. Your actions have allowed this to happen, and your inaction will allow this to happen again. Local legislators, this message is for you too. It is YOUR responsibility to see and fix the flaws—in our system and in our police department—that are placing our people in danger. I don't want to watch another young child stand up and tearfully cry out for justice for their parent. Especially when they are asking for justice from a system that claims to protect them. 

Now I hope you take these demands seriously, Nashville. Because now you've taken one of our own. 

1. We want to make public, the protocol for firing the officer involved. We want his job, not just a suspension.

2. We want body cameras, NOW.

3. We want the people to organize a citizen review board with the authority to review the videos and evidence ourselves.

4. We want the housing authorities to stop putting out threats that if they see anyone speaking out that they will be evicted.

Thank you to the men and women in our police force who do not criminalize people based on race, income, or even rap sheet. Thank you to those of you who see your community members as human beings first. I’m asking you to please stand up for the people you serve if you see your fellow officers not following protocol and putting the lives of others at risk. Or if the protocol itself endangers the people you’ve sworn to protect. Your voices are so crucial and we understand the courage it takes to speak out in your position.

And Nashville, you’ve got to step it up. To all of you who marched in Nashville’s #WomensMarch, we need to see you out here standing up and marching for our black brothers and sisters. 

I know from speaking to a number of my friends that many of you didn’t even know this happened. While that is frightening to me, it’s not your fault. Now that you do know, it is your job to not stay silent. It is your job to let people know what has happened and to demand #JusticeForJocques

Lastly, community leaders, pastors, businesses, DO NOT be silent to this injustice. Use your platforms to inform and encourage your people to do the right thing. Your people are looking to you, and your silence will justify theirs. 

#JusticeNotJustification

Photo courtesy of: @mansarashidi 

P.S. To the Chasing Lovely fans, I hope you stand by me in speaking out on this issue. It is our mission to chase lovely in every way we see fit, and right now I do not see beauty in staying silent. Much love to you all. 

*Metro-Nashville police release disciplinary file of officer after shooting

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Imagine if you could fit four years of your trash into a 16 oz. mason jar.

Lauren Singer can. The 25-year-old founder and CEO of The Simply Co. and Package Free Shop is living a zero waste lifestyle in New York City. "I do not produce any garbage," she states on her blog Trash Is For Tossers. "No sending anything to landfills, no throwing anything in a trash can, nothing."

In alarming contrast, the average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day.* In 2013, the United States produced about 254 million tons of waste (more than China whose population is four times larger than the U.S.) making it the world's leading trash generator.† An article in the Los Angeles Times called it a trash crisis, pondering: why are Americans oblivious to being serial waste generators? The answer: we're not seeing it. Out of sight, out of mind (unless you're this guy who is wearing every piece of trash he generates for a month).

The idea behind zero waste is to divert as much waste as possible from ending up in landfills and incinerators. It's like recycling on crack. Zero waste is also another way to vote with your dollar: by supporting brands with minimal to no packaging, you are sending a clear message to corporations that our environment is a top priority.

You can't transition to a zero waste lifestyle overnight, so don't overwhelm yourself by trying to tackle too much at once. Choose a couple ideas off this list, make them a habit, then come back and try a couple more:

1. Refuse plastic and styrofoam

Aluminum, glass, copper and steel can be recycled an infinite amount of times. Paper can be recycled 5-7 times and cardboard can be recycled many times—not infinitely. But plastic can only be recycled ONCE because of how the material degrades when it is recycled.‡ Like plastic, styrofoam can take 500 years to forever to biodegrade. When you're at the store, vote with your dollar by choosing products packaged in glass or aluminum even if it is a little more expensive or inconvenient than the plastic alternative.

2. Buy unpackaged when possible

At the grocery store, try to do most of your shopping in the fresh produce section. Not only is it healthier, there is little to no packaging. Buy individual fruits and vegetables (like apples and potatoes) rather than the ones that come pre-packaged in plastic bags. Yes, some have tiny stickers on them but that's unavoidable in most major grocery stores. The point is: it beats a plastic bag. Remember to bring your own reusable cloth bags so you don't end up using the plastic ones the grocery store provides. Additionally, some grocery stores have "bulk" aisles where you can fill your own reusable containers with herbs, nuts, flour, grains, etc. which eliminates packaging completely!

3. Shop locally 

Support your local farmer's market, food co-op or local grocer (in Nashville we have The Turnip Truck, Maxwell Brothers Produce and a ton of international grocery stores on Nolensville Pike). It's another great way to vote with your dollar rather than supporting, say, Walmart. Bonus: The Turnip Truck has 10% off bulk foods on Wednesdays!

4. Say no to straws

Did you know 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded every day in the United States alone? According to The 5 Gyres Institute, plastic straws are one of the top polluters on our beaches and can be harmful to animals. The next time you order a drink say, "Without a straw, please!" But if you absolutely cannot part with straws, swap the plastic version out for these alternatives.

5. Give a crap about your toilet paper

Get cheeky with Who Gives A Crap toilet paper—made from 100% bamboo fibers! Not only is their packaging totally #onpoint and made from environmentally friendly materials, they also donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets for those in need. Click here to get $10 off your first order.

6. Keep reusable grocery bags and to-go containers in your car

Some stores (like Target) will give you a five cent credit when you bring your own bags (but you may have to remind the cashier)! Keep a stash of reusable grocery bags and to-go containers in your car. That way, you'll never forget them at home. When we first started bringing our own to-go containers to restaurants, we often forgot them in the car. But even if it's cold out, we walk back out to our car to grab them. Same goes for our grocery bags. That's how you make it a habit! 

7. Keep a hand towel in your purse or pocket

Most public restrooms still use paper towels. So until everyone gets on board with hand dryers, carry a hand towel with you (we got this one from IKEA for 79 cents) in your coat pocket or purse instead of using paper towels. I know it can be a hassle, but every little bit helps!

8. Bring a reusable water bottle with you everywhere

Disposable plastic water bottles are bad. Period. I don't need to rattle off statistics for you to know that. Get a reusable water bottle and keep it in your car's cupholder so you never forget it at home! Stainless steel bottles are best (I love these plastic-free ones from Klean Kanteen) but if you already own a reusable plastic one that is non-toxic, use that. The goal is to keep disposable plastic water bottles out of landfills and to stop buying them to reduce their "demand". Drop an activated charcoal water filter in your bottle so you have purified water wherever you go.

9. Switch to bar soap

Liquid hand soap comes packaged in plastic, but you can buy bar soap unpackaged or in recyclable paper/cardboard packaging. Store your soap on an eco-friendly bamboo soap dish, like this one from IKEA.

10. Use a compostable toothbrush

Over 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes that will never biodegrade are dumped in landfills and oceans every year worldwide. So let your dentist keep that complementary plastic toothbrush and get yourself a compostable bamboo one! I am IN LOVE with my new Brush With Bamboo toothbrush that Chloe got me for my birthday. It is completely biodegradable and all the packaging can be recycled or composted! I have never been so excited to unwrap a toothbrush in my life.

11. Ditch dryer sheets and use wool dryer balls instead

Not only do wool dryer balls help reduce waste, they are 100x better for my sensitive skin! Dryer sheets are full of toxic chemicals and fragrances—a sure recipe for skin break outs. Now we use four wool dryer balls with a few drops of dōTERRA 'Purify' essential oil. They can be used over and over so you never have to buy another box of dryer sheets again! If you're still not convinced, read this blog for the endless list of benefits.

12. Trade tampons for a menstrual cup

9,120 tampons. That's the number of tampons the average woman will use over the course of her menstrual life according to Huffington Post. Multiply that by the number of women who use tampons (the article stated 70 percent) and you've got a lot of tampons headed to landfills. At around $7 per box of 36 tampons, the average woman will shell out $1773.33 for them in her lifetime. Enter: the menstrual cup. Seriously, it changed my life. I just wish I'd made the switch sooner. It's reusable, you can keep it in for 12 HOURS. Chloe and I have the DivaCup which is $24, but compared to $1773 that's a steal. If the idea of a menstrual cup freaks you out, here are 6 Weird Reasons To Wear A Menstrual Cup That Aren't About Saving The Environment. Still on the fence? Reusable cloth pads like GladRags are another great eco-friendly option.

13. Save money with a safety razor

Remember the days when shaving used to be a gentlemanly art form? No? Me neither! Cheap, plastic disposable razors have been around since I began shaving as a teenager. But I like to imagine a time when shaving was a more classy, less tacky affair. And certainly less wasteful, mind you. While stainless steel safety razors are marketed more to men, ladies can use them, too! Just read How I ditched sexist disposable razors and learnt to shave my legs like a gentleman. Then watch a couple how-to videos and get yo self one! It will save you money in the long run.

14. Compost your food scraps

You can turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil. Seriously. I wrote an entire blog post on the magical process that is composting called 3 Easy Steps To Start Composting At Home Today. Chloe and I have been having so much fun (yes, fun) with the little compost tumbler she got for her birthday. But if you live in an apartment with no balcony or outdoor space for a compost tumbler, watch this video on How To Compost Anywhere. NYC even has drop-off sites where you can take your food scraps to be turned into compost!

15. Make it yourself

Since embarking on our zero waste journey, Chloe and I have taught ourselves how to make our own toothpaste, bread, soy milk, granola, and pasta. That's right. You can reduce packaging and become a #DOMESTICGODDESS at the same time. Plus, you don't have to worry about ingesting weird chemicals or artificial ingredients that are impossible to pronounce. 

• How to make zero waste toothpaste (coconut oil may solidify and clog drain pipes, so spit in a jar or the trash)

• The bread machine we use (and love!)

• Super Simple Granola Recipe

• How To Make Homemade Soymilk

• Fresh Pasta Dough Recipe

For more ideas, check out our Zero Waste Pinterest Board, Trash Is For Tossers and Zero Waste Home.

References

*Duke University's Center for Sustainability & Commerce

†"The world's trash crisis, and why Americans are oblivious". The Los Angeles Times.

‡"Recyclable Materials: How Many Times You Can Reuse Aluminum, Paper, Glass And More". The Huffington Post.

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You can say we're screwed. You can say 'I give up'. You can let fear, racism, misogyny and corporate greed win. Or you can fight.

I couldn't sleep tonight. I just lay there—heart pounding, head throbbing, ears ringing—staring into the vast darkness. I don't think silence has ever sounded so...heavy. Like many Americans (and many across the globe) who witnessed the 2016 U.S. Election, I am stunned. 

Today, America voted in a president who has repeatedly and unapologetically attacked me and the people I love.

I am deeply hurt. I am horrified. I am afraid.

Because as a woman, a mixed person and the daughter of a Korean immigrant I feel more abandoned, unsafe and unwanted than I have ever felt in my own country. I worry for the safety of my friends and for people I have never met. I thought America was supposed to be progressive. I thought we were supposed to set the example. The rose-colored glasses through which I gazed as a child have been shattered. At this point, nothing shocks me anymore. But it still stings.

This is not the kind of world I want to live in. I refuse to accept it. I will not stand for it and neither should you. I may go down fighting, but by God, I will be fighting. And when I say "fighting" I'm not talking fists and guns. To create a better world, we must be better. If we wish for a world free of violence, we must first ourselves be free of violence. If we wish for a world where love prevails, we must show love. I am devastated that America has elected a president who is filled with so much hatred. But I am also devastated to see cries for blood from those who claim to denounce his hate. When we stoop to his level, we become like him. If we stoop to his level, are we really any different at all?

This entire election has been exhausting. I feel it. No matter where you fall politically, we are all feeling it. Just take a look at your Facebook or Twitter newsfeed. The entire world is feeling this. 

As disheartening as this election has been, what I have felt from people both on social media and in person is that I am not alone. The response to this embarrassing outcome has been overwhelming. That gives me hope.

I hope we have all learned a lesson in passivity; in the danger of complacency. This needs to spark action. The people with the right heart and mindset are out there. They may not have shown up at the polls when we needed them, but we cannot afford to waste time pointing fingers. It's time to step up, face our mess, or face the consequences if we don't.

So please—for the love of God, humanity or whatever you hold dear—do not move to Canada. Do not leave us behind. Keep fighting.

For love.

For immigrants.

For refugees.

For the LGBTQ+ community.

For women.

For people of color.

For Native Americans.

For our Earth.

Do not lose heart. We have much work to do. 

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Buffet. Winfrey. Gates. Zuckerberg.

According to an article on The Mission, these top business leaders and entrepreneurs all have one thing in common: they make reading a major part of their daily lifestyle. Warren Buffet reads 500 pages a day. Bill Gates reads a book a week, for a total of 50 books per year. Oprah Winfrey leads one of the most influential book clubs of our time (of course she does).

So, how can we incorporate this habit for ourselves?

1. My "Three Chapters" Rule

I have a rule if I'm reading for pleasure: give every book three chapters to win you over. If by chapter three you are bored to tears, chuck it. It's an author's job to entice you—to keep you wanting more. If they can't hook you in three chapters, move on. I know, it sounds obvious! But I think we have a tendency to self-impose guilt for not seeing a book through. We "grin and bear it" just so we can check an invisible box. Time is precious—don't waste it. There are so many wonderful books, but if you consistently associate reading with slow, painful torture, that could be one reason you're not making a dent in your reading list.

2. Check books out from the library

I confess: I used to be a book snob. I wanted brand new, crisp books sans dog-eared pages that I didn't have to worry about returning on time. But here's the catch: when you have the freedom to read at a leisurely pace, three months pass and you've only gotten a third of the way through a book. Now that I only read library books, that looming due date keeps me motivated to get 'er done. My wallet is also a lot happier. Don't let a tight budget keep you from reading alllllllllll the books!

*Tip: Popular books will have waiting lists. Check out a title that is available and put the others on hold. That way, when you finish it, the others will be ready for pick up! 

3. Make books as accessible as your iPhone

We've made it a habit to keep our phones with us everywhere we go. Why not our books? Keep them by your bedside. Carry them with you when you're out and about. On a train. On a plane. In a house. With a mouse...you get the point. I promise, you'll look a lot cooler riding in an elevator reading a book versus having your nose glued to your smartphone. Who knows, if you're lucky you may even make it onto the Hot Dudes Reading Instagram Account. ;-)

4. Join a book club

Being part of a book club has a lot of perks. For starters, you no longer have to scour the Internet for book reviews—you're given a curated list of books to read. Secondly, it makes reading a social habit, which can help keep you accountable. Don't have a local book club that interests you? Join one online! I'm loving Emma Watson's Our Shared Shelf book club on GoodReads.

5. Set a timer and unplug

Say you watch your favorite Netflix show four times a week. Try cutting back to two and replacing it with reading sessions. To keep yourself on task, set a timer for the amount of time you wish to dedicate to reading each day (30 mins, 1 hour, etc). We all read at different paces, so try not to dwell on page count. Instead, focus on the sense of accomplishment you feel when that timer goes off!

Curious about what I've been reading lately? Follow along here.

-Taylor

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"I've been clean for eight months," he says seriously. "I'm just beginning to believe I exist."

I recently read My Life On The Road by Gloria Steinem. In it, she shares the story of a rather peculiar taxi driver she once met who hadn't watched television, looked at the Internet, played video games, or read books or newspapers in almost a year. She recounts their conversation over the course of the ride:

As they pull into LaGuardia, he asks not for a tip, but instead, a bargain:

For some reason, this particular excerpt really struck me. Maybe it was his phrasing: I've been clean for eight months. When we think addiction, we oftentimes think drugs, sex, alcohol. Or shopping, if we're really getting creative. Rarely do we consider the idea that technology can be a very real addiction. In fact, it may be one of the most pervasive addictions in society today because it’s so easy to keep under wraps. It's almost become acceptable (because hey—everybody's doing it). 

Or maybe this passage stuck out to me because lately, I've been questioning my own interactions with media: how much time I spend consumed by it; the role I play in contributing to it.

Earlier this year, I had a bit of a wake-up call. One night—like countless others—I crawled lazily into bed, propping one pillow beneath my head and wedging another behind my back. After snuggling to get situated beneath the covers, I fished my phone up from my bedside to check it one last time before dozing off. And by "check" I mean I probably spent a good half hour scrolling. What did I do the next morning when I woke up? Scrolled, scrolled, scrolled. It had become such an impulsive habit, it was almost as if I couldn't properly get out of bed without engaging in this ritual. "Do you ever wake up without getting on your phone?" my mom asked as she passed my room on her way down to breakfast.

"Yeah," I retorted defensively, glancing up. But we both knew it was a lie. She shook her head solemnly. Truth was, I couldn't remember the last time I'd awoken without checking my phone. But really—how hard could it be?

So I made a conscious decision. The next morning, I would—under no circumstances—check my phone. And I didn't. But what resulted filled me with a slight sense of horror. I felt significantly more drowsy and it took a great deal longer for my mind to "wake up". I mulled through my usual routine: made my bed, brushed my teeth, got dressed, ate breakfast. Ugh, I thought miserably to myself. This is awful. I had an overwhelming urge to just grab my phone, flood my eyeballs with that artificial fluorescent light, and kick my brain into gear. But I resisted. Because I didn't want to be a zombie—forever a slave to the "twitch". 

This revelation had an almost domino effect. Not waking up to my phone led me to examine my interactions with technology during the remaining hours of the day. I began taking mental notes and found that whenever I was even the slightest bit bored, I would reach for my phone. If I was out and about and didn't want to appear idle (to perfect strangers), maybe deflecting to Instagram would curb my feelings of awkwardness. Or make me seem…busy?

Honestly, I went a bit mad. I started deleting all of my social media apps. I told myself I would only use my phone for texts and calls, which relegated me to my computer (for email and work purposes, of course). But it wasn't long before that failed, too. I began re-downloading my apps, justifying it when I needed to post for "work". Because that was justifiable...or was it? More times than not, I'd get so sick of having to constantly delete and re-download apps that I would just keep them on my phone, which made it all too easy to slip—to click those little icons—check in; become consumed.

Let me tell you, once you open a can of worms like this, there's no going back. I began wondering: in what ways was I contributing to the "twitch"? All of my statuses, photos, uploads—were they worthy of other peoples’ scrolling time? It's not like many people pay attention to what I do. And sharing a photo of the pancakes I ate this morning is seemingly harmless. But in the grand scheme of things, what is the effect?

I'm not saying we should all be as extreme as that taxi driver and go completely cold turkey on media. But it's not a bad idea to take a moment to question what we do. What are our motivations? What is our impact—regardless of how insignificant it may seem? Media is not all bad. It's about balance. 

What could we be doing with our time if we weren't spending it "plugged in"? I would venture to say the average person wastes more than a few hours per day on their phones and computers. And Netflix. And The Kardashians. And that random movie you picked up at Redbox that's probably going to suck, but hey—you were bored. And it was only $1. 

This past weekend, my dad and little brother were in town visiting for Chloe's birthday. My brother was playing a game on his iPad when my dad told him he had to put it away and read his book. He grumbled a bit, but said "okay" and drug his feet over to his suitcase, pulling out a copy of Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder with a mischievous redheaded kid on the cover, propelling a soccer ball with his extreme flatulence. I chuckled and turned to my dad.

"You know what's weird? Kids these days have never known a time when the Internet didn't exist. iPads, iPhones, computers...it's all intuitive to them. I'm glad I got to experience a short period of time when the Internet didn't exist." He nodded thoughtfully as I continued, "When I was a kid, if I got bored I had to go outside. Or bike through the neighborhood. Or make up a dance routine to a Hilary Duff song. Or jump on the trampoline. Or rollerblade around the garage. Or get chalk so my friends and I could play four-square on the driveway..." my voice trailed off.

But it's true. When you don't have a device entertaining you, it forces you to use your imagination. To create. To be creative. I think the reason I'm creative stems from a few anomalies during my childhood: I never owned a video game system. Our mom limited our movie and TV time, and when we got a clunky desktop computer she always set a 30-minute timer. When I got bored, I went up to my room, pulled out a bin of empty notebooks from under my bed, and wrote stories.

I can think of more than a few things we could accomplish if we weren't so distracted. We could go for a jog. Pick up that guitar we bought a few years ago that we've been meaning to learn. Finish a project around the house. Cook a meal. Invite a friend over to play board games or have a meaningful conversation. Sew patches on the sleeves of worn out shirts. Picnic in the park. Learn a new language. Garden. Volunteer. Heck, we could write the stories, make the movies, and sing the songs—instead of always being the ones consuming them. 

Just like that taxi driver, I'm trying to see with my own eyes.

I hope you do, too.

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Our mom is Korean.

Our dad is English, Scottish, Dutch and Swiss/German.

We are  m i x e d .

"What are you?!"

Chloe: I was 16 when I started getting this question. I was at my new high school in Nashville and had left class to deliver something to another room. There was another girl in the hallway—she was a grade below me. She stopped me as I walked by and said something along the lines of, "I've seen you in this hall a few times and I've always wondered—what are you?" It was strange, but I knew immediately what she was trying to ask. She was trying to place my ethnicity, but couldn't put her finger on it.

"I'm part Korean!" I responded. It was an innocent inquiry, driven by pure curiosity. Sure, the question was a little weird and the phrasing a bit odd, but nonetheless I found it amusing that someone was willing to approach a complete stranger in an empty hallway because they were that curious. She nodded her head as my appearance started to make sense in her eyes.

"Ahhh okay. That's cool! Well, you're really pretty."

"Oh, umm, thank you..!" She was quite stunning herself. Possibly even mixed race. I never asked.

Since then, I've probably been asked that question 40+ times. It starts with a squint and a head tilt, followed by a fumbling of words, trying to form the most polite way to ask me my race—almost always a bit of an awkward encounter. We were recently having a conversation about this with our dad, explaining to him how we'll be running errands or getting groceries and complete strangers will come up and ask, "What are you?" He got this quizzical look on his face.

"I don't get it...why do they ask you that?" We laughed. Because yeah, for most people that would seem like a really strange question. But when your race has been a conversation starter your entire life, you know exactly what they're asking.

"They want to know our ethnicity," we explained. Now, is it anyone's business what our racial makeup is? No. Do we have a problem with people asking? No, not usually.

We can't speak for everyone, though. In some instances, people may as well say, "You're like a rare exotic animal and I just want to stare at you!" because sometimes that's how it feels. And it's hella awkward (but seriously, sometimes they actually call you exotic and you're like WTF? Cringing just thinking about it!). But there will be other times we're glad they asked because it gives us an opportunity to share about ourselves—to share some of our story.

Chloe: This was a recurring theme when we were little. Whenever our mom would come to school to help out in the classroom or chaperone a field trip, my classmates would immediately ask her, "Are you Christine's mom?" because they had just assumed she was parent to one of my Chinese classmates.

She would always gently respond, "Nope, I'm Chloe's mom!" which was followed by a chorus of "Really? Are you sure?" and "Chloe, this is your mom?" They didn't understand how I could have an Asian parent.

As I grew older and entered middle school, my peers became more vocal about telling me I didn't look Asian. Many went as far as accusing me of lying about being mixed. So I stored a photo of my mom in my flip phone for the days I felt I needed to prove myself to someone who tried to tell me there was no way my mom was Asian. That shut them up pretty quick. 

Taylor: We were constantly defending our 'Asian-ness'. When you grow up looking into the face of your Asian mom, while outsiders continue to decide for you that you are not Asian, you feel like you're being tossed back and forth in a raging current with nothing to cling to. So when a piece of driftwood floats by, you grasp onto it for dear life. For us, that piece of driftwood arrived in the form of DNA test results.

Our mom was adopted. She has never met her biological parents. She doesn't know who they are or what they look like. Her adoptive parents were told, "she is believed to be of mixed race". Because she has lighter brown eyes and hair and a larger build than most Asian women, she thought her father was American. Last year she decided to get a DNA test. When the results came in, she was surprised to learn: she was 99.8% Asian. Chloe and I were ecstatic. We've always wanted to be more Asian. More definable. Less ambiguous. 

But ultimately, the DNA results didn't change anything. It didn't make us look more or less Asian. Sure, maybe we felt a little more Asian. But it didn't change the way people see or treat us.

Chloe: I've had people crack demeaning Asian jokes in front of me because they don't realize I'm half Korean. Everyone laughs, but I'm sitting there thinking of all the stories my mom has told me. Stories about kids pulling their eyes back and mimicking "Chinese" accents. 

For so long I've been told I don't look Asian that now it's even hard for me to see it. Many days I'll still stand next to my mom, squish my face against her cheek and say, "We look just alike, right?" or I'll ask Taylor, "Do you think I look Asian? I don't really see it." Maybe I do look mixed, maybe I don't. I want both my races to be apparent in my appearance. But just because that's what I want doesn't mean that's what is.

FYI—this isn't meant to be some sob story. A "poor Chloe doesn't look Asian enough" story. If you're reading this thinking, "Don't you realize you have more privilege the whiter you look in this country? Stop complaining." I one hundred percent realize that. I'm sharing this for other mixed people who have one side that dominates their appearance, even if they feel a strong connection to both (or their less dominant side). When you're mixed, it's totally possible to look more white but feel more Asian, and vice versa. How you physically look isn't necessarily how you identify, and how you physically identify is not always how you identify culturally. Being bi-racial is complex.

Hell, I still don't really know how I fully identify. Maybe that's just part of the joy of being mixed.

*This is the first piece in a series we are doing on racial identity. Stay tuned!

-Chloe & Taylor

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"What if I chose the wrong path?" I burst out breathlessly. My mom and I were at it again, having another one of our excitedly animated conversations. Amy Grant softly crooned I'll Be Home For Christmas over the car stereo as we grew evermore engrossed in our discussion. The holiday season was upon us, and we were closing in on the final stretch of our 12-hour drive from Nashville to Des Moines. Being the eternally curious creature I am, this conversation captured my fascination, as do most exchanges that spiral to the figurative speculation of what if's. "I mean, let's say I'd chosen to be a novelist," I continued, "And say I could've had the success of a Dan Brown. Or Nicholas Sparks. Or J.K.-fricken-Rowling. Would you say I chose the wrong path?" I searched my mom's face, her silhouette dimly illuminated by the glow of our dashboard and flicker of oncoming headlights. In true mom fashion, she replied with the most obvious but enlightening answer:

"You still could."

I sat there, stunned. She was right. There was no one telling me I couldn't write a novel. "You could write one and finish it in six months. Or ten years." It wasn't the first time this had occurred to me. I want to write a novel someday. At least that's what I've always said. But it's always been that: someday.

“What occurred to me in that moment was not that I could write a novel, but that I had been looking for permission.”

But why?

As children, we get asked what we want to be when we grow up. But I never found the idea of being just one thing very appealing. I had a new dream every minute. One day I wanted to be a detective, the next an Alaskan musher, and I kid you not—there was a period of time where I thought it would be the coolest thing ever to work as a dental hygienist—poking around peoples' mouths, cleaning their teeth. Why do just one thing when you can do many? I thought innocently to myself. One job for the REST OF MY LIFE not only sounded painfully boring, but terrifying—like being stuck in the Twilight Zone.

There are a million things I still want to try, and I don't believe that deep-seeded desire ever leaves us. But somewhere in the process of growing up, we get this idea in our heads that we must choose a lane and stick with it. "PURSUE YOUR PASSION" and "FIND YOUR CALLING" begin to feel like an ominous warning, like getting told your biological clock is 'ticking'. What you do starts to feel synonymous with who you are. And we all want to be awesome, right? So we choose a lane and pursue it with drive, vigor and dedication. Because we don't want to be just a doctor, we want to be the BEST doctor. We don't want to be just a painter, we want to be DA VINCI. We are told to put our blood, sweat and tears into this one single profession we've chosen, because talent can only get you so far—and someone equally as talented as you is working 100x harder, so you better put in those hours and hustle! 

Hard work is not an entirely bad message. Some days we need a good kick in the butt. Some days those are exactly the words we need to hear. But when that message is screaming the loudest, consuming our mind, thoughts and self-worth, it's not healthy—it's plain out of hand. It leaves us with zero time to explore our other interests. We live and breathe work, becoming slaves to our "passion", clocking past the typical nine-to-five to go the extra mile. When we do give ourselves a break, we have about enough energy to sprawl out on the bed with Netflix.

Therein lied my predicament: I didn't feel I had the time.

I was whipped. Music was "The One" for me. I had fallen fast and hard, nurturing it like some crazy obsessed girlfriend, while my other passions slowly faded like forgotten friends. But eventually the high wears off, and when it does, you begin to notice what you've been neglecting. In my case, print writing. And drawing. And ice skating. And learning French. And, and, and...

To reacquaint myself with those interests, I would need to cut into my absurd workaholic schedule—an absolutely terrifying notion for me. When you're a culturally undecorated musician who gets asked how long you're going to give "this whole music thing" a shot, why you haven't tried out for [insert reality TV singing show], and are repeatedly advised to go back to college, the pressure to be "successful" can feel overwhelming. To even remotely stray from "the path" could be viewed as a costly mistake or (gasp!) a sign that you are not 100% dedicated. It could mean you chose wrong—that this was never truly your calling. Shifting your attention could signify that you're not in this for the long haul. After all, Beyoncé wouldn't do that, would she?

Maybe. Maybe not. To be honest, it doesn't really matter. Because I'm not Beyoncé—I'm Taylor. What would I do? What kind of person do I want to be? I knew one thing for certain: I did not want to be defined by my successes (or lack thereof). Which meant I would have to allow myself to do more—be more—than just a musician. What I had failed to realize was, in exploring my other interests, I could actually enhance my music and ability to create, not hinder it. I could be more colorful, more free and have more experiences to draw from. 

So here's my resolution for 2016 (and beyond): do more. Dance more. Cook more. And stop feeling so guilty about it! Because we were not placed on this Earth to be zombies. We are not called to do just one thing. 

And who knows, I may even have a novel out by this time next year! Or maybe I won't, and that's okay too. I'm going to stop worrying so much about success and instead focus more on following my heart—this crazy, wild heart of mine. Even if it's pulling me in a million different directions.

So...back to my original question: did I choose the wrong path?

The answer is irrelevant.

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' path.

There is only now.

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"Touring must be so exciting! I wish I could just drop everything and travel the country." I can't count the number of times I've heard this (or a similar sentiment) from folks we've met on the road. I smile appreciatively and mutter something about how they should, how it's not too late—they just have to create a game plan. Because no, you can't simply decide one day to drop everything and run (unless "bankruptcy" is part of your fantasy). 

"Oh hun, I could never do that! I have a job, a mortgage, I'm married..." they laugh, giving me a friendly slap on the shoulder. I shrug and insist otherwise—while most wouldn't want to mimic our lifestyle, they could still make a small-scaled road trip. Or learn to play the guitar.

“The truth is, many of us could be living our dreams. We simply have to rearrange how those dreams look in our heads.”

It can't be, "I want to be a singer and make a killer record and have nice clothes and eat out at all the cool new restaurants and have a bangin' social life and own a house and have a big family and decorate my living room!" Because the reality is, most of us simply cannot have it all. What we do have are choices. You have to take a good hard look at your list, figure out what you can't live without, and cross off the rest. To gain, you must give something up. 

Two and a half years ago, Chloe and I made a choice to attempt a music career full-time. I left university and she took a gap year, which turned into gap years, and now she jokes that it's more of a "gap life". Not having a "plan b" forced us to get creative. We paired down and got rid of much of our belongings and moved into a modest two-bedroom apartment with our mom (who left the stability of her full-time job to work alongside us, handling our booking and business emails—THANK YOU MOM ♥), on the east side where rent was dirt cheap. Making money as unknown independent artists is like trying to squeeze blood from a turnip. We needed to minimize our overhead as much as possible. As writer and minimalist Joshua Fields Millburn put it, "No matter how much you earn, the equation doesn't work if your expenses exceed your income."

I can still recall the dizzying odor of cigarette smoke lingering like a thick fog as I trudged up the hallway to our new digs, shirt tugged irritably over my nose. I remember opening our door for the first time and realizing, with horror, that what appeared to be raisins speckled all over the carpet were actually DEAD FLIES. "I don't know about this..." I told Chloe, uneasily. We vacuumed up the flies, and two and a half years later, we're still living in the place. For what it's worth, I've actually grown a sort of fondness for the cheap, dingy beige-walled space.

Our life is not glamorous. Far from it. Which is why I was elated when photographer Shawn Robinson emailed us about setting up a session, relaying how he liked to "shoot in environments that are relative or important to the subject". I was eager to showcase a different side of what we do—a glimpse into the ordinary, if not very un-extraordinary reality that is our lives. We live on a bare-bones budget, spending mostly on what we need, and rarely on what we want. The fact is, we simply don't make enough income to have extra to spend. And if we do, we put it back into our business. We tour heavily (three quarters of our year is spent on the road) playing house concerts across the country (crashing with our gracious friends and concert hosts to avoid hotel expenses) driving in our tiny Hyundai Accent squished between pillows, guitars, boxes of CDs and T-shirts, air mattresses and a suitcase. Whoever's driving is the DJ (or designated selector of podcasts), whoever's riding shotgun gets to sleep and hold the plastic grocery bag filled with apples, a giant jar of peanut butter and granola. And on good days (according to Chloe) we split burrito bowls at Chipotle. When we do return to Nashville, we come home to the simple living quarters Shawn captured so well: bare, lifeless walls, music gear piled in a corner, mismatched pillows slumped lazily on the powder blue blanket we've been using ever since our cat had his revenge upon our bed when we left him for too long on tour. The cheery twinkle lights Chloe laced in our window shades pierce the insipid room with their warm glow—the soft, subdued light at which we prefer to sing, practice, write and dream. This is where the magic happens: in an unseen realm which holds no regard for external beauty or an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.

When you spend most of your time on the road away from home—living out of a suitcase—minimalism kind of finds you. At least, it found us. On our first tour, we lugged a ginormous hanging bag full of clothes with the notion that we couldn't go three months without "options", and soon learned to dread the tedious task of loading and unloading the car. We also realized that, despite all those options, we only really wore about five of the outfits.

Why did we only wear five outfits? Because before minimalism, our closet was jam-packed with clothes we'd bought on a whim, never worn, and thus, felt too guilty to get rid of. Before minimalism, it hadn't really dawned on us that 75% of the "stuff" we'd accumulated over the years went unused. 

“After living a year in a dumpy little apartment and spending those months on the road, we surprised ourselves with what little we could live on—how little we needed.”

When we got off tour, we attacked our apartment with a vengeance, swarming our closets like a hungry pack of buzzards. Clothes were shoved into garbage bags to be consigned, along with books, CDs and TRINKETS—good grief, the number of useless, clutter-y TRINKETS. Graded papers from school that hadn't surfaced in years got tossed into a massive recycling pile. As far as we were concerned, the real treasures—memories—were stored safely in our heads. If we came across memorabilia that was especially entertaining, we'd simply snap a photo on our iPhone in the event that we might want to "show it to our kids" someday. This isn't to say that we've gotten rid of all our sentimental stuff, but most of it was excess. We took the time to sort out what was truly important to us, and in the process, gained a whole new perspective on consumerism and the value we place in material "stuff". 

From that day forward, we've thought long and hard about our purchases. Even if it is as trivial as buying a new cardigan. Do I LOVE this? Will I wear this a lot? Does it make me feel fabulous? And most importantly: in a year from now, will this be something I'm likely to toss in the consignment pile?

It's funny: we spend the first half of our lives collecting stuff, and the second half of our lives trying to get rid of it. "Stuff" doesn't really make us happy in a soul-fulfilling way, and is rarely (if ever) satisfying long term. But it's extremely difficult to come to terms with this, as we are constantly bombarded by ads on TV, billboards, Netflix and Instagram, dangling shiny promises in front of our eyes, projecting the potential of a better, happier and more beautiful life. So we give in and buy stuff, trying to fill this empty hole inside of ourselves, and when we tire of that stuff, we turn around and buy new stuff—and the cycle continues.

By minimizing, we spend less money and are surrounded by less stuff, but more of what we actually love. Less stuff = less mess = less time spent cleaning = reduced stress levels. "Less purchases equals less need for income," as The Minimalists say. Traveling is a heck of a lot easier, and if/when it comes time to move, we'll have a much lighter load. Those of you who have read our bio know that we are Earthship enthusiasts, and big fans of the tiny-house movement. Minimalism is also about utilizing space and gaging how much of it you actually need, instead of spending endless years paying off a house that was too big in the first place. Now, if a big house truly makes you happy, go right ahead. We're not here to judge. It's simply a costly mistake to realize in hindsight if it turns out you can't afford it.

Minimalism isn't "one size fits all". While I wouldn't consider myself an extreme minimalist, even my level of minimalism isn't for everybody. But adopting certain practices can change your circumstances (who likes debt? NO ONE), allow you to spend more time doing what you love and realign what you value in life.

As a disclaimer, minimalism is just one component that allows us to pursue our passion without needing to have a part-time "day" job. Minimalism is not the only ingredient. Other vital ingredients include: hard work, dedication, perseverance, cultivating our skills and abilities, smart business practices, the list goes on. We do not want to minimize (no pun intended) the fact that our lifestyle as independent, relatively unknown musicians is not easy, and while we are able to pursue music full time, we still live with financial uncertainty. What works for us may not work for you, and vice versa. No two paths are the same. We are merely sharing this in hopes that you find something of value. :)

If you are interested in learning more about the minimalist movement, I would recommend checking out The Minimalists as a good starting point. They've got a great post on Minimalist Gift Giving to help you navigate the current holiday shopping frenzy. Their tweets are on point, so if you hang out in Twitter-verse, definitely give them a follow.

-Taylor

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*Parental advisory: content not appropriate for young children.

It was a black night in late August. Windshield wipers swept mechanically back and forth, back and forth, sloshing sheets of rain across my line of sight as I accelerated onto the freeway. I made occasional glances in my rearview, checking for a familiar pair of headlights in a sea of darkness. Still there. I exhaled and quickly fixed my eyes on the glassy road ahead. "Exit roiiight. No worries," chirped my Australian GPS. I smiled. He was always so chipper. We had half a mile to go, but I flicked my turn signal on just to be on the safe side.

As we neared the traffic light, my sister drew her nose forward to examine the illuminated screen on our dash. "Looks like it's gonna be on our left," she announced. We got the green arrow. My tires whirred against the slick pavement.

"You have reached your destination. Windows up, grab those sunnies and don't let the seagulls steal your chips!" I chuckled and pulled into the parking lot. After driving a few more feet I paused, my eyes searching.

"Wait, where is it?!" I asked, squinting in all directions.

"I think it's the same building as the gas station...maybe they're connected?" Chloe offered. I jerked the wheel and hit the gas, flying around the bend. "You're driving like a crazy person, Taylor! Dad and Jack are still trying to follow us, y'know."

"I'm not driving like a crazy person," I retorted, defensively. "I'M. JUST. TRYING. TO. FIND. THE. STUPID. DENNY'S." I slammed my brakes. Dead end. It seemed I had trapped us in the diesel fueling station. "UGH," I huffed, throwing the stick into reverse, "Clearly this isn't it."

"Dad and Jack probably think you're crazy," Chloe muttered as I tore back through the lot. 

"Like they don't already know that?" I laughed, peeling into a spot in front of the convenience store. It had begun lightning, so I swiftly slammed my door and rallied the troops in. A bell jingled faintly as we entered, tracking our wet footprints past aisles of beef jerky and sour gummy worms, past refrigerator walls lined with Monster energy drinks, through a hall with a man taking up a phone conversation in the bathroom corridor, and finally to the long-awaited host stand, shining like a beacon from heaven. We were seated quickly, directly across the room in a booth by the windows. My dad and younger brother slid into one side, Chloe into the other. I placed my purse on the table and began crawling in. "You know what," I hesitated, clutching my bag, "I gotta use the bathroom." The host began shuffling out menus, so I hurriedly slung my purse over my head and backtracked to the restroom. "Don't order without me!" I called over my shoulder, "I'll be right back!" 

I took a sharp left into the inset corridor and noticed the man I had seen earlier out of the corner of my eye, still carrying on his phone conversation. On a mission, I swung the women's door open, letting it close behind me. What had he just said? My brain struggled to piece together the words I had just overheard. Under the florescent lights, I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of regret. I shouldn't have come in here. But instead of turning to leave, my movements became robotic. My body was so used to the procedure of entering a public restroom that it moved mechanically out of habit. I heard the echo of my sandals click, click, click against the tile floor as I crossed to the first stall. I moved rapidly, but time—time was oozing in slow motion, like honey through an hourglass. I shut the door, my heart raging against my chest like a caged bull. Because the man's words had finally registered: I need to f*** somebody right now. Hurriedly pressing the lock, I stood there. Waiting. Holding my breath. Staring at the handle. Waiting.

Because I knew. The minute I stepped foot in there, I knew. I knew as I stood, paralyzed in the bathroom stall—listening for the bathroom door and the footsteps that followed. I knew.

They were self-assured footsteps. Footsteps I followed with my ears, then with my eyes as I watched them pass beneath my door and into the stall directly next to mine. Footsteps that did not belong to a woman, but to the man on his phone who I had noticed only moments ago. Hands quivering, I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. Come here, I texted Chloe, Please now. I waited a few seconds, staring at the screen in desperation. Please text back, please text back, I thought, hoping I could will those three little ellipses into existence. None came. That's when I began hearing heavy breathing to my left, followed by soft moans, "Yesss, mmm, ohh yeahhh..." My skin crawled. This cannot seriously be happening. His voice continued, taking on an eery quality in the stillness of the empty bathroom. I could not make a phone call. I could not wait for Chloe to text back. I could not afford to wait another second. 

If I was able to escape unharmed, then what? I didn't want him to know I was aware he had followed me into the women's restroom; that he was masturbating in the stall next to me. Knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Especially in situations where people are afraid of being caught. I didn't want him to view me as a threat—somebody who could call him out. 

So I hatched a plan: I would make it sound like I was going about my normal restroom routine—unsuspecting—and hightail it out of there. Timing was on my side. While I didn't know his next move, he also didn't know mine—or that I was even planning one. My fists tightened, nails digging into my palms. Okay, Taylor. Focus. On the count of three, GO. I shuffled my feet. One, two...thr—

I didn't even let myself get to three. Flushing the toilet hastily, I turned, grabbed the door handle, flung it open and walked briskly towards the exit. I didn't slow down; didn't look back—just kept my eyes glued straight ahead. As I crossed the threshold to freedom, I wondered if it would seem suspicious to him that I didn't wash my hands. Nah, I reassured myself, I've seen enough gross people walk out of a bathroom without even glancing at a sink.

Sliding back into the safety of our booth, I forced a natural-looking grin. "Chloe," I instructed, voice stern through my smile, "Whatever you do, DO NOT go into the Women's restroom."

"Why? Is it gross?" she asked, "Does it stink in there?" In the window behind her, the entire room unfolded before my eyes. A figure strolled into view, loitering on his cell phone in front of the bathrooms again. Every now and then he would glance in my direction, watching me. I turned to face my dad across the table.

"Don't look or make any sudden movements," I warned intently, "But there is a man in a red shirt pacing the hall by the host stand. He followed me into the bathroom and—" I glanced at my 10-year old brother, "and he was being...very inappropriate," I finished, carefully selecting my words. Chloe's eyes widened like saucers. 

"He followed you into the bathroom?!" I nodded.

"I tried to text you, Chloe, but—" she cut me off.

"My battery died," she bemoaned.

"Yeah, I figured," I muttered. "Dad, have Jack cover his ears," I added, and proceeded to recount what had happened.

"What should we do?" Chloe asked urgently, "Should we call the police?" We both looked to our dad. He was quiet for a moment, thinking.

"Let's alert a manager first. Find out what their protocol is," he offered. I nodded fervently, trying to maintain a calm composure while my insides buzzed uncontrollably. It felt like my veins had been injected with caffeine. Our dad waved down our server.

"To be honest," I confessed, staring down at the menu, "I'm not really hungry anymore. Kind of lost my appetite."

"Me too," Chloe agreed. So our dad ordered for Jack and said we could share if we changed our minds.

"Also, could we speak with the manager immediately?" he added as the server collected our menus.

"Absolutely. I'll mention it when I put your order in." He shuffled off. We waited. And waited. And waited. I kept tabs on the man through the reflection in the glass. He hadn't left. 

"Of course, the one night we don't have attentive service," I grumbled, bitterly.

"Dad, we need to do something," Chloe demanded, "Clearly the manager isn't coming." I agreed.

"He's obviously using his phone as a decoy, pretending to have a conversation so he can stalk women into the bathroom," I pointed out, "And I'm just worried if we don't do something now, some unsuspecting woman is going to walk in there."

"We have to do something for the other women he's going to prey on," she insisted. My dad rose and headed to the front of the restaurant. 

"They notified the police," he assured us when he returned, "And I got a look at the guy while I was over there. He had definitely been rubbing himself." Chloe and I squirmed.

"I still think I should call the police," I announced after a few moments, "They need all the facts. To hear the whole situation. From me." I looked to Chloe and she nodded her approval. I signaled my dad to cover Jack's ears again and dialed. A muffled voice answered. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" More static shuffle. "For some reason I can't hear you very well, so I'm just going to start talking." And I did. My voice quickened; heart rate rising as I spoke.

"How long has he been there?" the voice on the other end inquired.

"Um, well...we've been here for probably 40 minutes now. And he was already here when we arrived. So over 40 minutes," I calculated, still attempting a cheery disposition. The man hadn't left, and if the police were on their way, I didn't want to alert him. 

"How old is he?"

"Probably in his twenties, I'd guess. He's in a red shirt and tan pants. Brown hair." I proceeded to give my name and phone number, and was notified that the police would be there soon. "Do I need to wait until they get here?" I asked.

"You can if you want. You don't have to."

"Would it be helpful if I stayed?" I questioned.

"Sure, it might be. But you're welcome to leave."

"Okay. Thanks. Bye." I hung up the phone and exhaled. "They're on their way. They said we don't have to stay if we don't want to," I reported. On one hand, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. But part of me wanted peace of mind. And if we left the way we came, we'd have to pass the restrooms. There was one other exit, but it would require us to walk around the building in the dark rain. We decided to stay.

I tried to make casual conversation; nibble on a few bites of chicken. But the damper on our mood could not be lifted. "Sorry if this ruined your birthday," I muttered to Chloe, and that gave us all a little chuckle. In my peripheral, I noticed the faint flash of blue lights. The police had arrived. A couple officers came in through the side door and rounded the corner to the restrooms. Our dad got up and followed them. We waited.

"What happened?" we asked with baited breath as he returned.

"I think they got him. He must've fled into the men's restroom, because the police went in there and didn't come out," he reported. As we left, I still couldn't shake that uneasy feeling. It stuck with me that night, lying in our hotel room, staring into the darkness. Reaching for my phone, I shoved earbuds in, trying to drown my thoughts with Bach cello suites.

I tell you this story because that uneasy feeling has stuck with me to this day. This is what women have to deal with, whether it be verbal harassment on the street, unwanted advances, touching or rape. Women should not have to live in perpetual paranoia. What bothers me is too often this behavior gets dismissed; brushed under the rug. THIS IS NOT OKAY. We need to continue sharing our stories, calling out this behavior for what it is: unacceptable and wrong.

This story is just one snapshot in a myriad of encounters I have personally had to deal with. I have been cornered at a concert by a man who would not stop commenting on how "attractive I was" and how his son is "really into redheads". NOT OKAY. After agreeing to take a photo with a fan, he squeezed Chloe and I on either side of him and whispered that he "just wanted to get a good feel". NOT OKAY. I have been called "sexy" by men three times my age, and get cat-called on many of my runs, wearing basketball shorts and a hoodie to purposefully make myself look as disheveled and undesirable as possible (so no, contrary to belief, you do not have to be wearing a skin-ripping tight dress to be harassed...you simply have to be a woman). NOT OKAY.

But mostly, I share this story to remind women to be vigilant. We often get made fun of for going to the bathroom in groups, but I say—make it a rule to never enter a public restroom alone! Also, be prepared. Know exactly what you would do if you were to be attacked. Predators feed on the element of surprise. If a situation escalates, try not to panic. Focus your energy on remembering your game plan.

-Taylor

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So I have this irrational fear: that I will never. Ever. Write another good song again. Ever.

Sure, it sounds a bit melodramatic (but that's not an all-together inaccurate descriptor for me). Writers have big imaginations and when we let our imaginations run wild that we generate our best ideas.

Failure is inevitable. Every songwriter will, at some point, write a bad song. Even seasoned songwriters have off days. They may not be writing BAD songs, but every now and again they will write "not as good" songs. Trying to avoid failure is

a) impossible

and

b) highly discouraged

because failure is valuable. It keeps your ego in check and teaches you what not to do.

Knowing this doesn't make failing any easier. Each time I sit down to write a song, I want it to be great. There is nothing more defeating than finishing a song (or attempting to finish a song) that doesn't inspire you. I say "attempting to finish a song" because sometimes I feel so unmotivated by my lack of 'creative genius' that it seems pointless to continue channeling my efforts into a lost cause. But instead of scrapping a song before I see it through, maybe I need to adjust my perception. When you accept the notion of a "lost cause" you close yourself off to countless possibilities. Start by keeping a verse and trashing the chorus. Then rewrite the chorus. Afterwards, you may suddenly feel inspired to change the verse. By the time the jigsaw puzzle is rearranged, the original "failed song" is but a faint whisper, slowly drifting into the abyss of your subconscious as a reminder that powering through obstacles only leaves you more enriched than before.

After several (unwelcome) encounters with writer's block, I have finally come to a personal realization about myself (drumroll, please). Part of what makes songwriting so satisfying for me is the challenge. It makes me uneasy when things come too easy. When I don't have to work for it, it doesn't feel like my best work. You can't be passive about your art; you must throw yourself into it. Throw yourself violently, passionately into your art. And doing that requires  E F F O R T .

Keep that in mind the next time you're faced with a roadblock. You'll feel so much more proud of what you've created—and the person you've become—when you blaze through to the other side.

-Taylor

p.s. This blog post is not just for songwriters! I simply used songwriting as an example. The ideas can be applied to all types of artists, creatives (and anyone, really).

7 Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Create a "distraction free zone"

Lock yourself in your room (so it's just you, your thoughts, notebook, pen) and attempt to write and generate ideas. Force yourself to be "in the zone" for a couple hours. Even if you don't come up with anything worthy or usable, it's never a waste of time to exercise your brain and simply TRY.

Call in help

Seek out assistance. Phone a friend. Co-write! Talk to somebody about your struggles and ask them for advice. They may have solutions you never thought of.

Take a day trip

Free yourself from your usual surroundings. Sometimes a change of scenery can inspire you (or at least make you feel less stifled). Take a walk. Take a drive. Observe passersby. Do all of this while keeping a notebook handy—this is an intentional exercise, not a vacation.

Change your space

Your environment can have an immense effect on your mood and ability to create. Where are you writing? Is it dark? Too hot? Too cold? Uninspiring? Light some candles. Turn on a fan...or a space heater. Grab a cozy blanket and your favorite warm drink. Decorate. Better yet, go somewhere that energizes you. Try writing at your local coffee shop or library. Write in the park. Find a studio or office space. Maybe even ask a close friend if you can come write in their super zen house that looks like it came straight out of Pottery Barn! 

Dress the part

Take a shower. Get out of your pajamas. Do your hair. Do your makeup. Put on a fabulous outfit. Dress how you imagine your favorite writer would (i.e. GET OUT OF YOUR PAJAMAS). You can't conceive your next great creation dressed for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Experience

Go out and live your life! Sometimes you encounter writers block because you LITERALLY HAVE NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT. Change that. Be open. Do something that scares you. Try to say "yes" more often. Read a book. Watch a movie. Gather inspiration. And to make sure you're not just watching movies under the guise of "finding inspiration", challenge yourself to write something directly inspired by each film/book/poem/article.

Do something different

Stop writing. Give yourself a break. Find another activity to work on. Like any healthy relationship, sometimes you need to take time away to remind yourself how much you love it. You need time to miss it.

Have more ideas for ways to combat writer's block? Share below!

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