The Perfect Beach Tote [Guest Post]

I am currently in the middle of the camp week and it is exhausting, let me tell you. I'm sad that it is halfway over but I'm also glad because soon enough I'll be back on here with you guys! Until then, here is Ashliegh, one of the first bloggers I met when I started doing this last summer. 

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Hi friends! I'm Ashliegh, the blogger behind The Darling Daily. My blog features classy fun, fashion, beauty, recipes and more! I am a recent post-grad, sorority woman, and lover of bargain shopping, reading classic literature, and, of course, living life to my personal motto, "high heels, high standards, pearls everyday."

Summer is here and that means backyard BBQ's, sun tanning, and, most importantly, beach time! In order to carry my favorite magazines and beach reads, sunscreen, and other beach essentials, I'm in search of the perfect beach tote!

1. Fresh Pick Geo Beach Tote ($32) - This bag is so girly! Who doesn't love the pink and green color combination?!

2. Island Hopper Beach Tote ($39) - A simple natural straw bag is a beach classic! You can't go wrong with a timeless staple like this tote.

3. Striped Beach Tote ($46.99) - Stripes always remind me of the beach, especially if they're red and white stripes. With a nautical vibe and rope straps, I could definitely see myself packing this on a cruise vacation! 

4. La Vida Loca Beach Tote ($34.99) - This tote is loud and screams fun! Pack a volleyball into this tote to carry the fun factor onto the beach!

5. Personalized Canvas Tote (on sale now for $9.95!) - A simple monogrammed tote is another classic for the preppy girl! As Reese Witherspoon once said, "if it isn't moving, monogram it!"

Which beach bag is your favorite, Darling?

I hope you'll stop by The Darling Daily and say hello! You can also follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and Bloglovin'! 

With Love,

Ashliegh

5 Reasons Why I Read a Blog [Guest Post]

Hey, everyone! It's Kriselle here. So I'm currently away at camp for this whole week, so you will be getting to know some great people and reading some great things from them while I'm away. So today, please welcome Felecia from Hello Felecia!

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Hello Livin and Lovin Readers! I'm Felecia from Hello Felecia dot com. I write a lifestyle blog, it has a little bit of all my hobbies from books to fashion. I am glad to be able to share with you all today. As a reader and a blogger there are a couple of factors that keep me going back to a blog.

1. Personal Connection.

Who does not like making friends and staying up to date on the goings on of their life. I know I do, and I enjoy not only receiving tips and advice from different blogs but the ability to get to know the blogger behind the advice. Although, I may have never meet them in person, I know them a little better when the blogger shares personal information.

2. Humor.

I enjoy a sense of humor. Life is pretty serious already and a little humor lightens things up a bit. I am not super hilarious, but I do enjoy reading blogs written by bloggers with a sense of humor.

3. Beautiful Photos.

I do appreciate photos within a blog post, it breaks up the text nicely. I also enjoy when blog post have quotes tried in that has to do with the topic of the post or are the topic of the blog post.

4. Comment Response.

I enjoy getting replies to my comments almost as much as I enjoy getting comments on my blog. It is a another way to connect with readers on the blog. It is cool to know not only was the comment read but time was taken to thoughtfully response to the comment, and get to know me, the reader, a little bit better.

5. Outside communication.

I enjoy communication and connection, I have mentioned these two factors a couple of times. It is cool when the interaction happens outside of the blog. When I can interact with the blogger like any other friend I know through various social media, in particular Instagram and Twitter. I enjoy getting to know people, hearing their stories, and being a part of their world.   Why do you keep coming back? What do you enjoy most about blogging or reading blogs?

  

My New Baby: The Dell Venue 8

Let's face it: we're all addicted to the internet and always want to feel connected to the world around us, whether we like it or not. First there are computers, then smart phones, and now tablets.

I'll be honest and say that when tablets first came out, I didn't think that I'd ever want one, much less own one. I didn't think they were necessary and thought that my iPhone and Macbook were all I needed.

Then, Intel decided to gift me with the Dell Venue 8 and my world was changed forever.

I was excited, but nervous to receive my new tablet because the possibilities of what I could do with it were endless.

One of the main things that I love about the Dell Venue 8 is its small and portable size! It is small enough for me to pack in my purse and go wherever I need. And even with its portable size, the screen is still large enough (8 inches wide) and clear for someone wanting to type out an email or watch videos on it! Because of all of that, I always take it with me because it's so much easier than lugging around my laptop.

This tablet is my first Android product ever, so I've really enjoyed using it and getting familiar with the Android operating system. There were things that I preferred from the Android system from before because of my parents having Android phones, but now I get to have it for myself! Like for example, I like being able to use some cool design for the lock screen. It makes me feel like my stuff is more secure. I just have to make sure that I remember it.

I love being able to use Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook on my tablet. The bigger screen just makes everything bigger and makes me feel cooler because I'm holding it in the palm of my hand, compared to a laptop that is bulkier and my phone that is smaller.

I'm still getting used to using a tablet, but I'm loving it so far. Another feature I love is that it has both a front and back camera, perfect for skyping people (and selfies... whoops haha)! I haven't taken many photos because I still feel weird using a huge tablet to take photos, but I'll probably talk about that more in another post.

Until then, I just want to know what apps I should download from the Google Play store. I have a few (like Buzzfeed, Evernote, Blogger, the Bible App), but what else do you recommend?

Check out more Intel Tablets here! Join the Intel Advocate Experience!


#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel. This could include the Intel Corporation providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Don't worry, all opinions are completely my own.

Your Story Blog Hop: Your Travels

It's time again to share another story! Here is this week's prompt for the Your Story Blog Hop:  Where have you traveled? Have you been out of the country or is it to different states (if you're from the US)? When? Who did you go with? Do you prefer to use car, boat, or plane? Have you been on all three? 
Let's feed our wanderlust desires this week. Talk about any and every travel experience you've had, whether it's out of state, out of country, or on a boat or through hitchhiking.  ----------------------------------------------------- Four countries and four continents. If you count the U.S, every time that I have traveled to a new country it has always been on a new continent, and since I want to touch all 7 continents one day, I am currently at 4/7!  Philippines

View from our dorms in Baguio, Philippines when I visited for a mission trip

My family is from here, so of course this is the first place I traveled to outside of the U.S. when I was a kid. Because of the super long flights I had to take to get to the Philippines (14-16 hours I believe), I tend to favor long-haul flights over short ones, although everyone else doesn't seem to agree with me.  The Philippines has some beautiful and picturesque views of the mountains and beaches, but go into the cities or even provinces and there is lots of poverty. It is also pretty humid there, and considering that the weather and the city is the first thing you encounter when arriving at the Manila airport, it can turn some people off to the Philippines. Maybe it's because I traveled there a lot growing up, but I still love the Philippines despite that. It makes me feel more connected to my family, and plus, there is tons of cheap and great shopping options there, haha.  Australia
I went to Australia during the time of the 2000 Summer Olympics with my dad and sister, but we didn't actually watch it in person. We went because we actually have family who live in Sydney. I don't actually have any photos available from when we went (they're all printed photos hiding somewhere in my dad's house), but we visited places like the Sydney Opera House and the zoo so we could see the koalas and kangaroos in person.  Peru

Little Davíd had never seen a front camera before!

Struggles of a Christian Blogger

So I haven't written about my faith recently, but it's no secret on what I believe in. I talk about it on my about me and have posts dedicated to it on this blog. I am definitely a Christian blogger, but it isn't the only thing that I focus on. 
While having a Skype date with a friend, we talked a lot about our faith and how it has affected our blogging. One thing that we both concluded was that it is hard to find other Christian bloggers out there. Or even if they are out there, they probably don't write about it on their blogs, at least not enough. 
Sometimes I'll come across Christian blogs that are solely Christian blogs or are written by older people for an older audience. Now these two things aren't bad. Don't get me wrong. But as a young, college-aged adult living in an age where Christianity is looking much different to my generation as far as music, pop culture, and even ways of living out our faith, it's hard to see so many lifestyle bloggers like myself either not have a religious affiliation or don't blog about it. 
I understand that people have different comfort levels and many other aspects like that, but where are my Christian bloggers at? 
You know that feeling when you find out you have something in common with someone? How much more satisfying is that feeling when that person shares the same or similar values as you? 
That's how I feel when I meet a Christian blogger who is similar to myself--a young adult, lifestyle blogger who also happens to share her faith on her blog. 
Struggles of a Christian Blogger: 
1. Not finding enough people close in age/niche that share your faith
2. Never being too sure if you should publish your faith-based post or if it will be too controversial
3. Wanting to talk more about your faith on your blog but unsure of how people will respond
4. Trying not to seem like the corny greeting card Christian or the holier-than-thou Christian
5. Wanting to share your struggles with your faith (whether with another blogger or on your blog) but don't know anyone/someone you trust enough to confide in. 
I'm going to explain that last one a little bit more and preface that you probably know some people in real life that you can talk to, but there is something about being able to talk with someone who is similar to you in that you both share your life and thoughts online for the world to see, so they have a different perspective and viewpoint than a non-blogger in your life. 
And when I talk about Christian bloggers, I'm talking about bloggers that describe themselves as Christian, but aren't necessarily writing about it all the time. Twenty-something lifestyle bloggers with a Christian faith are what I'm looking for. However, if you're not twenty-something or not a lifestyle blogger but have a Christian faith, please share your blog with me! I'd love to check you out!
If you're a Christian blogger (you don't have to primarily write about it), can you relate? And can you leave your links so I can check out your blog and some of your faith posts? If you don't blog about your faith, other than it not fitting into your blog niche (i.e. you're a fashion blogger), why do you not write about it? 
If you're not a Christian at all, do you ever read faith-based posts? What do you think of them? 

Let Me Tell You About Jordan

Have you ever met someone that you just felt like they got you? Someone that is on the same page as you in every way and you're amazed and grateful that you got to meet them? Well, that is how I feel with Jordan. 
Jordan has been my premium sponsor for two months now, and has the rest of this month to go. I've really been getting to know her through this sponsorship and even outside of that, and I've really enjoyed my time with her, even though I haven't personally "met" her yet. She's a nursing student from the South that decided to channel her thoughts into her blog.
In case you didn't already know, Jordan blogs over at The Spontaneous Idealist. The blog's name came from the Myers Briggs personality test (I took the test and got the same personality type as her!). Her blog is different than many blogs that you come across nowadays. Instead of being a lifestyle blog like most others, she decided to focus on using her blog to inspire others. 

One of the parts about her and her blog that make her stand out (and I commend her for), is her faith. Jordan isn't afraid to talk about it openly on her blog. As a Christian myself who occasionally writes about her faith, it is actually very comforting to know that there is someone else out there going through some of the same things I'm going through in our spiritual selves, but at the same time someone in the blogging world that I can walk through it with. 
I'm glad that I have many friends in my life that share my faith and beliefs, but it is also so comforting to meet other Christian bloggers online as well. If your faith is part of your blog and niche, it can get pretty daunting sometimes with all the other fashion and lifestyle blogs out there that don't feature their faith or any faith at all. It's definitely not to say that is bad--but with Christianity being highly scrutinized in mainstream media nowadays, it is nice to find comfort in knowing that there are other bloggers who share your beliefs and share them on their own blogs. It's the same as meeting someone and finding out they're just like you, except online. 

I recently had the privilege to Skype with Jordan a few weeks ago (we didn't get any pictures), and it was really cool to get to see her and talk to her about anything and everything, really. We talked about blogging, a little bit about ourselves, our faith, and so much more. I also thought it was really cute to hear parts of her Southern accent in some of the words she said :] 
Basically, what I am trying to say is that Jordan is one of the most beautiful and genuine souls that I have met since joining the blogging world last year. I love that I have the ability to bond with her not only through our writing but through our faith as well. 
She is an amazing person and I recommend that you should check her out if you haven't already. 
She's guest posted for me twice! Here are her posts if you haven't seen them already:  Breakups 101 Memorial Day Beauty Favorites
Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest 

An Eventful Weekend: Jumping, Rafting, and Camping

I'm sorry, I've been so off my blogging schedule lately. This past weekend was a pretty eventful one, which is partially why I'm a day late in posting this week. 

FRIDAY: I did nothing for most of the day, but later that night I went to a place called Skyzone with a bunch of people from my church! It's a place where you can just jump on trampolines everywhere. You can even play dodge ball, dunk basketballs, and do flips into the foam pit. It's a lot of fun, and I wish I had more pictures. I didn't want my phone falling out of my pocket while jumping so I kept it in a locker with my other stuff. 

SATURDAY: The boyfriend and I spent Saturday river rafting with one of his cousins and his cousins for his cousin's birthday! Because of the drought that California is currently in, the river wasn't as high or strong as it has been in past years, according to the workers. Regardless, we still had a great time! I recommend doing river rafting or white water rafting if you ever get the opportunity to!

SUNDAY: I had a normal day at church as usual, then I had an all-day training for the camp that I will be working at in less than two weeks! I don't have any pictures from the training, but after that I can tell you that I am seriously beyond excited for it! If you want to know why camp is such a big deal to me or if you're interested in going to a camp next summer, check out my top reasons to go to camp post that I wrote last year! As tiring as they are, camps are worth it.

So that was my eventful weekend; these next two weeks are going to be hectic as I prepare to go to camp next weekend (not this weekend). How was your weekend? Have you done any of these things?