Let's Get Sentimental: A Look Back + New Blog Goals

So yesterday was my blog's official first anniversary date. I decided to keep yesterday's post pretty short because I know people wanted to enter my giveaway and not read about past posts from my blog! Haha shoot, I probably would be the same way too if I were on another blog.

Anyway, so today I wanted to get a little sentimental and talk a little bit about my blog from the past year. No, I won't go into some emotional rant, but I just want to share some of my favorite blog posts from the past year then look at what I've accomplished through my blog and what I want to accomplish in the next year.

My Favorite Blog Posts by Category: 

Fashion:

DIY: Denim Shorts from Dad Jeans: I had a lot of fun with this DIY and it is also one of my most popular posts of all time! If you want to turn your old jeans into denim shorts, check out this post!

Two Ways to Wear: Tribal Print Crop Top: I wrote this post back when I was part of Macy's Campus Tour a couple months back, and I just had so much fun with it! I loved putting the outfits together and writing the post. 

My Blog's First Anniversary + A GIVEAWAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BLOG! Livin' and Lovin' Blog is finally a year old! I can't believe I've already made it to one year with this baby of mine, and it's amazing. It's been an amazing first year with this blog, and I'm so thankful to every single one of you for supporting me over the course of the past year despite the many changes this blog has seen.

I started getting back into blogging and taking it more seriously a little over a year ago on Tumblr. I quickly moved onto Blogger and recreated my blog as Through the Eyes of a Cali Girl a year ago today. At the end of October I changed my blog's name to Livin' and Lovin' Blog because I felt like it fit me better. Long story short, that's how I got to where I am today.

Livin' and Lovin' Blog banners throughout the past year

Unfortunately, I don't have screen shots of my blog in the past year, but here are the three banners I've had (including my current one) to show how my blog has changed throughout the past year.

It's always pretty awesome to get to a birthday or anniversary and reflect on how far you came in the past year. And with this blog, it's really been a rollercoaster and I've really fallen in love with this blog and all the hard work I've put into it.

But anyway, enough of the sentimental stuff for now. I'll save the rest of it for tomorrow. Now it's time for the reason you are all probably here: A GIVEAWAY!

Why I Write

On Day 3 of my blog's anniversary celebration, I thought it would be fitting to talk about why I write. I've been writing this blog for a year, and I've written such a wide variety of posts about a bunch of different topics. I've been a newspaper writer for over three years, and I've also kept a blog (different from this one) for even longer--5 years to be exact.

Before getting into writing and journalism, I was a little all over the place on what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do fashion design, interior design, visual communication (design in-store displays), and I also went back and forth between wanting to be a singer and attempted to audition for singing shows so many times and even knew someone who could get me in a recording studio, but things always got in the way.

Your Story Blog Hop: Your Family

It is finally Week 1 of the Your Story Blog Hop! Hoda from Joojoo Azad ~ Free Bird and I have been planning for the launch of this link-up for the past few weeks and I am so excited to finally launch it!

Hoda and I have been talking for the past few weeks about how much we so badly wanted a way to incorporate our cultures, religions, stories, and backgrounds in a way that we could also get to know other people and they, in turn, could get to know us! That was when we came up with the Your Story Blog Hop.

This week's first prompt was announced last week to get people excited and thinking about doing this with us, and hopefully you will join us! This week's prompt is all about your family:

What is your family like? Do you have siblings? Were your parents married growing up? Who do you consider your family?

Of course, you didn't have to answer all of the questions in this order or anything like that, but they were just a way to get you thinking about your family. All you have to do is tell us about your family! You also don't have to go into deep and serious aspects about your story with things like rape, abuse, or anything like that if you are not comfortable. I'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable; I just want to get to know you a little better.

So You Want to Start a Blog? Part 2

My last post on starting a blog, "So You Want to Start a Blog?" was so popular, here are 5 more tips for starting a blog! If you want to follow these tips more in-depth with some freebies, check out my FREE "I Want to Start a Blog" course!

*Note: this post was updated April 2017.

1. Decide where you want to go with the blog.

By this, I mean that you should have a clear vision with what you want to do with your blog, whether you want to turn it into a business someday or if it is simply just a hobby where you share your interests.

Knowing from the start what you want to do with your blog in the future will affect the types of things that you post and the way you are going to run your blog in the future. And if you decide you want to turn your blog into a business someday, you don't have to start that now. Building up a blog takes time, and for everyone, the time it takes to start using their blog as a business is different.

**Another note I want to add is that if you want to blog for business, do not forget to have some authenticity in your posts. People will see right away if you are just trying to make money or if you really care about what you are talking about.

Memorial Day Beauty Favorites [Guest Post]

Hello, everyone! So I don't normally post on Saturdays (unless I forget to post on Fridays... whoops), but today I have a special treat for you all by having Jordan from The Spontaneous Idealist guest posting once again for me! Today she is sharing her favorite beauty products for this Memorial Day weekend! (I'll have to keep these in mind for me, too!)

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Hello y’all! I am so excited to guest blog over here at Livin’ And Lovin’. I am so excited to continue this Memorial Day Weekend: hello sunshine and tanlines. Am I right?

I love sun kissed skin. It is the ultimate gift from summer. But if you are like me, there is no break from work and school these next few months. A little help may be needed – don’t be ashamed of that!

There are three products I have fallen in love already that are sure to give you that “I spend all my spare time at the beach” look we all crave. {This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.}

1. Victoria’s Secret Self Tan. I have never been a fan of “fake tans” or tinted lotions, but this product changed my mind. The avocado oil based lotion goes on so smoothly and easily, creating a nice glow. Tips: rub it in really well; wash around your ankles, wrists, and hand very thoroughly, be sure to let it dry and set before you get dressed; and rinse off in the shower a few hours after application to remove any excess lotion.  It lasts a good while and comes out of clothes and sheets very easily. Best self-tanning product on the market.   

2. Jergen’s Natural Glow Lotion. I apply this religiously after showers. Combined with the VS Self-Tan, and some good ol’ sun, you will be flawless. 

3. HAIR by Victoria’s Secret. I have very straight, fine hair. This product makes my hair voluminous and wavy (some things I never thought my hair would ever do). Just spray liberally on damp or dry hair, scrunch it up, and enjoy the smell and look of beach hair. It is a miracle.

Those are just a few of my latest favorites that I hope will give you a little boost to look your best this Memorial Day weekend! Stay safe and have fun!

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Jordan has been all over my social media lately! She is truly a beautiful and awesome girl, please check her out!

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

May Sponsor Spotlight: Harper + Jordan

Today is about two of my sponsors, Harper from Harper Honey and Jordan from The Spontaneous Idealist! Harper has my medium ad spot, and Jordan has my premium ad spot, and Jordan will have her own post dedicated to her very soon! 

If you would like to be featured on my blog like them and sponsor Livin' and Lovin' Blog, please head over to this page! Sponsoring this blog allows me to do more things to help improve this wonderful blog, and in turn, you guys!

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Say hello to Harper of Harper Honey!

This is Harper! She is one of the first bloggers whose blog I followed when I first started to blog, and over this past month, I've actually really gotten to know her super well! And I will say that she is a pretty awesome human being. Asian bloggers unite!

On her blog, Harper writes about anything from fashion finds, career tips, and sometimes she'll include some personal posts as well. She has a very well-rounded blog and I love reading it. 

See her for yourself and follow her around!

Bloglovin // Twitter // Facebook

My other sponsor is Jordan! You might recognize her from guest posting about breakups back in March, but this month she came back as a sponsor! 

I won't say too much about Jordan since I will be highlighting her more in detail in another post, but for now I'm just putting her out there for you to check her out! 

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

My blog anniversary is coming up very soon! Stay tuned for all the goodies coming up! If you don't know what will be happening during the week of my blog anniversary, read more about it here. Until then,