I hope that you’ve all had a wonderful week. It’s time for an all-new Friday Five post!!
1. Instagram Frustrations & a New Preset
I’m going to start off on a very honest note… Instagram has been frustrating me for a while now. Engagement has been SO bad. Whether you’re a blogger or you if have an account that’s strictly for personal use, this is not new information. Due to ongoing algorithm changes, general low engagement and the constant comparison that comes with using Instagram it has been a lot less fun to use.
That being said, in recent history, I haven’t been posting anywhere near as much as I used to. Some of this was because I’ve been unhappy with the results I would get from posting photos that I worked hard on or was super excited about. (Sometimes a post tanks and that’s just how it goes.) However, some of this was also due to feeling like I had not found a consistent editing esthetic that I was happy with. My editing style has changed quite a lot over the years, but I’ve always leaned towards photos that are on the lighter/airy side featuring either pastel tones or a stark contrast between blacks and white. I’ve been playing around with a few different presets and I think I finally found one I love after making some tweaks to it… My IG posts since January 9th have all been edited with my new preset. I’d love to know what y’all think!
2. The Bachelor
If you know me personally, you know that I am the absolute WORST at sitting down to watch a movie or TV show without also doing something else at the same time. (This typically manifests as me editing photos and I think this habit is part of why I really never got into Game of Thrones! I could never focus long enough.) When it comes to TV, I haven’t watched the Bachelor or Bachelorette in quite a few years… However, some of my friends and I have been watching this season pretty closely. My friend Caitlin created a bracket, so we’ve been tuning in each week! In the midst of our Bachelor bonanza for this season, we went out in Chicago last weekend and actually met one of the final contestants from the last season of the Bachelorette, Blake! He was such a sweetheart and honestly changed my general (typically negative) impression of Bachelor/ette contestants. I’m curious to see how this season goes!
3. The Power of Positivity
One of my major focuses for 2019 has to do with positivity. I’ve started off the year with the intention of promoting positivity whenever possible and bringing more constructive solutions to the conflicts that I come across. This extra focus on positivity also includes mending bridges that have been broken in the past. To put it simply, I want 2019 to be the year of “no bad blood.” Stay tuned for an upcoming Wisdom Wednesday post where I’ll talk more about this and how I’m bringing my plan into action in 2019. I’ll also share tips on how to bring some extra positivity into your daily life and the lives of those around you.
4. #BowtifulEats
One of the questions I get quite regularly when people are coming to visit Chicago is “What’s your favorite spot to eat?” Some of you already know this, but I have a specific hashtag on Instagram, #BowtifulEats, and a whole highlight on my Instagram account dedicated to when I go out to eat! I’ve been to some great new spots recently and have added them to my #BowtifulEats highlight on Instagram! Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a fun new spot, dish, or drink to try in the city!
5. Looking for Recommendations…
I’m actually in need of some recommendations from all of you! Chicago friends, what’s your favorite salon and who is your favorite stylist? My hair is sooooo long and it’s time for a trim. I’d love to hear any reccs you may have for quality, but affordable, stylists in Chicago! (To clarify, I’m just looking for a cut, no coloring.) Please feel free to send recommendations to me via email, Instagram DM, or by commenting below!
I hope that all is well with you loves! Until the next Friday Five…
