For the past two months, I’ve been what I like to call a modified vegan. I’ve had a slice of pizza or two, and still eat fish where there are no other options, but for the most part, I have cut dairy, meat, and eggs out of my diet. What prompted this change was a Netflix binge watching session- how all great epiphanies come to light. I wanted a movie called Forks over Knives (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ijukNzlUg) which explained the negative effects of animal products on the human body. All of a sudden, something changed. I started to see food as fuel and not as a hobby or time filler. I wasn’t doing it to lose weight, or to reach any specific goal, I simply wanted to know if my body would feel different. And it did! Here are a few of the ways:

1. Clear, healthy skin.
2. Easier to wake up in the morning.
3. Longer hair and nails.
4. More energy throughout the day.
5. Less muscle soreness and bloating.

Here are some more benefits listed, although many links like this one can be found all over the web! http://www.wildflourveganbakerycafe.com/2011/08/42-health-benefits-of-going-vegan/

I think it’s important to note, I am not a vegan. I still cave once a week or so, and I modify my diet based on where I am and what’s available. When making lifestyle changes, it is important to incorporate the new activity slowly, and not to beat yourself up when you break it. The biggest downfall of all diets is convening yourself that you have failed when you have a small slip up. Instead, embrace these mistakes and come to expect them! They are part of your journey to health. I hope this new information makes you consider your diet choices, and inspires you to experiment to find a diet that works for you!

Finals week is approaching and let’s face it: we’re screwed.

Or at least that’s how we feel. Panic, stress and fear set in as we leave for Thanksgiving break knowing that upon our return, we will be bombarded with essays, tests, and presentations. As much as we dread it, finals week is preparing us for something we will have to deal with as professionals- crunch time. In PR and journalism especially, deadlines are simply part of the job. For this reason, I have compiled some of my most helpful tips for these stressful times.

1. Take things one step at a time. Baby steps. Completion is key, so don’t freeze under the pressure of 1000 tasks. Instead, write a to do list each day, and complete the most pressing tasks first.
2. Positive thinking. You’ve heard the stories of olympians visualizing themselves winning the gold, so do the same with your finals. This form of meditation will calm and relax you and set your sights on a goal. Be your own cheerleader. You can do it!
3. Find an outlet. Fact: no one can study for 20 hours straight. At some point in our college career, we’ve all tried and failed. Instead, allow yourself to take a break to do something you love. Listen to music, take a run, or watch an episode of your favorite show. Reward yourself for all your hard work, because after all, you deserve it.

I’ll be the first to admit, tidying is not exactly my strong suit. I’ve been known to leave clothes on the floor… every morning, and the bathroom counter is usually cluttered with makeup. But whenever guests come over, I scramble to make everything look neat and presentable. I’ll throw clothes in the closet, put wine under the sink, and swipe products into bathroom drawers. And EVERY TIME I think- there has to be a better way.

Enter The Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo. This book has truly changed my outlook on not only keeping my space clean, but buying habits, and general organization. Kondo is a very successful tidying consultant in Tokyo who helps people clear, arrange, and keep their spaces neat. Since the release of her book, her techniques and outlook have spread like wild fire, being featured everywhere from Wall Street Journal to Psychology Today.

Her steps are as follows: 1) get rid of anything that does not bring joy, 2) organize what you have left 3) keep it that way. There are of course some steps in between, but it is generally easy to follow. What is most inspirational about her book is she lets you visualize your life in a cleaner space. Quotes like “The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” stick with you long after you read it.

I could go on and on about the changes I’ve made in my life since finishing the novel, but my best advice is to read it for yourself. Your closet, pantry, and cabinets will thank you.

Atmosphere in the workplace is everything– conditions have to be just right. The room can’t be too hot or cold, your chair has to have just the right amount of cushion, and your coffee takes half a splenda and just a splash of soymilk. So what playlist you choose to play in your office or at your desk really sets the tone of the environment and can foster or hinder productivity.

So what makes the perfect song to work to? Something mellow, yet upbeat enough not to put you to sleep; lyrically interesting and percussive, yet not distracting. Here is the playlist of songs I’ve been jamming to before happy hour.

1)   Whispers- Passenger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9ZlADL1TqM

2)   Slow Motion- Phox

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcnQ9-qWSfc

3)   Stay Gold- First Aid Kit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwLMRA3Fi7E

4)   Be Okay- Oh Honey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15pMHi9h8rI

5)   Escape- Jack Johnson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szHSZf8zkyA

6)   Uknowhowwedu- Bahamadia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyGUesyG7bU

7)   Stolen Dance- Milky Chance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-QaNzd-0Y

8)   Lay Me Down- Sam Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVJcLcuQdOw

9)   Who Are You, Really?- Mikky Ekko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wl4UnxMlJY

10) High Life- London Grammar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqyZW7MWHPs

11) Harvest Moon- Poolside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suWbFPaVoEA

12) 5 Years Time- Noah and the Whale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

13) Jamie- Basic Vacation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTEC_VNcZo0

14) Obeder- Purity Ring

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETbGpGJNVLM

15) Wings- Birdy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJTXDCh2YiA

16) Ya Hey- Vampire Weekend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-BznQE6B8U

17) Que Veux-tu- Yelle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHB9epBQxlI

18) Keep You- Wild Belle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLKOmXm6W3s

19) Strawberry Fields Forever- Candyflip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp6Wc9IQ1w

Up to 40,000 a month, apparently. Youtube has gone from a home video posting website to a career building platform since its launch in 2005. Vloggers (video bloggers), beauty gurus, and gaming channels receive views in the millions, and rack in a hefty percentage of advertising revenue. Not a bad gig, huh?

Additionally, vlogers and especially beauty video makers receive sponsorships, and include affiliate links, which make extra cash. Beauty brands like Maybelline, Lancôme, or Herbal Essences might choose to sponsor a beauty blogger, to the tune of anywhere from $100-$10,000 cash, plus the occasional all-inclusive trip to a studio or exotic location to film. Moreover, these bloggers often include affiliate links that track each click through and purchase they directed their viewers.

For many years, this sponsor-blogger relationship was kept on the down low, and viewers were kept in the dark about when bloggers were being paid for their rave product reviews. In recent years the FTC set guidelines that made it mandatory for bloggers to disclose when they were being sponsored. But still, there exists a veil of distrust for many viewers. An XO Jane
article states, “Now, clicking on a beauty or fashion video is equivalent to watching an ad… A beauty guru will rave about a new mascara she bought in a monthly favorites video… The sponsorship will be hidden somewhere in the description box, sandwiched between affiliate links.”

As blogging becomes a full time profession and personal brands become moneymaking giants, the relationship between bloggers and readers/viewers will inevitably change. It is important for marketers to keep a pulse on this tension as they continue to sponsor video bloggers.

In a crowded, oversaturated market of photo sharing, video posting, and media collecting sites and apps, what makes one pass the tipping point to success? Well, ask social media platform We Heart It‘s 30 million active users.

This fairly new website and mobile application has millions of (primarily) young women captivated by its clean, crisp platform, user friendly interface, and inspiring photos. But what is it? This San Francisco-based startup combined the best aspects of Pinterest, Tumblr, and Snapchat. Essentially, We Heart It is a photo-board creating app similar to Pinterest with a few additional and unique features. It abandoned Pinterest’s older, DIY, crafting, and wedding-centric vibe to appeal to a younger crowd. The overall feel of the site is more similar to the quirky yet aesthetically pleasing side of Tumblr, minus the clutter.

Recently, We Heart It added a feature called Postcards, which allows users to send a picture and short message to their connections on the app. This took what users love about Snapchat’s private photo messaging service, except these messages save rather than disappear after opening. With 80-90% of traffic coming from mobil devices, and the average user age of 18, We Heart It has a unique and niche market.

We Heart It presents new opportunities companies as well. Companies like Disney, Hollister Co., Vera Wang and Macy’s have partnered with the app to publish sponsored image posts in the user’s feeds. According to Dave Williams, President of the startup, these deals have been “substantial” and in the “six figures”. So take note marketing teams: We Heart It just might be the next big thing for the rising generation.