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How I Am Staying Motivated After Getting Laid Off

Last week I received the unfortunate news that I was laid off at my day job where I worked remotely as a Social Media Manager. My first reaction was to cry, obviously, but after further contemplation I saw it as a new opportunity knocking at the door.

I have been a student of social media since the first social platforms were released. I studied Public Relations at Boston University where I learned how to successfully navigate various campaigns for many different companies. I have 5 years worth of experience negotiating contracts, executing creative campaigns, and creating ad-driven lead generation. I know being laid off doesn’t reflect on my performance or personal character, but it did hit me like a bag of bricks. It was unexpected (thanks North Carolina for being an at-will state – meaning you can get laid off on the spot with no rhyme or reason).

Getting laid off really sucks because there are so many variables to consider. It can put you in a really weird head space that is hard to bounce back from. I think the most important thing is to not catastrophize the event. Make a plan, get organized, and get back into the job hunt. It honestly could all be a blessing in disguise, which is how I am treating this situation for myself. The crazy thing is that my initial reaction wasn’t to start worrying about how I would pay my bills or rent, but instead I felt empowered to dive into something that I have been wanting to pursue for a while. I was able to stay motivated after getting laid off because I had bigger dreams to chase.

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Portland Arcade: Getting My Game On

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I had a fun time shooting at a Portland Arcade called Electric Castle’s Wunderland. If you have been following my blog and Instagram for a while, you may know by now that I am a huge gamer. I love all types of games, be it sports, board games or video games. I have a competitive nature, and gaming allows me to hyper focus on one task at a time.

My photographer and I also shot at a really cool bar and restaurant called Nerd Out. This bar has comic book clippings all over the walls, and the name says it all – you can come here to nerd out with your friends! Luckily the two locations are across the street from one another, so you can have a fun night of nerding  out with your friends. If you’re ever in the area you need to check out this Portland arcade, it’s a really fun time.

From Space Invaders, to Sonic the Hedgehog, to Spider Man – I am all about the pop and gaming culture. I think a lot of people are confused when I say I am so into gaming, but I have been a gamer my entire life. I currently play on Xbox and sometimes on PC, but I have been playing on console a lot as an adult. As a kid I was a diehard Pokemon fan. My love of gaming stemmed from the classics, such as Nintendo’s Donkey Kong 64, Playstation’s Space Invaders, and World of Warcraft on PC.

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Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: She Came to Play

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Gaming has been a favorite activity of mine for as long as I can remember. I was born in 1992, and with the rise of technology also came the rise of gaming. There are so many games that are near and dear to my heart from my childhood, like Spyro. I love the remastered versions of old school classics that I play on my Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, the games bring me back so much nostalgia!
Another remastered game I love is Modern Warfare 2 – I used to play that Call of Duty game every day after high school. From PC to console, I’ve played them all. It wasn’t until I met my husband, Scott, that I developed a love for Xbox. Up until getting married I had never played on Xbox. After 5 years of marriage I have successfully acquired my husband’s gamer tag (that he had since he was 12). If that isn’t the definition of true love… While we both love to use Xbox for gaming, we also love that it has apps for entertainment such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Twitch and more.

I am excited to announce the release of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Since Xbox’s debut in 2001, the growing desire for digital content has substantially changed. That’s why the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition was created – for those who prefer to play their games digitally and in an affordable way. Players can build a library of digital games in the cloud that travels with them. This new console is available for only $249.99! The price point for the digital console is the most affordable way to begin accessing Xbox One games. You can pick up the disc-free Xbox One S All-Digital Edition in-store or online at your local Walmart, Best Buy, and Microsoft Store, and on Amazon.com.

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Ringing in the New Year: 2019 Goals and 2018 Reflections

Happy New Year everyone! I know you’ve probably scrolled past countless sappy NYE posts reflecting on 2018, stating goals for 2019, and talking about the ups and downs. Well… here’s another one! ?

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10 Ways To Embrace Spring

Welcome Spring! While the spring equinox was nearly a month ago it sure doesn’t feel like spring in most places. In fact, when I took these photos in North Carolina the next few weeks were bitterly cold. Now that I am located in Washington I feel like it’s winter part II. That hasn’t stopped me from thinking all things spring. And just because it doesn’t feel like spring, doesn’t mean it isn’t so let’s embrace is whether it’s 70 or 55 degrees! In this post I am sharing 10 tips to embrace spring to truly get you in the seasonal spirit. I hope they help make your spring brighter.

1. Plant a flower/tree or buy one to leave on your front step
There is nothing that will freshen up your life like some fresh blooms. Even if the grass and trees haven’t caught on that it’s spring, a little pop of color in your front yard or on your front doorstep will brighten up your day. After all, the world laughs in flowers!

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Blush Bridal Shares the Best Tips for Brides

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In this Q&A series, I sat down with Candice Richardson of Blush Bridal, which is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We discussed everything and anything from how she opened her bridal boutique, best tips for brides, and bridal resources for women of color. Also check out Blush Bridal’s variety of gorgeous gowns, I had so much fun taking these photos around her boutique. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Tell me the history of Blush Bridal – how did an idea turn into an actual business and boutique?
“Having been brides ourselves once upon a time, we both felt something important was missing from the bride’s experience: a personal touch. In 2014, we paired Faith’s skills as a business consultant and dress designer and Candice’s background as a business owner to open Blush Bridal in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Funny story – while owning the furniture store, I was taking a QuickBooks class and Faith was the instructor. We just sort of hit it off and from there we both discovered our shared passion for business… bridal. When our website launched our first ordered was out of Paris, France. We were so excited!”

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