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Blogger Spotlight: Rachel Martino

| Blogger Feature, Blogger Spotlight

One of the most common responses I hear about blogging is the sense of community. With common interests and a shared entrepreneurial spirit, bloggers just “get each other.” We work with so many amazing bloggers so we decided to create an opportunity for bloggers to discover new friends and learn tips from each other. Our new series features a blogger and gives a glimpse into their life.

Meet Rachel of rachmartino.com. Southern transplant now living in New York, Rachel is a beauty and fashion blogger with an English and French YouTube channel!

What’s your best blogging tip for new bloggers?
Focus on what you love and learning to cultivate your audience. There is so much education available now for bloggers that didn’t exist a few years ago. A Beautiful Mess’ “Blog Life”, Yuli Ziv’s “Blogging your way to the front row”, and sites like IFB and the ShopSense blog are a few of my favorite resources to set a blog up for success.

If you weren’t blogging and you could do anything what would you choose?
I have always loved being on camera (which is one of the reasons I started on YourTube) so I’d love to be the host of an online series. But I’d still want to be a blogger, I don’t think I’d change that for anything.

What is your go-to brand/designer?
Kate Spade has always been one of my favorite brands. The retro and classic look with a dash of quirk is definitely a go-to for me. I also like shopping at Zara, Madewell, Anthroplogie, and thrifting!

Your best fashion advice?
If you love it, go for it. You will be so much happier going for something that fits great and that speaks to you than following trends that aren’t for you. Also, my mother instilled in me the importance of Cost per Wear or CPW. I always try to keep in mind how much I’m going to wear something based on the cost. It keeps me on track to splurge on the things I’ll wear all the time (therefor the CPW is very low) like a handbag, jeans and shoes and reminds me that a sequin dress for NYE isn’t worth blowing through an entire paycheck.

One thing you wish you knew before you started blogging?
I put off investing time in energy in my blog for a long time. I worked so hard on my YouTube channel but I never thought I could be one of the super fashionable style bloggers. I felt like my style wasn’t luxury enough and that I wouldn’t fit into the blogging community. I regret not getting started earlier! You’ll never known it all before you start, so jump in feet first!

One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m kind of a homebody! Because I live in New York I think most of my readers assume my life is choc-full of night’s out, lavish dinners, etc. but I actually spend most nights in to work on my blog! I’m really social so I love to see my friends, but I really lead a pretty normal life day-today riding the subway to work and cooking dinner chez moi. Oh yeah, I also speak French 🙂

Read more blogger spotlights:

Blogger Spotlight: Amber Fillerup Clark of Barefoot Blonde

| Blogger Spotlight

One of the most common remarks I hear from bloggers is the sense of community. With common interests and a shared entrepreneurial spirit, bloggers just “get each other.” We work with so many amazing bloggers so we decided to create an opportunity for bloggers to discover new friends and learn tips from each other. Our new series features a blogger and gives a glimpse into their life.
Barefoot Blonde. Known for her hair braid tutorials you’ve probably seen on Pinterest, this new mom is busier than ever as she balances full-time blogging with her new family. 

1. What is your best blogging tip for new bloggers?
My best blogging tip would be that everything takes time, nothing happens over night so be patient and don’t give up. It is also good to look at blogging like you would a real business and realize that you will have to make certain investments. You will invest a lot of time and you will need to invest money into cameras, site design, etc. 

2. If you weren’t blogging and could do anything, what would you choose?
I would be a stockbroker and spin instructor! I probably still will teach spin classes one day, not for the money but just because I have always wanted to do it. When I was in high school I always thought I would be a stockbroker and live in the city.

3. Who is your go-to brand/designer?
In an ideal world my go to would be Valentino for everything BUT until I can afford that I love Rag & Bone, Alice + Olivia, and ASOS.

4. Your best fashion advice.
For a long time I felt I had to follow trends if I was going to be running a fashion blog but you don’t always have to follow trends. Sometimes they aren’t your style or its not worth it to invest in something that will go out of style by the time the next season rolls around. I have kind of gone back to my roots and now look back on posts when I tried to force trends and I totally cringe!

5. One thing you wish you knew before you started blogging.
I wish I had invested in a camera and good site design earlier. I also wish I had known how mean people could be! People are ruthless to fashion bloggers or bloggers in general and I have learned to take it with a grain of salt. My motto is you should only be worried if you DON’T have “haters” 🙂

6. One thing people would be surprised to know about you.
I can’t do a cartwheel and I am not actually blonde! I mean I used to be when I was younger but my roots are pretty dark now.

7. Favorite holiday tradition.
My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas morning when my mom pulls out my favorite tea set and we have hot coco and sticky buns.

Monetize Instagram with ShopStyle.it

| Tips & Best Practices

You are now able to monetize your Instagram posts using our new technology, ShopStyle.it! Anytime you are posting an outfit photo or want to let readers shop your post, simply follow these steps to learn how to post on Instagram with ShopStyle.it. 

How to Use SHOPSTYLE.it: 

  1. Curate a list of products that you want to showcase with your Instagram post. Tap and hold the item to add it to a list.
  2. Select your new list under the Favorites tab.
  3. Click Shrare and select ShopStyle.it.
  4. Choose or snap a photo for your ShopStyle.it post. Click the Save button at the top.
  5. ShopStyle.it automatically fills your Instagram description with a link to the list you just created.
  6. Share the photo on Instagram, and you’re done! Watch the likes and $$ roll in!

Get the Most from SHOPSTYLE.it!

Three quick tips to get the most out of ShopStyle.it: 

1. Ask your followers to sign up at www.ShopStyle.it to recieve emails. This way they can find out what your’re wearing when they like your Instagram post!
2. Link to your ShopStyle.it profile page in your Instagram account. 
3. Remember to tag at least 1 Instagram post a day.

Please email help@shopstylecollective.com if you need help with this process.

xo,
Carlina 

 



Your Complete Holiday Deals Guide

| Sales to Talk About

The holiday season is the best time to increase your earnings! During the next month, your readers will be searching for the best sales for holiday gifts, and you can increase your sales conversion by sharing the most relevant sales on our blog. 

We will be updating this post daily with all the sales you need to know, including every participating retailer, from Nordstrom to Forever 21, so don’t forget to bookmark this page to check in on the latest sales information from your best-performing retailers!

Expert tip for holiday sales season: 

  • Create a new page on your blog dedicated to the holiday sales so readers can go to one place and find everything. For each retailer on your page, use a ShopSense affiliate link so you get credit each time readers shop.
  • Create a sidebar widget of the best Black Friday deals.
  • Create a preview post for Black Friday sales you’re excited about.
  • Tweet and Pin the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal finds you love.

Black Friday Sales You Need to Know:

NEW! Green Monday Sales Starting December 8th!

  • Cynthia Vincent: 20% off full priced dresses with code DRS20 today only.
  • Shoes.com: 30% off orders today only.
  • Vera Bradley: Green Monday!  Round Duffel, Tic Tac Tote and Grand Cargo Bag  are 50% off today only.
  • Amazon: Spend $100 and receive 25% off with code GRNMON14
  • BaubleBar: 30% off with code INSTAGLAM now until Dec. 9th.
  • Charm & Chain: Free Shipping.
  • Gorjana: Free shipping + 25% off today only.
  • Karmaloop: 15% off $35+ with code CMREMIX today only.
  • Kelly Wearstler: 10% Off For First Time Customers.
  • Lucy: 20% Off $100+ and Free Shipping today only.
  • Macys: Friends & Family Ends Event Extra 25% Off+ Free Shipping on $50+
  • Madewell: 30% off sale ends today with code MERRIEST
  • Puma: 50% off and free shipping ends today with code HOLIDAYFRIENDS.


Sales Added for December 4th

  • Stuart Weitzman: Get 35% off your first pair and 45% off each additional pair of boots on select styles now until December 24th.
  • Victorias Secret: Free PINK Nation Bra Top with PINK Purchase. Use code PINKBRA now until Dec. 8.
  • Vera Bradley: Free Monogramming this week! Spend $100 and get a Free Soft Fringe Scarf now until Dec. 8.

Sales Added for December 2nd

  • C Wonder: 30% off site wide.
  • Cynthia Vincent: 20% Off Everything with code MON20. 
  • Macys: Friends & Family Sale! 25% Off Clerance 
  • Sephora: Get Free Shipping on any purchase $25+ with code SHIPNOW.
  • Guess: Up to 50% off site wide.
  • Reebok: 40% off site wide with code HOLIDAY.
  • Vera Bradley: 50% off certain items.
  • Victorias Secret: Free PINK Blanket with $65 Purchase. Use code PINK65

Sales Added for December 1st

  • Sephora: Receive A Cyber Monday Mystery Sample Bag With Any $25 Purchase now through Dec. 3.
  • Steve Madden: Cyber Monday 35% off + free shipping with the code CYBER
  • Betsey Johnson: 40% off + free shipping with the code CYBER40
  • Neiman Marcus Last Call: extra 40% off entire site + free shipping with the code CYBERME
  • Rent the Runway: $40 off orders over $100
  • Brooks Brothers: 39% off select items and 10% off your entire purchase
  • J Brand: 25% off full priced items with the code CYBER2014
  • Topman: 20% off everything onsite 
  • Emerson Fry: 20% off full priced merchandise with the code EFMonday14
  • J. Crew: 30% off select full price styles and 40% off sales items + free shipping with the code MONDAY
  • The Trend Boutique: 25% off site wide and free ground shipping
  • BCBG: Spend $250 Save 30%, Spend $350 Save 35%, Spend $450 Save 40%
  • Cosabella: 40% off sitewide with the code CYBERMONDAYAFF
  • Rebecca Taylor: 30% off sitewide


Sales Added for November 28th

  • Nordstrom: 30 percent off TopShop
  • BaubleBar: Black Friday:15% Off 2 Items with code FRIDAY15, 25% Off 3 Items with code FRIDAY25, 35% Off 4 or More Items with code FRIDAY35 now through Nov. 29.
  • BCBG Generation: 50% Off Regular Priced Items Today Only.
  • Blooingdales: Beauty gift with purchase today only.
  • Cosabella: 40% Off Sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAYAFF now through Nov. 30.
  • Cynthia Vincent: Black Friday: 20% Off Everything with clode FRI20 now through Nov. 30. 
  • House of Harlow: 35% Off all apparel and shoes incl sale now through Dec. 1.
  • Hugo Boss: Up to 30% off today only.
  • Reebok: Skyscape for $29.99 today only with code BLACKFRIDAY.
  • Reebok: Womens Electrify for $39.99 today only with code BLACKFRIDAY.
  • Reebok: CF Sprint TR for $49.99 today only with code BLACKFRIDAY.
  • Sephora: Black Friday $10 Beauty Deals! While Supplies Last
  • Shoptiques: Up to 70% Off Select Styles, buy today and Get Free Shipping On All Future Orders For the Next 30 Days.


Sales Added for November 27th

__________________________________
  • Saks Off 5th: 40 – 50 Percent Off Handbags
  • Saks Off 5th: Women’s Cashmere Now an Extra 50 Percent Off
  • Saks Off 5th: Extra 50 Percent Off Boots
  • Saks Off 5th: Extra 50 Percent Off Faux and Real Fur
  • Saks Off 5th: Scarves Now an Extra 50 Percent Off
  • Saks Off 5th: 60 Percent Off Watches
  • Saks Off 5th: 40 Percent Off Season’s Giftings 
  • Saks Off 5th: Wemon’s J Brand Jeans: Was $189-$222 Now $59.99 ( Cannot be combines with Black Friday code discount) 
  • The Dreslyn’s: Black Friday Sale: 20 Percent Off Sitewide for saving up to 70 Percent Off until Nov. 30 with code BLACKFRIDAY
  • TOMS: 25 Percent Off select TOMS styles with code CHEER now through Nov. 30.
  • Joie: 25 percent off sitewide now through Dec. 1.
  • Nordstrom: Designer clearance event now through Jan. 6
  • C Wonder: 40 percent off sitewide now through Dec. 1.
  • Calvin Klein: Free shipping now until Dec. 1.
  • Calvin Klein Outlet: 50 percent off sitewide and free shipping now until Dec. 1.
  • Kate Spade Saturday: 30 percent off full price items now until Dec. 1 with code DEALME.
  • Sole Society: 30 percent off and free shipping now until Dec. 1. All sales final.
  • The Corner: Extra 20 percent off and free shipping ow until Dec. 1 with code CYBER2014.
  • Yoox.com: Extra 20 percent off and free shipping now until Dec. 1 with code YOOXGIVING.
  • Alternative Apparel: 30 percent off orders $75 now until Nov. 30 with code THANKFUL.
  • DKNY: 20 percent off sweaters and outwear now until Nov 29.
  • BCBG Generation: 40 percent off online today only.
  • Lucy: 30 percent off everything now until Nov. 30.
  • Equipment: 20 percent off entire collection now until Dec. 1.
  • American Eagle: Take 40 percent off and free shipping at American Eagle with code GOBBLEUP. Offer ends Nov. 30.
  • Aerie: Take 40 percent off at Aerie through Nov. 30 with code GOBBLEUP. Also, get free PJ pants with buy one, get one free at Aerie.
  • Andrew Marc: Save up to 60 percent at Andrew Marc starting on Nov. 23, and on Nov. 24, shop down jackets starting at $99.
  • Bloomingdale’s: Save up to 50 percent off sitewide, and take $25 off almost every $200 purchase with free shipping and free returns at Bloomingdale’s through Nov. 30. Explore the Baby Sale at Bloomingdale’s and save 20-40 percent on a great selection of infant merchandise through Nov. 30. Better yet, it’s the Designer Handbag Sale at Bloomingdale’s! Save up to 30 percent on designer handbags through Dec. 7.
  • Boutique To You: Save up to 20 percent sitewide on purchased $500+ with code AF50020 at Boutique To You through Dec. 31.
  • Blue & Cream: Save up to 15 percent at Blue & Cream through Nov. 27.
  • Calvin Klein: 30 percent off specialty handbags now through Nov. 30.
  • Charlotte Russe: It’s buy one, get one free at Charlotte Russe. Buy one, get one free with $5 dresses and $5 shoes.
  • Cynthia Vincent: Get 20 percent off full-price items at Cynthia Vincent with code NOW20.
  • Express: Get 50 percent off everything Nov. 25 through Nov. 28 at Express.
  • J.Crew Factory: Get 50 percent off everything plus free shipping at J.Crew Factorywith code THANKS.
  • James Perse: Check out the holiday sale and free shipping at James Perse.
  • Kate Spade New York: Save up to 75 percent plus $5 ground shipping in the US and $10 in Canada at Kate Spade New York.
  • Lands’ End: Get 40 percent off select categories each day and 30 percent off the remainder of your order at Lands’ End through Nov. 30.
  • Little Circus: Get 40 percent off your entire purchase at Little Circus through Dec. 1 with code THANKS, and each time you spend $50, you’ll get $10 back.
  • Les Nouvelles: Get an additional 25 percent off all sale items at Les Nouvelles today only.
  • Lord & Taylor: Get an extra 20 percent off almost everything and 25 percent off fine jewelry through Nov. 30 at Lord & Taylor with code THANKS.
  • Lucky Brand Jeans: Save 45 percent on all orders and get free shipping at Lucky Brand Jeans.
  • Madewell: Get 25 percent off sitewide through Nov. 30 at Madewell with code GIFTON.
  • Metropark: Get 25 percent off at Metropark with code CYBERDAY through Dec. 2.
  • Nike: Through Dec. 22, get free returns at Nike and take an additional 25 percent off clearance through Dec. 2.
  • Pendleton: Save 20 percent on outerwear from Pendleton through Nov. 26.
  • Pink Mascara: Get 25 percent off with code CYBERDAY at Pink Mascara through Dec. 2.
  • Rebecca Taylor: Save 30 percent on sale items at Rebecca Taylor through Nov. 30.
  • Saks OFF 5TH: Take an extra 40 percent off your purchase at Saks OFF 5TH with code GOBBLE through Nov. 26.
  • Space.NK: Spend $100 and get a gift card for $25 to use on next purchase of $100 or more. Plus get free ground shipping and three complimentary samples of your choice. While Supplies Last at Space.NK through Nov. 30.
  • Theory: Shop the Holiday Kickstart Sale and get 40 percent off select merchandise at Theory.
  • Tibi: Get a free additional 20 percent off sale items at Tibi through Nov. 28 with code BLACKFRIDAY14.
  • Stella and Dot: 25 percent off all sale items now through Nov. 30.
  • Madewell: 25 percent off sitewide now through Nov. 30 with code GIFTON.

Image Credit


Blogger Spotlight: Emme Mangum

| Blogger Feature, Blogger Spotlight

One of the most common responses I hear about blogging is the sense of community. With common interests and a shared entrepreneurial spirit, bloggers just “get each other.” We work with so many amazing bloggers so we decided to create an opportunity for bloggers to discover new friends and learn tips from each other. Our new series features a blogger and gives a glimpse into their life.


Meet Emme Mangum, southern belle turned Calfornia girl and new blogger. Her approachable style is easy yet chic and best of all, affordable!

1. What is your best blogging tip for new bloggers?
Have fun! It may sound trite, but it really is important. Blogging is hard work. If you’re not enjoying the work then you might burn out before you achieve the success you desire.

2. If you weren’t blogging and could do anything, what would you choose?  That’s easy! I love the ocean and I love dolphins. I would definitely be a marine biologist & work with dolphins in some capacity.  

3. Who is your go-to brand/designer?
I lean toward surf brands & local boutiques for day-to-day clothing. However, when I dress up, my go-to brand is most often BCBGMAXAZRIA.  I’ve been a loyal customer for years.

4. What is your best fashion advice? Know your wardrobe. Know that thing like the back of your hand!  Know what you have, what you wear most often, and what you need to complete an outfit.  This way you can focus your shopping efforts on items that complete outfits or work well with many items in your wardrobe. Your shopping will be more productive, and you will end up with many pieces that look good/work well together.

5. What is one thing you wish you knew before you started blogging? Honestly, I wish I had known how to use WordPress. I still get confused with all of the <<p>> coding!  

6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?< I practiced law for 2 years before quitting my job and moving to California for love. There were definitely a few bumps along the way (every great adventure has them) but the risk was worth it!  

7. What is your favorite holiday tradition?I wish I could say it is one of my family’s traditions but it’s not (sorry Mama).  If I am being completely honest, it’s watching as many cheesy Christmas movies as I can pack into the Holiday Season.  It may be the bad acting or implausible love stories that puts me in the Holiday Spirit; I’m not sure … but I love it!

Read more blogger spotlights:

Introducing Fave: A New Mobile Style Community

| Must Know

ShopStyle has launched a new app, Fave, that combines two of our favorite things: shopping and blogging! Fave is a new way to shop and discover the thousands of brands available via ShopStyle and follow your favorite bloggers to see what products they’re loving most.

Fave creates a truly personalized style feed based on brands and tastemakers — from luxury labels and emerging brands to fashion bloggers like you. As a ShopSense blogger, you can create Fave posts to increase your affiliate earning with Fave’s mobile community! All items in your Fave posts are automatically linked to your ShopSense account.

With Fave, you can upload your own photos and tag your favorite products to share with followers. Share a photo of your outfit, your holiday wish list, or what’s in your makeup bag, and tag each item so they’re shoppable for your followers.

How Can You Use FAVE?

Get started by downloading Fave in the app store and logging in with your ShopSense account email. Then, simply click Post to upload your own photos, and attach products to the photos to create a Fave post! All items linked to a Fave post have your ShopSense UID attached, so when your Fave followers click through the product link, you’ll earn affiliate revenue. 

As a ShopSense blogger, Fave is another opportunity to get your name in front of new readers and increase your earnings. ShopStyle’s editors curate the Explore tab with their favorite blogger posts, so you have the chance to be featured in the app’s feed!

Any item you “Fave” is automatically added to the Things I Like list and seamlessly integrates into ShopStyle and ShopSense, ensuring all your selections are accessible anywhere.

Download Fave in the app store, and start uploading photos and tagging your favorite products!