March 09, 2022

Tips For TikTok

Something I've been having more conversations around with my fellow content creators is how to find success on TikTok. I have an outgoing personality but I definitely get nervous to label something as a success because of two things. I get nervous that someone may I assume I may think too highly of myself and...Imposter Syndrome, LOL! Recently I hit my goal of having 10,000 TikTok followers by the end of 2022 in February (MIND BLOWN). But I have some tips that have helped me and I want to pass them along!

I will start out by saying that TikTok is a completely different algorithm than Instagram. So when you enter this space throw away any knowledge you have acquired from Instagram. This platform and its followers are not looking for polished or perfect. Come as you are and be yourself. I will say that if you're often copying people's ideas on Instagram, not only do people see through you on this platform but you won't make it on TikTok. Honestly, you will hit a wall on Instagram as well because authenticity is something you can't mimic and people see through it. But people will drag you on TikTok quicker. Find out who you are and be that.

Consistency

This is what's going to help you build your platform. The sweet spot is posting 3 to 5 times a day. This may sound like a lot but with how fast viral sounds and trends go this helps you build a community and an algorithm presence. Do not delete videos. I have posted a video and had it get almost no views or engagement and then get traction a few days, weeks, or months later. You never know! An easy way to build up content is to batch videos and save them as drafts. This helps me push out content with my busy schedule.

Finding Your Niche

This can mean many things. I can't find yours for you but I recommend thinking about the things in your life and your experiences that make you human. Are you funny? Are you a good teacher? Are you musically talented? Do you have a special skill? Find something and make it relatable or teachable to provide value.

Trending Sounds

I find these by being on the app. Instagram Reels are weeks and sometimes even months behind TikTok so my advice is to go directly to the source. Also, even if the app "recommends" a background noise or song for you - that doesn't mean that it is trending!

If you're doing voiceovers - make sure you're actually saying the words right and on the beat. Practice the sound and make sure you aren't winging it and messing up the lip sync.

Hashtags

Hashtags should be used sparingly and within the character limit. Stick to hashtags that apply to your niche and the sound but are general!

As far as collabs on TikTok - I haven't really gotten there yet. I've had a few offers but I'm building up my portfolio to have a better gauge on ROI for brands and myself! I can say that my LTK and Amazon Storefront sales have dramatically increased which has been exciting to see!

I know that these can feel general - but I want to make sure that these are helpful tips for everyone to work within their own experiences and niches. At the end of the day, you have to put in work and effort for anything you want. Anything worth having takes work and there is no easy fix or solution!

There is a whole wide world of opportunities to find on TikTok and with a little elbow grease, you can find your community there if that's a goal of yours!

February 18, 2022

Four Years of Mimosas & Lipstick

Dress | Boots | Disco Ball

I don't know if it's good or bad that it has already been four years of Mimosas & Lipstick. I say that because it reminds me how far out of college I am (LOL!). I graduated from LSU and moved back to the suburbs of Chicago and didn't really know where to go from there.

I had an internship in college with Jay Ducote and saw the back end of running a website and I really enjoyed the work. I enjoyed being able to learn and grow and find my voice. My dad encouraged me to start a food blog but I didn't think that anyone cared about what I had to say. He kept encouraging me and I kept dismissing myself. Who would want to take my advice?

Eventually, I started my first big girl job and I felt stunted. It wasn't really what I thought working in marketing would be and I felt really drained. I was wearing cute outfits but no one cared and I was like wait... should I start a fashion blog? I had followed people like Lauren Sims, Dani Austin, and Courtney Shields for a few years and loved their content. I loved how casual they shared with their following, styling their outfits seemed fun, and it would give me a creative outlet.

From there I researched. I looked into web design, blogging tip articles, reached out to people who I knew were bloggers that I admired like Karli Willis, and from there - Mimosas and Lipstick was born. I look back on that period of my life and I wish I hadn't been so hard on myself. I would freak out if my photo didn't get 100 likes in 3 minutes, if I didn't get the perfect photo on the first try, and pressured myself to network with people I didn't really have a lot in common with. But in a way, I'm also happy that I went through that because it got me to where I am today.

Looking at this year in review, it progressed my life in so many ways I could've never imagined this time last year. I started my TikTok and now have over 7,500 followers, 352,000 likes, and has allowed me to show more of my silly goofy side. I got connected to an amazing cat rescue called the Catcade and adopted Dolly after fostering her. I was able to open up about my struggles with dating, which made me feel less alone and led to more honest conversations.

I grew more confident as a businesswoman and negotiated for my worth. I had to file taxes for 2021 because your support led me to work with some dream brands! Heck, I just grew in confidence period. Body positivity, confidence in my dating life, and knowing my worth.

In the next year, I hope to keep going and growing! I want to help us connect with each other more, feel less alone, and try new things! Here's to continuously learning and evolving.

February 08, 2022

You Don't Need To Have A Significant Other To Celebrate Valentine's Day

My set is from Cozy Earth - you can use my code MIMOSAS40 for 40% off your order!

It can feel like a lot this time of year. The weather makes the time of year drag, making it feel all-encompassing. When the sun doesn't shine, it feels like you're stuck - I know it does for me anyway. It can be easy for us to be hard on ourselves. Maybe your New Years' resolutions didn't pan out the way you anticipated or you can't find the motivation to do things you usually love.

Take all these feelings and then add the invisible pressure of Valentine's Day. Whether you're newly seeing someone, celebrating your first Valentine's Day with a significant other, it's your fifteenth Valentine's Day with your special someone or you're single this Valentine's Day - there can be different kinds of pressure.

For me and the other single people out there - it can feel as though dating is a wasteland between now and February 14th. Apps have all but stopped, anyone you were flirting with has gone MIA and it's become even more lonely than usual.

Although we don't need a significant other to feel whole and should be happy on our own it is hard not to feel some pressure around this time of year. To me in Chicago, it seems like guys assume all girls will latch on to any sight or inkling of love in the hopes of Valentine's - and for me, that's not the case.

I have always appreciated this holiday - but I've looked at it from a standpoint of loving your life and the parts of it that make it unique. Family, friends, your job, your city, your home, your fur babies - everything around you that makes you, you. That's what we should celebrate!

If you're single like me this Valentine's Day here's how different ways you can practice self-love and celebrate!

Order your favorite take out food
Cook your favorite meal
Treat yourself to a massage or a facial or a spray tan or a workout class
Start a new show
Buy a new work out or lounge set
Watch one of your comfort shows or movies
Clean your apartment and declutter your space to make way for future endeavors
Treat yourself to a new book, piece of clothing, or home decor item you've been putting off
Go to your favorite grocery store
Buy the materials for an at-home DIY
Send cards to your mom, grandma, and any other family members
Call anyone in your life you've been putting off
Make your favorite smoothie
Journal about your feelings
Go through and declutter your junk drawer (I know you have one)
Shop Valentine's Day sales
Go on a long walk
Have a photoshoot with yourself
Paint your nails
Get a blowout or haircut
Do your hair in a new way
Make plans to get together with your friends the next weekend
Buy a new candle
Try a new tea
Treat yourself to an overpriced latte
Get pumped for the half-off candy sales tomorrow

One set I know that I'll be wearing this Valentine's Day is my jogger tank set from Cozy Earth! They don't only make amazing linens but their sets and pajamas are amazing! You can use my code MIMOSAS40 for 40% off your order sitewide.

Pick your top 3 things off my list and focus on all you have that you love in your life - not what problems you think would be fixed if you had a relationship

February 02, 2022

Hannah's Basics: Top 5 Amazon Home Finds

I wanted to start a new series called Hannah Basic's. These will be quick round up's of things that help you navigate life! Today, I wanted to start with Amazon Home Finds. All of these can be shopped here on my Amazon Storefront! You can also watch my video about them here.

Lamp

This lamp is powerful, doesn't overheat and lights my whole studio apartment! It's $64.99 and comes in 7 different colors.

Hat Hooks

The secret to my hat wall? These hooks! They come in a pack of 8 and they're $14. They're easy to hang and come off easily so they're renter-friendly.

Shower Hair Catcher

These hair catchers come in a pack of 5 for $10. They lay over your drain for easy clean-up and shower maintenance. They're made of Neoprene so they won't get icky!

Water Jug

This 50 oz water jug is under $30 and keeps my water cold all day! The top has a few different options for drinking water but I like the straw - easier to make sure I'm drinking enough water throughout the day.

Bamboo Lap Desk

This bamboo lap desk is under $30 and totally upgrades your work-from-home game! The legs adjust and so does the platform. I love using this for my laptop and for meals as well!

Happy shopping! What should I round up next?

January 11, 2022

2021 Top 12 Best Sellers

Sweater Set / Jeans / Sneakers

We're a little late to the game on this one but one of my goals in 2022 is to be better at sharing more content on my website! So I wanted to take a look back at 2021 and share my top sellers from the year. 2021 brought a year of uncertainty, growth both personally & professionally, and I've never been more sure of who I am! This all came with a year of growing my social accounts, working with dream brands and becoming more unapologetically myself!

Thank you for all the support over the last almost four years, and this last one in particular. Everything will be linked under the photo if it is still available to be purchased!

Cardigan / Bodysuit / Shorts / Sunglasses

Starting with this flower power cardigan! It is from Shop Hopes and my code hannahw15 works sitewide! Although this particular cardigan is no longer available, you can shop similar looks here.

Skort / Bodysuit / Bralette

This next best seller was taken outside of the Wicker Park Inn! This skort is super versatile and works in any season. Can be dressed up or down. All skorts from this retailer can be shopped here.

Sweater / Jeans

If you told me two years ago that this would be one of my favorite sweaters - I wouldn't have believed you! But now I own it in two colors! Shop here. My code MIMOSAS15 works sitewide!

Shirt / Sunnies / Bathing Suit / Shorts / Belt / Sandals

I actually brought a guy I was seeing to this event - shortly after that, he told me he only saw me as a friend but appreciated being introduced to my "VIP Lifestyle" and that's still a running joke with my family and friends to this day. This button-down though is next level - shop here!

Biker Shorts / Sunnies / Graphic Tee

This brand's biker shorts are perfect for lounging and running errands - I wore them while traveling this summer! I am also obsessed with this band tee and may have bought a few more over the summer (lol). Shop the shorts here and my tee here.

Pullover / Biker Shorts / Sunnies

This was shared later in the year, but y'all loved this pullover! It's so soft and obviously is a tribute to Chicago! You can shop it here and shop my workout set here.

Dress / Shoes / Bag

This affordable wedding guest dress was a lifesaver this summer! It comes in tons of colors and sizes. Grab it here.

Dress / Shoes

This dress was a fan favorite in 2021! It comes in tons of colors and patterns and is sure to be show-stopping whether you dress it up or down!

Sweater Set / Jeans / Sneakers

This sweater set, the Time Out Market rooftop, this drink, what's not to love? This sweater set was a hit on Instagram and I can see why! My code MIMOSAS15 works sitewide! Shop here.

Bodysuit / Skirt / Heels

And last but not least - this bodysuit! It got plenty of love on Instagram and tons of compliments in Nashville. It comes in tons of colors and fits perfectly! Shop it here.

I'm ready for a year of growth, laughs, and connecting with all of you! Make sure to check out my Instagram Stories for linked outfits and new blog posts! Let's make this year great!