Becoming a Great Guest Blogger

Hey guys!

I'm excited to bring you this weeks guest blogger because it is a little different, even for me. My friend Sandy, who I present to you this week, is a social media expert and loves, eats, breathes, and sleeps everything social media, and for good reason. Today he shares with us some tips and tricks on becoming a great guest blogger. I thought this would be a good fit for today because a lot of people recently have asked me about being a guest blogger, what they would need to do, what I want them to do, etc... and there are some things that come with giving your article to be submitted on another site, and Sandy explains it here in this weeks guest post. For more you can visit his blog here
 

 

How to become a great Guest Blogger

Hi guys, I'm Sandile Nene, better known as Sandy. I am 20 years old, I love, blogging, tweeting and reading, and today I want to share with you some Guest Blogger tips that I found. 

Here

1) Search for blogs relevant to your audience. It doesn't have to be your exact niche, but you will want to only guest post on blogs that are similar to your own and that your audience relates to. This helps you establish yourself as an expert in the field and it also helps you make great connections.

2) Make sure the site is credible. Take time to do the research. See if they are getting a lot of comments either on the blog or on their social platforms. Check out their guest blogging requirements. If it looks easy to get a post with them, then you probably don’t even want to bother. If they have strict guidelines and measures for posting on their site, it will mean they are more credible.

3) Build relationships. Sending out mass emails might lead to a few guest posts, but building relationships will allow you to have places where you can post multiple times and where you are a trusted source. This can also lead to meeting new people through these trusted relationships.

4) Think outside the box. People are not going to want to publish or read something that has been done a million times. If your article is new and unique it is more likely to get posted by the big blogs. Read other blogs and do keyword research to get your ideas flowing.

5) Keep up with trends. Set up Google alerts for specific keywords and have your Google reader on hand every day. If you are on top of the trends you will be able to provide guest posts that are up to date and relevant to other readers.

By doing these things you are making sure that you stand out from others and keep your articles interesting and fresh. 

Sandy

Blog Lovin'

Hey guys,




Just a little update to let you know I am on bloglovin' now, so you can follow my blog through there as well. Got a little heads up from a fellow blogger that Google connect will be shutting down in July, so I needed to act quick. I'm not too sure how far these rumours are true, you know I heard some Facebook shutting down on the 7th of May rumours and a few Twitter rumours too, so maybe the social networking gurus are trying to play a trick or two on us, but those of you who also want to switch quick, and don't want to leave anything to chance, then check out bloglovin' too! You will definitely find me on there under Lu3Lus Crossing. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Lu3Lu

Xx

Selfie Esteem

So like, the selfie, we all do it, no matter how hard we try not to turn the front camera on and become self employed as a model and photographer, we all do it. I didn't realise till the other day how conditioned I was to seeing selfies (it's not like I don't see about ten different selfies on Instagram a day), until someone who I don't know followed me and I had to start searching through their pictures for a selfie just so I could see.

I'm not opposed to the selfie, sometimes we really do have a fabulous lip colour or hairstyle that we would like to show off our friends to see. I do it all the time too. I may not post all of them to social networks but anybody going through my phone is going to think I am absolutely obsessed with myself. It's fun.. camera on, lift, pout, flash, next one; camera on, lift, smile, flash, next one; camera on, lift, stare into nothingness, flash. 

At first every time I even thought of taking a selfie I felt like a vampire trying to walk in the sun. Felt like I was going to get burned for it, because we've all heard what they had to say about the selfie. Don't do it. They say that this (especially posting them online in lure of getting above 10 likes, just me?) is pure narcissism. And I realise that after saying the whole 10 likes thing, maybe just maybe they have point. But also when we completely ignore this point they are trying to make, they really don't have a point. When I take a selfie, I am either completely bored out of my mind, I have no one to take this photo of me and I have just GOT to show you my new bangs (I really don't) or I honestly just like the way I look and my Instagram is my Instagram after all, so naturally I just upload it, crop it, filter it, caption it and post it. How does this make me a narcissist? It's basically just a whole bunch of, it's my account, I can do whatever I want with it, it's for me not you anyway.

But at the same time

I don't really believe this whole, I'm posting this for myself stuff that we like to feed ourselves sometimes. Yes I'm posting up the picture because I want to, the application does say 'upload picture' any way but ultimately the I-don't-care-what-no-one-thinks thing is a little hmm. My logic is, if we put anything online it becomes everybody's, it's not just for ourselves otherwise it wouldn't be up there.Would you put up your latest diary entry online, you know, the one about the boy, your secret crush, the one who is dating your friend? No, I didn't think so. So this stuff online, is not just for ourselves. So we care a little what people think, because you had to think about it. You had to think about the right angles, filters, photo tricks and captions to be able to put your best self face forward.

But we have heard all this before right? blah blah blah selfie, blah blah blah, social approval, blah blah blah vain. And to that I say.....

Lu3Lu

Xx

Favourite Things

You know those things, yes those things, that can turn any bad day good, put a pep in your step, keep you way occupied and make you that much happier... well yes, I have a few of these things I call my favourite things. Lately I have been indulging in quite a few, and I wanted to share with you some of my latest obsessions the things that I can't live without.

Flipboard

Can't say nothing else except for I am addicted. I spend most of my time on this app, when I am not tweeting or chatting. It has given me the excuse not to have an excuse to 'use my phone' when I see someone I do not really want to talk to, or when I find myself in awkward situations, because now I can just. I can literally stay on Flipboard days on end and only come up for air when I have been rudely interrupted.

I love that I can create my own magazine, with all the stuff that I find on the app and on the Internet. If you ever need inspiration, fresh ideas or just knowledge from people within the same 'industry' or people who have the same passions and interests as you, then this is the app for you.
I've created three magazines so far {below}, and while I am still getting the hang of being my own magazine curator, I am enjoying the hell out of this app, flip after flip.
If you are on Flipboard too, let me know, and please stop by my magazines and let me know what you think.

Vine

Another social media platform... I am beginning to wonder what social media platform I am NOT on. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Keek, the list just goes on, but you name it and I am on it. Is this even healthy?
I have to say though, some of my favourite social media apps are ones you can get creative with, like Pinterest, Instagram and now Vine, I just love it.

I was introduced to it by one of my friends, and at first I hadn't a clue what to do with this thing, {not like I am much different now}, but this is app is slowly becoming one of my latest addictions. See, I am not so much a visual, that means photography and film, kind of person but the whole art interests me. So whatever chance I can get to play with one of these photo/video tools, count me in.

Wedding planning

Here

Joy is what I feel in my heart when I look forward to the next couple of days, weeks, months. Being engaged has changed everything for me! I haven't been one to start planning her wedding day from the day she was born, but along the way I have come across friends and people {of course I mean him} that have got me excited at the prospect of planning a wedding... My one friend is obsessed and her obsession has become my obsession, if not for the fact that she sends me every bridesmaid fabric, wedding dress design and wedding location picture out there. She and the fact that this is all real now, makes planning my wedding one of my favourite things to do lately.

Vanilla tea

Here

Just as much as coffee addicts need their coffee to get them through the day, I need my cups of tea, and if it is vanilla I can do just about anything. I am a tea lover for sure man, even on the hottest day. I believe that you can find the answers to life at the bottom of a tea cup. Some say wine glass, I say tea cup.

Mirrors 

I should probably get in line with this one.

I was pretty disappointed with the music that was coming out at the beginning of 2013, till Justin showed up. I love this song, it's everything you need in a love song and more.

Magazines & Blogs

I am a reader, I love to read, books, magazines, blogs.... I read it all. So as I heal myself with a cup of vanilla tea I like to indulge in a few magazines and blogs. Lately my favourite magazine has been ELLE UK. I have always bought the South African edition because it makes more sense to me. I'm here, it's here, perfect pair. But I recently got the UK edition and was amazed by their editorials, it wasn't the first time though, but I realised why I need to do more of it. What an amazing read.
But all in all, I love me some GRAZIA, ELLE and GLAMOUR.

And lately my favourite blogs are, Fashion Toast, Song of Style, Wendy's Look Book, and The Glamourai. These blogs make having my flipboard app that much more fun. Lot's to flip and lot's to be inspired by. It's amazing when you can get lost in a world that someone else has created for you, and enjoy your stay.

So yes, these are a few of my favourite things. What are some of yours?

Lu3Lu
Xx

100, 000, Thank You!

*slides on to this post, screaming, jumping, stuffing face with cake, and singing at top of voice* 

Why you ask? Well...... 

It's been almost two years now since I started blogging and I just hit the 100, 000 page view mark. I know I am a little bit of a turtle, some have hit this mark in 6 months, others in 14 months, Don't Judge Me.

Coming from where I am coming from, thinking this thing will be shut down in about 2 weeks and 17 hours, and not having a clue what comes after "write new post", I am just so thrilled, ecstatic, amazed and overjoyed at the same time, that it even came to this. 

A milestone is a milestone. 

I opened up this blog at first as a dare to myself that I can do it, and keep it open, and now 100, 000 page views later here I am. I still don't know what I am doing with these pages, and sometimes I still go on a sabbatical, because the blinking cursor with no words following literally sets me on fire, but I know for certain that this little piece of the Internet is mine for the keeping and I have big-ish plans for the both of us. We have been baby stepping our way this whole time, and the more I read other blogs and pay attention to the voice inside of me that keeps pushing, I know what I want for myself and this blog. 

Which by the way...

Look out for creative of the week features and guest post features more often from now on, and MORE about fashion, style, women, love and health, and whatever else comes to mind. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has stopped by my blog, commented and became a follower, you guys are awesome! You keep the dream alive. 

I should probably thank Google too! Where would I be without their search engine. 

To 100, 000 more! 

Lu3Lu
Xx

This Winters Healthy Comforts

Hello all, 

Today's guest blogger is Michalah Francis who hails from Cape Town. She blogs over at My Style Memories, so do check her out. 

It is almost, (and I say that lightly) winter over here, and Michalah knows just what a girl needs to get through some of these winter days. Check it out. 

This Winters Healthy Comforts

In summer there was a fruit overload, health smoothies, organic fruit juice and iced lemon water was all that I drank and there was no shortage of salads in my life. Healthy eating just seemed so easy in summer, but now with the fast approaching winter I seem to be stoking up on the carbs and I'm excited about spending my cold days with hot chocolate and marshmallows. 

I'm sure many can relate to this, it’s a wet, cold weekend and you decide to stay in and re-watch all your favourite movies. Slowly but surely, as that movie marathon continues, so does the snacks your “nibbling” on, they continue to pile up in front of you, and before you know it there’s wrappers and papers everywhere. You’ll feel guilty for about 5 minutes but then a few weeks later this scene will repeat itself, and you’ll be comforted by the idea that you can hide any KG’s gained under layers of winter clothing. And as welcoming and cozy as this idea might sound, most of us will regret this winter binge when summer comes knocking.

When food is involved regrets is what we want to avoid as food is not the enemy. Instead, food is the best friend who we all need. This winter I have decided to beat the binge and climb back on my healthy horse. How? By making my own winter comfort foods! 

Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine, the Banana and Berry Oats Bake.

I love this recipe for multiple reasons. The most obvious reason being that it’s healthy and the oats keeps you full for longer, preventing unnecessary snacking. This bake lasts for about a week as the recipe makes a large portion. The bake could be eaten for breakfast, saving time and energy because nobody really likes preparing breakfast on a cold winter morning. With this bake it’s simply reheat and enjoy. It could also be a dessert topped with some of your favourite treats; my personal favourite topping is plain yoghurt. 

What you’ll need:

-          1 large baking dish

-          2 banana’s

-          2 cups of berries. Because I like variety, I used 1 cup of gooseberries and 1 cup of 

           raspberries. This choice is really up to you.

-          1 cup of uncooked oats

-          ½ cup of raw, sliced nuts. I used almonds as they are a favourite and blend well with the 

           oats.

-          ¾ tablespoon of cinnamon

-          ½ tsp of baking powder

-          1 cup of coconut milk. Here you could use any milk of your choice, the coconut milk just 

           makes it more delicious.

-          1 egg

-          1 tsp vanilla extract

-          Pinch of salt

Method:

-Preheat your oven to 180° C

-Spray your baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.

-Slice the banana’s and then line the bottom of the dish. Top the banana’s with just over half of the berries which you have decide to use and then add ¼ of the cinnamon.

 -Cover this with foil and bake it in the oven for 15 minutes. 

-While the bananas and berries are baking, you now mix the other ingredients.

-So in a different bowl mix together the oats, nuts, rest of the cinnamon, baking powder and salt

- In a second bowl mix together the egg, milk and vanilla.

-When the 15 minutes are over, remove the dish from the oven.

-Now put your dry ingredients over the baked bananas, berries and cinnamon.

-Next you pour the wet mix on top of that.

-On top of this, place the rest of your berries.

 -Now bake at 180°C for 45 minutes

 Allow it to cool and enjoy!

Variations:

The best thing about this recipe is that it can so easily be changed.

-If you’d like the final outcome to be crisper keep the bake in the oven for up to 30 minutes longer.

-For a bake that’s perfect for breakfast 30 minutes in the oven will be perfect.

-You could serve the bake with yogurt, ice cream, or any topping of your choice.

-The bake should be stored in the fridge and just reheated as you please.

Happy Baking!

Michalah  

ELLE Style Reporter

Last night I attended probably the best event this entire year, {yes, I don't get out that much} either way, I am glad the glam gods forced me out because one thing is for certain ELLE Magazine South Africa and Blackberry know how to throw a party.

For the past couple of months ELLE  in association with BlackBerry® have been searching for a style reporter to join their team, no details necessary, who wouldn't read just that and not jump at such an opportunity? Obviously no one. Style reporter says it all. Any way the judges ELLE editor, Jackie Burger, photographer Ed Suter, ELLE Online editor Jenna McArthur, South & Southern Africa marketing director for BlackBerry® Ulanova Visser and Corporate Communications Manager for Sub-Sahara Africa at Research In Motion (RIM) Christa Botha chose 7 lucky bitches finalists to battle it out over a series of three challenges.

The final challenge was to take place at this 'blog party'. Obviously I had to attend, if not to snatch the award out of the winners hand and claim it as my own, then to see all their hard work and dedication pay off. I had hoped for the former, but oh well. 

The venue was perfect I must say, the whole aim of the style reporting was to capture South African street style, and this venue was perfect in highlighting just that, it was not a fancy hotel, nor was it a fancy club but literally a museum space in the middle of town. How much more street can you get. Of course I showed up in a mini dress and high heels though, but hey. Free food and drinks were served to us all night, 5FM's Poppy Ntshongwana was the host of the night, music was on another level, my favourite DJ in the whole of the land, DJ Zinhle was on decks. She rocked my socks off I tell you, but the highlight for me at that event was the people of course. From the people who greeted you at the door, to the people who served you at the bar, to the people in the industry you got the chance to rub shoulders with, {my favourite meet and greet was with Live Amp presenter Luthando, BEAUTIFUL SOUL}.

Poppy 

The ever so talented and prettyful @DJZinhle and I

The gorgeous and uber friendly @LootLove and I

The bar

Mingle with Ed Suter

Guests mingling

Let me tell you though, not one single person was out of style, everyone with their flashing cameras and video cams deserved to have their picture taken. That was one whole fashion show on the side, two points for ELLE, blog party and fashion show in one? Score.

 As the whole point was to announce the winner of ELLE’s style reporter, let me get to that. I was incredibly happy with who they chose to be their style reporter. If it wasn’t for this competition I would have never come across any of his work, but Trevor Struuman, check him out, here and here, is one helluva fashionista. I was rooting for him from day one, and when they called him out as the winner it was like I won too, and everyone else {who attended the event for the actual style reporter winner announcement and not for free grub and goodie bags} must have felt the same way I did, cause once ‘and the winner is Trevor Struuman…’ was announced the crowd went wild. It was expected, like I said, go here and here and let him tell you himself why he deserved to win.

The announcement of the winner by ELLE editor, Jackie Burger 

Before the announcement

'and the winner is..... TREVOR STRUUMAN' 

After the announcement

It was honestly a fabulous night, well planned, well executed, and a true life changing experience for Trevor who now gets to sit with the big boys and report on what I personally love to see and read the most, South African street style. Who knew mid-week partying can be this fun. Congrats Trevor, and kudos to ELLE and BlackBerry® for an event well thrown. *stalks tweets for the next one*

Lu3Lu
Xx