Hi everyone! I decide to do a Q & A as I get a ton of FAQs about blogging, brunching, entrepreneurship, cocktail recipes, how I stay motivated and so much more. I wanted to open up a dialogue, and hope I could do these every once in a while. Thank you to everyone who sent questions in! I really appreciate it. I'm answering ALL of those right here, plus a few others. I would love to connect with you more and offer any tips or advice for all of your questions. So, without further ado, here are some of my most frequently asked questions!
What is your favorite brunch spot?
Everyone who knows me know that at the end of the day, my favorite brunch spot of all time is Bagatelle in NYC. I made THE best brunch memories there over the few years that I was living in NYC! Their champagne party brunch is unparalleled.
Where are your go-to spots to shop for brunch wear?
Definitely REVOLVE, Lulu's and Nordstrom are always my top 3 I go to first!
Why and how did you start blogging?
I wanted a creative outlet. I have always loved to write, and I thought combining my love for it in addition to incorporating my hosting experience would be the ultimate passion project for me. I also felt that there was not a sole media outlet that delved into the brunching lifestyle. I moved from NYC to California and about a week after I moved, I hit the ground running to develop what is now The Gilded Bellini.
What is your favorite part of being a blogger?
Being able to experience things first and have the opportunity to be a reliable source for an honest opinion or recommendation. I also genuinely love meeting people from all walks of life, and blogging has definitely bridged that gap. I have connected with so many people that I probably would have never crossed paths with if it wasn't for meeting through The Gilded Bellini.
How did you find the strength to take the plunge and go full-time blogging?
I am not full-time, even though blogging IS a full-time job in itself! Maybe one day :) But for now, I work two other jobs in the entertainment industry. So.... I have 3 jobs.
How do you find the time?
I ask myself this a lot, too actually. Lots of late nights after work, and early mornings before work, and even just working out. There really aren't enough hours in the day, but I just work with my reality. Some days that means less sleep, less of a social life, and less time to simply chill just to make sure I am putting my best work out there. I don't think of it as a bad thing at all, though. I am creating my future day by day. Rome wasn't built overnight and it's the same for The Gilded Bellini!
What would you say are the first and the most crucial steps in starting a business like this one?
Be prepared for long hours, and be prepared to put in the work beyond what you think you're capable of. Make sure you've done your research in whatever field you're in. Plan ahead, be aware of what's going on around you, and be thorough in your work. Also. NETWORK!
What would you say to someone that is just starting out? A piece of advice that you wish someone had given you in the beginning?
Starting a business or any type of creative project can get lonely, in a sense that it is you and only you that's in it to win it. You become so focused on your goal and your business that a lot of the noise outside that you used to pay attention to, you just naturally kind of tune out. And that's ok. It's a part of growing. You may miss out on nights with friends or have to pass on a fun outing, but you have to realize that you have to sacrifice a lot in order to succeed. Don't get me wrong - you won't lose your friends! Maybe you just won't be able to go out Wednesday - Sunday night like you used to! ;) Keep your head high regardless of the nonsense, judgments and gossip that people will try to stir up about you. I can assure you people will talk. At the end of the day if you truly love and believe in what you're doing, it'll be worth it.
How do you stay inspired?
I love reading other people's success stories. Most of the time, success stories are filled with ups and downs, the good and the bad and everything in between. I think it's super inspiring and motivating to just keep going no matter if I'm having a good or a not so good day.
Who has a better brunch, LA or NY?
Both are very similar. There is a brunching culture in both cities. I genuinely think NYC has better food in general, but I'd probably say it's a tie for all around brunching experiences.
How long have you been blogging?
It'll be 2 years in March! I launched in March of 2016.
What inspired you to be a blogger/influencer?
When I started The Gilded Bellini, I never really had the intention of being a "blogger" or "influencer" per say. I just started because the acts of writing and being in front of the camera are things that I have always been passionate about... and they are my strong suits. I wanted to morph them together to create a brand... and by creating a brand you do become an influencer in a certain way.
What is your favorite part of living in LA?
The fact that it is such an inspirational hub for creatives. LA gets a bad rap for being home for "freelancers" but the truth is that most people work in the entertainment industry here, and most jobs in the entertainment industry are freelance. Movies, TV shows, productions, festivals.. you name it. They're all project based on an extremely large scale. Many people are juggling several jobs at once and it is a constant hustle. An exciting one, though. I really appreciate that people in LA just get what it means to be a creative and fully understand the work ethic you must have and put in to succeed.
Do you ever find yourself in a rut? And if so, what do you do to get yourself out of it?
I do from time to time. I just give myself a reality check that it's all part of life. Nothing is going to be smooth sailing all the time. You learn from the things that go right and the things that go wrong. To get out of a rut, I just give myself the time and space I need to get re-motivated and inspired. I've learned that whether it is writing or even a relationship - don't. force. anything. Let it be and take the baby steps to come out of it. A big part of my mental health is putting my overall wellness as a top priority. I make sure to give myself that self-care and it gives me the boost I need to get past the rut.
What is your skincare routine?
Honestly, I always switch it up. My entire life I've battled having oily skin (which I've learned this is actually great in the long run to reduce wrinkle formation) as well as acne prone skin, so I never let my skin get too used to one product. I will say that I never skip out on a great face wash, a toner, a serum, and an eye cream. I exfoliate probably 3-4 times a week, once a day. I'm huge on clay masks and anything that involves activated charcoal. Right now, my favorite brands I'm using are Fresh Beauty and bliss.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
To be able to telecommunicate. Some days, I need people to just know stuff or simply get the hint. I'd never want to be a mindreader, but if I could give another person a push to get the ball rolling, that would be pretty cool. Also, I'd love to know if a person who I haven't spoken to or thought about in ages randomly pops up into my head, did that happen for them too? I have always wondered!!!
What's your go-to cocktail to make?
A Paloma or any kind of spicy tequila drink ;)
