What do we girls do when we are in that midday slump and need a pick me up? Maybe some inspiration to get our creative juices flowing? We look at lifestyle blogs, of course. There is nothing like a well curated mix of DIY projects, fashion posts, and indulgent recipes to really stimulate your feminine side!
Lucky for us, we have Emily Charron on the blog today to fill us in on her mission behind Isn’t That Charming, her Balanced Babe lifestyle tips, and her little secret to keeping silky smooth hair. Please meet: Emily!
Hi Balanced Babes! I’m Emily Charron, the blogger behind Isn’t That Charming, a life & style blog sharing inspiration for a charmed life. I first started Isn’t That Charming almost two years ago as a creative outlet. Since then, it’s developed into a side business venture and happy internet haven where I share bits of my life including outfits, styling advice, travel adventures, latest decor ideas and DIY pursuits.
When I’m not blogging, I’m the Social Media Manager at a downtown advertising agency. I currently live in Chicago with my husband Doug. We just got married last month, and I’ve been knee-deep in prepping all the fun wedding posts coming soon to Isn’t That Charming!
BB: Best business advice you ever received?
Oh gosh, I’ve received so many great pieces of advice throughout the years that it’s hard to choose! “Done is better than perfect” is one that I love, because it reminds me that perfection is an unrealistic goal, which is something I can tend to get caught up in, particularly in regards to my work. I also love the phrase, “Whatever you are, be a good one” which was said by Abraham Lincoln. It reminds me to stay focused and work hard on the goals of your choosing.
BB: What is your advice for women who want to start their own blog?
Just do it! You learn so much as you go, and there’s truly no better way to get started than to just start posting. It’s amazing to look back on my first posts nearly two years ago – I’ve come so far in my writing style and imagery executions – but I would have never learned all that if I didn’t’ do so through trial and error. I bet I’ll still be saying the same thing in years to come!
BB: How do you maintain The Balanced Babe lifestyle?
To me, the Balanced Babe lifestyle is all about keeping a healthy body, and mind, as a top priority. When I mix eating right with fitness, I notice a difference in almost every aspect of my life. I have more energy, am mentally sharper and generally feel more confident.
The below are key ways in which I practice being a Balanced Babe:
– When I grocery shop, I focus on buying fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and complex carbs like quinoa. I try to purchase organic foods whenever possible. Also, I avoid the sweet aisle, as not to tempt myself!
– Doing some form of fitness at 2 – 3 times a week. I run, play recreational sports like volleyball and softball, do yoga, and recently have been loving The Dailey Method.
– Mentally, everyone needs some down time. I try to give myself an hour or two of downtime every day, which can be hard among work, blogging, and maintaining a social life. But, when I put this as a priority, I feel more able and ready to tackle every day head on.
– Traveling, meeting new people, and having new experiences helps me to feel mentally stimulated and refreshed. Whenever possible, I say “Yes”. This means going to an event even if I don’t know anyone there, and always being open to doing different things.
BB: Quick tips for staying fit?
Walk! It’s so underrated in staying fit. I credit walking (er…sometimes running) to and from the bus every day as a key part of staying fit.
Waking up early is also key for me in remaining active. If I don’t work out in the morning, the day tends to get away from me and before I know it, it’s time for bed. If you start the day with a workout, you’ll feel more energized throughout the day and have the satisfaction of knowing you already accomplished a lot.
BB: What are your secrets for keeping your hair and skin luscious?
Drink lots and lots of water!
Also, this may sound gross to some people, but I don’t wash my hair very often. Your natural oils are so good for your hair, and most shampoos contain harsh chemicals that strip hair of the oils needed to remain naturally full and lush. I sometimes will just wet my hair and rinse it, without actually shampooing it, and use baby power on the days when my hair looks a little greasy. You can actually train your hair to be washed less!
I’m also a huge fan of using moroccan oil on the ends of my hair, especially if I blow dry it. It keeps it silky and smooth.
BB: What can we expect to see on Isn’t That Charming in the near future?
Posts on personal style and DIY projects, and many fun writing collaborations! I’ve got a lot of goodness in the works. 😉
