Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Squad Life: How to Start a Blog and Stay Consistent with Raquel Lynn

I have been connected with Raquel Lynn through our blogs for almost a decade. That is an eternity in the blogging world. I did a bunch of searching to see if I could get an accurate stat to no avail but I will say I have seen a lot of blogs start and stop in their first few months and even fewer get past that one year mark. That isn't to say it isn't possible. However, to be successful you need a plan.

Raquel Lynn started the Horses and Heels blog in 2009 and today the lifestyle brand can be found on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Growing a blog to the level that has doesn't happen overnight. However, by being consistent, forming a relationship with her readers and focusing on her email list she has been able to turn her little blog into a successful business. Raquel shares her actionable steps on how you can start your blog and then keep it running from the long haul.



Raquel's Recommendations:
Beauty Products: High Meadow Skin Cream and Kiehl's Reviving Concentrate
Instagram: HorsesandHeels_

If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

You can also receive an email reminder in your inbox each week by signing up here.

Monday, July 29, 2019

My Ride of Die Lipsticks #NationalLipstickDay

It is a pretty close toss up between National Lipstick Day and National Donut Day as to which one is my favorite. Thankfully, wearing lipstick everyday won't make you gain one thousand pounds.

I LOVE lipstick. I can be rocking four day dry shampoo hair, gym shorts and sneakers covered in cow poop or walking into a boardroom and it is the one accessory that gives me an instant pick me up. I know a lot of women are intimated by all the choices. My biggest recommendation is go into a store and have a beauty consultant try on a few with you. For me it has to be long lasting. I also don't really care for glosses because 1. blowing hair stuck in lips isn't my thing and 2. it doesn't last.

I have broke my favorites into two categories. Let's get started!

Pinks and Nudes | These are great when you are wanting a more subtle look. One swipe of these lipsticks will help you pull everything together. 


1. Ever Soft Smooth Stick Soft Strawberry similar to a lip balm, more of a sheer cover. I am obsessed with this one. 2. MAC Snob 3. MAC Pink Plaid 4. MAC Brave a great neutral 5. Flower Tickled Pink an inexpensive option 6. MAC Pro Longwear Unlimited it is a retired shade but the one I'll be buried in. I have a stack of back ups! 

Bold Color | Sometimes you have to be brave and play with some color. 



I'm not a gloss until I found this gloss. It is not sticky and it actually has a great color to it.


Wearing the color Cameo Nude

Do you have a favorite shade or formula? I want to hear from you.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Squad Life: Filling Up Your Cup So You Don't Shatter

If you follow me on social you will have seen that in the past 45 days I have had some pretty cool opportunities to attend some incredible conferences. First in June I saw Rachel Hollis and her gang speak at the Rise conference in Minneapolis and then it was Keep Collective's women empowerment conference in Denver in July. There I was inspired by Jessica Herrin, Sallie Krawchek, Maxie McCoy, and a whole slew of other incredible women.

Are you saying to yourself "man I wish I could do stuff like that." The truth is you CAN, and you NEED to. Filling up your cup is the only way you are going to have the strength, knowledge and energy to pour into others. Tune into these weeks Squad Life podcast to hear my simple tips, and then I want to hear your feedback!



If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

You can also receive an email reminder in your inbox each week by signing up here.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Squad Life: Money, Mentorship and Small Towns with Hannah Miller

I am pretty sure it was some hashtag that brought Hannah Miller and I together a LONG time ago. She is someone I very much admire. If you looked up side hustle in the dictionary I am pretty sure you would find a picture of her. Hannah has always complemented her corporate careers with an array of side gigs. It has been a simple way for her to fulfill her passion, even though those passions are ever changing.

After this episode you'll surely be making a stop on Amazon to pick up a few of the books she recommends, and of course there is a great conversation about her favorite beauty product. If you want to know more behind of the story of why both of us love It Cosmetics make sure you check out Rachel Holli's podcast interview with founder Jamie Kern Lima.

Hannah's Businesses: Hannah Mo Consulting, Goin' Coastal Outfitters
Instagram: @HannahMoMiller
Book Recommendations: Broke Millennial, The Financial Diet, The Crossroads of Should and Must
Beauty Product: It Cosmetics Foundation
Squad Recommendations:  Brooke Clay, Rural Gone Urban, and Vance Crow

If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

You can also receive an email reminder in your inbox each week by signing up here.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Squad Life: Be the Hero of Your Own Story

Being a farm girl myself you had to know that it won't be long until I invite a fellow boss farm girl onto the Squad Life podcast. Danielle Hayden was the perfect place to start. Not only are her husband, Daniel and her changing the imagine of agriculture, but she recently hit the five year anniversary of her photography business Two Arrows. Only 50% of small businesses make it to five years, but Danielle gives tangible tips on how she proved the odds wrong.

We cover all the buzz words like the Enneagram and self care, but what makes Danielle truly amazing is that she doesn't just talk about these things. She has put them in to play to literally change the trajectory of her health, marriage and business.




Danielle's Recommendations:
Book: Where the Crawdads Sing

Beauty Products: Beauty Counter and Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Personality Tests: Enneagram Institute 
Instagram: @haydanib or @twoarrowsphoto

If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

You can also receive an email reminder in your inbox each week by signing up here.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Squad Life: Lisa Sarmento Tiramisu Paperie "Martha Stewart of Greeting Cards"

I am a paper product junkie. So it only made sense to have Lisa Sarmento the "next Martha Stewart of greeting cards" on the podcast. What started a little side business has turned into a passion and a business that is going to be a legacy for her son Michael that is on the Autism spectrum. Tiramisu Paperie are paper good that give you a little pick me up. Her sassy and sarcastic sayings will make you laugh out loud.

If you are looking for inspiration on how to take your business big, protect yourself from the naysayers or have been thinking about how in the world are you going to keep all the balls in the air then this is the episode for you. And spoiler alert... Lisa loves vision boards as much as I do.

Lisa's Recommendations:
Tiramisu Paperie
Book: You Are a Badass
Make-Up: Benefit Bo-ing Concealer
Four Point Trading Co. - handcrafted, uniquely scented memory candles
Cork Pops - wine accessories


If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send Crystal a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

You can also receive an email reminder in your inbox each week by signing up here.
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