Hey guys! So… I GOT NOMINATED FOR THE 2016 BLOGLOVIN’ AWARDS! If you’re following me on Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook, you know I was in New York last week to attend a mentorship session with none other than Leandra Medine—a.k.a. Man Repeller—and the other nominees for Breakthrough Fashion Blogger of the Year. I’m still pinching myself and really I think I will be pinching myself for many months to come, even after the awards ceremony and regardless if I win or not. Of course, I would love to win, but just being nominated is already beyond amazing precisely because one of the benefits of being a nominee this year is to be mentored by Leandra. I’ve been reading her blog practically since its beginning, I read her book and I’ve listened to a few of her podcasts—if you’re a fan too, you know she’s smart. Actually, you don’t have to even be a fan to know she’s smart. She’s a successful and talented young woman who created a unique brand she has only diversified and strengthened with time. Her blog is now a full blown business that empowers women on a daily basis with a whole team of writers, photographers and even interns. She’s collaborated with numerous other brands and is regarded in high esteem by many other smart, successful women; so it’s safe to say she’s doing something right, right? Right. Very right.
What a great experience it was to be able to pick her brain about the creative side and the business side of blogging. One of the things that struck me the most about Leandra is her integrity; which stems from her journalism background. Blogging can be a weird world to navigate; many people want to start a blog to get free products or to make money—and there’s nothing wrong with getting paid for the work you produce—but you can’t do that unless you have the followers; unless you’re able to wield some sort of influence on a significant group of people. To gain that following, Leandra was adamant on the importance of creating good content that’s not driven by money or commercial reasons. She was straightforward and honest about how Man Repeller makes most of its money: integrated editorial content, or native advertising, which is basically inserting the product of a client into an editorial her blog already produces on a recurring basis or a story that was going to published anyway. So, in other words, the client’s product doesn’t drive the content. The content comes first. “Create good content and the followers will come”, she said. It seems like a no-brainer, but that piece of advice just stuck with me because as of late, I’ve been really thinking about the content I want to produce for A Constellation and how to constantly make it better and more unique to my concept and my brand. I even came up with a slogan: “A style blog for the design-oriented”; that is what I want A Constellation to be. If a piece of content doesn’t align with that concept, then it doesn’t fly anymore. And already I’ve been seeing the results sticking to that phrase have yielded for this blog and myself. If anything, this nomination has to mean I am also doing something right, right? It sure feels like it and I am so thankful for the opportunity Bloglovin, H&M and Man Repeller have given me.
It was an amazing trip; I got to spend a night at Hotel Americano—which I’ve always been curious about and it did not disappoint. I got to do some shopping at H&M, met the lovely and talented girls that got nominated with me and the über nice teams at H&M and Bloglovin’. Seriously, everyone was so nice and welcoming—I felt right at home!
I cannot wait to see the video we shot, cannot wait to show you the H&M Studio look I’m going to wear for the ceremony, and (maybe) most of all… Cannot wait for the after-party! Apparently last year’s was lots of fun! I’m always game for a night out in New York!
Thanks again Bloglovin’, H&M and Man Repeller for this honor.
And, guys… I will let you know when you can cast your votes in for the awards. Your support would mean the world to me!
xo
Maristella
Wearing all H&M.
Photos courtesy of Bloglovin’ and H&M.
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