ROMPER: Everly (under $50) // SANDALS: Mossimo (only $27, perfect Valentino dupe) // WALLET: Louis Vuitton // COMPUTER CASE: Janet Gwen Designs c/o // BRACELET: J.Crew Factory // NECKLACE: Tiffany&Co. (similar dupe here) // SUNGLASSES: Karen Walker
You asked, and I answered! It’s been such a fun (and very busy) two years running Torey’s Treasures…I can’t believe how quickly time flies!! I am SO incredibly thankful for the goals I’ve accomplished, the people I’ve met along the way, and for YOU for following along and reading all my posts (and for helping me reach 50,000 followers on Instagram)!
Today’s post is 100% dedicated to what you all have been asking me! So with all the questions I receive via Instagram, I decided to organize them and make it easier for you to navigate. I’ve divided the questions and answers up by category: beauty, fashion, health/fitness, lifestyle/relationships, and blogging (my most requested). Let’s get started…
BEAUTY
Q: What are some of your favorite trusty makeup and beauty products? Favorite summer products?
I can’t say enough great things about TULA (see last beauty question), and also love my drugstore beauty must-haves that I swear by! This mascara primer and the mascara for about 8 yeasr now, and
Q: What curling iron do you use?
A: For the past year I have been using the Nume 1″ curling wand and love it. Super easy to use and the curls hold all day (and into the 2nd/3rd day for me). I just received the T3 wand with three different sized barrels and love it so far! It heats up super quick, takes me about 8 min to curl, and they stay for days.
Q: How do you style your hair in loose curls?
A: I did this hair curling tutorial post highlighting how I create my looser waves awhile back, but you can read the easy wand I’ve been using in the question above.
Q: How do you maintain your self tan, especially when you sweat and exercise so often?
A: I use St. Tropez self tanner almost weekly, mostly because I love the way my skin looks when it’s bronzed and also because I’m terrified of the sun ever since my melanoma diagnosis (read post here). With that being said, I am always working out and sweating so my top tricks to prolonging your tan are: 1- minimize the shaving, 2- apply moisturizer multiple times a day so the tan can soak in, and 3- try and wear looser clothing.
Q: What is your skincare routine like?
A: I have been using TULA for the past year and half (see my skincare routine here) and have seen such an improvement on my skin that I won’t use anything else. All their products have probiotics in them which work wonders on ALL skin types. If you’re going to purchase two of their items only to start, my must-haves are the Face Cleanser and the Hydrating Day & Night Cream. You can use code TOREYSPRING20 for 20% off your purchase!
FASHION
Q: How do you have such a cute wardrobe and still have “teacher clothes”?
A: I’m very fortunate that my school is super casual and I can wear denim every day if I want to. With that being said, the majority of what I buy, is always something I can wear at school and on the weekends. I try to overlap the two so I’m not buying two wardrobes!
Q: Do you think Abercrombie & Fitch is making a comeback? What is something you’re loving from there right now?
A: YES! Abercrombie is definitely making a comeback. I met with them at the rewardStyle conference and they talked a little about their new designer and the exciting changes they’ve made to their product- aka no more A & F moose logos. I’m especially loving this OTS top and this romper! Both very affordable pieces.
Q: How do you afford to shop on a teacher’s salary?
A: I am very careful with what I purchase and think it’s important to invest in staples. Staples are what make up your closet, so be sure to spend your money on those (in my opinion): good denim pants, shorts, basic tees and tanks, a handbag or two that matches everything, essential sneakers, nice pair of sandals, etc. This will set the base to your wardrobe and you can add additional tops and hats occasionally!
Q: Are rompers going out of style anytime soon?
A: No way! Rompers are totally in for the long haul. Jumpsuits (full length rompers) are also in and will be for Fall/Winter. So if you don’t have one, browse my favorite rompers here and get yourself one for the summer!
HEALTH + FITNESS
Q: Do you pack your lunch for work? If so, what do you pack to keep you full for the day?
A: Yes, I pack lunches every single day! That’s the only way to keep me on track, and being a teacher, I have a very limited amount of time to think and eat. Read this post to find out what I pack for lunches each day!
Q: How often do you workout?
A: I try to workout every day! Sometimes life happens and that’s not possible, but moving my body somehow and someway is important to me so I try for 7 days/week.
Q: What are your favorite workout pants?
A: I love these workout pants! They keep everything tight and locked in, are so lightweight yet not see through, and are well made. I recently got hooked on Lole women and I’ve been loving the high quality and fun colors from their line as well!
Q: What is your workout routines?
A: I love routines, so sticking to a workout routine (yet mixing up the workouts) is something I love to do! You can read my exact weekly workout schedule here!
Q: What are you eating to stay healthy and how do you mix up your diet?
A: You can read my “what I eat in a day” post here where I rounded up and explained everything that I eat!
Q: What are some of your meal prep tips?
A: I make my grocery list on the weekend and do all my grocery shopping on the weekend so when the craziness of M-F hits, I’m prepared. I plan out most of my meals breakfast-dinner, and pack my lunches ahead of time. I usually make breakfast protein pancakes for the week and store them ahead of time as well. This keeps me on track!
LIFESTYLE + RELATIONSHIPS
Q: When do you have time for work AND travel?
A: I work M-F and because I’m a teacher, we get out early on Friday’s. If I’m going out of town I will be sure to be all packed up and leave straight from school. That way I can get to my destination Friday and I typically return late at night on Sunday. I’m tired, but it’s worth it! And of course, summer is my time to travel the most which I’m very thankful I have off!
Q: How do you and your boyfriend handle your long distance relationship?
A: We have made our long distance relationship work for over 2 years now! Wow! Communication and trust are HUGE. We talk throughout the day via text, and then FaceTime every single night. We also make a point to see each other every 2-3 weeks, and take turns visiting each other. Sometimes we will plan a trip instead of visiting each other and meet at our trip location for a weekend away! Hopefully there will some exciting changes soon and we will be in the same city soon 🙂
Q: What are your favorite spots in Santa Barbara to take photos, shop, or eat?
A: I’m excited to announce I have a “Summer Series in Santa Barbara” launching this summer, which will answer this exact question! In the meantime I’ll give you a sneak peek and let you know a couple things: I love shopping at Paseo Nuevo (it’s a gorgeous outdoor mall), and it’s also a great place to take some photos with amazing Spanish tiled steps as your background! I love brunch and my favorite is probably Jeannine’s. That’s all for now- stay tuned for more of my favorite spots in Santa Barbara 🙂
Q: How do you have time to work a full-time job AND blog while balancing it all?
A: To be honest, it’s a whirlwind but organization and planning is key! I take all my photos on the weekend with my mom, and try to get a post or two written on the weekend as well. This will ensure I’m prepared with all my content to go out throughout the week. I will answer emails M, W, F and dedicate EVERY night to blogging. As you know I workout also, so I usually don’t get home until about 7pm and then stay up late to get a blog post finished most nights!
Q: How did you choose to teach 2nd grade and what do you like best about it?
A: I actually interviewed for a Kinder position at the school I teach at and didn’t get it. Then a last minute 2nd Grade position opened up, and it has been the best grade to teach! I love that the kids are independent enough, yet still love me and totally respect me.
BLOGGING
Q: How do you get to be a part of LTK?
A: If you’re not familiar with LTK, LIKEtoKNOWit is a monetization platform I use to make it easier for you to shop all my looks! It is an invite only platform. You can try applying if you want here!
Q: How and why did I start blogging?
A: I started Torey’s Treasures as an outlet during the summer to keep me busy! I first started following blogs like Cupcakes and Cashmere back in 2011, and loved it. My boyfriend suggested I start one on a whim, and I gained some momentum with my following, and never looked back!
Q: What are your tips for a newbie blogger to grow their following organically besides posting frequently and consistently?
A: There are many ways to grow your following organically. Be sure to comment and like other bloggers with the same interest as yours for exposure. You can also participate in a loop giveaway with other bloggers to gain some of their followers. Another tip I would suggest is to be consistent, just keep going with quality over quantity posts. Whatever you do, DO NOT buy followers! That’s the worst thing you could do to hurt your brand. Just trust me on this one: be yourself, be unique, and others will immediately be drawn to you for who YOU genuinely are!
Q: What are some tips that have helped you blog become successful?
A: There are three quick things that always come right to mine: be genuine and be you, be consistent, and only put out content that is quality over quantity. I think that is the best advice I can give you and what worked for me!
Q: How do you increase activity and engagement?
A: To increase engagement there’s only one thing you can do: engage with your own readers. Follow them back, engage with their content, engage with what they like/don’t like on your page. Being responsive and attentive to your audience is key!
Q: How frequent are promotional items?
A: It depends! Some days I will receive 5 packages and other days I will receive 0. Before promotional items arrive at my doorstep, there are a bunch of emails exchanged, and time put into thinking about if that fits my brand and who I am. Trust me, I turn down quite a bit of packages because it’s not who I am. I want to always stay true to myself and be genuine with who I am and what I share with you as my readers!
Q: How do you blog on a budget?
A: I started out my blog 2 years ago with iPhone only photos and clothes that were never brand new. I did this for the first year of blogging, before I invested in my Canon T3i came and 50 mm lens. Looking back, I think that’s what made me relatable to other girls out there following me: real life. I invested a lot of my time, and not my money which you have to be willing to do!
I hope that helped answer some of my most frequently asked questions! If you have anything else you’d like to ask me, please feel free to email me: torey@toreystreasures.com and we can chat more 🙂 THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for following me and for reading my posts! It means the absolute world to me to have a support system like all of you!!!