All About The New LiketoKnow.It App!

     I am a bit late to the party to announce this, but I wanted to share with y'all something exciting that happened in the fashion blogging world last week! Many bloggers already beat me in announcing this, but better late than never right?! LiketoKnow.it released their very own app last week! I wanted to briefly go over it today with y'all to everyone knows what it is and how to use it, as it's a really great app and will be helping to change the blogging and social media game!


      A lot of bloggers like myself use an affiliate program called LiketoKnow.it, which is a service provided by rewardStyle, to monetize our Instagram accounts. LTK lets bloggers link either the exact item or similar items that they're wearing in their Instagram photos, so that the content is easily shoppable to followers. If you're new to LTK, you might have recognized it before on Instagram photos if you've seen a blogger (myself or someone else!) post a photo with this at the end of the caption: @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/2qDHD #liketkit. The link in the middle part of the LTK caption is specific to the products linked for that individual photo! 


     Prior to now, the main way that LTK worked was that if you were interested in learning the details behind what a blogger was wearing on Instagram, you would like their photo. If you were signed up with LTK (which I should note is a free service!), you would then soon after receive an email containing outfit details and shopping links to what they were wearing in the photo. A pretty cool concept, and those of you who have been blogging for awhile or reading blogs for many years are well familiar with it! However- it had one major flaw to it: people don't like getting lots of emails. I speak from experience- I'm totally one of those people! Even though I've been registered as an LTK user for years (even before getting accepted into rewardStyle and getting to publish posts to LTK is a blogger), I have long since turned off the emails feature. As much as I liked outfit info from my favorite bloggers, it was really starting to clutter my inbox! 


    But LiketoKnow.it has made a MAJOR change in the last week! They've launched their very own app! It has the coolest way to shop and find out what your favorite bloggers and influencers are wearing. Simply make sure you're registered for LiketoKnow.It (takes 5 minutes if you aren't!), download their new app, and then take a *screenshot* of any picture on Instagram or Snapchat that has the LTK logo in the bottom right corner. An example is below:

     Can you spot the LTK logo in the bottom right corner? Anytime you see a photo on Instagram or Snapchat from an influencer from now on with this logo, it means that all of you have to do is screenshot it, upload it into the LTK app, and BOOM! Ready to shop! No emails necessary. Of course- those of you who would like to receive emails with fashion content from LTK or already have been, no need to worry. This feature isn't going anywhere! Screenshots are just a new (and awesome!) feature to go along with LTK's new app. 


     Today's post has been prescheduled... if you keep up with me on social media then you know that my mom and I are currently on vacation in ITALY! 😄 I won't have much time off after I start my new job next month, so my mom wanted to treat me to a special vacation before that begins (and also to celebrate my graduation from broadcasting school!). I'll have lots to recap about Italy once I'm back, but for now keep up with me on my social media @miss_alk! 


     Below are some items that I packed for the trip:

     xoxo Annaliese 

     

Midweek Ramblings + Recent Purchases + Current Wishlist.

{Follow me on social media @miss_alk!}

Ramblings:

• Thank YOU! Thank you all so much for sharing in my joy in Monday's big announcement blog post! I don't think that I've ever had such happy news to share on my blog, and reading all of y'all's kind comments and social media messages just made it even more special for me. My life is about to change in such a major way, and I couldn't be happier to have all of you along for the ride. In case you missed it: check out the post here! 
• The importance of an emergency fund: This isn't a very exciting rambling, but it's a "real life one" and important to share. Since I'll soon be driving back up the East Coast for my big move, I brought my car in for an oil change this week. Well- it ended up being that I actually need a lot more car maintenance than just an oil change before being able to make such a big drive... like several hundred dollars worth! Thankfully, since my New Year's resolution for 2016 was to build up an emergency savings account, I will be able to pay off all of these unexpected expenses without worrying. I can't stress enough how important it is to have an emergency fund! My car has been running completely fine so I didn't even know that it had some internal issues. 
• And we're off! And back to exciting news- my mom and I are headed off on the trip of a lifetime tomorrow! I am so excited to be going someplace new and exciting to celebrate the end of broadcasting school, to spend some time with my mom, and to enjoy a few adventures before the big move. Follow me on social media @miss_alk to keep up with our adventures! I do have a few blog posts prescheduled for the time that I'm away, so stay tuned for those as well.

Purchases:

• This darling weekender bag will be accompanying me on my upcoming big trip, and how cute is it?! It's also under $40 and comes in a ton of fun prints! 
• I tried to pack mostly practical fashion pieces for this trip, so that I can make a lot of outfits out of the same things and save luggage space. But I couldn't resist bringing one very fun and girly outfit (I am a fashion blogger after all!), and I found the most darling floral midi skirt that I knew I had to get for this trip! The one I purchased isn't online, but this one is very similar. 

Wishlist: 

• I finally tried on a pair of these jeans that everyone in the blogging world goes nuts over at Nordstrom a couple weeks ago... I finally understand the hype! They're so comfortable! A little bit out of my budget with all of the moving expenses coming up in the next month.... but maybe they'll be a present to myself with my first big-girl job paycheck? 
• Really hoping this set will be in this summer's After Party Sale... how adorable is this?! I saw in on a mannequin at SouthPark Mall in Charlotte and fell in love!

    I don't really have a specific question for y'all to conclude this post this week, but tell me something fun going on in your life!! I'd love to hear! 

     xoxo Annaliese 

BIG NEWS: I Have a Radio Job + I'm Moving!!!!

Photography by Deeana Kourtney Photography

     It is my greatest honor to finally be able to share this joyful news with all of you! I feel like I have been sitting on the biggest secret for the past few weeks, but I wanted to make sure that everything was in place and 100% official before I announced it here. Today's blog post is a story of patience, determination, trusting in God's plan, and holding on to a very big dream, and I can't wait to share it all with you. I know that some of you are probably just reading to hear the nitty gritty details that this bold blog post title promised, so I'll get right to all of that first and foremost! And then if any of you want to stick around for a little more, the post will continue on below where I'm sharing the story of my first exposure to a radio station, and when I knew I wanted to be a radio personality when I grew up. But without further ado- let's jump in:

     *Let's recap first- what have I have been up to for the past year? Following my graduation from college in May 2016, I enrolled in broadcasting school. My broadcasting school is a 10-month program where students are intensively trained for a career in radio, television or video/audio production. While I am glad that I was able to learn more about TV and production during this year,  it was very clear from me early on in my time there that radio was going to be my career path. 

All students at my broadcasting school must complete an off-campus internship in their final months of schooling, and I began mine with a morning radio show here in Charlotte right after New Year's. Not even a couple weeks after starting my internship, I began applying to radio jobs across the country. For a number of reasons, as much as I love Charlotte as a city, I've been feeling like it's time to move away from here for a season of life. I also didn't know how long my job search would take, so that's why I wanted to begin early. And that's what lead to...

     *My first radio job: I am so pleased to share that beginning on April 17th, I will begin my dream career! I will be working as an on-air radio personality for not one, but TWO stations! On weekdays, you'll be able to hear me on a Top 40 station, and on weekends I'll be on-air for an AC (adult contemporary) station. This couldn't be a more ideal first radio job for me, as one decision that I struggled to think about in broadcasting school is if I wanted to pursue Top 40 radio or AC. I love and listen to both formats, and genuinely didn't know for awhile which I would rather work in. Well- now I don't have to decide! One of my favorites sayings is "win-win," and in the case of my job I think this is the ultimate win-win! And note I said "you'll be able to hear me..." - both stations broadcast online and have listening apps as well, so you don't have to be in my new city to tune in! But that brings me to...

     *Where I'm moving to: This wannabe Southern Belle is doing something she never thought she would do... moving OUT of the South and back to New England! If that doesn't prove how dedicated I am to my career and how much I love radio, I truly don't know what does. 😉 And no- I'm not moving home to Maine. I am actually moving to Burlington, Vermont! I have to stress- while I did want to leave Charlotte for the time being, at the same time I truly didn't see myself ever moving anywhere near New England again. But I also love everything about my new job, and in so many ways, this specific career opportunity is a God thing, and I know that Burlington is exactly where I'm supposed to be next. While I might not be excited for rough winters again, I am so excited for the adventures to come and discovering a new state and city! 

     *Is your blog name changing? This is the question everyone wants to know, haha! The answer is no, not at least for the first year I'm there. If Burlington and New England end up being a more permanent fit for me, or a place that I'm in longer than Charlotte, then you bet there will probably be a major blog rebranding in the the future! But at least not for the first year. Partly because I'm not sure if Vermont will be a season in my life or a permanent home, and partly because a blog rebranding and design is a big thing to undertake, not to mention expensive! Plus- "Southern Belle in Training" is a name that means a lot to me, and despite where I live, I will always be a Southern Belle in Training! I've fallen head over heels in love with Southern Culture, and I always hope to emulate characteristics of a modern Southern Belle, both on and off the air. 😊

     I was flown up to Burlington for my final interview for this position a few weekends ago, which was when I took a random social media break for a few days if any of you remember! I wanted to be completely present and focused on what all was to come while I was there, which ended up being a great decision. And speaking of trips to Burlington, my mom and I are here again right now! I wasn't able to find an apartment during my interview trip, so we came back for a few days to tour a lot more places. It seemed appropriate to finally blog about the big news while I'm here! 

      Lastly, I wanted to share the story about how I became interested in radio as a young girl. While my mind did change a few times in middle school and high school about what I wanted to be when I grew up (other possible careers included journalist and teacher), I always would come back to radio personality. Anyways- here's the story:

      My dad has a very deep and booming voice (I definitely get my loud voice from him!), and back in 2002, his company gave him the opportunity to record a radio spot for them at one of the local Maine radio stations. My dad would be spending the afternoon at the station recording the spot. Up until this point in time, I was quite the young radio enthusiast. By "radio enthusiast," I mean that I had a special radio ritual that took place most weekday afternoons. When I was six, my parents got me a pair of roller blades. As much as I enjoyed using them outdoors, I wanted to maximize my new toy to its full extent, so I used them indoors as well! Part of the basement in my house is unfinished, and most afternoons when I was six/seven years old, I used to head down to the unfinished part of the basement, but on my rollerblades, lift out my snazzy Philips boom box, unfold its radio antenna, and crank up the latest tunes on Maine's #1 leader for hit music, Q 97.9. And then I would skate laps around the basement, listening to my favorite radio hits and the afternoon DJ. (Mind you- the unfinished part of our basement was NOT large at all. They were very small laps. Haha!) Anyways, my afternoon basement roller skating radio fest kept me entertained for a long time, and when my dad had the opportunity for this commercial for his company, he asked if he could bring me along. The station said yes, and I was SO excited! 

     The day finally came to visit Q 97.9, and it was wonderful. My dad got to record the commercial, and while that was going on for him the afternoon DJ gave me a special tour of the station! A highlight of my tour was when I was shown where all of the new CDs were kept (does that prove how long ago this was?), and he told me I could pick one out to keep! If you're wondering what I chose, it was Enrique Inglesias's Escape, and I still have it to this day. (I'm also still an Enrique fan today! Ha.) They also told me I could pick out a song that would play later that hour, and I requested "One More Time" by Daft Punk. My dad and I later heard it as we were headed back home on the highway, and knowing that I had helped to pick that song gave me a feeling of happiness like I had never had before! Even at just seven years old, I knew in my heart that the feeling that I was experiencing right then as a consumer of radio, was what I wanted to give to people as my future career. I wanted to pick the songs and talk to the listeners (...or basement roller skaters, in my specific case). I wanted to have my voice be heard. I wanted to be a radio DJ! And here we are... about 15 years later, and the dream I never gave up on is finally coming true. 

     Thank you so much if you've made it to the end of this very long post! (And also a huge thank you to Deeana, my blog photographer, for the radio head shots! This photoshoot was definitely out of the norm for what we usually do, but still so fun!) A lot of changes will be coming in the next month in my life, but despite the huge move and new career, I hope to still keep things consistent here on Southern Belle in Training. I hope that y'all will be sticking by my side through what's to come, as I can't wait to bring my career and blog together! 

     "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

     xoxo Annaliese 

The BEST Off-the-Shoulder Top For Spring!

Photography by Deeana Kourtney Photography

Top c/o {under $20!} // Jeans // Heels // Purse c/o // Sunglasses // Bracelets {old, similar one to tassel here} // Lipstick // 

     This outfit post is putting me in such a spring mood! Spring is my absolute favorite season- and I love just about everything associated with it, but especially spring fashion! The off-the-shoulder trend managed to last through the winter by sticking around on sweaters and dresses. I had my doubts about this at first, but I ended up getting down with it eventually (I styled an off-the-shoulder sweater in this post!). 

     But off-the-shoulder for spring... that is something that I can get much more on board with! As soon as I saw this beautiful pink ruffled OTS top, I knew it had to be mine! It's just so feminine and darling, and it's also very relaxed around the stomach area which makes it even more comfortable to wear. And the best part of all?! It's under $20!! What a steal for such a pretty top. 

     I probably say this about a lot of my photoshoots with Deeana, but I really loved these photos! We shot them in the downtown of Rock Hill, a charming small city in South Carolina, about 40 minutes south of Charlotte. Charlotte is an amazing city to blog in, and there are so many great spots to shoot in! But it is still fun to get out of the city sometimes, and discover all that the metro area has to offer as well, with great cities and towns in both North and South Carolina. Last month, Deeana and I also spent time shooting north of Charlotte in the cute town of Davidson. 

      I am so, so SO excited for Monday's blog post! It's a long one, but I'll be sharing the big news that I've been teasing for a few weeks! In other news, I leave tomorrow for two weeks of travels! I'll be going on an international trip with my mom, but first I have a trip related to my big news. And before all of that- one night at home in Maine. I can't wait to see a couple of my high school friends tomorrow night before all of the traveling fun kicks off! Be sure you're following me on social media @miss_alk to keep up with my upcoming adventures.

     xoxo Miss ALK

Midweek Ramblings + Recent Purchases + Current Wishlist.

{Follow me on social media @miss_alk!}

Ramblings: 

• Taking a girls' weekend: I had the most wonderful girls' weekend with one of my classmates from broadcasting school, and it was so needed! My classmate Jana is moving in March to Florida for a job opportunity (yay Jana!), and before she leaves she invited me to spend a weekend with her family. They attend a local Police Ball in her home city every year, and she invited me to be her +1. I almost ended up canceling out on the weekend, as I'm feeling about 110% overwhelmed with the things going behind-the-scenes in my life right now. (I do hope to share what all is happening with that soon! Promise!!) Anyways, I ended up convincing myself to go despite the craziness of my life right now, and my goodness, what a fun weekend it was! I had a lovely time with Jana and her family at the Police Ball, and I realized that getting all dolled up for a night out and dancing in the company of new and old friends is the perfect cure to stress. Jana and I also had a blast doing pictures the next day (she needed some headshots done, so she booked a session with my photographer Deeana as well!), and all in all it was a perfect weekend. Y'all- make time for girls' weekends! They're important! 
• Amazing Ross deals: I'll link some similar pieces in the Recent Purchases section of this post, but I scored some amazing deals at Ross this weekend! This store is normally very hit or or miss for me, and in the past I've had trouble finding clothes that I like there. But I wound up there this weekend, and was amazed by how many cute items they had! There were so many off the shoulder and lace-up tops and dresses, and many other fun trendy pieces as well. I ended up purchasing six things for under $70! I can't wait to wear my new finds on my upcoming vacation. If you have a Ross near you- give it a visit soon!
• Finishing my last internship: This is my last week at my internship with a local morning radio show! I began right after New Years, and have been with them for about eight weeks. It was one of the shorter internships that I've ever had, but I still had the chance to learn a lot about radio production from it. I hope to be starting some career-related blog posts in the next month or two, and I'll definitely share more about this experience. I still can't believe that out of many years of various internship opportunities, I've finished the last one! Hello, adulthood- you're so very close!

Purchases:

• As I mentioned above, I scored very well at Ross this weekend! One thing that I snatched up was the cutest striped dress with shoulder cut-outs. The colors (and price!) are similar to this one!
• I have been in desperate need of some new sneakers for a long time, and I finally got the ones that I've been craving for such a long time! I am just loving my new sneakers. 
• Another Ross score was a striped tunic top, and this one is very similar!
• I ordered this top in the Nordstrom Winter Sale which ended last weekend. Who is already excited for the big NSale?!

Wishlist:

• I'm still in desperate need of a new iPhone case (what else is new- haha!)... how cute is this one for spring! 
• The prettiest pops of color can be found in this pencil skirt.
• I'm basically always craving the newest arrivals, like this dress, from this favorite brand of mine.

      My question for y'all this week: have you had a fun girls' weekend recently? What all did you do?

     xoxo Annaliese