I haven’t done one of these posts in years and my schedule has changed so much and yet not all that much in the almost 3 years I have blogged full time! Because blogging is such a new industry, there are of course so many misconceptions to it. I’ll be the first to say I love my job more than I can say and I hope it can evolve with me over a lifetime into whatever that may be, but I also don’t want to put on a facade and not share the typical tasks. 99% of the time my job is doing what any other small business owner is doing: I’m doing every little task to keep it running. I play secretary. I play accountant. I play advertising team. I play photographer. I try to increase my skills on training such as a Microsoft Power BI course. COF has been one of the greatest blessings in my life as have my readers and so I’m really thankful I get to work behind the scenes to keep it up and running for you all!
Today I thought it would be fun to share my schedule and maybe normalize this industry a bit or at least make my job a bit more relatable to you! It’s the best job in the world [to me!] but my tasks are also super normal and what the everyday girl does at her job as well. 🙂
6 Wake Up
I used to wake up at 5, but the only thing that has kept me afloat this pregnancy is Diclegis, which is a fancy medicine that is just unisom and B12 combined. Not sure how a sleeping pill like this one from EU Meds can help with nausea, but it truly does and it makes you so stinkin’ tired. You take two before you go to bed, so it just makes me feel like I’m taking nyquil each night! haha. I joke with Paul it makes you so sleepy you can’t even tell if you’re going to vomit or not. I still wake up at 5 on shoot days, but any other day 6 is about the earliest I can get up.
Right when I get up I try to lay really still and see if I can feel the baby move or not. I just started to really feel her move last week and I can feel her kick right by my hip right before I go to sleep and about 15 minutes after I wake up. I can’t even explain that feeling! I love her more than anything in the world, but when I feel her kick my heart completely swells and I’m just thinking, “I hope you know how much I love you!” I can’t even imagine how I will feel when I see her for the first time!
Then I get up and make some hot water with lemon. I quit coffee when I got pregnant, but I still like the ritual of having something warm when I get up in the morning and this is a great kickstart to your metabolism as well.
I grab my phone and make sure my blog post e-mail went out, as well as respond to any pertinent e-mails. I’ll scroll through and see if I missed any social media questions, too.
I get up and make a quick protein shake. I use almond milk, ice and then this protein. Then throw on gym clothes and head to the gym. If I don’t go to the gym that morning, I’ll take it a little slower and study up on my devotionals. If I head to the gym, I do my devotionals right when I get back. Right now I’m in between devotionals and I really want to start the new Beth Moore study! She always has my favorite bible studies and gets me so addicted to studying the word. If you need something to really kick start your desire to study the word, I recommend any of her studies! If you’re looking for a new devotional, here is my post on my favorites!
[And I don’t wear makeup to the gym! haha! We shot this post out of order due to lighting so these were actually the last photos we took after my makeup was finished! 😉 ]
7-8 Work Out
Right now, I just do treadmill interval workouts! I’ll run, walk on an incline, walk at a normal pace, repeat again. I recommend just searching Pinterest for them. I mix it up with different workouts, but I still enjoy what I’m doing. Sometimes I’ll take a bar class, but I had to take a break from spin. When we were trying to get pregnant I took a break from spin classes because I had to have endometriosis surgery. When I got pregnant I wanted to go right back to spin. My doctor told me I had taken too much time off, so I’m excited to be able to go back once the baby is born!
I seriously love being on the treadmill at this hour because no one else is there AND I get to watch Good Morning America. What do y’all watch in the mornings? I try so hard to get into the Today show because it’s on longer than GMA, but I can’t do it! I need my old friends in the morning! haha.
My gym has a pretty large locker room, so I grab a tote and bring it with me to carry water bottles, a jacket if I need it after the gym and a Larabar! This St. Anne Tote by Barrington Gifts matches my Belmont Cabin Bag from this post here! Y’all loved that travel bag so much, so I wanted to share this matching tote option as well. I’m still having some morning sickness, so I have to keep bars or almonds on hand because I can go from hungry to vomiting in 5 seconds. haha. It’s quite the talent! 😉
8:15 Shower & Get Ready
I’ll run home and shower and get ready for the day. But don’t let instagram fool you. 3 out of 5 work days I’m in no makeup and workout clothes. I like to give my face and hair a break from all the products I use while shooting. But if I do style my hair fully, here is a tutorial on quick, beachy waves I do! Sometimes I miss dressing up and going to an office, but when I do have to dress up and “go to the office” I’m going to places like fashion week so who can complain?!
9-12 E-mails
I spend a lot of my work day responding to e-mails. During this time Peaches is always asleep next to my desk, on her back, legs sprawled in the air! haha. You’ve probably seen those ridiculous snaps on Snapchat. I try my best to respond to every single e-mail I receive, whether it be from a brand, PR firm, agency, reader or just curious husband wondering what to get his wife! In the beginning this was really easy to do and I had a 24-hour response time. Now as my inbox influx has grown, I can get upwards of 300 e-mails a day and things get lost! They go to spam. They go to the wrong COF inbox [I’ve had a few from interns over the year]. Etc. This has been one area of my life God is working so hard to teach me grace with. I’m pretty nuts about responding because I correlate it to just simply being kind and I want to respond to everyone! If someone has a question, why shouldn’t they receive an answer? However, the Lord is seriously showing my heart and teaching me that I am imperfect and I will miss things. Cue the lessons on humility.
I think the best part of owning your own business is that you learn what best suits you in business, your personality and your life. Your business is constantly evolving and so are your solutions. Of course when my little girl is here I’ll either learn a really great e-mail organization system or I’ll just learn to give myself a lot of grace. Maybe I’ll hire the perfect person [however, right now I’m not hiring as I take a lot of care that I’m the one answering the e-mails]. Maybe I’ll be okay with e-mails taking awhile to respond to. Or maybe I’ll just learn I’m one human being and I can’t do it all! But either way, I’m excited to see how much this little girl is going to change my heart, my mind and my adaptability.
In case you’re curious what my e-mails mostly pertain to:
Brands and I discuss, finalize and implement campaigns. We measure metrics, and response from readers. I follow up on business payments. I book campaigns for the future. I respond to PR firms about events and new business opening up so I can let my readers know. I schedule meetings to meet with brands and designers. I contact award-winning SEO in Madison to discuss the next SEO step for the blog. Scheduling travel for meetings. Accounting. Responding to readers. Responding to a representative that helps schedule my blog campaigns and ambassadorships.
12-2 Blog Content
From 12-2 I write my blog posts. In a dream world, I would contribute 98% of my work day to writing blog posts! This is probably my favorite part of my job along with interacting with you all. Connecting with readers and writing out my thoughts is what makes me fall so in love with this blog! During this time I’ll also send out my social media posts and snap a picture for Instagram.
2-3 Accounting/Meetings
I keep up with receipts, track expenses, bill brands, collect invoices and plan out business expenses for the following week. If you are starting a blog soon, be sure to keep track of everything! Also, find the best paystub maker to make accounting easier if you have employees. I’m always hearing my friends that are bloggers say what their accountants told them about business expenses and write offs. And they are always told opposite ends of the spectrum, because I think some CPAs are really familiar with the industry and some aren’t as it is so new. So I know that might be kind of a silly thing to say, but Paul always tells my friends that as he is a CPA and plenty of people he works with aren’t familiar with what I do.
Once a week I’ll go to Dallas for a day filled with brand meetings. However, on a day-to-day basis I will schedule my conference calls during this time as well. This can be with my representative that helps schedule my collaborations, a brand to get to know my readers or a PR firm to discuss a future campaign.
*This mom bag was a gift from a friend! Not sure the brand*
4-5 Prep for Shoots
On Tuesday mornings I shoot from 8-9 and on other days I shoot at around 5! At this time I prep for my shoots or the day before. I go through my contracts and editorial calendar to see posts that are coming up. Then I get to do the fun part of styling looks, steaming clothes and packing up everything in my car! The one thing that makes prepping so easy is having a clothing rack! I seriously recommend it if you are a blogger. And I know, that’s SO cliché to have as a blogger. But there is a reason we all have them. I’m able to keep items that were sent for collaborations, borrowed pieces, or pieces that are still in stock online that I can link for you. I can easily line up all the looks I’m shooting, pair accessories, steam and then bundle to put in my car. Once I’m finished shooting a look I’ll just put the clothing back in my closet, so I don’t get confused on what is next on my editorial calendar.
5-6 Shoot
I can typically get 4 outfit looks done in 1 hour, but if it’s a shoot like this, it can just take an hour to shoot one longer post! I shoot with different photographers based on what they enjoy doing [some like indoor shoots, some like beauty shoots, some like fashion, etc.] and I also shoot with Paul! We really enjoy doing that together, however, I don’t like our weekends to be filled with “work projects” so I try to keep it to more lifestyle shoots or just quick looks before we grab dinner. If you’re a blogger starting out that is my biggest advice! It’s so easy to stress over shooting [I do it every week!] but when you treat it as a fun way to document what you’re going to do [running errands, picking up dinner] it is much more enjoyable!
Another tip for shooting is after prepping my looks I hang them up in my car and make sure to grab a tote like the Barrington tote! In that, I keep ziploc bags and label each look I’m shooting and throw in jewelry, lipstick changes or whatever I may need for each look in those bags. I’m always flustered changing in my car to shoot because it’s so hot, and cramped and I’m trying to finish quickly! So if I didn’t have all my ziploc bags organized in my tote I would completely forget what accessories go with each look!
6-8 Dinner
At this time I’ll cook dinner for Paul. It’s become one of my favorite parts of our day, just unwinding. I also try to get things cleaned up around the house at this time as well.
8-10 E-mails
At this time I’ll crawl in bed with Paul and Peaches and answer more e-mails. Of course, some nights I skip this if Paul isn’t working. But thankfully, both of our jobs function like this, so neither of us mind. During the day I normally have to respond to campaigns, brands and contracts first because I’m on a timeline, so this is the time that I typically get to respond to readers and have those heart-to-heart conversations I cherish so much! So if you get an e-mail from me at 10:05 p.m. I apologize! 😉 I just e-mail at odd hours! haha. During this time I also catch up on shows! For fall I’m watching Designated Survivor, How to Get Away with Murder and Law & Order SVU! What’s on your TIVO for fall?
Dress: Nordstrom | Booties: Jeffrey Campbell | Lipstick: Blankety | Red Earrings: Baublebar [c/o] | Tote: Barrington Gifts [c/o] | Headboard: Wayfair | Laptop Case: Etsy | Monogram Necklace: Baublebar [c/o]
I hope this was an interesting [albeit maybe boring 😉 ] peek into what I do during the day! Does anyone else work from home or have a job with a schedule like this?!
Photography by: Madison Katlin
In collaboration with Barrington Gifts. All opinions are my own!
I’m with you on Good Morning America! I love drinking my coffee and reading blogs with it on in the background before I head off to work. I wish the show was on an extra hour!
Ellen | A Pop of Pink
Obsessed with this post, Katey! When I first started reading blog about 5 years ago I had no idea some bloggers were doing it full time and I would always ask myself what they did all day. Fast forward to present day and I have a blog myself with a dream to be full time in a couple of years and I totally see how it can be a full time job- so.much.to.do!! This was such a cool way to see the backend of your day 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing <3
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I love this post! It is great to see the everyday life of my favorite blogger!!
xoxo
Heidi
sassandclassdarling.blogspot.com
What brand is the white/bone colored snakeskin textured address book or notebook that is underneath the Tory paperweight?! I think I’ve seen similar items but I can’t remember who makes them..I love that bone color!!
Hi Andrea!
Here it is! 🙂
http://bit.ly/2cAnAmi
xo,
Katey
I thought I was the only one that couldn’t stand The Today Show! haha I am just so partial to Good Morning America’s anchors!
Thank you so much for sharing this post! Although I’m very deadline-driven and I always make sure posts are live on time, I’m not the best at time management and often on my blogging days, 3 PM will arrive and I realize I haven’t done much of anything for the blog (but, I usually have a clean house or clean laundry) 🙂 It was a great realization to see how structured you have to be in order to have a career in blogging, from regularly scheduling your writing times to making sure you are home to cook dinner for you and Paul. As an aspiring fashion photographer, I started my blog as a creative outlet until I could continue school in NYC and work in my preferred market. Like many of us were/are, I was definitely inspired by super bloggers like Chiara Ferragni who portray a carefree day-to-day life of jet-setting and party-going. I realized very soon after beginning my blog that it is by far the most time-consuming “hobby” out there! I do love it but it is very much like a small business and you have to put in an insane amount of work to turn it into a career so I loved this post because you really broke down that work-load into a daily check-list which helps it from feeling too overwhelming!
P.S. The plastic bag idea is a GAME-CHANGER. I’m constantly forgetting my jewelry in the abyss that is my blog shooting bag!
Thanks again, Katey!
Emily | Epicurean Emily
Reading your blog has become part of my daily routine. It is so nice to take a break from work or school and read your sweet blog!
xoxo,
Raven
Love the picture of Paul doing your shoot! My mom is currently helping me as I’m just starting out. She has a great eye and took photography classes in college. Haven’t convinced the boyfriend to pick up a camera yet!
What camera do you use and do you have any recommendations for a more affordable option if you are just starting out?
Hi Jessica!
Here is a post where I share my camera I use and the lens! 🙂
https://www.chroniclesoffrivolity.com/2016/06/blogging-tips/
I wish I knew of a good affordable option, but right now I haven’t found one that I would feel comfortable recommending [and giving you good quality photos!]. My biggest tip would be renting a camera as that can give you the quality you want and you could knock all your photos out for the month in a few days! 🙂
xoxo,
Katey
Love this post! Where did you get your Paris phone case?! It wasn’t linked and I love it!!
Hi Mary!
Thank you so much for reading!! It is linked in this post! https://www.chroniclesoffrivolity.com/2016/09/whats-bag-fashion-week-edition/#/
I hope that helps you!
xo,
Katey
LOVED hearing your daily schedule! Also – you should watch “this is us” if you haven’t yet!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
I loved reading this post. You are such an inspiration!!
https://memoriesandmacchiatos.wordpress.com
Katey,
Great post! I love hearing about the behind the scenes of blogging and other industries like this! I’ve always considered starting a blog, but haven’t had the motivation to keep up with it. Question – do brands usually reach out to you or do you usually reach out to brands that you like to try to collaborate on something? I know bloggers tend to get a lot of “free” things sent to them to review in posts, but wasn’t sure if this is usually random from the brands or if you contact the brands yourself.
And congrats on your little babe! I’m due in a month and can’t wait to meet our little one!
Hi Kirsten!
Great question! I don’t reach out to brands. I shared a little bit more on that in my blogging tips post here! I hope you find it helpful! 🙂
https://www.chroniclesoffrivolity.com/2016/06/blogging-tips/
xoxo,
Katey
I enjoyed reading this! I think you have such a fun job, I really admire how well you do it!
Love this post!! Where did you get the clothing rack? That one is super cute 🙂
PB Teen! 🙂
Thank you so much for reading! xo
Loved this post! I didn’t think it was boring at all – it’s so fun to see a peek into what your daily life looks like! One question – how do you go about finding a CPA who knows about blogging? Recs from friends? Or is there some sort of magical CPA for Bloggers thing I don’t know about 😉
P.S. Your husband is awesome for helping you with blog stuff!
Hi girl!
With hiring a CPA, I would definitely recommend setting up a meeting with them before they even start to look at your financial statements to ensure they fully understand the industry. Because blogging is a new industry the tax code will have different implications for it, and so you may have to pay for a few “hours” of different CPA’s times to make sure you find one that knows the industry, but it will save you so much in the long run. If after you meet with them and they are still surprised this is a business or had no idea this industry existed, I would not use them! I would also ask when calling around if the CPA is familiar with new advertising techniques brands use, etc. to see if they understand the new form of media with blogging!
xo,
Katey
Hi Katey,
I LOVED this post! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂 Does your CPA take remote clients or do they need to live local?
I LOVE these types of posts! The blogging world (and social media in general) is extremely saturated and it can feel like we’re just scrolling mindlessly through so many images each day. I honestly love “getting to know” the person behind blog. It makes everything so much more meaningful and you do a wonderful job of letting your personality shine through your blog, instagram and snapchat! Keep up to great work!
I love this post!! Gives me great insight on what my “future” schedule could be like when I hopefully become a full time blogger….for now I’m a full time credit analyst. This was not boring at all Katey! I loved it!!! xo
http://jellarie.blogspot.com/
Hi Katey,
I just wanted to pop in to say that I really enjoy reading your blog posts and love your photos. You have a refreshing energy about you and I love taking a quick break from my stressful work week to read your latest post. It makes me happier reading about the fun things you blog about. I actually purchased the QVC make up box you posted about for my best friend’s birthday last month! I hope you continue your blogging journey for a long time! Truly enjoy being a follower.
XO<3
This is great! Thanks for sharing the routine 🙂
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
I really enjoyed this post! I have wanted to start blogging for a long time and even tried and failed, but I still have that dream for the future. I feel like right now, I don’t have the resources to be a good blogger. I live at home with my parents so I can’t do a lot of home decor things even though I love home decor, and I am paying back my student loans so I don’t have a lot of money to keep buying new clothes & makeup for fashion/beauty posts even though I love that too! I love following your blog, I check it every day! Thanks for being so dedicated and genuine and kind, you’re a beautiful soul! <3
Katey’
I love your blog! I really enjoy reading everything you have write!!! Congrats on your baby girl!! I wish you and Paul the best. I was curious where you get your hair done and if there was a person and place you recommend?!
Thanks,
Kristyn
Hi Kristyn!
If you go to my wedding post on the sidebar I have my hair dresser listed with all her information! 🙂 I hope that helps!
xo,
Katey
Hi Katey! I absolutely loved this post, it wasn’t boring at all! I’m in love with your pink pajamas, would you mind sharing what brand they’re from? Wishing the best for you, baby girl, and Paul!
Xo
Ella
Hi Ella!
They are a bit old, I’m sorry! But they are Kate Spade! 🙂
xo,
Katey
I loved this post, Katey! I always love seeing what full time bloggers do on a daily basis! I would love to be able to work from home!
xoxo,
Amy
http://www.styleandsequins.com
What do you recommend/use for keeping track of your receipts, invoices, etc? Do you use Quickbooks?
Thanks
Betsy
http://www.twopeasinablog.com
Hi Betsy!
I’ve actually never used Quickbooks. Because Paul is a CPA he has just set up excel spreadsheets that they use on my computer for me. However, he tells everyone quickbooks is the way to go!
xo,
Katey
Hi Katey! Great post! LOVE the pale pink sweater on your clothes rack. Can you please provide details on it?! Thanks so much! 🙂
Hi Kate!
Thank you so much! If you read my blog post from this past Friday I styled it on the post and linked it! 🙂
xo,
Katey
Awesome, thanks for the quick response, Katey!! 🙂
This is so helpful and informative for a new blogger like me! Thanks Katey! I love your blog 🙂
Xo Amanda
Hi Katey! I just adore you. What color is the print on your St. Anne’s Tote? Black or Blue?
Hi Jennifer!
You’re so sweet! I thought it was blue but I just confirmed with Barrington it is black! 🙂
Xo,
Katey
Katey,
This post inspired me so much! I e-mailed you once and was shocked to get a response back so quickly. I’m not sure if you remember, but you encouraged me to start my own blog which meant a lot especially since you’re my favorite blogger. I have a corporate job where I work remotely full time, but making a schedule for my blog and not confusing it with my corporate job/going back and forth has been difficult. It’s hard to find a balance when you’re answering emails and night but want to have a “work life balance”. I guess the trick is that I should be waking up earlier, haha! I’ve enjoyed watching your blog grow and love your baby girl updates. xoxo!
Yasmina
Hi Katey,
I was wondering if you remember where you got the white stool at your vanity. I’ve been looking for a similar one but can’t find one anywhere.
Thank you
Hi Elana!
I got it from a store here called “At Home!”
xo,
Katey
I just ran across you in Instagram (I have no idea how I haven’t found you sooner!) and truly love your blog. This post was exactly what I needed to read. I am just a little guppy on this big pond full of truly amazing bloggers. I let my anxiety overcome me when I am just not able to swing it all or make things happen on the timeline I feel they should. Boy do I have a lot to learn, but you have given me great insight on things I can work on to be in my happy place of chatting away on my blog lol. Thanks for being so genuine Katety!
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