I've been hinting and slowly advertising a giveaway but I wanted to make an official announcement here on the blog. I wanted to do a Facebook giveaway when the Michele, One L Facebook page reached 500 likes organically. You guys are awesome and we reached that in less than a month! Thank you is simply not enough so today we are giving away a bag of my favorite things! This bag, filled with over $150 worth of product, is filled with beauty products, tech favorites and everyday lifestyle items such as a bluetooth speaker, candles, silicone straws, perfume and lotions, lip mask, travel jewelry case, notebooks, an art canvas, picture frames, cell phone case, card games and more!!!! To enter-the rules are simple.

Today we are testing out the fourth and final viral Tik Tok photo shoot, the fake tropical vacation photos. I am not a Tik Tok user, but I see things on other social media platforms that come from Tik Tok. Some of my favorite videos I've seen are at home photo shoots with everyday household items. Morgan Yates. I've seen these before, but Morgan's came out so nice, I wanted to try it. You use plants and a bathing suit to set up photos that make it looks like you're in a tropical area. It was another one where I needed help from my boyfriend because you have to find the right placement for these props against the camera lens. I found these fake palm leaves at Target at $3 each. Normally these things are like $10-20 so I was super happy to find these ones for so cheap. Honestly, you can create these photos as long as you've got a bathing suit and some greenery.

 Snake Print Halter Wrap Bikini Set | Kimono  | Sunglasses | Rings | Bracelet | Necklace | Earrings

The May issue of War Cry was a crazy one! I had a completed layout, but with everything going we we completely redid the magazine. It was crazy. With that, my May spread had to change too. I decided to do a schmorgesborg of influencers who contributed their thoughts, inspiration and ways they're staying connected during the quarantine. Click here to listen to the podcast featuring the millennial interviews.

*Disclaimer: To start off, I work at Salvation Army National Headquarters in the publications department. The magazine I work on is called War Cry. I will be doing a post later on about my job and what it's like working for a non-profit, but that post will be later on. I do feel I need to add a disclaimer here, I am not a religious person so when I took this job I did my research and made sure that my personal values and opinions weren't being compromised. I can proudly say they are not (don't let one idiot skew your opinion of the millions of people who work for a company) and I'm pretty proud of the work and accomplishments I've made while working here. I am the Assistant to the Editorial Director, but I do so much more than an assistant's work. My managers have really entrusted me with a lot of responsibility and anything I can do to enhance my skill set and build my portfolio I take the opportunity to do so. Though I am not a religious person, the people I do interview are and the questions recall faith-inspired answers.



As fast as they can text, millennials were sharing their concern and care for the world via social media. Influencers, celebrities, bloggers and podcasters came together to share one common message: stay inside and stay safe. War Cry talked to some influencers to see how they’re handling the quarantine, hear their words of encouragement and how they’re staying connected.

“During this season, I have really been tapping into encouraging others. When I’m able to share a positive or word of comfort to others it lifts their spirits and that lifts mine as well. I share a lot of inspirational and encouraging words and artwork on my Instagram account!” – Jena Holliday

Jena Holiday: Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Studio / Website

“I’ve been giving myself a break and just taking it one day at a time. When I need a mental break, I’ll put on a great rom-com and needlepoint just to take my mind off it all. I’ve also been avoiding the news for the most part and finding happy articles and videos online. I think too much sadness can really affect you. I’m trying to find the positives and a big one is being able to spend more time with my husband. We’ve been playing a lot of board games, watching a ton of movies and going for long walks together to break up the day.” – Krista Robertson

Krista Robertson: Blog / Instagram

“I’m home with my one-year old baby and my husband, who is now works from home. My daily routine hasn’t changed much, because I run my own business from home and I’ve always carried hand sanitizer with me everywhere. Nevertheless, We are trying to keep safe by washing our hands regularly, keeping to the quarantine rules, reach out to family and friends via video and phone calls, and offering food, water and prayers to the elderly and the less privileged around us. In these trying times, our trust is in the Lord who made Heaven and Earth, my family and I are holding unto God’s word in Psalm 91:1-16, ‘To anyone reading this, stay home, stay safe and put your trust in God, for He never fails, neither will He forsake His people.’ We also meditate on verse 10 and 11 which says, ‘There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.’ To anyone reading this, stay home, stay safe and hold unto God’s word for He never fails, neither will He forsake His people.”  – Chisom Felix

Chisom Felix: Facebook / Instagram

"This quarantine caught us all off guard, but it didn’t surprise God. He already saw the end–He wins. And if we are walking through this life with Him, then we win too. During these uncertain times, what gets me through is relying on what I know and what I know is that God loves us and is protecting His people. He told us in His word that fear is a lie, so I choose to operate in faith and not walk in fear through this pandemic.”  –Paige Taylor

Paige Taylor: Facebook / Instagram / Website

Stephen and Ayesha Curry have been hosting virtual praise and worship on Instagram live. Follow Stephen Curry on Instagram @stephencurry30 and Home + Hallelujah @homeandhallelujah for more devotionals and inspiration.

Actress and singer, Katie Stevens, has been hosting Instagram live sessions, called “Hold the Phone,” as a way to stay connected during this time. “This time in quarantine should still be about connection and I want to connect with all of you!” Follow Katie on Instagram for more ways to stay connected.

For more information on how to protect yourself and stay informed visit cdc.gov. 

SHOP THE COLLAGE: BOOK | CANDLE | HAIR TOOL

You would think that since most of the shopping centers aren't open that you wouldn't be tempted to spend money, but the truth is Amazon and other online retailers are totally tempting. I've had to restrain myself from spending my whole stimulus check, but there are a few things I have waiting in my cart for a rainy day.

Today we are testing out the third viral Tik Tok photo shoot, the newspaper collage wall. I am not a Tik Tok user, but I see things on other social media platforms that come from Tik Tok. Some of my favorite videos I've seen are at home photo shoots with everyday household items. My friend Ana is the one that inspired this shoot and this is my favorite one. I had this old magazine that I found at the thrift store and I knew that I wanted to use this for something but I couldn't figure out what. When I saw Ana's post it's like a lightbulb went on in my head. I knew I had to use this magazine. Originally I tried to tape these up on the wall on my balcony to have some natural light, but it was not happening. The wind was blowing, the tape wouldn't stick to the building, it as crazy. So I moved it inside, pulled out a ring light, moved some furniture and pulled some props from around the apartment. I grabbed a bottle of rosé, some flowers that I had and I realized I also had some pink and white animal crackers that matched with the rosé. I also tested out time lapse on my camera for the first time and I loved it! This shoot turned out so much better than I thought it was going to turn out, just because my original idea wasn't working. I love how imperfect this shoot turned out, the candid photos, Oliver's head interrupting the photo and the fact that the magazine pages aren't perfectly aligned.

 Sweater | Jeans | Rings | Bracelet | Necklace