Merry & Bright & Ready to Fight
December 2024
I’ve been putting off writing this. 🤐 Writing is a medium of processing, and with recent happenings, let's just say I’ve been processing a lot. I’ve been navigating online hate and the sad reality of losing friends and family over politics, while also celebrating huge milestones in my personal and professional life. In this newsletter we’re getting a little raw, I’m providing you with my tried and true ways to set yourself up for an amazing New Year, and in the Influencer Tea section we’re naming names.
Catching Up
My dual perspectives are fighting it out for who will lead the tone of this newsletter. A lot of amazing things have happened since we last talked: I moved (into the most amazing townhome), I got a new kitten (who is love incarnate), I signed my biggest brand deal yet (we’re talking 5 figures) and I’m about to jet off to Iceland and London for Christmas (crossing off bucket list items). One half of me is doing really great, I’m happy, I’m so grateful, I’m out here living that life! The other half is somber, tired, and frankly numb.
If you follow along on social media, you know that I am not one to shy away from sharing my political opinions. This past political season, I was so grateful to get the opportunity to work on important campaigns from the District 8 race to working directly with Denver’s Mayor Johnston on his initiative to create more affordable housing in Denver. I was also very vocal on my support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. SPOILER ALERT! Everything I vocally supported lost; haha, what a horrible feeling. On top of the deep sadness that I feel for the future of our country, there was also the very real hate I was receiving on the internet from those on the other side of the aisle (more on that in the influencer tea section). On top of the hate, I was dealing with a lot of anger and grief. Mostly towards my mother, who I may never speak to again. I know I’m still in the throes of the grief cycle because I keep coming back to anger, but the good news is that I now know what to do with it.
You know that one line from Hamilton “What are the odds the gods would put us all in one spot”? I think about that quote constantly because the only thing that got me through post-election was the incredible women I surround myself with on the daily. The gods have truly blessed me with the most caring, intelligent, compassionate, understanding and generous group of girlfriends, and I intend to change the world with them.
Starting in January, I’m creating a group of women who want to get more involved in their communities, who have a drive to do good and create positive change in their city. There are so many of us out there who have the desire to create change and to be activists, we just need the organization. It just so happens that I’m one of the best organizers I know. Influencing is my first love, and without it, none of what I have planned would be possible. I’m grateful for the platform I have, and I’m ready to use it. It’ll be interesting to see how my influence evolves next year, and I’m excited to see how this platform I’ve built continues to inspire more women to share their voice and rise up. Women are the future, even if the world can’t see it yet. If you are interested in joining this group of women, drop your email in the comments or in my DMs and I’ll reach out.
Highlights in Photos:
Videos People are Loving
Where to see Holiday Lights in Denver
The Best Holiday Bar in Colorado
New Years Preparation ✨
Every year I get asked about the incredible New Years reflections that I do. These reflections simultaneously help me reflect on all the amazing things this year brought, while helping me prepare and look forward to the future. If you’re looking for a way to set yourself up for success in the New Year this is it. ⬇️
Yes these will take some time, yes you are worth that time investment.
Looking back on the past year
Top 5 highlights
Best decisions made this year?
Any disappointments this year?
Favorite romantic highlights
What made you laugh this year?
What day would you relive and why?
What friendships meant the most to you and why?
What are you most proud of?
What did you learn about yourself?
What are you thankful for?
How are you different now vs. a year ago?
What do you want to be different a year from now?
Looking forward to the next year
Do you have any unfinished business from 2024 into 2025?
What relationships do you want to improve?
What advice do you have for yourself for the upcoming year?
Do you anticipate any challenges?
What are you going to do just for you?
What are you looking forward to?
Who do you need to say thank you to?
Pick a word for this year. This word is used to drive you and ground you as you chase your goals and move through the new year
I have my incredible best friend Lashonda to thank for these questions. We've been doing these reflections for the past 7 years and they have truly changed my life.
Influencer Tea
Ok ok ok, I know I promised names. But like all good journalists I had to double check my facts before I blew something up. This newsletter is scheduled to release Wednesday morning and I’m writing this update on Tuesday evening as the facts are rolling in.
Upon further investigation, I have realized that my name-calling was perhaps misplaced. I trusted my gut and reached out to said person and let’s just say we worked it out on the remix. But I know, I KNOW, I promised you tea, luckily I have some more. 🍵
A certain hotel that starts with a P and ends with an S is already getting a bad rep around town despite just opening. My dislike of them started at their influencer outreach strategy. To put it simply, they made it very clear that they were going to offer different experiences to different influencers based on their “criteria” (aka follower count). Upon first hearing that, you might think that makes sense, most businesses do that. Except in their case they offered influencers different experiences when they were all in the same room together. For example, you get two drinks because you have over 10k, you get a dinner and a drink because you have over 20k, you get dinner and an overnight stay because you have over 50k, and so on.
I’m not sure if the PR company who ran the outreach was local, but I don’t think they know how much the Denver influencer community talks. My fellow influencers are my friends, and we’re gabbing about how much a business offered us and figuring out if we should ask for more. We’re swapping PR companies’ numbers and genuinely rooting for one another. So when a company makes it so blatantly obvious who their “chosen ones” are, we’re going to talk.
If you can’t already tell from my disgruntled tone, I was chosen but not a chosen one in the Populus’ eyes (whoops I said their name). But honestly, I’m not interested in supporting a business that makes me feel less than my peers, and makes my fellow influencer friends fell like they aren’t good enough because they didn’t make the invite list at all. Also, not to rub salt in the wound, but I’ve heard from industry people that the food isn’t that good either. Their words not mine! But maybe when you’re looking for a pretty hotel to dine in, just go to the Ramble instead?
Hi Rayna, I’m also interested in learning more about the group for women!
Hiya Rayna! I’d also love to receive more details on the upcoming community organization group!