30 YouTube Channels I Adore: Business, Health, Books, Beauty and More

- March 9, 2017 | by April -

We live in this wonderful world filled with free information on building successful businesses, cooking healthy meals, money-saving DIYs, 20-minute yoga routines, learning how to fishtail braid your hair and more.

I’m a huge fan of YouTube and the creators who put tons of effort into publishing videos that are filled with knowledge and entertainment.

It’s not an easy task to come up with a catchy title, brainstorm what you want to say, set up the lighting, film a test video, adjust things, film another test video, adjust again, film the actual video, edit the video, find music for the background, etc.

So, I’m acknowledging my 30 favorite YouTube channels for today’s post. Some are related to business, some aren’t, but I’m sure you’ll find something in this list that you adore as well.

Happy viewing!

Business Channels

1. Lewis Howes

Lewis films his podcast episodes and publishes the videos on his YouTube channel. I enjoy the videos more than the podcasts and usually play them while I’m watercoloring or bullet journaling.

My favorite episode is this interview with Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx. Her story of how she built her business inspired me to work harder every single day. It’s a must-watch (or listen) for all entrepreneurs.

2. Gary Vaynerchuk

I don’t work or live by the same values of 16-hour days, but I’m incredibly inspired by Gary’s hustle. If I’m feeling a little lazy, I watch one of Gary’s videos and it snaps me out of that fog.

3. Chase Jarvis

I started watching Chase’s channel when he hosted the 30 Days of Genius series, and I pretty much loved every episode. My top three favorites (if I have to choose) are: 30 Days of Genius with Seth Godin, 30 Days of Genius with Austin Kleon and 30 Days of Genius with Tim Ferris.

4. Marie TV

Marie’s videos are professionally made which makes them such a joy to watch. My favorites are the interviews, like this one with Cheryl Strayed. If you’re a writer and you haven’t watched that interview, stop everything immediately, brew a cup of tea (I recommend Liquorice and Mint by Tea Pigs) and dig in. It’s worth every single second.

Planning and Bullet Journaling Channels

5. Boho Berry

If you’ve been interested in bullet journaling but you don’t know where to start, I suggest watching some of Kara’s videos. Because a lot of entrepreneurs prioritize their businesses over themselves, one of her videos I really enjoyed was about tracking self care.

6. Full Flourish

This channel focuses on bullet journaling and minimalism and why she decided to make those changes in her life. She talks openly about depression and anxiety which I think a lot of people can relate to. Watch one of her ‘plan with me’ videos to see if you like her style.

7. The Reset Girl

Oh my goodness…I could spend all day watching her planning videos (and she creates and sells amazing planning stickers). Here’s an example of one of her fun ‘plan with me’ videos.

Crafty Channels

8. The Sorry Girls

They have a bunch of DIYs that are just plain fun but they have some that could really help your business while saving you money, like this DIY video backdrop.

9. Amy Tangerine

Amy puts up lots of different crafty videos, but I love her most recent video on bullet journaling and her videos on hand-lettering like this one.

10. Shayda Campbell

On this channel, you’ll find artsy tips, hand-lettering tutorials and fun DIYs. Here are three videos I reallllllllly like: 1) 10 Tips to Improve Your Painting 2) Styling Your Art for Social Media and 3) Hand Lettering with Pigma Micron Pens.

Lifestyle Channels

11. Mimi Ikonn

I’m a homebody but I enjoy watching travel vlogs to transport myself to that beautiful place without actually going there. I haven’t found another channel that even compares to how amazing this channel is with their travel videos. I suggest this one and this one and this one.

12. Amelia Liana

I started watching Amelia’s videos because I loved her style and then I realized that she has health issues and I could relate to her personal videos. Plus, this outfit challenge was so much fun to watch.

13. Sarah Nourse

Sarah’s channel is filled with daily vlogs, advice on how to save money and travel videos. Here are two of my favorites: Why I Went Vegan and Getting Debt Free Changed My Life.

14. In the Frow

Victoria is a fashion, beauty and travel vlogger. Her hair is the most beautiful shade and her luxury looks for less videos are incredible if you’re on a budget but love her luxury looks.

15. Claire Marshall

Love her voice. Love her style. Love her videos. This is one of my favs.

16. Christine Kobzeff

On Christine’s channel, you’ll find tips on building a capsule wardrobe, DIY aromatherapy ideas, and plant-based recipes.

17. Rachel Aust

The first video of Rachel’s I watched was 10 tidy habits that will change your life and I was hooked.

18. Tanya Burr

Tanya’s channel always gives me a boost of happiness. She’s always positive and upbeat. Two of my favorite videos are: 1) Most Worn Items In My Wardrobe and 2) Khloe Kardashian Blue Smoky Eye Makeup Tutorial.

Book Channels

19. Books and Lala

If you’ve been a Blacksburg Belle reader for a bit, you know that I’m a reading addict. One of my favorite moments of the day is when I’m snuggling my husband and reading in bed. And, this is my go-to channel for book recommendations. Every month, she posts a video all about bookish news such as cover reveals and movie adaptations. Watch this video to see all the books she read in 2016.

20. Squibbles Reads

Joss at Squibbles Reads talks a lot about thrillers and mysteries and in the past year, I’ve picked up a bunch of thrillers that I’ve really enjoyed based on her recommendations. Check out her favorite books of 2016 to see if you have a similar taste in books.

21. Peace Love Books

Jess reads mainly romance novels and I’m a sucker for a good romance novel. Whenever I’m in the mood to read a book with lots of romance, I go to her channel. Through her channel, I found my favorite new adult romance writer, Samantha Young. Anybody else enjoy watching videos about other peoples’ reading goals?

22. Between Chapters

I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every single video on Trina’s channel. Because of her review of Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis, I picked it up, read it and really enjoyed it.

Health Channels

23. Niomi Smart

Niomi eats a plant-based diet and I enjoy her ‘what I eat in a day’ videos. The food always looks delicious and she gives me lots of ideas for healthy meals.

24. Yoga with Adriene

If you’re a complete beginner to yoga, Adriene has a great exercise video for you. Her teaching style is very soothing.

25. Boho Beautiful

If you often find yourself feeling anxious, you might get a lot of this channel, especially this yoga for anxiety video.

26. Tone It Up

If I’m not doing yoga or taking a walk for my exercise, I usually turn to the gals from Tone It Up. Ummmmm…yes I want a bombshell booty!

Beauty Channels

27. Kathleen Lights

Kathleen is hilarious, she’s honest (and will tell you when she doesn’t like something) and she creates makeup tutorials that seem doable for beginners. If I had to pick one video of hers for you to watch, it would be this one.

28. Jessica Braun

Jessica does a great job using drugstore products as well as high-end products. If there’s a deal or a drugstore product that’s just as good as a luxury product, she’ll tell you. I’ve bought a handful of products based on her reviews and have liked all of them. My favorite videos are when she talks about products she’s used up like this one. I also love that she’s a teacher and creates killer videos every week.

29. Luxy Hair

If I’m ever hankering for a new hairstyle, this is my go-to channel. It’s how I learned to fishtail braid my hair and how to double fishtail braid my hair.

30. Casey Holmes

I adore her spirit and attitude. My favorites are her hits and misses like this one.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite YouTube channel? Share it in the comments below to spread the love.

My Top 10 Favorite Things of 2016

- January 11, 2017 | by April -

Last year, I published a video detailing my favorite things of 2015 and it ended up being really popular, so I’m recreating the magic by sharing my top 10 favorite things from 2016.

It ranges from my favorite non-fiction book to my favorite candle to my favorite planner. Some are personal and some are business-related.

Here are the links to all the things I mentioned in the video so that you can easily find them:

1. My embroidered watercolor painting: I used this for the cover of my ebook, Blogging for Business.

2. Day Designer: I use this for all of my daily planning.

3. Bullet Journaling: I use this to keep all of my lists, plans for upcoming projects, ideas for blog posts and marketing and more.

4. Grit by Angela Duckworth: If you think success comes from persistence and passion, you’ll love this book. I wish we could make this required reading for all teens, entrepreneurs and parents.

5. Master Your People Skills with Vanessa Van Edwards: I learned so many things from this course including how to be memorable when first meeting someone, how to be a better public speaker and when you should approach someone at a networking event. Attending a conference this upcoming year? Take this course and you’ll feel confident walking through the doors.

6. Tobacco and Patchouli Candle: It’s an intoxicating, warm scent. This is what my house smells like all the time. I burn them every day and I have the reed diffusers of the same scent in every single room.

7. A Color Story App: Stop struggling to edit photos on your phone. This app will make your photos pop with brilliant color.

8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: If you like historical fiction with romance, you have to pick this one up. It was engaging and sad and beautiful.

9. Sunday Society: My membership program for creative entrepreneurs.

10. My new website design and Amanda Creek: Amanda did such an amazing job of combining my photos, watercolors and copy into a modern, bright design. Amanda deserves a parade of giant unicorns blowing glitter into the air for the work she did on my website. Love you to bits!

What were some of your favorite things in 2016? Did you have a favorite business book? A favorite course you took? A favorite beauty product? Share it in the comments below.

None of the links above are affiliate links. I want you to know that I genuinely loved every single one of these things.

Smoothie Experiment Wrap-Up and Next Month’s Health Challenge Announced!

- September 26, 2014 | by April -

In the next few days, I’m wrapping up my smoothie experiment.

(You can check out why I started this health experiment right here if you need a little refresher.)

I know people always say this, but where the heck did September go? I know where my September went…working on my upcoming CreativeLive courses.

I’m surprised and excited by how my health changed over the course of four weeks.

Every week, I noticed a boost of energy.

This might not seem like much, but I’ve gone from being able to work two to three hours most days to being able to work eight hours or more most days.

That’s HUGE. And, not only can I work more, but I’m having an easier time concentrating and my motivation level has skyrocketed.

I can’t say that this boost of energy is all due to drinking smoothies every day for the first two weeks and then every other day for last two weeks, but that’s the big change that I made so I’m assuming that it’s partly responsible.

Because this smoothie experiment has paid off, I’m going to continue to drink smoothies at least three times a week moving forward.

The superfoods that have seemed to have the most positive impact (I tracked how I felt after each smoothie) are: maca powder, camu powder, flax powder, and maqui powder. So, I’ll be using those the most in my smoothies.

I know this might sound a tad weird but I’m happier.

To begin with, I’m no Debbie Downer and I’m a pretty happy person, but I have to admit that my health issues have taken quite a toll on my overall mood this past year.

Over the past month, I’ve felt much more like myself: getting excited over little things (charity book sales and fall weather), feeling happy just because, and enjoying my work more than ever. (Seriously, I couldn’t be happier every morning when I wake up, knowing that I get to work on my upcoming CreativeLive classes.)

For the past couple years, I’ve thought, “Why me?”

What am I being punished for? Why do I wake up every morning and feel as if I have a horrible case of the flu? Why can’t I get healthy or at least find a doctor who is up to the challenge of helping me?

Until I got sick, I used to think I was lucky. I had a really great life, and then everything came crumbling down.

My life revolved around doctors’ visits. Every morning, I’d wake up and how I felt would determine what I could do that day. Would I actually have enough energy to go to the farmer’s market? Would I be able to get out of bed? Would I be able to walk my dogs? How long would it take me to put on a bit of makeup?

But as I sit here typing this, I feel lucky again.

Lucky that I have a loving, incredibly funny husband who continues to have hope that we’re gonna figure this all out. Lucky that I get to spend my days at home working with my three lab mixes at my feet. Lucky that I get to do work that motivates and inspires me. Lucky that I finally feel energized again. Lucky that I have the opportunity to take my health into my own hands and make some serious changes.

Okay, this post is turning into a mush fest and that’s totally not what I meant to do.

Before I start crying, I’m going to announce the big health change I’m pursuing in October.

For the past six months, I’ve been struggling to exercise and working out used to be a big part of my life.

I used to do 10-15 minutes of yoga when I woke up, walk my dogs for an hour midmorning, and walk them again with my husband in the evenings. And, I used to fit in about an hour of weights and abs each week on top of that daily regimen.

Exercise used to be my happy pill.

I know that some people dread working out, but I always looked forward to it. I would download a really good book to listen to while walking my dogs. I’d pump music while doing arm and leg weights. I’d feel ready to conquer my day after a little yoga.

My health has practically taken this away from me. In all honesty, I’ve let it.

It’s hard to talk myself into changing into workout clothes and getting motivated to exercise when I know that I’ve only got a few good hours each day. How could I waste part of that time on physical exertion when I could be working or writing or blogging?

Now that I’ve got more energy, I want to get back into the rhythm of moving my body every single day.

I’m a realist. I know that I won’t be able to exercise as much as I used to and I know that some days I might only be able to do ten minutes of yoga. That’s okay.

I’m going to make this as easy as possible, breaking up my exercise into bite-sized increments: five-minute dance breaks, ten-minute yoga videos, fifteen-minute walks, five minutes of arm weights, etc.

I’m going to try to do at least five minutes of something three times a day when I’m taking work breaks. That’s totally doable, right?

If you want to do this with me (it’s always better with buddies, right?), I’m starting on October 1^st. Use the hashtag #31DaysofMoving when sharing your progress on social media. I’ll be checking Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for your updates.

Each week or every other week (depending on how much there is to share), I’ll blog about how it’s going, so make sure you check back in. And, I’ll be sharing photos of this journey on Instagram a few times a week—follow me there so you don’t miss a thing.

Let’s do this!

If you’re going to give this a go and want some doable, short workouts, here are some of my favorites:

Free Videos:

Flexibility and Range of Motion with Tara Stiles (Yoga – 9 minutes)

Routine for Stress Relief with Tara Stiles (Yoga – 5 minutes)

Building Balance with Tara Stiles (Yoga – 9 minutes)

Ultimate Stretch with Tara Stiles (Yoga – 10 minutes)

Natalie Portman’s Workout (Ballet and Strength Training – 11 minutes)

Ballet Beautiful Long Lean Arms with Mary Helen Bowers (Ballet Strength Training – 11 minutes)

At Home Cardio Workout with PopSugar (Cardio – 10 minutes)

Become Beyoncé With This Sexy Dance Workout with PopSugar (Cardio Dance – 10 minutes)

Bombay Jam Bollywood Dance Workout with PopSugar (Cardio – 11 minutes)

Dance REFIT Revolution to Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off (Cardio – 4 minutes)

I also really like the 10-minute Barre3 workouts. I have a monthly membership with them and I highly recommend it for those of you who want doable strength training and yoga routines.

Flea Market Finds

- May 6, 2013 | by April -

My mom and stepdad have a treasure trove of vintage items. It’s actually on the verge of crazy, because they have to rent storage space to house some of them. {If you’re reading this, I love you mom!}

They’ve been collecting this stuff from estate sales, yard sales, and flea markets for years.

There’s a really good upside to this. Whenever I think of something vintage that I want to start using in photos, my mom usually has that something and gives it to me. For instance, the globe above. Another example is that I’ve been wanting to find a vintage bar cart for our living room and hunted for one online for months. I told my mom this, not thinking anything of it. The next time we visited Richmond, she gave me a bar cart and said, “We’ve had this in storage for a long time. Didn’t you say you wanted a bar cart?”

Ummmm…yes, but that’s a little odd that you just happened to have one. {Again, I love you mom!}

These pictures are a collection of some stuff my mom gave me and some stuff we picked up at the flea market when we visited Richmond a couple weekends ago.

How adorable is this tea can? And, I love using wooden spools of thread for photos:

I collect buttons, because I use them in all types of craft projects and photos:

I got this recipe box for an upcoming craft project I’ve been brainstorming for months:

I’ll create jewelry with the cameo, pin, vintage keys and perfume bottle:

I picked out a handful of necklaces that I’m going to take apart to use the beads. A clasp on one of the necklaces was broken, so my husband was negotiating with the seller to reduce the price. He reduced it from $1 to $.50, but my husband wanted to get it for free since we were buying three other necklaces. Finally, the guy pulled a coin out of his pocket and said, “You pick heads or tails, and we’ll flip. If you win, I’ll give you all the necklaces for free. If I win, you give me six dollars.” Kris picked heads and won the coin toss!

I fell in love with this bottle and had to have it:

Thrift Store Shopping

- January 5, 2013 | by April -

A few days after Christmas, my husband and I hit up the local thrift stores. I love rummaging through the aisles looking for a great find. We didn’t visit the thrift stores {or yard sales or flea markets} as much as I would have liked last year, so this year we’re making an effort to go more this year.

We started the morning with a trip to Starbucks and I picked a chai latte with soy milk. You can see my excitement above.

We picked up some Ball jars, a tie for him, a skirt for me, and my favorite purchase of the day was the antique teapot in the picture above. It’s now sitting on my bookshelf behind my desk.