IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES)

I have been receiving some complaints lately regarding to not responding to some business emails. I check my email multiple times a day and for all business inquiries I respond within 48 hours. If I don't respond I am either very very sick (but would still respond by the end of the week) or your email came up as malicious. I have a software and along with Google that tracks malicious emails. It will notify me immediately if that particular email has been used to commit a crime/stolen personal information. When I get these alerts for my safety and the safety of my clients I delete this email right away. My program is generally very accurate but of course every technology out there has its faults. If your email comes up malicious meaning you haven't received anything from me in more than a week and you are a legit business, please Direct Message me on Twitter @TheRisingSunxo and send me your email address and information through there. I will run a minor background check to make sure all your ducks are in a row. Thank you for your time and understanding. Looking forward to working with you guys in the future!

Xoxo,

Si 

Living with the iPhone 7 Plus: 3 week update & mini review

So if you follow me on Twitter, you already know that three weeks ago I purchased the new iPhone 7 Plus. This was kind of a spontaneous purchase for me since I like to do a lot of research before buying a new phone and with this phone I did not. I have the Verizon Edge plan which lets me lease my phone and when I pay off 50% of it I can upgrade without any additional fees (still have to pay the taxes on it). It is a pretty great program if you are like me who likes to upgrade phones quite frequently. 

I know there are a ton of reviews for the new iPhone out there, but this post was requested so ask you shall receive. I did my best to break down the new features and let you guys know if you should upgrade or not. I am a bit of a tech nerd so if I say anything that doesn't make any sense I apologize,

So I upgraded from the iPhone 6s Plus 64 GB in the color Space Grey to the iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB in Silver. Let's start with the size and color option. Once you buy a big phone it is kind of hard to go back to the smaller size so I just stayed with the Plus. In terms of storage size, Apple FINALLY got rid of their 16 GB model (WHOOP WHOOP!!!) and replaced it with a 32 GB as their starting model. The other storage sizes available are 128 GB & 256 GB. I recently combined my work phone and personal phone so the 32 GB as decent as the size is, is unfortunately not enough for me so I went with the 128 GB and so far so good (256 GB was a little unnecessary for me). 

As for the color, Space Grey is no longer an option for the new iPhones, however they did come out with two new colors Jet Black and Black. Jet Black has a shiny black finish and is really nothing new. The iPhone 3 had a very similar finish. The Black option is just a matte black. Both of the new colors are beautiful however scratch very easily and have issues with fingerprint smudging. The Jet Black is also more expensive. Personally the color wasn't a big deal for me. I just ordered what was available. 

As for the phone itself here are the major changes...

Haptic Touch:

There is no longer a physical home button. It is now just a vibration. I personally love it 

Dual Lens Camera (Plus only): 

Apple always upgrades the cameras on their phones every year but I gotta say I was super impressed with the quality of the dual lens camera especially when it came to zooming. The dual lens offers a 2x option which allows close ups but without the grittiness that zooming can cause. The picture quality is very comparable to my Nikon DSLR.

Resolution & Speed:

The pixels and images are so fricking clear and sharp. It really is just a beautiful feature. The overall functioning of the phone is faster such as opening apps, connecting to WiFi, LTE and so forth.

No Headphone Jack:

The biggest change on the new iPhones is that there is no longer a headphone jack instead it is replaced by a second speaker. I know a lot of you out there are probably not happy about this change, but we are living in the 21st century and with that comes lots of tech changes. In the future everything will probably be wireless so we might as well get on board. And for those of you out there who don't want to get on board right away no worries the phone comes with lighting cable headphones and an adapter so you can continue to use your old headphones. 

Water Resistant:

Yes, Apple has finally made their phones water resistant. This is especially good news for klutzes like me. The new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus can be submerged under 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes. Waterproofing isn't exactly new in the tech world but it is very complicated to waterproof/water resistant a phone like the iPhone due to its design and internal structure. Trust me the process can be quite difficult. So bravo Apple! This feature isn't designed so you can take your phone swimming but provides that extra safety days where you do need it. The speakers still can get slightly damaged but hey nothing is perfect and for those Android lovers out there it is the same issue with your phones too. 

There are a couple of other features but these are the only ones really worth mentioning. As far as my opinion goes, I really am impressed and happy I upgraded. It truly is a beautiful phone. I work in social media so upgrading these kind of devices is a no brainer for me however if you don't work in the media or tech industry should you upgrade?

For those of you who have the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, I don't recommend upgrading right away especially if you like your headphone jack. Take another year and wait for the iPhone 8 or even the 7s. 

For those of you who have anything before the 6s, the upgrade is worth it. There will be some new features that will take some time getting used to but overall the experience has been great. 

Cases:

As for cases, I haven't found any I particularly love. I purchased 2 of Apple's silicone cases which are my 2 go cases. I have been using them since the 6 was released. I purchased one in the color Pink Sand and one in Black. They are really nice simple cases that offer a sleek and simple design and good protection (not great but decent). They are $35 for the iPhone 7 and $39 for the 7 Plus. 

The 6s Plus cases will not fit the new plus because of the camera shape. As for the iPhone 7, the 6s cases will fit however the speaker where the old headphone jack use to be will be covered up for those of you who care. 

PINK SAND

BLACK 

Current Fashion Favs

Zara Jeggings

Zara has a bunch of different styles and washes of jeggings. The two I have been the most obsessed about are...

High Elasticity High-Waisted Jeggings $29.90

Photo Credit: Zara

These only come in black and have two simple rips by the knee. They are super soft and so comfortable to wear. The only thing I would recommend is to try these on before purchase. They tend to look a lot smaller than they are but at the same time have a nice stretch. So depending how fitted you prefer your jeggings to be, you might have to go down a size. 

Zara uses European sizes but do have the size conversions on the labels of their clothes.

For reference I am 4' 11 inches (very short I know) with the non high waisted versions, which I will talk about below, I am a size 2. However because I do have a little bit of a tummy I go up to a size 4 with these high waisted ones. I like my jeggings to be fitted but not so tight to the point where I cannot walk in them. These sizings work perfectly for me. In terms of the height, I am a very short person but these jeggings are not dramatically long and I can get away with folding them once or twice.

The non high waisted versions you can find them here. Same price, awesome product! 

Photo Credit: Zara

Me to We Cord Strap Double V Tank Top $22.95 (PacSun)

Photo Credit: PacSun

These are very similar to the tiny crop tanks you find at Brandy Melville but so much better quality. The straps are made from a sturdy cord material that lays nicely fitted on the shoulders, so you don't have to worry about it moving around. The only issue I had with these is that you do have to go a couple sizes up. I am not sure why they make it like that. When I tried on their XS I could barely fit it and when I did finally got it on it looked like a really tiny bra. These a not cropped in sense where it shows the mid section but rather it should hit just right at the hips. I personally really like the clean cut. I hate having to tuck in my tanks or having to scrunch them because I'm so short. 

Off The Shoulder Tops

I am not sure why it took me so long to jump on the off the shoulder trend. But I have been lately loving it! I think off the shoulder tops give off a sexy flirty vibe without being too slutty. You can either dress it up or down and it can be worn for many different settings and occasions. Here are some of my favorite ones.

American Eagle Soft & Sexy Off the Shoulder Shirt $29.95

Photo Credit: AE

These are so simple yet adorable! They can be paired with jeans, shorts, skirts you name it! They also are from the AE Soft & Sexy line which makes them even more amazing .Super soft and just overall really great quality. This is perfect for those simple girls out there who are just trying out this new trend. They come in a variety of soft and neutral colors that suit every skin tone.

Zara Off The Shoulder Poplin Top $49.90

Photo Credit: Zara

When you first look at this top it looks like a pillowcase and you will probably think to yourself why would anyone spend $50 on a pillowcase? Trust me this pillowcase is worth it! There is something so classy about this top that makes it so fashionable. It is also classic so it won't go out of style anytime soon. I love the fit of this top. It isn't too short or too long and can be styled in so many ways. I personally love pairing this top with a pair of dark skinny jeans and booties or distressed denim shorts w/some gold/brown strappy sandals.

Bouquet Floral Romper $82
By Band of Gypsies

Photo Credit: Revolve Clothing 

Since I live in Florida, we really don't really get a "true" fall and winter so I still have a little while to wear rompers before the "cold" weather hits. I am absolutely IN LOVE with this floral romper from Revolve Clothing (the brand is Band of Gypsies). The colors are right on point for the upcoming fall and is still thin enough that you can layer tights underneath and add a jacket on top if you are lucky enough to live in a place with all 4 seasons. This romper is a bit on the pricer side but this type of style of romper won't go out anytime soon. I personally think it is a great investment piece if you are a fan of rompers like I am. This is fairly new so it will be up on the site for awhile if you want to save up first. 

So Much Yes Black Suede Over The Knee Boots $46

Lulus.com 

Photo Credit: Lulu's

You can never go wrong with a pair of over the knee boots during the fall and winter seasons. They go with pants, shorts, skirts, dresses and so forth. Over the knee boots can get pretty pricey (ex. Stuart  Weitzman The Highland Boot). The Highland will set you back about $700+! I managed to find a pair that are similar to the The Highland Boots by Stuart Weitzman for only $46!!! You honestly cannot get better that! These have a 4 inch wrapped heel. They are pretty comfy for what they are and are true to size so don't go down or up a size.

Weekly Playlist 8/30/16

I haven't done one of these in awhile and am so excited to post one for y'all! I have gotten some questions whether or not if I have a Spotify and SoundCloud account and the answer is yes I actually have both. However both accounts are my personal ones. I prefer to share the music I am listening to through YouTube for you guys because it is just easier and most of you have access to it. Another reason why I post my playlists on YouTube is that not everyone will like everything I post and once you listen to the playlist you can pick your favorites and download them with whatever you choose.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

1.) Controlla

Drake

2.) Next Up

Mila J

3.) Lavish

Jeff Bernat

4.) Teeter-Totter

Nomak 

5.) Once In Awhile (Geo Remix)

Timeflies

6.) Distraction

Kehlani

7.) Heartache

Relient K

8.) Say It (Remix)

Candice 

9.) Chasing Hearts

Breathe Carolina

10.) Lead Me On

Gloriana 

11.) Pullin' Me Back

Chingy

12.) A Lack of Color

Death Cab for Cutie

13.) Angel Eyes

Love and Theft

14.) Say My Name (Cover)

William Singe

15.) No Shopping

French Montana, Drake

September Client Slots

Hello everyone! So I wanted to post our first client slot a little earlier than planned just to give people some time to familiarize with the new changes as well as start booking consultations. If you do not know what I am talking about please read the post before this one.

SEPTEMBER CLIENT SLOT 

Currently we have...

4 

new client slots free 

&

1 

retainer spot 

House of The Rising Sun Social Media Consulting Changes

For those of you who have been following me for awhile, are clients or perspective clients you may have noticed that HOTS Social Media Consulting has been down and undergoing some changes. In my previous post, the Q&A, I mentioned that I was going to talk about these changes in a separate post and now here it is! Hopefully this post will clear up any questions if not feel free to email me at houseoftherisingsunxoxo@gmail.com. I usually respond within 24 hours.


1.) I am no longer working by myself

One of the biggest changes is that no longer I am handling all business aspects by myself. Due to the high volume of work and projects, I have teamed up with a couple of freelancers in the social media business. These people are very skilled at what they do and offer much more that I could ever by myself. They are not employees but rather consultants and will be available case by case basis which basically means depending on the type of project you require these consultants will be on call for specific needs. We all need a little help now and then. Hopefully with this new practice in place we will be able to not only serve you better but more efficiently. (DISCLAIMER: because these freelancers are not employees but rather consultants pricing will vary a bit, details on pricing will be given at the time of 1st appointment not the initial consultation). 

2.) New website! 

To make booking appointments easier and have all the info about HOTS Social Media Consulting in one place we are running a test website through Wix. I am currently in the process working with a web developer to develop a permanent site. Keep in mind that we are still in the testing phase and there still might be some minor hiccups. So far the only trouble we have had is double booking appointments. If two people are on the site at the same time and book the same time slot both will get the appointment however that will not be the case. We will get in touch with you if this occurs Whenever you book an appointment through the site you will receive an email confirmation. 

http://houseoftherisingsu.wixsite.com/smcs

3.) 24/7 Support NOW AVAILABLE to ALL CLIENTS

Originally 24/7 support was given to those who purchase our premium package and support was generally through Kik and Line Messenger apps. Now for all our clients we will have 24/7 support available through email. For our messenger app support that will still be exclusive to our premium clients.

For our current clients using this service all you have to do is send an email to houseoftherisingsunxoxo@gmail.com with the subject line 24/7 support. Your email will be filtered from the main inbox and placed into a special folder where you can expect an answer in around 30 mins to 2 hours (sometimes even less) everyday from 7 a.m. to midnight eastern time.

For our current clients this service will begin September 1, 2016. There will be an email going out later this week explaining the service in full. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. For new clients who sign up between now and September your service will begin October 1, 2016. This service will be up and running fully December 1, 2016. After Dec 1 any client who signs up will be eligible for this service right away.

4.) Client Slots

Due to the high volume of work HOTS SMC is getting we will not be accepting every client from now on. In order for us to give you the best work and attention possible we will be trimming down our client list a little bit. At the beginning to each month I will post what will be known as client slots. It basically will let you know how many new clients we will be taking on that month. If you are interested in keeping us on retainer please send me an email with the subject line retainer and send me your number. I will contact you personally about how the retainers work. We only have a handful of clients that are retainers so space is very limited. This change will not affect any current clients.

The last thing I wanted to mention is not really a change but more of an implementation. From now on we ask future clients not to ask us about our current list of clients. We want to maintain a professional relationship to the highest regard and that includes confidentiality. Our work for one client will not directly effect the work for another. We promise to always do our best for you and your business.

Ask Sisi Q&A: Where have I been? Future of HouseofTheRisingSun?

Hey guys long time no chat! I have pretty much started the last couple of posts with this intro and there aren't enough words to tell you guys how sorry I am for being so MIA. So today I wanted to give you guys an update on where I have been and the future of this blog.

So where have I been? Unfortunately I did not have a summer this year. I had to continue my classes throughout the summer due to the first part of the internship that is required in my program. I was at my internship for about 20 + hours a week including a weekend. Along with my internship I had to take the class that went along with it as well as another online class. The online class was a little more than I bargained for because we had a huge project that required group work and meetings in person. But it wasn't just school. As most of you probably know if you read my last blog post, House of the Rising Sun Social Media Consulting services has been undergoing some changes and had to shut down for about 3 months. I will do a separate post on the changes.

Now with the fall semester about to start where does that leave this blog? In all honesty with everything that has been going on between school and work blogging is just currently not one of my top priorities at the moment. But it does not mean that I don't love blogging and want to stop. For those of you who are in school or were in school and those of you who know what it is like to start and run your own business you guys know how hard it can be doing that while trying to have a personal life as well. In terms of the future of this blog, I will not stop writing but I can't promise consistent posts. Hopefully one day when I am finally done with school and get all my business issues sorted out I can be more attentive and more deserving of you guys. In the meantime thank you all for the continuous support and love!