Ask Rachel ⋆ That's Chic

thatschic subscriber wrote on November 10, 2019 at 9:54 am:

I can't believe I've only just come across your blog! I love your photos— do you mind me asking what camera you use? do you use any filter? who takes your pics when you solo travelled? <33

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Omg same!!!! Blogging is my humble beginning hahaha. I use an Olympus MjuII film camera and I set up a tripod with a timer for all the photos. Sometimes I'll get a stranger involved to take a polaroid of me 🙂

Catharin wrote on October 31, 2019 at 3:46 pm:

Hii Rachel, I’ve been following you for some time and i really love ur work, especially your instagram feeds & your videos. I was wondering what app did you use for editing photos? And what filter did you use for editing? Thankyou, much looove ❣️

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I mostly shoot / post film photos, which maybe gives that filtered look, but I don't have a preset filter. Maybe i'll change a few settings on vsco like brightness and shit but nah, no filter! I like snapseed and vsco!

Kat wrote on October 15, 2019 at 1:28 am:

Evening -- I hope Monday has been treating you kindly. I just wanted to say that I adore the feel of this website, your videos, and all other platforms you manage. In fact, I have been trying to find inspiration for a site I want to create (I am quite into fashion, but also very into scrapbooking/writing and wanted to reflect that on a screen). Your website is serving much inspiration and I want to thank you for that. That is all. With gratitude, Kat

Admin Reply by: Rachel

merci my beautiful Kat <3

Michelle Kim wrote on October 9, 2019 at 10:03 pm:

Hi Rachel, I'm so excited and at the same time nervous about posting this question! I wanted to make a video since I was in middle school, and wow, it's been over ten years that I haven't achieved my dream. Finally, I got my motivation to make something about Portland, where I live after you visited the town 🙂 But now I ran into this question about creative common, which I'm not familiar. There is a song I really wanted to use for my first video in Soundcloud but not sure if I can use it by crediting them on video and linking on the description box. Can you give me some advice on how to use songs from Soundcloud or any other source w/o any problem? Thank you! Michelle

Hi Rachel,
I'm so excited and at the same time nervous about posting this question! I wanted to make a video since I was in middle school, and wow, it's been over ten years that I haven't achieved my dream. Finally, I got my motivation to make something about Portland, where I live after you visited the town 🙂 But now I ran into this question about creative common, which I'm not familiar. There is a song I really wanted to use for my first video in Soundcloud but not sure if I can use it by crediting them on video and linking on the description box. Can you give me some advice on how to use songs from Soundcloud or any other source w/o any problem?
Thank you!
Michelle

Admin Reply by: Rachel

You should be fine! YouTubers just get all up in arms about using the right songs because they make their living from the adsense. And if a song is 'flagged', then they can no longer make money from YouTube on that particular video. But honestly, unless you're like getting over a million views each month, you're not really making noticeable money, so getting 'flagged' shouldn't matter. Artists/musicians will really only freak out if they see you're CLEARLY monetizing from their work and they're not getting a cut. So unless someone paid you, you're advertising, or you're making BANK off their music and they're not getting any of it, you should be fine.

Danielle wrote on October 8, 2019 at 12:26 pm:

Hi Rachel! I just watched your video about you leaving your home in Plymouth to start your journey elsewhere. I wanted to ask you how you felt about living in a space like that by yourself?? I’m also about to move to a new space, bigger than my older one and although I’m very fortunate to be able to do so part of me is kind of scared to take up so much space by myself. Do you have any tips??

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I've never had roommates so living alone was all I knew. But I loved it! I also live a pretty extroverted life, so it's very nice to have a safe, quiet place to recharge. You'll love it! Host friends often, have your space be the hub for all hangouts. That really helps make your space feel lived in outside of yourself.

Lukey wrote on October 6, 2019 at 6:42 pm:

Hi! Is your hair naturally curly? Where would you recommend to get a perm or cut?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

It is! More wavey than curly, although I do get some ringlets sometimes! No clue on perming but also wouldn't ever do it. Cutting, I've been snipping at my own hair the past year so I'm also no help there. Thankfully my hair texture gives me lots of room for uneven cuts hahaha

Elisha Low wrote on September 26, 2019 at 8:47 am:

Hiya! Do you have any tips on embracing yourself and individuality, especially during a time of change I feel really alienated after realising a lot of my taste and interests at change.

Hiya!

Do you have any tips on embracing yourself and individuality, especially during a time of change I feel really alienated after realising a lot of my taste and interests at change.

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I know the answer is so simple, but disconnecting. The only thing that kills our individuality and creativity the most are distractions! Distractions from our phones, from feeling less than, from comparing, from being too inspired. We don't (AT ALL HONESTLY) give ourselves the room to actually THINK anymore!

Helena Sinn wrote on September 22, 2019 at 7:26 am:

Hi Rachel! I've really been loving your videos of late 🙂 just wanted to ask where your brown bucket/wide brim hat is from? I've seen in a number of your videos but you're wearing it in the beginning of this vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65f5ywDrsus

Admin Reply by: Rachel

It was an oldie from Aritzia! Kept in handy many times heh thank you <3

Tiffany wrote on September 18, 2019 at 7:34 pm:

Hi Rachel! I just want to start off by saying that you're such an inspiration to me. You're everything I want to be!! I recently started my own blog but I don't know how to promote it and get readers.I don't have a lot of friends that could help spread the word so I'm really lost here. How did you get readers and viewers, and what is your advice to make a blog popular?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Congrats on the first step that many find so hard! And that's getting your hands dirty into a project 🙂 I don't know if blogging is the right platform anymore, but definitely honing in on some keywords. I would do a full day's research into how to market your blog via SEO and also getting involved with some of your favorite bloggers in the field by engaging with them! Maybe start collaborating. But also have fun with it! It's a very saturated space and I really don't know how I would approach it now. Might not even do a blog at this point haha, but that's me personally since I don't consume them!

Luca wrote on September 13, 2019 at 5:37 pm:

hey you !! im struggling to find a videocamera that suits my aesthetic; not too HQ, not too grimey — what videocamera do u use ? specifically for you Japan series ! thank you x Luca

hey you !!
im struggling to find a videocamera that suits my aesthetic; not too HQ, not too grimey — what videocamera do u use ? specifically for you Japan series !

thank you x

Luca

Admin Reply by: Rachel

It's a new Sony Handycam! x

Katie wrote on September 10, 2019 at 9:43 pm:

Hellooooo, I remember you saying that you tend not to watch too much YouTube, tend not to follow many 'instagram girls' or read that much so I'm v intrigued as to where you source inspiration, influence and ideas? I understand a lot of your content is just you living your life but how we do that is so often influenced by what we consume (social media, friends, family, etc) so how does your original or unique content come to fruition? How does one sow the seed? / How do you conceptualise it? And how does it come to realisation?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Hi Katieeee! Yesss I mean, I know the world I live in is V instagram girls, so I do look for other industries for inspiration. IDK like surf culture and skate videos are really inspiring. Art, film making, I just like seeing the vibes of others and seeing how I can implement it. But honestly, I'm just kinda doing my own thing and I'll throw a tripod on a camera. It really has nothing to do with trying to force an aesthetic or a vibe, that's all in the territory of the atmosphere I've created for myself. Lately I'm super into space age 70s modernism and I know it's not like directly into making videos or photos, but I think creating the world makes it much easier to document it that feels like a vibe. Does that make sense? I am so bad at articulating my process because it's actually...

Kiho wrote on September 7, 2019 at 5:39 am:

Hi again, I wanted to ask that The necklace I was talking about is the one that isn't from reliquia. thank you

Hi again, I wanted to ask that The necklace I was talking about is the one that isn't from reliquia.

thank you

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Girl can you DM me cause this is too complicated to ID something in a personal conversation in an open forum hahahahahaha

Kiho wrote on September 6, 2019 at 3:36 pm:

Hello, I am a huge fan of your vlogs, I was wondering what camera you use to video all your vlogs. And what is the company of the beautiful zodiac necklace you showed in one of your videos? I love horoscopes and would love to have that necklace Lots of love!

Hello, I am a huge fan of your vlogs, I was wondering what camera you use to video all your vlogs. And what is the company of the beautiful zodiac necklace you showed in one of your videos? I love horoscopes and would love to have that necklace

Lots of love!

Admin Reply by: Rachel

https://reliquiajewellery.com/collections/neck/products/star-sign-necklace-gemini And a sony handycam!

Hannah wrote on September 5, 2019 at 3:49 pm:

Hi!!!! I was just wondering what you used to make your website? Your creativity is so inspirational!

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Alan Li and I used Wordpress! It was a nice collaborative effort 🙂

Zoe T wrote on August 28, 2019 at 12:27 pm:

Where did you get your safety pin earrings from?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

The Last Line 🙂

Ella wrote on August 27, 2019 at 8:33 am:

Not a question but I thought I'd just drop by to tell you just how much your content inspires me (having been in a slump since I'm studying engineering where there is practically a scarcity of any artistic motivation and thus making me have an semi-existential crisis at eighteen). I love the genuine positive energy that is just hallmark Rachel Nguyen, from what I know of you from your online platforms. These little slices of your virtual creative spaces and nooks on the internet really inspire me, so thank you for that! ♥♥♥

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Angel, thank you for the sweet note 🙂 I needed it!!!!!

Léa wrote on August 22, 2019 at 12:19 pm:

Hiii! I am a huge fan of your videos and your blog! It makes me want to create one for myself! What did you use as a start for your blog? Kisses from Belgium!!

Admin Reply by: Rachel

blogger.com!

Jen wrote on August 4, 2019 at 5:56 am:

Hi! Really random question, but I've stop buying glossier after I found out they completely ripped off your "good morning Rachel" idea without any credit. I then saw that you worked with them so I thought "oh I guess it's not that big of a deal than I'm making it seem" but then you brought it up again how they didn't credit you in your recent vlog series. So I'm curious how you feel about the brand??

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I'm totally fine with the brand! I worked in-house for them for a little. Look, I think we're living in such a black and white world that if one person makes a bad judgement call, doesn't make the company inherently bad. Maybe it was petty for me to bring it up again, but it was the only tangible scenario to describe feeling kicked down from numerous of content that felt... a little too close to mine. That was just one of the bigger cases to illustrate. They're wonderful, love their products genuinely, the people, the ethos, and what they stand for.

Artemis wrote on July 30, 2019 at 9:39 pm:

Been offline for two days and missed out on the Slack invite. -.- I honestly did not think you were already going to make one. Is it going to be awhile before you send another link? Also, so great to see you ticking of things from your list. Cheers!

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Here's a secret link for those of you lurking the website 😉 https://join.slack.com/t/ourwarde/shared_invite/enQtNzI1MzI4NTI3ODcyLTkxYTBjMDAzMTJhODE4Yjg0YjJhYTRmM2YxOTUxNjRkNGE4MTZhODcwZjgxNDEzNmQyMjVlNzNiZWJiZjJjODE Will expire August 20, 2019 xx

Vivian Chen wrote on July 27, 2019 at 7:53 pm:

Can I ask where you got your blue beaded flower necklace that you've been rocking lately? I think it pairs so nicely with the gold chains. I see you wearing it in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-EADHHltxY

Admin Reply by: Rachel

It's from Roxanne Assouline! x

Youtuber Viewer of ThatsChic Since 4Ever! wrote on July 27, 2019 at 4:04 pm:

Your content is very refreshing compared to a lot of asian female you tubers that we see on line who seem to just hang out for content and hang out with each other. There is no depth to their content and its a sorrowful one dimensional representation of asian americans.

Admin Reply by: Rachel

This is so sweet, thank you! But I digress! There's a lot of them, sometimes, actually a lot of the time, it's hard to put our full being into the work we make. I've always enjoyed hanging out with lots of the asian american influencers IRL!

Ceci wrote on July 26, 2019 at 10:24 am:

Hello! I’ve been meaning to contact you for the longest but was always hesitant to do so. I am currently a student at UC Irvine going into my 3rd year, doubling in dance and sociology and been in this mindset leaning towards content/creative directing or involving myself in media/fashion industries. I am also into film photography and trying to perfect that. I feel like a complete mess and seem to be lost navigating. I don’t seem to have a clear mindset around those paths but im definitely leaning towards those ideas and have been really inspired by your work. I was wondering how you got started after you graduated? What internships or jobs you took on to get where you are now? Where do I start putting my ideas out? ps you are one of my favorite yt rn. Lots of love

Hello! I’ve been meaning to contact you for the longest but was always hesitant to do so. I am currently a student at UC Irvine going into my 3rd year, doubling in dance and sociology and been in this mindset leaning towards content/creative directing or involving myself in media/fashion industries. I am also into film photography and trying to perfect that. I feel like a complete mess and seem to be lost navigating. I don’t seem to have a clear mindset around those paths but im definitely leaning towards those ideas and have been really inspired by your work. I was wondering how you got started after you graduated? What internships or jobs you took on to get where you are now? Where do I start putting my ideas out?

ps you are one of my favorite yt rn. Lots of love

Admin Reply by: Rachel

if it makes you feel better, you are not the only lost one. it literally feels like this whole generation is lost. So, I hope that makes you feel less alone in a seemingly daunting position. It's not, life moves on and it'll find it's way. I got lucky, and my story is so hard to share because it was 8 years ago. 2011 was VERY different because it was before instagram. But I had the blog and people noticed my creative work and someone took a chance on me. I was lucky. But I put myself out there and I don't know if that works right, but it's worth a shot right? I wish I had better answers... but you will find it! I promise! You just neeed to TRUST the process. You can not control everything. And you don't need solid answers to take steps forward. TRUST ME...

Leigh wrote on July 22, 2019 at 6:15 am:

Hey Rachel! First, I just wanted to say that your content has been (especially) amazing recently! I am currently in business school, which has been amazing, but the people here tend to dress conservatively and I can't help feeling judged by what I wear or feel self conscious when I wear things that my peers and professors may find a bit wild. I'm constantly struggling between wearing what I want and dressing to be taken seriously. Having fun with fashion has always been the way that I express my creativity and is a huge part of my identity. Have you ever been in a situation like this? If so how did you deal with it? And do you have any suggestions as to how I can balance being professional but also funky fresh? Love you xoxo

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I don't know! I actually love the business look. I live in blazers and I guess my answer would be to wear something cute and funky printed underneath professional clothing. Or playing with fun dress silhouettes but in neutral colors. But that's what creativity is! Solving problems and coming up with solutions. Get creative! 🙂 It's really hard for me to just blanket statement a scenario and culture. You can judge and you know your limits, just slightly push and elevate them 😀

Kelsey wrote on July 13, 2019 at 4:29 am:

How do you capture content (i.e. photos/videos) while still being present? I find it hard to do both. I want to capture memories but feel a pressure to not be on my phone or using a camera.

Admin Reply by: Rachel

Shoot first, review later. And have the documentation be a part of the experience, but I get it, it can be annoying sometimes so feeling out the moment is key. I'm bad that sometimes I catch myself having an idea or seeing something I want to capture mid-conversation. I'm trying to not do that. But I never spend the time looking at my phone. My IG stories are always delayed a few hours heh

Lili wrote on June 30, 2019 at 2:09 pm:

Hi Raych 🙂 I just got a new apartment and desperately need furniture but so much out there is so blah. Where did you get your sofa from? I love it and it's so unique!! thanks ahead of time

Admin Reply by: Rachel

I found that through an IG account 🙂 and most of my furniture have been a steady build from collecting on Craigslist!!!! Chairish is also a great resource but I haven't bought anything from it yet. It's like THE REAL REAL, but for your house

nina wrote on June 9, 2019 at 5:59 pm:

hi rachel! i was wondering, what would be your top 5 makeup products? like if you could only use five for the reest of your life, what would it be?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

this is easy cause 5 is what i wear for a full face haha 1. my eyebrow makeup, which is so old i don't remember what shade it is, but it's a bobbi brown eyeshadow 2. a good lipstick, i really like the new gucci ones because they're nice and buildable 3. cloud paint 4. boy brow 5. a hydrating lip balm

Jacob wrote on June 8, 2019 at 6:45 pm:

Hi Rachel 🙂 your videos always remind me of home on the west coast/the slower pace of life that i miss so much since ive moved to the east coast for college. Kinda similar to how youve referenced to your family in your videos, it's taking me some time to get my fam to understand my less traditional career path, especially since many of them are first generation asian immigrants. How have you balanced doing your own thing -- without compromise -- while staying connected to your family? Have you ever felt guilty / like you need to sacrifice anything for this purpose?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

It's been a long while since I've flown the nest... 8 years now. So no, hahaha, I don't feel that from my parents anymore because all a parent worries about is you being self-sufficient. They stopped getting on my case once they realized I was fine on my own - although they still call me with a fear that one day I'll be like MOM I NEED TO MOVE HOME. That hasn't happened yet. And I'm really close to my family! Never felt the need to pick one over another and I hope you don't either!

cindy L wrote on May 30, 2019 at 11:57 am:

Hi Rachel, i have been following you since 5 years ago, but i just re-watch again your video, it give me so much motivation to become a real 'human being' and enjoy life with all of those insecurities inside! I had some dark years in early 2019, but to watch your youtube video getting me inspired to walk through and see the bright thing! You such a beautiful hoooooman! and deserved to get everything you got now! Love, from Indonesia. (idk if ever you heard this country)

Admin Reply by: Rachel

💕💕💕💕💕

Sophie wrote on May 13, 2019 at 7:43 am:

Hi Rachel, just wanted to send some love from the Netherlands. At the moment I am finishing up my master's degree (writing my dissertation) and your videos + website+ Instagram are a reminder for me that life after studies is exciting, open, free and can be what you want it to be. How did you know what you wanted to do after studying Economics in college? Love, Sophie

Admin Reply by: Rachel

i honestly need to make a video about this because i've had my blog for 12 years + , during college, so i was very lucky that I didn't have to think about what i wanted to do. i just kind of fell into a lot of it. like having david discover me from my blog and hire me as a design assistant. don't let the world of social media fool you! there's a lot of work that goes into this and it's not all free. you can be free even while you're wrapped up in school. it's a state of mind. not a state of being.

My wrote on May 4, 2019 at 5:34 pm:

One more question: How to feel okay getting older? I'm only 21, but every time my birthday rolls around I get stressed out. It's this weird mix of nostalgia for my past and anxiety about my future. I can't even imagine myself at 40, like what. That surrounds surreal. How do I let time pass, enjoy it, and not look back?

Admin Reply by: Rachel

i think the only thing is to appreciate what you have right now than to anticipate what will/could happen. it's inevitable, and 21 is SO SO young. Omg I'm 29 girl. And I think i spent 27-29 dreading my 30s and because of it, don't even remember or can account what i did those years. don't do that. enjoy your time while it's still there.