After opening up my WordPress account for my blog last year, my second action was to create an Instagram account separate from my personal. I started following publications like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Pop Sugar, Marie Claire, etc. I also followed my favorite stores like Forever 21, J Crew, Windsor, and Target, of course. Because of these selections, Instagram suggested I follow certain bloggers, YouTubers and models. This is how I became familiar with most of the influencers I have highlighted in this post. They are all amazing, affordably stylish (which is key for me when looking for inspo) and they each have different qualities that inspire me.
Get to know my favorite Instagram influencers.
Audrie Storme
Audrie started in 2014 just sharing her personal style on Instagram which has since gained popularity, having over 91k followers. This reach then carried over to her YouTube channel, with over 62k subscribers and over two million views. Her husband, Raleigh Wilson, doubles as her photographer and videographer (same, girl)! Content they’ve created together has been featured by brands like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Converse, Google and many editorial sites.
Now that you have her Insta backstory, what I love about Aurdrie are her positive vibes and California style. I’ve only visited California once when I was really little but I have always gravitated toward Cali fashion and vibes. I love her fluid, floral and back detailed looks. You can find her in affordable outfits by Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, pacsun and many other attainable brands if you’re on a budget. She also is a good example for me as I am not very comfortable in front of the camera and you’ll see that a lot of her photos picture her looking away from the camera. This helps me see how I can provide content on my Instagram and blogs without staring right into the lens.
She also mentioned in a Q & A video that her biggest pet peeve is when people try to manipulate other people, which is also my biggest pet peeve! I watch her videos a lot because I eventually want to expand to YouTube and again, she’s a great example to learn from.
Alba Ramos
I’ve known about Alba for a few years. I think my friend Annarica sent me her Instagram account to influence me to rock my natural curls. I have yet to make a permanent crossover to the curly lifestyle but Alba makes it look tempting. She is closer to my age and is also living the married mommy life. She promotes healthy lifestyles using “organic beauty and non-toxic everything,” as she states in her Insta bio. From diet, exercise, skin and hair, Alba has us covered!
Alba has over 907k YouTube subscribers and over 371k Instagram followers. You’ll often see her partnering up with brands like Shea Moisture. If you’re looking to revamp your products and routines in a more natural and healthy direction, start with Alba.
New Darlings
What’s unique about New Darlings is that they are a husband and wife blogging duo. Robert and Christina married in 2013 and began their joint blog in 2015 to share their newlywed lives in their new home of Phoenix, Arizona. They are both originally from New York. With 403k Instagram followers, the couple shares their style, home decor and travel experiences. Their looks are very J Crew and Madewell, which I love, and Christina can be seen almost always with a top knot, which I love even more! Being a newlywed, myself, it’s refreshing to see influencers that represent the fun side of marriage.
Alexis Kaiser
Alexis is both a wife and mom, like me, so it’s definitely nice to have someone like her to relate to. Her blog, Alternative Indigo, started much like Audrie’s by just simply sharing her amazing, personal style on Instagram and grew much larger into a Fashion and Lifestyle Journal. With over 103k followers, Alexis shares her everyday style and personal stories. She even beautifully documented her birthing story on YouTube and Instgram this past summer.
Sofia Jamora
I don’t follow many models because I like to follow models who’s body types are similar to mine as it’s pointless, in my opinion, to see clothes on a different body type. I just really get my hopes up when I’m inspired by look that doesn’t fit my figure, which is a smaller waist with larger hips, thighs and bottom. I’m not identical to Sofia’s modelesque bod, 24″ waist and 36″ hips, but she does have that slim thick look that is closer to mine. I’ve seen Sofia’s work while shopping online with two of my favorite stores, Forever 21 and Windsor, and I see that she is now modeling for Fashion Nova and Kylie Comestics. I don’t shop Fashion Nova or Kylie’s line but they are huge brands right now so Sofia’s modeling career is clearly on the up and up! Sofia is signed to both Freedom Models LA and Next Miami. She has over one million followers on Instagram, making her one of the more popular influencers on my list.
Sarah Angius
Sarah is my hair guru! I’ve always straightened my hair with only a flat iron. I never thought I’d be able to blow dry my own hair. Sarah proved me wrong with her blow dry tutorial that has saved my life! My hair is voluminous, healthy and growing much faster because of this new routine and frequent trims.
Sarah is a hairstylist with over 7 years experience. She started doing hair tutorials on Instagram just for fun in 2015. These tutorials blew up so much, with over three million followers on Instagram and 437k followers on YouTube, she was able to quit her job and make a career for herself on social media. Jealous!
If you don’t already, follow one, some or all of these amazing accounts on Insta and/or YouTube, I have hyperlinked their accounts throughout this blog!
-D.O. ❤
Lovely Dai 