Create and Consume

2026 book recommendations & mid-year reading update - Ep 109

My mid-year reading update is here! I am breaking down the 15 books I have read so far in 2026 to help you find your next great read from romance, to suspense, to non-fiction and more. I'll share what I've tackled so far in my 2026 reading list. If you enjoy honest book reviews (some were gems, some were skips) and want to track your own progress, you'll love this mid-year reading update. I’ll also share what’s leftover on my TBR from the beginning of the year, the summer beach reads I’m excited for and upcoming 2026 releases I can’t wait to read. Which book has been your favorite read of 2026 so far? Mentioned in episode 109: Nantucket vlog [https://youtu.be/roIfMmHj62Y] Nantucket blog post [https://keepcalmandchiffon.com/blog/nantucket-weekend-guide/] Good Hang with Jack Black [https://youtu.be/oh4AY4BSErY] In my reading era episode [https://youtu.be/58o9C0fag5w] My Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/64682491-austen-tosone] 15 books I read so far [https://liketk.it/6gM8t] Still on my 2026 TBR [https://liketk.it/6gMa1] Follow Create & Consume: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@createandconsumepod] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/createandconsumepod/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@createandconsumepod/] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/createandconsumepod/] Follow Austen: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/austentosone] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone] | Blog [https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/] Podcast inquiries can be sent to createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com [createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com] Visit the website: https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/ [https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/] Music credit: Babak Bazgosha via Pond5

14 years of blogging & my top learnings through the years - Ep 108

Is blogging dead? After 14 years of running my blog, Keep Calm and Chiffon, my answer is a resounding no. I'm celebrating the 14th anniversary of the blog I started at 17 years old this week! What began as a creative outlet inspired by platforms like Tumblr and Lookbook has grown alongside me through multiple careers, a move back to New Jersey, getting married, buying a home, launching products and services, and building a full-time content creation business. I'll share the different eras of my blog, the biggest lessons I've learned from more than a decade of blogging, how the industry has evolved since 2012, and why I believe having a platform you own is more important than ever. We'll also discuss why blogs still matter in the age of TikTok and AI, the difference between owning and renting your audience online, and what creators should know before starting a blog in 2026. Mentioned in episode 108: Nantucket outfit reel [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZkjYOiN4Ro/] Nantucket vlog [https://youtu.be/roIfMmHj62Y] Nantucket blog post [https://keepcalmandchiffon.com/blog/nantucket-weekend-guide/] First blog post ever [https://keepcalmandchiffon.com/blog/here-it-goes/] Influencer 101 playlist [https://bit.ly/3Sgm5OC] The AI episode [https://youtu.be/yUyiT0Kgqsc] InfluencerSEO [https://influencerseo.com/] My SEO workshop [https://austentosone.com/products/p/seo] How to pivot episode [https://youtu.be/yDecW3Au78c] Substack episode [https://youtu.be/TAazsvLsSWo] Follow Create & Consume: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@createandconsumepod] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/createandconsumepod/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@createandconsumepod/] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/createandconsumepod/] Follow Austen: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/austentosone] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone] | Blog [https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/] Podcast inquiries can be sent to createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com [createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com] Visit the website: https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/ [https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/] Music credit: Babak Bazgosha via Pond5

The summer beauty products to get on your radar - Ep 107

I’m here to take the guess work out of your summer 2026 beauty lineup! Today we’re talking all things summer makeup, hair, skincare and more. I love switching up my beauty routine during this season and I’ll be sharing the skincare swaps I make during the summer months, what you should pack in your beach bag from my favorite SPFs to touch-up products so you can go from the shore to the bar, and also what products I’m eyeing for myself to try. I will also share some 2026 summer beauty trends and my tried-and-true favorites for both everyday summer makeup and soft glam for special occasions. Sit back, relax, and apologize to your credit card because we’ve got the goods ready to go. Mentioned in episode 107: Suede for summer blog post [https://keepcalmandchiffon.com/blog/styling-suede/] The Five Star Weekend book [https://amzn.to/4xb3PWR] Milk Makeup Odyssey Shimmer Gloss [https://on.ltk.com/+hDZJ0sH8ccQDhha0N0RM_A] Lancome Juicy Tubes gloss [https://on.ltk.com/+4FpP3IPLAB6M5VQSjZ9ouA] Rihanna Met Gala makeup [https://www.instagram.com/p/DX-FqYbti9f/] Time vs money episode [https://youtu.be/Az2FFY472mY] Holy grail beauty products episode [https://youtu.be/M0tXPUzIIbk] Summer base beauty products [https://liketk.it/6fmdX] Summer makeup favorites [https://liketk.it/6fmf0] Beach bag essentials [https://liketk.it/6fmcW] Summer hair favorites [https://liketk.it/6fmeg] Full list of products on the blog for episode 107! Follow Create & Consume: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@createandconsumepod] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/createandconsumepod/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@createandconsumepod/] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/createandconsumepod/] Follow Austen: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/austentosone] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone] | Blog [https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/] Podcast inquiries can be sent to createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com [createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com] Visit the website: https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/ [https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/] Music credit: Babak Bazgosha via Pond5

How to spend your time & money more intentionally - Ep 106

Time and money are two of the most valuable resources we have and are often the root of everyday decisions we make. Think about it: “should I cook tonight or order in? If I cook, it’ll take time, if I order takeout, it’ll cost money.” Both carry so much value in different ways and today I want to talk about ways to make sure that you are spending your hard earned money wisely and that you can feel happy about how you choose to spend your time. I hope that my perspective and tips for how I make decisions around time and money helps you feel like you understand your priorities for both. After all, everything has a cost associated with it, even if it’s not monetary. The ways we spend our energy, effort, and thinking can all cost us in ways that we may not realize and spending money can actually help us save in some of those areas over time. Mentioned in episode 106: Younger self trend [https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0ILPQIAGc/?img_index=1] Veronica from Curator Counsel [https://www.instagram.com/curator_counsel/] Financial Feminist book [https://amzn.to/4dJ1JWG] Her First 100K Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/herfirst100k/] The 0.01% rule [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/0-01-rule-money-expert-130000592.html] Nuuly discount code [https://share.nuuly.com/austen46] Buying an apartment episode [https://youtu.be/tMiVUCmjUgg] Best home renovation tips [https://youtu.be/rkYRU-WMhmM] Follow Create & Consume: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@createandconsumepod] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/createandconsumepod/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@createandconsumepod/] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/createandconsumepod/] Follow Austen: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/austentosone] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone] | Blog [https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/] Podcast inquiries can be sent to createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com [createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com] Visit the website: https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/ [https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/] Music credit: Babak Bazgosha via Pond5

Top 4 TV shows, movies, books and albums of all time (according to me) - Ep 105

Have you ever thought about your Mount Rushmore of TV shows? What about movies? In so many ways the media we consume shapes who we are, so in today’s episode I’m creating my lists of top 4 TV shows, movies, books and albums of all time. I think that curating your taste like this is not only helpful for understanding what you like and explaining it to other people, but can also give you more tailored recommendations and find more of what you love in a seemingly never-ending sea of content and media that is being created every day. These are the books and albums that reflect my personality, my interests and even my lifestyle choices. Did a certain teen drama based in NYC inspire my move to the city and did a certain film about working at a fashion magazine inspire my early career? Who’s to say! Mentioned in episode 105: Central Park partnership [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone/video/7642388545780403487] Taylor’s YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMorello] The Curly Tie [https://on.ltk.com/+Dk8JLmPxY83AJDM98iOzAA] Mona May interview [https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/clueless-costume-designer-mona-may-immortalizing-plaid-sets] Ranking every Taylor Swift album [https://youtu.be/uELKEQ85TbI] Billie Joe Armstrong interview [https://www.nylon.com/articles/billie-joe-armstrong-interview-nylon-october-2016] In my reality TV era episode [https://youtu.be/yAcWOVqdxAY] Reality TV dating shows episode [https://youtu.be/KJ7trCY22bI] Follow Create & Consume: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@createandconsumepod] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/createandconsumepod/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@createandconsumepod/] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/createandconsumepod/] Follow Austen: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/austentosone] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/austentosone/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@austentosone] | Blog [https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/] Podcast inquiries can be sent to createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com [createandconsumepodcast@gmail.com] Visit the website: https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/ [https://www.createandconsumepodcast.com/] Music credit: Babak Bazgosha via Pond5