Lady Project Summer Guide 2017

OUR MISSION The Lady Project is an economic development non-profit and membership organization that CONNECTS, INSPIRES and SHOWCASES awesome women doing amazing things through membership, events and community engagement.

N ext week will mark the first

day of summer and here at Lady Project HQ we are determined to greet it with style!

From gifts for hosts, new mothers, that someone we all know who needs a day of pampering, a new bride or even a "Treat Yo Self" gift, the 2017 Lady Project Summer Guide has about one hundred gifts– that's right 100 featured gifts for you to choose from!

We have member written pieces also, like how to learn the shift by NICOLE KETCHEM about her story about shifting from entrepreneur to mompreneur in a very short amount of time— and tips directly

from wedding photographer JEN BRISTER, of Story + Gold, on how you should base hiring (+ finding the best!) Wedding photographer for you and your special day— five terms you should know as we celebrate Pride this summer from PATTY AFFRIOL OF CSPH— and delicious frozen (healthy!)

Popsicle from the book Icy, Creamy, Healthy, Sweet from author CHRISTINE CHITNIS.

The Lady Project loves launching our Summer + Holiday guides because we get to feature the best part about our organization, our members! Thank you everyone who was involved with this edition, without you it wouldn't be possible.

We also have another beautifully stunning editorial photo shoot featuring photography from the tri-city based (PVD, NYC + BOS) photographer BRITTANNY TAYLOR and wardrobe styling from PVD based stylist OLIVIA RODRIGUES.

Sarah

WISHING YOU A SUMMER KICKOFF FULL OF FUN, MY BEST WISHES,

BRITTANNY TAYLOR PVD | NYC | BOS

FASHION & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BLOGGER & SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING WWW.BRITTANNYTAYLOR.COM BRITTANNY@BRITTANNYTAYLOR.COM @BRITTANNY

@BRITTANNY

/BRITTANNYTAYLOR

Table of Contents 6

CONTRIBUTOR SHOWCASE

8

BEAUTY + SELF CARE GIFTS

10

FOR THE HOSTESS GIFTS

12

LEARNING THE SHIFT by Nicole Ketchum from Chandeliers by NK

14

5 DEFINITIONS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR PRIDE by Patty Affriol from CSPH

18

CLASSIC COASTAL GIFTS

20

FROM MISS TO MRS GIFTS

22

TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

FROM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER by Jen Brister from Story + Gold

26

SOUTHERN LIVING GIFTS

28

NEW HOMEOWNER GIFTS

30

FOUR TIPS TO LEVERAGE INSTAGRAM TO GROW YOUR

BRAND + FOLLOWING by Brittanny Taylor +Patsy Culp from The Insta Edit

34

BUMP, BABIES + KIDDOS GIFTS

36

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR GIFTS

38

FIRECRACKER POP RECIPE by Christine Chitnis, Author of Icy Creamy Healthy Sweet

40

COPPER KITCHEN GIFTS

42

TROPICAL PARADISE GIFTS

44

CARNIVAL DREAM: EDITORIAL PHOTO SHOOT

Photography by Brittanny Taylor + Wardrobe Styling by Olivia Rodrigues

Contributor Showcase Special thank you— to all of the amazing members and businesses that helped contribute and sponsor to create this year’s Summer Gift Guide and make it truly phenomenal!

NICOLE KETCHUM

PATTY AFFRIOL

CHANDELIER BY NK

CSPH PROVIDENCE

Learning the Shift, As Your Business Takes Off + Rearing a Baby

5 Definitions You Should Know for Pride

JEN BRISTER

BRITTANNY TAYLOR

STORY + GOLD PHOTOGRAPHY

BRITTANNY TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Tips to Help You Choose the Right Wedding Photographer from a Wedding Photographer

Editorial Photographer

PATSY CULP + BRITTANNY TAYLOR

CHRISTINE CHITNIS

Four Tips to Leverage Instagram to Grow Your Brand + Following

Firecracker Popsicle Recipe

AUTHOR OF "ICY CREAMY HEALTHY SWEET"

THE INSTA EDIT

SARAH DILLONAIRE

OLIVIA RODRIGUES OLIVIA RODRIGUES STYLIST

THE LADY PROJECT

Editorial Stylist

Creative Director

CATHERINE KWOLEK ASTER CANDLE

COLLEEN ROSSIGNOL C.R. PHOTOGRAPHY

STEPHANIE GONZALES PVD LADY PROJECT

Editorial Models

MIA ANDREOLI STAY GOLD LLC

Beauty & Self-Care

ECO-LUXURY SUBSCRIPTION BOX FOR FASHION, BEAUTY & SELF-CARE FROM BOX OF FATE $40 / SWEET ORANGE SUGAR SCRUB FROM PURE HAVEN ESSENTIALS $22 / SPA TOWER FROM UNCOMMON GOODS $48 / CUSTOM TANGLE TWEEZER: DETANGLNG HAIRBRUSH FROM SMALL GIRLS PR $26 / OUTDOOR VOICES REC KIT FROM SMALL GIRLS PR $100 / “UNDRESSED” NAIL POLISH SET FROM DEBORAH LIPPMANN $34 / SET 701 - 7 PIECE ROSE BRUSH SET FROM MORPHE BRUSHES $19.99 / OLDE TYME REMEDY GOAT MILK SOAP FROM RACHYL’S GOAT MILK SOAP $6 / GENUINE LIP GLOSS FROM CRUNCHI $24 / HOME SPA BATH PILLOW FROM IDEA WORKS $34.99 / OCEAN SALT FACE AND BODY SCRUB 8.8 OZ FROM LUSH $53.95 / LAVENDER DREAM CREAM FROM PURE HAVEN ESSENTIALS $14

Gifts for the Hostess

CRYSTAL DROP EARRINGS FROM SPENNY LANE $30.00 / SPRING GARDEN RECIPE TIN FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE $38.00 / CHERRY APRON FROM DRAPER JAMES $58.00 / WATER LILY CANDLE HOLDER $14.99 / "CHANCE THIS IS WINE" MUG FROM SLANT COLLECTIONS $18.00 / ICY CREAM HEALTHY SWEET RECIPE BOOK BY CHRISTINE CHITNIS $22.00 / LARGE MASON JAR, SET OF 2 FROM COST PLUS WORLD MARKET $15.98 / MINI BUBBLE VASE FROM UNCOMMON GOODS $28.00 / SPACE DREAM NECKLACE + EARRING SET FROM ODD BAUBLES! RECYCLED JEWELRY $35.00 (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON AVAILABILITY) / HOT PINK FANCY CHANDELIER FROM CHANDELIER BY NK $69.99

Learning the Shift AS YOUR BUSINESS TAKES OFF + REARING A BABY NICOLE KETCHUM FROM CHANDELIER BY NK

HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF AT A FORK IN THE ROAD? Of course, in life, we all do. A few years back, I hit the biggest one of all: motherhood and starting a company. At age 40, my IVF failed so I decided to start my dream of entrepreneurship. I began with my husband to design a product I longed to have for myself. We worked weekends, made prototypes and finally convinced ourselves to launch a website.

This was the beginning of a wild fun ride.

During this time, we thought maybe we should attempt to try one more time to have a child in our life by adopting.

Adoption is a long slog through days and nights and so I barely concentrated on it and instead grew my business. I was working with two business partners, and placed an order in China to do my first real inventory run. We got the call 4 months into waiting to adopt a baby girl.

We had one month until she was due. The day she was due was the day my shipment from China was arriving. You can’t make this up — the full irony of the Universe on this. I’m sure I laughed like a crazy woman for a good week, while pulling my hair out.

It's no small irony that my company and adopting banged right into each other with equal force.

Let’s not kid ourselves, starting a company is like having a child and I am fairly certain I held my breath while I attempted to balance the two. The joke is there is no balancing. IT’S A SHIFT INTO TENDER CARE AND TIME. (I know this firsthand, since I neglected myself somewhere along the line and had several health scares.) Balancing both full-time was making my marriage suffer and I had gone from working on my company 80 hours a week, to 20. Truth was, I was not balancing either.

I decided that I needed to shift my mindset and become laser focused with my time. I knew time was going to shift as my daughter grew, so I used every nap she had to work. I held meetings while she slept, I caught up on emails when my husband came home, and I walked with my daughter strapped to me, with an entrepreneur friend every morning to talk through my issues and problems. Through this, I was able to have a semblance of small steps that felt like cohesiveness, albeit temporarily.

BUT HERE’S SOMETHING NO ONES TELLS

YOU

ABOUT THE

SHIFT

OF

MOTHERHOOD + AN ENTREPRENEUR CAREER: IT’S LONELY AND ISOLATING.

I was going to all the things my child might like: story time, playgrounds, and baby gyms. I was having a hard time relating to the mothers next to me — talking about babies, spit up and the latest tip on sleep. Not that I could not appreciate or understand it. I did. But I also wanted to hear them talk deeper: about their dreams, ideas and what they wanted to do in life. About how it was hard to balance the constant guilt I felt every time I worked. I was frustrated and tired and wanted to be real. I needed women around who equally loved being a mother, but weren’t defined by it and who were working to pursue their passions. To me, I was stuck in a world that did not look kindly on women who were not solely focused on motherhood. SO I SET OUT TO CREATE MY OWN ROAD MAP. DEFINING A ROAD MAP WAS HARD.

I wanted to be an example to my daughter and be true to myself, so I finally admitted I loved being a mother and I loved being a business owner. I was an older mother

and late to the entrepreneur game, but I had focus and passion. I leaned into the shift of that acceptance and let it define me. I enjoyed the library story times and toddler classes for what they were: a gathering for the kids to grow and have fun. I searched out other women entrepreneurs through various organizations (like PVD Lady Project, The Rising Tide Society, & Instagram).

I met for coffee dates. I talked solely about business and the struggles with that. This helped heal the divide I had been struggling with. Once I said goodbye to the guilt of it, I realized my daughter would benefit more from me being who I am. I was starting to create that road map of motherhood and work in a way women in the past were not allowed to do.

There are days when it is still not easy.

My daughter is almost three and with me all the time. Next on my road map is childcare. It’s time and I need the chance to have more hours devoted to the business. My daughter loves being around others and I know I was there every minute for the early years when she needed me most.

I don't kid myself that this is easy or a quick buck— I am in it for the long haul and for the chance to build a lasting legacy of my dreams of entrepreneurship. I am here to stand with other women, to show them they can make their own road map with motherhood. It’s true we can’t have it all.

Having it all means we neglect others, our children and ourselves. We can instead be who are meant to be, step by step, shift by shift, weaving a road map to our dreams.

So start today and know there are others out there to help and guide you. YOU CAN BE THE BEST MOTHER AND BE A KICK ASS ENTREPRENEUR.

5 Definitions

YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR PRIDE PATTY AFFRIOL, EDITORIAL CONTENT INTERN AT THE CSPH

Photo Credit, Brittanny Taylor Photography

LOVE IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE GIFT TO GIVE AND RECEIVE AS A HUMAN BEING AND WE DESERVE TO EXPERIENCE IT FULLY, EQUALLY, WITHOUT SHAME AND COMPROMISE. —ELLEN PAIGE

Warm weather has arrived and Pride month is upon us! THE CENTER FOR SEXUAL PLEASURE AND HEALTH is celebrating Pride with you by combing through the meanings behind important words and phrases you might encounter this month.

The CSPH is a small non-profit located just north of Providence, Rhode Island, that works to advance culturally-inclusive, medically accurate, pleasure-informed sexuality education, therapy, and professional development. We provide welcoming, friendly drop-in and online spaces to learn about sexual pleasure, health, and advocacy issues.

We believe in the full equality of LGBTQIA+ individuals and celebrate the beauty and diversity in various types of relationships and identities that shape our world.

Understanding how sexuality and identity interact with each other can be confusing, and terminology can blend together. If you’re eager to celebrate Pride and want to learn, don’t fret. We’re here to help! Let’s get to the basics.

HERE ARE 5 TERMS EASILY EXPLAINED TO HELP SET THE STAGE FOR PRIDE:

1. GENDER IDENTITY Gender Identity is your sense of self as a man or woman, a combination of both, or neither. Do you feel you’re more “woman,” or “man,” or do neither fit? Or maybe both? Your gender identity is how you think and feel about yourself.

Gender is different than sex—which we’ll define here as the biological characteristics people are assigned at birth (i.e. genitalia, hormones, and chromosomes). Gender and sex are often used interchangeably, and it’s commonly believed that “vagina=woman” and “penis=man,” but that isn’t entirely true.

Most children in western cultures are placed into a strict binary when they

enter this world. If they are born with a vagina, they’ll be told they’re a girl from the moment they can comprehend language (vice versa for boys). Gender is presumed to be natural and static, but in reality, gender is a social norm that we’re taught and that we experience with much more complexity.

While most people in the world are cisgender (their gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth), gender isn’t always predictable or binary. For example, transgender people identify with a different gender than the one assigned at birth. Others consider themselves somewhere on a spectrum between man and woman. People who fall between or outside this spectrum may identify

as non-binary (enby), genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, trigender, bigender, demigender, or other gender identities.

2. GENDER EXPRESSION Gender expression is how you express your gender through the ways you act, dress, and interact. Conventionally, behaviors and characteristics separate into “feminine” and “masculine,” and people who display attributes of both may be perceived/or identify as androgynous.

For example, a person walking down the street with long hair, minimal muscle tone, who’s wearing a flowy dress and goes

by Sandy will typically be seen as a woman without much thought, even if Sandy doesn’t identify as such. Our brains are always unconsciously perceiving people’s voices, bodies, behaviors, and clothes, and labeling them as either a man or a woman.

But the way we express gender is much more flexible and often changes from day to day or place to place.

The expression of femininity and masculinity is a spectrum and most people demonstrate different attributes of each throughout their day. Some people choose to use their gender expression as a way to communicate what their gender identity is. Others choose not to show outward signs of their gender identity for all kinds of reasons (not being out, concerns about their safety, etc.) What’s important to note is that how we express our gender doesn’t necessarily determine how we identify our gender. Although they’re often correlated, gender identity and gender expression are independent of each other.

Everyone has a sexual orientation! Folks who are attracted to people of their same gender usually identify their sexual orientation as lesbian or gay (or the more formal/medical term, homosexual). Folks who are attracted to people of a different gender usually identify as straight (or the more formal/medical term, heterosexual).

Often, sexual and romantic attraction go hand in hand, but sometimes they don’t! Folks who don’t experience sexual attraction to others might identify as asexual, and folks who don’t experience strong romantic attraction to others might identify as aromatic.

Just like gender, sexual orientation exists on a continuum. Someone who identifies as bisexual or pan-sexual feels attraction to more than one gender. They many not necessarily experience equal attraction to all genders, but this does not make them any “less” bi or pan-sexual.

Sexual orientation isn’t necessarily static.

This part of our identity can develop and change over time! People may also use other labels (pan-sexual, demisexual, polysexual, andro/gynosexual, etc.) to identify their sexuality, or use none at all.

4. INTERSECTIONALITY To grasp the concepts above, it’s vital to understand intersectionality and how it affects gender and sexual orientation.

Intersectionality, a concept coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, is how different social identities such as race, body size, ability, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, class, gender, and ethnicity intersect. These interdependent identities affect how we experience privilege and oppression, and how the world perceives us.

3. SEXUAL ORIENTATION In simple terms, sexual orientation is about who you feel drawn to romantically, sexually, and emotionally.

For example, celebrated leaders in the LGBTQIA+ movement (and the sexuality field) are often white, cisgender, and typically-abled. Leaders who hold

marginalized identities, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera (the trans women of color, sex workers, and civil rights activists who fueled the Stonewall riots that developed into Pride), are too often forgotten or ignored. Within a group of people who experience backlash and discrimination for their sexual orientation or gender identity, there are still layers of race, gender, class, and other identities that contribute to complex experiences of privilege, oppression, and discrimination. What’s important to remember is an identity can never be isolated when discussing social justice.

5. LGBTQIA Traditionally, LGBT is used to abbreviate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. It’s a popular acronym used to represent queer communities as a whole. The CSPH uses LGBTQIA to include queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual identities under the umbrella as well, to help promote inclusivity and social justice.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? CHECK OUT OUR ID A DAY SERIES ON THE CSPH BLOG, WHERE WE HIGHLIGHTED ONE SEXUALITYRELATED IDENTITY EVERY DAY FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH!

Classic Coastal

ANCHOR TOTE BY SLONE RANGER $62 / GOLD STARFISH NECKLACE FROM TOUCHSTONE CRYSTAL BY SWAROVSKI $49 / SILVER STARFISH NECKLACE FROM TOUCHSTONE CRYSTAL

BY SWAROVSKI $49 / BRASS ANCHOR TOILET PAPER HOLDER FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE $26 / CAPE SPENCER APPROACHES CHARM FROM KIEL JAMES PATRICK $48 / SEASHELL TRINKET DISH FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE $28-42 / SAND DOLLAR PENDANT FROM TOUCHSTONE CRYSTAL BY SWAROVSKI $79 / ANCHORGRAM FROM KIEL JAMES PATRICK $88 / ANCHOR PILLOW COVER FROM KAIN KAIN $26 / WATER COLOR LOBSTER T-SHIRT FROM J. CREW FACTORY $17.50 / OCEANA PLATTER FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE $58-88

From Miss to Mrs

LOCK & KEY NECKLACE FROM CABI $89 / LOREN HOPE "SOPHIA" STUD EARRINGS FROM LOREN HOPE $36 / THE MRS BOX (3 COLORS) FROM BHLDN $88 / JUST MARRIED BALLOONS FROM BHLDN $8 / I DO TRINKET TRAY FROM DRAPER JAMES $ 28 / PUT A RING ON IT, SET OF 8 COASTER FROM EASY, TIGER $12 / ETCHED MEMENTO BOX FROM BHLDN $112 / MISS TO MRS BANNER FROM BHLDN $16 / BACHELORETTE KIT FRO PINCH PROVISIONS $22 / MOTHER OF PEARL HANGER FROM BHLDN $40

TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT

Wedding Photographer FROM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER JEN BRISTER FROM STORY & GOLD

I'VE NOTICED THAT DECISION MAKING CAN COME EASY TO SOME PEOPLE...

I watch them confidently say things like, "Pizza. I want pizza for dinner", while my heavy, panicked breathing sounds more like, "Pizza? No, chicken. No, tacos! Yes, tacos.

Maybe. Brisket?"

But when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding, elopement, etc., The stakes are a tad more high pressured than picking out takeout and can test just about everybody. Being on the other side– the photographer side– I've noticed a couple strategies that continuously work to ensure that you find the right fit.

HIRE SOMEONE YOU LIKE I know– duh. I feel the same way when I'm perusing/furiously reading all the magazines in the grocery store line and all I learn is that to feel better I should drink more water and to save money I should stop spending so much money.

But it's easy to get tangled up in topics like contracts and pricing and portfolios and while YES– all, very important, no doubt– try to keep in mind that this person, the one behind the portfolio and the contract– will not only be the person watching you getting dressed that morning– they will be the one taking photos of you getting dressed that morning.

And I don't know about you– but when someone is watching me put on pants, I like to feel comfortable with that person.

And vice versa.

So get on the phone– talk about non-wedding and nonphotography stuff and get a feel for this person. Find their business social media accounts and again, get a feel for who they are (behind those pretty pictures). In my case, you might think– woah, this woman talks about her love of bread way too much or you may think, woah, this woman talks about her love of bread just the right amount.

And remember to trust yourself– you'll know when it's right.

USE THE HEAD & THE HEART, BUT MOSTLY THE HEART Like I mentioned above– there's a lot at play when hiring a photographer and I've learned that my best client relationships have come from a place of both thoroughness AND heartfelt curiosity.

that may be particularly important to you). You know contracts + such are important– and when it comes fully understanding the one with your wedding photographer. #ASKALLTHEQUESTIONS (before you sign!).

It's common to hear questions around the number of final images or travel fees– but here's a few below the radar items to note in your contract, etc: 1. OVERTIME CHARGES. Usually listed as an hourly charge, this rarely is needed but I have been asked to stick around longer and it's easier and clearer all around when the details are pre-worked out.

2. TIMELINE OF DELIVERY OF IMAGES AND/OR PRODUCTS.

(Usually a sort of x number of weeks to x number of weeks deal– again, just helpful to have on paper.)

3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE. Beyond just figuring out the total cost

for your photographer, ensure that any payment schedules (dates AND amounts!) are listed on the contract. Again, just making things crystal clear so there's no deadlines that sneak up on you.

And for the heartfelt curiosity– besides being my favorite, it is what creates the best opportunities to really connect with my potential clients and learn if we're the right fit for each other.

MY TIPS: 1. ASK TO SEE A FULL GALLERY FROM A WEDDING. I learned

early on that this was such a helpful way for someone to really get a feel for me as a photographer– besides just browsing a range of my favorites in my portfolio, they see the story of a day– the way that I saw it and captured it in its entirety.

2. ASK ABOUT THEIR SHOOTING STYLE. Sounds elementary,

I know - but once I was asked this during an inquiry phone call and I realized it was such a beautiful chance for me to talk about HOW I work– from how I'm involved to how I'm not involved. And not only does this strongly vary photographer to photographer, but it definitely makes a difference. You may not even know your preferred shooting style - but once you start asking the question, you can trust your gut as to what sounds like the best approach for the two of you.

There it is! All my secrets! Okay, more like– all my suggestions!

With any decision, remember that it tends to work out for the best when you get in the flow and not force the things that aren't working. And while it can feel stressful– it will work out for the best!

ELOPEMENTS + WEDDINGS BRANDING + LIFESTYLE

STORYANDGOLDWEDDINGS.COM / STORYANDGOLD.COM 845.275.7970 JEN@STORYANDGOLD.COM HUDSON VALLEY / NYC / NEW ENGLAND

Southern Living

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New Homeowners

RUSTIC CHIC FAMILY MONOGRAM LUMBAR PILLOW FROM ZAZZLE $38.30 / HANDMADE REUSE-ABLE SNACK BAG FROM JOYETTE STUDIO $15.00 / POPSICLE PRINT FROM BRICK + BEAM STUDIO $5.00 / ANCHOR ORNAMENT FROM VILMAIN GIFTS $22.00 / SMASH THE GARLIC + PATRIARCHY TEA TOWEL FROM OVERSEASONED EDITIONS $20.00 / HOME SWEET HOME METAL WALL ART FROM GRAHAM + BROWN $34.00 / CUSTOM STAMP FROM SAVE THE SATE $27.95+ / "LIVE WELL LIVED" SIGN FROM MAGNOLIA MARKET $34.20

FOUR TIPS TO LEVERAGE INSTAGRAM TO

Grow Your Brand & Following BRITTANNY TAYLOR + PATSY CULP FROM THE INSTA EDIT

WE CREATED THE INSTA EDIT WORKSHOPS BECAUSE INSTAGRAM IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS + ENTREPRENEURS.

It’s not just for sharing photos of your cats and what you ate for dinner! People who take advantage of Instagram and shine in the platform can really grow their business.

First impressions are lasting impressions. More and more people are looking to social media to find the right person to hire for their next project or service needs. Having beautiful photos and meaningful captions are essential to forming connections with new customers. A few swipes of the thumb could determine whether a new customer chooses to work with you over the next person. So let’s get into four tips to help you up your Instagram game!

1. IDENTIFY YOUR IDEAL CLIENT

Become as intimately familiar with your ideal client as well as you know your own best friend. From where they grew up to where they like to shop to what their favorite band is. Be sure to give them a name! At first you may feel that this is a silly exercise but it really will help you in the direction of your content on your social media to your website and everything else you put out into the world to represent your business.

Posting the work your want to book will not only let the viewers know what you are all about but it helps you know exactly what content you need to create.

2. INSTAGRAM IS YOUR PERSONAL MAGAZINE

Think of Instagram as the visual representation of your brand.

It should reflect you. Oprah wouldn’t share anything that does not completely represent her in her magazine. That’s why she’s on the cover of every one! Be mindful of the content you are posting. Ask yourself these three questions before you hit that share button.

A. IS THIS INTERESTING? B. DOES THIS LOOK GOOD? C. DOES THIS FOLLOW MY BRAND MESSAGE?

If you can’t answer yes to these three questions, take a pass on posting.

3. NO NEED FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAMERA

A few tips and tricks will transform your smart phone photography immediately!

Good Lighting is your best friend. Try to shoot by a window when indoors or in shaded light when outside.

Take your photos from three different viewpoints (from the hip, from above, or from an angle). Don’t be afraid to take multiple shots to get one you are happy with.

Pick a color tone that is sustainable and edit your photos the same way. Use a third party app to edit your photos and avoid Instagram filters. VSCOCam is our favorite.

Also, wipe your lens!

4. ENGAGEMENT IS A MAJOR KEY

Want to grow your following on Instagram organically? Like and comment on other people’s photos and within the hashtags you are using. Interacting with people you don’t follow can drive them to your page and hopefully give you a follow.

Captions that perform well are questions, meaningful short stories, humor, inspirational, or helpful content. Asking a question will increase engagement on your posts. Even something as simple as “what are you up to this weekend?” will give people a reason to comment on your photos.

These are all things you can work on today to utilize instagram to the fullest! We would love to see what you create. Use the hashtag #theinstaedit so we can see your photos and follow us at @_theinstaedit!

The Ladies Behind the Insta-Edit BRITTANNY TAYLOR

PATSY CULP

Brittanny got her start in documentary film making and along the way fell into the world of fashion and lifestyle photography. Her work with fashion bloggers and influencers made her interested in the branding side of business and began offering social media branding consulting. The work isn’t done once the photos are taken and that is where her interests lie: she is passionate about helping you build the entire package from idea to final product

Over the last 10 years, Patsy built her marketing chops through traditional marketing roles within start-ups, nonprofits, independent retailers, and international corporations. She has a secondary degree in graphic design, a certificate in transformational life coaching, and an innate passion for visual storytelling. She sees the world through the lens of celebration, which means, she is able to quickly hone in on what makes individuals and organizations unique and offer marketing solutions that highlight and celebrate those unique qualities online & off.

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Firecracker Pops

FROM ICY, CREAMY, HEALTHY, SWEET

Print This Recipe!

These pops, with their bright stripes of red and blue, bring to mind the Fourth of July. I’m always amazed by the vibrancy nature provides, eliminating the need for food coloring or dyes.

Raspberries create the bright red stripes, while blueberries impart their gorgeous bluish-purple hue for the alternating stripes. Bananas and a dash of honey sweeten the deal, while plain whole milk yogurt provides the creaminess. Feel free to use Greek yogurt if you prefer a bit more of a tang. These festive, colorful, and delicious pops are always a crowd pleaser.

CHRISTINE CHITNIS

FIRECRACKER POPS MAKES 12 POPS INGREDIENTS:

1 cup frozen blueberries 2 frozen bananas 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt, divided 1/2 cup almond milk, homemade (recipe included in book) or store-bought 1 tablespoon honey, divided 1 cup frozen raspberries

METHOD 1. In a blender, combine the frozen blueberries,

1 banana, 1/2 cup of the yogurt, 1/4 cup of the almond milk, and 1/2 tablespoon of the honey and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher or glass measuring cup and give your blender a quick rinse.

Combine the frozen raspberries and the remaining banana, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup almond milk, and 1/2 tablespoon honey in the rinsed-out blender and blend until smooth.

2.

3. Pour a small amount of the raspberry mixture

into your pop molds, followed by a small amount of the blueberry mixture and alternate until the molds are full. For the most part the stripes will hold their place, as the mixture will be thick (work quickly before they have a chance to thaw and become runny); however, if you want perfect stripes, you can stick the molds in the freezer for 30 minutes after every stripe to set the color before adding the next stripe. Insert sticks and freeze for at least 3 to 4 hours, until hardened.

Credits: Recipe from Icy, Creamy, Healthy, Sweet by Christine Chitnis Š 2016, Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boulder, CO.

Copper Kitchens

COPPER WIRE KITCHEN FRUIT BOWL FROM WEST ELM $29.00 / COORDINATES COPPER MUG FROM UNITED BY BLUE $28 EACH / COPPER PLATED MEASURING SPOONS FROM MARTH STEWART $19.99 / COPPER + ENAMEL BOWLS FROM HAWKINS NEW YORK $55.00 / COPPER CAN OPENER FROM MARTHA STEWART $11.20 / COPPER OIL + VINEGAR SET FROM WEST ELM $39.00 / COPPER + GLASS CANISTERS, SET OF 3 FROM HONEY CAN DO $34.00 / WHISK WITH COPPER HANDLE FROM CRATE&BARREL $9.95 / COPPER MIXING BOWLS FROM MARTHA STEWART $39.99 / COPPER FLATWARE, SET

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Olivia Rodrigues FA S H I O N S T Y L I S T C O N F I D E N C E C OAC H

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Editorial Photographer, Brittanny Taylor Photography Editorial Stylist, Olivia Rodrigues Stylist Wardrobe Sponsored by Anthropologie