Femme Fair 2018

This was my little piece of Femme Fair. All photos in this blog taken by the talented Jess Onesto.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know all about the very fun, very full day I spent at Femme Fair. This was just their second year and it was a really amazing event. In addition to networking, this was a day full of shopping, learning, and serious pampering.

I've been to The Archery before, but seeing how Claire and the team transformed it was a real treat. Our day started off with yogurt parfaits and delicious coffee for fuel. After the first amazing panel discussion, groups broke out for mentoring and shopping.

I'm so glad that there were women interested in my previously loved pieces. It was my first year participating, and I'm so grateful I had this opportunity.

Sustainable fashion is really important to me. With each huge life shift, there have been numerous trips to consignment stores, thrift shops, and participation in clothing swaps to responsibly make changes in my closet. This was a new way for me to continue the life of pieces that no longer serve me.

My size range was pretty big due to my new body and gaining weight over the past few years. Thanks to some of the women who stood by me at Femme Fair, I've learned to love and adorn my body like never before. 

The past two years in the Bay Area have involved a huge change in style. For starters, I no longer have to deal with harsh winters that require gloves and hats and rubberized soles to prevent from slipping on ice.

I've started to incorporate a lot of color back into my everyday looks and even bought a bikini for the first time in years! 

If you get the chance to attend next year's Femme Fair, you should totally treat yourself. There was a lot I didn't even get to partake in, like the Dyson stylists and makeup artists who were doing mini makeovers. It's a feel-good, femmetastic time you won't regret.

EVENT BY

Founders Stacey de León, Christina Chinn, Melissa San Vicente Event design Claire Xue Coordination Ashley-Victoria Graphic design Nailah Ali Editorial Weekend Creative

Venue rented through Peerspace

Photographer Jess Onesto

Videographer Marco Bercasio

SPEAKERS

Arnelle Lozada, Chloe Elisa, Mandana Ansari, Melissa San Vicente and Shahida Zareef

BLOGGER PARTICIPANTS

Ashleigh Reddy, Angie Hilem, Chandamheer Stacker, Chantelle Tankson, Christine Yun, Daisy Hernandez, Eden Davis, Emma Ribeira, Gabriella Seviya, Gomada Leone Thomas, Jayme Sy, Julianne Cronin, Kelsey Kaplan, Monica Cruz-Hernandez

DECOR

Macrame wall hangings Lise Silva Hanging undies Pansy Event florals Freckled Floral + Claire Xue Booth florals Landeau Furniture Archive Rentals + Stacey de León

FOOD

Desserts The Jen Project Girl power cookies XO Bakes Yogurt and cheese plate Kite Hill Foods Granola Nana Joes Granola Fruit Snacks Bare Snacks Coffee Lady Falcon Coffee Club Wines Anna de Codorniu and Windsor Vineyards Cocktails Purity Organic

ACTIVITIES

Skincare Lounge DHC Skincare Hair, Makeup & Mani’s Stylebee Blowout Bar Dyson Lip Bar NARS Floral DIY Le Bouquet

POP-UP SHOPS

And.Comfort Candid Art Dopp City Shoes Mandana Blvd Saje Wellness

GIVEAWAYS

Peerspace, Bumble & Bumble, Cocokind, Dyson Supersonic, SoulCycle, Oui Shave and T3 Micro

GIFT BAG GOODIES

Browology, DHC Skincare, Bare Snacks, Bite Beauty, CreativeLive, Charlotte Russe, Dyson, Greetabl, IBY Beauty, Fat and the Moon, Hush Dotti, Iris and West, Nutri-Rich Vitamins, Lilah Beauty, MGS Accessories, Miss Patisserie, Navitas Organics, OLLY, Pacifica Beauty, Passion Planners, Posh and Wild, Pressed Juicery, SmashMallow, Sunglass LA, TCHO, WinkyLux

A Snow Day That Will Melt Your Heart

This Is How My BFF Got an Instagram Makeover

Five years ago, I was newly engaged when my best friend, heretofore known as BFF (pronounced biff), convinced me to download some app called Instagram. Though I used to be an early adopter of social platforms, somewhere between Xanga and Myspace, I calmed the hell down and stopped using anything other than Facebook. It will help you plan your wedding, she said. You will get tons of info, she said. Little did we know it would lead to an eventual career change for me and a way for me to impact thousands of lives.

My BFF has followed my journey and we've been there for each other for the majority of our lives—since we were 9 years old. Highschool, college in different states, weddings also in different states, and we're still stuck like glue. When she wanted to have a crafting business on the side, I gave her some social strategy tips and encouraged her to create a new Instagram, separate from her private, personal account which she limits because she's now a public school teacher. Crafting and Math Tutoring were the focus, and she wasn't that into it. She and her amazing husband are expecting their first child soon and what better way to stay creative and productive than documenting all of the fun things she's making and planning in anticipation for the little one's arrival?

There was a snowstorm in New Jersey today and many places of business were closed, so my favorite growing family had the day off! Titi Angie was on it with a screen share and a pre-made tutorial. Two hours later, BFF had a new bio, archived any and every off brand post, and reinforced skills and strategies to kick much ass as she stylishly documents the beauty of her new life in a way that feels good to her. I'm certain she will inspire others.  

Here's a Before & After

She went from an account name that was something like @algebra_n3rd to the much more catchy @thecraftymami. I personally cannot wait to see all of the cute and creative things she shares.

Are you interested in an Instagram makeover? For the month of April, I'm offering an Insta Reboot for just $197. You'll get a revised bio, up to 5 branded story highlights, a hashtag user manual, and a guide to curating content that will make your page appealing and easy to manage.

Instagram Posts: 3 Steps to Posting So You'll Never Be Stuck

Instagram is my jam - I help business owners, bloggers, and budding entrepreneurs understand how to use this channel as part of their core marketing strategy. Still, I sometimes get stuck and I'm not sure what to post. If you haven't batched in a while and find yourself here, repost an older piece of content.

1. Captions

After a one-on-one strategy consultation with me, clients are better equipped to manage their online presence. It's a lot of new information at once, and a whole new way of thinking about things. When I do my follow up calls, some of them struggle with writing copy for their amazing images. Here's the thing: your visual is the star of the show, and the copy is the supporting cast. Don't get too hung up on what you're writing. For the most part, it should be concise and succinct. There are 3 go-to captions:

• Ask a question - this will engage your audience and make your social media account social again
• Tell a joke. Some people are pun masters and I always appreciate a good dad joke.
• Write a song lyric! Although, I sometimes feel really out of touch when I comment on a caption that's from a song I've never heard...

"I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can" @jayz

165 Likes, 19 Comments - Austie (@austiejordan) on Instagram: ""I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can" @jayz"

Austie is kinda the queen of song lyrics as captions. Maybe she actually credited the artist here because I so often am clueless and asking her questions in the comments...

2. Repurpose Your Content

#TuesdayTip: You can repurpose your posts. If an image does well the first time around, and will look good in your current grid, share it again 🤗 This was taken the first time I visited the @conservatoryofflowers last year. I've got a lot of new followers who probably haven't seen it. As long as it goes with your aesthetic, is on brand, and was popular the last time you posted - wait a few months in between and re-share that 🔥 content . . . . #socialmediastrategy #contentmarketing #conservatoryofflowers

95 Likes, 39 Comments - 앤지 Hilem ⚡️ Heighten Social (@angiehilem) on Instagram: "#TuesdayTip: You can repurpose your posts. If an image does well the first time around, and will..."

This was my post from this past Tuesday. I'll make a habit of giving a Content Marketing Tip every Tuesday on Instagram, so be sure to leave me a comment or direct message if you have an issue or problem I can help you solve.

3. K.I.S.S.

Also known as, "keep it simple, s[illy]." (I interpreted that last word to be more positive than the traditional meaning, because name-calling isn't my ~thing~) My favorite quippy caption-generating machine is my friend Talena. This is a perfect example of keeping it simple. Her bright, perfectly laid work area says enough.

My cute lil desk

130 Likes, 3 Comments - Talena Lyd (@talenalydia) on Instagram: "My cute lil desk"

I hope these tips help you with your future posts! Let me know what else I can help explain or teach you.

Batching For Instagram: 2 Simple Steps

How Batching Content Creates Cohesive Online Aesthetic

In a community I helped create, a member recently asked how he can start integrating lifestyle posts into his Instagram feed without it looking "out of place." Most of his content consisted of self-portraits and selfies. While his self-love is something we can all aspire to have, and his posts are all above average as far as quality, he recognized the need to diversify his content.

Brandon Quay's Instagram has always been lit. This grid is from Fall 2016.

Even the biggest influencers have to break up their posts with imagery outside of themselves. In a business sense, it allows people to promote products in a fresh way. In a visual sense, it creates a more relaxed grid that feels unique. From a creator's perspective, it seriously aids and relaxes the need for constant high-quality photography of one's best self.

Aimee Song's recent flatlay post showcases content created by another person. It fits her overall aesthetic and is a perfect example of how lifestyle photos can be incorporated into different feeds.

Loving this pretty pink flat lay of my book #CaptureYourStyle from @catherinexluise 💕 Have you gotten yours yet? 🤗

See this Instagram photo by @songofstyle * 24.2k likes

Back to our friend Brandon

Early January 2017, before our conversation. 

The bat signal I heard reverberate throughout our online community: "I mean I don't mind that I look like I'm obsessed with myself (because I am) but sometimes I don't have pictures to post or look a hot ass mess and can't take pictures. It'd be nice if I could just throw up a picture of something from my day. HELP!"

I explained a bit about batching and suggested that his next trip to a cafe serve as an opportunity to create multiple posts to share on different days, with these simple steps:

• Take 2 pics of yourself, maybe from different angles or with different background
• One pic of a thing (plate of food, your drink, a plant, whatever)

When planning your grid, put 3 photos in a row in this order: you, thing, you.

For the next row: thing, you, thing.

Repeat.

• To really get into it, take 6 photos of yourself and 6 photos of things. This can be a close up detail of your watch, shoes, notebook.

You now have enough images for your next grid and then some. By utilizing batching, you can worry less about lacking content to post. What's that saying about working smarter, not harder? This is an example of how you can do that with your content marketing strategy for the best Instagram marketing. Or, create a strategy for your social channels if you've never had one before. 

I wish all of my clients took my advice as well as Brandon.

Look at this glorious change! Brandon reached a new level of "slaysian" with his batching knowledge.

I'm so impressed with the marked difference in his overall Instagram account. Brandon successfully took my suggestions and made incredible progress. As a stylist, his online presence is vital to his business. 

Even if you're not professionally using Instagram for marketing, a more cohesive account will yield more followers. And it's about time you started that blog you've been thinking about, isn't it? 

Instagram For Business @ Ink & Mortar

Mark your calendars Philadelphia! Learn how to Heighten your Social on October 6th and 9th. 

Pretty standard expression & pose by me. Photo by Lou.

We've got a new course on Instagram For Business and we're launching it in partnership with Ink & Mortar. After helping countless business owners maximize their social presence, we now aim to help as many people as possible in the form of hands-on workshops.

Lucky for us, the award-winning company that designs some of Philadelphia's best known brands is also into teaching business owners necessary skills to excel. Recently, Ink & Mortar was recognized by Philadelphia Magazine with a Best of Philly award for their series of Personal Branding Classes. Pretty perfect for a partnership, huh?

Hardly a day goes by when I don't think of Sharon, founder and creative director of Ink & Mortar, in part because I see her packaging and logos all around San Francisco! It's an honor to join her and teach a class that's part of her ongoing series of professional development. 

"They should tell you when you're born: have a suitcase heart, be ready to travel." As long as I've got my specs, some different colored pens, and a notebook, I'm good to go. #myStaedtler

See this Instagram photo by @angiehilem * 177 likes

Instagram is a big part of my life. It's how I keep in touch with some friends, document my travels, and get new clients. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and it delights me that I'm able to share educational content, on a topic I love, in a classroom setting. (Little known fact: I was a high school English teacher for some years.) 

Join us for a dynamic evening class on Thursday October 6th or an AM session on Sunday October 9th. This class is informative and collaborative in ways that webinars aren't. Come for a good time and leave with:

an optimized profile for your business

tools to create engaging content

a life-time community of fellow business owners

Looking forward to meeting you IRL and figuring out ways to creatively address your social struggles. The class is small and a special rate that is much lower than will be offered in the future. Sign up now and don't wait until it's too late!