Meet the Speaker: Stephanie Mark of The Coveteur

                                                                                                                             Stephanie Mark of The Coveteur

Securing a feature on The Coveteur has become a symbol of "you've made it" amongst the fashion set. Created in 2011, the site began as a fun side project-- where two childhood friends had the idea of diving into the closets of the most stylish street style stars and tastemakers.  The idea blew up. Big time. The site is now a prospering digital hub for fashion, profiling huge celebrities, offering shop-able closets, and has officially claimed its spot as a household name. In short: the coveteurs have become the coveted. 

We sat down with co-founder and marketing director, Stephanie Mark, to find out what makes the girl boss tick. Spoiler: when she says her favorite quote is, "Do whatever you want," we know she means it. (Get even more insight at Create & Cultivate Dallas when she speaks on our "Finding your Angle" panel!)

Your first job: I filed papers at a doctor’s office.

Your first girl crush: Ginger Spice

Favorite form of exercise: Boxing

In high school, you were voted “Most likely to... have a career in fashion.”

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: NETFLIX

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: Anything travel size from the checkout at Sephora. Everywhere else: a bottle of water and a magazine.

Your local coffee spot: I love the green tea at the Soho House in Toronto.

Go-to cocktail: Tequila Soda with a lime- it is basically the unofficial drink of The Coveteur.

Favorite time of year: Summer and fall.

Best gift you’ve ever received: My first nephew was just born- so that is by far the best gift I have ever received. In terms of fashion- my parents got me a Hermès watch when I graduated from Parsons.

Next thing on your to-do list: MOVE! I am moving to New York and I need to start setting up my place there.

Proudest moment: Starting The Coveteur.

Favorite quote: Do whatever you want.

"Do Whatever You Want!"

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THIS OR THAT

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?

PACKED. And my purse. I call them both mobile garbage cans.

Saturday morning or Sunday night?

TIE!

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?

Stage. Anything (and I mean ANYTHING) from the '90s.

Shopping: In store or online?

In store.

In flight: work, nap, or movie?

Nap or watching endless amounts of TV shows.

At parties: On the dance floor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?

Dancing…with snacks.

Check out some of our other Create & Cultivate Dallas speakers featured on The Coveteur including: Tina Craig Bag Snob, Katherine Power of Clique Media , Hilary Kerr of Clique Media , Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere and Sophia Rossi of Hello Giggles.

Meet the Speaker: Sophia Macks of Beyond The Mag

Founder and CEO of Beyond The Mag Sophia Macks has defined a brand for herself through creation, curation, and collaboration. With all the proper ingredients for a brand that thrives off of culture and fashion, Beyond The Mag has established itself as one of the most visually stunning platforms to date. It's her amazing vision that has racked in amazing collabs with Coach, Chanel, Barneys New York, and Harper's Bazaar (just to name a few.)

With all the focus on Beyond The Mag, we wanted to have a little fun and get to know Sophia a little more before we see her in January at Create & Cultivate Dallas. Get inside Sophia's head and make sure to catch her on Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble at Create Cultivate Dallas! 

Your first job: 

Marketing Coordinator at WeWork 

Your first girl crush: 

The Olsen Twins. Duh.

Favorite form of exercise: 

Horseback riding

Which Disney character are you: 

There's been a precise evolution: 3 year old Sophie was Wendy from Peter Pan, 7 year old Sophie was Nala from Lion King, this was followed by a large, Disney-free time gap, and now I'm the flying carpet from Aladdin. 

In high school, you were voted “Most likely to..."

"create my own world & live in it.” They weren't wrong.....

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: 

Watch a documentary 

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: 

Ugh, that Wintergreen Trident gets me every time!

Your local coffee spot: 

Starbucks on 43rd and 3rd. So basic! :/

Go-to cocktail: 

Old Fashioned

Favorite time of year: 

October 15th through end of Thanksgiving weekend.

Best gift you’ve ever received: 

Puppies. Olivia (Portuguese Water Dog) in 2002 and Daisy (Cockapoo) in 2014.

Next thing on your to-do list: 

"Dive the Titanic" and "write thank you note" are side by side with 50/50 chances of actually happening first. Stay tuned.

Proudest moment: 

When I made Beyond The Mag into a profitable business. 

Favorite quote: 

"Your word is your master."

"Your word is your master."

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THIS OR THAT

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?

Contrary to popular belief, it's totally organized. 

Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Chocolate. Though I don't mind a good swirl of 20% vanilla, 80% chocolate.

Saturday morning or Sunday night? 

Sunday night, oddly. 

Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes? 

Neither! I set the table with clashing prints.

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?

On stage - anything from the RENT soundtrack or "Can't Fight The Moonlight" by Leann Rimes

Shopping: In store or online?

Both, but I'm famous for my online hunting skills amongst friends.

In flight: work, nap or movie?

A "Napvie" - the act of napping while simultaneously watching a movie. 

At parties: On the dancefloor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?

Eating snacks on the dancefloor whilst engaging in deep conversation. That conversation ends immediately when I run out of snacks.

Dallas: How to spend the perfect Sunday

If there’s one city that puts the oomph in Sunday Funday, it’s Dallas. Forget lazy days that help you recover from the weekend and properly prepare for the Monday ahead – Dallas uses Sunday as a kickoff (literally) to the rest of the week. Dallasites take their Sundays seriously. They’re celebrations. They’re connection. They’re very little work and a whole lot of fun. Everything really is bigger in Texas, including the magic of a Sunday well spent.

When you walk around the city, particularly the energetic area of Uptown, you’ll notice killer street style from the women and men—hello Southern chic. You’ll hear business deals brokered over lunch, Texans rock on with those they can toast a marg with. And prepare yourself for sharing plenty of smiles and hand waves with strangers—Southern hospitality is a very real thing.

As a girl who was raised just north of Dallas and who spent the beginning of my career living in Dallas’ hottest young neighborhood, Uptown, I catch myself reminiscing on the buzzing Sunday energy. If you only have one free day in Dallas, make it this perfect Sunday (perhaps post Create + Cultivate Dallas in January!)

MORNING

Get your tired booty up and head to Exhale Spa for a yoga class that will speak to your bumping Missy Elliott soul. The Hip Hop Flow will get you moving through that weekend hangover and put a pep in your step. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a massage post-class, either. It’s the perfect place to pamper yourself.

After class, meet your gal pal for the best coffee in Dallas at Pearl Cup. Whether you opt for their signature Pearl Cup blend that shines with cinnamon and cocoa or head for a full on almond-milk latte, coffee snobs won’t be disappointed.

With the coffee in your system, it’s time to head to everyone’s favorite meal: Sunday brunch. You can go home and sussy up or head there in your workout clothes. It doesn’t matter as long as your bring the southern smile and energy that shows you’re jazzed. The best spot for a killer brunch is Breadwinners Cafe on Mckinney Ave. Whether you’re brunching with four or 14 of your closest Dallas friends – get in the mimosa spirit and prepare to have a good time.

AFTERNOON

Afternoons in Dallas are known as the time after brunch but before football. It’s your time to do whatever it is you want.

Is that shopping? Try cute boutiques like y&i, Haven, or Krimson and Klover for the intimate, curated experience. If you want the everything is bigger in TX experience, head to NorthPark Center for everything from luxury designer brands to affordable fashion. They have it all. If you make it there and hyperventilate from the insane crowds, Quatro Leches Cake at La Duni will fix that.

If your perfect afternoon involves some true Dallas history lessons, you can’t go wrong visiting the JFK Museum. It’s riveting. Make sure and get the guided audio tour.

Want more food and a little activity? Company Cafe will make you feel like you’re in some sort of foodie heaven plus it’s a perfect place to pop open your computer and work on next week’s blog post. Try the location on Katy Trail so you can people watch all of the runners, walkers and bikers or go for a beautiful stroll yourself. Katy Trail is a nature haven groomed through the middle of the concrete jungle.

Sunday evenings are for the Dallas Cowboys. This isn’t about being a sports lover, it’s a Dallas lifestyle.

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EVENING

Sunday evenings are for the Dallas Cowboys. This isn’t about being a sports lover, it’s a Dallas lifestyle. So whether your favorite team is one of Dallas’ biggest rivals or whether you couldn’t tell the difference between a football and a basketball, get yourself in on the football action.

If you want to stay in the city, you can literally head into any restaurant to get a sense of the football fun. Three Sheets or Katy Trail Ice House will have you right smack dab in the football frenzy. If you really want to get crazy (and have your life changed) get a cheap “standing room only” ticket to Cowboy Stadium if the game is home. You’ll never look at Dallas the same way again.

BUT, if you detest the idea of immersing yourself in the Dallas Cowboys experience OR if the cowboys are done with their season by the time you get into town, head to Javier’s with your sweetheart for mexican food that will change your life and margaritas that will make you never want to leave.

You’ll love Sundays in Dallas. It just may be the best weekend you’ve ever had.

Maxie McCoy is the energy designer of Maxie, where she shares soul wisdom on the digital video series #maxie and her weekly writings. Maxie offers soul sessions, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and words of wisdom you really shouldn't miss. If you want your spiritual and emotional IQ shooting to the stars, follow along at maxiemccoy.com.

Good Vibes Only: Lauryn Evarts on staying positive & building a brand

Spend more than a few minutes on Lauryn Evart's blog The Skinny Confidential, and you will want her to be your best friend. She's smart, relatable and has a girls-night-out sense of humor. She's also drop-dead gorgeous with a passion for healthy living. Lauryn will be speaking at Create & Cultivate Dallas on our Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble panel, so we caught up with her in advance here. 

You recently did a post about focusing on positivity on social media. What tips do you have for using social media in a positive and proactive way, as opposed to just using it to wallow in FOMO?

I think it’s really important to follow people who radiate positivity. I like my daily social feeds to consist of inspiring entrepreneurs, people I look up to, specific charities, business tips, and people in my industry. If you follow negativity on social media, you subconsciously absorb that downer vibe, even if you don’t notice. I love waking up to a positive and motivating social media feed in the morning. It starts my day off on the right foot.

You’re very open on your blog about sometimes not having great days. How do you decide how much and what personal information to share?

I would say that I share 45% of my life on The Skinny Confidential and the remaining 55% of my life I keep to my family, my friends , and to myself. I have always referred to The Skinny Confidential as my alter ego and my alter ego is not every single part of me. Overall I’m very private in many ways; I don’t show my bedroom, family stuff, my whole relationship, etc. I think it’s really important to differentiate work life and personal life. And as a blogger that can get tricky, but I make a conscious effort to keep them separate.

I think of the blog as the meat & bun in my hamburger. The rest is just added touches.

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How do you define TSC brand and how have you worked to build it outside of the blog?

I have always viewed the blog as the platform for the brand. When I first started blogging, I knew that the blog was the foundation of the brand. I think a lot of people go into blogging thinking of starting a brand, but I have always gone back to the blog, and grew the brand from there. I think of the blog as the meat & bun in my hamburger (if the hamburger was my brand, LOL ). The rest is just added touches.

How did TSC book come about? What tips do you have for other people who want to take their blog into a book format?

"The Skinny Confidential Book" was a natural extension of the blog. Before I started the blog, I laid out a map of where I saw my brand in two years. A piece of that was a book so that's always been a goal of mine, to write a book. It was the next natural step. Ultimately it was really exciting to extend the blog into a book, and share fresh new content in the book that I had saved up over time.

If you are a blogger looking to get a book deal, I’d say it is important to keep your posting consistent ( at least 5 times a week ), find your voice, and make sure you're posting quality. Also, I think it’s also a good idea to go into blogging with the idea of eventually writing a book—that way you will know what to share on the blog and keep separate tidbits for your book. Since I knew I wanted to write a book, I was very careful about scheduling my content accordingly. As you can imagine, my iPhone notes app is FULL!

What would you say are the three keys to a successful blog?

The first key to a successful blog is to grow with your readers. The readers are what make the blog and you always want to gauge what they like and what they don't like. You also want to respond and engage with the readers. I see a lot of bloggers that get so big and don’t have time to interact with their readers. The readers are what make the blog, so I’ve always put a major effort into interacting with them. Without them, The Skinny Confidential wouldn't exist.

You list perverted humor as one of your likes. Can you tell us a dirty joke? ;)

I have a veryyyyy dirty sense of humor so I definitely wouldn’t call myself a conservative blogger. I like to tell it how it is, even if that means it’s disgusting/weird/inappropriate. Some people don't like to share that side online, but I feel like life is too serious sometimes so you should have a little fun. I also think that humor makes dry, uncomfortable subjects more interesting. If you want a dirty joke, read my posts on: camel toes, organic tampons, boob jobs, vagina steaming, and Kegels.

What tips/tricks/tools do you use to manage your time while working for yourself?

I have a lot of ideas & can sometimes be all over the place, so I rely on my team to keep me on track & help me stay focused. For someone who just started blogger, I'd recommend setting a time every day to JUST DO IT. It is kind of like brushing your teeth - you just do it. Blog every day. Even if you're sick, tired, hungover, whatever. Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one. Really though, no one is going to hold you accountable but yourself, so staying on track when it comes to blogging is so important.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from blogging?

The biggest thing I have learned from blogging is authenticity is golden. I've also learned how many women there are all over the world that want to connect and tell their story. Everyone truly has a story to tell. I’ve learned to step out of myself and learn from other people's experiences; I’ve learned a lot about other people’s spirituality, holistic experiences, wellness journey, boyfriend problems, life struggles, & much more. The Internet makes it possible to connect with anyone, anywhere. It's great.

How do you build a community with a blog? With readers and with other bloggers?

I love to interview other women. I am a big fan of collaborating and not competing. Supporting one another in the blogging community is so important. And really, there is no need to tear each other down; there's plenty of room for all of us. I also like to build a community with my readers. When I created TSC Bombshell Body Guide, I listened to my readers and I created the guide based on their requests/questions/suggestions. Engaging is key, the reader will tell you the right direction. Listen to them & engage.

What has been your proudest moment with your career?

The proudest moment of my career thus far is probably the launch of my book. I've also been able to work some brands that I absolutely love, which is awesome because they're organic, authentic partnerships. And stay tuned because I'm working on an upcoming project that's totally different for me. Very excited! The ultimate goal though is to continue to inspire and motivate women from all over the world.

Giving Back: Lauren Scruggs Kennedy on building philanthropy

Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, the founder and editor of Lolo Magazine, is truly a beautiful person. And no, we're not just talking about how gorgeous she is. She recently started The Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation with a mission to help provide prostheses to women in need, and, alongside Bethany Hamilton, she co-founded a yearly retreat for girls with missing limbs. We caught up with Lauren—who'll be speaking at #CreateCultivateDallas and also just happens to be a Dallas native—to talk about building philanthropy, her own story, and where to get Dallas's best almond latte. 

How did the idea for Lolo come about and how did you want to differentiate it from other fashion websites? 

Ever since I was little, I have been very artistic and was always so enthralled by beautiful editorials. To me, style has always been more than appearance; I see it as a reflection of personality as well as a depiction of how you view yourself. After interning for the Gossip Girl wardrobe department and the Michael Kors showroom in New York, I truly gained an understanding of what I enjoyed specifically in the fashion industry. To keep myself challenged and infused with creativity in Texas, I decided to start my own blog. It kept me very engaged, and for the first time I had an interest in dissecting fashion into words. At the same time, my good friend connected me with a woman in Dallas who had her own online fashion magazine, and she took me under her wing. She introduced me to the Fashion Week world, and I became enthralled with reporting on shows in NYC, Paris, and Montreal. After graduating college, I wanted to encompass my love for people, business, and creativity into one. That’s what led me to starting my own website.

How did you meet the other Lauren of Lolo and how did you decide to work together? 

So it's kind of crazy, but I had just moved to California when a mutual friend introduced me and Lauren. We immediately connected over the phone, and she was running the mag for a year before we finally met in person!

Can you tell us a little bit about your story that inspired some of the philanthropic work you do now? 

Almost four years ago, my life took a big shift. My calendar paused, my career path changed, and my platform increased after a night of injury, or what my subconscious defined as a 'depletion of beauty.' I was sucked into a plane propeller; the blade cut into my brain and the left side of my body, resulting in the loss of my left eye, left hand, and half my head of hair post-surgery. I have realized brokenness can be so beautiful even amidst the unexpected suffering. I feel like I relate so much more to pain now after experiencing it, and that has led me to want to give and pour specifically into young girls about the aspect of beauty.

I have realized brokenness can be so beautiful even amidst the unexpected suffering.

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How did you meet Bethany Hamilton?

She reached out to me shortly after my accident, and we connected instantly on Skype! It was one of those "friends for a lifetime" moments that happened initially. I am so grateful for her. She has the most precious heart! Her life, perspective, and ambition is such a picture of beautiful hope! Working with her has been such an amazing experience. We have learned so much, and it's such a joy to work together to encourage girls who have been through similar life-altering experiences.

What has been one of your most memorable experiences from the retreat that you put on?

Watching the girls surf is so moving. It represents something so much more than the action; I watched so much fear diminish as almost every girl entered into the circumstance thinking it would be impossible to accomplish. It was empowering to see the excitement pouring out of the girls, and watching them work together represented how much close community can change our lives.

How did you decide to start your foundation?

After my accident, I was in the rare situation of my insurance covering the entire cost of my prosthetic arms. I thought this was typical until I started meeting precious girls who either heavily disliked their fake-looking prosthesis, could not get one because of the high cost, or were unaware of where to go to receive a beautiful customized prosthesis. I developed a huge burden after hearing so many stories, especially after knowing the wholeness and healing my prosthetic arms brought me. Soon after, I partnered up with a wonderful mentor of mine and a dear friend who each had a similar story and an identical vision! After much research, we recognized that there was no organization that provided the beautiful coverings to the prostheses, and that is one of the most important parts for women! We want to bring hope, restore dignity, and ignite faith in young women with limb loss by providing beautiful prostheses. I am so excited to build relationships with these women and stand alongside them in their journey. 

Why is it important to you to give back? 

I want to share the same comfort I received and still receive from others! I am still overwhelmed as I reflect on how people close and far encouraged and provided for our family in every imaginable way!

What advice would you have for women who are looking to add a philanthropic element to their work? 

I believe it's so important to be involved in something you feel deeply passionate about. It causes you to fight harder for the cause and encourage giving so much more if it stands as a personal element in your life! 

Finally, what are your favorite spots in Dallas and where do you recommend people visit when they’re in town for C+C? 

R + D Kitchen is my second home...the food is insane and the service is beyond and has become like family. My other all-time-love is the almond milk latte from the T room at Forty Five Ten. Nothing compares! La Duni on McKinney Ave is so adorable and delicious for brunch too + you can walk around the cute shops after!

Catch Lauren in Dallas speaking on our panel Style Vibes: How to define your personal brand, manage transparency and define your voice.

Create & Cultivate Dallas FAQ: GA or VIP?

As we get closer to January, we'll be answering a few of your most frequently asked questions about C+C, from where to stay to what to wear.

First up, if you're deciding between a VIP or GA ticket, just what do you get with each? Both tickets get you a day full of amazing speakers and an opportunity to network with fellow creatives (we've seen some amazing relationships sparked at the conference!), and the VIP ticket sweetens the deal with some incredible perks. 

Below is a breakdown of all of the Create + Cultivate Dallas ticket offerings. Items in bold are only available for VIP ticket holders. 

#createcultivateDallas VIP Perks:

Admission to the Conference on January 30th*

Choose your Track for the day: Get the panels and workshop you want most!*

Guaranteed first selection of your (2) Mentors for the Mentor Power Hour*

VIP Gift Bag worth over $350*

All-day Open Bar in our on-site VIP Lounge* 

Plus, everything included with a General Admission ticket: 

#createcultivateDallas General Admission:

Access to our Attendee Happy Hour (January 29th, location TBD)

Admission to the Create + Cultivate Conference on January 30th: a full day of workshops + panels with industry execs, bloggers, thought leaders, & creatives.

Create & Cultivate Starter Kit to get you going for the day (think pens, notepads, + more)

Mentor Power Hour session with 25 fellow attendees & a C+C Mentor (to be assigned)

Pop-up Shop: Shop on-site for exclusive deals from our partners & friends

Breakfast Lunch, and Late-Afternoon Light Bites

Unlimited coffee, juices, and snacks all day

A Gift Bag worth $150

Photo Booth access

Happy Hour to socialize & network with fellow attendees

*indicates VIP-only Perk

We're adding more fun things to what you can experience at Create & Cultivate Dallas, so keep checking back for updates! 

So which will it be? Tickets are selling out fast, so get your GA or VIP ticket at createcultivate.com and tweet us to let us know you're coming! 

Meet the Speaker: Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere

We're not ones to pat ourselves on the back, but sometimes we can't help it—and this is one of those! Our lineup for #CreateCultivateDALLAS is already killer and is only going to get better. To get you all worked up and as excited as we are, we're going to introduce some of the awesome women who'll be there. Here, Cupcakes & Cashmere founder Emily Schuman, who'll be speaking in our keynote conversation. Get to know her here, and IRL in January!

Your first job: Camp counselor

Your first girl crush: Anna Chlumpsky in ‘My Girl’

Favorite form of exercise: Dancing

Which Disney character are you? Abu from ‘Aladdin’

In high school, you were voted: “Most likely to play a professional sport.”

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: Listen to an audio book.

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: Mentos. I pretend they’re just mints, even though the strawberry flavor is simply candy.

Your local coffee spot: Go Get Em Tiger

Go-to cocktail: Hendricks martini, a little dirty

Favorite time of year: Fall, October specifically

Best gift you’ve ever received: My push present, a beautiful Anita Ko ring

Next thing on your to-do list: Get through my inbox

Proudest moment: Becoming a mom

Favorite quote: Work hard, be nice.

This or that:

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts? Packed with ATM receipts (and gum wrappers, rubber bands, etc.)

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. For everything but ice cream/shakes, then I prefer vanilla!

Saturday morning or Sunday night? Saturday morning!

Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes? We switch off, day to day.

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song? On the stage, if I have enough liquid courage. Then I’m singing/butchering a classic, something like ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty.

Shopping: In store or online? Online

In flight: work, nap or movie? Work while watching a movie.

At parties: On the dancefloor, deep in conversation, by the snacks? Eating snacks on the dance floor.

Buy tickets for #CreateCultivateDALLAS here!

Ask Camille Styles: How Do I Build My Following?

On Instagram, we asked what you wanted to learn from the lovely Camille Styles and your questions came pouring in. Camille is a blogger and party stylist living in Austin, Texas, and the author of the book Camille Styles Entertaining. As her name would suggest, she has an impeccable eye and is known for transforming a space and making the whole thing seemed effortless. Below, she answers a question that we're sure tons of you are wondering about, and this is just a taste of her wisdom! Catch Camille live at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, where she'll be speaking on the panel Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble.

Casuallydisheveled: As a new blogger, how do you build a following outside of your friend's group?

Creating a blog requires energy, resources, creativity, and most of all, time, so it’s natural that we all want an audience reading and appreciating our efforts. However, the first thing to realize is that building a following is usually a slow process—one that I’ve been working on for the last seven years, since I launched my blog. The second most important thing to keep in mind is that your audience will only stick around if you’re creating great content. So while it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

While it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

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With that being said, there are a few strategies I’ve used over the years that have significantly helped to build my following and get the word out about CamilleStyles.com. Here are the most successful ones: 

• Just say yes to collaborations. This is probably the most important one, especially if you’re a new blogger. In the early days of my blog, I jumped on every opportunity to be interviewed, featured, or contribute to another site, even if it required an outlay of time and energy on my part and I wasn’t getting paid for it. Remember: value doesn’t have to come in the form of cash. Exposure and promotion can be an incredibly valuable way to grow your readership, so look for any opportunities and say “yes” to any that come your way. 

• Be proactive about getting what you want. Even if tons of opportunities aren’t coming your way, you can be proactive about going after them! Think about what unique point-of-view you have to offer as a blogger, whether it’s in fashion or food or lifestyle, then offer to contribute to sites that are bigger than yours in exchange for promotion. I can’t tell you how many times I styled photo shoots, wrote stories, and pitched new ideas to larger media outlets just to keep getting my name out there in front of their audiences. Over time, that exposure adds up.

• Brand yourself on social. It probably goes without saying that you should have a strong social media presence if you’re hoping to grow your audience. But have you spent time thinking about and cultivating your unique personal brand on your channels? Every tweet, Instagram, and Facebook post is a building block that defines your brand message. Take some time to articulate what sets you apart as a blogger and determine your brand vision, then write it down. Now you’re ready to be strategic in the messaging that you put out there on social, and this is what will make you memorable and build a following that keeps coming back for more. 

When it comes to building your brand, start with these small steps, but don’t be afraid to dream big! It may seem like a daunting task at the beginning of your journey, but if you keep at it, before you know it you’ll have built something great. And since being a blogger is all about having the opportunity to do what you love, don’t forget to enjoy the process!

Tomboy KC's Guide to Living It Up In Dallas

Lynsey Eaton traded a life of practicing law in Los Angeles for one of blogging in Dallas, where she's the executive editor of Tomboy KC, a fashion and lifestyle site she co-runs with actress Katie Cassidy. You can catch Lynsey at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, speaking on our panel The Art of the Pitch: How to Present, Sell and Negotiate your Big Idea. In the meantime, we caught up with her and got her to give us some of her favorite places in her adopted city—because we know that if she loves them, we'll love them too (and so will you, obvi.)

"Both my husband and I were working as attorneys full time in Los Angeles and we were looking to make a transition.  Because Katie and I had plans for Tomboy KC and I could work from anywhere, we made the decision to move to any major metropolitan city that had the right job for my husband.  Dallas just happened to be it. When I first moved to Dallas, I wasn’t sure what the culture would be like.  With so much going on, moving from Los Angeles to Dallas didn’t automatically resonate as the right move for someone working on a lifestyle/fashion site.  But over the last two years, so much has changed in Dallas. It is growing in ways I never could have imagined and gaining a lot of national attention from the fashion industry—and for good reason.

Dallas style is evolving. There is still a very classic preppiness and Southern femininity that permeates the City.  That said, there is this strong undercurrent of a cool, self-expressionist vibe that has really started to take hold.  I’m excited about that. The work culture is supportive and Forbes recently put it on its list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” And aside from having some of the best food in the country (you don’t know BBQ until you’ve stepped foot in Texas), Dallas has some amazing transitional neighborhoods (like Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts) that are really giving the city a new cool culture."—Lynsey

On date nights, hit Gemma.

Best coffee shop: Magnolias Sous Le Pont

Best brunch spot: Henry’s Majestic

Best romantic restaurant: Gemma

Best clothing store: Forty Five Ten

Best neighborhood for strolling around on a Saturday afternoon: Bishop Arts

Best neighborhood for bar hopping on a Saturday night: Lower Greenville

Favorite place to pamper yourself: ESPA

Best place to go for an iconic ‘Texas’ experience: The Rustic

The first place you take an out-of-town visitor: The rooftop at HG SPLY CO

A Berry Bramble at HG SPLY CO

Meet the Speaker: Katherine Power & Hillary Kerr, Co-Founders of Clique Media Group

Major news today: At #CreateCultivateDallas, our featured keynote speakers will be Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, the fashion and business powerhouses behind Clique Media Group. Katherine and Hillary founded their first media outlet, Who What Wear (yeah, we think you've probably heard of that one ;) almost 10 years ago and have since grown their company into a full-on empire that includes the websites MyDomaine and Byrdie, as well as talent management. We caught up with them to get a mere sliver of all the wisdom they're sure to drop on January 30th.

With almost a decade of running Clique under your belt, what do you think is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Never underestimate the importance of hiring correctly, delegating appropriately, and communicating effectively and clearly. It’s a big lesson—okay, lessons—that we continue to work on every single day.

What do you wish you had known in the beginning?

I wouldn’t trade our experience for the world. Sure, it might be nice to have some foresight into industry trends, but truthfully, hands-on experience is the best way to learn anything. 
 

Los Angeles isn’t known as a powerhouse of fashion media. How do you think that has benefited Clique?

There’s a benefit to being an outsider, in the sense that when you’re operating outside the industry, you get to make more independent decisions and not worry about what everyone else is doing. I think that certainly benefited Clique, especially in the early days. 

How have you seen the L.A. fashion landscape change since you started?

The L.A. fashion landscape has changed tremendously since we started. In 2006, the industry didn’t pay much attention to Los Angeles; now the world recognizes our incredible homegrown talent, and designers are embracing the city in a whole new way. It’s no longer seen as simply the land of denim and red carpets, but rather a place of inspiration and artistry, and an essential piece of the fashion world. We’re thrilled about it! 

What has been your proudest moment with the business?

We’ve had so many milestone moments over the past nine years, but getting to announce our debut Who What Wear collection, which will be available at Target stores and Target.com starting in February 2016, certainly is at the top of the list.

Knowing grammar is like having good manners; it makes you feel more confident and at ease in any situation.

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As writers, what books (business or other) are in your forever library?

KP: Venture Deals by Jason Mendelson and Brad Feld. I listened to this audiobook before doing our Series A fundraise. I recommend it to any entrepreneur; it’s a quick way to learn the language and basic principles of the venture capital world. Also, Scaling Up Excellence is a must-read for anyone building a team or expanding a business.

HK: The Elements of Style by E.B. White and William Strunk Jr. Everyone needs to be able to write well, even if it’s just emails, which is why this classic guide is a must-read book! After all, knowing grammar is like having good manners; it makes you feel more confident and at ease in any situation.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned about being a boss and leader?

The importance of being organized, both in the short and long term. On a day-to-day basis, organization is important because it helps you manage your time and delegate effectively, both of which are key when leading a team. It’s equally important in the grand scheme of things, because if you’re organized, you’ll have enough breathing room to be able to think about the future of your industry and company, which is a big part of leading a company effectively.

What qualities do you look for in the people you hire?

People with an entrepreneurial spirit are really important to us, because we value resourceful problem-solvers who aren’t afraid to tackle projects outside the scope of their day-to-day work.

Three essential characteristics of successful brands:

• They always have a strong identity and point of view.

• They’re always evolving in an organic way.

• They’re not afraid to embrace technology. 

What is next for Clique?

We are expanding internationally, launching products lines based on our core brands, and tackling mobile commerce.

Meet the Speaker: Jenna and Lisa of Lunchpails & Lipstick

We're not ones to pat ourselves on the back, but sometimes we can't help it—and this is one of those! Our lineup for #CreateCultivateDALLAS is already killer and is only going to get better. To get you all worked up and as excited as we are, we're going to start introducing some of the awesome women who'll be there. First up: Lunchpails & Lipstick founders Jenna Crandall and Lisa Allen, who'll be speaking on our panel $$$: Monetizing across different channels and strategically growing your following. Get to know them here, and see them IRL in January!

Your first job:

Lisa: Abercrombie and Fitch

Jenna: Really? I'm so embarrassed to say, but for two months in the summer I worked the drive-thru at Boston Market when I was 15 . I wanted a job sooooo bad, and my mom finally agreed. All my friends from school drove-thru all day long. Let's just say I increased sales for those two months.

Your first girl crush:

Lisa: I wanted to be Blair from Facts of Life. She wore nude pumps and I thought it was just so cool.

Jenna:  I never had a girl crush until I started Soul Cycle last year. I've been pushed and inspired which I think is a pretty amazing quality. Not to mention my instructor's eight-pack of abs. I love her!

Favorite form of exercise:

Lisa: Orange Theory. A mix of cardio and weights.

Jenna:  Soul Cycle. Pilates with the reformer. Walks with my family.

In high school, you were voted “Most likely to ________________.”

Lisa: Haha, I lost 'Best Dressed' by four votes my senior year and I’ve always wondered what happened to the girl who beat me...

Jenna:  My cheer squad said Jenna is .... "the biggest health nut and most likely to own a gym."

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed:

Lisa: Kiss my husband.

Jenna:  Pray for my kids

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line:

Lisa: A Red Bull

Jenna:  Cherry Chapstick and Mentos gum

Your local coffee spot:

Lisa: n/a

Jenna:  I don't drink coffee but I drink the Strawberry Acai refresher from Starbucks almost every day.

Go-to cocktail:

Lisa: n/a

Jenna: I get a virgin coconut mojito at a local Mexican restaurant that I can't resist.

Favorite time of year:

Lisa: Spring. Everything is in bloom. The days are warm and the nights are cool. It’s my favorite.

Jenna:  Spring

Best gift you’ve ever received:

Lisa: Ever? Last year Jeff made me a table and benches out of 200 year old wood from an abandoned ship. He’s really talented.

Jenna:  On my 35th birthday (last year) my husband arranged a hotel for four nights with my best girlfriends in NYC and arranged activities for the entire trip. He sent me the biggest bouquet of flowers I had ever received. I felt so much love that week. It made me cry with how much he loves me.

Next thing on your to-do list:

Lisa: Today? Get my oldest ready to leave for Science Camp.

Jenna: Order Halloween costumes!

Proudest moment:

Lisa: First thing that comes to mind is my wedding day this past September. Surrounded by family, my three daughters and my husband in a place I took a big risk on moving to. Seeing all my blessings together in one spot made me very proud.

Jenna : Becoming a mother. I've never felt more proud of a decision I've made, or felt more proud of my body.

Favorite quote:

Lisa: What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jenna:
I have two: "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others"—Booker T. Washington, and "Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees"—Thomas S. Monson

This or that:

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?

Lisa: Totally organized, I’m OCD about clutter. It makes me crazy.

Jenna:  Ha! Packed with receipts. Oops!! I can't throw things away. I have issues with keeping everything.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Lisa: Both. Side by side.

Jenna:  Chocolate anything.

Saturday morning or Sunday night?

Lisa: Saturday morning. I love sleeping in after a week of getting kids up and off to school.

Jenna:  Saturday mornings are my favorite. Sleeping in never felt so good. My husband gets up and makes breakfast. It's the best day!

Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes?

Lisa: Cooking, I LOVE to cook.

Jenna:  Neither. I like to bake and eat out. :)

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?

Lisa: Crowd. I have a fear of being in front of people with all eyes on me.

Jenna:  On stage. Anything Madonna or Salt and Pepa

Shopping: In store or online?

Lisa: Both. I prefer in-store but sometimes the best deals are online!

Jenna: In store if I have a friend with me. Online if I'm alone.

In flight: work, nap or movie?

Lisa: Work. Always working. I take breaks to people watch. I love to observe others.

Jenna:  Work & a movie

At parties: On the dance floor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?

Lisa: A healthy mix of all three. I like to make my rounds.

Jenna:  On the dance floor laughing my head off.

See You Soon: #CreateCultivateDallas on January 30th, 2016!

We're beyond excited to announce #CreateCultivateDallas takes place on January 30th, 2016!

"We consistently poll our audience to find out where they want us to go next and Texas was the overwhelming winner," Jaclyn says, "Plus Dallas is a thriving town, home to so many amazing start ups, companies and burgeoning bloggers! We are beyond thrilled to head south!"

We'll be setting up shop in Texas with some of your favorite entrepreneurial badasses, thought leaders, influencers and industry insiders. Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere will be one of our keynote speakers, and that is just the beginning!

Stay tuned this week (and follow us on Instagram and Twitter if you're not already) as we announce more speakers and panel discussions, bring you our favorite places in Dallas and give you an amazing sneak peek of all the inspiration that's heading your way.

And mark your calendars now: Tickets go on sale October 15. This is one conference you won't want to miss.

Press Play: Create & Cultivate CHI Recap

Create & Cultivate Chicago 2015 from create cultivate on Vimeo.

Now that we've fully recovered from #createcultivateCHI, all we can think is again again again! But until next time, we'll have to make due with this video, which brings some of the amazing speakers, awesome people, good times, inspiring moments—and donuts—together again. 

Get more to-go inspo from #createcultivateCHI here, and sign up for our newsletter here to find out where we're headed to next! (Hint: We'll be announcing our next destination this month!)

Press Play: Create & Cultivate Chicago 2015

Create & Cultivate is an online platform and conference series for female entrepreneurs in the digital space. On August 15th, 2015 we brought the show on the road to Chicago, IL! We hosted our keynote speaker, Garance Dore, alongside amazing female entrepreneurs like Whitney Port, Hannah Bronfman, PS I made this, Cara Santana, The Barefoot Blonde, Geri Hirsch, Margo & Me, Nadia Abhoulson and so much more. Learn more below!

Quotation Marks: Create & Cultivate CHI

Our team is still buzzing from all the energy, creativity, and general great advice we collected at #createcultivateCHI. The photos are in, so are some fun videos, and we've rounded up a few of our (and your!) favorite takeaways from the conference below. Feel free to repost, share, create, and cultivate! 

Make sure you're signed up for our newsletter to be the first to know about our next date + location (we're announcing it verrry soon)! Can't wait to do it again.

start each day by sending a selfless email—no networking or plan-making, just a friendly check-up.

melisse gelula of well + good

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there's room at the top for everyone; it's harder to get there all by yourself.

Emily Jackson of The Ivory Lane (tweet this)

the things you say no to define you more than the things that you say yes to.

Garance Doré (tweet this)

How was your day at #createcultivateCHI? We love hearing from you and rounded up some of your posts below. Keep 'em coming!

The Balanced Blonde

Kelly Zugay

Social Life Chicago

Blair Curiosity

Who What Wear

Only for the Sweetest

Between Two Coasts

Gold Hatted Lover

Shopstyle Collective

Corri McFadden

In Honor of Design

the12ishstyle

A Glam Lifestyle

Everyday Cuvee

Lovely Little Style

The Curly Diaries

Whitney Port

Public Lives Secret Recipes

Enter To Win A #CreateCultivateCHI VIP Gift Bag!

Did you miss out on #CreateCultivateCHI? Don't fret! We're giving a chance to ALL of our newsletter subscribers to win one of our Chicago VIP gift bags!

Here's just a taste of the brands that you can expect in our gift bag:

-Simple Skincare
-Physicians Formula
-Say Yes To Carrots
-OPI Products
-Topshop
-Stemology Beauty
-Paul Mitchell
-White Elephant Designs
-Pure Barre
-Corkcicle
-Soulcycle
-Kevin Murphy
-Library Of Flowers
-Vrai and Oro
-Fromm Beauty
-Everbelle Co.
-A Drink With
-Kendra Scott
-This Is Ground
-Pointe Studio
-Richer Poorer
-Skillshare
-DreamDry
-Mira Fitness
-General Assembly
-Wild Ophelia
-The Dress Movement
-Hello
-Frank Body

To enter, click here to sign up for our newsletter and you'll be automatically entered!

Already signed up? Don't worry - you're entered into the drawing too!

Giveaway ends September 1st, 2015 (11:59 PM PST)! Winner will be contacted September 2nd, 2015!

Good luck! 

Create & Cultivate's Good Hair Day with Paul Mitchell

Photo by #createcultivateCHI attendee @wayfaringrachel

There was great hair a-plenty bouncing around #createcultivateCHI. From perfectly tousled waves (as Instagrammed above by @wayfaringrachel) to heat-wave friendly braids, and we followed the trail right back to our very own Beauty Lounge where Paul Mitchell was serving up some really, really good hair days. Along with envy-inducing hair, our attendees left with a bevy of Paul Mitchell products (one of our favorites is their Extra Body hairspray) to keep up the look at home. The Paul Mitchell crew also did hair for some of our panelists, so be sure to check out Rachel Parcell’s flowing locks and Nadia Aboulhosn’s high-pony for even more inspiration!

Thanks to skincare from Simple, technology from Nu Face, Venice Collection manis from OPI, makeup by The Glam App, and of course, Paul Mitchell on hair, we hope everyone left feeling confident inside and out, Instagram-ready, and primed to take on the world!

Tag your best beauty moments with #createcultivateCHI and #paulmitchellus so we can follow along! 

Phhhoto x #createcultivateCHI

From Sturgis and Ren on the A/V Club panel to watching all of you flashing pearly whites and Simon G diamonds for the camera, PHHHOTO gave us some of our favorite #createcultivateCHI moments. Take a look at all of the Phhhotos from the conference here and if you haven't already, download the app ASAP to keep the fun going. Pro Tip: Phhhoto is also one of the best new communities out there to get noticed and reach a whole new audience. If it's good enough for Beyoncé (a lowkey Phhhoto power-user), it's good enough for us! 

See all the PHHHOTO booth pics from #createcultivateCHI here!

#createcultivateCHI: The Pop-Ups

Havenly

Havenly is a women-led start-up founded by two sisters, Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed, who wanted to create the easiest way to decorate your home. They provide beautiful interior design, all online, all for just $199 per room.

The Havenly team has designed & decorated a unique pop-up space for all of our Chicago attendees to enjoy between beauty treatments and cocktails! To learn more and #getdecorated, visit havenly.com and shop the pop-up on site!

MiraFit

Ok, confession: our founder Jaclyn went to meet the MiraFit team at their Chicago headquarter and made the C+C staff super jealous when came back wearing a super cute (like, really, really cute) new gold MiraFit bracelet that does everything from counting your steps to your workouts and calories burned. Jackie’s obsessed with it, so are we, and now you can get your own at the pop-up, too!

Whitney Port

Whitney Port needs no introduction. She’s a seasoned Create & Cultivate speaker and designer of some of the most coveted conference looks. Her line Whitney Eve will be on full display at #createcultivateCHI, where you can see the line in person and get style advice from the brand. 

Topshop

You’ve already seen some of our favorite Topshop looks on Instagram, and we’re even more excited to have some of their latest and greatest stock on-site at #createcultivateCHI! Get ready to do some damage and shop with your fellow attendees!

Lulu & Georgia

Our entire space will be decked out with everything from rugs, to artwork, and furniture from our ultimate lifestyle go-to, Lulu & Georgia. We get so many questions about where to get our C+C decor, so this time we’ve made it easy for you with a pop-up shop IRL. 

ShopStyle

If you’re recommending products on your blog or social media, know that your influence (and every click) is worth cold hard cash. We’ll be talking shop about the business of blogging all day at #createcultivateCHI and our partners at ShopStyle Collective will be on-hand to demonstrate exactly how you can be earning through their network. The’ve got tons of tips (and refreshments!) so do yourself a favor and get a one-on-one at their pop-up.

The Beauty Lounge

Also make sure to check out the Beauty Lounge where The Glam App, NuFace, Paul Mitchell, and OPI will be primping and pampering attendees all day!

What to Wear & Where: Topshop x Create + Cultivate

We teamed up with @topshop to pick a few of our favorite looks for work, play, and #createcultivate! We've been posting them all week and here's a roundup of all the looks (and where to get 'em).

See them all on Instagram @createcultivate and get ready to shop the Topshop pop-up at #createcultivateCHI on Aug 15th!

 

[clockwise from top left]

At the Office 

White Trousers, Ribbed Funnel Neck Top, Fringe Boots

At the Conference

 Graphic Striped Top, A-line Bouclé Skirt, Strappy Pointed Flats

T.G.I.F. 

Ribbed Funnel Neck Top, Fluro Mini, Satin Sneakers (on sale!)

The Interview 

Belted Utility Dress, Metallic Platform Pumps