3 Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets of Building a Smart Brand

We're ever curious about what makes a brand successful-- and if there are certain tenets that will always remain important, especially in the face of shifting technology. 

So we asked three of our upcoming Create & Cultivate DTLA panelists to share. 

Joy Cho: Founder of Oh Joy! 

Ask for help and to let people help you whenever possible because you can’t do it all yourself. Also, find people that are better at you to handle the things that you don’t have time to do. 

Work hard, be persistent, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. 

Don’t try to imitate the success of others. Instead let their success inspire you to find success in your own way.

Carly de Castro, Co-Founder, Pressed Juicery

Defining a brand mission and building every facet of your brand with this in mind. Also learning from your mistakes.  No brand is perfect and I would be lying if I said that we made some choices that we maybe thought were good for our company but in the end were not.  What we learned is that it’s not only about the good choices you make, but how you learn from the not so great ones - this learning process has truly helped create and strengthen the Pressed Juicery brand DNA. I also think it’s extremely important to stop and just be grateful every once in a while.  As a growing and rapidly expanding brand sometimes it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. We’re always thinking about the next step and striving to be better – but once in a while it’s necessary to just be thankful for what we’ve accomplished in these short 5 years, it’s a great boost of energy for me as we move forward.

"It’s not only about the good choices you make, but how you learn from the not so great ones." 

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Emily Henderson: Founder, Style By Emily Henderson

1. Steer away from anything generic. I’m not saying be controversial, I’m saying be interesting and if you feel strongly about something but are scared of the outcome - just do it. It’s fine. Most of the time you aren’t alone and your audience will respond to that opinion and if not, you’ll still get traffic. 

Obviously if you are a big companyyou have to be a little more careful, but I’m much more attracted to brands that have more of a personality, make a statement ,and stay away from cliche social sayings or really bland expressions. 

2. Trust is EXTREMELY important. There are times when you’ll be tempted to sell out, there are times when you will sell out (I have) but man, just know that your audience is watching and while it may not be the death of you it can be hard to recover if you endorse something that you know people think is cheesy. 

3. Think about your end goal for each new project. Is it money? Exposure? To broaden your network? New portfolio work? Fun? Ideally it's a combination of those things. Then cater how you handle that project based on your end goal. 

Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her on this site she never updates www.ariannawrotethis.com

New Royalty, Meghan Markle, Shares 6 Pieces of Advice

photo credit: David Rosario. 

Take some advice from a real (almost) duchess ladies.

It's been said that a woman who knows exactly what she wants is one of the most powerful creatures in the world. And when the newly engaged (to ahem Prince Harry) Suits actress Meghan Markle took to the Create & Cultivate stage she gave attendees a glimpse at what that looks like. 

Charming, intelligent, and not afraid to let her guard down, Meghan is the definition of the modern woman and soon to be princess! Here are our favorite moments and six best pieces of advice the princess, actress, editor, and activist shared with #CreateCultivateATL attendees. Watch the full video here.

1. "DON'T GIVE IT FIVE MINUTES IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA GIVE IT FIVE YEARS."

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Passion was a hot topic at the conference all day. Meghan echoed this sentiment by telling the crowd that if they couldn't see themselves dedicating five years of their life to their endeavors, what was the point in even giving it five minutes? 

"Five years sounds like a long time," she said, "but it's really not." 

Time is precious. Focus your efforts on your passions and success is sure to come. "That's when you see your long-term goals payoff," she added.  

2. "BLIND OUTREACH IS JUST LIKE AUDITIONING, IT'S A NUMBERS GAME."

Meghan started developing The Tig after receiving advice from The Coveteur co-founder Jake Rosenberg, to do a site herself. A company had approached her to essentially create MeganMarkle.com, but after giving herself a gut check she knew it didn't feel right. She wanted her site to be less about fashion and include more "think pieces and op-eds about empowerment." 

But just because she's on a show, the actress said she still had to blind email people. "No one knew what The Tig was at the beginning," she said, "but I kept putting out outreach. At the time some people loved Suits and some people hadn't a clue what it was. It seems like I had more of an in, but it wasn't the case." 

She told the audience about cold emailing Heidi Klum's assistant for an interview request. "I don't know Heidi Klum," Megan said, "but she said yes."  

"We all do cold outreach."

photo credit: David Rosario 

3. "STOCK EMAILS WITH TYPOS? FORGET IT." 

Meghan is all about a personal touch, explaining that she still sends out handwritten thank you notes.  "I can't tell you how few of them I get," she said, "but one hundred percent of the time, I end up remembering that person." 

And even though she acknowledges typos happen, she says it's vital to make sure you're proofreading. It shows the recipient that you're paying attention and that you value their time. 

4. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY DRESS UP TO BE A FEMINIST. YOU ARE A FEMINIST EXACTLY THE WAY YOU ARE."

After an audience member asked Meghan how she balances being a feminist with being feminine, Meghan answered that there is no difference. "They are not mutually exclusive," she shared. "You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

"You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

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You're allowed to be a feminist in whatever way that looks like to you. 

5. "DON'T TRY TO WIN THE PART, JUST WIN THE ROOM." 

Meghan shared that as a biracial actress she has heard 'no,' an endless number of times. "Because," she said, "I was going in for the ambiguous girl, the black girl, the white girl, even the sassy Latina girl-- even though I'm not Latina and I'm not even that sassy."

"It's very hard to not question something about yourself in those moments," she said of the endless parade of nos. "But at the end of the day it does not matter if you get that part or you get that dream job. It may see like it at the time, but if you make fans of the people who saw you in that room, that carries on so much longer than what that job might have become."

6.  "IT'S ALL STILL EXCITING. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS. THAT'S HOW YOU ENJOY IT."

Meghan told the audience that for five months she climbed into the back of her trunk after auditions because she couldn't afford to get the broken locks on her car fixed. "This epic day happened where the locks stopped opening with the key," she shared. "And the clicker wouldn't open the front doors. I couldn't afford to fix the doors and this was my girl, this is how I got from one audition to the other." So she would drive to auditions, park in the back of the lot, and once they were over, she'd wait until no one was paying attention and climb back into her car through the trunk. 

Never in her dreams did Meghan think she'd be on a show that has run for six seasons, but in sharing real and humbling moments she's able to enjoy and stay grateful for the journey. 

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Hello to 5 Time-Saving Beauty Tips from Nikki DeRoest

Our schedules are crammed. We can barely make enough time to get to that 7PM spin class after work-- so forget a 30-minute AM prep before work when we need to look presentable. We need a beauty routine that works for our schedules, not against them. 

When you work a 9 to 9 every second is valuable. 

To help us hack our morning beauty routine, we asked Create & Cultivate DTLA panelist Nikki DeRoest and Hello to Beauty guru to dish the beauty tricks she uses to make her life a little easier. Check her 5 key tips below, and be sure to catch her on panel this May as she shares how to succeed in the business of beauty!

1. Style your hair the night before.

Wash your hair in the evening and let it air dry either all the way or 80% of the way and then finish the last 20% with a blowdryer. You'll save time washing it at night, and will also help the health of your hair. I often completely style my hair at night so that I can do minor touch ups in the morning. You know what they say, when a woman says she can't go out because she has to wash her hair....there's some truth to that!

2. Invest in a good at-home mani.

I always use a "gel" topcoat on all of my at-home manicures.  My favorite one is from Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel, and it prolongs any of my manicures to last at least a week, but I don't damage my nails like the in-salon gel manicures.  (Tip: You can use ANY brand nail polish with that topcoat and it works wonders!)

3. Have a masquerade party.

I don't know if I'd call it a hack, but using a lot of face masques is a REALLY good idea!  Your skin will love you for it.  I switch up the different types of masques, and usually sleep in them.

4. Glow up.

Glowing skin will always make you look younger. Promise. 

Make sure to always add a good highlight to the cheekbones to give yourself a youthful glow. My favorite is RMS's Living Luminizer.  

5. Have your boss look nailed down.

If you are a busy boss, I think it's important to come up with your "look." That way when you are getting ready for your day-to-day, you don't have to think too hard and can feel confident walking out the door.  

MORNING HACK: HAVE YOUR BOSS LOOK NAILED DOWN. 

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I have my standard "look" and easily switch it up with different lipstick shades.  Of course, in the evening or weekends it can be more of a free-for-all, but I think it's important to know your routine and look so you can get it done quickly.

How This Massive IG Star Handles the Haters

She’s got jokes. Which also means, she’s got brains.

Arielle Vandenberg, who is on a first name basis (@arielle) with the digital world, has been making videos and thereby making people laugh for decades. She says she made her mom laugh all the time when she was little, but it was her grandma who thought Arielle was, “the funniest kid ever-- she even wrote everything I said down into a book,” the actress and comedian tells us.  

It was also her grandma who told her “Don’t do drugs,” when she first thought about moving to LA. "I think that's pretty great advice,” she laughs. While GMA might have kept the digitally savvy star on the straight and narrow, it's her hard work, diligence, and “being true to myself,” that have really paid off. 

In December of 2015 the actress and comedian was one of the most followed personalities on Vine, with a fanbase of almost 2 million. People tuned in to watch her goof off, ask life’s big mysterious questions, and upload videos with bestie and now boyfriend (AKA from Cutty to CUTIE) Matt Cutshall. Though the video app announced its shuttering in 2015, her feat of amassing such a loyal and large following can't be ignored. It comes down to creativity and precise comedic timing. If you can get people to laugh in six seconds or under, with an iPhone, you’re doing something right. She's transferred her following to Instagram, proving that it wasn't a one-off. She's good a social. Like, really good.  

Calling herself “the professional Jim Carrey impersonator,” it was the funny man who got Arielle hooked on comedy. “I wanted to be a comedian because of Jim Carrey.  I would sit in my room alone and just make faces in the mirror for hours. And also Tina Fey, well because she's a powerhouse of a woman!” 

Growing up outside of Los Angeles, Arielle got the bug for acting when she was young. She’s had roles in numerous TV shows like How I Met Your Mother and Bones. She’s opinionated, telling Esquire, “If you don’t like animals, you’re not living,” not worried about fangirling out over Justin Bieber or dressing as the pop star for Halloween (a role she reprised this year), and says “internet bullies” have been challenging, but jokes, “haters gon hate.” 

It’s easy for her to keep going, even in the face of Vine’s shuttering. She continues to build her career in the face of a tectonic shift in the digital landscape. “I’ve always loved making people laugh,” shares Arielle, “so I made it my job. And now I have the best job in the entire world!” She can also bust out “performance dance” anywhere and everywhere to keep her spirits up and her morning prayers “make the day a million times better.” 

"I've always loved making people laugh, so I made it my job."

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The multitalented digital star preaches kindness— makes sense she’s BFF with last year's C&C 100 honoree Lauren Paul. “Teaching young girls to be kind,” she says, is immensely important. “Kids are the future and kindness is the way.” 

In the last five years Arielle says she’s “gone to third base” with her career, which, guess what? means we can still expect her home run. What might that mean for her? Making Jim Carrey (who else?) a costar, creating her own show, and “purchasing a wiener dog.”

Alrighty then.  

To hear more from Arielle, be sure to nab a ticket to our (almost sold out whaat?!) conference in LA. Tickets available here. But not for long. 

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This Is How You Thrive After Bankruptcy

28 years ago, when Rachel Ashwell opened her first Shabby Chic store in Santa Monica, CA, "the world," she says, "was a very different place." It was August, 1989. There was no Instagram. Computers weren't yet a household mainstay. Google (b: 1998) was not around. At the time Ashwell was recently divorced and looking for a career path that allowed her to balance being a "young mum of two teeny children," who were six weeks and two-years-old, with work. A store "seemed like the perfect path."

Raised in an artistic and cultural household by parents who made money by way of flea markets, the designer learned the world of searching for treasure at an early age. At 16 she left school to become a stylist and "create worlds of fantasy." She used her background, her talents and know-how, her proclivity for hard work, and opened a "little store," on a "wing and a prayer."  She didn't have a traditional business background, but in many ways this made her fearless. 

"My mission," she says, "was simple: to bring a world of beauty, comfort and function to the home furnishing retail market." The first store had anchor products of washable slipcovered upholstery, vintage accessories, and sun-bleached fabrics. 

It became a movement, spawning she says, " a whole new way for people to decorate and live." Shabby Chic was a retail success. Everyone from Julia Roberts to Oprah came calling. The E! Network offered Ashwell her own show which ran from 1998-2003, and by 2008, her children grown and about to head off to college, she was thinking, "what's next?"  She hired a CEO, met with investor groups, and signed on to a plan that would expand the business from six to 57 stores in five years. 

Then the financial crisis hit and Shabby Chic filed for bankruptcy in 2009. 

"In 2007 I decided to bring on investors who had the capital and strategic skill sets I didn't have. Sadly the timing of the economy was wrong, and so after 18 months the new strategy fell apart." 

It was a devastating blow. 

"I was in disbelief; first to myself and many of my fans, as this was a beloved brand that was still so alive and had more beauty to share. But after months of trying to salvage portions of the company," she recalls, "it was all lost."

But part of the Shabby Chic dynamism is the acceptance of imperfection. For Ashwell, though this shock came during a time when she also suffered the loss of her mother and the hurdles of broken romance, it was her "lesson in learning to let go, grieving, finding faith and finding my strength."

In many way this was the same approach she took toward her company: accepting that life and people are not perfect. "How we live in the privacy of our homes," she explains, "is a manifestation of that philosophy. Learning to accept that things don't go as planned allows us to see the beauty of what isn't perfect." 

This she believes is why Shabby Chic has resonated so profoundly with its customers over two decades. That, and an honest determination from its founder.

"While I watched my castle crumble, somewhere in my broken heart I knew somehow we would come back. Shabby Chic was my family." 

"Learning to accept that things don't go as planned allows us to see the beauty of what isn't perfect." 

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Looking back and given the chance to do it again, she says, "I would have let my voice be heard when my instincts had something to say. The investors were wise schooled men and so I trusted they knew more than I in 'scaling a company.'"

But fear has never ruled her roost. "I left school so young and really had no traditional education, and my way of learning is by trying and doing. The good side of that is fear doesn't fester."

So she tried, did, lost for a minute, but got back up. "One has to expect to make mistakes," she notes, "and somehow lessons have to be learned, if not in the classroom, then in life." Today, Shabby Chic is on a journey back to the top where Ashwell's instinct is to stay true to her brand, even if it seems out of fashion. 

"My gut is saying, The World of Shabby Chic is still relevant and to stay authentic. Less in more, small is ok too.....just be true." 

Last year in 2016 Ashwell expanded Simply Shabby Chic ™ into Target, from bedding to other areas of home. A collection called Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell Chalk & Clay Paint, which grew from customer requests over the years to learn how she selects and uses paint. She's also "letting Rachel Ashwell come to the light from the shadows of Shabby Chic. This will be at a couture level, not compromising on any details, the crème de la crème of my world."

It's a world where mistakes don't mean failure. Where rough patches are smoothed over with "friends, mentors," a lot of hard word, and the occasional "good, sad movie." 

It is a world where bigger isn't always better. 

In addition to her other projects, Ashwell opened, "The world’s smallest furniture store on Lexington Ave in NYC. Just 250 square feet. But my goal is to tell my visual story, curated intimately but proudly. For me I am happy sitting with the stars, the moon can be for the big boys."

"For me I am happy sitting with the stars, the moon can be for the big boys."

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Everything You Missed from Our Create & Cultivate Style Summit with Simon Malls

Mall life is the great life, if you attended the Create & Cultivate Style Summit with Simon Malls at the Houston Galleria last weekend. From @michelletakeaim sharing great social tidbits with the 300+ crowd like, “It's really important to post in real time and build a connection with your followers," to Houston-based fashion illustrator Rongrong Devoe doodling onsite for attendees, to the non-stop note-taking in Erin Condren custom #foundatsimon notebooks. We had a time. 

For a better look into the festivities press play on the full recap below. Includes some Sophia Bush mic-drops. 

photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photo

video credit: Salt Water & Chaos

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5 Reasons to Get a Jump on Nabbing Your Create & Cultivate LA Ticket

We're no sellouts, but we do sell out conferences. And, if you've been paying attention to Create & Cultivate for a while, we have a tendency to drop a final keynote name after tickets are already gone. 

So we're counting down the top 5 reasons you should hit Add to Cart and then Add LA 2018 to you calendar. 

#5 REMEMBER SEATTLE. REMEMBER YOUR FOMO?

If you were sleeping after Seattle thinking about the amazing conference you missed, we don't want that to happen again. Insomnia is no one's friend. From the amazing "Woman with a Plan" installation to the women WITH plans on the stages, it was 

#4 OK. WE DON'T WANT TO RUB IT IN, BUT REMEMBER SEATTLE? REMEMBER ISSA RAE?

We announced Issa Rae as keynote after tickets were already gone. We're not gonna say this is our strategy, but it's worth paying attention. In New York, we announced Gloria Steinem after tickets were sold out as well. It's a pattern. We might repeat it. Ya never know. 

#3. FIRST COME, FIRST MENTORED 

Our mentor power hours are legendary. And when you purchase a VIP ticket you get first selects at mentors before they fill up. VIPs also get to select their track. Don't wait. You want to be able to make the most of this life-changing day. 

#2 OUR LINEUP IS ALREADY STELLAR, AND IT'S DAY ONE

'Cause we're your day one conference. And we've got Lauren Conrad, Aimee Song, Jessamyn Stanley, Chriselle Lim, and Justina Blakeney-- to name a few boss women. They will be dropped their best life and career advice. And we've got so much for coming soon. 

(+ our stage game is always tight.)

#1 IT'S OUR HOME TURF, SO YOU KNOW WE'RE GONNA BRING OUR A+ GAME

There's something about playing on your home court where the stakes feel higher. The crowds are louder. The excitement is next level. So you bring it. You bring it home. #CreateCultivateLA is going to be a game-changer. We can't reveal everything quite yet, but you're in for some major reveals. 

Worried about the funds? Here are ways to pitch your boss to pay for C&C. We promise you (and them) it's worth the company's while. 

HIT THE LINK HERE TO GRAB TICKETS FOR #CREATECULTIVATELA

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Why You Should Use Your Vacations Days

Work hard. Play hard. Right? 

Lately, not so much. 

In part that's due to a common misconception in office culture that those who work the longest hours are the hardest working employees. Vacation is seen as a luxury, instead of a right, and it's made it so that few full time working Americans are taking time-off. In 2014 42% of working Americans didn't take a single vacation day. Not one. In 2013 Americans collectively squandered 169 million vacation days. Yet this pattern is taking its toll on workers, proving to have a negative ripple effect on employee mental health, productivity, even the economy. 

Taking your vacation days is necessary. So don't be scared to ask. (Put those requests in writing now!) Studies have shown that the respite effects of a vacation can increase productivity, concentration, and creativity, by as much as 80 percent. There are even companies offering bonuses to employees who use their vacation days. (Sounds like a dream, right?) 

Summer may have ended with a bang yesterday, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't continue to take time to yourself when necessary. And if you can't go on vacation, you can at least dress for it, with a little help from our friends at Bobeau Collection. From the city to the desert to the beach, Bobeau has head-to-toe styles you need to get out of town and on your way to well-rested. 

CITY ESCAPADES 

If you're going to vacation in the city, you need a wardrobe with a bit more structure. Opt for a matching two-piece like the above Pleat Front Blouse and Emilia Stripe Palazzo Pant. You can create four outfits from four simple, but chic pieces. All you have to do is add a black Elsa Palazzo Pant and a white Double Layer Tank to your packing list. It's smart dressing, the city way. You can go from the museum to drinks to dinner and beyond. 

DESERT HEAT

If relaxing in the dry heat of the desert with a mojito in hand while taking in the neutral palettes of the landscape sounds right up your vacation alley. You only need a few key elements for the laid-back escape. Put your phone on silent for a weekend and enjoy the cacti in a Maxi Skirt with a white Lace Aplique Knit Top. Breezy and tumbleweed easy. Because you should look fresh while you refresh. 

BEACH VIBES 

Finally, if a white sand beach with picaresque palms and hammocks between the trees is your dream vacay, look no more further. All you need is a couple of bikinis, some lightweight coverups and a dress or two. The above Sleeveless Slit Tunic is ideal for morning walks down shore. And the below effortless Camellia Palm Print Maxi goes from cabana to dinner to dancing at the beach bar. Tulum, here you come. 

No matter where you're headed make sure you head somewhere. A little you time is one of the smartest decisions you can make to feel reinvigorated and in your best boss headspace. 

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What to Expect at Create & Cultivate Seattle

We are so excited to get the Seattle party started! There are so many great things coming your way, but before we get any closer we wanted to give you a sneak peek of what to expect on the big day so you can start building out your plan right now!

ALL DAY FUN

First things first, you should be receiving your badge and box of goodies in the mail over the next week or so! Your box will have your mentor power hour selections & your badge with lanyard. If you don't receive your items, you'll be able to pick them up at registration the morning of the conference! 

POP-UP MARKET

At every C&C Conference, we have a roster of incredible brands that set up shop to give our attendees amazing and unique experiences. From professional headshots to clothing shops to PUPPIES (yes, puppies… OK one puppy), there's a little something for everyone. Here are the incredible things you can expect to see at the market in Seattle.

WeddingWire

If you’re looking for an IG moment, look no further. What's one of the biggest trends in weddings right now? Custom confetti! Visit WeddingWire's confetti bar to create and customize your own personal bag of confetti to bring home with you and learn more about how WeddingWire has spent the last ten years paving the way for couples to more easily plan their weddings online.

The Mine

Want to pet a puppy? Stop by The Mine booth to meet their mascot, Finn the Pekingese, snap the perfect polaroid next to their floral wall and enter to win a $500 basket of home décor goodies! Did we mention the puppy??

SOREL

The SOREL woman is bold and confident stop by our booth to see Fall and Springs that are just like you, ready for anything and willing to defy whatever comes your way.

Richer Poorer

Ever been curious about how to style your basics? Look no further than basic brand Richer Poorer booth who will have a styling station on hand. Tees, tanks, and totally awesome. Plus, they will be live chain-stitching from their booth, which means you can get anything you want on a tee. 

Blue Sky

Planning ahead should be part of your business model. So take your #CreateCultivateSEA notebook, provided by Blue Sky, over to their booth and see what else they have in store to help you on your way.

Stella and Dot

If you’re ever in doubt, put an accessory on it. And stop by the Stella and Dot booth where they’ll be gifting $100 in product credit to attendees that sign-up for their affiliate network. PLUS, they’ll be waiving the $199 sign-up fee and gifting $350 in product credit if you sign up as a Stylist! Oh wait, there’s more. They will also have a first look opportunity at their product (cutest tops ever) and the opportunity to see their new style sharing app. Too much good stuff. Don’t miss out.

Noosa

Bloody good yoghurt is their tagline and they aren’t kidding. With product offerings for every taste bud you’ll be sure to satisfy any craving at their booth.

Brahmin

For stop in your tracks handbags head to Brahmin’s booth to peep their latest fall styles. They release hundreds of styles every season, so there’s something for everyone to love. 

La Croix

Always one to make their booth sparkle, be sure to pop by La Croix for a highly ‘grammable moment. They also go above and beyond so you don’t want to miss out!

Inked

Head to the Inked booth to Craft the Story with Ali Edwards + Inked Brands. Edwards says that over a decade ago, she began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January – a word to focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as she goes about her daily life.  During the break Ali invites you to come choose yours.

Shopstyle

Need a little R&R? It’s a long day and Shopstyle has your back. They are hosting a Recharge & Relax area where all C&C attendees can swing by to revive themselves throughout the day. With a luxe instagrammable lounge to hang out in and charge your phone, the option to get pampered while getting a foot or hand massage, drink a juice shot or wellness beverage, or connect with their team, there are plenty of fun activities planned at the ShopStyle lounge!

Simon G

Want a piercing? Simon G. Jewelry is offering lucky attendees the chance to receive a free ear piercing with one of their beautiful 14k Yellow Gold Pyramid Earrings, designed exclusively for Create & Cultivate and valued at $220. To get your ear pierced and receive a free Simon G. stud, all you have to do is stop by their booth, post a picture of the booth or trying on jewelry prior to your appointment and tag @simongjewelry #simongsparkles. To reserve your spot, please email (Elizabeth@simongjewelry.com ) to schedule your appointment at Create & Cultivate Seattle.

Burrow

Look, we know you love a good sofa. Grab a friend. Have a sit. And gram their Burrow’s booth to win one of their adorable and comfy sofas.

GoDaddy

If you don’t have a professional headshot, do you even exist? JK. It’s not something most of us think about, but there are many times a professional headshot will come in handy. For instance, if you ever plan on speaking on a panel… you’ll need a headshot that does you justice. Stop by the GoDaddy booth and snap a perfect pic. (C&C #protip: stop by the Beauty lounge first for a little pre-pic touchup.)

Express

Have a full closet and nothing to wear… to work? Stop by the onsite Express airstream and check out the latest from their “wear to work” collection.

BEAUTY BUZZ at the BEAUTY LOUNGE

We also always have a beauty lounge on site where our attendees are able to get glammed up, from makeup to hair to skincare we got your covered.  

Nordstrom Beauty

When you look your best, you feel your best! Nordstrom Beauty will have stylists onsite all day to do touchups and discuss products. Want to know what products work best for you? Don’t be shy! Ask a professional!

Secret

Secret was the first antiperspirant brand designed specifically for women, and for the past 60 years, Secret has been on the forefront of women’s lives, leading with innovation designed to provide superior odor and wetness protection. Secret’s activation will introduce guests to the new Invisible Spray. The product’s lively scent experience and the on-the-go application experience allows hustling entrepreneurs to freshen up with ease, no matter the circumstance.   

The Glam App

Get glam!! No booking necessary. The Cara Santana founded app will be offering all day HAIR & MAKEUP touchups.

#NOM

START THE DAY OFF RIGHT WITH BREAKFAST & YOGA

Get Fed

Chow down and prep for the full day with goodies from Noosa Yogurt and Purely Elizabeth Granola. We’ll have granola and yogurt bowls, muffins, and YES of course: coffee. Grab a cup from the Satellite cold brew coffee bar.     

Get Set

LIVESTRONG wants to start your day off on the right foot and the right mindset. So they are bringing yoga influencer @EliseJoanFitness to C&C Seattle to help guide you with intention setting, meditation and gentle stretches for your day. This will take place on the lawn between the main stage and pop-up market between 8:45-9:15am

Go get 'em. 

BREAKING DOWN THE **VIP PERKS**

You will be going all day long so the break is a great time to catch up and dive into all the amazing programming our partners have going on. Some are RSVP only so be sure to grab your spot!

WorkWorkWorkWorkTwerk with Sonja Rasula *RSVP REQUIRED*

Calling all VIPS to join Sonja Rasula for a unique 30-minute break-out session that will have you cheering and dancing as you learn new tools for success, get to know your neighbors, and rediscover your superpowers. Sonja's popular, and definitely unconventional, talks are enlightening, fun and super satisfying. Taking place at the Main Stage YOU MUST RSVP below! 

You will receive a confirmation email if you have secured a spot!

Molly Moon’s Scoops

If you’re inclined to indulge a bit, Seattle’s famous Molly Moon Ice Cream will be scooped from the Molly Moon Trike during break from 4:20 - 5:20p. Location: VIP lounge only.

Trophy Cupcakes Nibbles

Grab a sweet treat in the VIP lounge. Create, cultivate, and cupcake. We wouldn’t want it any other way.

The Glam App

Want to get a mini mani? The Glam App is offering all our VIP attendees the option to get a mani at their nail station in the VIP lounge only. Happening all day!

LIVESTRONG, Live Better *RSVP REQUIRED*

LIVESTRONG is offering is a free 30-minute consultation with nutritionists ($100-$200 value each) for 30 VIP participants who sign up in advance. The company is bringing 2 nutritionists with them and will give personalized consultations to VIP attendees who sign up in advance and track 3 days of their eating. Location: the LIVESTRONG booth!

Attendees can choose their primary goal from the following list:

• Overall health
• Healthy skin, hair and nails
• Weight Loss
• Weight maintenance
• Increase energy
• Build muscle
• Athletic training & endurance

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS RSVP ONLY FOR THE FIRST 30 SIGNUPS -- RSVP BELOW! 

You will receive a confirmation email if you have secured a spot!

**We will need to send an email in advance to the first 30 VIP sign ups. You will need to download and log up to 3 days of food in the MyPlate app. 

***Sign ups for waitlist will be available as well, but hopeful waitlisters will also need to log their food for at least a day in the MyPlate app.

HAPPY HOUR

After a long day of awesomeness, take a break and celebrate the day with Express . And because you've earned it, it's time to raise a cocktail! Kick-off Happy Hour with a delicious Crown Royal cocktail, or if wine or champagne is more your speed, they’ll have that too!

#PROTIPS

Don't leave this at home! Things you should bring to C&C:

Bring a schedule of all the things you want to hit up day-of, it’s a day filled to the brim with activities so coming with a game plan is a clutch move.

 In the spirit of good networking, pack extra business cards. You want to be able to hand them out throughout the day. Don't shortchange yourself.

The bulk of the Seattle conference will take place outside so we recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast while prepping your look. Attendee attire varies but we'd describe it as fashionable business wear with an emphasis on fun! No matter what you plan to wear, it will be a long day so prioritize comfort (especially when it comes to shoes!). We'll be packing a light jacket just in case! 

Keep an eye out for your attendee welcome box that should be coming in the mail any day now! We are so excited for you to receive, make sure to share it on social with us using #CreateCultivateSEA!

Gift Bags

We know you want them! Gift bags are only available at the end of the night and will be handed out in exchange for your badge. If you have to jet early you will be forfeiting your right to come back in but we doubt you'll want to do that ;)

Where To Park

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You'll Never Guess What This Top Blogger Says Is More Valuable Than Being #1

Photo credit: Keiko Lynn 

Before Live Journal, there was Open Diary. A platform that OG, now Brooklyn-based blogger Keiko Lynn, used as a personal outlet. Today her blog KeikoLynn.com is a space where the self-proclaimed "restless adventurer" shares her take on fashion, beauty, and her daily life.  

We caught up with Keiko to chat all things  influencer and why you have to be willing to put in the time, without any immediate return. 

After more than decade in the blogosphere (shout out to your 1999 Open Diary) how have you been able to stay true to yourself?

Since the primary focus of my blog started out as a personal diary, it's actually pretty difficult to not stay true to myself. I named my blog "Keiko Lynn" before I ever intended for it to be more than just a personal outlet, but it still maintains that personal feeling. If I ever strayed from my true self, I'd have a lot of friends and family and loyal readers to answer to. 

You didn’t set out to build a brand, but that’s what you’ve done. How do you feel about person as brand? Did you ever have any hesitation?

It happened so gradually that I didn't really contemplate it, before or as it was happening. I am the opposite of an overnight success. It was little things here and there, starting with blogging for Cingular when I was on LiveJournal, or having a magazine featuring me in a photo shoot, etc. I would just think of them as solitary opportunities that I couldn't pass up, not as stepping stones in my career path. It was years before it became a career, and by that time, "Keiko Lynn" had been my online (and real life, of course) identity for long enough that I didn't think I should change it. I still don't think of myself as a brand. I never think, "Is this on brand for me?" I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself. 

"I never think, 'Is this on brand for me?' I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself."

Tweet this.  

Do you consider yourself an early adaptor? What are some other important traits to have as a blogger and influencer? 

When I started my current blog, I was a young and perpetually broke independent clothing designer, so everything I wore was handmade or from a thrift store, and most of my photos were taken with a self timer. That was what blogging was like, back then. We were remixing what we had in our closets. Now, we have bloggers who are starting out with a whole creative team behind them; they're coming in with photographers, beautiful web design, and a closet full of current, contemporary and designer clothing. I think that's amazing, and if you have the wherewithal or creative contacts to start a blog as a legitimate business platform, why not?! That's what's so cool about modern blogging -- you don't always have to go through the awkward growing stages that many of us went through. But I probably wouldn't have had a fighting chance, with my wide-angled, self-timer photos and second-hand clothing, if I weren't one of the early adopters. Even now that I have an actual closet (I didn't, back then), at least half of what I wear is vintage or thrifted...and I still take many of my own photos.  I'm in a very particular niche, and I'm well aware that I was lucky to have early exposure. 

The most important trait to have as a blogger is tenacity. I've known many people who started blogging and gave up after awhile, when they didn't see immediate growth. Overnight success stories usually only look like overnight successes. You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return, and keep going until you build yourself a base. It will come, but you have to keep going.

"You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return."

Tweet this. 

What are some shifts you’ve been hesitant to adopt, but eventually jumped on board?

I am famous for being late to just about every social media platform. My very first tweet was something along the lines of, "Let's see how long this lasts..." 

Do you ever feel like, enough! No more apps, no more sharing, I can’t possibly add one more “must” to my social lineup?

I feel like that almost every day of my life. I drew the line at Periscope. I won't do another one...I can't!! Although Instagram just added their very Snapchat-like feature, and I might end up giving that a try. I'm trying not to be the last one for that.

We’ve talked to a few bloggers about unexpected difficulties and the BTS realities, but what are some BTS unexpected joys? 

I have made some wonderful friends through blogging, whether bloggers, readers, or people in the fashion and beauty industry. When I moved to NYC, I barely knew anyone. I had one friend and a LiveJournal friend, and my roommate and I had only met a few times before living together. Making friends in a new city is so difficult, and the blogging world really opened me up to a whole community.

How do you come up with creative ideas?

With style, I look to the past. With makeup, I look to both the past and the runways. But mostly, I just garner inspiration from everyday life, whether it's someone I pass in the streets or a page from a current read.

What’s a business aphorism you live by/what’s one you don’t think rings true anymore?  

As trite as it sounds to "stay true to yourself," it's something I live by in both work and in my personal life. But I also think it's important to let yourself evolve naturally; the two are not mutually exclusive. 31 year old me is not exactly the same as 19 year old me. Part of staying true to yourself is allowing yourself room to grow and evolve. What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable.

"What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable."

Tweet this. 

What do you think you’d be doing without the advent of social media?

I think about this often, because when you're in this sort of career, you have to be on your toes. What if it all went away, tomorrow -- what would I do? I imagine I would go back to my roots and start a new clothing line or invest in starting a makeup line, which is something I've always dreamed of doing. 

How do you feel about the term influencer?

What do you think is the future of influencer? I prefer the term when referring to other people, and don't mind when others use it to describe me -- but referring to myself as an influencer feels strange and boastful. The truth is, we're all influencers in some way. Some just have a larger audience.

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Why Gloria Steinem Told the Audience at Create & Cultivate NYC "We are woke."

Photo by Tory Williams

On Saturday evening, to a crowd of hundreds of empowered women (and a few dudes) feminist icon Gloria Steinem took the Create & Cultivate stage. Over the next 40 minutes, Steinem, in conversation with fellow famous feminist Amy Richards, chatted everything from The Golden Rule to aging to finding your path, and why now, even in what she called the face of a disastrous Trump presidency, she considers herself a forever "hope-a-colic." 

Read through for our favorite takeaways from the woman who shaped the women's movement. 

1. YOU CAN BE ADDICTED TO THE GOOD STUFF. 

The 83-year-old icon, who started her career writing under a man's name, told the C&C audience that she's a "hope-a-holic." 

"I hope we're beginning to approach the end of one structure and the beginning of another," she said in regards to the Trump administration. Adding, "When it's no longer universally human, it's political." Therein lies the motivational rub to get moving and get political. 

2. AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER. 

When an audience member stood up to ask the trailblazer what she would tell her 15-year-old self, Steinem laughed and said that though age changes, the person inside does not. "You can't live in future," she shared. "Hello, you can only live in the present. We only have our five senses in the present." 

Adding, “Here's the secret of age: You’re still the same person, but after you hit 50 or 60, you’re free like you were when you were a little girl." Joking, "Except now you have money, and your own apartment.”

3. NO ONE IS TRULY ALONE. 

As a woman with a self-actualized career, Steinem never married, never had children, but surrounded herself with a sea of motivated women (including Amy Richards, who shared the stage with Steinem and worked with her on the Viceland series "Woman").

"Being an organizer is being an entrepreneur of social change," Steinem said. "But the more you tell your story, your dreams, and your entrepreneurial hopes, the more you will see that you're not alone in either your striving or your doubts. You will be better able to move forward by sharing."  

4. WOMEN NEED TO REVERSE THE GOLDEN RULE. 

Though she said that men need to follow The Golden Rule (treat others as you wish to be treated), Steinem said that women need to do the opposite. "We need to treat ourselves the way we would treat other people," she told the millennial audience. It's that simple. Be kind to yourself.  

Photo by Becki Smith 

5. SHE'S FOUND THE GOOD IN THE FACE OF THE CURRENT ADMIN.

Steinem might have dubbed the current administration "a disaster," but she also said the sitting President is "a big-time consciousness raiser." (How's that for a hope-a-holic?) Bringing up the historical Women's March on Washington, Steinem said, "It was the first protest led by women that was joined by men." She also urged the women in the audience to, "Be honest. Speak the truth."

6. SPEAKING OF MEN, SHE'S NOT DISCOUNTING THEM FROM THE CONVO. (But she does want to change it for them.)

Steinem might have called the masculine experience a "prison" and "bonkers," but she also said that it is vital that we show males "the path to empathy." Noting that feminism benefits all people.

"They’re not supposed to show emotion or admit failure. It’s crazy and it shortens your life." She continued, "Show the ways in which it [feminism] is good for men. It lengthens their lives." She also said we need to "humanize the masculine role which is killing men. It’s not about asking for sacrifice, it’s about showing compassion. It is possible to go forward in a different way, and I think we are." 

7. SHE CALLED UPON EVERYONE TO FIND THE COMMON THREAD IN OUR HUMAN EXPERIENCE. 

The "patriarchal, hierarchical, bullshit," as Steinem calls it, has only been around for about 500 years. The social activist, who often cites indigenous cultures in her talks spoke of a time when, "People were linked. They were not ranked. Women controlled their own bodies. Languages didn’t have he and she. People were people. There was not a concept of ownership."

Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis. 

For more #CreateCultivateNYC recaps, check back this week. We'll be posting our favorite advice from the conference. 

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Scene & Overhead: Exclusive BTS of Our Kickoff Create & Cultivate NYC Brunch

photo credit: Tory Williams 

We kicked off our magical #createcultivateNYC week with a boss brunch in the city thanks to our friends at Tinder. There's nothing quite like coffee, mimosas, and stacks of Little Park pancakes to get the conversation going.

Create & Cultivate CEO and founder, Jaclyn Johnson, kicked off the morning festivities with a personal tidbit-- the newlywed met her (now) husband on Tinder. Which, of course, brought up the changing times and success stories!

Lauren Probyn, Tinder's Director of Marketing Events, chatted about the increasing rate of success stories and how the company is starting to see the first wave of what they've dubbed "Tinder Tots." (AKA kids born to Tinder matches.)

Naomi Hirabayashi, co-founder of Shine, which recently announced it's surpassed half a million users in its 1-year and finished a successful 2.5 million dollar seed round, has seen the firsthand benefits of making wellbeing accessible. (Interpersonal relationships being an integral part of the well-being train.) "I think we're at a tipping point in society," she said to the table, which included Forbes' Emily Drewry and Olivia Rose Wright, founder of Rallier. "The old model of meeting a person ONE way was so isolating. It's now more in your power to figure out what you want."

"The old model of meeting a person ONE way was so isolating. It's now in your power to figure out what you want."

Tweet this.

Speaking about figuring out what you want, Brand Strategist and Maude co-founder, Eva Goicochea shared a bit of advice. "My mom always used to say, 'your job doesn't exist yet.'" Noting that we don’t know what the future of the workplace looks like (so look out!)

Florals from Urban Stems adorned the tables where NYC-based blogger Rach Martino joked about Twitter's emergence as a comedic platform, noting that her boyfriend and his friends screenshot tweets and send them back and forth. "It's like the guys version of Instagram," she laughed.

And NYC-based blogger Noelle Downing dropped this little anecdote about dealing with the ever-changing blog world. "I was in Germany and did an Instagram Live from a hot tub wearing a bathing suit," she said. During the Live Steam there were plenty of commenters throwing shade about how the brunette beauty shouldn't be live streaming in a bikini. Post-stream, Noelle said she received lots of DMs from her followers asking, how she deals with rude comments. She told them, "I don't spend my time on negativity."

We call that something to toast to.

Be sure to click through the above gallery to see all the gorgeous images from the event!

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ETW: One Last Shot to Attend C&C NYC

photo credit: Smith House Photography 

Create & Cultivate isn’t just another conference. Sure, there’s networking and learning. There are mic drops left and right. Our speakers lay down the truth when it comes to the ups and downs of running a business, how they’ve learned from their mistakes, restructured strategies, mitigate the crazy world of social, and make every day count.

They pay it forward, entrepreneurial style.

And it’s a day where you get to grab the bull by the horns. Some people roll solo. Others roll with their BFF or biz partner at their side. But everyone comes to get inspired, collaborate, and create relationships that count.

So if you’re rolling to C&C NYC, here are a few of hacks we recommend.

PRINT OUT THOSE BUSINESS CARDS

Get ready to shake hands. Lots of hands. And despite what you might think, business cards are still an amazing way to make a great first impression. A speaker or mentor will be way more likely to take your card than they will put your info in their phone. There are a lot of people to meet and being aware is part of the networking game.

HASHTAG #CREATECULTIVATENYC & SHOUTOUT TO OTHER ATTENDEES

Want to take this a step further? Search the hashtag and DM people who are also attending. See someone you want to meet up with? Go for it. This is the new frontier. Be bold and be brave. It will make your day more meaningful.

FOR THOSE BRAVE SOLO ROLLERS -- NOMINATE A FRIEND TO COME WITH

We see you and we love you for making the investment in you. Which is why we want to give you the opportunity to bring your BFF along. We know it’s not easy to network. So with the help of our friends at Crown Royal, we’re offering you the opportunity to #creategenerously and nominate a friend to join you for the day. Those entrepreneurs aren’t the only ones who get to pay it forward.

Here’s how it works:

Crown Royal, AKA the world’s most generous whisky, is offering you the chance to win a VIP ticket for a friend to attend #CreateAndCultivateNYC with you! If you’re 21+ live in the Tri-State area and have purchased a GA ticket, comment on our Instagram here,  and tag a powerful and independent friend who wants to attend using #Contest. To enter for a chance to win them a VIP ticket because you’re the best friend they’ve ever had.

For full official rules click here.

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What to Expect at C&C NYC!

Hey C&C NYC Squad! We are so excited to get the NYC party started! There are so many great things coming your way, but before we get any closer we wanted to give you a sneak peek of what to expect on the big day so you can start building out your day right now! 

ALL DAY FUN

First things First, you should be receiving your badge and box of goodies in the mail over the next week or so! Your box will have your mentor power hour selections, your badge with lanyard dictating your track (white = track 1 and black = track 2) and if you are a VIP lots of other swag as well! 

POP-UP MARKET

At every C&C Conference, we have a roster of incredible brands that set up shop to give our attendees amazing and unique experiences. From braid bars to influencer meet-and-greets to clothing shops to henna tattoos, there's a little something for everyone. Here are the incredible things you can expect to see at the market in NYC.

Flat lay tutorial with Papyrus

We love a good flat lay, and know you do too! Hop over to Papyrus for the ultimate tutorial on how to achieve the quintessential flat lay; it’s anything but basic.

Boomerang at the Instagram Pop Up

We know you’re obsessed with Instagram just as much as we are. So they will be on-site all-day for all of your Boomerang Photo Booth needs. Yeah Boomerang + Photo Booth = content heaven. 

DIY with Erin Condren

Drop by Erin Condren pop-up for a free gift and make your own elastic page holder for your notebook/ planner! They will have the crafts and supplies to make your own. Get ready to get your DIY on.

Henna Station with Simon G Jewelry

Looking to edge things up a bit? Head over to the Simon G pop-up to get a henna tattoo that you can sport all day. These are beautiful and will look perfect on your Insta-grid.

French Connection’s Mid-Summer Collection

We love some good summer fashion. And in the spirit of summer, French Connection will be showcasing their Mid-Summer Collection to help you get ready for all those summer bashes you inevitably have on the calendar. Oh and BONUS! You get a flower crown, courtesy of Crowns by Christy with all purchases.

Flower Power with Urban Stems

Stop by the Urban Stems pop-up and get your flower power on. Make sure to snap a quick pic of the flower-filled beach cruiser (we die) for your followers.. oh, and you get your own polaroid take home. Can you say, "Shake it, shake, shake, shake it"?

Aura Readings at Gorjana

The newest trend is health and wellness, and we aren’t mad about it. Gorjana is providing attendees with custom Aura Readings (complete with a photo for your posting pleasure). We’ve dying to try!

Mica May’s Signature Notebooks

Notebook designer and color master, Mica May of May Designs is bringing the personality to #CreateCultivateNYC. Stop by her pop-up to check out her latest collection of adorable paper goods and get a firsthand look at her new apparel collection that is so happy, you won’t be able to control your smile.

Monogramming Station at Mark & Graham

Mark & Graham is the king of customization. And they are bringing their talents to NYC. Get in on the action by purchasing any of their incredible leather goods and getting complimentary monogramming!

Learn the Art of Styling at Minted 

Stop by the Minted pop-up to explore Minted’s new art styling service, featuring limited edition art styled uniquely for you, and Minted Commissioned Originals, allowing you to work directly with one of Minted’s independent artists to create an original art piece as unique as you are. (Pro tip: bring a photo of a wall to receive a complication consultation with a Minted art stylist). 

Refinery 29 Brings the Heat

Refinery29 is partnering with Tictail and Cora to create a unique shopping experience with a cause! Stop by the Shibori tent to shop R29- and other female-designed merch that'll help you wear your values: All proceeds go towards She Should Run, a fund supporting women in public leadership. And before you go, visit the Cora table to donate some organic menstrual products to women in need (and snag a free month's subscription for yourself!) You'll leave looking good and feeling even better. 

Try Out the it Bed

Need a quick break? Wanna kick your feet up for a sec? Stop by the it Bed pop-up to test out the comfiest (and smartest) bed you have ever experienced. Seriously, the capabilities of this thing are insane. It can tell you how well you slept, when you got your best sleep, and it can talk to your fitness tracker.

Colorful Fun at La Croix

Craving a perfect photo moment to show your social media followers all the fun you’re having at C&C? Head to La Croix for a bright and jaw-dropping photo opt. Oh and there will be face painting and corn hole as well! Did we mention they’re a lot of fun?

Gallery Wall Tutorials at Framebridge

There is never a time when Framebridge doesn’t bring their A-game, and C&C NYC will be no different. Stop by their booth for some pro tips on how to create the perfect gallery wall in your home (or office). They are also doing a Gallery Wall Giveaway so really, STOP BY.

Polling Stations at Tinder

Everyone’s favorite dating app will be popping up collecting key information from C&C Attendees. Want to give them your thoughts? Head to their booth. We'll be publishing (the anonymous) results on C&C Blog! 

BEAUTY BUZZ

We also always have a beauty lounge on site where our attendees are able to get glammed up, from makeup to hair to skin care we got your covered. Oh and don't forget to nab your headshot! 

Make Your Own Box with Birchbox

Crazy about samples? Us too! Build your own box of cute samples at the Birchbox pop-up. It’s a great way to test-drive some new products and hear all about the buzzed about brand.

New Headshots with Laura Mercier

Need a new headshot? Laura Mercier’s got your back on this one. Stop by their makeup and photo studio and walk away with a new killer shot (and an added boost of confidence).

Essential Oils Tutorial at Saje

Essential oils are everything right now! Saje will be giving out tutorials on how to effectively use these options to cure all of your physical and spiritual needs.

Island Time with Kopari Beauty

Wish that you were on island time? us too! Kopari is serving up some fresh coconuts at the Kopari Cabana, perfect for those of who you can’t contain your wanderlust. Can you say yum?!

Grab a Touch-up with beGlammed

It's a long day, but beGlammed is on deck for all your hair and makeup touch-up needs. From a fresh lip to a festive braid, they'll have you looking fresh. 

Kendra Scott Airstream

The cutest airstream there ever was (especially if it's anything like the AMAZING Kendra Scott HQ!). Be sure to check out the latest in Kendra Scott Jewelry and now home decor near the Second Stage. 

*VIP PERKS*

ManiCab at Kendra Scott

Hey VIPs, you lucky ducks! Kendra Scott knows the way to a woman’s heart, so she’s serving up manicure’s in the VIP Lounge. Trust us, the Mani Cab is too cute not to drop by. 

GRUB HUB

START THE DAY OFF RIGHT WITH BREAKFAST

Start your day with a little Jamba Juice

To help kick the day off, our friends at Jamba Juice will be serving up delicious acia and pitaya bowls, as well as chia pudding for attendees. Get your camera’s ready, we can just see your Insta post now. And if you need a snack, they'll be serving blends at their pop-up all day. 

Create & Caffeinate with Coffee at the ATG lounge

Stop by the ATG Coffee Lounge to get your java fix for the day. We know that you don’t work until your coffee does, so drop by early for a cup of Rise Coffee to fuel your day.  

Lunch hosted by Saks OFF 5TH

Then comes lunch. Our friends at Saks OFF FIFTH have teamed up with sweetgreen to will yummy yummy salads for all of our attendees. Be sure to stop by the Saks OFF 5th booth to see what other goodies they have in store. (Scroll down, it's RSVP only and you don't want to miss it!) 

Saks OFF 5th with Helena Glazer of The Brooklyn Blonde (RSVP ONLY)

Helena Glazer, AKA The Brooklyn Blonde, will be holding fashion court at the Saks OFF 5th pop-up showing attendees how to strike some of those infamous blogger poses (they are NOT as easy as they look). Dying to attend her tutorial? This is an RSVP-only tutorial, so secure your spot here.

*VIP PERK*

Dig into deliciousness from The Meatball Shop during Lunch

Oh, and there’s more! The geniuses behind The Meatball Shop will be in the VIP Lounge providing their signature meatballs to keep you full and happy! It’s a long day, so staying properly nourished is tres important.

Go ahead. Grab a cocktail with Crown Royal! 

Feeling festive? Crown Royal will be serving up delicious cocktails all day for VIPs (make sure to show your badge). Find them in the VIP Lounge and at the Bar in the Ruins.

STAY HYDRATED & STAY SATISFIED 

It's beauty water to the rescue with Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins will be serving their brand new beauty waters at their pop-up (they come in three yummy flavors: Lavender Lemon, Cucumber Aloe, and Melon Mint). They'll be mixed into flavorful mocktails served by a professional bartender for all to try. But wait... there’s more: stop by to enter to win a year's supply of collagen!

Keep your energy up with Noosa Yoghurt

From down under to NYC, Noosa is bringing plenty of their creamy, delicious and "bloody good" yoghurt to keep attendees satisfied all day long.

BREAKING DOWN THE BREAK

You will be going all day long so the break is a great time to catch up and dive into all the amazing programming our partners have going on. Some are RSVP only so be sure to grab your spot! 

Chase Slate: Meet and Greets with Camila Coehlo & Brittney Castro!

Camila Coehlo, lifestyle and fashion mega-influencer, will be visiting the Chase Slate pop-up for a meet and greet! Visitors will also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Chase Financial Education Ambassador, Brittney Castro, who will be providing the keys to #ConquerYourCredit. While you’re there, add some flair to your wardrobe with a custom DIY tassel keychain and come early to have an opportunity to receive a special gift. (limited quantity available) See you in the Chase Slate suite!

Pier 1 Imports Block Party hosted by Eva Amurri Martino

Summer is right around the corner, so Pier 1 Imports is throwing a Block Party hosted by Eva Amurri Martino (of Happily Eva After). She will be dishing out pointers on how to furnish your own block party just in time for summer. Check it out in the Pier 1 Picnic area outside.

Minted open forum discussion with CEO Mariam Naficy. (RSVP ONLY)

CEO of Minted, Mariam Naficy, will be hosting an intimate forum on the Second Stage from 3-4pm. This is an RSVP ONLY event, so sign up here and be sure to show up on time. They have something special for the first 100 attendees to RSVP and attend to the talk (shhh! It’s a $100 Minted art purchase). Run, don't walk. Link here.

A little about Mariam: A serial entrepreneur, Naficy co-founded cosmetics company Eve.com in 1998 and quickly sold it for over $100 million. Twelve years later, Naficy founded Minted based on her core belief that the Internet could surface hidden creative talent around the world. With perseverance, her online stationery company has turned into a burgeoning marketplace for the world’s best emerging artists. Reaching 70 million households globally with designs sourced from 50 states and 60 countries, Minted has arrived as the e-commerce darling for design.  

Sherry B Dessert Studio

Craving a midday pick me up? Grab a cookie (or brownie) from Sherry B! These will be at food stations outside so stock up for the rest of the day.

*VIP PERK*

Cool off with some Jeni’s Ice Cream

Perfect for a beautiful summer Saturday, our friends at Jeni’s Ice Cream are going to be scooping up some delicious ice cream for our VIP attendees. Make sure to get a napkin, this could get messy!

HAPPY HOUR

Happy Hour with Crown Royal & CAVA

After a long day of awesomeness, take a break and celebrate the day with CAVA who will be serving love some delicious hummus snacks. And because you've earned it, it's time to raise a cocktail! Kick-off Happy Hour with a delicious Crown Royal cocktail, or if wine or champagne is more your speed, they’ll have that too!

PRO TIPS

This isn't our first rodeo. Be sure to check out the pro-tips below to make sure you are making the most of the day! 

Phone Charging with Shopstyle

There is nothing worse than a dying phone battery. It can singlehandedly ruin a perfectly good day (or make you miss out on a perfectly 'grammable moment). But Shopstyle isn’t going to let that happen! Their charging station will be open for attendees to stop by and get some much needed juice (the battery kind... that is).

Pit happens, but Richer Poorer has you

We love to learn and network, but sometimes you need a mental break. Thankfully the Richer Poorer team will be providing a Ball Pit for our attendees… yeah, just like the ones you played in when you were a kid (except way cooler). Find them by the entrance for all the fun. They will also be highlighting their collection of basics in the pop-up market, because every boss needs her basics!

Need a break, check out this giveaway from Volvo

Craving a getaway? How about Sweden? Volvo is popping up with one of their newest car models available for you to check out in person. Stop by to snag a photo and enter to win the getaway of a lifetime.

Don't leave this at home! Things you should bring to C&C 

Bring a schedule of all the things you want to hit up day-of, it’s a day filled to the brim with activities so coming with a gameplan is a clutch move.

In the spirit of good networking, pack extra business cards. You want to be able to hand them out throughout the day. Don't shortchange yourself.

Keep an eye out for your attendee gift box that should be coming in the mail any day now! We are so excited for you to receive, make sure to share it on social with us using #CreateCultivateNYC!

Gift Bags

We know your want them! Gift bags are only available at the end of the night and will be handed out in exchange for your badge. If you have to jet early you will be forfeiting your right come back in but we doubt you'll want to do that ;)

For those who drive, there is Valet parking

We have 100 spots available onsite for valet parking which you can nab for $20 cash on site. However we DO recommend taking an Uber, Lyft, or catching our C&C Shuttle for VIPS at the Redbury Hotel.

International Attendees

You will pick up your badges and additional information at registration. Please let us know upon arriving that you provided us an international mailing address, and we will provide you with your conference goods! 

*VIP PERK*

Shuttle Service from the Redbury Hotel (RSVP REQUIRED)

Are you a VIP planning to take the shuttle from the Redbury Hotel in the morning and after the event ends? GREAT! If you could RSVP here to reserve your spot that would be great. Also note you will need your VIP badge or VIP confirmation email to board the bus!

WE ARE SO EXCITED! What are you most thrilled to see! Share in the comments below!

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Quick & Easy Spring Must Haves for On-the-Go Women

Spring is officially here! And we’re sprung. But we’re also crazy busy with work travel plans, meetings on meetings on meetings, and still trying to make time to get out in the sunshine. 

And since we know you’re busy too, here are three quick travel tips for on-the-go women. 

1. PROTECT THE SKIN YOU’RE IN 

You need to put your best face forward but lets face it, tons of travel plus an onslaught of environmental aggressors can leave your skin a little worse for wear. So, while it’s hard to have it all IRL, you can at least have it all when it comes to your moisturizer. 

Enter: A Perfect World collection from Origins. This line is designed to provide the most comprehensive protection against environmental stress, including new skin damaging stressors like infrared rays (IR) which makes up 50% of all light and penetrates deeper into skin than UV to cause protein damage, oxidative stress and free radical generation, all leading to accelerated aging. 

"It's hard to have it all IRL,  you can at least have it all when it comes to your moisturizer."

Our favorite (And what we gave away to the amazing speakers at #CreateCultivateSXSW): A Perfect World SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea, which is Origins highest SPF moisturizer. It’s a super-charged, oil-free moisturizer that delivers instant hydration with SPF 40 for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Better yet, the essential oils within eliminate any kind of traditional SPF odor. Need it! 

Even better? It doesn’t feel like a sunscreen either! Goes on smooth and lasts all day, harnessing the powerful benefits of Silver Tip White Tea, Edelweiss, and White Birch to help protect skin on multiple levels and create a barrier that defends skin from harsh environmental stressors you can’t control, like pollution and UV. Helping you prevent premature signs of aging before they start. After all, it’s not a perfect world, but at least your skin can live in one! 

If you want to radiate this spring, A Perfect World should be your go-to. 

2. TRAVEL IN STYLE 

Up in the air is part of the job nowadays. Thank goodness for in-flight wifi! Also, thank the travel gods that our favorite luggage ladies at Away teamed up the women at Pop & Suki to create this Away suitcase in Pop & Suki’s signature pink with contrasting black accents. No one will mistake their bag for yours ever again!

With all the traditional perks of Away: 360-degree spinning wheels, a scratch-resistant shell and even a built-in USB charger. The suitcase caters to the needs of all travellers, coming in four different sizes. 

Quick reminder: YES! You should even wear SPF when up in the air. Airplane windows don’t filter out the sun’s UV rays. Especially if you’re a frequent flier clocking 20k+ miles per year. Think of it this way: the higher you go, the closer you are to the sun. Moisturize before and during your ride if it’s longer than three hours. 

And if you feel like snoozing on the plane, you can rest easy knowing that A Perfect World SPF 20 Age-Defense Eye Cream with White Tea, Origins first-ever SPF eye cream, will hydrate, brighten, and help protect against environmental stressors even while in the air. Plus, with a universally flattering hint of tint, you know you’ll wake up looking refreshed and ready to go. That’s what we call pulling overtime.#professional. 

3. THE GAME-CHANGING HAIR DRYER 

From the company that actually managed to vacuum your dog’s hair out of your couch, comes a hair dryer that’s even more impressive (and small enough to pack in your carry-on). Dyson re-thought the hair dryer, giving the trusted tool a much-needed 2017 update. 

The Dyson Supersonic is fast-drying (a must for busy ladies), protects your hair from damage with tech that measures the tool’s temp 20 times per second, is engineered for balance so it won’t weigh your arm down, and did we mention it’s sound is inaudible? Yes, it’s virtually silent. So you can dry your hair just about anywhere. It’s a futuristic hair tool for right now. 

What are your spring 2017 #travelhacks? Share in the comments below!

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How to Food Prep for Your Work Week

Don’t get bummed out by the Sunday night back-to-work blues. Get ahead of the game instead. Studies show that successful people PREP for their week with a few key habits: concentrating on the positive, taking an hour to organize their calendar, and mapping out their meals. That’s right.

When you map your meals on Sunday, you have a more productive Monday. And that attitude carries through your week.

So with a little recipe prep help from our friends at Hormel Foods, we’ve gathered some great recipes and ideas to get your through the week.

SKIPPING LUNCH IS BAD FOR YOUR BRAIN… AND BUSINESS

Skipping lunch to get more work done is never a good idea. Your body and brain shut down when you don’t eat. Instead of stressing through your lunch hour, only to order something unhealthy and fast at the last minute, opt for prep instead.

You wouldn’t walk into a major meeting unprepared, so why would you do that to your own body?

The Natural Choice® brand has so many amazing lunch options. From DIY Bento Lunches that are low calorie, high-fuel for on-the-go working women, to protein-packed, Sonoran Power Taco Bowls for powerhouse ladies, and more, you can pack a lunch filled with  that will also have your taste buds melting with joy. For more ideas check out all of The Natural Choice® brand recipe options.  

EATING EVERY TWO TO FOUR HOURS HELPS KEEP YOU ALERT

Any time you go longer than five hours without eating, your energy crashes. And crashes hard. Especially when your brain is working overtime in a go-go-get-‘em office environment.

If your blood sugar drops, so does your productivity, which is why keeping healthy snacks on hand  a great way to power through those 3pm conference calls. Meat, cheese, and almonds snacks boost brain power and replenish energy. Hormel Foods offers four great snackable options to keep on hand and keep you firing on all cylinders. Or opt for their Hormel Gatherings® Culinary Pairings for an array of salamis, cheeses, pecans, walnuts, and almonds. Or bring a Hormel Gatherings® party tray for the whole office. Food is universal perk and it will not only boost your morale, but company morale as well.

GATHER YOUR CO-WORKERS & INDULGE A BIT

Many studies show that small reward-based incentives will keep you on track through the work week. So you should enjoy indulgences where you can-- even better if you can share with your co-workers as well. And who doesn’t love a little chip and guac action? When rushing out the door in the AM, grab a Wholly Guacamole® Mini Guacamole for your lunch or pure and simple Wholly Guacamole® Classic Guacamole Tray to share with your coworkers during a brainstorm. We’ve heard avocados and their omegas are good for that…

What are some other ways you stay on track during the workweek? Share your favorite at-home prep recipes below!

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How These 5 Women Are Fighting Gender Bias in Hollywood

photo credit: Happy Print Co. 

For 16 years LUNA has been promoting women storytellers with LUNAFEST. Every year they program and travel with 6-8 short films, bringing awareness in different cities to female directors. They also partner with local women’s non-profits in the cities where films screen to raise money for local charities.

And last Sunday at #CreateCultivateSXSW, in keeping with the spirit of the day and LUNAFEST, four amazing female storytellers took to the stage to talk about the realities for women directors in Hollywood. They were introduced by Suzy Starke German, the brand marketing manager for LUNAFEST, who told the audience "About two years ago we decided we wanted to look at the careers of the filmmakers who had toured their films through LUNAFEST.” The company also partnered with USC’s Media, Diversity and Social Change Initiative to complete a study about women in film. "Like in many areas, women directors are underrepresented,” said Starke German, bringing to the stage Mynette Louie, President of Gamechanger Films, an equity fund that exclusively finances women directed narrative features.

Joining them on stage were: Jennifer Brea, director of “Unrest,” a first time documentary filmmaker who used the medium to explore her personal medical journey, Rachel Holder, the writer and director of “I Love Bekka and Lucy,” a female friendship comedy which is the first digital series to be accepted into SXSW, and Kim Sherman, a production executive with Stage 13 representing “I Love Bekka and Lucy,” at the festival. 

The women candidly discussed their journeys and where they feel the conversation (and action) needs to go.

1. DON’T ASK FOR PERMISSION

She’s from a little town in the Midwest but Kim Sherman told the audience, “I don’t think I ever thought, ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I shouldn’t do this.’ I just started making movies. Every feature seemed to lead to the next. Eventually, thanks to amazing women like Mynette, I was recommended for this new digital initiative, Stage 13.” Stage 13 specifically works to support emerging artists in underrepresented communities-- “women being part of that,” she shared.

Rachael Holder got her start with an MFA from NYU/Tisch. “After graduation I wrote a lot of scripts, but no one was reading me. So I decided to not wait for permission and I made a web series. That web series was purchased by WB. With that platform I created ‘I Love Bekka and Lucy,’” she explained.  “The beginning of my creative process was creating these characters, because I wanted to have a walking resume. Something people could click on and get two-minutes of content, hear my voice, and hear my POV. That’s how you do it, it works.”

photo credit: Smith House Photography 

Nodding to Holder’s narrative about how she got her start, Brea picked up on the theme of permission. “I think ‘permission’ is a big theme about how women get their start. Who are the gatekeepers and do you need to ask for permission? For me, I was pursuing a totally different path in life. I was an academic, it was a safe path— but I had a strong impulse to tell a story that I really cared about and believed that it had to be visual that I had the idea to make a documentary. I think it’s because I had reached a place where I was so sick, I had lost everything, there was nothing left to lose. It was from that place that I felt I could take the risk.”

“Make your art without asking for permission,” Brea encouraged.  

“Make your art without asking for permission.”

Tweet this.

2. DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GET FUNDS? KICKSTARTER ACTUALLY WORKS

Both Jen Brea and Rachael Holder relied on Kickstarter to launch their projects.

For the first “I Love Bekka and Lucy” vignettes, Holder used Kickstarter, relying on friends and family for donations. She made a web series with 5k.

“I also relied on Kickstarter,” shared Brea. “It was essentially me asking the audience, ‘Do you want this film?’ And they said, ‘Yes,’ in a resounding way.” Her project raised over $200,000 on Kickstarter. “Had it not been for that I don’t think anyone would have given me permission to make this film.” Kickstarter also allowed Brea to believe that it was a story people wanted to hear and that it mattered.

3. WHAT ABOUT THAT HOLLYWOOD GENDER BIAS?

Holder, who writes about women a lot, said she doesn’t feel restricted by the kind of subject matter she can touch. She does admit: “In terms of my female characters that have empowering sex, it sometimes feels like there’s an expectation to make that character fucked up in some way. ‘She’s craa-azy, she likes orgasms.’ I like to fight against that."

“‘She’s craa-azy, she likes orgasms.’ I like to fight against that.”

Tweet this.

Sherman, who got her start in the horror genre shared that she never felt restricted but she did feel alone. “I was often the only woman on set, aside from the actors. We would bond with each other because we were in a very male-dominated genre. It was interesting to go to festivals because I felt like my role in things was often overlooked or diminished. For me, that was really frustrating. As someone who champions filmmakers and directors, I noticed the difference in reception I would get when going out with a female fronted project vs. the projects that were attached to a male director. The men seems to be more free to experiment and more free to come to the table with something that was their voice and vision. Where women, depending on the distributor, there were a lot more concessions to what they could make and a lot more notes. No matter what their background was or what they’d already accomplished there was a tendency to want to tell them ‘how it is in the industry.’”

Brea who admitted she is “new to this,” said that in some ways she’s “happily naive.”

Sharing: “I know there are institutional barriers, but in some ways you can’t think about that. You have to hold onto the belief that you can do anything. That type of ownership of the world is the privilege of being a man, but it’s something that I think we as women storytellers need to own. But talk to me in ten years.”

4. ONLY 4% OF DIRECTORS ARE WOMEN

The EOC has found that Hollywood is guilty of discrimination. But just what can women in Hollywood do about it?

“Studies and numbers are on our side now,” said Sherman. “It’s not just anecdotal anymore. I think that’s the first step, but it has to be acknowledged at the higher levels. That science has to be felt. I think about this a lot. It would be amazing if even to start— every time a male project was greenlit for millions and millions of dollars, a female project was also greenlit for millions and millions of dollars. Apples to apples. Let’s get women in these major roles.”

"Women outnumber men going into film school, so why is that not translating to higher jobs? Where along the way are we losing?” asked Sherman. “How do we make sure people at the beginning of their careers have access to audience? If you going to give hundreds of millions of dollars to men, do it for women too. Let’s start there.”

For Holder, this was a point to bring up the importance of intersectionality. “We need more female directors and storytellers, but we also need to have women of color be a part of the conversation too. Not only not male, but I’m also not white and damn,” said Holder.

All women agreed that the conversation needed to be much more inclusive and is a conversation has been brewing for a long time.

Mynette also brought up the point that, "Women are expected to only direct other women.” But pointed out, “A woman inhabiting the male perspective is as feminist and apt as directing a female protagonist.”

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20 Amazing Mic Drops from C&C Keynotes

Photo credit: Smith House Photography 

We're still riding the wave of Create & Cultivate SXSW and sharing 20 of our favorite moments from last week's popup featuring keynotes: Brit Morin, Brooklyn Decker and Whitney Casey, Hannah Hart and Mamrie Hart, and Kristen Bell. 

Enjoy and pass on to a friend who needs a boost! 

"I put my name in it because I want people know I'm real about this. I'm a real person. When you Tweet me, I'm gonna Tweet you back. When you Instagram I'm gonna Instagram you back. It's not a brand just trying to be a brand." Brit Morin on incorporating herself into the company.  

“I don’t think women brag about themselves enough.” Brit Morin on being a powerful woman in charge. 

“Cooperation over domination is going to be the cure.” Kristen Bell on what will move the business needle forward.

"Cooperation over domination is going to be the cure." 

Tweet this.  

Photo credit: Smith House Photography 

“Investors want to invest in people.” Brooklyn Decker on being yourself in meetings and believing in yourself. 

“To know your differentiators you have to know the marketplace. Do you research.” Whitney Casey on how to enter VC meetings. 

“Be incredibly well-researched on the market that you’re entering. Understand it so well and it will help you prepare for any meeting.” Brooklyn Decker on how to enter VC meetings. 

“If I were a young woman right now I would learn how to code.” Whitney Casey on how we change the male-dominated tech world.   

Photo credit: Smith House Photography 

“Beyoncé, she’s our user, she’s our girl.” Brooklyn Decker on her Finery dream user.

"Good ideas spread, they're the best infections." Kristen Bell 

"We want to work, but we also want to create." Brit Morin on the impetus of Brit+Co. 

"You can kick down the door but you better be ready to fight when you get in there." Mamrie Hart on breaking down barriers (and kicking down doors above). 

"You can kick down the door but you better be ready to fight when you get in there."

Tweet this. 

"If you try to please your audience you're not being your authentic self." Marie Hart. 

"When I would start to cry I would run to the bathroom to study it." Mamrie Hart on being an 8-year-old asking for an agent. 

"We're literally two girls with the last name Hart who started our YouTube channels in the exact same month drinking and making puns and we literally still don't feel competitive. So, there's enough room for everyone." Mamrie Hart on female competition and how she, Hannah, and third "Holy Trinity" member Grace Helbig really do support each other offline. 

"We focus so much on being pitted against each other, but we don't think about the social construct that has put us in the pit. That's the thing we should get together and try and change." Hannah Hart on women supporting women.

"It's intention into action. If you're intention is to get a lot of views and be famous, you can study all the strategies and compromise your values, but it might not work. So wouldn't it be better to make something you're proud of?" Hannah Hart of content creators breaking into the crowded space of social. 

"Ask for what you want." Mamrie Hart. Keeping it simple and smart. 

"This year especially, I just want to be around strong women. And I really want to focus on me and my girls going for it as hard as we can right now. I'm 33 and I really want to hit it hard right now. People are like, 'This is when you freeze your eggs,' and I'm like, 'No, this is when I get a frozen margarita with my bitches.' I feel like women right now need to come together." Mamrie Hart on the "Pussy Posse 2017" bracelets she gave to her friends. 

"In this 'climate' I'm worried that we're so focused on protecting our individual 'I's' that we're not listening to other people's 'we's.'' Hannah Hart on the need to be inclusive. 

"I believe our give back is the reason we are so successful." Kristen Bell on why she believes in This Bar Saves Lives and why she thinks social responsibility is the move. 

Have other favorite moments from the day? Share below!

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3 Cocktails to Help You Unwind This Weekend

photo credit: Isha Gaines 

Directions:

TO RYE FOR

1.5ox Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice

3 oz. Ginger Beer

2 Dashes Bitters

Garnish with Lime Wheel

---

SXSW DELUXE

1.5 oz. Crown Royal Deluxe

.75 oz Honey Syrup 

.75 oz Lemon Juice

1 dash bitters 

Garnish with twist of lemon

---

VANILLA SO SMOOTH

1.5 oz Crown Royal Vanilla 

.25 oz simple syrup,

2 dashes bitters

Garnish with orange peel

---

Have an amazing weekend and cheers to all the amazing ladies in your life! 

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3 Amazing Must-Read Tips for Brides-to-Be

The weather in Austin was a little damp, but the vibe at the Simon G. Jewelry Happy Hour at Create & Cultivate SXSW was on fire. In part because of the dynamic energy of the room and the gorgeous jewels on display. But also, we had a S’mores bar y’all.

Allure editor-in-chief, Michelle Lee and Jessy Fofana of La Rue PR were in FULL convo mode, chatting everything fashion and business, but also bonded over their mutual love of  beloved NYC nail salon Paintbox. Taking the weather into consideration, both NY-based ladies smartly paired their smashing outfits with chic sneakers.

Founder of May Designs Mica May, Ashely Rose of Sugar & Cloth, and local designer Claire Zinnecker, who designed the Simon G. custom booth at the conference, couldn’t stop taking Boomerangs. Mamrie Hart, Hannah Hart and Grace Helberg cheersed their delicious custom Crown Royal cocktails. Guests were given three signature cocktail choices: To Rye For, SXSW Deluxe, and Vanilla So Smooth. (Recipes here.)

Austin-based fashion blogger Olivia Watson of Livvyland marveled at the sparkles. Jessy and Claire also couldn’t stop trying on the gorgeous jewelry that was on display.

But the toast of the evening was digital darling Jenn Im and her new (!!) finacé Ben who chatted with Simon G.’s  VP of Marketing and Communication, Brooke Brinkman about their upcoming nuptials. Brinkman, a wealth of knowledge when it comes to tying the knot, shared everything in her wedding wheelhouse. She’s a pro at picking wedding venues. Jenn was beyond excited to soak it all in. And now Brooke’s sharing with us!

Below are three of her best tips for brides-to-be.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOVECATION

Is there a place that holds sentimental value for you as a couple or your family?  If not, perhaps there is a place that appeals to your style and personality.  The location of your wedding will hold significance for the rest of your life, so it is important to choose something that is special or can be special for years to come. If there is not a place that appeals to your personality or holds sentimental value, then we would recommend you choose based on ease of travel for you and your guests.   

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT VENUE

Obviously you want to choose a venue that will accommodate your guest list, but size shouldn't be the only criteria you consider.  While size is important, you don't want it to be too small and feel tight or to large and feel empty, you also want to make sure the venue allows you to host the event of your dreams.  The venue should fit your personality and style...if you want to have live music, make sure the venue you select will accommodate that desire.  If you want to work with a caterer you absolutely love, ensure the venue will allow for outside catering.  How about decor...do you want to transform the space or are you looking for a space that can stand on its own?  You also want to consider whether or not you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same place and if you choose separate locations, ensure they aren't too far from one another.

YOU’VE ALREADY GOT THE RING, BUT WHAT ABOUT OTHER BLING?

Traditionally, the bride receives a gift of jewelry from her groom to commemorate their wedding day.  Often the gift is earrings or a necklace that can be worn on the day of the wedding.  When choosing jewelry to complete your wedding day look, it is important to choose pieces that truly compliment the look but don't overpower. The pieces chosen should fit the style you are looking to achieve be it modern, classic or vintage and we would also recommend choosing pieces that can be worn many times over, providing a reminder of your special day for years to come.  Stud earrings and drop pendants are always a safe choice, as are tennis and bangle bracelets. A piece of jewelry with a sapphire is also a nice way to achieve your something blue should you be looking to exercise wedding traditions.  You likely will want to stay away from any rings, as your engagement and wedding ring should be the star of the show.

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