Treat Yourself to the Best New Influencer Program-- Seriously
Calling all content creators.
Amazon may be the spot where you order all your last minute holiday gifts, but it’s also the hub where influencers are taking their content this Winter. That’s right.
Earlier this year when fashion blogger Cynthia Andrew of Simply Cyn joined us on panel at Create & Cultivate NYC, she talked about jumping at the opp to be a part of Amazon Associates— the online retailer’s affiliate program that helps influencers get a share of the revenue. As Amazon has grown its fashion footprint to become one of the largest online apparel retailers, its Associates program is also adding new opportunities to help fashion influencers monetize their blog, including special financial incentives and premium content for qualified influencers. Every piece of content that you create is shoppable and has the ability to be linked to affiliate links.
Now Amazon Associates is taking it even further, with the launch of The Amazon Influencer Program. A natural extension of the Amazon Associates Program, the Amazon Influencer Program provides content creators and social media influencers the ability to create a curated shopping experience on Amazon and share that shop through an Amazon URL customized to their social media handle.
Curious as to how it works? Here’s a simple breakdown:
Apply for the program here.
You’ll need to verify your YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram account.
As people visit your shop on Amazon, you will have the ability to earn affiliate fees for all qualifying purchases.
Products are added to the shop through the “Add to List” function on a product detail page and the shop product list is managed through the “Your Lists” section of the influencer’s Amazon account.
Through the shop product list, items can be removed, moved to a different order on the page and comments can be added to specific products.
There are plenty of ladies who have already tested it out. From Instagram’s Director of Fashion Partnerships Eva Chen, who describes herself on the platform as “Mom, Fashion Enthusiast, Bookworm.” Her children’s book recommendations are on point.
To Lauryn Evarts, known as the Skinny Confidential to her followers, who has already started using the Influencer Program. Use her page to get her skincare recommendations or nab a Cube Timer— which the influencer carries around in her purse to help her time block.
Evarts also encourages future bloggers to not simply think about monetization. “My Instagram can go away tomorrow,” she told the crowd at Create & Cultivate NYC this year. Which is why she continually works on growing her audience on channels that aren’t beholden to someone else’s platform. “I didn’t go into blogging solely to monetize,” the outspoken blogger explained. “I went in to provide value. That’s one of the most important things. You need to establish value and trust with your readership before you think about money.”
“I didn’t go into blogging solely to monetize. I went in to provide value."
Tweet this.
The Amazon Influencer Program helps you do just that— provide value and community. If you get a little affiliate dough in the meantime— pay it forward this Christmas and buy grandma that sewing machine she’s always wanted.
Once you sign-up there are a couple of helpful tips to make the most of your page.
Be sure to use your vanity URL wherever pertinent.
For example: Use it in a Facebook or Twitter post to drive traffic to the page or in your YouTube video description. *Pro tip: you can even go back through old videos and add the vanity URL to drive new viewers to the page.*On Facebook use the Shop Now button to link to your vanity URL.
Monetizing content on your platform with affiliate links and programs like Amazon Influencer are vital to the longevity and success of your business. And creating community is what it’s really all about— especially this holiday season. So. Why wouldn’t you sign up for the Amazon Influencer Program? It’s a Holiday Gift from you to you. And (like the best gifts do) it costs nothing.
For questions on the program, email influencerprogram@amazon.com and use the subject line “Create & Cultivate Influencer Question.”
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4 Steps to Do Away With That Pesky Five-Year Plan
Let's focus on the next five minutes, shall we?
Photo credit: Vibe Tribe
As the bartender made his way over with four birthday shots in hand my girlfriend looked at me and said, “Chels, I don’t want to turn 26.”
At first I thought it was a bad attempt at making a joke but the look in her eyes told me she was actually being serious. I gave her the biggest hug as I tried to wash away the confused feeling in my chest. Despite having a passionate budding career under her belt, a loving man by her side and the greatest friends behind her, she still felt that she wasn’t exactly where she “needed” to be. As we raised our glasses in honor of the birthday girl I found myself distracted by the elephant in the room that apparently now comes with turning a year older. Instead of celebrating it with arms wide open, society has cast a spell over us saying if we don’t have x, y, and z by the time we blow out a certain amount of candles then we must be doing something wrong. We than proceed to beat ourselves up and never take a moment to stop and realize that possibly, we are doing everything right.
Let me ask you this, have you ever thought that you could actually plan out your entire life?
Half of you are currently laughing at me while the other half know exactly what I’m talking about. If you fall into the latter category, you aren’t alone. I am completely guilty of being the college senior who sat at her desk and wrote out a 5-year plan. I put my heart and soul into that color coded timeline so it may come as a surprise when I say that I am forever thankful that the plan on that piece of paper never became my reality. The person I loved, the city I wanted to call home and the job I strived to land were all meant for the girl who I was then, not the woman I am now.
Here are a few steps you can take to say goodbye to the 5 Year Plan:
1. DON'T DRAFT A TIMELINE BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S
As cliché as it may sound, playing the comparison game will only lead you to a dead end. Comparisons can either make you feel superior or inferior and neither of those feelings serve a useful purpose. Write your own story, learn from your own experiences and live your life through your eyes.
"Playing the comparison game will only lead you to a dead end."
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2. EVALUATE YOUR GOALS
Saying goodbye to the 5-year plan does not mean you should wash away your goals, no ma’am! Instead, use this as a chance to check-in with your personal and professional goals and know that it is absolutely OK to tweak them if you see fit to do so!
3. BE NICE TO YOURSELF
When you are your own best friend, you don’t seek out validation from others because you realize that the only approval you need is your own. This is your life, your journey and once you recognize the value to that then no one, not even a ‘plan’, can get in the way of your happiness.
"The only approval you need is your own."
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4. WELCOME NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Since life doesn’t always go according to plan being able to welcome new opportunities with open arms is key. How silly would it be to close the door on an opportunity just because it wasn’t color coded on a piece of paper you drafted up three years ago? Don’t sell yourself short out of fear of not sticking to your 5-year plan, learn to ride the wave of life with a smile on your face and motivation in your heart.
Life is going to take a different path for every single one of us so constantly comparing your journey to someone else’s will only hinder you from making the moves that are meant for your life. Just because your best friend is engaged, your roommate landed her dream job or your younger sister purchased a house with the white picket fence all before you did does not mean that you are screwing up. With each new day and each year that you are lucky enough to blow out an added candle know that this is your life to live and your journey is uniquely beautiful.
Keep dreaming, keep loving and as always, just keep swimming.
Living on my own terms,
Chels
Chelsea Briche runs the popular blog The Millennial Miss. A platform for young women surviving their twenties with grace and a lot of humility. The platform is Chelsea's "pledge to you, the ones who haven’t quite figured it all out yet. That we, together, will immerse ourselves in every single thing possible; explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground."
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C&C Classifieds: Leaf Group, Guess? & So Many More
Stop and smell the jobs.
It's beginning to look a lot like employment. Everywhere you turn. That is if you're turning your head the direction of our C&C Classifieds.
New listings right in time to nab a new job and grab grandma something nice for the holidays.
Leaf Group - Los Angeles, CA
Edelman - Seattle, WA
Guess? - Los Angeles, CA
22Squared - Atlanta, GA
Creative Circle - Atlanta, GA
Califia Farms - LA,CA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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3 Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets of Building a Smart Brand
Your audience is always watching.
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.
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
How to Road Trip The Right Way
Photography by: Jessica Bordner
They’re all part and parcel to the superpower of the ROAD TRIP. Road trips have captured our imaginations since before we ever landed behind the wheel. They have the power to make us feel free. And unencumbered by emails and office work.
So, looking to roll down the windows, and get a little sunshine on my face, I set out on a mini road trip in an Acura MDX to Palm Springs this past weekend. With a half a tank of gas, the car’s killer newly designed front grill, and my husband, sister, and dog by my side, we were ready to let the good times roll.
So, in honor of the fun we had, I’m sharing my four secret major keys to road-tripping your way to happiness.
1. YES, YOU READ RIGHT. I SAID HALF TANK.
Some people like to over-prepare. But part of the fun of a road trip is the impromptu turn-offs. You never know what you might find out your way out of town and off the beaten path. So contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to over-prepare your tank by filling it up all the way. Now, wait. I’m not advising you to run out of gas, but I am suggesting that you pull off the road, fill up your tank, but then hit up the nearby town. Pick up a trinket or two that will always remind you of your time at the mom and pop shop off the interstate.
Since we were riding in the Acura MDX and getting about 27 highway miles per gallon, a half tank got us pretty far!
Half talk, full heart. Can’t lose.
2. YOU DO NEED TO PREP THOSE TUNES
A family and friend sing-along is exactly what you need to fill up some of the hours of the road. But this is not the time to be selfish with your music. You want to pick jams that everyone can sing along to. Nothing too known, but nothing so obscure that you’re the only one singing. This isn’t your shower after all. My personal road trip playlist can be found here.
The Acura MDX even has a 7-inch on-demand multi-use display screen. It's positioned within easy reach of the driver and front passenger and controls the audio system and there's even surround sound!
3. DON’T TRY TO RUSH IT
So you hit rush hour? It’s not a problem. Road trips are 100% about the journey and not the destination (though a nice destination doesn't hurt.) Bring along a pack of Table Topics and play in the car. Go old school and play 20 questions. Get to know the people you love even more. There is something to be said for treating the road like part of the vacation.
With super spacious leg room, new leather piping and comfy captain’s chairs the new Acura MDX is the perfect place to be in traffic, if you have to be there.
4. GRAB GREAT CONTENT
I can’t help it. It’s the OG blogger in me, but every time I set out on a road trip I know there are going to be spots for perfect road trip content grabs. Plus, the desert during magic hour is too good to pass up. My professional photographer sister happened to be in the car with us, but it was the all-wheel drive and V6 performance capability in the car that really got us to the shot spot.
Have tips you want to share with us? What are your must-haves for Road Trips?
This post was created in paid partnership with Acura.
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Boo Hoo Babe: When, If Ever, Is it OK to Cry At Work?
A boss girl's guide to tears on the job.
Crying at work. We’ve all done it— some of us more openly than others. Whether it’s hidden in a bathroom stall **allergies** or in the middle of a conference room, business environments can be tense and, at times, move us to tears.
Unfortunately, there’s a shame that comes with crying at work, especially when you’re a woman— like you’ve failed some kind of litmus test for feminism (not true). There’s this underlying assumption that if you’ve got boobs and working tear ducts you’re either A. on your period or B. not tough enough to be a part of the boys’ club. You cry at work, and men judge you. So (ugh, sorry!) do other women who act like it sets us back in the workplace. It’s a tricky territory to navigate.
Thankfully, there are CEOs and Founders who are attempting to change this stigma. But let’s be real— very real: We can’t pretend that there isn't a difference between crying when you own the company and crying when you’re the intern.
There are different tiers for tears. So let’s break it down by rank.
CRYING WHEN YOU’RE CEO.
Jen Gotch, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of ban.do (who spoke on a panel at C & C this past March in Los Angeles), posted a selfie 14 weeks ago of her crying at work on Instagram. In the caption she wrote: “Ever wonder what it looks like, really looks like to be the chief creative officer at a rapidly growing company? This is me, today, after my efforts to make something work, well, did not work. In fact they kind of back fired. So I cried, ate some cool ranch Doritos, contemplated getting in my car and driving far far away and never returning and then I did something crazy. I challenged myself to own the part where I failed.” The photo is an un-retouched, raw selfie. Her eyes are wet. There are tears on her nose.
Crying when you’re the CEO is awesome. It allows your employees to see you as human (even if you have superhuman boss powers where you're fully operational on three hours of sleep). That you have bad days like they do, that you feel your failures instead of blaming them on other people, and it signals a shift surrounding the "humiliation" of crying on the job.
When you work for yourself or you own the company, it’s obviously OK to say, of course cry at work. Let it out. It’s good for you. In conversation with Lena Dunham for Lenny, Gloria Steinem said: “Because I am crying, I will live longer than you.”
But no one is firing Gloria Steinem (or Lena, who also has copped to copious amounts of tears) at this point.
CRYING WHEN YOU’RE MID-LEVEL, ALMOST BOSS
It’s a hard position to be in. You have some power, but you still answer to your boss, and you want to be sure that the employees below you, respect you. However, you need to trust that you've gotten this far for good reason, even if there have been a few tears along the way.
Jen Stith, VP of Communications and Brand Development at Bumble told us, “I work for a startup so I wear so many hats. I don't even know what day it is, I don't have time to cry. Although, sometimes I almost cry when I can’t find Red Bull when I land.”
Which brings up an interesting point about the current office environment. So many of us work on-the-go, and the old office model no longer applies. Crying at work might mean crying alone. In which, have at it. It doesn't make you weak. It doesn't mean you've failed. In fact, releasing that tension has proven to lead to better concentration.
"Sometimes I almost cry when I can’t find Red Bull when I land.”
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Another employee of a major fashion brand, who asked to remain anonymous told us, "One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Some days you’re the dog, some days you’re the hydrant.’ And some people are more comfortable being the hydrant all of the time. But if you want to make moves, you have to be willing to stand your ground, and sometimes that can lead to tears. That doesn't mean you're weak, often times it means you really care about your job."
"Some days you’re the dog, some days you’re the hydrant."
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CRYING WHEN YOU’RE A MINION.
Every. Single. Assistant in Los Angeles has a crying story. Or a thousand of them. People like to pretend it’s character building, that being knocked down a few pegs is all part of climbing the corporate ladder.
When I was an assistant I had a boss who was determined to make me cry. He used to say, “I will break you. I’ve made everyone cry, you’re no different.” It became a sick game, especially given my position within the company. I had no clout, and therefore in my mind, there was no crying. (Not in the office anyway.) I cried in the car, at home, to my mom, basically to anyone that would listen, until finally in between sobs someone talked some sense into me, and I left that job.
I never would have felt comfortable crying at the office, but that was due to the fact I was the lowest on the totem pole in a high-stakes, high-pressure environment.
When we aren't in charge, we worry about jeopardizing our standing or reputation in the company. That is a very real threat and a very real fear. That's not to say you can't cry, but you have to understand your individual situation and make that decision. (Even if that means realizing you might be in the wrong job.)
TO TEAR OR NOT TO TEAR
There is a difference between bringing your personal life to work and crying because of say, a failed relationship, and crying out of frustration when, like Jen Gotch, you're really feeling a failure.
If you're feeling down because something goes wrong, or you feel disrespected and forced to put your tail between your legs, take a moment. Feel your feelings. Where you want to do this, is up to you. There is no one-size-fits-all model. You were hired by your company because they saw something in you that they trusted. Bank on that and your gut. If that means stepping outside to cry, go for a walk. If that means tearing up in front of your co-workers, then so be it.
Even the strongest athletes get overwhelmed by emotion when they cross the finish line, whether they come in first or last.
New Royalty, Meghan Markle, Shares 6 Pieces of Advice
A real princess knows best.
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."
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."
Tweet this.
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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Links From Our Group Chat: Let's Talk Turkey with Teigen & Nuns with Chainsaws
Humanity did good this week.
If the weekend's activities have left you feeling stuffed to the brim, fill up on something else tonight before you head back to work tomorrow. Namely, Links from our group chat. Sure, we took a break from the office, but do you think we actually took a break from our C&C Dream Team Group Chat? No way.
1989 was the first year a turkey was given a presidential pardon. And other odd facts about the world's ugliest bird.
Chrissy Teigen is rarely wrong. And she is def not wrong about turkey.
Turkey talk aside, since this week was all about giving thanks. We're throwing it back to this nun who took matters into her own hands. We are sure grateful for her holy badassery.
It's always hard to get back on track the week following time off. For one, there's no pie. So, stop doing meta-work.
There's one day left to nab amazing deals from the C&C x Google Store. Did we purchase items from our own gift guide this weekend? Not even gonna pretend on this one. Yeah. We did.
Want more? Check back every Sunday night. We're always reading the good stuff.
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5 Boss Women Share What They're Thankful For
Meet us at the corner of huslte and happiness.
There is something to be said that we kickoff holiday season with a day of giving thanks. The focus on family and friends, not presents. On full bellies and full hearts. People gathered around a table or the smells in the kitchen. We put our hardships, grievances, and worries aside for a moment and really soak into what we do have. Because no matter who you are or where you come from, or how rough the last month has been for many of us, there is always something to be grateful for. There is always something worth toasting.
We asked four boss women what they're thankful for.
Cheers to them and you and from the team at Create & Cultivate, have a warm, wonderful, and love-filled Thanksgiving.
SONJA RASULA, FOUNDER + CREATIVE DIRECTOR, UNIQUE MARKETS, UNIQUE SPACE, CAMP
"I'm most thankful for the rediscovery of my intuition, such a powerful and important tool we all have yet often ignore... I've always been very in-tune with it and the energy that surrounds me, but this year was hard and I realized it's because while I was giving others the advice to 'trust your gut,' I hadn't been listening to my own intuition which impacted my work/life. "
NICOLETTE MASON, WRITER AND FREELANCE CREATIVE CONSULTANT
photo credit: Nicolette Mason
"I'm really, really grateful and appreciative of my queer and POC communities. It has been remarkable to see groups come together to share resources, provide support, and help one another."
EUGENIE GREY, FOUNDER FERAL CREATURE
photo credit: Anna Demarco
"I'm thankful for my chosen family, who align with my political beliefs and support me in all my endeavors. Times are extra hard for some of us right now, and the sense of community is the most valuable it's ever been."
CHELSEA SONKSEN, FOUNDING EDITOR, BOSSLADIES MAGAZINE
photo credit: Bossladies Magazine
"This year I'm especially thankful for the warm reception that women around the world have given my little magazine. When you start a new publication (or any new project for that matter), there is no way to know if people are going to resonate with it. I’m so grateful that Bossladies has touched on something that inspires and moves people at their core. There isn’t anything more you could ask of your work than that."
BETH KIRBY, FOUNDER LOCAL MILK
photo credit: Local Milk Blog
"I'm grateful to have a job that allows me to be creative and travel—whenever I'm stressed I remember that stress means I have work and having work means I get to do what I love for a living."
What are you grateful for? Share in the comments below!
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How Bri Emery Plans to Work More Effectively (Yes, Even Over the Holidays)
Plus what Podcasts she's loving on.
Bri Emery's life is a Design. Love. Fest. She designed it that way. As the Los Angeles-based founder and editor of designlovefest, her lifestyle blog that she says was never supposed to be her day job.
But since her first post in 2009, she's collabed with Target, art director for Benefit Cosmetics, Gap, Nespresso and so many more. She even launched a limited run wine brand in the summer of 2016. Does that make you need a drink?
We checked in with the powerhouse creative to see how she handles the stress of work and holidays. Plus, how she's using her Google Home to stay even more on top of her ish. It's her hands-free assistant that's going to help her cook a turkey. We're into it.
You're so freakin' busy! What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
I’ve learned my lesson not to completely bombard myself with tasks right before the holidays, because then I usually get sick the moment I have some time to relax. I’m staying on top of my to-do list this year and trying to finish up jobs earlier, so that the transition is less abrupt. The holidays are so important to be with the people we love and enjoy our down time.
We spy a Google Home. How did you think it will streamline your life and biz?
I love how it’s there to answer any little question I have. What’s the weather like in a city I’m traveling to for work? What’s on my calendar today? Setting reminders for appointments. It’s always helping me out.
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Guide click here.
Ok, so any little question.... What’s was the first question you asked your Google Home?
Hey Google, "How do I cook a turkey!?"
Where are you using your Google Home the most? How is Google Home making your life easier?
I use my Google Home in the kitchen mostly. I'm constantly playing music while I’m cooking, using it for a timer, or asking it questions like "Hey Google, how many teaspoons in an ounce?” It’s like my sous chef!
What else can you do with it? What are your favorite podcasts to listen to on your Google Home?
I’ve been listening to the podcast “Where Should We Begin” with Esther Perel. She gives a peek at relationship counseling and has awesome communication advice. It’s fascinating. I also became obsessed with the crime podcast “Up and Vanished.”
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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How Whitney Leigh Morris Is Staying Connected This Season
Santa baby, please send me strong wifi.
Whitney Leigh Morris and her Google Wifi.
Whitney Leigh Morris and her Tiny Canal cottage are expanding. It's true. The woman who has perfected the art of TINY living, is branching out-- with an extra couple hundred feet. It might not sound like much to you, but for Whitney, her husband, baby, and two dogs, it's going to be a game-changer. So she's also changing up her wifi situation because she works from home. As Whitney shares, "A strong Google Wifi signal is the single most important factor in creating these efficient little pop-up offices.
What’s your technique for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
This time of year is delightfully tricky— there is so much more business to manage and wrap-up, and yet there’s also a marked uptick in social events to attend and vacation days to enjoy. The reality of running your own small business in this era is that you’re rarely ever able to fully unplug. But as long as my digital files are efficiently organized and synchronized, it is quick and painless to oversee activations, reply to requests and inquiries, and keep projects rolling from my phone over the holidays. When I can manage all of my tasks without having to open my laptop our power-up my desktop, I feel like I’m balancing the work/play nature of December.
What Christmas movies will you be streaming with your Google wifi?
I’m excited to show my son and his cousins "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street." It’s from the ‘70s, but that Jim Henson magic never fades. (We don’t have a TV, so we’ll stream the movie on my computer and project it on a screen or wall near the tree.)
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Guide click here.
You’re expanding your space, so why is Google Wifi the smartest choice for your expansion?
Our cottage is also my full-time office and studio, so I’m constantly working to varying degrees while at home. We recently acquired the neighboring tiny house as an expansion, and even though our increased square footage only totals under 800, our wifi signal now has to carry through exterior walls, and even reach into our “new” front garden. Before using Google Wifi, the strongest signal was near my desktop computer. But as my business continues to expand, and as my family’s daily routines evolve, I need to have flexible, functional work stations for myself and others throughout the cottages. A strong Google Wifi signal is the single most important factor in creating these efficient little pop-up offices.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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How Simply Cyn Is Keeping It All Together Over the Holidays
She’s got two FT jobs!
Simply Cyn and her Google Home Mini.
Need a little handsfree help this holiday season? Everyone does. Including Cynthia Andrew AKA @SimplyCyn, who is a fan of the Google Home Mini for more reasons than one. We checked in with the full time blogger and lawyer on how her Google Home Mini is helping her keep it together.
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
Staying organized for me means calendaring, setting alarms/reminders and making lists.
What’s the first question you’re gonna ask your Google Home Mini?
Hey Google, can you please set the following reminders.... long list to follow.
How do you think your Google Home Mini will help you balance your two FT jobs?
It's easy to get distracted or completely absorbed in one so you have to set specific boundaries and timelines for different projects. Sometimes, I have to force myself to move away from one in order to dedicate the appropriate amount of time and energy to the other.
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Store Gift Guide click here.
What feature of your Google Home Mini are you most excited to use and why?
I love to use the pure speaker function at night and mornings to stream music. It'll most likely just be me playing rain sounds before bedtime.
How does your Google Home Mini make your life easier?
Quick access to Google Assistant - I’m on-the-go and sometimes just need to know what’s happened with emails, my calendar, traffic or weather- it’s a real game changer.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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How Kristin Ess Is Streamlining Her Crazy Busy Life This Season
Hands Free Help, all. the. time.
Kristin Ess and her Google Home.
We all get by with a little help from our friends. And this holiday season, you just might want to consider Google Home your BFF. It's hands-free help. You can ask it questions. Tell it to do things. Make it play your favorite jams. Time your turkey so perfectly that your mom-in-law asks you for the recipe. OR. If you're a working BOSS like Kristin Ess who launched her Target line last year and styles the coifs of babes like Lucy Hale and Create & Cultivate keynote Lauren Conrad lives by her schedule.
Find out why the hard-working redhead says she "almost died" of happiness when she found out Google Home can do this...
How do you think your Google Home will streamline your life? Your biz?
I'm used to opening 5-7 apps on my phone first thing in the morning alone-- emails, my schedule, I turn on music/news, read my to-do lists for the day, adjust the temperature in my studio, etc... I always thought it was incredibly convenient to be able to do those things by phone, but the fact that I can now just request these things vocally into "thin air” it allows me to keep moving and truly helps me multitask, which I’m not naturally good at.
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season? Can you list 2-3 ways you are juggling the busy season + incorporate google home into one response?
First things first, I almost died when I figured out I can ask her to make me various shopping lists because I have a lot of people to shop for these days, running 3 different business, and I can’t manage the all on one list, so that’s exciting. Second, I love that I can say “Hey Google, how long do I cook a sweet potato?” or “Hey Google, what’s in a hot toddy?” and it tells me the most popular results and/or gives me a recipe. That is incredibly helpful to me when I have people over. I don’t necessarily have time to stop and look it up. Last but certainly not least, I can keep that Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Justin Bieber holiday mix flowing like fine wine.
What’s your #1 jam to play while clients are in your chair?
There’s not one jam. It’s just Aretha, Alabama Shakes and Adele all day, every day in my chair.
What’s was the first question you asked your Google Home? Hey Google...
I asked her to play NPR radio. I like to listen to the news while I set up for my day— it gives me interesting topics to discuss with people.
How does your Google Home make your life easier as a hair stylist?
My hands are always busy when I’m in the salon and my assistant is always doing a million things as well, so there’s not a lot of time for using my phone, tablet or computer because you literally need hands to do that! I love being able to vocally set timers for client’s colors, I can ask when my next client is coming, shout out a Google Search (because if you’ve ever been in a salon you know we discuss very random things in the chair sometimes), I can order food, we can verbally order inventory, which is a life changer, and when my client is cold or warm I can adjust the temperature for them. I’m also constantly losing my phone around the studio so it’s really nice that I can ask, "Hey, Google, call my phone for me."
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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The Skinny Confidential Spills Her Holiday Work From Home Hacks
Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential and her Google Pixelbook.
Lauryn Evarts, founder and oh-so-tells-it-like-it-is voice behind The Skinny Confidential, knows how to keep it real. From sharing advice on her blog to running her podcast, "The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Podcast," with hubby Michale Bosstick, she's a busy babe who needs to keep things steamlined (the best she can).
Plus she's the perfect person to give us the low-down on avoiding awkward family interactions over the Holidays.
Do you have any tips for avoiding awkward family small talk at the table? No. Aunt Helen, not appropriate.
OH AUNT HELEN. WE ALL HAVE A HELEN, RIGHT? I mean really can we all agree we all have that one person who has too much Pinot Noir & brings up drama from 1989? My rule of thumb is not to stay too long anywhere- we move around & move around in conversations too. If someone brings up something you don't want to talk about? Simply slowly exit the conversation. I don't like to argue- you know I'm not the type to fight fire with fire. I've always preferred to slowly back away as opposed to cutting anything off. This concept very much applies to Thanksgiving. You know what I mean? Also my chilled glass of champagne never hurt a flea.
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
TIME-BLOCKING! This is this amazing, simple hack that's changed the game for me. Basically I carry a big time cube in my oversized handbag (I even did a big blog post on this subject & now a bunch of The Skinny Confidential readers do this too!). Anyway it comes in handy because I use it to block time off ( for instances 1 hour of e-mails when I wake up ). For one hour you're only allowed to focus on the one task you pick. No phone, no distractions, no other tasks besides the one you choose, sorry! I know, sounds painful but it really ups the efficiency. Seriously helps so much during the holiday seasons when there's so much distraction. I'm very much a "oh how cute a puppy, wait OMG- did you see that squirrel?" type of person. Distracted is my middle name so yes, a time cube certainly helps. Let's just say they will be in the entire family's stocking stuffer this year.
What about hacks for getting work done when you’re surrounded by friends and fam?
This is hard. I want to write a biography on this. It would be called: Hacks For Getting Work Done When You’re Surrounded By Friends and Fam: A Memoir.
Seriously sometimes I edit an Instagram in the bathroom? Just being real here.
I REALLY try to get all my work done so I can put my phone away at parties with friends and family. My latest is to take IG Stories and save them and then post when I have some time to myself. And then there are times when you just need to go outside and do what you gotta do.
What feature of the Google Pixelbook are you most excited to use?
I've never been more excited for an accessory. Like screw shoes and handbags! All I want is a Google Pixelbook Pen. How chic is it in white? Before I got it I envisioned myself in business meeting with my white Google Pixelbook and the matching Google Pixelbook Pen. It was a very clear vision and now I throw it in my handbag (next to the time cube) and head to meetings. As you can imagine I feel very cool when I whip out my pen to take notes.
You travel so much, how do you think it will streamline your travel days?
Honestly, the Google Pixelbook will be so amazing for travel. I actually SCREAMED when I got it in the mail. For one it will fit perfect in my black travel backpack and for two it's lightweight and so easy to use. Since we travel so much for work it's ideal for writing blog posts on-the-go. There's nothing better than a long red eye flight with a fast Internet, a glass of champagne, and side of plane peanuts- this is heaven for me. The Google Pixelbook will make my dreams come true while I'm flying. As you can see, I'm overly excited for how it will streamline my travel days.
But let's be honest what I really love is it's white, chic...AND has a Pen!
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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The Girl From Panama on How to Handle Holiday Travel
It's the craziest time of the year!
Pam Hetlinger and her Google Pixel 2.
Pam Hetlinger is The Girl From Panama, a blog dedicated to providing fashion trends, beauty tips and travel destinations in an attainable yet elegant aesthetic.
Pam’s global experience working in London, San Francisco and Panama, in both the beauty and fashion industry, have helped her establish a unique brand and source of inspiration for a large group of dedicated buyers and followers.
Now she's living in Los Angeles and after one year in the City of Angels, she's having a blast. And taking amazing pics to prove it.
How does having a Google Pixel 2 make your life + work easier?
Having the new Google Pixel 2 has enhanced my life greatly! With so much happening in my life with being so busy, it really helps to have a phone that’s just as eager to work hard as I am.
What feature of the Google Pixel 2 are you most excited to use? (#1 rated smartphone camera, quick + long lasting charger, Google Assistant in your pocket...)
The feature I’m most excited about on the Google Pixel 2 is without a doubt the long lasting charge and the camera. Its camera is rated #1 smartphone camera for a reason! Having the extra long battery life makes working on my phone so much easier. I’m always on-the-go, and sometimes bringing a charger with me isn’t my priority! Thankfully I won’t have to worry about that anymore. Also, I'm so excited to use the song identifier. Listening to music is a great way of keeping me stress-free throughout the day. Having a program that identifies songs near me makes all of the difference in the world!
What are your "can’t live without" apps that will go on your Google Pixel 2?
Instagram, Spotify, Uber, VSCO, to name a few!
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
I live each day through a schedule, so in order to stay on top of everything, I write everything I need to do each day on a calendar! Another wonderful feature of the Google Pixel 2 :)
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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How Nicolette Mason Is Taking Her Pix to the Next Level
Taking her Pix to the next level with Google Pixel 2.
Nicolette Mason and her Google Pixel 2.
With her blog, her writing career, and her new line Premme, Nicolette Mason has a lot of pics to take. And how better to capture all of her content than with Google Pixel 2, rated the #1 camera on the market?
What photos are you most excited to capture on the Google Pixel 2?
I was immediately blown away by the camera and display quality on the Google Pixel 2. The videos and photos are crystal clear and look like they were shot on professional DSLRs, and are pretty amazing in low light. Every since launching Premme, we’ve relied on our built-in phone cameras to capture IRL moments of our clothing, shooting inspiration, and getting clear photos and BTS during our campaign shoots. It’s so great to know I have the tools to capture them right in my pocket!
Can’t live without apps that you’re adding to your Google Pixel 2 right away?
This is kind of nerdy, but I really do live and die by my Google Drive. Because I work on the go so much, I need to be able to access my docs while I’m running around from one meeting (or coast) to the next. Besides that, I love VSCO for editing my pics, and also love that there are really amazing mobile versions of Photoshop available.
How does having a Google Pixel 2 make your life + work easier?
I don’t always have a free hand, but the Google Assistant really does act like an assistant in my pocket. When I’m driving or just in serious multitask mode, I can ask the Google Assistant to help me out. A big one for me is, “Hey, Google, what’s on my calendar?” or, “Hey, Google, read me my latest emails.”
What feature of the Google Pixel 2 are you most excited to use? (#1 rated smartphone camera, quick + long lasting charger, Google Assistant in your pocket)
So, the first three days I had the Google Pixel 2, I literally charged it... ONE TIME. It charges up in less than 20 minutes, so I don’t feel like I’m attached to a landline. Time is my most precious resource, lately, so anything that helps me save time is a huge win.
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
I put literally EVERYTHING in my Google Calendar - from wake up times, to travel distances to meetings, to little reminders of things I need to do throughout the day. It keeps me organized and on track for all my personal and professional deadlines and commitments.
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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Why Bianca Alexa Plans to Daydream A Lot This Holiday Season
Daydream, believer.
Bianca Alexa and her Google Daydream.
What are you most excited to use your Google Daydream View for?
I'm most excited to use the Google Daydream View to unwind and watch Netflix while I'm in bed with a pint of Ice cream :)
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
Asking my husband to remind me of important dates so I don't forget. That and saving everything in my calendar, especially when my schedule gets so packed. It's easy to lose track of deadlines and important dates so I am constantly setting reminders and alarms to help me stay on top of it.
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
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More Than Half of Women Say They Don't Have Enough Time to Do This
You're not alone.
If you feel like you don't have enough time to do what you want to do, you're not alone.
A recent Gallup poll found that six in 10 working Americans (61%) say they do not have enough time to do what they want, compared with 32% of those who are not working.
61% of females ages 18-49 also say that they don't have enough time to do what they want.
Sound like you? It's a time-trap-crunch that we've all found ourselves caught in. But the question remains, how do we find some ME TIME in between all of our work hours and commitments?
1. FLIP THE WAY YOU START YOUR DAY
Most of us feel the time crunch start from the moment we open our email. Often this happens before we even get to the office. How many of you are guilty of rolling over, checking your inbox, and making sure there's no fire to put out? That is a surefire way to always be playing catchup. Your inbox is someone else's to-do list.
2. FOLLOW THE TOUCH-IT-ONCE RULE
We've talked a bit about this before, but the emails we open and don't address take up a lot of space in our minds. Space that we can use to problem solve or come up with creative ideas. The way it works is simple: if you open it, answer it. That way you will be able to more fully focus on -- and execute-- tasks throughout the day. You'll find that as you do this, it not only frees up more brain space, but TIME as well. You can use this extra time to meditate or take a walk-- even if only for 15 minutes.
3. OK, BUT 15 MINUTES ISN'T WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT (when they say they don't have enough time)
You're right. 15 minutes does not give you actual me time. It's a respite, not a reprieve. Which, is why it's so important to clock out during vacation time. If you don't have to answer emails this coming Friday, don't do it. Give your brain the time to power down.
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.
4. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'FREE TIME' & 'ME TIME'
It's more than likely you've squandered your free time. Free time feels slightly more flexible. But if you schedule your me time to do something [insert your GOAL LIST here] you really want to do, it will recharge you in a different way.
Or if that doesn't work, repeat "Beep Boop" until your start smiling.
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C&C Classifieds No 68: Blended Strategy, Dropbox, Forix & More
Give thanks for these sweet listings.
photo credit: Brooke Lark
Thanksgiving week is full of turkey, talk, and catch up with the fam. It's also the perfect time to polish your resume if you're not feelin' the most grateful at your current job. Maybe it's time to switch it up.
Forget talking turkey. Let's talk new job opps.
Verge Creative Group - New York, NY
Blended Strategy Group - Los Angeles, CA
Dropbox - SF, CA
The TJX Company - Framingham, MA
BH Cosmetics - Los Angeles, CA
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
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Links From Our Group Chat: Wonder Woman Moves & The Best Places to Work
Go for it. Put your nose in a book.
Weekends are for wine down Fridays and read up Sundays.
Which is exactly what we're doing today, in addition to sharing what we dug into last week. Read anything that inspired you? Share in the comment below.
This is what superhuman women do.
And then this. WONDERWOMAN POWER: Brett Ratner won’t be involved in WW2.
Our girls at DBA landed themselves on AdAge’s Best Places To Work. Find out who else made the cut.
Meet the Mom + Economist who fed 100,000+ kids (and counting)
Forbes revealed their 30 under 30 List. Which means it's a good time to dig back into this.