Journal — Slow Dance Studio

3 Social Media Management Tools I Can't Live Without

One of the many hats I wear these days is that of social media manager, not only for Studio Bicyclette, but also for a few clients of mine.

Obviously the platforms themselves are tools, but I also currently have three other tools I've added to my arsenal to help me manage the various social accounts and work more strategically and efficiently. I've found that as I start to grow and add more accounts onto my plate, having systems set in place is absolutely essential, and finding tools that work for you and your workflow is of the utmost importance.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaMay 14, 2016social media, social media management, online tools, iconosquare, tweetdeck, bufferComment

Melon Lemonade, 3 Ways

Maybe it’s the season, or maybe it’s the work of Queen Beyoncé (all hail!), but I’m all about lemonade right now. I always go through unexplained drink-related phases, and right now it’s lemonade- green lemonade, strawberry lemonade, Arnold Palmers, whatever! I can’t get enough, and you know what they say, “when life gives you lemons”…

ResourcesPaige BoersmaMay 2, 2016recipe, lemonade, melon lemonade, drink, raopXstudiobComment

Thoughts on The New Instagram Algorithm, and Why You Should Be Focusing on Content and Community Instead

A few weeks ago, the Instagram community started collectively freaking out over the mention of a new algorithm being put into place. As I watched my feed start to fill with pleas to turn on notifications for their accounts, I couldn't help but contemplate what this might mean for those of us who have used Instagram as a key tool in growing our businesses and connecting with an online community.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaApril 29, 2016instagram, instagram algorithm, social media, communityComment

DIY Easter Treat Holiday Crackers

Happy Easter Weekend! After a very long hiatus Alyssa of Random Acts of Pastel and I finally joined forces once again to make some holiday magic. A year ago we got together almost weekly to work on fun projects, but gradually life got in the way, and our sunny tea and treat filled afternoons faded into the past.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaMarch 26, 2016craft, DIY, DIY easter crackers, easter, easter treats, pastelComment

Coconut Mojito Smoothie

I must admit, this Coconut Mojito Smoothie is a slight departure from the healthy smoothie recipes I usually whip up, since it sips more like a dessert than anything. But any smoothie that reminds me of a tropical vacation (I swear if you close your eyes you'll almost be able to feel that sea breeze whispering through your hair) is fine by me. The balance of the rich, coconut creaminess with the fresh lime and mint is sure to delight your taste buds. And let's be honest, I think it's only fair to balance out all those green smoothies with one that's a little more decadent.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaFebruary 13, 2016smoothie, coconut mojito smoothie, mojito, recipeComment

5 Blog and Social Media Backdrops You Can Find and Create Yourself

We're all aware of how important visuals are in today's world, and with most brands and businesses utilizing blogs and social media to tell their story and engage with their viewers, there is no shortage of opportunities to create our own content and capture beautiful photos.

DIY Tinsel Confetti Mug

The idea for this tinsel confetti mug hit me right after I made the tinsel straw embellishments for the Giggly Rose Cocktails for NYE. My counter was covered in shiny tinsel remnants after trimming the garlands, and instead of tossing the sparkly, confetti-like pieces into the garbage, I swept them into a plastic bag and figured they'd be perfect for something. You never know.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaJanuary 26, 2016ceramic mug, confetti, DIY, sparkle, tinselComment

Giggly Rose Cocktail

Besides the fact that this cocktail combines a few of my favourite ingredients, I must admit that it's really the name that I love the most: Giggly Rose Cocktail. With both gin and champagne, it's not only a perfectly pretty cocktail that's fit to accompany any party dress, but also a slightly deadly one that'll be sure to get you in your dancing shoes and kissing that handsome stranger by midnight.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaJanuary 1, 2016cocktail, DIY, giggly rose, new years eve, party time, recipe, rosewater, sparkle, tinsel Comment

DIY Holiday Wrapping

There are so many things to love about about the holiday season, and for me, gift giving is definitely near the top of that list, as there’s nothing quite like hunting for the perfect gift for that special someone.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaDecember 18, 2015DIY, diy holiday wrapping, enamel pin, flair, gift wrapping, glitter guide, pom pom, ribbon, sparkle season, washi tapeComment

Funfetti Coconut Popsicles

It wasn't until the end of this past summer that I finally treated myself to a popsicle mold, and because of the timing, I surrendered to the idea that popsicles are really only a summertime treat, so I sadly tucked it away.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaDecember 5, 2015coconut, coconut milk, coconut popsicles, funfetti, gluten free, popsicles, recipe, veganComment

A Simple Grid Inspiration Board for Your Workspace

In my last apartment, I was blessed with a section of wall that had cork board embedded in it upon moving in, so setting up my mandatory workspace inspiration board was about as easy as could be. When we moved to the new apartment a couple of months ago, that was one of the man features I knew I was going to miss (it's the little things, truly), and I started to keep my eyes out for alternatives that would fill that inspiration board need in the new workspace.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaDecember 2, 2015DIY, grid, grid inspiration board, home depot, inspiration board, workspaceComment

5 Podcasts for Creative Entrepreneurs and Bloggers

Earlier this year, I discovered podcasts. Sure, I was aware of them before, but I hadn't really come across any that spoke to me specifically or felt relevant to what I was doing and what my interests were, personally or professionally. I'm also a serial multi-tasker and tend to get lost in my own daydreams (or brilliant ideas, however you want to position it), so anytime I had tried giving them a listen, I found that I would inadvertently stop paying attention early on and failed to gain anything from the experience.

Rosemary Grapefruit Cocktail

I've been on the hunt for fall cocktail recipes for a few weeks now, searching for an option that would capture that quintessential autumn taste in a glass and pair with the beautiful copper bar set that I picked up at BYOB Cocktail Emporium recently. And though at first glance this Rosemary Grapefruit Cocktail may not appear to be your typical fall drink, there's something about the flavour profile that felt really appropriate. Maybe it's the fact that I'm really a summer girl at heart, or it could be because our weather has actually been quite mild for the season.

ResourcesPaige BoersmaNovember 21, 2015bar set, BYOB, BYOB cocktail emporium, cocktail, copper, grapefruit rosemary cocktail, recipeComment

How to Create an Inspiration Board

I will never stop singing the praises of the good ol' fashioned inspiration board. Not only is it one of my favourite parts of starting a new project - whether it be a photoshoot, branding design, or a styled party - it's one of the first steps I take to bring a dream to life, and it's the stage where you start to see themes emerge, details take shape and your vision begin to materialize. And there is so much magic in that, especially when you're a bit of a dreamer and visually-oriented. It's one thing to have an idea, but to be able to actually bring that to life, to communicate it with others and watch it transform, that's pretty special, and it's one of my favourite things to do.