Current inspirations, musings and wanderings, a peek behind the curtains of Slow Dance Studio (and life, because it’s all kind of intertwined at this point). We’ll share some peeks at what we’re working on, what we’re loving and who we’re crushing on (but not like, in a creepy way). There will definitely be some teaching moments, a look at our creative process (yes, the messy side too), and some real talk around what running a creative business really looks like. Sometimes it’ll get a bit personal, and other times, you’ll walk away inspired, or maybe with a new skill or way of looking at things.
We're a week into June, which means it's time for the new pack of styled stock photos! I wanted to keep this month's simple and bright, representing a few of the things I love about summer, and incorporating a bit of a series with the citrus slice backgrounds.
Read MoreOne of the biggest struggles I had when I transitioned to the new Studio Bicyclette was figuring out how to tackle the pricing equation. I had a lot of questions, but the two that held me back the most were whether to charge hourly or on a project basis, and how to actually come up with those numbers. See, I come from a retail background where pricing is relatively easy to figure out based on the cost of the items you're selling, especially when you've been doing it for years.
Read MoreSince the grand closet purge of 2015, I’ve become extremely particular about what stays in my closet and any new pieces I decide to add in. I tend to be attracted to pretty little details and extra special pieces that don’t quite cut it for it day-to-day wear (hello, vintage sequins), so I’ve had to re-train myself to look for styles that offer that in a different way, whether that be a cut, colour, or specific detail
Read MoreLast week I had the opportunity to jet off to NYC for a hot minute (read: under 48 hrs) to attend the National Stationary Show with Alex. I'm always up for an adventure and have a hard time passing up any opportunity to travel, so it was the perfect excuse.
Read MoreIt's a little cliché, I know, but I'm a firm believer that fitness is an essential part of any lifestyle. I speak from experience when I say that even during the times when it feels as though you don't have time or it's the absolute last thing you want to do, it's important to take the time to get up and move, whatever that means for you.
Read MoreOne 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.
Read MoreIn yesterday's newsletter, I shared my experience of learning to embrace my story, failures, and experiences, and including those as part of what I offer instead of trying to fit myself under a certain cookie cutter label or title. It took me awhile, but I've finally realized that not only is it the best way for me to stand out from everyone else, but it's why I have my own unique blend of expertise.
Read More01 // Last weekend a friend and I were flipping through inspiration boards and talking wedding details and dress designs. We're getting married within weeks of each other next summer, and so it's been fun to start going through the process together, though it still feels very far away. We ended up on the Dress Theory blog, and I immediately fell in love with this dreamy shoot and its stunning simplicity. Romantic and not-too-fussy, the dress itself is such a beauty, but it was the photography and beautiful light that had me swooning.
Read MoreThere was a moment recently when I realized that I have fully embraced the Studio Bicyclette "look" in all areas of my life, and that whether you scroll through the Instagram feed, visit the website or peek into my closet, there's a pretty consistent colour palette and overall style. This, my friends, is what they call lifestyle branding.
Read MoreWith the arrival of May comes a new set of styled stock photos, and I'm just as excited to release this batch as I was the first. As I mentioned last month when I first released them, each month follows a specific theme, and this month it's all about beauty.
Read MoreMaybe 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”…
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreCreating a Squarespace account and choosing your favourite template gives you a good shot at being able to create a nice-looking website by just swapping out the content and images from the existing theme with your own. But what if you want more than out-of-the-box? In today’s highly competitive online landscape, going beyond the template and flexing your web design muscle is just one way to stand out against the masses and get noticed!
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There's something especially magical about behind the scenes photos, capturing the imperfect beauty of what goes on in the background and giving us a peek at what we normally don't have access to.
Read MoreWhen I shared the Studio Bicyclette brand inspiration board last year, I mentioned that branding your own project is not a particularly easy task, and throughout the process of designing the brand identity and website, that didn't waver. What I can say though, is that following a distinct creative process and starting with that inspiration board helped immensely.
Read MoreThe beauty of waiting to post a travel diary until a month and half after the trip itself (oops!) is that you get to relive the moments once again. And really, isn't that the reason we capture photographs in the first place?
Read MoreDelicate craftsmanship, locally sourced, and traditional design are buzz words synonymous with the current trend of locally produced goods. With a world full of mass production and careless abundance, these trends are essential and the artisans behind them a needed troupe to change the landscape and bring beautiful and thoughtful design roots back into our communities. Fortnight Lingerie is a shining example of such; expertly crafted, passionately designed and lovingly created by designer and revolutionist (in our opinion!) Christina.
Read MoreLet’s talk about perfectionism.
I’ve always worn the badge of perfectionist proudly, thinking of it as a testament to my attention to detail and strong work ethic. Until recently, I didn’t understand that there was anything wrong with that, or that it may actually be holding me back creatively.
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